by Eliza Tilton
We stopped at a ship with three large masts—one of the merchant ships that transported goods to the western shores. I never ventured near the merchant ships. The men there were brasher than the local sailors of the harbor were.
The captain stood on the dock yelling out orders and checking off a list. Lucino approached him.
“Hello, Captain.”
The captain examined us with sharp gray eyes. His white, scraggly beard hung way past his chin. He looked over Lucino and then his eyes found me. “That’s your sister?”
“Yes, and here’s our fare.” He handed over a small leather bag, which the captain inspected.
“Del!” The captain shouted at a young boy who jogged over to us.
“Yes, sir!”
“These two are joining the crew. Show them their quarters and assign them swab duty.”
Del nodded, and the captain walked off to yell at another sailor.
“I’m Del.” The boy had kind hazel eyes and shaggy brown hair. His smile reminded me of Avikar.
“I’m Edward and this is my sister Rose.”
“Nice to meet you both.” Del walked up the plank and we followed.
Since I’d arrived in Luna Harbor, I’d wanted to sail on a ship. Grandfather had promised me I would accompany him on his next journey. Nervousness trickled through my body. What if someone discovered the truth about why we were on this voyage? Grandfather told me stories of captains dangling stowaways and scallywags from the bowsprit and using them as squid bait. The giant squids in the deep waters were rumored to have a taste for humans.
“I didn’t pay passage to work,” Lucino complained.
“Everyone works.” Del slapped Lucino’s shoulder. “And if you do your job well, Captain might take you off swab duty.”
I covered my mouth, holding in a laugh at Lucino’s aggravated expression. I’d enjoy watching him work. He probably never dirtied his fingernails in all his life.
Men glanced as I passed, but only briefly. They were more concerned with preparing the rigging for voyage, and darted back and forth across the deck. The travelling outfit I wore had a small hole in the breeches and, covered in dust, was far from my normal attire. The change filled me with exhilaration. Under this guise, I felt free. I could be a different person—do things only my brother could do.
The ship was bigger than Grandfather’s pearl boat or the larger ship he sailed west. Men hauled barrels of unknown contents below deck and I watched in awe at the massive masts, wondering when the white sails would unfurl and take us away. Heights never frightened me, and I hoped I’d be able to see the view of the seas from the crow’s nest.
Del took us below to the cargo hold, stuffed with barrels and crates. No bed, no blanket, no place to rest your head but the sodden wooden planks. A rat raced by, disappearing behind one of the wooden drums and I cringed.
“You’ll sleep in here,” Del said. “Cook rings the bell at first light. You get to the galley and eat or you’ll miss out, and working on the ship, you’ll need the strength.”
Del closed the door and brought us up to the orlop deck, showing us the galley and sickbay. The musty smell of sweat and salt permeated everything, very different from the wistful beach air.
When we returned to the upper deck, the ship was beginning to set sail. Sailors let loose the rigging holding us to Luna Harbor and unfurled the sails, all the men working together in a unified rhythm. Some of the sailors reminded me of the drunkards who hung by the tavern and some reminded me of Grandfather.
Sickness twisted my stomach at the thought of what Grandfather must be going through. I had seen no signs of Beckett. Why would someone take Grandfather? No one but Beckett knew about the map, and Beckett would never betray him.
Lucino’s hand guided me past a burly sailor who appeared as tall as my father, but much meaner looking with a black beard and a lazy eye. We walked to the railing, out of the way of the busy men. Del left us and we stood alone watching the sea.
“It should take us two weeks to reach the western shores,” Lucino said. “From there we’ll pick up the trail.”
Would we be able to save Grandfather? What would happen after we rescued him? I still didn’t understand what Lucino wanted from me. Hadn’t he caused my family and me enough pain? Why couldn’t he just let me be?
It didn’t matter. Saving my grandfather was worth anything Lucino planned. I just had to find the strength to endure it.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Avikar
“Idiot!”
“I don’t think anything’s broken.”
“Idiot! Why would you do something so dumb?”
“His legs are okay.”
“I’m going to punch him when he wakes up.”
My eyes opened to Raven and Cael hovering over me. Raven wiped her red eyes.
“You’re awake,” Cael said, “that’s good.”
I sat up, rubbing my head. Blood covered my hand.
“Not too fast.” Cael held my arm, steadying me. “Can you move your arms, hands, legs?”
I tried moving my limbs. They were sore, but nothing else. “Yes.”
He held three fingers in front of me. “How many fingers am I holding?”
“Three.”
“Good, now follow my finger.”
He moved his finger left then right.
“Good.”
“Is he okay?” Raven smoothed out her hair and sniffled.
Cael nodded. “He’ll be bruised, but he’ll survive. Lucky that tree broke your fall.”
I smiled at her, happy we were both alive.
She frowned and threw a speedy right hook, blasting me in the nose.
