Ferno landed and Zollin slid to the rooftop. He patted the dragon’s shoulder and Ferno growled affectionately before jumping away. Sorva didn’t need to land. Brianna jumped from the dragon’s back while they were still high over the keep and drifted down on the currents of air, twisting and flipping as if the thermal drafts were physical objects that would support her weight. She landed gracefully by his side.
“I’ve missed that,” he said.
She graced him with a smile and then quickly dressed in the spare clothes from Zollin’s pack. Zollin had expected guards to arrive on the rooftop at any time but none came, so they went down into the fortress instead. The Keep was a simple structure, just a wide, one story building constructed around an ancient, four-sided tower. The keep was the tallest structure for miles and had a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. An army from Baskla would have to travel for miles to the north to avoid being seen by the sentries normally posted on the Keep’s roof.
“What now?” Brianna asked.
“Now we go inside,” Zollin said. “The last time I was here the duke had taken his troops in search of his daughter. Perhaps they haven’t returned yet.”
The door leading down into the keep wasn’t locked. Not that it would have stopped Zollin if it had been. His magic swirled inside him, feeding on his trepidation. Brianna lifted her hand and flames burst out around her fingers, making her arm a living torch. The light shined down the stairway that led to the duke’s official chamber. Zollin had been there before. It was a big room with a sturdy table in the center and windows on three sides that looked out over the countryside to the north, east, and south. The room was empty and dark.
They went down the many levels of the ancient stronghold, checking each floor for any signs of life. Finally, they heard whispering. It was in a small room behind a thick door. From the signs around the door, Zollin guessed the room served as a chapel, but the thick door also suggested it was a strongroom of some kind. There was no light coming out of the room, and the sounds stopped, but Zollin could feel fear radiating from the room. He let his magical senses flow into the chapel and felt the presence of nearly a dozen people.
He knocked on the door, then waited. There was no response. He knocked again, and this time he spoke softly, his face close to the door.
“I am Zollin, the wizard, friend to Duke Ebbson,” he said.
For a moment there was silence, but then a shuffling noise. A quiet voice responded.
“The duke is not here,” she said. “What do you want?”
“I’m here to help,” Zollin said. “You are safe with me.”
There was a grinding noise as wood scraped against wood. Zollin recognized the sound of a heavy beam being lifted from braces. Then the door swung in and Brianna’s light shone on a face lined with worry. It was the countess, and in her hand was a long dagger. She looked relieved when she saw Zollin, but that expression was quickly swept away when she saw Brianna’s hand burning.
“Don’t worry, this is Brianna, my wife,” Zollin said.
“She’s on fire,” the countess said.
“She has the ability to control fire,” Zollin said. “It doesn’t harm her.”
“I’m fine,” Brianna said.
She made a small motion with her burning hand and threw the flames over to her other hand. Then she held out the hand that had been on fire, showing it to the frightened countess.
“What is going on here?” Zollin asked. “Why are you hiding? Where is the duke?”
“He hasn’t returned,” the countess said. “And the king’s army came. They took every able-bodied man and left the Keep defenseless.”
“Where did they go?” Brianna asked.
“To Baskla. They were led by a man named Quinn. It seems our new king is intent on ruining the peace between our kingdoms. It is a foolish, greedy quest, one bound to fail, but the man leading the King’s Army, this Quinn, would not listen to reason.”
She said the name with a shiver of revulsion that gave Zollin chills. He looked at Brianna, who was surprised. Zollin had told her about his father, but the look of fear on the face of the countess at the mention of his name made everything seem darker somehow. Still, if Quinn was in charge that meant Branock wasn’t marching with the army. When Zollin confronted them, he would only have to contend with his father. Perhaps with Branock so far away Zollin could break the hold the evil wizard had over his father.
“He is a cruel man,” she went on. “He took all the men from the Keep and the village, pressing them into service and leaving us here alone and defenseless. I assured him the duke would return soon, but he would not wait for my husband.”
