Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere

by Peter Koevari

  Vartan narrowed his eyes and yelled in the man’s face. “Altered? We’re here, looking for a realm that we cannot find, and Greenhaven is besieged. What exactly did you alter? And if you didn’t organise Helenia’s ambush, then who did?”

  “Vartan, please. At least let him stand and explain himself. He won’t be going anywhere with us around,” Dryden said.

  Vartan pointed at the castle and snapped. “They could all die because of you!”

  He sheathed his sword and paced around Kai’En. Breathing deep to calm his nerves, Vartan nodded and let the man stand. Kai’En wrapped a cloth around his neck. “That was unnecessary, Vartan, but I forgive you. It must be quite a shock to see me like this.”

  “Forgive? You have nerve,” Vartan said, before Anakari pulled him back.

  “All right, I certainly do owe you all an explanation, but it is not what you think. The vision you had, was it in a dungeon, with the map?” he said.

  Vartan nodded.

  “Was I helping Derian? In a way, yes. Look, he was not always bad. I knew him when he was a child, when he still had some good in him. I suppose I hoped I could stop him from turning into what I envisioned. I was wrong. He had turned into a twisted shit of a man, and ultimately a vampire, paying extremely well for deliveries of blood. No, I did not kill anyone, although he thought I did. I drained the recently dead to create the bottles. Everyone has a price.”

  Is he telling the truth? Vartan thought.

  Yes, I will tell you if he lies, Keturah said.

  I can barely believe that Derian was good once, Vartan thought, before saying, “Go on.”

  “How do you think I survive this war? I need gold, just like everyone else. Derian would have hired more assassins than you could fight off. By taking the job, I ensured your victory.”

  Vartan narrowed his eyes and raised his sword. “So, you did order the ambush.”

  Kai’En raised his arms. “Wait, I am on your side in this war, don’t you see?”

  “Looks far from it, does it not?” Dryden said.

  “Vartan, don’t close your mind to possibilities. You not only killed the men who attacked you, but you and Helenia were unhurt, were you not?” Kai’En said.

  “Yes, but I lost good men that day!”

  “Such are the sacrifices we make for the greater good. Better some good men than the princess, isn’t it? I see visions too, so you must know the nature of them and how they can change or deceive you. I sent a group of mercenaries who I supplied plenty of ale before their job. They never stood a chance, and everything that has taken place has led to this.”

  “What else have you influenced? Is Daessar really here?” Vartan said.

  “You must know, I do it all for the greater good. Everything I told you is true, and the entry to Daessar is here. In a manner of speaking.”

  More flashes lit up over Greenhaven and explosions erupted over the landscape. Vartan pointed his sword to the city. “That is a manner of speaking? You put everyone in danger.”

  “Not at all, Vartan. You were not meant to be at this battle of Greenhaven. Fate has many paths, and it was not the right time for you to meet Kassina in battle again. Too much has already changed, and the future is becoming uncertain. There are only a few of us left with enough influence to ensure our path to victory. Stop worrying, as most paths I have seen result in a victory for Greenhaven tonight.”

  “You can’t be serious,” Yuski said.

  “We are wasting time here. No more games. Where is the entry to Daessar?” Vartan said.

  His patience was thin and crumbling with each flash on the horizon.

  “Have you realised yet that our meeting today was anything but chance? The entry to Daessar is right underneath your feet, Vartan, and your key is Anakari,” he said.

  They all stared at the ground. There was nothing around but earth.

  “No, not on the ground, but far beneath it. The time is right, and you need to travel to Alyanti, the city under the sea, and the home of what you would know as mermaids.”

  “Wha...” Vartan said, “Is this another trick? How are we meant to travel underwater? We’re not fish!”

  Kai’En reached into his pack and drew out a small tome. “No, Vartan, this is no trick. Take this and consider it a gift to make our peace. Given your blessing, you would likely have no problem breathing underwater, but I guess we can’t be sure. Within the book are secrets unknown to even Kassina and Shindar. In it are spells of the ancients, but be warned, some of them may produce effects that differ from their intentions. The spell to let you breathe water, however, works the same in the realm of Daessar, as it does here. It is not the only way you can get there, but it will work.”