Pain burst through my face. “Ow!”
“Raven!” Cael grabbed her arms, holding her back.
Tears ran from her eyes. “Idiot! How could you do that to me?”
Cael dragged her away.
Placing my hand on the ground, I pushed myself up and stood. I wiped the blood off my face and walked toward her.
“I made a choice.”
She fought against Cael’s grip. “That wasn’t yours to make!”
“Raven.”
“Argh!” she screamed.
“Let her go, Cael.”
He stepped back and she came at me, swinging. I grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back. She cried and stomped on my foot.
“You could’ve died!”
I swung her around to face me, still holding her arm. “I’m sorry.”
Her lip trembled. “I thought you were dead. And it was my fault.”
I put my hand on her face and released her arm. “It wasn’t your fault. Even at your best, I would’ve been too much weight.” I pulled her into my chest, hugging her tears away.
Cael walked off to the side, past the giant bare tree—the tree that saved my life.
I rubbed Raven’s back, holding her close. The welts and bruises from the fall had already begun to attack my muscles. I’d be sore for days, but I was alive.
“Don’t ever do that to me again,” she said softly.
“I can’t promise you that.”
She pounded my chest with her fist. “Don’t leave me.” She dug her hands into my coat and nuzzled her face against it.
“Never.”
Cael came back around, putting a finger to his lips, then signaled for us to follow. We picked the two packs off the ground and quietly stepped with him. He pointed straight then left, guiding us away from Lucy’s camp.
My bow!
I turned around, searching for it. It lay by the tree, split in two.
No . . . .
My father had given me that bow on my tenth birthday. It was an extension of myself. Sure, I could use a sword, but I wasn’t nearly as good with it as I was with my bow.
Rav
en squeezed my shoulder.
I stared at the broken piece of wood, knowing I had to leave my most treasured weapon behind; knowing a part of me was staying with it.
Night still hovered, and with quiet, careful steps, Cael led us past the boulders. Every muscle ached and throbbing pain echoed through my head and face. The broken rocks were bigger than I expected, standing higher than the large elephants that roamed the mid-west lands. Even if Lucy could see or hear us, the boulders seemed impossible to climb with their giant slabs and smooth sides.
Still, fear pricked my skin and mingled with the ache slowly taking over my body. I couldn’t succumb to any of it. Not with Lucy so close.
I had to press on.
When I finally returned home, I would have one crazy tale to tell my father.
I missed Lakewood, and my family—especially Jeslyn. We had parted well, but there was a lot we still needed to talk about, and I wanted to be there when she and Derrick wed.
It would be good to see Derrick. I missed our spars. Raven made a good partner, but I never went full strength with her. She was a good fighter, but I still had a concern I’d hurt her.
We walked through the rest of the night, exhausted and slow. Cael had another area mapped out to rest in, a niche in between a set of hidden rocks, off the trail. We had to climb over a set of boulders to get to the alcove, and it provided enough cover to block us from the main trail.
Climbing the rocks—even though they weren’t as big as the ones near the falls—made my entire body ache. Every time I moved, my shoulder, side, and back would fill with pain. I must’ve hit every single branch on that tree. I was still shocked I survived. I tried not to think about cutting the rope and seeing Raven’s face as I fell. The image of her hand reaching for me twisted my stomach with fear.
I wasn’t afraid to die, but I was afraid to leave her.
By the time we settled into the alcove, the suns were just rising. Two golden eyes of The Creator. I prayed for protection while we slept, though neither one of us would sleep well.
“How much farther to The Order’s hideout?” Raven lay next to me, resting her head on top of her hands.
“Another day,” Cael said. “If we can keep a fast pace, we should be there by morning.”
Raven’s eyes had already shut by the time Cael finished his sentence. She moved closer, wedging her body against mine. I used my pack to rest against, wrapped my arms around her, and pretended not to notice Cael watching.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jeslyn
The beauty of the sea collapsed the moment my stomach could no longer take the rocking. Lucino held my braids as I vomited over the starboard side. My sickness left me with no room for any emotion except a desperate want to be free of this boat.
Fluid filled my mouth and I vomited again.
“You should try and eat.”
I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. Food will only make it worse.”
“It will get better.”
Del stood next to me with his arms folded, leaning against the rail. “Here.” He handed me a tiny, amber colored object. “Eat that. It will help your stomach.”
“What is it?”
“Ginger.”
I picked up the sticky root and ate it. “Spicy!”
Del laughed. “That’s nothing compared to the cook’s chili.”
Chewing the ginger, I watched Lucino examining Del—at least he could try and not be so obvious.
“Captain Meloy said you two are heading to Jehoia.”
“That’s right,” Lucino said, standing a bit straighter.
“Bad place to be with the war.”
“What war?” I interrupted. “Who’s at war?”
Del glanced back and forth between Lucino and me. He scratched the side of his head. “I guess word hasn’t spread that far. The Nomad King is gathering an army to march against King Corban.”
