Domadred paused and looked over his crew, meeting each man’s eye. “None could have known that Luka was a Master of the Academy and would cripple us so. Nor could we have known that Lenhal would come upon us so swiftly, forcing us into the tempest of the Ice Floes. But the Arkai chose wisely, for despite all odds, we still prevailed. Sadly, our ship is now marred and maimed—and wounded as we are, each of you must know that escape from Lenhal’s fleet is impossible. However, within these noble planks, the Illusive Diamond still has some life left. With our last remaining breath we will ensure that our mission will not fail and that Aruna’s trust in us was not misplaced!”
Domadred placed his hands over his heart and knelt before Saiya. “High Priestess, the men of the Illusive Diamond are willing to give their lives to protect you. For each man by my side is dedicated to upholding the Arkai’s will, even unto death!”
Saiya opened her mouth to speak, but Domadred quickly stood and spoke again.
“Crew, while the priestess safely slips away to Vai’kel on the shore boat, we will offer a diversion and ensure Saiya’s survival. After the tender is set free, we will turn the Diamond on Lenhal and broadside the Fury. While destiny may have decided our dire circumstance, men, it is we who will decide our fate. If the Illusive Diamond is to perish this day, we will do so with honor in the eye of the Arkai—and not fail in our mission! If today is the day Aruna calls us to the Western Zenith to feel his final, loving embrace, we will go there with our heads held high, knowing we have earned our place in eternity!”
The entire crew let out a roar of agreement that echoed off the icebergs and reverberated through the thick mists of the floes.
“Men, go now and prepare the Diamond for battle and steel your hearts for holy justice! We sail forward in the name of High Arkai Aruna and cast our fate into his hallowed hands. May the wind forever fill our sails and the Arkai’s grace stay strong in our hearts!”
As the crew went about preparing the ship for combat, Saiya stepped in front of Domadred. “Captain, you cannot kill yourself for me,” she said sternly. “There must be another way!”
“Too much hangs in the balance, Priestess,” Domadred said, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You must make it to Vai’kel in safety and unite the Resistance against Asura. Lenhal must die, but it is Asura who is the real danger—a danger that I cannot even begin to understand.”
“Captain, I—”
“M’lady,” Domadred said, interrupting her, “now that you are awake, Lenhal will be able to find you with his altar’s Runes. So long as he is alive and his ship is afloat, you are not safe. Sadly, this all could have played out differently. Honestly, this all should have played out differently. The fault, however, is mine, and now I must pay the price. I pray to the Arkai I need not pay it with my life and crew. We shall see . . .”
There was a pause as Saiya looked into Domadred’s icy-blue eyes. After a moment, the captain continued. “I do, however, have one request. When you cast off, reach out to Lenhal with your mind. Let him determine your direction without knowing your exact location, and he will undoubtedly come after you—but he will also assume you are on this ship. Because of this, my men and I will lie in wait in the mist and be able to take him and his fleet by surprise. The Diamond will blindside the Fury, ram its side with our bow, board, and then slay his crew. With my dying breath, Priestess, I will ensure Lenhal falls this day and atones for his sins . . .”
Domadred’s voice faltered and Aleksi saw a tear run down the captain’s cheek. “And please tell her,” Domadred continued, now in a rough voice, “somehow, if you can, please tell Kalisa that I did all I could. I truly did everything to bring him to justice. To avenge her . . .”
“She knows,” Saiya said, taking Domadred’s hand in her own. There was compassion in Saiya’s young blue eyes, and her voice was both soft and regal. “I feel her watching us even now. She is proud of you, Domadred. She always was and she always will be.”
Domadred cleared his throat and lowered his head. “Brayden”—the captain motioned his son over—“please fetch a bag from my cabin. It is in the chest under my bunk; you will know it when you see it. Hurry now.” Brayden nodded and sprinted off through the navigation room’s doors. Domadred then turned to Aleksi, his voice raw with emotion. “Aleksi, I vowed to bring you to Vai’kel, and as always, I am as good as my word. But I now must ask a favor of you. And if you agree, I trust you to not forsake your promise.”
Aleksi nodded and the captain continued. “Protect the priestess with your life. She alone can unite the Resistance against Asura and therefore is the last hope of halting his looming sovereignty. And while I do not begin to understand you, or your path in this world, I do know one thing”—Domadred paused and gripped Aleksi shoulder tightly—“you are truly a young man of magnitude and will triumph over any obstacle set before you. Even not knowing what lies ahead, I know that if you and Saiya stay together, you both will be safe. If you trust in yourself, son, and trust in each other, neither of you will falter.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Aleksi said, nodding. “I swear it.”
