The Warden and the Shadow Queen: The Warden Saga Book 3
Page 2
By midmorning, Finn had already made several laps of the docks. It was warm, but he kept his green warden’s cloak on as it covered the black sword at his hip. Nothing looked out of place along the many jetties, not that he knew what he was really looking for any way. The master’s plan of creating an undead army on that island would be kept secret and so would any supplies heading there.
There were many ships of all types and sizes tied up alongside several long jetties that stretched out into the harbour. The jetties were busy with countless sailors and merchants from all over the known world, and Finn had never heard so many different accents and dialects before.
Bare-chested sailors moved back and forth from wagons to the ships, skin glistening with sweat as they loaded and unloaded all types and sizes of cargo. There were no eldons or dwarves in the sea of faces as he passed, as both races held no love for the sea. Finn himself was nervous this close to the open water and dreaded the thought of crossing the harbour to save his friend. But when the time came, he would do what he had to.
Finn initially thought that he would stick out amongst the humans, but no one seemed to pay him any attention. Eldons were taller than the average human, thinner and had grey skin. After a while, Finn was certain that he could have had two heads and no one would notice him. It made for a nice change—
“You! Get out of the way.”
Finn turned and faced two men carrying a heavy box. A laden wagon nearby suggested that they still had much work ahead of them. “Sorry,” Finn mumbled and stood aside, allowing the two men to continue on with their task.
“Tollis will skin us if we’re late,” said one of the men. He was shirtless and sweat glistened on his tattooed back.
Tollis! “Excuse me, sirs.”
“What do you want, kid?” grunted the man.
“Do you need help? I am looking for work.”
“So is half the city.” The two men continued with their burden to a sleek two-masted schooner moored nearby. As they started up the gangway, the tattooed man turned to Finn. “Let’s see how you work. Start unloading that wagon.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Thank me later. Work hard now and I’ll pay you accordingly.”
Finn moved to the wagon and grabbed a box he could handle by himself, and lifting it onto his shoulder he carried it to the ship. This must be the supply ship, but I can’t leave now, he thought. I need to get word to Severus...
The tattooed man pointed to a spot on the deck where they were stacking the cargo. Several bare-chested men on the deck were busy man-handling the cargo into the ship’s hull. This work was going to be hard, but Finn rolled up his sleeves and headed back for another box.
“Boy. Take your cloak off and store it over there.”
If Finn removed his cloak, people would see the black sword and that would lead to questions, which he wasn’t sure he could answer. “I’m fine,” was all he managed to say.
“Suit yourself.”
Finn was relieved. The tattooed sailor didn’t seem to care so long as Finn worked hard, so work hard he would. It took half the morning to unload the wagon and secure the boxes in the ship’s hull. When the work was finished, Finn took a breather and leant against the main mast and ran his hands through his black hair. He was exhausted and covered in sweat. The cloak didn’t help.
The tattooed man came back on deck and threw Finn a water flask. Finn removed the lid and drank deeply, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand when he was full.
“For a skinny eldon, you work hard.” The tattooed man gave Finn two coins for his efforts. “If you’re interested, we could use you when we unload. You’ll be paid another two.”
“Unload where?” Finn held his breath and tried to look natural.
“It’s only across the harbour. Don’t worry, we’ll be back by nightfall so you can drink your money away.”
The master’s island...but what about the others? He couldn’t let this opportunity get away. “I need the money. I’ll help.” Finn hoped he didn’t sound too keen.
The tattooed man extended a calloused hand. “I’m Jobes, first mate. Welcome aboard the Sea Harvest.”
The crew of the Sea Harvest numbered nine, and they had readied the ship for departure. The ship would set sail as soon as the captain returned. He was finishing his business with the harbour master.
Finn stood on the fore deck and surveyed the endless faces that moved along the docks, looking for his father. He hoped he would see the tall eldon before they untied and left for the island. Where are you?
“You hoping to see your girl?” asked Jobes.
Finn was startled. “Yeah...” he said sheepishly.
“Don’t worry. She’ll be keener on your return.” The sailor shouted an order to a man high in the rigging and then moved off to make sure it was done.
Finn hadn’t spoken to Anna for several weeks, he last saw her in Parma, far in the north. He wasn’t sure of the master’s plan for Anna, but he guessed it had to do with her magical blood. Finn just hoped she wasn’t dead, or worse, undead. But until he knew for sure, he wasn’t giving up on the hope he would see her again.
It took Finn a moment to realise that he was staring at someone he knew walking toward the schooner. The man carried a long sword at his side and walked with a confident swagger. He was engaged in a conversation with an older man with a curly grey beard and a broad-brimmed hat.
There was no mistaking Wolfgang, the master’s trusted servant and a cold-blooded killer. They had met a few times before, but they had never crossed swords. Finn knew he would be recognised immediately if Wolfgang saw him. A cold realisation flooded over him, this enemy was speaking with the captain of the Sea Harvest and they were headed up the gangway!
Finn momentarily froze and his brain kicked into overdrive. He had to get out of there fast. He headed down the narrow ladder that led into the hull’s storage compartment and almost bumped into Jobes on his way up.
