Bound by Birthright

by Janeal Falor

  That won’t do.

  I hurry to break the silence. “Would you tell me about yourself?”

  “What do you want to know?”

  Everything. Did I just think that? “What about your family? What are they like?”

  “Well, um… As I grew up, we traveled frequently. We have a circle of friends that we converse with a lot, but other than that, we mostly keep to ourselves.”

  “That’s all? Do you have any siblings? They’d make traveling more interesting.”

  “No. I am an only child.”

  “What did you do while traveling, then? And where did you travel to?”

  He runs his hand through his sandy hair. “A few places. Around. Fabrica and Derelinquo Fork. I’ve been through Leviden Forest many times, and my father and I hiked up Mount Indicium once.”

  Safe subject. “I’m afraid I haven’t heard of any of those places.”

  “Really?” His forehead wrinkles. “They’re all on Bardus. I thought you’d know about your own land.”

  This is what I get for not paying attention to foreign affairs. What a fool I am. “I suppose I’ve spent too much time in Amara with the elves.”

  He nods. “Have you heard of the Crimson Ruins?”

  “Now that one I have heard of. The abandoned isle. Not too far from Sulamay, yes?”

  “Yup. Since no one has been banished there for years, Captain Zaccheus gained permission to harvest fruit from it. The mangos there grow like weeds and are the most delicious I’ve ever tasted. He turns quite a profit for them in Amara. In any case, that is where we left before the storm hit, and it’s somewhere we’ve traveled that you’ve heard of.”

  “Mangos? They’re my favorite. I will have to try one from there some time.”

  “It’s too bad we lost most of them in the storm, or I’d bring you one.” He runs his finger through his hair again. “Tell me about yourself, Adelei. It’s not often you see a human working for elves.”

  Several crew members scrubbing the deck clean pass us by. Lying to pirates is one thing. Lying to him is something else entirely, but necessary. “I was an orphan, wandering from place to place, when young Princess Arabella’s ship docked on my island. Constance saw me, and I suppose she took pity on me. She took me with her and over time taught me how to be a servant for the princess.”

  “You must feel a great deal for Constance. Your voice sounds respectful when you speak of her.”

  “She’s like a mother to me.” I can’t help but smile at that truth.

  “What about Princess Arabella? Do you find her to be kind?”

  Describing one’s self is rather awkward. “I think she is. I know some would disagree. Many who see her say she’s exceptionally beautiful, but I believe most elves are.”

  Robert’s voice is so faint, I have to lean in closer to hear him over the waves. “If she looks anything like you, she must be beautiful,” he says.

  “She looks nothing like me.” I pull away and stare ahead at the ocean. “Her hair is brown, and her eyes are blue as this ocean, and that’s the start of it. We look nothing alike.”

  “I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just that, in all my travels, I’ve never met a human as fair as you.”

  “You still have much traveling to do.” I cringe realizing that wasn’t only a rude thing to say, but also a stupid one. It wasn’t that long ago he told me all the places he has been. At this rate, I’m going to do nothing but draw more attention to myself and hurt him while doing so.

  He peers down at me, eyes clouded with confusion. “I suppose so.”

  “I am sor—” The words get stuck in my throat as I spot a dark speck tainting the fog. I search harder, hoping the second glance will pierce through the mist and tell me the boat with black sails was just my imagination.

  “Adelei, are you all right?”

  Without tearing my gaze from the boat, I say, “I think there’s a boat with black sails coming toward us.”

  I sense his body tense as he grasps the rail next to me, knuckles turning white. As time ticks away, his hands regain their color. “I don’t see anything. Perhaps you saw a bird? Besides, the lookout would have seen it by now.”

  “Would you please get a telescope and check for me? Maybe they missed something.” Which they definitely have. The ship is still far, far off, but getting closer.

  “Yes, my lady. Let me round one up.”