  Vartan could not let deception pass, even if it was for a so called greater good. He took the book and sheathed his sword before approaching Kai’En. “Know this. If you ever mislead us again, whether it is for the greater good or not, there will be a price to pay. We could have known and made a decision to stay on the best path. Never take our choices from us again.”

  Kai’En nodded and smiled. “I promise, Vartan. The time for you to join the battle for Greenhaven is now, so you had best be on your way. Good luck.”

  Karven, we need to get out of here, now! Vartan thought.

  The ground shook under their feet as Karven landed, and again as Finn did the same.

  “We fly to Greenhaven,” Vartan said, mounting the king of dragons.

  He prayed it was not too late.

  The ocean was a chaotic sea of horrors. Blood flowed from bodies floating on its surface, fish picking loose chunks of flesh in a feeding frenzy. Vampires, manning the crossbows, cheered as another dragon fell into the seas, collecting the back half of a pirate ship in its fall. The broken ship bobbed on the surface and sank to its grave as pirates leapt overboard.

  Vampires scanned the skies, not finding any more targets. Greenhaven’s endless barrage and attacking dragons had taken their toll as the ships remained locked in a fierce battle between Kassina’s remaining forces, and the many pirate ships.

  Raehar made his way back to his ship’s deck, with Jasmine lying in his arms. Just as he made it to the top of the stairs, a missile hit the side of their ship, launching them into the air. Raehar twisted to land hard on his back, struggling to regain his footing as the ship rocked violently and took on water. With shaking knees, he ran to the edge of Lucia’s deck.

  I am not going to die here. Whatever it takes, I will walk away from all of this.

  “Is that our prisoner?” Lucia said.

  Raehar leapt across the ocean, his breath held as caught Jasmine looking into his eyes. He slipped on the watery deck of the ship as he landed, tumbling in a heap with Jasmine grunting. He wiped his brow and drew his sword. “Sorry.”

  All but the closest vampire ships had already pulled away. With a blur of shadows under the burgundy moonlight, Mestal and Tusdar landed on Lucia’s deck. They drew their swords toward Raehar’s neck and screamed, “You dogs betrayed us all!”

  Raehar sneered and looked to Jasmine beside him. “We did nothing of the sort. This agreement was between our masters, who ye notice are no longer here with us. Put down yer swords, and let us leave here and be free. I have no desire to fight ye. Ye and yer men can be free of all this, aye?”

  Mestal looked at Tusdar and they said nothing, as if they were waiting for something.

  “Do you hear her? I hear nothing,” Tusdar said.

  Mestal shook her head, and they both lowered their swords.

  “I may be a pirate, but I’m a man of honour. Lucia, take them out of here and to wherever they want to go, and then make yer way back to Grenlees, aye?”

  “Aye, capt’n, but what about you?” Lucia said, shifting to avoid an incoming missile that sprayed seawater on her deck.

  He liked the sound of being called her captain, but his choice had already been made.

  Jasmine smiled as the seawater began to change her skin. Her pink flesh shone
under the moonlight.

  “Let us end this madness,” Raehar said.

  He breathed deep to yell at the top of his lungs. “Grenlees crew! Put down yer weapons and follow Lucia out of here!”

  The men continued fighting, and the only legible words Raehar could hear through the madness were cries for gold. The few bloodships heard Raehar’s call, and brought themselves toward them. There was nothing he could do for the other men. They had their own choices to make, and their own lives to risk.

  Tusdar nodded and cried, “Listen up. We leave for Zhendur. This is no longer our battle.”

  Vampires leapt back to their own ships and rowed toward Lucia. The pirates returned their attention to the promised castle, drawing swords and cheering as they set their sails and launched a fresh barrage of cannon fire on the castle.

  Raehar picked up Jasmine in his arms, smiled at her and said, “I hope yer words be true.”

  “Where are you going?” Lucia said.

