As they got closer, Aleksi saw that the wind and fog were getting funneled above the icebergs in a giant cone of twirling air. As the ship came closer to the towering whirlwind, Aleksi looked ahead to the approaching icebergs and noticed a gap in the looming seawall. Kairn pointed to the opening and Brayden led the ship toward the slit in the massive icebergs.
Aleksi gripped the binnacle in anticipation as they came upon the entrance to the floes. With the strong wind at her back, the Diamond shot through the fissure in the icy barrier with profound force, sails flapping violently. But then, as suddenly as it came, the rush of chaotic air died down. Riding the gale’s final push, the Diamond slowed as she passed the towering ice of the outer wall and entered into the quiet of the floes. As the Diamond came off the wave’s dying swell, she ghosted into wispy clouds of flowing mist and small eddies that hardly hinted of the tempest’s former fury.
Catching an updraft with her trysail and squares, the Diamond sailed through interchanging breezes of warm and cold air. The strange contrast flowed over the ship in a patchwork of moist vapor and frigid wind, causing the hair on Aleksi’s arms to rise. As Kairn continued to guide Brayden’s course past frozen islands, the ship became progressively more enveloped in ever-thickening patches of damp fog.
Now that they were surrounded by nothing but islands of ice and fog, an eerie silence overtook the ship. When unable to see beyond the ship, Brayden would look at the glowing instruments of the binnacle for guidance. Although Aleksi was unfamiliar with such a tool, it looked as if the binnacle’s illuminated Runic readout was able to provide a rough outline and miniature map of the surrounding waters and her obstacles.
“That’s incredible,” Aleksi whispered.
“The Diamond has a few tricks up her sleeve,” Domadred said, smiling. “And we are going to need them to outmaneuver the Fury and her fleet.” The captain then pointed to the Diamond’s stern.
The first ship of Lenhal’s entourage was entering the floes through the same gap the Diamond had used. But as the Diamond moved deeper into a massive cloud of mist, Aleksi’s vision was obscured and the pursuing ship disappeared from sight. Looking back at the binnacle’s miniature map, Aleksi could see that its Runic image was fading in and out sporadically.
“The water here is strange,” Domadred continued. “For some reason it does not take kindly to our binnacle’s mapping device and at times obscures its vision. This is an odd place, son—take a look for yourself.”
Nodding, Aleksi went to the gunwale and looked into the depths below. The water was a deep, glowing sapphire and swirled about the hull. Upon looking closer, however, Aleksi could see that the water possessed an additional assortment of colors, all translucently flowing into each other in some kind of strange aquatic dance. Ever so faintly, blues, purples, and light greens swirled in the depths. Watching their luminescent interaction was strangely captivating but also quite unsettling. Whatever caused the water of the Ice Floes to glow, it was more than simple algae.
“I told you this place is not natural,” Nara said, as he and Fa’ell walked up the steps to the quarterdeck.
“Whatever it is,” Kefta answered, cradling his broken arm as he walked behind them, “it’s going to save our lives.”
No one else spoke as Brayden sailed through the weaving maze of icy, misshapen masses and thick swaths of clouds. As Aleksi watched, the binnacle’s map was getting more sporadic and eventually stopped showing the icebergs around them. Due to the growing fog, and the binnacle’s inability to give an accurate reading, Brayden was forced to steer the ship toward the few patches of clear air to maintain visibility of the outcroppings of ice.
Looking over at the helm, Aleksi noticed that Brayden’s palms were spotted with broken blisters and blood. From steering during the tumult of the storm, Aleksi thought in awe, and he is so focused he does not even seem to notice.
A cold breeze blew over the ship, exposing the icy shelf of an iceberg looming above them. Some of them, like this one, were taller than the rest and towered high over the ship’s masts. Others, however, hardly broke the water’s surface and lay submerged in the unknown depths below. Interestingly, the icebergs’ exteriors were also as varied as their size. Some were sharp and jagged while others were flat and smooth, possessing large swaths of open space. Each of the icy projections, however, was imbued with a faint blue glow that radiated out from its opaque core. As the Diamond continued on, this shine eerily cast a misty lazuline glimmer amid the grey fog and dark clouds surrounding the ship. The light was even visible below the waterline and illuminated each berg’s icy foundation as it stretched down into the flow’s deep obscurity. Despite the intermittent warmth of the air, the sight of so much glimmering ice chilled Aleksi to the bone.
