The Serpent Cult (Heroes of Ravenford Book 2)

by F. P. Spirit

  Glo couldn’t help smiling. Seth had told them the whole story before coming to the keep. “Oh wait, it gets better.”

  Gelpas’s brow furrowed.

  “Oh, it does.” Seth rolled his eyes.

  Gelpas peered at the duo uncertainly. “I’m afraid to ask.”

  A wicked smile crossed Seth’s lips. “Right after the sailor was supposedly grabbed, that is when the angel appeared.”

  Gelpas appeared even more skeptical. “An angel?”

  “Oh that’s not the half of it. The angel had long blonde hair, shiny bronze skin, and rode a dolphin.”

  Gelpas’s eyes went wide. “Rode a dolphin?”

  Seth snorted. “Didn’t I say it got weird?”

  “You were not exaggerating, Master Seth,” Gelpas agreed.

  “Anyway, this angel rode up and commanded the sea monster to drop the sailor. The serpent immediately obeyed, dropped him into the surf, and then the creature disappeared. The angel fished the sailor out of the water and carried him to the shore. In fact, she carried all of them one by one to the beach until they were all safe. When she was done, she completely vanished. The sailors huddled on the rocks until the next morning. The skies had cleared and the seas were calm, but there was no sign of the Lucky Coin. Funny thing is, they saw the lighthouse to their south.”

  “To their south?” Gelpas repeated dubiously. “How can that be?”

  “That’s what we were wondering,” Aksel said.

  Glo mulled the story over in his mind. It was a well-known fact that angels and serpents existed. However, an angel shooing off a sea monster and then carrying the men to shore on a dolphin back seemed a bit far-fetched. More than likely, the sailors were drunk and made up the whole thing. Still, that did not explain how they made it safely to shore, nor how the lighthouse had mysteriously moved. There was far more going on here. It definitely warranted further investigation.

  Captain Gelpas agreed. “That’s an interesting story, but sea monsters or angels notwithstanding, whatever is sinking these ships has to be stopped. Some very important party guests are due to arrive via ship, but now no vessel will dare sail past Cape Marlin to Ravenford.”

  He paused and stared intently at the four of them. “We really need this taken care of now.”

  “Very well, Captain,” Aksel said, “but how are we to get out there when no ships are willing to sail to the Cape?”

  Gelpas shuffled through the papers on his desk. “There is one ship—the Endurance. The captain, Rochino, is one of the best sailors on the high seas. He doesn’t scare easily.”

  Gelpas finally found the parchment he was looking for and handed it over to Aksel. “As before, this is interfering with trade. The town merchants are offering a substantial reward for stopping whatever is behind the disappearing ships. Five thousand gold pieces outright and a fifteen percent finder’s fee on for any lost cargo recovered.”

  Seth stepped forward and peered over Aksel’s shoulder. The two of them reviewed the parchment carefully. After a few moments, Aksel glanced up at the captain. “We were going to check this out anyway, but that is indeed an added benefit.”

  “You can say that again,” Seth added, a familiar gleam in his eye.

  Gelpas nodded. “Very good, I will notify Captain Rochino. The Endurance should be ready to sail first thing in the morning.”

  “We’ll be ready as well,” Aksel stated.

  Sailing Ships and Golems

  He can ride the anchor!

  Lloyd had been strangely silent during the meeting with Gelpas. Now that they had left the captain’s office, he finally spoke up. “I really don’t like leaving the town just now.”

  Glo exchanged glances with Aksel and Seth. Lloyd had been extremely upset when he found out the Lady Andrella might be the target of the Serpent Cult. Glo couldn’t blame him for not wanting to leave Ravenford.

  Aksel’s expression was one of keen sympathy. “I agree with you, this trip does come at a rather bad time. However, in good conscience, we can’t let whatever is going on off the coast continue.”

  Lloyd stared at Aksel, mixed emotions playing across his face.

  Glo tried to console him. “Don’t forget, the baron is aware of the danger, the castle guards are on double duty, and they are screening everyone coming in and out of town.”

  Lloyd sighed. “I know, I know. It’s just...”

