Resigned Fate

by West, Shay

  But Morden had heard the tales coming from the Blasted Lands and he remembered the strange rings that had appeared around the twin moons, and the chaos that had followed. He and his crew had stayed out at sea for the most part, avoiding the violence erupting on both continents, people fearing for their lives and lashing out at the Seers, Mystics, anyone at all whom they held responsible. It had been an ugly time.

  “We need to talk to the Patriarchs about what we saw. They must maintain control of the people or the same madness that occurred before will happen again,” Jon said.

  “Fa’ Vel. Yes, I remember that chap. Rather nasty fellow, ugly scar as I recall. And you say you don’t know where he is?” Morden asked.

  Saemus shook his head.

  “That man could stir up trouble if he was of a mind to,” Morden said.

  “The thought has crossed my mind but since we have no idea where to find him, we need to focus on our duties as the Chosen and warn people of the Mekan threat. And then we have to find a way to stop them,” Saemus said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

  “Lucian’s Fury is at your disposal, for whatever you need her for. And you can count on me and my crew to spread the word. I’m a trustworthy sort and my word has some sway in certain circles.”

  Saemus smiled gratefully. “Thanks for that. As long as you can get us to the Patriarchs quickly, we can leave the job of spreading the word in their capable hands.”

  “I’ll be sad to see you go but I know what a heavy burden duty can be. And you folks have quite a large load to bear.” Morden stood and stretched. “I need to make one final check before dark. I’m afraid I don’t have enough cabins for everyone so some of you will have to sleep on the deck.”

  “We’ll be fine,” Saemus assured him.

  With that, Captain Morden took his leave. As he walked around the polished deck of his ship checking cargo and lighting lanterns, he tried to quiet the beating of his heart. He had put on an air of nonchalance while speaking with the group below-decks, but truth be told, he was terrified of what was coming. If what Saemus said was true, the Mekans would be crawling over the Mishrae Hills any day now, and would soon begin digging all over Astra.

  How can these young people possibly stop something so monstrous?

  ***

  Feeror, Voilor, Moylir, and Gerok sat around the fire munching on some dried biscuits and cheese Sarah had packed for them. No one said anything as each ate his meager dinner.

  The slight breeze brought the salty tang of the Sea of Solace to Feeror’s nose. It was a strange scent. The bodies of water on Volgon did not smell like this. Seamus had told him he thought it was because Volgon must only have fresh water.

  “What is the purpose of having so much useless water? Surely you can’t drink it!”

  “Of course we can’t drink it. But there is plenty of fresh water around,” Saemus explained.

  Feeror shook his head at the memory of that conversation. He had been quite surprised to find out that the Sea of Solace was actually teeming with life. On Volgon, nothing could live in salty water.

  This is definitely a strange world.

  The twin moons rose, bathing the countryside in ethereal light. Fire bugs moved amongst the low bushes in a complicated dance. Crickets added their music to the display of twinkling lights. Feeror preferred the nights on this world. On Volgon, everything was dark and quiet.

  Feeror took a deep breath, trying to ease the sudden constriction in his chest. The feeling was becoming all too familiar. It usually came on when his thoughts turned to his mate, Gwen. To most, their love seemed impossible: a warrior from a planet where physical deformity was unacceptable and a dwarf girl with enormous power. He could still remember the first time had seen her twisted body emerging from the portal here on Astra. The rage and revulsion were automatic responses to something his people considered unworthy of life.

  Feeror smiled. His little mate had nearly killed him that day. He had been as helpless as a newborn pup in the grip of her magical power. As a warrior, he recognized and appreciated such power, even if it was something he couldn’t see or touch. With that near-death experience had come a grudging respect that had grown into something much more.

  Feeror had never imagined he would take a mate. His life had been dedicated to weapons and shields and fighting his people’s enemy, the Gorkons, since he’d been old enough to hold a plasma rifle. The only time he felt truly alive was in the heat of battle. The only thing he ever wanted to do was fight, and fight well. He never gave any thought to taking a mate, though his General often hinted that he would breed strong pups.

