A confused expression passed across Aleksi’s face and he looked down at his sketchbook.
“You know,” Domadred continued, “you never did tell me what you’ve been drawing these past several days. May I see? A break from these troubling thoughts will be quite a relief.”
Lost in a maze of thought, Aleksi handed Domadred the sketchbook. As Domadred flipped through the pages, the captain’s eyes went wide and his face lost its color. Page after page, his expression only deepened until finally he spoke.
“Aleksi, how do you know this girl?”
“. . . She came to me in my dreams.”
“Your dreams? How is that possible?”
“Is . . . is she Saiya?”
“What did she say to you?” Domadred demanded, his tone growing angry. “Tell me!”
“She told me to kill Luka—”
“What? Kill Luka? But why?”
“She does not trust him. Nor does she trust Asura . . .” Aleksi looked down at the sketchbook still clutched in the captain’s hands. “She is the High Priestess of the West . . . dedicated to the High Arkai Aruna—”
“Never mind that! Aleksi, this is very important. Are you sure she wants Luka dead?”
“Yes. She is afraid of him. Afraid of what he and Asura will do to her—of what they plan to do to Terra . . .”
Aleksi’s words trailed off as he remembered the raging torrent the young woman had conjured when he had given his heart to her. Next, he remembered the bitter loss that had bitten at his chest when she had pulled her hand away just an hour ago. Anger stirred in Aleksi’s heart and his Rune pulsed with life. Images of his parents’ murder flashed though his mind. He saw his father’s hewn body and then his mother’s headless corpse. Last was Rudra standing above their lifeless bodies, covered in Runes and cloaked in shining light.
“Kill Luka . . . ,” Domadred said, stroking his beard.
“If you want him dead, kill Luka yourself!” Aleksi’s rage swelled and he felt Runic power flood through his body. “Or accept his treaty and be the next prime admiral! I don’t know what is right anymore. All I know is that I refuse to continue to be used as everyone’s pawn—not yours, not Luka’s, not Saiya’s, or Rudra’s! No one’s.”
Aleksi snatched the sketchbook from Domadred and quickly climbed down the ratlines. Fury clenched the youth’s heart as he descended back to the deck. He felt anger at Saiya and anger at Luka—but most of all, Aleksi’s rage burned at Rudra.
As the Illusive Diamond continued to glide through the glowing waters, Domadred did not follow Aleksi. Instead, the captain remained in the crow’s nest, staring out into the vast glowing ocean beyond.
CHAPTER XXVI
Aleksi awoke to Zenith rays shining through his porthole. He rubbed his aching head and looked at his arm. The sharp, stinging pain had worked its way deeper into his shoulder, but other than that, nothing had changed—his Rune still seemed to be dormant.
Aleksi looked out his window. The light of Vai’kel’s Zenith had now overtaken that of the Eastern Zenith, and even at such a distance, he could feel that this Zenith was different than the one on which he had formerly lived. Aleksi knew this light before the ship originated from the mysterious mountain island of Yad’razil located in the middle of Vai’kel.
As Aleksi got dressed, he remembered being taught that the Central Zenith was unique compared to its external brethren. Rising out of the lake of Maneir, it housed the ancient and abandoned Central Masters’ Academy, strongest of all the Masters’ citadels and the supposed seat of Kalki. What that was, however, was known only to the Masters, gleaned from fragmented scripts and esoteric writings. Even the island of Yad’razil, which contained the Academy’s mountain, was shrouded in secret, for its surrounding waters were constantly awash in powerful storms that prevented all from approaching the island’s shores.
Just more mysteries, Aleksi thought as he slid his sword into his belt. I have enough troubles as it is; I don’t need to worry about some age-old prophecy and Kalki’s throne of flame.
Aleksi left his room and went above deck. He saw the Central Zenith shining over the ship’s bow. For a moment he was disoriented. Aleksi was used to the Zenith’s light always being higher at the ship’s back, and seeing it seemingly higher at their front was strangely disconcerting. In addition to both the Central and Eastern Zeniths’ light, Aleksi also saw that not far off the starboard bow, dark storm clouds churned on the horizon.