  Seth mouth twisted into a thin smirk. “You want to be the one to protect her.”

  Lloyd grinned sheepishly, his hand going to the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess.”

  They exited the double doors of the large keep and stopped on the steps to the courtyard beyond. There were castle guards everywhere—at least ten men in the yard itself, two at the gate, and another eight up on the walls.

  “I think they’ve got it fairly well covered for now,” Glo said.

  Lloyd gazed around his eyes widening as he saw the number of guards on duty. A wan smile crossed his lips. “Sorry. You’re right. We have a job to do and that comes first.”

  “We shouldn’t be gone for more than a couple of days,” Aksel assured him. “I’ve been puzzling this over in my mind, and I think I know a way to speed this investigation up.”

  Lloyd peered at him with keen interest. “How’s that?”

  “A large bonfire on the cliffs north of the cape could easily have been mistaken for a lighthouse signal. However, that means the actual lighthouse would have to also been put out of commission.”

  “So we need to investigate both—which can be done at the same time if we split up,” Seth added.

  Aksel grinned. “Exactly. You and Brundon can head up the coast while the rest of us check out the lighthouse. That will easily cut down on the time needed to investigate—”

  “Umm, Aksel, you said Brundon,” Lloyd interrupted him.

  Aksel stopped and stared at Lloyd, sudden realization crossing his face. “I did, didn’t I? Force of habit, I guess. Still, that leaves us without a tracker, unless...”

  “Martan!” Glo and Seth exclaimed at the same time.

  “He was good enough for the Black Adders,” Elladan pointed out.

  Lloyd appeared puzzled. “But didn’t he also leave town?”

  “Yes, but that’s not a problem,” Glo replied. He doffed his backpack and rifled through it. “Not when we have this.” He stood up and held out a clear glass ball the size of a small melon.

  Recognition dawned on Lloyd’s face. “Is that...”

  “...Voltark’s crystal ball,” Seth finished.

  As it turned out, it didn’t take long to find Martan. He was camped in the foothills just north of town. When they showed up and offered him a steady paying job, Martan jumped at the chance.

  Early the next morning, Aksel, Lloyd, Seth, Glo, and Martan arrived at the docks. The Boulder trailed slowly behind them, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground and causing passing townsfolk to stop and stare. Although Lloyd warned him that the heavy creature would not make it up the gangplank, Aksel brought the golem along anyway.

  The Endurance was easy to spot—it was the tallest ship of all the ships at the docks. They left the Boulder standing at the foot of the pier and trekked down the long dock. Lloyd gave them a detailed explanation of the parts of the ship, pointing out the various sections as they went.

  “That’s a galleon—see the three masts? The front two, the fore, and main are both square-rigged. You can tell by how the yard crosses the mast. But the mizzenmast, the one in the aft of the ship, is a bit shorter, and it’s lateen-rigged. Look how the yards on that mast are angled. Also, you can see the long beakhead on the bow and the square galley at the stern—”

  “Lloyd!” Seth shouted.

  Lloyd stopped and stared at the halfling. “Yes?”

  Seth
folded his arms across his chest, his head cocked to one side. “You do realize that everything you just told us is pure gibberish.”

  Lloyd grinned sheepishly in response. “Oh. Sorry. It’s been awhile since I was down at the docks. I guess I got a bit excited.”

  “Want to try that again in small, understandable words?” Seth chided.

  Lloyd fixed the halfling with a long hard stare. When he responded, it was in a slow, flat tone. “Big ship... Go fast... Carry lots of cargo.”

  “Okay, now that makes sense,” Seth responded rather cheerfully.

  Glo shook his head. Seth was incorrigible—though not wrong. Glo hadn’t understood a word Lloyd had said, either. Guess it’s to be expected—his father is Admiral of the Penwick Navy. Unlike Lloyd, Glo had never sailed before. In fact, he had never even seen the sea. He had spent most of his life in the city of Cairthrellon, deep in the great forest of Ruanaiaith. Glo remembered his amazement the first time he’d gazed upon the vast expanse of Merchant Bay. It was so large that its sparkling waters stretched to the horizon. What intrigued him the most though was the waves—the rhythmic way they flowed toward the beach and back. There was something very serene about the sea—something that calmed the soul. Glo began to understand why sailors were drawn to it, never wanting to spend more than a few days on land. The companions resumed walking down the dock while Lloyd continued talking about his seafaring family.