Suddenly, a loud, hollow thump of a hull colliding with an island of ice sounded back behind the Diamond. It was followed by muted shouts of unknown officers and crew. All aboard the Diamond looked aft but could see nothing through the fog. Next, there came the screeching sound of wood and ice as a second ship scraped across a frozen formation just off the Diamond’s starboard bow.
“Brayden, hard port and come around,” Domadred whispered. “They are following the luminescent trail of our wake and trying to cut us off!”
Brayden spun the wheel and the Diamond glided around a large chunk of ice. Patchy fog covered the Diamond and Aleksi could not see any of the approaching ships—from the sound of them, however, Aleksi knew they must not be far away. Brayden curved the Diamond around another iceberg, pointing the ship’s bow toward where the screeching sounds had come only moments before.
“Now, angle her leeward and prepare to let fly!”
Brayden spun the wheel, and the Diamond cut sharply into the breeze. They suddenly emerged from the mist and Aleksi saw two of Lenhal’s fleet only several ship distances away. As the Diamond’s cannons came in line with the enemy’s hull, Domadred let out a fierce cry.
“Fire!”
The Diamond swayed and shuddered as the ship’s guns erupted in salvo. The volley tore into the enemy’s hull, causing bits of wood and shrapnel to explode into the air.
“Got her!” Domadred shouted, as the second ship turned and prepared to return fire. “Now, hard starboard!”
As the second ship’s cannon barrage fired, the Diamond slid behind an iceberg and the enemy’s salvo thunked into its ice with a deep reverberation, causing a thunderous cracking to echo across the still waters. As the Diamond silently ghosted away into another fog bank, Aleksi could hear gurgling bubbles and the frantic shouts of the crew as the enemy ship sank.
“Right up ahead,” Kairn said, pointing to the bow and looking at his chart, “if we hug port side around this next island, we can take a path that leads through the floes to the other side.”
“Brayden, keep her starboard,” Domadred said, ignoring Kairn. “And men, prepare all guns for another volley!”
“Captain,” Kefta urged, “we should take Kairn’s suggestion and—”
“I said keep her starboard!” Domadred said harshly as the Diamond hooked around another floating chunk of ice.
Both officers remained silent but looked at Domadred beseechingly as Brayden brought the ship around toward their attackers.
“Prepare all guns on the starboard side,” Domadred continued, eyeing the mist hungrily. The Diamond swiftly emerged around an iceberg and her broadside suddenly faced the stern of the second enemy ship. “Fire!”
The Diamond’s second salvo cut into the enemy’s stern with a deafening sound of smashed wood and shattered glass. The vessel was not even able to get one shot off in retaliation before her stern started to slump in the water. As the Diamond glided away, Aleksi looked back and saw the enemy ship’s nose arc high into the sky as she took on water and began the sluggish process of sinking.
“Now steer around that berg there,” Domadred said, as the Diamond ghosted into another fog bank.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew across the ship, exposing
a towering island of ice directly in front of them. The berg was sharp and craggy, with a severe ledge angled at the Diamond’s bow, and Brayden was forced to spin the wheel furiously in hopes of avoiding the massive wall of ice.
At the last moment, the ship turned sharply and her hull scraped across the ice with a high-pitched wail. As the Diamond pulled away from the side of the iceberg and cleared the danger, Brayden swallowed hard and wiped his brow. The crew let out a collective sigh.
“Kairn,” Domadred said, scanning the patches of mist ahead with a wary eye, “what is our location?”
“We are off course, Captain,” Kairn said anxiously. “And with all this mist and no reading from the binnacle, there is no way to know our position!”
“That outcropping there,” Domadred said, pointing to the map, “that means that we should be—”
Suddenly, there was a hollow crunch as the Diamond lurched to port, glancing off a submerged ice island. Along with the rest of the crew, Aleksi was thrown forward from the collision. The youth struggled to regain his balance as the Diamond skidded past the sunken ice with a painful groan.