“You don’t have to worry about him anymore, we shall deal with him,” Zollin said. “Where is the king’s army now?”
“In Baskla,” she said, her voice pinched with fear. “They have invaded. They slaughtered the people in Fort Jellar. That much we could see. That was three days ago, and they pushed on into Baskla.”
“Alright,” Zollin said, a feeling of dread settling over him like a damp fog. “For now we need food and to get word to the duke. We can protect you. Our dragons will keep watch over the Keep. Send your people to prepare food while you show me where you think your husband may have gone.”
The countess nodded, then turned back into the chapel to give orders. Most of the people hiding inside were servants, all of them were women. Even the countess’ personal guards had been drafted into Branock’s invasion force. Brianna lit torches and lanterns. As the women spread out through the Keep Zollin felt a sense of purpose steady him. He looked to the countess, who was surrounded by her daughters.
“This way,” she said. “We will go up to the map room.”
Chapter 17
One thick tentacle wrapped across the ship’s main deck. The sailors were scattering, trying to evade the monster, but Mansel ran straight toward the creature. Holding his sword high, his fatigue from steering the ship forgotten, he shouted a battle cry as he threw all his strength into a two-handed chop with his sword. The tentacle was dense muscle, but no bone, and the sword cut through cleanly.
Blood gushed from the wound and the tentacle that was still attached to the creature flew up, the way a man might pull his hand back from a bee sting. The severed portion writhed like a snake with its head cut off, flipping against the mast and ship’s rail, before flopping over the edge and falling into the sea.
The ship was dropped back into the ocean. Water careened up and then flooded across the deck. One sailor was lost overboard. The sails were still full and the Sea Arrow shot forward like her namesake. The sea creature disappeared for a moment, then rose back up beside the ship. Mansel saw a great black orb of an eye, but it was the object held by one tentacle that the young warrior focused on. At first he thought it was the ship’s fallen sailor, but then he realized it was a woman. She had long, flowing hair and fiery eyes. Mansel was shocked by the realization that he recognized her.
The sea monster lifted the ship again, this time it was careful not to let its tentacles wrap over the deck. The masts creaked in the wind for a moment, but then the captain ordered the lines cut. For a moment the sailors hesitated, but then discipline kicked in and despite their fear they rushed forward and cut the thick ropes that held the sails taut. The great canvases fluttered like flags, but the strain on the masts and spars disappeared. Mansel thought the sails were the least of their troubles, but he respected the captain’s discipline in the face of grave danger.
The woman was set gently on the deck of the ship, her long hair dripping sea water, her clothes clinging to her body. She didn’t carry a weapon, but her eyes shone fearlessly, and her voice carried across the ship.
“I am Roleena!” she declared. “And this ship is now mine. Surrender now and I will let you live… mostly.”
Captain Chiss rushed forward to confront the woman and Mansel felt a wave of panic as a shadow rose up behind him. Mansel turned in time to see a huge tentacle rush p
ast him and wrap around Chiss, lifting him into the air. Mansel swung his sword, this time only managing to wound the tentacle, but it was enough to save the captain for a moment. Chiss was dropped to the deck, while the wounded tentacle slammed into Mansel, knocking him off his feet.
The tentacle might have battered him to death if Vyctor hadn’t stepped in the way. The hulking man, normally quiet and reserved, stepped between Mansel and the sea monster’s thrashing tentacle. He raised his sword, holding it with both hands, as the thick limb came down. The sword impaled the limb, which almost immediately jerked back, taking the big man's sword as it went, and slithered into the sea.
Captain Chiss was struggling back to his feet when another tentacle snatched him up. There was no one to save him a second time; his crew was paralyzed with fear. The wily captain was flung high into the air, his body flying like a stone launched from a catapult. The helpless captain flailed in a long arc that stretched several hundred feet before splashing into the ocean. Mansel knew he should attack Roleena, but she held up a hand.
“I know you,” she said, staring hard at Mansel.