  I wonder if our young would have had her magical strength?

  “What’s the plan?”

  Feeror jerked as Gerok and Voilor’s voices spoke on his left, reality crashing in on his dreams of a life he would never have.

  “Saemus gave us enough money to hire a small boat. I suggest we stay away from the cities and see if we can acquire one from someone living along the shore,” Gerok said before doubling over, his body wracked with coughs.

  Feeror smacked his Guardian on the back, unsure of what else to do. Gerok had been plagued with the coughing since they had left their Astran comrades.

  “I’m fine, it’s nothing.”

  “It doesn’t sound like nothing,” Feeror said.

  The night was cool but not overly so. The fire provided more than enough warmth to keep them alive through the night. As he lay there staring at the strange array of stars, Feeror’s thoughts strayed to his world. The fact that the Kromins hadn’t been able to contact anyone on Volgon sent an icy spike of fear straight to his heart. As soon as the Mekans had awakened after succumbing to the sound machine, Feeror had known the ones that had landed on his world had re-awakened as well and had started digging again. The fact that the telepaths had been unable to contact anyone could only mean one thing: the Mekans had finished the destruction of Volgon.

  ASTRA

  “OH, THANK THE GOOD SPIRITS! We’re here.”

  Keera lifted her head, wincing as a bolt of pain shot through her already-aching head and glanced toward the low voice. She couldn’t have agreed with Kaelin more. She just wished the girl hadn’t spoken so loudly.

  Oh, she barely whispered. Stop being grumpy.

  Keera shook her head, feeling sad. The voice in her head had been Gwen’s.

  And that was the only place she would ever hear it again.

  Keera watched as oars emerged from the side of Lucian’s Fury, making it look like some multi-legged spider walking on water. She kept her eyes closed and willed her stomach into submission. This trip hadn’t been as hard as the last one—or nearly as miserable as the first—but she had still spent the better part of the journey feeling queasy.

  Morden’s men expertly eased Lucian’s Fury next to an empty dock. A flurry of activity ensued as men laid the planks down so the passengers and cargo could be unloaded, pulled oars back inside the belly of the ship, tied the rigging, and gathered to await their captain’s orders.

  “At least we don’t have any bags to carry,” Keera said, attempting to draw a grin from her fellow seasick companion.

  Kaelin smiled. “You have a point there.”

  “All right, you two. Let’s get you onto dry land,” Saemus said as he walked up to the two girls with their heads hanging over the sides of the ship.

  They groaned pitifully as Saemus tried to help them up. “This would go more smoothly if you would actually try to help with the endeavor.”

  “So just go on without us. We’ll be along soon enough,” Keera said.

  Brad sauntered up to the trio, shaking his head at the spectacle. “Captain Morden has plenty to do and doesn’t need you two underfoot. We’ll just go into town, get some comfortable rooms, maybe draw up a nice bath...” Brad smiled when he saw their heads perk up at the mention of a bath.

  “A bath would be rather nice,” Kaelin said as she gazed into his eyes.

  “Oh, I c
an definitely go for a nice, long bath,” Keera said as she stood, using Saemus for support.

  With much grunting and groaning, Brad and Saemus managed to get Keera and Kaelin to their feet.

  “Morden wants a quick word. I’ll take it from here.”

  Saemus nodded as Sloan took Keera under his arm, easing her onto the planks leading to dry land. He shook his head as he watched the four disembark. Thank the good Spirits I don’t have a weak stomach.

  “You wanted to see me, Captain?”

  “Ah, yes. Have the girls been brought ashore?”

  Saemus grinned. “They were the first ones off the ship, sir.”

  Morden shared a smile with the lad. “I never met anyone with such delicate stomachs as those two girls. You’d think after being aboard the Fury as many times as they have, they would be used to sea travel by now.”

  “I have a feeling those two will never be comfortable at sea.”

  Morden nodded. He was reminded of little Gwen, who seemed to take to travel on the open ocean better than most. His chest tightened. It was hard to imagine the little dwarf girl lying dead beneath some hulking metal giant.

