“Mistressss?” said a soft voice.
Anna’s eyes flicked open and she raised her head. “What?” Was that her imagination? The meal she just ate made her head heavy and she slowly dropped back to the mattress.
“Mistressss.”
“Who’s there?” she mumbled, this time without opening her eyes.
“It’ssss me. Flea.”
Flea? I don’t know a...
Flea!
Anna eyes opened again and stared up at the window. The goblin still clung to the bars, high above her. He grinned, it was an expression that looked sinister on the small creature.
“How...?”
“Lord Ssshadow sssent me...to help you.” He looked serious.
Shadow? That’s what he said when we first met in the forest... How long ago was that? Anna couldn’t remember when that was.
“Flea, get me out of here.”
“How?” said Flea, trying to push his head between the bars but the gap was too small.
“No,” said Anna, trying to concentrate was becoming hard by the moment. “I am too weak to climb...try the door.”
“Yesss, missstresss.” And then the goblin released the bars and vanished from her sight.
“Come back.” It was no use, the goblin was gone. Anna leant against the cold wall and hoped beyond all hope that she would be saved from this nightmare. Slowly, her mind drifted into a dreamless darkness and she forgot about the goblin.
Chapter 6
Time crawled for Finn as he waited to re-join the crew of the Sea Harvest. He paced back and forth in their room and stared out the window. Severus suggested he take a long walk to occupy his mind. Keep your hood down, his father had said. The Brotherhood is watching for any eldons in the city. He wandered for half a day, but it didn’t work. His thoughts always seemed to wander back to Anna and the island.
They had several long discussions on how Finn could get the other two aboard the ship without rousing suspicion. Severus had suggested killing the crew the night before and taking the ship. Finn hoped he was joking. It was hard to tell.
In the end they decided the best action was to jump a few members of the crew on their way to the ship, which would leave the ship short-staffed. Severus had picked out three crewmen and over the few days had tracked their movements from the ship to their homes in the city. He assured Finn that he would not kill them, just tie them up somewhere safe and out of the way. Finn agreed with his father’s plan. Karok didn’t say much, sneaking was not his thing.
Early on the morning that the Sea Harvest would take supplies to the island, the three gathered in an alley near the docks. Severus would work alone, it would be quicker, he said. Finn hoped Severus didn’t have to kill any of them. He and Karok would wait for Severus’s return in the alley and at the appointed hour, they would speak with Jobes and hopefully be hired on as deck hands.
Severus had already taken down two of the sailors without issues before the sun had risen over the horizon. He stood in the shadow of a tall building and surveyed a dark alley. The last sailor would take this route as he walked to the dock. He had done so for the last few days.
There was movement in the darkness, the sailor was coming. Like an extension of the shadows, Severus moved silently into position and waited patiently. His heartbeat and breathing were slow. He was relaxed. This was what he was trained for and had spent a lifetime doing. The old eldon held a small weighted baton, with which he would deliver a blow to the back of the sailor’s head. The man would be knocked senseless before he knew what was going on. Then, Severus would tie him up and leave him in the alley where he would be discovered later.
Time ticked by, but the sailor did not walk past Severus’s hiding spot. Patience. He waited longer, but still no sailor. Against his better judgment, he chanced a quick glance up the alley. The sailor was gone!
The hair on the back of Severus’s neck stood up. Where’d he go? Did he see me? The master assassin rested a hand on his curved sword, hidden beneath his old brown cloak, and crept along the alley. There was no sign of the sailor.
He glanced down and noticed something on the ground and bent down for a closer look. It was several drops of fresh blood.
Crap!
“We meet again, old friend.”
Severus stood quickly, drawing his sword in one fluid motion and turned to face the speaker. Before him stood a short person in tight fitting clothes. Two long-bladed daggers protruded from his belt. It was the gnome, Kliem. And like Severus, he was a member of the assassins’ guild, the Brotherhood of Shadows. The last time they met, Kliem had poisoned him, almost killing him...
“What? No greeting for your old friend?” said the gnome. He seemed overly relaxed. Something wasn’t right.