A tentacle came from behind the young warrior, long and thin. It wrapped first around his sword arm, then around his waist, lifting him off the deck and squeezing so hard Mansel could barely breathe.
Vyctor lumbered after the tentacle, but it pulled Mansel away from the ship. Vyctor stood at the railing, staring in fear and disbelief. Roleena turned to the crew of the ship, her eyes taking them in as she walked slowly forward. She had thin, silky pants that ended in tatters below her knees. One bare foot walked across the deck, but her other leg was a tentacle almost identical to the sea monster’s.
“I am taking this ship and all its goods, including passengers,” she said, staring at Vyctor. “If you want to stay and serve me, come and bow before me now. If you don’t, you may swim for shore or die.”
Over half of the crew threw down their weapons and jumped overboard. They were only a mile from shore, and the odds were good that many would survive the swim, if the sea monster didn't devour them. The rest of the sailors bowed before Roleena, swearing to serve her faithfully. After seeing Chiss thrown into the sea like refuse, Mansel’s blood boiled at the sight of so many of his crew bowing to the abomination who had taken his ship.
When Roleena came to Vyctor, she stood staring at the big man. His face was impassive and Mansel didn’t know him well enough to tell if he was angry or just afraid. He wasn’t a fighter, although he had courageously saved Mansel’s life just a few moments before. He wasn’t a sailor either, and swearing loyalty to Roleena would do him no good.
“You are not a man of the sea,” she said. “You’re too big to climb the rigging, and too dull to man the helm.”
“He’s not dull!” Danella shouted.
Mansel’s heart sank as Danella rushed out onto the deck. He knew she couldn’t hide from the pirate queen, but he hated to see her vulnerable. Especially since Mansel was bound by the sea monster and unable to help her.
“And who are you?” Roleena asked.
“I’m a passenger on this ship,” Danella said boldly. “Do not belittle the man I love.”
“This man?” Roleena said, nodding toward Vyctor. “You love a hulking simpleton?”
Danella was thin, her body willowy just like Brianna’s, with long arms and legs. Mansel would never have considered her to be strong. And he had never thought of her as brave, but she whipped the dagger that Vyctor had purchased for her in Tragoon, slashing it at Roleena’s face. The pirate leaned back, almost avoiding the blade, but the tip scratched across her cheek, leaving a line of blood. Roleena’s counter was just as fast, and her open palm slammed into the side of Danella’s head, spinning the girl around and knocking her out cold.
Vyctor bellowed in anger as he rushed to Danella’s side, covering her with his massive body. Roleena watched for a moment then turned to the crew.
“Lash them both to the mast,” she ordered.
The sailors did as they were told. Tying Danella and Vyctor to the mast with heavy ropes. They were gentle with Danella, and Vyctor didn’t fight them. He turned over his dagger, almost like a child caught with a forbidden toy, then let himself be tied to the thick timber pole at the center of the ship.
Roleena went down into the captain’s berth and was gone for several minutes. All Mansel could do was watch. He was helpless in the grip of the sea monster, its tentacles holding him so tight he could only take short, shallow breaths. His sword arm was stretched painfully to the side, but he didn’t let go of Death’s Eye. His other hand was pinned to his side. His fingers could touch his dagger’s hilt at his belt, but he couldn’t pull it free and he was afraid if he wounded the creature it would rip his arm off or drop him into the water, or both.
Danella’s head lolled from side to side as the ship rocked in the waves that rolled toward the distant shore. Mansel thought he saw tears on Vyctor’s face, but he couldn’t be sure. When Roleena came back up from the captain’s cabin, she moved toward where Mansel hung suspended over the side of the ship.
“I remember you. You fought with the wizard Zollin.”
Mansel was silent.
“I was on the same ship, just a passenger then. The dragon ruined my leg and the fool of a ship’s doctor cut it off.”
“Looks like you grew a new one,” Mansel managed to say.
“I did, in fact. A better one. I’m the master of everything that moves on the sea. And I’m curious why you came back. You were not warmly welcomed by Slice or the captain as I recall. Where is the wizard, Zollin?”