“There is more,” Domadred continued. “The men of the Illusive Diamond are ready to die, knowing that they have truly lived. But Brayden, he is too young to face his death with me. He will not leave of his own will, however, and no words will convince him to abandon his home and family.” Domadred shook his head. “Please promise me that you will do all in your power to protect my son and bring him with you to the Resistance stronghold. After that, if I have not rejoined you, please find him safe passage back to the East—back to General Beck Al’Beth. If I die, Brayden will have no one left in the world other than Beck and his family. Will you promise this to me, Aleksi? Will you swear it upon your honor and your life? Upon your dying breath?”
“I swear it upon my life,” Aleksi said, bowing his head low.
“Thank you, Aleksi. In addition, it is my hope that the three of you will not be alone.” Domadred then turned to Nara and Fa’ell. “The fates that have brought us all together are truly mysterious, but I know in my heart that your journeys are also far from over.”
“Captain,” Nara said, coming up behind Aleksi and placing his large hand on the youth’s back, “it will be my honor to escort them in Vai’kel.”
“I, too, will gladly accompany them during their travels,” Fa’ell added. “Nara and I will make sure they arrive at the Resistance hideout safely. We will honor your sacrifice, Captain. Your efforts will not be in vain.”
A tear welled up in Domadred’s eye. “Then let us get done with it.”
Brayden returned with a large satchel and Domadred put one hand on his son’s cheek. “Brayden, I love you more than life itself. All that I do, I do for you. I hope that someday . . . that someday you can forgive me. Please tell Beck . . . tell him he was right, and that I am sorry.”
Brayden looked up at his father in confusion as the captain balled his other hand into a fist. Domadred gazed deeply into his son’s eyes for one last moment and then wound his arm back and, lunging forward, hit Brayden in the jaw. The blow took Brayden completely unaware and the boy was struck unconscious. Fa’ell rushed in and caught Brayden before he hit the deck. Nara then wrapped the boy in a blanket and hoisted Brayden over his shoulder as Fa’ell took the satchel and brought it over to the rope ladder.
“Hurry now, all of you,” Domadred said, shaking out his hand. “Board the shore boat and make your way to land. Kairn will show you the current to take, and in the bag you will find all you need to reach the Resistance. Farewell . . .” Domadred then turned and strode away before anyone could respond. The captain shouted orders to his men and did not look back again.
“The Ice Floes,” Kairn said, coming up and putting his hand on Aleksi’s shoulder, “have currents that swirl inward and currents that swirl outward. You no doubt saw them on the map. I’ve established our location and if you stick to that current there”—the sailing master pointed to a visible flow
of water stretching out into the fog—“and make sure you maintain Aruna’s blessing and stay in its drift, you should reach the coast in just under a day. But mind the water,” Kairn said, looking keenly into Aleksi’s eyes. “Stay true to its flow and it will not fail you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Kairn,” Aleksi said, grasping the man’s shoulder in return. “Thank you.”
“Don’t look so gloomy,” Kairn said with a wry smile. “I don’t plan on dying in these forsaken waters. And, as it seems you have already gotten your introduction, the next time we talk I expect you to make good on your end of the bargain and tell me all you know of the Masters’ secrets.”
“Until we meet again, then,” Aleksi said, nodding.
Kefta came up next. “Aleksi, take care of Brayden. He will not understand.”
“Come with us,” Aleksi said, looking Kefta in the eye. “We have room on the skiff.”
“Thank you for the offer. But I would not be much of a quartermaster if I abandoned my ship and her crew in their time of need. Besides, my family is here, and if we are to die this day, I will die aboard my home among my kin. But speaking of family . . .” Kefta motioned to several sailors behind him and they walked up the quarterdeck’s stairs, sheepishly shuffling their feet with their blue eyes downcast. Kefta then held out his hand to Aleksi, palm up. Carefully cradled in his palm was a single green bead.
“It was their idea, and the rest of the crew voted on it when we were searching for you and Domadred.” Aleksi looked over Kefta’s shoulder and recognized the four men who had cursed his green eyes and shoved him his first morning aboard the Diamond. He also saw the two men who had taunted him during their night of drinking, and several others who had given him dark scowls during the voyage. “According to the Thalassocratic Law of the Sea, wearing a single bead in your hair marks you as a neophyte crew member aboard a ship. Usually the bead is blue, but the men wanted to give you a green one, honoring the land which gave you birth—honoring your heritage.”
“We misjudged ya, son,” one of the men said from behind Kefta, clearing his throat. “We’d be pleased to have ya join us as an honorary member of the Diamond’s crew. Fer whatever that’s worth now . . .”