A noise behind Severus drew his attention for a moment, but he dared not take his eyes off the small assassin in front of him. That would mean his death. He’s brought company.
“And since this is a reunion of sorts, I’ve brought some of your friends from the Brotherhood.”
Two men moved to stand with Kliem. They were lean and athletic in appearance and also wore tight fitting clothes. The pair carried straight, short-bladed swords—the preferred weapon of an assassin.
Severus placed his back to the wall and glanced at the alley’s other end. Two men stood there, also armed with short swords. His curved sabre would have reach on the shorter weapons, but against five trained assassins he would need more than a longer sword.
The eldon dropped the batten and produced a knife from under his brown cloak, throwing it quickly at one of the two assassins that blocked his retreat from the confinement of the narrow alley. The knife thudded into the man’s neck and his eyes went wide as he tried to grab at the protruding weapon.
Before the first man dropped dead, Severus was on the next man, slashing with his sabre. The man wisely retreated under the whirling onslaught, but his heels caught on something and for a brief moment his eyes flickered downward. That was a mistake. Taking advantage, Severus slashed his sword across the man’s leg, opening his flesh to the bone and spraying blood up the dirty wall. The man cried out, but not before Severus spun past him, driving his sword point into the side of the man’s throat. His cries became gurgles as blood spilled out of his neck and down his chest.
Severus made a break for the more populated areas as he didn’t like his chances fighting the three remaining assassins in the alley. After several long strides, he stumbled out onto the timber boardwalk that ran along the docks.
A woman screamed, drawing attention to the eldon.
So much for remaining hidden. He paused, still holding his bloody sabre, and scanned his surroundings for somewhere defensible.
Although it was still early morning, the dock was crowded. At the sight of his bloody sword, all of the nearby sailors and merchants moved back from Severus just as his three pursuers burst out of the alley. The assassins spread out, ringing the eldon in a semicircle—heedless of the terrified onlookers.
Facing his enemy, Severus backed up until his foot touched the edge of the dock. He could retreat no further without falling into the water. Keeping the sea at his back would at least ensure that no one could get behind him. The crowd was panicking and formed an impenetrable wall of bodies as they tried to scramble away. There was no way he could push past these people without getting a sword in his back. He was trapped.
“You’re not getting away this time,” said the gnome, holding long-bladed daggers in each hand.
Together, the three assassins moved cautiously in on Severus. Kliem was at their centre. Without warning, the assassin on his left leapt forward, thrusting for Severus’s chest with his short sword. Severus parried the attack and then counted. The man narrowly jumped out of the curved sword’s reach.
Pain shot through Severus’s leg as the second man stabbed his sword into the eldon’s thigh. Without hesitation, his sabre slashed across the man’s throat, throwing a bloody arc into the air and spraying many of the onl
ookers. The crowd screamed in terror as the dying assassin crumpled to the ground.
Before Severus could recover, the first assassin took advantage of his friend’s death and drove his short sword into Severus’s side, spilling the eldon’s blood onto the timber decking. Severus coughed, tasting the coppery taste of blood in his mouth. It wasn’t a good sign.
The eldon kicked the assassin in the stomach, forcing the man to the ground. But the assassin quickly regained his footing and paused, smirking. So this was the legendary Severus.
Blood flowed from the open wound in Severus’s side and leg, forming a pool of bright blood at his feet. He placed a hand over his side wound and his sight blurred for a moment. He needed to act fast. The loss of blood would cause him to collapse and then it would be all over.
“Remember how I said I would kill your whole family?” said Kliem smugly. “I will make sure your wife dies last...and slowly, for my pleasure.”
No you won’t!
Severus leapt forward, sweeping his sabre in a deadly arc, hoping to catch the gnome off guard. But his blood loss made him slow and he misjudged his attack. The gnome skilfully dodged the blow, ducking in close and driving a dagger deep into the eldon’s stomach. It wasn’t a killing blow, but it would cause a lot of pain. Kliem sneered, he enjoyed seeing Severus’s suffering.