“Woo there. What’s the hurry?” asked the sailor. Finn went pale. “You sick?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s the movement of the horizon that does it. Lie down in the hull. You’ll feel better down there.” Jobes watched the young eldon pass, descending the ladder. “Don’t worry. It’s only a short trip across the harbour.”
Finn lay down in a dark corner in the hull, behind some boxes, making sure that he had a clear view of the ladder. He needed to know who was coming for him. Warmth flowed into his arms as he gripped the hilt of the black sword, giving him confidence. The sword was always warm when it sensed or wanted a bloodletting.
After what seemed like a long time, the small ship felt like it was being pushed off the dock. Somewhere above, Jobes shouted an order to raise the sails and the ship moved forward, unsettling Finn’s stomach. He now knew why eldons kept away from ships.
The small ship gently rocked over the waves and after a while, Finn found the sound of the waves hitting the ship’s side soothing. As the ship built up speed, it rose and fell, jolting Finn and giving him some concern for their safety. It was then he noticed water splashing in the low points of the hull.
Were they sinking?! He felt his panic rising and an image flashed into his mind of him drowning. Should he fetch Jobes? No! That would alert Wolfgang and jeopardise his chance of rescuing Anna. He would wait it out, he had to.
After a while, he became accustomed to the ship’s movement and relaxed slightly. His mind was in turmoil as he tried to form a plan. Once on the island, he needed to leave the ship and its crew without raising suspicion, and search the castle for Anna. He would then return to the ship unseen and sail back for his father and Karok. It seemed like a tall order, and he wasn’t sure how to pull it off and keep his head.
It must have been mid-afternoon when Finn heard a shout from above. They were nearing the master’s island and he had to formulate a plan quickly, but what could he do? He didn’t know what he would face and decided to see how things panned out, hoping
for the best.
The rhythm of the lapping water slowed and after a short time, he could hear movement on the deck. Muffled voices shouted back and forth as crew members relayed orders. From his hiding spot, Finn looked over the boxes to the ladder. If Wolfgang was going to attack, it would be now. But no one came down into the hull.
The deck covers were removed and light flooded down into the hull. Looking up, Finn blinked and shielded his eyes. A silhouette appeared at the opening and someone looked down into the hull. Finn half drew his sword before he recognised the voice.
“Still alive down there?” It was Jobes.
“Yes,” replied Finn, sheathing his sword, hoping the sailor didn’t notice.
“Stay down there and we’ll lower ropes. You can hitch up the boxes and we’ll pull them up.” Jobes disappeared and returned with several thick ropes, which he lowered into the hull. One crewman descended the small ladder and assisted Finn in securing the cargo with the ropes. The rest of the crew pulled the boxes up through the opening and onto the deck.
It was warm inside the ship, but securing the cargo for lifting was not difficult work. Once the boxes were out on the deck, the sailor he assisted indicated that they were needed topside. Reluctantly, Finn followed the sailor up the small ladder. As his head popped up into the sunlight, he paused and surveyed the ship. It was tied to a small jetty and the sailors were busy carrying the cargo off the ship to a waiting wagon. There was no sign of Wolfgang.
“Grab on to this.” Jobes indicated the other end of a large wooden box. Finn moved to assist and together they carried it to down the gangway to the wagon. A clanking sound from the box suggested that it may contain bottles or glass jars.
At the end of the jetty was a dirt road, winding up a steep rocky hill on which a high-walled castle sat. The island appeared small and was almost totally dominated by the stone structure. There were no other buildings visible along the shore line, only a few scattered trees and thorny shrubs covered the rocky terrain.
The tattooed sailor saw Finn staring at the castle. “You don’t want to go up there. They say this master is doing unnatural experiments in there.”
Finn nodded his understanding.
There was no visible sign of any soldiers on the battlements. The front gates were thick and reinforced with iron. They were open, but nothing moved inside the castle. Maybe there was no need for guards this far from the mainland. There would be little passing traffic, only the odd fishing boat or merchant ship.
“Have you seen anyone from the castle?” asked Finn.
“Only the wagon driver and Sir Wolfgang.” Jobes looked around to see if anyone was listening. “I don’t like that man. He’s not what he seems.”
“Where’s Sir Wolfgang now?”
“He went to the castle.” The pair walked back onto the ship as they talked.
“What’s in these boxes?” asked Finn.
“I don’t know and ain’t asking. One of the crew asked on our first trip over here and the captain got rid of him. Fired him on the spot, and no one’s asked again.”
They toiled in silence, working up a sweat until all the boxes were loaded onto the wagon. Without a word, the old man climbed onto the driver’s seat and flicked the reigns to get his horse moving. It trudged slowly up the steep path and Finn had the urge to leap onto it and hide behind the boxes. But what would he do then? No doubt there would be something protecting the master’s home. And Wolfgang was there now...
“I...is it possible for me to look around the castle?” asked Finn.
“You couldn’t pay me to go up there.” Jobes made a sign of his water god, as though he needed to ward off evil spirits. “No, the captain will be keen to push off as soon as possible.”
