Birthright

by Missouri Vaun

  She opened her eyes. She sensed Aiden had drifted back to sleep. She listened to Aiden’s steady deep breathing. Meanwhile, every cell in Kathryn’s body was wide-awake.

  Kathryn slid gently out from under Aiden’s arm, kissed her on the cheek, and slipped quietly out of the room. She let her forehead rest against the door for a moment after it clicked shut. She knew she was doing the right thing. This wasn’t the way she wanted the first time with Aiden. But she was sure she’d probably regret this decision to wait. Opportunities for personal pleasure were rare these days.

  “Good morning, cousin.” Rowan’s voice made Kathryn jump. When Kathryn looked up, Rowan quirked one side of her mouth in a knowing smile.

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “Well, that’s too bad, because I was thinking some very nice things.” Rowan brushed past Kathryn in the narrow hallway with a devilish grin on her face.

  Rowan’s grin had been infectious. Kathryn smiled all the way back to her quarters. It was still early. She’d freshen up and then go in search of coffee.

  *

  When Aiden woke up, she was alone. As she struggled to clear the fog of sleep from her brain, she wondered whether cuddling with Kathryn had only been a wishful dream. She pulled the pillow to her face and inhaled. A hint of Kathryn’s perfume lingered on the fabric. Aiden inhaled deeply and then rolled onto her back smiling at the ceiling.

  As she pulled on a fresh shirt and splashed water on her face from the basin in the corner of the small room, she felt light as a feather. As if some emotional weight had been lifted off her chest during the night. She wondered if the feeling came from having some knowledge of her mother, having some idea of where she came from. Even though she still had no home to call her own, at least knowing she’d had a home at the beginning of her life made her feel just the least bit grounded. She couldn’t quite decipher every new sensation swirling around inside, but she knew something was different.

  The galley was empty when she arrived, but she managed to find an apple and some bread with butter still out in the center of the main table. She ate the apple first and then carried a slice of bread with her, taking bites as she wound her way down the narrow hallway past the sleeping quarters and up to the main deck. The boat creaked, and she heard the muffled sounds of shouted commands between the crew as she climbed out of the belly of the ship.

  The craft was moving at full speed, the sails trimmed to the wind, and the boat rocking with a smooth cadence when Aiden stepped onto the deck into bright morning sun. Various shipmates were going about their duties, rolling lines, tying down supplies, climbing rope ladders high up the mast to the yardarms. This was her first passage on a ship of any kind, so she was captivated by the constant buzz of activity that it took to keep everything untangled and moving in the right direction.

  She’d watched with rapt fascination the first day they’d set sail. The unfurling of the great white squares of cloth one after the other was like an orchestrated dance, a waltz of motion.

  Aiden shielded her eyes with her hand as she gazed up into the broad square sails bowed out, full from the wind.

  “Is this your first time on a wind ship?” Venn casually leaned against the railing nearby.

  “Yes, it is.” Aiden had wanted to talk with Venn since she’d had the vision, but not about ships. She sensed awkwardness between them, probably because Venn had broken down into tears in front of her. She didn’t know Venn well, but she knew enough to guess that showing emotion in that way was not something Venn made a habit of doing.

  Should she give Venn more space or should she push through the awkwardness and get to the questions she really wanted to ask?

  “I have something for you.” Venn hadn’t given Aiden time to decide. She pulled her sword from the leather sheath on her belt and handed it, handle first, to Aiden.

  Aiden took the sword, but she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do with it. She held it out in front of her with both hands. It was beautiful. The handle was well worn. This sword looked as if it had seen lots of action. There was also a brilliant red stone encased in silver and mounted at the end of the handle.

  “I’d like for you to have it.”

  Aiden looked up from the sword. “Why? Isn’t this your sword?” She’d noticed that today Venn was wearing a second sword in a case that hung between her shoulder blades. Leather straps crossed her chest, holding the second sword sheath in place.

  “This has been my sword, but I’d like to give it to you now.”