  Best to remember her as she was when she was onboard my Fury.

  “Well, I’d best see to getting rooms for the group and maybe something to eat. We’ll need to figure out a game plan before we show up at Sheldon’s palace with the news of the Mekan threat,” Saemus said.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to accompany you to the palace tomorrow. I know someone there who can get us in to speak to Sheldon right away. Else you’ll have to petition to see him and that could take days or even weeks.”

  “That would be very helpful, thank you. I’m afraid we don’t have days to wait, let alone weeks. The Mekans could crawl over the Mishrae Hills at any moment.”

  “Why don’t you stay at the Laughing Dolphin? It’s not much to look at from the outside but it’s clean and the rooms are cheap. Tell Zed that I sent you, he’ll treat you fair.”

  “Thanks again, Captain.” Saemus shook Morden’s hand.

  “I’ll meet you at the inn at sun-up.” Morden gave a salute before turning to oversee the unloading of the cargo.

  Saemus led the group through the winding, dirty streets of the city. It had never had a name, as far as Saemus could recall from his studies. Folks called it Sheldon’s City, Tranquility City, or the Island City. It was the only town on Tranquility Island and not a very large one at that. Most of the island was rolling hills, burbling springs, and swaths of cottonwood and aspen trees. It was dotted here and there with the vacation homes of the richest nobles of Astra.

  “That must be it.” Jon pointed to a run-down building. Its sign depicted a dolphin standing on its flukes with its flippers wrapped around its body. It seemed to be laughing at something only dolphins would find amusing.

  “We’re not staying here are we?” Kaelin scrunched up her face as she took in the peeling paint and the lopsided stairs leading to a front door that was falling off its hinges.

  “Look, Morden said this was the best place. Now do you want a bath or don’t you?” Saemus would never admit that he was having second thoughts as well. The inn did look like a place that thieves and ruffians would frequent.

  “We can’t stand here all day. I’m tired, dirty, and hungry. I don’t care if it’s infested with cockroaches,” Jon said as he pushed ahead of the group to open the door to the inn.

  The door made a horrible creaking sound that set Jon’s teeth on edge. However, as he stepped across the threshold, his clenched jaws gave way to a broad grin. The inside was clean as any goodwife’s kitchen. A fire burned in a large hearth against one wall and lamps scattered along the other three gave the room a cheerful glow. Various clangs and clatters reached his ears. The innkeep burst through a set of swinging doors, yelling obscenities over his shoulder, flinging his hands in the air as though swatting away a swarm of flies.

  A wooden spoon flew through the open doors and smacked the innkeep on the back of his head.

  “And stay out, you hear me? I know damn well how to cook a meal and I don’t need you barging in here trying to tell me how to spice my meatloaf!”

  “Fool woman! I was only trying to make your slop taste fit for a dog!” He rubbed the back of his head, but stopped suddenly when he noticed the group standing in the doorway with their mouths hanging open.

  Without missing a beat, the man smiled and said, “Welcome to the Laughing Dolphin - the friendliest inn in Sheldon’s City!”

  Saemus cleared his throat. “Captain Morden sent us.”

  The man held out a beefy hand. “Zed’s the name. You’ll be wanting rooms then?”

  “Yes, and a bite to eat and maybe baths if it isn’t too much trouble.”

  Zed nodded. “My inn is at your disposal. Why don’t you let me make up your rooms while you visit the bathhouse. I’ll see to getting you something to wear.”

  Saemus stopped the man before he could rush off. “We don’t need clothes. What I mean is, we don’t have the coin—”

  Zed turned and slapped Saemus on the shoulder, his belly shaking with laughter. “You ain’t been friends of Morden’s long have you? Har!”

  The man laughed so hard Saemus feared he would die of asphyxiation.

  “Oh dear me!” Zed sat down at one of the tables, wiping his brow with the corner of his dirty apron. “When I told you my inn was at your disposal, I meant just that. Rooms, baths, clothes, and food will be free of charge.”