The Ice Floes, Aleksi thought as he turned and walked up the stairs to the quarterdeck. Just as Domadred said, they seem close.
The air gusting off the water was fresh, and a cold wind blew back Aleksi’s hair as he neared the helm. Aleksi nodded to the sailor at the wheel, but the man scowled as Aleksi passed. The youth let out a sigh as he continued on.
It’s probably all for the best, Aleksi thought as he ascended the ladder to the stern deck. I don’t need any friends on this ship—soon enough I will be gone from them.
Settling himself at the center of the stern deck, Aleksi knelt in preparation for his morning training. The hair on his arms stood on end as another cold gust blew over his body. After he took a few slow inhalations, Aleksi’s hand floated to the hilt of his blade. Just as his fingers grasped the worn hilt, however, images of his parents lying dead in the snow flashed through his mind.
Exhaling violently, Aleksi took a kneeling step forward with his right foot and drew his sword in an explosion of speed and accuracy. It cut through the air with a flash as the light of the Zeniths reflected brightly on the curved blade. Aleksi swung his sword in a flowing dance and felt anger grow within him. Despite his best efforts to clear his mind, he was haunted by images of his hewn father and headless mother. Aleksi cut even faster and tried to push the thoughts away. Sadly, that did nothing but intensify the images and kindle his anger even further.
As Aleksi continued to train, he heard voices drift up from an open window in the captain’s cabin below. “Thank you, Domadred. It’s so very nice to receive a timely invitation after such negative previous experiences.”
Luka. Aleksi sheathed his blade and moved toward the side of the deck so that he could better hear the conversation.
“Let’s just focus on the future,” Domadred answered. “I am still unsure if we can find common ground, considering your demands.”
“Your crew does not seem to have any hesitations. In fact, they seem unanimously in favor of Asura’s treaty and your new promotion.”
“They also defer to my judgment, Nobleman, and I am not satisfied with your terms.”
“I ask very little for what I am offering in return. Wherein lies the problem?”
“Saiya,” Domadred answered. “As you well know, her rightful place is in the West. She will be needed there now more than ever.”
“Indeed, you are right, Captain. And after this all plays out, she will safely be returned to her people. But if I do not bring High Priestess Saiya Vengail to Erithlen in the North, there will be no deal. How else is Asura to know that you will honor your word after you have been instated as the prime admiral?”
“Saiya will not be used as collateral, for she is not a commodity to be bargained over. I will, however, offer you a compromise.”
“I am listening.”
“In exchange for Lenhal, I will bring you to Saiya and you may speak with her yourself. I will even do all in my power to persuade her to your cause. But in the end, the choice to go to Erithlen will be hers, and hers alone, to make. Before any of that happens, however, you must provide me Lenhal as a sign of good faith.”
“You would receive much for little in return. Do not throw away your opportunity to be the prime admiral, Domadred. All Asura is asking for is insurance that you will make good on your end of the agreement. Just provide her location and your written consent for her travel to the North, and you will once again ascend to greatness.”
“Maybe I was not clear the first time.” Domadred’s tone darkened. “I will not give
her to you for any price. But my current offer still stands. If you provide Lenhal, I will grant you the opportunity to speak to her for further negotiation.”
“But your crew—”
“Will do as I say!” Domadred snapped. “This is your final chance, Nobleman; do you accept my offer or do you refuse?”
There was a short silence before Luka responded. When he spoke, his voice was cold and callous. “I accept. But you must divulge Saiya’s location now. And do not lie to me—I will know.”
“Even if I tell you where she is, how could you possibly know if I am telling the truth?”
“I have ways, Captain.”
Domadred walks a fine line, Aleksi thought as he crouched low, still listening from the stern deck. But Asura must want Saiya for more than simple collateral, and Domadred does not know what Luka is capable of. Should I have told the captain that Luka is a Master? But Rudra’s letter . . . “Do not unveil the truth of the noble, for the leader must seal the fate of his people untainted, lest he condemn us all to shadow.”
“Fine,” Domadred said, chuckling. “Although I do not think you will like the answer. But before I do, I wish you to openly swear your terms before my crew. And remember, you cannot actually speak to Saiya until you have provided Lenhal, regardless of how long it takes for you to procure him. That’s the deal. No exceptions.”
