Cursed Song

by Samantha Kroese

  “What is so damned important?” Shadow started to ask as they came up to Ruyne and Silver.

  Ruyne grabbed Shadow’s chin, forcing him to look up at the sky. Derry looked up as well. The sky was cloudless and a frail looking faded blue. The sun beat down relentlessly, and Derry noticed it was much warmer than it should have been. “We freed Derry,” Ruyne explained, “but Travain really did stop the night. It should be dark by now.”

  Derry looked at his feet, mumbling an apology.

  “He might be sorry, but I’m not,” Shadow crossed his arms. “We just figure out how to undo it, that’s all.” He shrugged when everyone looked at him. “We were doomed either way, Ruyne.”

  Ruyne sighed and looked at Derry. Derry couldn’t believe how much they had all aged in the time he had been gone. He did not feel the passing of time like they did. He had only felt one day a year pass, even if his body felt older. He dropped his gaze respectfully to the ground. “Ask me, Leader. I will help however I can.”

  “Do you know anything about Travain’s plan, Derry? Anything you can tell us could help.” Ruyne said, ignoring the way Shadow glared at him.

  “No. It was like he shut me in a room and closed the door, and I could only see and hear when he flung it open to torment me,” Derry shivered despite the heat and stepped closer to Shadow. When Shadow’s strong arm wrapped around him, he tried to relax. “He is hate, Ruyne. Hate and vengeance are all that exist in him. He will destroy our world if it means he can take the sirens with us.”

  “Enlisting the help of the sirens only made it worse,” Ruyne rubbed his eyes, looking exhausted. “That mistake was mine. The Song will weaken. That’s his goal. We can’t perform during the day, and the Song wastes us away if we can’t perform.”

  “Maybe we could get the Siren Queen to lift the curse if we could find a way to beseech her,” Silver offered as he rubbed comforting circles over Ruyne’s back.

  “I gave our most powerful sacrifice and we clearly only summoned a lesser siren if Travain killed her. How would we even begin to summon the Queen herself?” Ruyne started to ask when he noticed an odd look crossed Shadow’s face.

  “I know a way,” Shadow said. Then he looked around. “Where are we?”

  Ruyne scratched his beard then pointed to the West. “The Deadmoor is very close. I just wanted to get away from where we were, I was not paying attention to which roads we took.”

  “That’s all right. That is on the way to where we need to go.” Shadow took Derry’s arm and pulled him toward their wagon. “Turn us toward Long Penguin.”

  Ruyne raised a brow. “What’s in Long Penguin? We’ve never even been there. It’s by the sea, Shadow.”

  “I’ve been there. And that’s why we’re going. We need the sea and someone who knows how to travel it. Just trust me. And don’t interrupt us again until we’re there,” Shadow said. He threw open the door and gave Derry a wink. “Get in, it’s a journey.”

  Derry climbed up, then yelped when Shadow smacked his butt on the way in. At least Shadow had not changed that much under the surface. Once the door was closed again, he was herded back toward the bed.

  “You need rest,” Shadow insisted as he helped Derry lay down.

  “Is that what you’re calling it?” Derry snorted as Shadow joined him. “Nothing restful about it.”

  “Rest after,” Shadow promised and pulled Derry to him again.

  “Wait! What’s in Long Penguin. Tell me,” Derry wiggled and squirmed beneath Shadow.

  “No, that’s a surprise,” Shadow laughed. “Now stop stalling and give me what I’ve wanted for so long. I crave you, Derry. I need more.”

  Derry shivered at those words. He had never thought Shadow would say them to him, and he hoped they were true. He relented. After all, he wanted Shadow just as much.

  Chapter 28

  Silver

  Silver stood on the cliff with the rest of the Band. The cool sea-breeze touseled his silver hair, and he kept pushing it out of his eyes. This was the closest most of them had ever been to the sea. They had been forbidden to go near it. Only the dead went to the sea to join the sirens. It was no place for the living. But it was beautiful. Silver rested his arms over Truyna’s shoulders, holding the little girl in front of him lest she go darting toward the white-capped sapphire waves. Her prismatic eyes shone with wonder, and she squirmed in his grip. “This is a bad idea, Ruyne,” Silver mumbled, as Ruyne came to join them.