  Saemus shook his head. “I don’t understand...”

  “Morden sent you here intending to pay for everything,” Zed smiled gently.

  “That’s very generous,” Saemus said breathlessly.

  “Now, let me show you to the bathhouse.” Zed stood and led the group through a door, down a long hallway and finally into a large open room that split into two sides.

  “You ladies take the right side while you gents take the left. Take as long as you need. Supper will be waiting when you finish.”

  As soon as Kaelin and Keera felt the warmth of the bathhouse caress their skin, they shoved past the boys, peeling off their dirty clothes before they were even fully in the privacy of the room. As they sunk to their chins in the luxuriously warm water, contented sighs escaped their lips.

  “I want to stay here all night. Maybe Zed will bring us dinner and we can just eat in here,” Keera said as she dunked her head into the water to wet her hair.

  Kaelin laughed. “It’s tempting, isn’t it? I wonder how they keep it warm like this?”

  “The Island is full of natural hot springs. There’s one right below us as a matter of fact.” The girls turned as a petite brown-haired woman swept into the room, her arms piled high with clothes. “Now, I don’t know your exact size but I brought enough so’s you can find something that fits decent.” The woman turned on her heel and left.

  “Are you two going to sit in there all night?” Saemus yelled from around the corner.

  “We haven’t finished yet!” Kaelin yelled at her twin.

  “The rest of us are starving. We’ll meet you in the common room. Don’t take too long.”

  “You’d think we had somewhere to be. They don’t need us to eat,” Keera said while she carefully scrubbed between her toes.

  “I plan on enjoying this bath. Who knows when we’ll get another one?” Kaelin said as she floated on her back.

  “But food does sound good...” Keera eyed the clothes sitting on a chair nearby.

  “True. And we haven’t eaten in quite a long time.”

  Keera grinned. ”Oh, let’s get dressed and go eat. I’m starving.”

  The girls hurried out of the water, drying themselves as quickly as they could. It didn’t take long for them to find something suitable to wear from the pile of clothing.

  “It’s not a perfect fit but it’s close enough I suppose.”

  Keera looked over at Kaelin and put her hands on her hips. “And what do you think your mother would say
if she saw you in that?”

  “I’m a woman grown and can wear what I choose,” Kaelin said, trying to keep the blush from tinting her cheeks.

  “That may be true, but I wouldn’t bend over or breathe if I were you; you’re likely to pop out of that bodice!”

  Kaelin narrowed her eyes. “It fits just fine, I’ll have you know! It’s no worse than the other dresses the women wear around here. You’re just jealous because there isn’t something here that shows off your...ahemmm...assets.”

  Keera sniffed disdainfully. “I don’t need to prance around like a courtesan, unlike some people.”

  “How dare you compare me to a courtesan?” Kaelin began undoing the laces on the front of the dress, hands shaking. “Fine, you want to wear it? Go ahead. I’ll find something else.”

  “Kaelin, look, I didn’t mean...” Keera sighed. “Truth is, you’d look beautiful no matter what you wore. And I’ll always be a gawky skinny girl with no...” Keera gestured to her chest.

  Kaelin stopped what she was doing. “What are you talking about? You have breasts.”

  “Not the way you do. Mine will never look like that in a dress.”

  “Nonsense. You just have to know how to lace it properly. Here, I’ll show you.” Kaelin stepped out the dress and handed it to Keera. “Put this on.”

  Keera tried to protest but the other girl’s will was not to be denied. Kaelin had Keera step into the dress and pulled it up over her shoulders. Then she moved around to stand in front of Keera and tugged expertly on the laces, cinching it so tight that Keera wondered how she would be able to breathe.

  Kaelin smiled. “There, see? You have breasts.” She moved aside so Keera could see herself in the foggy mirror attached to the wall near where Zed’s wife had left the pile of clothes.

  Keera gasped as she turned to the side so she could get a better look at her profile. She giggled and stared at the soft curve of her breasts as they poked over the top of the lacy top of the bodice. The purple color suited her complexion perfectly. I’m enormous!