  Raehar stood over the edge, took and held a deep breath, and leapt into the cold water below. His body plummeted, and he held Jasmine tight as they descended further beneath the ocean’s surface, watching flashes light up the watery sky above. Water exploded violently on the surface above them as missiles hit the ocean. The pressure of the explosions thumped his body, but he was not hurt. He felt the softness of her skin shift, and her slippery legs joined together to form a tail. Jasmine pulled him deeper into the water, until they were far from the surface. Her long hair slithered as she hugged him and smiled to reveal her razor sharp teeth. His body tensed.

  Is she going to eat me?

  He suddenly wondered if he had made a grave mistake and should have stayed on Lucia’s deck. More flashes from the surface revealed hundreds of mermaids all around them, hovering in the water in a large circle. Their eyes were now all on him.

  Raehar grabbed his throat as his need for air began to take hold of his body. He closed his eyes and prepared for the inevitable.

  This is the day I die.

  His eyes widened and heart raced as Jasmine grabbed his shoulders, reeled back and opened her mouth wide. He braced himself for the worst pain imaginable, but she pulled his lips onto hers as she flooded his lungs with water. His body twitched. He began to relax as she slipped her tongue into his and kissed him deeply. His body glowed in the water as he enjoyed the kiss. Sharp pains dragged their way down his neck, as if someone was scratching through his skin on both sides.

  His voice was muffled as he screamed under the water.

  He hadn’t realised it, but he found that he was breathing again. He brought his hands to his neck and reeled back, feeling gills opening and shutting with every breath. A grin stretched across his face.

  I live.

  Jasmine turned to what appeared to be a mermaid royal, brandishing gold armour, a shiny pearl coloured trident, and wearing a tight crown of sparkling jewels. They spoke in a language that he could not understand. He heard muffles and shrieks as Jasmine and the mermaid spoke, but soon found that words formed in his mind.

  “How can this be?” he said, watching as the mermaids surveyed him closely. When he spoke, there were no bubbles.

  “Mother. He saved my life, and stopped men from defiling me. He has earned the right to come to Alyanti,” Jasmine said.

  “We lost many lives in an effort to save you. Would he have saved you sooner, we would not have so many sisters dead,” the ornate mermaid said.

  The royal mermaid swam over to him and stared into his eyes, her own eyes blinking vertically as she searched for something.

  “He is not who we have been long expecting. I sense a kind heart and a history of regret. I suppose that everyone should be allowed a chance of redemption. I am Nathalia, and will allow you into our home. Know that if you break any of our laws, that there will be no mercy for you. You will be the first human we have ever taken into our trust, so don’t make me regret it.”

  “Great queen, I will ne’er betray ye,” he said.

  Nathalia laughed. “I see why you like this one. I am no queen, I am sister of sisters and have been chosen to lead them. Nothing more.”

  Jasmine swam to him and grabbed his hand, pulling him to her back. “Hang on, this will be strange for you. My kiss allows you to breathe underwater and protects you from the pressure of the depths, but only for a short time.”

  “Ye could always kiss me again, couldn’t ye?” he said, wrapping his hands under her arms and back over her shoulders.

  “You always were a cheeky one, Raehar. Thank you for saving my life and trusting me,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I suppose that you have earned another kiss, but let’s save that for another time.”

  Before he could answer, his body dragged with immense force as Jasmine sped through the water. She caught up to the school of mermaids heading deeper through the water, toward Marithian soil. The water warmed to him and he adjusted to this new world. He dug his head into her back as he strained to keep it upright, and lay a small kiss on her shoulder blade.

  She slowed her descent through the depths of the Marithian Ocean. Raehar looked up to watch a giant sea serpent swimming through the water, its scales reflecting the moonlight through the water. Its size was alarming. He had never been so out of his element.

  Jasmine put a hand on his and tapped it gently, stroking it.

  The mythical creature continued through the water as if they did not exist. Its focus was elsewhere.