“The hull’s bound to be fractured from that,” Levain said, running down the quarterdeck steps to a hatch below.
“Patch it before we take in too much water!” Domadred growled before turning back to Brayden. “Son, Lenhal must have heard that; get ready to—”
A thunderous blast of cannons erupted off the Diamond’s starboard quarter. Because the Diamond was hidden in fog, most of the salvo peppered a nearby iceberg, sending large fissures though its gossamer surface. Several of the shots, however, struck the Diamond’s hull and sent a flurry of wood into the air upon contact.
“About and return fire!” Domadred shouted.
As the Diamond slowly turned, a blast from another of Lenhal’s ships came whizzing across the water behind them. This salvo took the Diamond directly in the stern and Aleksi felt the ship shudder as the captain’s tall gallery windows shattered upon impact.
“Captain!” Brayden shouted, as the Diamond slowly turned and her sails once again caught the wind. “The wheel, it’s hardly responding!”
“One from that volley must have hit us below the waterline and split the rudder. Just do the best you can, Son!”
“Captain!” Mareth called up from a nearby hatch. “We’ve been holed and are taking on water!”
Domadred rushed over to the side of the ship and leaned over. Following the captain, Aleksi looked down and saw that supplies were being swept out of a breached compartment on the starboard side. Aleksi then saw a bale of bound sailcloth flow out into the water alongside the other debris. The bale was somewhat cylindrical and about the size of a human figure. Domadred’s eyes went wide.
As he saw the captain’s expression, understanding flashed through Aleksi’s mind. Holding his blade tight in his belt, Aleksi jumped over the side of the ship and plunged into the water’s shadowy depths. Fully submerged in the dimly glowing sea, Aleksi felt his body assaulted by a mixture of warm and frigid water as he swam for the surface. The strange, swirling dichotomy between the temperatures and colors flowing over his body was shocking, and Aleksi had to kick frantically with his boots to get back to air.
The youth gasped for breath as he came above the surface, then swam hard for the bundle of cloth as he felt the strong current push him away from the ship. Aleksi kicked with all his might. Behind him, he could hear more explosions, but Aleksi paid them no thought and frantically chased the floating bundle.
Finally coming to the bale of cloth, Aleksi drew his blade. Kicking furiously to tread water, he slipped the tip of his sword under the bale’s ropes and sliced its bindings. After several incisions, the cloth unraveled and Aleksi saw a hand and then a petite arm. Desperately trying to stay above the surface, Aleksi sheathed his blade. The youth then pulled back the rest of the cloth and saw the young woman’s face. Although dark and dormant, the Rune of the High Arkai Aruna was clearly engraved into the flesh of her forehead.
It really is her! It’s Saiya!
Aleksi pushed the rest of the binding away and, moving behind the young woman, held her in a cross-chest swimmer’s carry. Making sure Saiya’s head was above water, Aleksi looked around and finally noticed how far they were from the Diamond. The current had swept them nearly two hundred meters from the ship. Several sailors had tried to throw lines, but Aleksi was now too far away to make any use of them.
Futilely trying to swim against the current with Saiya, Aleksi saw Domadred step up onto the gunwale and give orders to the crew. The current was profoundly strong, and as the Diamond disappeared into a cloud bank, Aleksi realized he had no choice but to allow the water to push them toward the nearest iceberg.
“Straight ahead,” Domadred said harshly to Kairn, Kefta, and Brayden as another salvo of cannon fire whizzed by the ship. “Then circle around that iceberg and meet us on the other side.”
“Us?” Kefta asked in confusion.
“Yes, you should be able to lose Lenhal in the mist, but be quick about coming back and picking us up!”
Domadred then winked at his son and dove fists first over the gunwale into the swirling water below.
As Aleksi and Saiya got closer to the looming iceberg, Aleksi saw a shallow outcropping and swam for it. Its ledge seemed easily accessible, and as the current brought them alongside, Aleksi fumbled for a handhold. The cold of the ice bit into his palm but, mustering strength he did not know he had, he found a solid grip and hefted Saiya onto the berg’s frozen surface.