  “My brother, Pallas, is the real sea-dog. In fact, he’s a Captain in the Penwick Navy.”

  “Is he much older than you?” Glo asked.

  “He’s twenty-six.”

  It was Seth’s turn to be curious. “Isn’t that a bit young to be a ship’s captain?”

  “Maybe, for some, but Pallas has been living on ships since he was about eight. He’s probably logged more hours at sea than most of the sailors in the fleet. Not to mention, a few months ago he saved an entire town from pirates, without losing a single man. For him to be Captain of the Avenger is really not that much of a stretch.”

  A gruff voice called out from ahead of them. “Did I hear someone say the Avenger?”

  They were approaching the gangplank, a number of folks already gathered there. In their midst stood a dark bearded man wearing a sailor’s coat and a broad brimmed, three-cornered hat. Glo recognized the folks around the man. They were the same merchants they had met a few days ago, during the victory celebration over the orc bandits. One of the merchants in particularly had a sour look on his face. It was Haltan, owner of the “Shop of Wonders” in Ravenford.

  Lloyd stopped in front of the dark bearded man and saluted smartly. “Captain Rochino.”

  Rochino responded with a hearty laugh. “Yeah, lad, but this is no military vessel. No need to salute me.” The captain turned his gaze upon the rest of them. “And you must be the group they call the Heroes of Ravenford.”

  Aksel responded for them. “That’s not how we refer to ourselves, but it seems to make the townsfolk happy.”

  Rochino laughed heartily once more. “Simple folk do need their heroes to look up to. Me? I’m a simple man. Just give me a ship and the open sea, and I’m content.”

  Lloyd gazed up at the Endurance with a wistful expression. “She is a beauty, captain.”

  Rochino followed Lloyd’s gaze, his expression filled with pride. “Aye, that she is, but she’s no warship like the Avenger.”

  Lloyd stared up and down the length of the vessel. “Maybe not, but judging by the lowered forecastle and the long hull, I’d say she’s faster than most.”

  Rochino gazed upon Lloyd with an expression of approval. “You’ve got a good eye there, lad. She’s the fastest ship in these northern waters. Tell me, how do you know so much about sailing?”

  “His father is Kratos Stealle,” Seth replied before Lloyd could answer.

  Rochino’s eyes widened. “Kratos Stealle? Admiral of the Penwick Navy?”

  “That’s my dad,” Lloyd admitted.

  Rochino appraised Lloyd anew. “Well then, lad, no wonder you know your ships! Come aboard, and I’ll give you the grand tour.” Rochino led Lloyd up the gangplank, the two in deep conversation. Glo’s keen ears picked up some of it.

  “So that would make Pallas your brother,” Rochino was saying.

  Lloyd sounded incredulous. “You know Pallas?”

  “Aye, lad. Met him down the coast a few months ago. Helped him and his crew out of a nasty jam with some pirates.”

  A thin smile spread across Glo’s lips. It was indeed a small world.

  “Well if it isn’t the Heroes of Ravenford,” a familiar voice addressed them, the tone rather contemptuous. It was the merchant, Haltan. He strode up to the companions as he continued to speak. “Where’s your bard friend? Isn’t he joining you on this venture?”

  Once again, Aksel responded for the group. “He’s a bit busy right now coordinating the entertainment for the Lady Andrella’s party.”

  Haltan’s expression soured even more, if possible. “Ah, yes, that would make sense. He is really quite good with that lute of his. Some would say too good.” Those last few words practically dripped with malice.

  “Guess you would know that first hand,” Seth responded with a wide smirk.

  Haltan glared at the halfling disdainfully. “Yes, I guess I would.”