“How should I know,” Mansel said.
“You were close, that much I could tell.”
Mansel’s mind was filled with possibilities. He knew that Roleena and Zollin had a very strange relationship when they had sailed south. Zollin had been a passenger on the ship and Mansel had been recruited to work as a carpenter’s mate, but the warrior had become the target of a band of miscreants who had beaten Mansel mercilessly and turned the entire ship against him. Zollin had come to Mansel’s aid, but it had been a difficult journey. Near the end, the great black dragon had attacked them and Zollin had narrowly avoided being killed, but he’d also saved the ship. Roleena had been one of the few casualties and, if Mansel remembered correctly, she had blamed Zollin for her injuries.
Mansel realized suddenly that if he admitted to his friendship with Zollin it could only hurt him. The woman they had known was now somehow changed, and if she was looking to hurt Zollin, she could do it by hurting Mansel.
“That bastard used me and then left me to die,” Mansel said. “I haven’t seen him in over a year. I hope I never see him again. But if I do, he’ll get a taste of my steel.”
“Why are you here?”
“I’m a merc, I go where I’m paid. The wizard paid me the first time. The owner hired me to defend his ship. There aren't many sailors willing to fight. That's why he paid me to kill your ilk.”
“You failed,” she gloated.
“Not really, I killed plenty of the pirates on that ship, and left it to burn.”
The other pirate ship was still smoking, but large waves that Mansel guessed had been generated by the sea monster had crashed over the ship. There was plenty of damage, especially to the masts and sails, but the ship wouldn’t sink. The fires were out and the crew was safe, for a while at any rate.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t kill you right now?” Roleena said in a menacing voice.
“Two reasons,” Mansel said, struggling to get enough breath just to talk. “First, you need me. You’ve lost men and you aren’t afraid to pay for those who are good at their jobs. I’m the best swordsman in the Five Kingdoms. Second, I know some things worth plenty of coin, but I’ll give it to you free in exchange for a place on your crew. But I'm no sailor, I fight, you pay me.”
“I’m the pirate Roleena. I rule these waters. Every ship that sails the Yelsian coast knows me and fears me. My crew always gets paid.”
“Then I’m your man,” Mansel snarled. “You get me close enough to the wizard and I’ll do him for free.”
“The wizard is mine,” Roleena said venomously. “He must suffer. For now, I will let you live, mercenary.”
The tentacle released Mansel, tossing him onto the deck. The sea monster swam down into the water and the ship settled a little. Roleena shouted orders and the sails were soon pulled taut, filled with wind, and propelling the Sea Arrow in a slow turn back toward the other ships. The sails had to be angled to move the ship back to the west, and they weren’t able to sail directly back the way they had come, instead they sailed a zig-zagging course that made slow progress.
Roleena led Mansel to the bow of the ship. They stood close together and despite the fact that one of Roleena’s legs was a green tentacle, Mansel was very aware of just how beautiful she was.
“If what you have to tell me isn’t worth my time,” she said in a soft voice. “I’ll feed you to my pet.”
“It’s worth it,” Mansel said. “Captain Chiss wasn’t my only employer on this voyage.”
“The girl?”
Mansel nodded. “She was betrothed to King Hausey.”
“Was?”
“That’s right. Then the king died under mysterious circumstances.”
This time it was Roleena who nodded.
“There’s a wizard in Orrock, an odd-looking bastard with a bald head and a bad eye. He blamed Zollin, then took the crown for himself.”
“Branock is the king of Yelsia?”
“He is,” Mansel’s smile was genuine. He didn’t have to wonder if his news was of value to the pirate. “And according to the girl, he had designs on her as well.”
“To legitimize his claim,” Roleena said.
“That would be my thought, although the girl isn’t royalty. But most of the people in Orrock consider her to be their queen. She’s been living in the castle for a while, but she loves the big guy.”
Chaos Raging (The Five Kingdoms Book 11) Page 14