  Cold stabs up my spine as I wait for him to return. The boat is clear now. Sharp elven eyes, even ones disguised as a human’s spot the familiar sails. Captain Smythe is headed straight toward us.

  No plan of action is forthcoming. Where can we run when we’re already out on the ocean? I will be captured, along with the ship and taken away whether I appear human or not.

  “Found one.” Robert rejoins me. “Let’s take a look.”

  He puts the telescope to his eye. His face pales, and he lets out a curse.

  Chapter

  Eleven

  He snaps the telescope shut and whirls toward the crew. “Pirates.”

  Everyone stops what they’re doing, expressions hardening. Captain Zaccheus hustles over to us, grabs the offered telescope and looks in the direction of the pirate ship. Only a brief moment later, he says, “Looks like they’re headed this way, and they’re coming fast. Do we stand and fight or try to outrun them?”

  Robert runs his hand across the newly grown stubble on his chin. “Best to stay out of confrontation at this point. Aren’t we close to Port Varas? Maybe it would be best to make it there and stop for the time being.”

  “Yes, Port Varas isn’t far.” The captain turns to yell at the crew. “Make course forty-six degrees.”

  Men scramble about in different directions. I hope it’s enough. The captain shifts back to us, staring out toward the pirate ship without his telescope now, wrinkles forming on his brow. While he’s gazing out, the ship turns and picks up speed. He and Robert rush toward the starboard side, and I hurry after them.

  “It doesn’t look as if they’ve spotted us yet,” the captain says. “They may be headed in the opposite direction we’re going. In any case, we should soon be too close to port for them to risk an attack.”

  “It’d be better if we didn’t take any chances at this point. We can’t risk it. If it’s the same pirate who invaded their island, not only are they in danger, but we’ll have a hard fight.”

  My voice wants to shake as I reply, but I won’t let it. “I’m afraid it’s true. I’ll feel much bet—”

  “They’re turning about,” the captain breaks in with alarm. “I don’t know if we can outrun them.”

  “Doubtful,” I reply.

  After muttering something inaudible under his breath, the captain turns to command his crew. “Ready the cannons.”

  The captain and Robert hasten toward the active crew, and I move to follow. I spot Constance hurrying on deck, and I hide behind Robert. When I peek around him, Constance is going below—toward my room, no doubt.

  Robert turns to me. “You need to get below.”

  So it doesn’t matter that Constance didn’t see me, Robert is stepping in for her.

  “I’ll go in a moment,” I say.

  “You really should go now. I don’t have time to discuss this.”

  “Then don’t. I can take care of myself. Give me a sword. I can help fight if it comes down to it.”

  “Please just go to your cabin before they get too close.” His gaze is piercing with concern, but I really will be more useful here than down below.

  The captain calls for Robert, and he grunts. “Please stay safe.” And then he’s off.

  I hasten after, not wanting to miss anything before Constance finds me. Sailors dodge around me. I don’t fully know what they’re doing. I’ve sailed before but never encountered pirates, so there was never a ne
ed to fight back. Their ship is looming ever closer, and it’s turned toward us now.

  Robert is speaking when I make it to him and the captain. “It looks as if they’re getting ready to fire with their long guns. Brace yourselves.”

  A moment later, a cannon ball lands in the water, not far off the hull, sending a spray of water about. Things are getting worse. Unless I do something, we will be captured and left to the mercy of Captain Smythe.

  Hoping the repercussions aren’t calamitous, I lift my hand and force my magic out to change the wind heading for the pirate ship. While I’m concentrating on the task, a cannon ball rips through the main mast, sending pieces of wood flying in all directions. Just as my spell is set in motion, Robert throws me to the deck, shielding my body with his. His muscles tense, and he groans. My heart is racing.

  He moves to his feet and helps me up. Shards of wood lie scattered about the deck. I take his hand, only to have small droplets of blood fall on my palm. I follow them to their source to find a gaping wound in Robert’s left bicep.

  “You’re hurt,” I say.