Severus grimaced, dropping his weapon. He knew he was done for and staggered back to the edge of the dock, pain coursing through his body, and he slowly dropped to his knees. Looking down, he gripped the knife still protruding from his stomach. Kliem couldn’t resist the opportunity to gloat and moved in close. He grabbed the eldon’s hair and jerked his head back, looking directly into his enemy’s eyes.
The gnome spat in Severus’s face. “You’re nothing now, traitor.” Kliem raised his remaining dagger to deliver the killing blow but as it descended, Severus’s hand shot out and gripped the gnome’s wrist in a powerful grip. With his other hand, the eldon pulled the dagger from his stomach. Blood dripped from its blade as he drove it up under Kliem’s chin and into the gnome’s brain. Locked in a death embrace, the two assassins toppled off the dock and with a splash, disappeared beneath the water’s surface.
Not far from their agreed meeting place, Finn and Karok awaited Severus’s return. He was late. He should have been here ages ago and Finn was worried. Maybe something went wrong, thought Finn. No, he’s unkillable.
“We should go,” said Karok softly. He looked at the young eldon, concern in his eyes.
“Let’s wait a little longer.”
“Look there.” The dwarf pointed to where the Sea Harvest was moored. “The supply wagon has arrived. If we wait any longer, they’ll hire someone else and then all this will be for nought.”
The dwarf was right. Finn nodded as the realisation sunk in—they may have to make the journey to the master’s island without his father. He hadn’t planned for that. Severus had all the skills to get them into the castle unseen. Karok was a more than capable warrior, but Finn could not imagine the heavily armoured dwarf climbing a rope up a castle wall. Fight his way through the front gates, yes, being stealthy, no.
“You’re right. We can’t wait for him, this may be the last opportunity we have.”
Karok remained silent as Finn had one more look around for his father. The older eldon was not visible in the growing sea of people and Finn was disappointed. He followed Karok as the dwarf pushed a path through the crowd toward the Sea Harvest. When they arrived, the ship’s crew had already started removing boxes from the wagon and stacking them on the ship’s deck. There were fewer sailors than before.
Jobes noticed Finn approach and waved. “Greetings, Finn. You’ve arrived just in time. Some of the crew haven’t reported in today. Do you still want work?”
“That’s why I’m here,” replied Finn. “And I have brought a friend.” He indicated Karok.
“A dwarf?” said Jobes, eyeing Karok. The dwarf still wore his plate armour and had his large battle axe strapped across his back. A hatchet and dagger were visible in his belt. “You look like you are ready for war, Master Dwarf.”
“Every dwarf worth his salt is always ready for battle,” said Karok as he lifted a heavy box from the wagon and rested it on his shoulder. Jobes sucked in his breath as no human could carry so much.
“Where do you want this?” asked Karok.
“On the deck.” Jobes stepped out of the way and Karok moved past. “I meant no offence,” said Jobes. The dwarf grunted, but didn’t respond.
“He’s always like this before his first ale,” said Finn. “Don’t worry. He’ll grow on you.”
With the cargo loaded and secured in the hull, the crew prepared to set sail. Being short a few men put extra work on the sailors, but they quickly rigged the sailing and shoved off. Finn looked back at the docks, looking for his father, but he could not see him. Fear gored at Finn’s gut, he hoped his father wasn’t wounded and lying in an alley somewhere. He hoped and prayed that he was all right and that his delay was only because of some minor mishap.
Karok said he needed to sharpen his axe and it would be better out of sight of the crew in the hull. He disappeared down the narrow ladder, which only just accommodated the wide girth of his shoulders. Finn mused that the dwarf was probably suffering from sea sickness, which was not something that he probably wanted people to see. After travelling a short distance, he too felt a little nauseous, but he was determined to stay on deck. There was no reason for him to hide in the hull on this trip.
The sleek schooner moved smoothly away from the dock and zigzagged around ships of all shapes and sizes moored in the vast harbour. Many different coloured flags flew high on their masts. Finn was surprised to see a large merchant ship displaying the Naromian flag. So much for being at war. As they sailed past, tanned faces looked down at them. Jobes and a few others waved and the Naromian crew waved back.