Once the youth had hoisted his own dripping body out of the water, Aleksi felt his skin grow numb wherever it was in contact with the ice. Saiya was wearing the same white dress from his dreams and it damply clung to her now-pale skin. Breathing heavily, Aleksi sat and cradled Saiya’s body on his lap so as to prevent her from touching the berg’s frozen surface. As he held her, her head fell back, and Aleksi frantically brushed back her sodden hair so he could see her face. Her eyes were closed and her lips were cold and blue.
Aleksi felt for a pulse but her body was icy and still. She felt so fragile in his arms—something was wrong. Aleksi hurriedly placed his left hand behind the young woman’s neck to support her head and put his right hand on her chest.
“Saiya, you have to come back!” Fear filled Aleksi’s voice, and as he held her, his Rune burned beneath his bandages. “Saiya, please come back!”
A bright light shone from Aleksi’s palm and searing pain flooded up his arm. He felt the power of his Rune awaken to life and flow into Saiya’s cold body. The pain then surged into his shoulder as his Rune’s sharp tendrils penetrated his scapula. A golden light grew around them as Runes winked into existence and danced across Saiya’s pale skin. Their multicolored glow illuminated the fog around them, casting warm halos in the cool mist.
Suddenly, the Rune on Saiya’s forehead erupted in piercing light, causing her back to arch and her supple chest to heave with life. Water spewed from her mouth and she took a deep, rattling inhalation. Aleksi continued to allow the power of his Rune to flow into her and her Rune, and he felt life reenter her body. As Saiya’s breathing settled, Aleksi once again took her into his arms. He held her to his chest and flooded her with warmth and love as she continued to suck in air through her now-chattering teeth. The Runes floated about them both, and Aleksi felt Saiya’s arms slowly, and ever so gently, wrap around his body and hold him in return.
After several moments, the light around them died down and Aleksi realized they both were dry. Her Rune was no longer blinding but instead glowed majestically. Still holding her close, Aleksi brought his hand to Saiya’s face. Her cheek was both soft and warm, and she was breathing steadily. Leaning back, Saiya slowly opened her eyes and smiled. Her lips were now red and full, and her eyes shone brightly, mimicking the formations of ice that surrounded them.
“Thank you, Aleksi,” Saiya said sweetly as the light of her Rune and eyes began to fade. “I . . .”
The young w
oman paused and looked away, causing her long blond hair to fall across her face. Aleksi brought his hand to her temple and gently brushed away her hair. She looked back up at him timidly and bit her lip. The light of her Rune and eyes were now gone. He felt her love open to him and flow into his heart. Her body seemed so small in his arms, but Aleksi could feel emotion burning strongly within her.
“Aleksi, I—”
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the water next to them and her voice stopped short. Aleksi’s body tensed, and as he turned, his hand flashed to the hilt of his blade.
“Thank the Arkai!” Domadred exclaimed, hoisting himself up onto the ice with a splash. “You both are OK!”
Aleksi relaxed and once again turned his attention to Saiya. He tried to meet her eyes, but she was now looking off into the distance. Following her gaze, Aleksi heard distant cannon reports but did not see the light of their blasts.
“I’m sure you both have many questions,” Domadred said, as he came over, “but we should start moving. We must reconnect with the ship and don’t have much time.”
Nodding, Aleksi tried to help Saiya to stand, but as she rose, her legs shook and she lowered herself back down. “I feel . . . very dizzy.”
Domadred came over and knelt. “I am so very sorry, High Priestess. I know this is not how we had planned for you to wake up. But once we get to the other side of the berg, the ship will come for us. After that, we will be gone from this place and can get back to safety.”
“Not the only one,” Saiya said, reaching out to Aleksi.
“What?”
“Not the only one coming for us . . .” Saiya’s eyes lost focus. “Aleksi, we have to hurry. He . . . will be here soon . . .”
Saiya’s head rolled to the side and she fell backward—Aleksi instantly caught her. With one arm under her shoulders and the other under her knees, Aleksi gently stood. Groggily, she reached one arm around his neck and held on to him tightly.
Rune of the Apprentice (The Rune Chronicles) Page 40
