Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere

by Peter Koevari

Helenia nodded slowly and Andrielle continued to brush her hair, beginning to slide pins in with shiny jewels at their tips.

  “Look at you, my sweet daughter. You truly are the fairest of all the women in Marithia, elven and human alike. Vartan is truly a lucky man to have your heart.”

  “Thank you mother. He is worthy of it.”

  “Yes, he certainly is,” Andrielle said, her voice trailing away.

  The sound of horns blowing and battle drums frightened them both, and Andrielle dropped the brush to the ground, her hands shaking. Andrielle turned to her hand servant. “Fetch our armour, now!”

  So much for peaceful moments.

  Just when she began to drop her guard, the war stepped in to remind her otherwise.

  The walls shook and Nymira’s head came into view from their balcony.

  “Nymira. What’s going on? We’ve been patrolling the lands and have sighted no threats,” Andrielle said.

  “The threat is not from land, but from the seas. Ships are approaching our direction from the south, and they don’t look friendly,” the dragon queen answered.

  Could it be true? Ships attacking Greenhaven when they were at their weakest?

  The thought sent chills up her spine. She wished Vartan was here to guide them, but didn’t dare voice it.

  “What or who are we facing?” Andrielle said, retrieving her royal armour from the hastily gathered cart.

  The dragon queen’s voice saddened as she answered. “We know naught of who we face, but there are many ships and nothing like I have seen before. They are far in the distance, but will reach us by nightfall.”

  Shit.

  Andrielle stopped dressing and turned to the dragon queen, her voice rising. “I thought the dragons had pirate ships under control and they could never pass Trahoterra. Can we not deter them?”

  Helenia blurted, “Pirates? You never spoke of pirates!”

  “It wasn’t for you to be concerned about, and this is not the time to discuss it. We must prepare for war. Pirates don’t show themselves unless they are ready for battle,” Andrielle said.

  “With all due respect; we already tried deterring them and somehow, they can see our dragons, even when we are hidden. We have already lost a brother to the sea, as a result,” Nymira said, lowering her head.

  “Wait. Pirates could never see dragons, which means that this must be the work of... no! Surely not. Kassina?” Helenia said, slipping into her armour.

  “We fear the same. This could never be the work of pirates alone, as they would have never made it this far or had the gall to attack us. We only know of Kassina and the vampires having the ability to see us when we are hidden.”

  This was much worse than she had imagined. The dread she had felt for days had been realised, and she wasn’t sure they would survive it.

  “Nymira, keep everyone away from their ships. We should not needlessly endanger their lives. Please dispatch a dragon to Veldrenn and request reinforcements,” Andrielle said.

  “Agreed, but I will take care of it myself and will be back before the ships can reach us.”

  “Very well. Be careful.”

  Nymira nodded and launched from Greenhaven’s walls, spreading her wings before rocketing toward Veldrenn.

  “To think that we could experience peace for more than a short time. It was too much to hope for, wasn’t it?” Helenia said, admiring her sharpened sword, before sheathing it.

  Andrielle smiled and put her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Such is the burden of our lives until this war is over. It is up to us to show strength to our people. Understood?”

  Maybe after the war was over, she would have time to grieve and deal with her demons. For now, the pirates and the queen of the underworld robbed her of that, and they would regret it.

  Helenia breathed deep and her face hardened. “Of course. Let’s go.”

  Sliding on their helms, they headed out their door and marched toward the parapets. They exited the inner walls. Greenhaven was a hive of activity, as if a hornet’s nest had been stirred. Market stalls were being packed away and the streets were full of elven and human warriors making their way to their gathering points. Catapults were dragged into position; horses strained from pulling the weapons’ weight. Archers ran to the castle’s walls, and strained their bows over the parapets in succession.

  Helenia kept pace behind her mother, staring at the shiny golden scales draping from her helm. They made it to the western parapets, and stepped down to the outer guard’s tower. Andrielle stood still as she stared into the Marithian Ocean, and she remained silent as she slowly removed her helm, holding it at her side.