  “It’s nothing,” he says and pulls me to my feet.

  He drags me off toward the cabins as there’s another loud splash. As we get closer, one of the sailors says, “What in the name of Bardus? Where did that squall come from, and why didn’t it hit us?”

  The muttering spreads across the ship, and even Robert pauses to look toward the pirate ship. My spell is working. The distance between us and the pirate ship is growing. The pirates are scrambling about, trying to adjust to the new wind.

  Robert pulls me down the stairs and through the hall until we get to my room. Opening the door, we find Jocelyn frozen, her forehead creased and lip bitten. As soon as she sees me, her expression eases.

  “Stay here,” Robert says. His hand brushes across my arm, sending a warm trill up its length, and then he’s gone.

  “My lady, are you all right? Constance sent me here to wait, in case you returned before she found you. I was so worried when we couldn’t locate you with the cannons going off everywhere. I was so afraid for you.” Jocelyn’s words fly from her mouth, and then she rushes to my side. “You’re bleeding.”

  Fear darts through me as I glance down and see my dress covered in blood. There’s no pain. Perhaps the rush of excitement keeps it at bay? I look for a wound but find nothing. By the hem of my skirt, there’s a trail of red. A trail that goes out the door. My fear increases until it’s a stabbing in my chest.

  “It must be Robert’s,” I say. He’s injured because he was trying to protect me. “I have to go to him.”

  I head for the door, but before I can leave the room, Jocelyn closes her small hand around mine, halting my progress.

  “I’m sure he’s fine.” Her eyes are full of compassion, and her placid voice is soothing, though I still fear for Robert. “He will have taken care of it himself, or someone else will have noticed. I’ve been watching these soldiers, and they really take care of each other. Right now, you’ll be a distraction. He’ll be all right.”

  Though my heart says otherwise, I nod and slip down onto the bunk. The last thing I want to do is stay in here, but Jocelyn is right, and she looks as if she could use my support with all the crashing about.

  As I sit, her face changes from apprehensive to serene, the wrinkles smoothing out. She taps her foot, betraying some of her tension still exists. Her unease travels to me, gnawing at my own. Robert has to be all right; he just has to.

  What if he bleeds out before getting help?

  It’s then I realize I’m twisting my hand in my skirt—a skirt wet with blood. The red taints my hand, sending a frightening chill through my body. Robert.

  “I—I should probably change,” I say.

  Jocelyn closes the door and moves to the built-in dresser. “Sorry, my lady. Worrying about your safety has left me unsettled. Here’s a dress. Let me help you out of that one. It’s completely ruined now. Too bad we didn’t have more to bring more with us.”

  “Thank you, Jocelyn.”

  She helps me out of the soiled dress and into the fresh one.

  The booming of cannon fire sounds in the distance, followed by a near splash. Neither of us speak, but I’m grateful Jocelyn is here. It’s hard not to worry about Robert, Constance, and the others with the sound of danger so near, but it’s easier to stay calm once Jocelyn shoves my soiled dress into a bag.

  When she’s finished, she sits down next to me. She is shaking so violently, I’m surprised the whole boat doesn’t shake with her. I put my arm on her shoulder, hoping the action soothes her. The splashes fade in frequency and intensity. Jocelyn’s shaking does as well, and my heart quietens its frantic pounding, though the worry doesn’t entirely disappear. I can’t get the sight of Robert’s blood out of my mind.

  The door bangs open, and Constance charges into the room. “Pack everything up. We’re getting off this boat when we reach Port Varas. We’ll walk or find a ride to Amara. We can’t risk these pirates catching you. Either of you. It appears we are much too vulnerable at sea, even with your spell. Don’t you give me that look; I know it was you. You shouldn’t have chanced it, though no one seems to have noticed it was you.”

  That’s Constance, knowing everything as usual. At least she’s not scolding me for leaving the cabin.