“Done.”
Aleksi then heard the navigation room’s doors open. He crouched low and went to the forward edge of the stern deck for a better view.
“All crew, report!” Domadred called out as he strode past the ship’s helm to the quarterdeck railing. The crew quickly assembled on the main deck—Aleksi moved to stand discreetly behind them—and Domadred continued. “After a parley with our Northern ambassador, I have negotiated the first installment of our terms. While we have not yet reached a full agreement on the ship’s ascension back into the Western fleet, it is my hope that this is the first step toward my rightful place of prime admiral!”
The crew let out a rowdy cheer as Luka stepped next to Domadred at the railing. When the nobleman spoke, his tone matched the grim, chill wind that blew off the water.
“Under the ardent eyes of both High Arkai Aruna and High Arkai Kaisra, I do so swear that upon the truthful divulgence of High Priestess Saiya Vengail’s whereabouts, I will utilize my agents on Lenhal Veren’s ship to bring his vessel to the Illusive Diamond’s location.”
“And once you have given me Lenhal,” Domadred continued smugly, “I will allow you to speak with the High Priestess for further negotiations, but no sooner!”
“I do hereby agree to your terms, Captain.”
“Wonderful!” Domadred exclaimed. “We have a deal. Men, you may go back to your duties.” As the sailors dispersed, Domadred turned and spoke to Luka again. “Once we reach Vai’kel, you may send word to your men on Lenhal’s vessel to make the necessary arrangements for the ambush. Sadly, this will take some time. So, until then, you are confined to your quarters as my prisoner. Oh, excuse me, I mean guest.” Luka’s eyes narrowed as Domadred continued. “Your captivity should not be long, though. We should be able to catch Lenhal off the coast of Marikh after several weeks of preparation, and you will be able to speak to Saiya shortly thereafter.”
“So I am to assume she is in Vai’kel, then?” Luka asked. “Do not forget your end of the bargain.”
“No,” Domadred answered with a wide smile. “She is a fair bit closer than that.”
“Closer than Vai’kel . . . You can’t possibly mean—”
“I am no oath breaker, Lord. You said you could tell if I was lying. Well, am I?”
Luka closed his eyes and, after a moment, slowly shook his head. “This whole time . . . If only I had known, all of this could have been avoided.” Domadred looked at Luka in confusion as the nobleman continued. “Captain, despite my dislike of you, I will offer you one last chance. Allow me to take Saiya now and all will be forgiven. You will even have your seat as prime admiral—I swear it upon the Arkai. Just bring me to her immediately.”
“I’m sorry, Luka,” Domadred said, as a wide smile spread across his lips. “That was not our deal. You will have to fulfill your end of the bargain before you see her. Besides, as I’m sure you have guessed, she is locked in slumber, and I have my reasons for not waking her until we reach Vai’kel.”
“Captain, do not throw your life away. If you do not give Saiya to me now, you and your crew will die. I implore you to—”
“Listen up, men!” Domadred shouted, drawing the crew’s attention back to the quarterdeck. “Not a moment after making a bargain, our lord Luka Norte breaks his oath and threatens your very lives!”
“I have broken no oath! I will provide Lenhal and his ship as promised. But if you do not give the girl to me now, Lenhal and his fleet will arrive to find nothing but the Illusive Diamond and her crew’s corpses floating in the ocean. Please do not force my hand. I am trying to help you regain—”
“I grow tired of your threats, Nobleman,” Domadred bellowed, drawing his sword. “Return to your cabin. But mark my words, if you threaten my life again, I will slay you where you stand!”
“When death takes you, Domadred,” Luka said, shaking his head, “remember I gave you a choice.”
“Enough!” Domadred raised his sword and rushed in to strike Luka. As the captain swung his blade, however, Luka easily stepped to the side of the attack. With unnatural strength, Luka then grabbed Domadred by the throat with his left hand and lifted the captain off the ground. The crew watched in disbelief as Domadred’s sword clattered to the deck and their captain desperately clawed at the fingers wrapped around his neck. Aleksi’s hand tightly gripped the hilt of his blade but his heart was filled with hesitation and doubt.