  “Daddy, pick me up! I want to see better,” Truyna escaped Silver’s grip then grabbed onto Ruyne’s arms. Ruyne smiled slightly and picked her up to sit on his shoulders. “Pretty soon you’ll be too big for this, my love.”

  “I don’t think so, Daddy. You’re really strong,” Truyna giggled. Then she rested her arms on Ruyne’s head, placed her chin on them, and sighed. Ruyne wrapped his arm protectively around Silver’s waist. “Why, Silver?”

  Silver wanted to rant about breaking tradition. How being near the sea was wrong and would be the end of them. He could not get the words out, though. Marrying Ruyne had broken tradition. Having Truyna with a village woman broke tradition. Letting Derry and Shadow back in the Band after they had been away so long. Everything they had done since Silver had married Ruyne had been against the rules of the Band. Instead of answering, Silver swallowed and dropped his gaze to watch the long dry grass at their feet sway in the wind. He was the one who had suggested the plan to save Derry. He was the one who had caused the never-ending day.

  “Truyna, go wake up Shadow and Derry,” Ruyne said, setting the little girl down. “Make sure you knock first.”

  Truyna laughed, so carefree still despite everything, and bolted up the small hill behind them to the wagons.

  “I don’t like it when you are so quiet, Silver. It means your mind is reeling in dangerous ways,” Ruyne mumbled as he pulled Silver to him. He wrapped his arms around Silver’s waist from the back and rested his chin on Silver’s shoulder, his beard tickling Silver’s cheek. “Talk to me.”

  “I feel that Travain causing the never-ending day is my fault,” Silver admitted.

  “No, Silver. We all agreed to the plan. We underestimated Travain’s power,” Ruyne sighed as he looked down at the sea. “Do you think we’re going to our deaths?”

  “Only the dead go to the sea,” Silver said with a frown. “This is Shadow’s idea. Shadow has been away from the Band for years, he’s not the same.” Silver paused, not daring to continue with his thoughts when Shadow and Derry walked over to join them. He just shook his head.

  “Ah, Long Penguin!” Shadow grinned as though the very act of saying the name amused him. He pointed at the tiny town that appeared to be a few fishing huts. A medium sized ship bobbed on the waves near the shore. “That’s our real goal.”

  “The ship? Are you mad?” Silver glared at him.

  Before Shadow could spit out a retort, Ruyne cut in to stop the fight before it started. “Shadow, explain.”

  “Right,” Shadow pointed at the ship. “The ship belongs to a fisherman that’s a local legend. He’s immune to siren song magic.”

  “That’s impossible,” Ruyne said with a scowl. “Have you met him? Do you know it to be true?”

  “Yes. I’ve even been out with him on his boat and witnessed it. And I know he knows where the Siren Queen is. He can take us out to plead with her,” Shadow said, crossing his arms with a look of annoyance.

  “He might be immune to the siren song magic, but we are not!” Silver protested, glaring at Shadow before turning to Ruyne. “We can’t go out on a ship, Ruyne.”

  “What are we afraid of? We say our dead return to the sea to join the sirens,” Shadow pointed out. “Are you saying it’s a bad thing?”

  Ruyne ignored their bickering to look at Derry. Derry stood at the cliff’s edge, staring at the water, looking lost and shivering. “Derry?”

  “The Queen of the sirens is the one that cursed us. She’s Travain’s enemy. But I know why she did it. He killed her d
aughter and stole siren magic. This cursed Song magic we all possess is her vengeance but she was merciful enough to let him live. She lets us live,” Derry mumbled, still distant. Then he cried out and grabbed his head. When the others rushed forward to him he pointed at the sky. “Travain!” When they all looked up, fiery comets had begun to fall from the sky to crash on the sun burnt land below.

  Ruyne turned to Bronze as he walked up to join them. “Take Truyna and the Band further from the sea. The four of us will meet you after this is over.”

  Bronze did not look happy at the command, but he turned and walked to the wagons with the rest of them following. Truyna started to protest, until Lapis bribed the little girl with fresh cookies if she came with them.

  “All four of us?” Shadow asked, raising a brow at Ruyne.

  “Ruyne, you can’t go; you’re the Leader,” Silver hissed, tugging at Ruyne’s arm. Even Derry looked horrified and ready to protest.