  Helenia followed her mother’s gaze and shared the view. At first, they appeared like a mirage on the horizon, as the sun’s heat distorted the images. The armada cleared in their vision.

  “By the gods...” Andrielle said, her voice as soft as a whisper.

  Helenia couldn’t believe what she was seeing. How could they have known that Vartan was not with them? She wondered if spies were in their midst, or if Kassina was just incredibly lucky. She stared at her mother. “Have you ever seen so many ships?”

  The elven queen shook her head and closed her eyes as she drew a deep breath. Her eyes shone. “Marithians will panic, and we need to make sure that we remain a pillar of strength. We have a matter of hours before they will be in range of our walls.”

  “What do we know about defending against ships?” Helenia said.

  Andrielle grimaced before speaking. “Enough, but when were we ever prepared for this war?”

  That was the answer she was expecting, but hoping not to hear. Her mother needed her daughter’s strength, and she knew that they couldn’t lose Greenhaven again, not after all that was sacrificed. “They come when Vartan isn’t here to protect us. Water is his element.”

  “Vartan isn’t the only one who can protect us. Nymira will return long before the ships attack us, and we’ll be ready. Come with me to the war room, and we will talk strategy. You need to learn for when you become queen.”

  Raehar stood guard, watching the combined fleet’s seemingly endless line of ships abreast of his position. Lucia sailed ahead of his ship, to his left. The ship looked majestic as it glided through the waves, and Lucia looked back at him, smiling before returning her focus to her duties. He didn’t know why, or how he could explain it to anyone else, but he felt close to her.

  A ship of my own. I didn’t see that coming. It’s not a Bloodship, but I find myself glad it wasn’t done, he thought.

  He didn’t agree with this war, or his captain’s choice of allegiance, but this was a nice silver lining. Being made the captain of his own ship was a welcomed promotion.

  Captain Silvertongue nodded to him, and he smiled back.

  “Keep her steady!” Raehar said.

  His men cried out in unison, “Aye, capt’n!”

  He looked at the inanimate statue already carved on the ship, awaiting the quickening, and grimaced before heading below deck, making his way below, to the rear of the ship where the cargo hold awaited him.

  He spotted a few men playing cards and drinking rum as they kept watch over the important items in the hold. He now realised he was given the ship with the most incompetent of crew. They were going to war, and these men were playing cards.

  His voice snarled. “Get back to work ye dogs! I want our cannons checked, and weapons sharpened, aye?”

  The men hesitated for a moment before growling back at him, “Aye, capt’n”

  Raehar drew his sword in a smooth motion, landing the blade across the skin of both men’s necks. He breathed his question through narrowed eyes. “Do we have a problem?”

  The pirates’ eyes widened and they shook their heads.

  “We’ve a castle to take, and treasure to plunder, so get yer heads in order.”

  “Aye, capt’n!”

  Raehar withdrew his sword and watched as the men left the cargo hold. He rushed to the mermaid’s encaseme
nt. “Jasmine, has anyone hurt you?”

  She wiped the tears from her face and shook her head. He stared at the enlarged padlocks which held her prisoner, baring his teeth. Looking over her, he saw the bruises on her legs, and she crossed her arms over her bare chest.

  He sighed, stood up and placed his blade under the lid, lifting it slightly. He passed her some spiced bread. She snatched and devoured it, before smiling at him and placing her hand on the glass. He knelt down to look her in the eyes and placed his hand on hers.

  Her voice was hushed. “Help me.”

  “Jasmine, you know I can’t release you,” he said, before noticing that the locks had been switched.

  That could only mean one thing. No, those dogs wouldn’t dare touch her, would they?

  The thoughts set his mind on fire.

  “Did they... Did those men rape you?” he said, narrowing his eyes.