Jobes noticed Finn’s expression. “Something wrong?”
“No,” replied Finn. “I’m just surprised that you waved to those Naromians. Aren’t you almost at war?”
Jobes chuckled. “It’s like this, young Finn, regardless of your origin, the sea is everyone’s enemy. A storm could blow up at any moment and sink your ship, drowning everyone. Why fight against men, when all men war against the sea.”
That made sense.
Jobes left Finn with that thought and moved off to check the rigging. Staring back at the city, Finn was surprised by its size. It looked larger from the sea than the land with its tall towers stretching into the sky and its walls must have been miles long.
The Sea Harvest powered through the waves at a good speed. Finn was impressed and in no time the mainland was far behind them and they were on the open sea. Ahead, the island slowly came in view.
On their approach, the main sails were lowered and the ship moved slower under the power of the smaller jib sails. Four sailors picked up long poles and the jibs were also lowered. The ship's speed reduced more and they drifted toward the island. The crew lowered the poles over the side and used them to keep the small ship from crashing into the wooden jetty.
The same driver and wagon waited for their arrival. The driver stood silently holding the horse’s reigns with an emotionless expression. He was as sour-faced as before, and didn’t look like he was much of a talker.
The sailors busily tied the ship to the jetty’s pylons with thick ropes. The captain appeared from his cabin. “Mister Jobes, unload the cargo, if you please.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Jobes turned to his men. “You heard the captain, put your backs into it.”
Karok emerged from the hull, like a bear from its hibernation, and joined Finn and the sailors carrying the boxes, loading them onto the wagon. It was hot work during the heat of the day, but with the dwarf’s help, the ship was unloaded quicker than it had been days before. The stocky dwarf’s strength was impressive even laden in his heavy armour.
Standing beside the wagon, Finn wiped his brow with his
sleeve and gazed up at the castle, hoping for a glimpse of Anna. There was no sign of her or anyone else for that matter. The walls and the surrounding land were void of any life. Even the gulls didn’t seem to venture too close.
A heavy hand dropped on Finn’s shoulder and he turned to face Karok. The grim face of the dwarf gave away nothing, but there was a kindness in his eyes. “You want to storm in there and save her, don’t you?”
“We’re so close,” replied Finn. “Should we try?”
“We won’t know if it is a good idea until we try.”
“My father would know what to do. I wish he was here...” Finn looked back at the castle, a haunted look on his face. He was torn as he and Karok moved back onto the ship.
The old driver mounted the wagon and flicked the reigns. Head down, the horse plodded up the trail to the open castle gates as it had before.
“Mister Jobes,” shouted the captain. “Prepare to shove off and return to port, if you please.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
Like a well-oiled team, the sailors went about their tasks and the mooring ropes were untied.
“Let’s do it,” said Finn suddenly, his hand resting lightly on his sword hilt. The dwarf nodded. Finn walked up the gangway and back onto the jetty while Karok retrieved his battle axe leaning against the mast.
“All aboard!” shouted Jobes.
“We’re staying,” replied Finn.
“What?!” said the captain, moving closer to the gangway. “Mister Jobes, get that sailor back aboard.”
With is battle axe in hand, Karok pushed the captain, who was stunned that someone wanted to stay on this baron island. The dwarf stopped at the gangway and he turned back to the captain.
“I want my wages now,” he growled dangerously, holding out his hand.
Without a word, the flustered captain removed a fat money pouch from inside his clean white shirt and dropped several coins into the dwarf’s outstretch palm. The dwarf’s hand didn’t move, and the captain looked nervously from the coins to the dwarf’s axe. Begrudgingly, the captain gave him more money. Satisfied, Karok joined Finn on the jetty. All the while the sailors stared at them in disbelief. What had they just witnessed? It was insanity to stay on this cursed island and one sailor made the sign of his god.
The Warden and the Shadow Queen: The Warden Saga Book 3 Page 3