  Ruyne calmly turned to face them. “My mother’s last words were to not let any of you drift from me. That it was important the four of us were always together. I failed to listen to her advice before and now, look what has happened. It must be us four. Always. As one.” Ruyne said, then held out his hand to the others.

  Shadow looked caught off guard by that, but then he nodded grimly and put his hand over Ruyne’s. “As one in the Song.”

  Silver saw Derry panicking and could feel the faint beat of the other man’s song magic in chaos. He reached over gently, meeting Derry’s gaze, then took Derry’s hand and laid it on top of Shadow’s before putting his over it. “Always as one,” Silver said with an encouraging nod to Derry.

  Derry blushed and looked down away from their gazes but whispered, “As one in the Song.”

  Ruyne closed his eyes once they were all connected. As their song magic started to beat as one to the same tune, he reopened his eyes and nodded to Shadow. “Let us meet your sailor then. We will meet our destiny boldly as is the way of the Band.”

  “Yes, Leader,” Shadow said, as they all pulled their hands away. He bowed his head slightly and turned, though there was a grin tickling the edges of his lips. “You’re either going to love him or hate him.”

  Silver trailed behind them, as they started down the path to the sea. He looked back to see Bronze, Lapis, and Truyna watching them.

  “Always look to the future, Silver,” Ruyne chided softly, as he glanced sideways at Silver. “You know they are safe.”

  “Yes, but are we?” Silver asked, as he turned back to stare at the path.

  “If we can’t trust the Song, Silver, we have nothing,” Ruyne reminded him. Then he reached over to squeeze Silver’s hand. “I have seen your courage, my love. Find it now.”

  “For you, I will try,” Silver managed a smile. Then he looked down the path as the sea loomed ever closer. If they met death, they would meet it as one. Perhaps they would even prevail.

  Chapter 29

  Ruyne

  Ruyne pulled his long hair back into a tail and secured it as he and the others followed Shadow down the path to the small town. The cold wind grew stronger the closer they got to the water. Giant waves crashed beyond the shore. The boat rocked on the waves but seemed sturdy enough despite the sea’s power. Ruyne’s Song magic thrummed through his veins, making his heartbeat so fast he thought it might burst. Part of his mind thought Silver was right. They should not be here. Only the dead went to the sea. But, if they did not stop Travain they would join the dead soon enough. Part of him knew doom would find them either way. Ruyne paused to look back up the hill one last time. He could see the small dots that were the rest of the Band watching them from the cliff far above. His heart ached. Was this the last time he would see Truyna?

  Ruyne swallowed the lump in his throat. He glanced at Silver who had fallen in step next to him. He wanted to send Silver away too, back to the Band. Protect him. In the same thought, he knew that he could not. Silver would not survive if something happened to Ruyne. Better they met their end side-by-side. Ruyne clenched his jaw and looked ahead of them to where Derry and Shadow walked together. Shadow joked and laughed, trying to get Derry to smile. Sometimes he succeeded.

  Shadow quieted as they walked through the town. Now that they were here Ruyne could see that it was in various states of decay. All the houses were empty and ruined. A shiver worked its way down his spine, and he slowed. Silver grabbed at his arm and pulled, stepping back toward the cliff. “There is nothing but death here, Ruyne,” Silver whispered to him. Silver's pale skin seemed even more pale than normal, and his grey eyes held a terrified look.

  Ruyne watched Shadow and Derry walk toward the dock. There was something off about both of them, but he could not quite figure it out. Ruyne could feel the strength of the Song-Binding between the two of them again as their Song magic beat in unison.

  Shadow glanced back over his shoulder at them. “Are you two coming? We’re almost there.” Shadow pointed at the one small shack near the dock that did not look like it was about to fall down. Someone still lived there.

  Ruyne closed his eyes to calm himself. In the distance, he thought he could hear voices. Beautiful, enchanting voices. But when he tried to focus on the noise, it vanished. He squared his shoulders. No, he would not face the Siren Queen in fear. She had cursed them, but he would prove to her he was not like Travain. His people were worth saving. “Go on ahead, Shadow. We’ll be there in a moment.” Shadow raised his brows but nodded to Derry and they kept walking down the path to the hut.