  “No, but they wanted to. Disgusting maggots they are, keeping a cowardly blade at my throat. They touched me, but they heard you coming and closed the locks. I fear what they will do if you leave me alone down here.”

  He didn’t know why he was apologising for those men, but nothing else came to mind. After all, they were his crew, so he was responsible. He found himself despising his own kind as the shame sickened him. “I’m sorry.”

  “I want to be free. I want to be myself again, which I will be when you let me touch seawater. I don’t know how to be like this,” she said, feeling her legs.

  “Let me go back to the sea. I can take you with me. You have always been kind and that shall never be forgotten. My return would be well rewarded. Please, if you leave me here... I don’t know what will happen. These men think we sail to our deaths and no longer fear punishment.”

  Raehar listened for any movement. He was likely going to die in this ridiculous battle that he should never have been in.

  Why not entertain the thought of desertion? Maybe there was a place much better than here.

  “Tell me about your home, and how I wouldn’t drown if you took me there.”

  Chapter 11 : Besieged

  “We scour Mount Wayrin and continue to find nothing. My faith is being tested. Will we find any sign of Daessar?”

  (Prince Vartan)

  Their bodies warmed and muscles ached within their armour, but the real furnace burned in their hearts and minds. Andrielle peeked behind their position on the north-west parapets, staring deep into the quiet streets of Greenhaven. The city’s inhabitants were either fortifying their homes or a part of the city’s defences.

  She had wondered how it had come to this. They were blindsided by the only people they had never expected to cross the ocean. Her age had long been moved by the hands of time.

  Was this going to be the last time I engage in battle? Helenia is not ready to take the throne.

  Her now son-in-law was gone in search of the ultimate weapon in this war. She knew it was of the utmost importance, but what good was Talonsphere if Greenhaven falls before he activates it? She closed her eyes and drew a deep, warm breath.

  No, Greenhaven will not fall. Not today, and not like this, she thought.

  Queen Andrielle looked to her daughter and her voice was far stronger than she had realised. “Do you hear Nymira’s voice yet?”

  Helenia frowned and shook her head, the wind blowing the exposed strands of her brown hair around her helm. “I doubt we will. From what I know, dragons won’t use mind speaking when Kassina is near. She might hear them too.”

  Her daughter was right, and she knew it. Damn these pirates and that wench, Kassina. How she wanted to cut that witch’s head off. She knew that her people were waiting for her leadership.

  The queen gazed at the advancing line of ships and nodded to the many archers stationed along the parapets, awaiting her orders with their lowered bows. Their faces were determined, but she saw uncertainty in their eyes. They were ready to fight for the crown, for Marithia, but had no idea of how to battle this new enemy.

  I don’t blame them.

  “Helenia,” Andrielle said, her voice trailing away. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “We lost the most powerful of us in their journey to Daessar, and we are attacked two days later. Far too coincidental for my liking.”

  Helenia nodded and exhaled a deep breath. “We know not of their fate or success, but I do wish they were here right now.”

  “That makes both of us. Well, I guess it’s down to us to put up a fight. Let’s honour King Arman’s memory, and not let us fail.”

  Helenia half smiled and nodded slowly. She had been a bit strange lately, and Andrielle wasn’t sure what was wrong with her. She used to share everything with her, before the war. The uncomfortable silence ate at her nerves, and she filled it with what she knew best, taking charge.

  Andrielle pointed to the centre of the fleet and narrowed her eyes. “Once they clear the reef’s edge, they will be in range of our catapults.”

  The move appeared to have worked, and Helenia focused on the inevitable battle.

  “Are we in an even battle?” Helenia said.

  “Not by any measure. We have to hit their ships as they travel through the ocean, and all they have to do is to assault a stationary target. If we don’t overwhelm them quickly, then this could be a massacre. They could hit the city until they run out of things to fire at us, or until there is nothing left to fire at. If they were foolish enough to land and storm the city on foot, then I am confident of our victory. Something tells me we won’t be so lucky.”