“And now,” Luka shouted, gesturing to the crew, “I will provide Lenhal and his fleet, as promised. This is not, however, how I had wanted to give them to you!”
Still holding Domadred aloft, Luka raised his right arm, and a cluster of Runes glowed amid the lower sails of the mainmast. They danced in colors of red, magenta, and amber as they circled around the sails and rigging like glowing serpents.
Luka then gave a flourish of his wrist and molten fire erupted from the Runes. The crew gasped in horror as the sails of the mainmast instantly went up in flame. As the seamen leapt away from the blaze, some went to get buckets to douse the sails, while others drew swords and rushed toward Luka on the quarterdeck.
“Come no closer!” Luka shouted over the crackling mainsail fire. Still holding Domadred aloft, Luka extended his fist at the approaching men. “With the time remaining to you, ponder your captain’s folly!” Luka then flicked his fingers open and light flashed from his palm. The approaching men suddenly doubled over and clutched their heads in agony. As the men fell to the deck, Luka tightened his grip on Domadred’s throat and the captain’s boots kicked weakly in midair.
Next, Luka raised his palm to the foremast. Just as Runes began to glow around the sails, Aleksi rushed at Luka from behind. Drawing his blade, Aleksi lopped off the arm that held Domadred aloft. Blood sprayed from Luka’s severed limb as Domadred fell to the deck with a loud thud.
“You?!” Luka roared, turning toward Aleksi. Aleksi swung his sword again, but Luka caught the youth’s blade in his remaining hand.
“Luka, please do not kill these men,” Aleksi pleaded. “There must be another way!”
“I gave you the truth of your parents’ murder!” Luka snarled, gripping Aleksi’s blade tightly as blue light shone from his fingers. “And I even offered to save your life and become your Master! Yet you repay me with this?”
“It was only more manipulation,” Aleksi answered, trying to wrestle his sword from Luka’s grasp. “Stop this killing and tell me what really happened to them! Why would Rudra bring me to the Academy if he killed my parents?”
“Open your eyes, boy!” Luka growled amid the roar of the flames. “Rudra betrayed them, and you are nothing more than his
pawn marching to his master plan! But it’s not too late for you. As my Apprentice, you can free yourself from his bondage and reclaim the glory that Rudra has stolen from your bloodline!”
“If you spare the lives of the crew and tell me the truth about my father, I will join you.”
Luka smiled and kicked Aleksi in the chest. The youth flew backward, tumbling over the wheel and smashing into the helmsman, who had been staring at them in frozen shock. Watching Domadred wheeze on the ground, Luka dropped Aleksi’s blade to the blood-soaked deck and grasped his sodden limb’s stub. Runes danced over the wound, and Luka let out a cry of pain as new growth started to sprout from his bloody forearm.
Overcoming their mental anguish, both from shock and Luka’s Runic casting, the crew near the quarterdeck once again rushed forward. Several went to help Domadred, who still futilely struggled against the severed hand gripping his neck, but the majority of the men assaulted Luka head on.
Valen led the charge, but as he swung his blade, Luka stepped to the side and struck the boatswain in the throat. Valen fell to his knees and blood gurgled from his mouth. Valen’s head hit the deck with a hollow thud as two more men rushed at Luka. As the mainmast’s sails continued to crackle and burn overhead, Luka killed the approaching sailors just as quickly as he had their officer.
Over by the helm, Aleksi used the listing wheel to steady himself, and he rose upon shaky legs. Seeing the fallen sailors at Luka’s feet and the sails continuing to burn behind them, Aleksi rushed forward once again. As Aleksi approached, Luka smiled and raised his arm to the youth. Bright Runes circled Luka’s outstretched hand and Aleksi watched in horror as fire erupted from Luka’s palm.
A stream of flame shot over Aleksi’s head and sprayed across the sails of the mizzenmast. Feeling the heat of the fire behind him, Aleksi dove forward. In midroll, he picked up his blade from the deck and once again lunged at Luka. Closing the gap between them, Aleksi brought his blade around in an upward arc to cut off Luka’s other arm.
Rune of the Apprentice (The Rune Chronicles) Page 37