  Glo could barely suppress a smile. Haltan was a despicable individual. It was not the fact that he price-gouged that made him so. All merchants had the right to get the best deal they could. What made him contemptible was that he purposely withheld information about the hammer they had found just to improve his bargaining position. Elladan handled the situation shrewdly by putting Haltan under a spell, forcing him to reveal what he knew. Thus the merchant now had little love for the bard.

  Aksel cleared his throat. “If you will excuse us, we have a ship to board.”

  Haltan glared at them a few moments longer, then reluctantly moved out of the way. The foursome passed the sour-faced merchant as they made their way to the foot of the gangplank. Before they could ascend it, though, Haltan spoke again. “I hope you are successful on this journey. After all, I would like to get my cargo back. I’ve lost a lot of shipments this last month.”

  Aksel did not bother to turn around. “We’ll do our best to recover all the merchants’ shipments.”

  Haltan snorted contemptuously. “As long as I get mine.” With those parting words, Haltan marched off down the docks back toward town.

  Seth stared after the merchant, his eyes like daggers. “I really don’t like that man.”

  Glo had to agree. Any further conversation on the matter was interrupted by a cry from up ahead. “Guys!” Glo cast a glance upward and saw Lloyd at the head of the gangplank. “The Captain and I think we’ve figured a way we can take the Boulder with us.”

  Seth rolled his eyes to the heavens. “Now this I’ve got to hear.”

  When they finally boarded the Endurance, Glo did not know where to look first. He had never been on a sailing ship, and this one appeared vast. A long deck stretched out before them, the thick mast of a tall sail right in the center. There were ropes and pulleys up and down the rails, and crates and barrels here and there along the main deck. Toward the front of the vessel was a higher deck with two sets of stairs leading to it. A door stood between them that probably led to inside cabins and the lower decks. To the rear was another high deck with two more sets of steps leading up to it, and another doorway between. A large wheel was mounted on the rear deck—the main steering mechanism of the vessel.

  Lloyd waited with Captain Rochino for them to board. The moment they all set foot on deck, Lloyd began to explain what he had discovered. “I was telling the captain about the stone golem—how heavy it is and all.”

  Rochino nodded. “Aye, the lad here is right. There’s no way that thing will eve
r make it up the gangplank. Still, there might be a way we could take it with us.”

  Aksel appeared intrigued. “How’s that?”

  “He can ride the anchor!” Lloyd blurted out, unable to contain himself any longer.

  Glo was not sure he had heard that right. He was about to ask Lloyd to repeat that again when Seth fell on the deck. The halfling began to laugh uncontrollably. “Ride... ride... ride the anchor!” he cried between fits of laughter.

  Lloyd folded his arms and glared at Seth. “I’m serious.”

  “Oh... that’s... good... ,” Seth managed to say, still rolling around on the deck and chortling. “You’re serious!”

  Rochino cleared his throat. “It should work, lad.”

  Seth immediately stopped laughing though his eyes continued to dance with amusement. “Oh, you are serious then.”

  “Lad, when it comes to my ship, I don’t kid.” He spun around and motioned for them to follow. “This way.” Rochino headed across the deck toward the front of the ship. The followed him up the stairs to the forward deck. On the way, Lloyd continued the discussion.

  “Glo, you said the golem weighs about 2,000 pounds?”

  Glo nodded. “Yes, that’s about right.”

  “The captain said the anchors on the Endurance weigh about 1,200 pounds, but the chains can hold nearly triple that.”

  “Aye lad,” Rochino agreed. “We had her fitted with a single heavy anchor at one point, but now she’s got one on either side at half the weight.”

  “So they should be able to hold the anchor and the golem,” Lloyd finished in a triumphant tone.

  They had reached the bow of the ship. The captain showed them the winch and the thick chain that was attached to the anchor on this side of the vessel. Glo and Aksel exchanged glances. Aksel just shrugged. The math certainly made sense and the chain looked rather sturdy. Glo merely nodded. “If the captain thinks it will work, I guess it’s worth a try.”

  Seth was not convinced. “Even if it does hold, that’s a lot of extra weight. How do you plan on pulling that off the ocean floor?”