“What?” No, this couldn’t be. War?
Lucino made no comment. Shouldn’t he be concerned as well?
Panic slammed my chest. Grandfather is missing, Avikar is in another land, and my family . . . . We’re all split apart. If war comes, how we will get back to each other? What if I never see them again?
“Hey.” Del touched my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you. The king will win. I’m sure of it.”
“My sister has had a long day.” Lucino grabbed my waist, pulling me away from Del.
“Tomorrow, I’ll show you the crow’s nest. Best view on the ship.” Del smiled.
“Thank you, and thank you for the ginger.”
“You’re welcome.”
I didn’t want to leave the deck, but Lucino pushed me into the darkness of the hull. When we reached the hold, I broke out of his grip.
“That wasn’t necessary,” I said.
“He was asking too many questions.” Lucino took off his coat and threw it on the floor, then began undoing the buttons on his shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“Undressing.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little inappropriate?” I turned around, crossing my arms. He had no decency!
“After you spent the night in my room, I’d think we were past that.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. Fine. He may not treat me like a lady, but I would still act like one. Keeping my back to him, I found a spot on the wooden floor and laid down, making sure to keep my eyes forward.
His coat landed on top of me. “It will keep you warm.”
The coat smelled of his winter scent, and I closed my eyes. How could I have not made the connection? Was I so desperate for a friend that I blindly ignored the telling signs? I should have known Edward was Lucino.
The sea wasn’t anything like I expected. Waves rocked the ship back and forth, and all I wanted was for the motion to stop. Del had given me more ginger and it helped, but not enough to stop the shakiness in my belly.
“Ugh . . . .” Closing my eyes helped the nausea. I hung my head and arms over the side of the boat trying to breathe in fresh air.
“Still feeling sick?”
I opened my eyes to Del standing beside me.
“Are you afraid of heights?” he asked with a grin.
“No.”
“Follow me.”
Del walked to the main mast. “You climb first. I’ll be right below you.”
The mast rose high, and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to make the climb. Being sick had drained me. “Will this really help?”
“It will.”
If climbing into the crow’s nest would take away the seasickness, I’d sleep there.
Gripping the rungs of the rope ladder, I slowly pulled myself up, taking my time. Heights had never been an issue, and when I was a child, I’d climb higher than Avikar in the big trees near our farm. It annoyed him I could go so high, and it drove him mad whenever I dangled from a branch.
Once I reached the crow’s nest and pulled myself inside, I gazed out at the ship and the sea. Sparkling water reached out farther than I ever imagined, and endless blue stretched everywhere. The air had a fresher scent, and the white clouds seemed close enough to touch.
“Great view, isn’t it?”
I nodded, staring at the massive ship and the sailors busying around below us. “Why did you bring me up here?”
Del leaned against the wood. The first few buttons of his white shirt were undone and he wore a red scarf around his neck. Sunlight shined on him, revealing specks of auburn in his hazel eyes.
“When I first came onboard, I couldn’t stomach the sea. Captain sent me up here and put me on watch. See, our eyes and body don’t agree with what we’re seeing and feeling. Some folks never get accustomed to it.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.” My dreams of sailing with Grandfather were over. If I
couldn’t handle the motion of a bigger boat, how could I handle his pearl boat?
Del moved beside me, placing his arms on the edge of the nest. “A couple of days in the nest and you’ll be good. You’ll get your sea legs for sure.”
“The captain will let me do that?”
“Captain put you under my charge, remember?”
Our elbows almost touched, and my cheeks warmed at his sweet stare. “Thank you.”
He winked, and I had to put my focus somewhere else before my cheeks turned redder.
I scanned the sailors below, wondering where his majesty was hiding. Lucino stood on the deck, and another sailor shoved a bucket and mop at him.
“Hehee,” I giggled, loving the sight of Lucino being bossed around. I wasn’t close enough to hear his reaction, but I imagined his furious face.
“Your brother not used to working?”
“My brother—” I hated to even call him that, “—is a bit spoiled.”
“Not many people venture out at this time of season, between the changing winds and ravagers—”
“Ravagers?”
“You never heard of ‘em?”
“Only a few stories. I heard they use a poison that instantly paralyzes you, and don’t they hunt the coastlines?”
Del nodded. “They’re nasty, not like pirates who will take your goods and give you a chance to surrender. They kill for killing. Most ships are stripped, and every sailor burned.”
Grandfather had told me a little of ravagers, hunters with a blood lust. He’d been lucky to never cross paths with one.
“But don’t worry, I haven’t seen one yet. The king’s ships have been regulating areas where ravagers have been spotted, trying to eliminate them all. We’ll be safe.”
Safe. Here I was with a boy I just met, and the boy who tried to kill my brother, on a ship full of dangerous men . . . was I really safe?