  Aiden shook her head and tried to pass the weapon back to Venn. “This is too much. I can’t accept.”

  Venn pushed the sword back. “That stone is carnelian. It imparts an acceptance of the cycle of life and removes the fear of death. It came from a pendant that belonged to your mother, so I had it crafted into the handle of the sword.”

  Aiden studied the ornate handle more closely. The stone was a brilliant red, not translucent, but solid in color, like a rock. There were other markings on the cross guard, a crisscross pattern, and just next to the stone, where the grooves of the handle ended, an engraving of a crescent moon and three stars. The unmistakable Roth family crest of Belstaff.

  “Is that the mark that’s on my shoulder?”

  Venn nodded.

  Aiden traced the engraved shapes with her fingertip. The red wax seals used the same emblem. And this red stone had belonged to her mother. The Roth family crest had some close kinship with red. She recalled the red uniform Venn had been wearing in her vision.

  But this was too great a gift. She felt uncomfortable accepting such a gift. Once more, she tried to return the sword to Venn.

  Venn wrapped her hand around Aiden’s fingers on the grip of the sword. “I want you to have this sword, Aiden. Please take it.” She removed the sword belt she’d been wearing and handed that to Aiden also. Aiden draped it over her shoulder because she needed two hands to put it on, but her right hand was occupied with cool steel.

  She stepped away from Venn and swung the broadsword through the air to get a feel for the weight of it. This instrument was well balanced, much nicer than the heavy, clumsy sword she’d lost while held in captivity in Eveshom. After a few more strokes through the air, she put the sword in the sheath and the belt around her waist.

  “Were you and my mother in love?” Aiden waited expectantly for Venn to answer. Venn was slow to respond.

  “It was complicated, and our timing was off, but yes, we were in love.” Venn looked sad.

  “What do you mean your timing was off?”

  “Isla was already married to your father when we met.”

  “Oh.” Aiden wanted to understand. “Did she not love my father then?”

  “She cared for your father very much. They had a good relationship and had been friends before marriage. She wanted to have children, and she knew they would have a good life together. He was, after all, a king. And he was a good man. So, yes, she did love him, but in a different way I suppose.” Venn looked off into the distance. “If she and I had met first, who knows?”

  Aiden took a seat on a wooden storage bin anchored to the railing wall. She looked up at Venn waiting for her to continue. Hearing details about her parents was like a dream come true. A wish she’d carried since childhood that she never thought would be granted.

  “Your mother discovered she was pregnant just after we met. She would never have left your father and deprived him of knowing his child. She was a very loyal person, true to her word. Maybe once you were older she’d have decided…” Venn’s voice became gruff with emotion. She coughed to clear her throat.

  “What happened to my father?”

  “He was killed in a skirmish right after you were born. I wasn’t there so I’m still not sure what happened, and I don’t trust that Balak didn’t have some hand in his death.”

  “Balak is really as bad as everyone thinks then?”

  “Yes. He’s motivated by self-interests and greed. And his moods are incr
edibly erratic and volatile. I think he’s only gotten worse with age.”

  “And you? All these years later, do you ever regret leaving your life in Belstaff because of me?”

  “With your mother gone I had no life there. Everything I cared about was gone. Everything in Belstaff would have reminded me of her.”

  Aiden felt sadness for Venn. She’d given up what she’d wanted for others. She’d lost the woman she loved so many years ago. Aiden was trying not to pelt her with questions, but she had many more bubbling up.

  “This mark on my shoulder, how—”

  “As royal born, you were marked as an infant, but only your mother’s inner circle knew of your birth. For your safety she tried to keep it a secret.” Venn paused. “The only person outside the castle who knew your true identity was Francis.”

  “Brother Francis?” He’d been her mentor and the closest thing to a father she’d had during her years at the monastery’s orphanage.

  “Yes, he’s my uncle. He was the only person I knew I could trust completely.”

  “He knew? He knew the whole time and he never told me.”