  Jocelyn jumps up and pulls a large bag out from under the bunk. She tears clothes from the dresser and shoves them into the bag. Emeline comes in the room and helps collect the last few things.

  “I already packed our room,” Emeline says.

  The two girls take a seat on the bunk across from me, cramming against each other in the small space.

  “I’m going to talk to the captain,” Constance says. Before I can ask to go with her she adds, “You three stay here.”

  I suppose I could fight her—I want to know if someone attended to Robert’s wound—but I don’t want to cause anyone further stress. Once she leaves, noise from the crew running about reaches us. We wait in silence, the sound of cannons gone. The boat continues to rock smoothly, easing us into a sense of calm when there is none.

  Several footsteps sound outside the cabin.

  Robert’s muffled voice comes. “I don’t know what caused the advantageous wind, but it’s helping. They’re heading east, away from us, which is good, but we should still be cautious.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Abner replies. “We will still make for Port Varas so we can repair the mast before continuing. Constance informed me that their group will be resuming their journey on land once we reach port.”

  “If that is the case, I’d like to take a small number of men to escort them to their final destination,” Robert says.

  Abner’s voice jumps in. “Rotten idea. None of us should spend more time with the elves than we have to.”

  “You’re one to talk,” Robert replies. “If you didn’t have such a hate for them—”

  “I think Abner may be correct,” the captain interupts. “While I don’t have a problem spending time with the elves, I think we should all stick together. We’ve already had a bad voyage. Who knows what else will happen? We can’t have you leaving. Besides, you already have an injury.”

  “The cut didn’t go as deep as it first appeared. It’s bound tightly, so I barely notice.” Robert’s words calm me further. Thank the magic he’s not further injured. I wish I could use the healing arts to help him without giving myself away. “I know you need the men, and you don’t want me going, but Stewart’s group has helped us. Shouldn’t we do the same? We’ve all heard stories of what Port Varas is like. I can’t in good conscience leave them with only one escort.”

  “They may turn their dark magic on you when your back is turned.” Abner’s voice is twisted in anger but softens as he continues. “I don’t want to lose you, my friend. Especially not to some elves.”

 
; Robert sighs. “They won’t attack me, Abner. Haven’t you seen how hard they work? They’re good.”

  Jocelyn glances up at me while the captain speaks. “I’m afraid he’s right, Abner. They’ve only helped us, and we should return the kindness. But it goes against my better judgment to let you escort them, Robert. Your parents will have my head.”

  “Now that’s an exaggeration. They know how stubborn I am. Besides, part of the reason I’m here is to get to know the elves better. I need to do this.”

  “I still say it shouldn’t be, but we all know you’ll go regardless. Gather two or three men. I fear that’s all we can spare. I’ll let Stewart know you shall accompany them.”

  “I’ll go with him. He needs someone to watch his back,” Abner says. As grateful as I am for Robert’s presence, Abner is the last person I want with us, next to Captain Smythe.

  “It’s definitely against my better judgment to let you go,” the captain says. “There are many dangers.”

  “But there would also be guards with us, and Robert,” Abner says.

  “I agree. It’d be for the best for us to stick together,” Robert says. “Friends through it all. You need to be nice to them, though.”

  “I hate to say it, but you’d better watch your tongue, Abner, or you’ll have us in a worse hole than we’re in now.” There’s a pause from the captain followed by, “Take Jon with you. He’s the best on the crew. He’ll help keep everyone safe.”

  Silence follows, until Robert says, “It’s settled, then. I’ll grab Jon. We’ll meet you in Amara soon.”

  “Be safe. We can’t afford to lose you two.”

  “I’ll keep my eye on Robert, Captain.” Abner’s voice is full of confidence.

  Robert sighs. “We will.”

  Three sets of footsteps briskly fade in different directions, two down the hall and one up the stairs. I don’t quite know what to think of the exchange, other than I’m grateful this won’t be the last I see of Robert. Something did seem a little off about it, though. Why are Robert and Abner so important?