Just then the captain emerged from his cabin. “Mr Jobes, set sail, if you please,” he said. The captain was an old man with a weathered face, but his eyes were clear and youthful.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” They both walked back up the gangway and Jobes called out his orders. The crew leapt to their assigned tasks in hurried silence. The ship was untied and pushed away from the jetty with long poles. Two sailors high in the rigging unfurled the sails and the white canvas billowed as it caught the wind, pulling the small ship steadily out to sea and away from the island that held Anna.
Late in the afternoon, the Sea Harvest pulled into Rulle’s harbour and manoeuvred toward its mooring. The ship was powered by its smaller jib sails while the main sails were lowered, rolled up and stowed below. Muscles strained as the sailors holding long poles stopped the ship from hitting the timber jetty. Before they had completely stopped, a man leapt onto the jetty and tied the front of the ship to a thick round beam. The ship’s stern was also tied. Once the ship was secured, Jobes handed Finn another two coins.
“When is the next shipment to that island?” asked Finn.
“In four days,” said Jobes, studying Finn. “You worked well today, for an eldon. If you are after more work, I’d be happy to put you on again.”
Finn thanked him. “I’ll be back in four days.” The young eldon walked down the gangway and along the busy docks in search of his friends. He had a lot to tell them.
Finn found Karok in the tavern drinking quietly by himself in a corner. The bearded dwarf’s face was solemn as he nodded a greeting to Finn as he sat down at his table.
“Where’s Severus?” asked Finn.
“I haven’t seen him,” said the dwarf, looking over the top of a frothy ale.
A cloaked figure entered through the front door and glided over to them. Severus sat down and they spoke about what they had found out. Severus’s contacts had news that the Wizards of Solaris were in the city, and that the Brotherhood of Shadows, the assassins' guild, was also here in force.
“No doubt Kliem informed them that I am here,” said the older eldon. “Nothing brings assassins together like a large bounty.”
“I have some news also,” said Finn. “I’ve been to the master’s island—”
“What?!” the other two said.
“Tell us, lad,” said the dwarf.
Finn lowered his voice and spoke quickly of his day aboard the Sea Harvest and what he saw and didn’t see on the master’s island. “...and I could see no guards on the castle walls.”
“What about magic wards?” asked Karok.
“It’s possible,” said Severus. “Finn, you were lucky Wolfgang didn’t see you.” His father’s features remained emotionless, but Finn could hear the concern in his father’s voice.
“They go back with another shipment in four days,” said Finn. “This is our chance to get to the island and save Anna.”
“Dwarves sink like stones in water...” Karok looked serious. That was his way of saying he didn’t like the water.
“That gives us three days to come up with a plan,” said Severus. “Whilst avoiding the Brotherhood.”
They discussed their plans in lowered voices, all the while Finn had the feeling they were being watched. He surveyed the local patrons, but no one looked suspicious or out of place. If someone was watching them, he couldn’t tell. In a room full of humans, the three of them would always stand out.
Chapter 5
The heavy door groaned opened and the old jailer walked quietly into the dark cell. Anna was awake, but her body was heavy and slow to respond. She lay still with her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. Was he bringing her food or taking her blood?
The jailer turned to go and Anna stretched out and grabbed his thin leg. “Please help me!” she pleaded. He responded by removing her hand and pushing her away effortlessly. Although he was old and lean, he had a hidden strength. Ignoring her request, he left, closing the cell door behind him with a dull bang.
Anna dropped back on to the dirty mattress and sobbed. Being ignored was worse than the long periods of time where she didn’t see or speak with anyone. She screamed in frustration and weakly thumped on the straw bedding. It was a nightmare and she prayed it would end soon.
Anna looked at her arms and was surprised by the number of small wounds that covered them. She didn’t know how often the drugs wore off, but when they did, she had more cuts on her arms each time. The master must have already taken a lot of blood by now and she wondered how much longer she would last before she was totally drained... She hoped death would come fast and end her endless torment.
After blinking her tears away, she managed to focus her blurry eyes. The old man had left food on the floor. It was best to eat it fast, before the rats came. Using her dirty fingers, she spooned the cold gruel into her mouth. It was lumpy and tasteless, but its oily texture made it slide down easily. When the food hit her empty stomach, she almost vomited it back up. Swallowing, she forced it back down as she didn’t know when her next meal would come. She didn’t care that some of the food fell down the front of her clothes.
What was that? The wind? Anna stopped eating and surveyed the room. Eventually, her eyes stopped at the barred window high above her and after a few moments she focused, seeing a small face peering back at her from the growing darkness beyond the cell. She shook her head to clear the image, but when she looked back the face was still there.
It was a small, sharp-featured face with pointed ears and a long, narrow nose. It reminded her of someone she’d met before, but her foggy brain failed to remember his name. Was it a friend...or a pet? No, not a pet. Large, intelligent eyes stared back at her. The creature exposed sharp white teeth as its dirty brown face smiled down at her. It was clinging to the outside of the window’s bars with small clawed fingers.
It’s not real, Anna thought. No one’s there. She lay on her back on a dirty straw mattress and closed her eyes.