  “I asked him not to. And he and I both agreed that you’d be safer if you didn’t know your true origin.”

  “I didn’t remember getting this tattoo on my shoulder. I just knew at some point, it was there.”

  “You were just two months old. Your mother considered ignoring the tradition for your safety and not performing the marking ceremony, but I convinced her to go through with it.” Venn sat next to Aiden on the wooden box. “You said you remembered me from the monastery. I was there many times, but most of the time you didn’t see me.”

  Affection swelled in Aiden’s chest for this warrior who’d obviously been her guardian for years and she’d had no idea. She owed Venn a great debt.

  “Thank you.”

  Venn looked at her, and her lashes glistened with unshed tears. “You have your mother’s eyes, Aiden. There is so much of her in you. I’m glad I can finally say that to you.” She sniffed and looked away, swiping at her cheek with the back of her hand.

  “Were you ever going to tell me who I really was?”

  “Yes.” Venn hesitated. “I had planned to join you to celebrate your twenty-first birthday and then accompany you on your journey from the monastery. Regardless of where that journey led.”

  “I’m not sure I’d have believed you if you’d told me the truth.”

  “Aiden, I will help you reclaim your birthright, for you and for Isla…but only if that’s truly what you want.” Venn put her hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “You are free to make the choice for yourself, just as your mother hoped.”

  Aiden nodded. She wasn’t sure what else to say at the moment.

  Venn playfully bumped her shoulder and smiled. “Now, let’s see what you can do with that sword.”

  “Really? Now?” Aiden got to her feet and followed Venn toward an open spot on the deck.

  “Yes, now. Defend yourself.” Venn drew the sword that was strapped between her shoulder blades, and in one fluid motion, struck the blade Aiden held casually in front of her body.

  She had Aiden’s full attention now. Aiden volleyed three more blows from Venn, then Venn stepped back, smiling.

  “Not bad, but don’t use a low guard. Take a high guard, like this.” Venn demonstrated by holding her sword in both hands above her head, elbows bent. She waited for Aiden to match her pose. “Defend yourself.”

  Venn swung downward and Aiden met the movement, blocking her strike.

  “Good. Better.” Venn took the high guard again. “Hold the sword straight.” She motioned with her head. “Leg back, bend your knees.” She gave Aiden a moment to adjust her stance and then advanced on her again.

  After a few minutes, Aiden got the distinct impression that Venn was no longer holding back. Aiden deflected several advances, and then Venn got the upper hand, striking so hard that Aiden’s blade hit the plank flooring. Venn stepped into her personal space and stopped short of striking her in the face with the butt of the sword handle.

  “Remember, the blade isn’t the only part of the sword that can be used as a weapon.”

  Aiden nodded and took a step back. They continued to volley, and after each advance Venn talked to Aiden about mental discipline.

  “Never give in to rage.” Venn circled Aiden’s position. “Anger and fear are the real threats in any conflict.”

  “How can you make yourself not be afraid?” Aiden believed she’d have an easier time controlling anger than fear, but she knew she’d never been truly tested.

  “You control your mind; you stand in front of it.”

  Aiden wasn’t sure she understood, but she nodded anyway.

  “Always keep your head clear of everything except your objective.” Venn circled and then unexpectedly lunged. Aiden was ready and blocked her thrust.

  They were both breathing hard; their skin glistened with sweat. Aiden was pleased to see that she wasn’t too easy an opponent for Venn.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Sails!” someone shouted from high in the rigging. Aiden looked up until she spotted the crewman and he shouted again. “Sails, port!”

  Aiden moved to where Nilah stood near the rudder wheel with a spyglass. Venn joined Aiden at the railing.

  “We’ve got company.” Nilah handed the telescope to a crewman nearby. “Bring us about, southwest thirty degrees. Let’s see if they follow us.” The man at the rudder wheel adjusted course.

  Aiden watched the craft in the distance. It was still fairly far away but clear that it was a wind ship smaller than the craft they were on. The sails of the smaller ship flashed bright white in the sunlight as it altered course to follow them.