  Karven sped through the sky as if he were a shard of lightning, with Greenhaven as its target. The roaring wind sped past the prince’s ears, making it impossible to communicate vocally. Vartan turned to the west and noticed the many black ships sailing away from the battle. Their silhouettes darkened the reflection of the Blood Red Moon,

  Vampires are leaving. Should we engage them in battle? Vartan thought.

  Nymira will be in the thick of it, as will your princess. Don’t forget that vampires can still see us, while pirates cannot.

  I know you’re right. What worries me is that something feels wrong about all this, Vartan thought.

  I couldn’t agree more.

  Finn’s voice filled their minds. We will soon join this battle. Do we have a plan, brother?

  Stay alive, and protect Greenhaven at all costs, Vartan thought.

  His heart pounded and muscles tensed as he readied himself for battle.

  I may already be far too late, he thought.

  Greenhaven neared as the ground rushed underneath them, and the sounds of battle intensified. Vartan drew his sword. He turned to the east, where Finn flew beside them and nodded. Yuski and Dryden looked to him, their faces grim.

  Prepare yourselves! Karven said, diving through the billowing clouds of smoke, toward the western parapets. He fanned out his wings to slow his descent and avoid the freshly launched missiles from within Greenhaven’s walls.

  Vartan turned to Anakari and yelled, “Stay here!”

  Jumping up to kneel on Karven’s back, he focused on the blurring landscape as the great dragon hovered above the castle. Vartan watched as the resulting wind disorientated Queen Andrielle and the many archers on the parapets.

  Vartan somersaulted from Karven’s back and landed hard on the golden bricks of Greenhaven’s parapets. He stood to stare into Andrielle’s eyes as she ran to embrace him in a hug, her eyes bloodshot and face wet. Her face was grim, and his heart sank so low that he almost dropped to his knees. Helenia was nowhere to be seen.

  “Vartan! Thank the gods you are here,” the queen said, “We cannot take much more of this.”

  Vartan caught the sight of movement on the corner of his eye and he tackled the queen to the ground, the intense heat of the cannonball shocked him as it rocketed through the space where they stood.

  That was too close.

  As they recovered and stood once more, Vartan asked, “Where is Helenia, is she safe?”

  Andrielle’s eyes watered and face contorted as she slowly shook her head. She went t
o speak, but her words broke into sobs.

  His eyes narrowed and pain tore through his chest, as if his heart had been crushed in front of his eyes. Hunching over, he placed his hands over his face, tears dripping from between his fingers. Clutching at his chest, his hands formed fists as his eyes glowed blue. “No! Helenia... it can’t be true.”

  Cannonballs flew near their heads, but he didn’t move. His body had hardened like stone. They took her from him. Images of her smiling face flashed in his mind and he sobbed.

  He heard his name called out in the chaos, but he barely registered what was happening around him. It was as if he was drowning as he struggled to breathe. Gritting his teeth, he forced his stiff body to shift its position, fighting panic’s grip. He focused on channelling his pain into a power he could use, pure hate.

  His voice was dark as he cried out, “They will all die for this!”

  Turning toward the oceans, he focused on the water before him and raised his arms out wide. A cannonball flew past his aqua glowing eyes and cut through his long strands of hair blowing in the wind.

  The sea had a giant hole suddenly cut out of the bottom of it, as the pirate ships spun, caught in the current. The water sank deeper as a funnel formed, pulling the ships deeper toward its centre.

  Vartan was knocked back off his feet and slammed against the wall, shaking his head as he regained his senses, temporarily distracted from his anguish. He watched as a drenched Kassina climbed over the walls of Greenhaven, her swords dug into the cracks in the walls. She landed on the parapets and many vampires soon followed, engaging the ill equipped archers in hand to hand combat. Queen Andrielle swung her sword at Kassina’s head, but found the dark queen’s blade. Kassina booted her backward and ran toward Vartan.

  “You always spoil everything!” Kassina said.

  Having an outlet for the explosive emotions bottled up inside of him, he snarled, “It’s about time.”

  Vartan leapt to his feet and ran at her with his sword drawn, ready to fight to the death. Kassina was snatched from the parapets, jerking as a dragon picked her up and dragged her away at high speed.