  Ruyne turned to take Silver’s hands in his, looking deep into Silver’s eyes. “I will not lie to you, my love. I do not think we will make it out of this alive. If you want to turn back and go to the Band and take them far from here until Truyna is grown enough to lead then I will let you go.”

  Silver’s eyes welled with tears. “You know that I cannot live without you. So if you are to die, I will die with you.”

  Ruyne trailed his fingers down Silver’s cheek to wipe away a tear that escaped. “Do not be afraid, Silver. I am here. I will always be at your side. I will protect you.” He leaned forward to give Silver a kiss. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” Silver murmured, then wiped away his tears and straightened. “I trust you.”

  “I know,” Ruyne replied with a hint of regret. He was not sure he deserved that trust at this moment. “Silver, do you sense anything off with Shadow and Derry?”

  “My Song has been in a state of alarm since Shadow came back. I thought it was everything that had happened. Now that we are away from the Band, I am not so certain. I do think it might be Shadow.” Silver glanced at the pair who had almost reached the dock house. He faltered and looked back to Ruyne. “Are they already dead, Ruyne? Did we fail?”

  Ruyne thought back to their battles with Travain for Derry. Truyna had forced Derry’s will out of the body like a spirit. He thought about how Shadow had moved and killed in battle. “Only the dead go to the sea,” Ruyne repeated in a murmur.

  “Then Shadow is leading us to join him. Why?” Silver slipped his arm through Ruyne’s, clinging to him.

  Ruyne looked up at the blinding sky. Angry wisps of clouds offered no respite from the burning sunlight. “Because our world is ending, Silver.”

  “I don’t want to die, Ruyne. Let’s go back,” Silver pulled at his arm, taking a few steps backward.

  Ruyne shook his head. “Let us see what happens, Silver. Our fear is running away with us. Shadow and Derry did not seem like spirits when we were with the Band.” Ruyne took a deep breath, then stalked forward with determination.

  Shadow and Derry stood talking to a tall, thin, man. The man was dressed in elaborate, brilliantly-colored silks. Frills and lace accented clothes that rivaled any of their performance costumes. As Ruyne and Silver approached, the man took off his large, plumed hat and bowed to them. His steel-grey eyes peered out from masquerade mask that hid most of the rest of his face. His lips wore a warm smile though. “Greetings, b
rother and brother-in-law to Shadow. Shadow is my dear friend. He has explained your predicament. I am Earling Trollop, sea-faring pirate and siren hunter extraordinaire.”

  Ruyne stared in shock. Whatever he had been expecting, it was not this flamboyant pirate. He glanced at Shadow, at a loss for words.

  Shadow tilted his head. “He’s a siren hunter. He knows how to find the Queen. He’s also immune to their Song.”

  “Aye! Those pretty little things can’t charm what isn’t interested,” Earling piped up. He looked over Ruyne and Silver. “Though handsome and dashing bards seem to be a weakness of mine. At your service…and I do mean for anything.”

  Silver’s eyes widened and he ducked behind Ruyne. Ruyne narrowed his eyes as he asked, “You can take us to the siren Queen to plead our case?”

  “I can take you above her dwelling, yes. She lives deep beneath the waves. Whether she will come up to speak to you, I haven’t the foggiest idea. Shadow seems to think she will want to. Worth a shot? I mean the world doesn’t look like it’ll last much longer anyway,” Earling waved a delicate hand toward the sky.

  “Take us, then,” Ruyne scowled, then clarified at the mischievous sparkle in Earling’s eyes. “To the Queen, I mean.”

  Earling gave him a disappointed look and swept his hat back onto his head. “Shadow warned me you were all serious and no fun or games. You are lucky I owe him a favor, Leader Ruyne. Follow me, then.” And with an exaggerated wave and a bounce, the pirate sauntered down the dock to his waiting ship.

  Ruyne glanced at Shadow, his gaze demanding an explanation. Shadow gave none; he shrugged and followed Earling to the ship, his hand holding Derry’s. Derry looked lost as he trailed behind.

  “There is no going back once we are on that ship, Ruyne,” Silver warned.

  Ruyne leaned down to kiss Silver on the lips, then squeezed his hand. “I know. It will be well, Silver. The Song is in agreement. Can’t you feel it?”