  “But we have dragons on our side,” Helenia said, pacing back and forth.

  “Yes, we do. But I will not let them fall easily at the hands of Kassina’s ballistae. They would be fatal for dragons.”

  Helenia said faintly, “So, we just hope for the best?”

  Andrielle stared out at the ocean for a long moment before speaking. “We do what we must, and we make the sacrifices we need. There is no way that we are losing Greenhaven again. We will win this battle, or there will be nothing left for them to take from us. I cannot accept anything in between”

  Helenia nodded and smiled at her mother. “I had a feeling you would say that. It won’t be long until the sun sets, and then we all know how dangerous this battle will become for us. We need to buy some time of our own.”

  Helenia’s moods had been worrying since the war began, but more so of late, and Andrielle wondered what she was up to. She scrunched her brow. “Yes, we do. But how do we do that?”

  Helenia cocked her head slightly and grinned wide. Her smile was infectious, and the queen couldn’t help but be lifted by it. “I have an idea, but I know you will not approve.”

  Andrielle chuckled and looked her daughter in the eyes. “When has that ever stopped you?”

  “Oh mother, that is not always true. Anyway, I think it’s about time that I have a chat with the queen of darkness herself.”

  Andrielle’s eyes widened and her face hardened. This was absolutely not what she was expecting. The thought horrified her and sickened her stomach. “You are right. I do not approve. Have you gone mad? They will kill you, and how do you suggest talking to her?”

  “We do not have sail boats, but we have boats which we use to bury the dead. I will fly a white flag and buy us the time we need.”

  The queen grabbed her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. “No, absolutely not. The plan is a sound, but a grave one. I cannot lose you, and this should be my sacrifice to make, not yours. I will go out on that boat.”

  “Mother, do you really think I would just sacrifice myself? There is one reason that you cannot go, and it must be me. You would never make it back here alive on the seas once they see through our move, but I will.”

  “Really? And how is that?”

  Her eyes glowed white momentarily. “Magic. I have spent some time studying Vartan’s training books and practicing in my own time. I think I can handle myself out there.”

  She knew her daughter had a point, b
ut she couldn’t handle the thought of her going out there. Her magic would be no match for Kassina, and she knew it. “No. Send someone else. I need to protect you, and we need to stay here to lead our people.”

  “Mother, there is nobody else to send. They will not talk negotiations with anyone but us. You can lead them while I am gone. Our people need us to show them our courage, and once we face Kassina alone, then others will rise. If we hide in fear, then how can we expect our people to not do the same?”

  Andrielle knew when she had been beaten. Helenia was right, and only one of them could approach Kassina to discuss terms. She hated the idea, but she had no other options, or they would all likely die anyway. “My darling daughter, how you continue to surprise me in ways I never saw coming. You are learning far more than you should in your years. As much as I don’t want to risk your life, I find myself risking everyone in Greenhaven. If you are going to do this, then you will do it spectacularly. Come with me, and let me show you some of the special weapons we have from Makya’s crate.”

  Helenia’s face hardened and she nodded, following her mother toward the armoury.

  Raehar wiped the sweat from his brow, and paced beside Jasmine’s encasement. He couldn’t believe everything he had heard. If it was believable, then he longed to go with her. “So, everything ye told me is true then?”

  “As true as blood is red. I have no reason to lie to you,” Jasmine said, placing her hands flat on the glass surface. Her eyes were like that of a lost puppy, and his heart ached to see her like that. In all the years he had been surrounded by pirates and women of coin, he had never imagined that the first woman he would care for, outside of his sister, would be a mermaid.

  “Please, Raehar, let me out of here and let us leave before we die in this battle.”

  The hold was filled with banging, rattling, and screams from the upper deck, but the words were too muffled to be understood. Something was going wrong, and he had a feeling it was not in his best interests.

  “See? They will likely mutiny and kill you the first chance they get, and the gods only know what they will do to me before they kill me too,” Jasmine said.