  “They’ve changed course.” Aiden couldn’t help making the observation aloud even though her input was unnecessary.

  Nilah already had begun to shout orders to go back to their original course and put more sails into the wind.

  “What does this mean?” Aiden asked.

  “If they’d stayed on their southward heading I’d have thought they were just a traveling transport like we are. But they came out of nowhere, and now they’ve altered course to match ours. That causes me to have serious doubts about their intentions.”

  The ship rocked on its spinning axles as it picked up speed, but even with the extra wind power from the numerous sails, the smaller craft was gaining on them.

  “Man your stations. All hands at arms!” Nilah shouted more orders, and two cannons were rolled into position on the port side of the deck. Hatchways were thrown open, and the cannons were pushed through. They were primed and then chained to the deck to stave off recoil.

  Aiden’s pulse quickened. This was serious and she wasn’t sure she was prepared for what was coming, but at least now she had a weapon should she need it.

  *

  Kathryn was in the galley when the boat lurched without warning. She stumbled sideways when the floor tipped sharply toward the port side.

  Something is wrong. Kathryn steadied herself and listened. Muffled shouts sounded overhead.

  She headed down the narrow passage toward the steps up to the main deck. Twice, she had to brace herself on the wall to keep from falling as the ship jerked and bumped. Fearing the worst, she stopped by her cabin to retrieve her crossbow and quiver of arrows. When Kathryn breached the doorway, she was greeted with a frenzy of shouts and movement. She saw Gareth first.

  “What’s going on?” Kathryn asked.

  “Sails. We spotted them a few moments ago and they’re getting close.” An arrow struck the railing, sinking into the wood, between where they stood. “And they’re gaining on us.”

  “All hands to arms!” Nilah barked orders from the helm.

  Kathryn loaded the crossbow. She took cover behind some wooden crates aft of the helm and peeked around to try to get a better look at what or who was chasing them.

  Gareth crouched beside her. She looked around for Aiden but couldn’
t find her in the mayhem on deck.

  “Where’s Rowan?”

  “I sent her below.” Gareth pulled his sword free. His left arm was still in a sling, but luckily, he was right-handed.

  “Who do you think they are?”

  “I’m assuming more of Aiden’s pals.”

  “How could they possibly know that Aiden is on this ship?”

  “You tell me. You two seem pretty thick lately.”

  “If they are after Aiden, then I assure you she’s as surprised as we are.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  “Gareth—” Kathryn was getting pissed, and she was about to launch into him when a grappling hook flew past them and then slid back along the decking, lodging itself against the railing.

  Gareth swung his sword and cut the line.

  Kathryn popped her head up for a better look. The ship was coming alongside them. It was a much smaller craft, which might have explained its speed. Kathryn heard shouts and turned to see Aiden and Venn engaged with raiders who’d swung across from lines attached to the masts of the attacking ship. Another man swung across the expanse between the ships and dropped onto the deck.

  Venn dispatched one of the men swiftly and then dumped his body over the side, but Aiden was having a tougher go of it. She was wielding a broadsword and was fully engaged with one of the men who’d swung over from the other ship.

  Kathryn tried to get a clear shot with her crossbow, but Aiden kept shifting in front of her attacker, blocking the shot. Kathryn tried for another shot, but a shadow passed over her as another raider dropped down a few feet from her position. She pivoted and fired. The arrow hit the main square in the chest. She knelt to reload.

  “Come up on the wind! Get us broadside!” Nilah shouted at her crew. The ship leaned and began to turn on the smaller craft. “Ready cannons port!”

  There was a deafening boom, and splinters exploded from the other ship. A second cannon fired and struck the runners under the smaller boat, pitching it to the ground. It came to a sliding stop, the friction of its grounded hull pulled against Nilah’s ship where it was still tethered by several remaining grappling lines. Members of the crew scrambled to sever the lines with axes.