“And it doesn’t mean you are bound to us er nothing,” another of the men said, looking up. “We just want you to know how we feel. That we respect ya, is all. We just wanted ya to know before . . .” The man’s voice trailed off and his eyes once again fell to the deck.
“Thank you,” Aleksi said, bowing his head low. “It is a great honor, and I accept it with gratitude.”
The men all returned the bow and a few patted Aleksi on the back and smiled before returning to their duties on the main deck. As they left, Kefta leaned in and deftly braided several strands of Aleksi’s hair. He then slipped the bead on the braid and fastened it in place with a bit of twine. “Brayden will have to show you how it’s done, but there’s not much to it.” Kefta paused and looked deeply into Aleksi’s eyes. “When I told you about Rihat, you answered that you wished you had a brother, even a dead one. Well, I just want you to know, no matter what happens to the Diamond, now you do have a family. And not just Brayden, but the rest of us, too. Always remember that, Aleksi.”
“Thank . . . thank you, Kefta.” Aleksi’s voice was raw and his eyes stung.
“And hey,” Kefta continued quickly, “if the Diamond does make it out alive, we will come and rescue you—but if not, well, I will find out if Rihat got my letter.” Kefta smiled as he extended his hand. “But no matter what happens, I know Aruna will guide your steps and lay a safe path before you. With that bead in your hair, you will never be alone.”
“Likewise, Aruna will guide your heart and hands, Kefta,” Aleksi said with conviction as he embraced the young man. “The Arkai will not forget you in your time of need—we will meet again.”
“I hope to be worthy of his blessing,” Kefta answered with a grin. “Farewell, brother.”
“Farewell.”
Suddenly, Levain patted Aleksi on the back, knocking the youth slightly forward. “Be safe out there,” he said. “Vai’kel was dangerous before the occupation, and now it’s even worse. But if you travel disguised as refugees, you should get overlooked in the crowd. So keep that sword handy, but not too handy, eh?”
Aleksi nodded.
“Oh, and another thing . . .” Levain pulled an envelope out of his pocket and held it out to Aleksi. “When you were out swimming, I found this in a storeroom below. I think it is meant for you.” Aleksi looked at the letter in confusion. Upon the envelope’s front, Aleksi’s name was written in flowing script. “Go on, take it.”
Aleksi timidly reached out and grasped the envelope. Flipping it over, he saw that its back was sealed with a wax-stamped emblem of an R.
“While looking for supplies to fix the rudder, I found it in a sealed box of goods for the Resistance. Odd, yes. But stranger things have happened aboard this ship—even just in the past day.”
Nodding again, Aleksi put the letter in his pocket. “Thank you, Levain.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Levain answered with a smile. “You don’t know what it says.” Before Aleksi could respond, Levain winked and walked away.
After the others had said their good-byes, Nara brought Brayden down the ladder to the shore boat and was soon followed by Fa’ell and Saiya. Aleksi came last. As the youth stepped down onto the small skiff, he noticed that the crew had already stocked the boat with provisions. There were several bags of food, water, and other spare provisions aboard. Opening one of the bags, Aleksi saw his sleeveless cloak and sketchbook. He reached down and picked up his cloak. After sliding his arms through the shoulders, Aleksi patted its pocket and felt the familiar shape of his father’s broken pendant.
Inhaling deeply, Aleksi untied the shore boat’s mooring line and looked up at the Diamond. Her hull and railing were badly disfigured from the cannon fire, and her masts looked naked without full sails. Despite all her damage, however, the vessel still maintained an air of majestic splendor. Aleksi raised his hand and fingered the single green bead in his hair. The Illusive Diamond was a beautiful ship with a noble crew.
As Aleksi pushed the skiff away from the Diamond’s hull, Kairn and Kefta looked down at them and waved. Aleksi waved back. The two officers then turned and went back to their duty of preparing the ship for battle. Aleksi let out a deep sigh as Fa’ell raised the skiff’s sail and steered their small craft into the Ice Floes’ outward-moving current.
Aleksi looked down at Brayden sleeping in his blanket. The boy looked so serene and peaceful huddled up against the boat’s low bulkhead. So young, so innocent. Suddenly, Saiya reached out and took Aleksi’s hand. Aleksi met her eyes. They shone brighter than the clear blue ice and sapphire waters about them. The young woman smiled. Her face was filled with compassion and knowing—her heart was filled with love.
Aleksi sat down next to Saiya on the hard wooden planks and looked over at Fa’ell and Nara. Despite his sickly pale face, Nara glanced at Saiya and gave Aleksi a knowing smile. Next to Nara, Fa’ell was bracing herself on the ship’s edge as she used the rudder to set their course. Gently, Fa’ell then put her free hand on Nara’s shoulder. The Lionman looked over at her and his smile deepened as the small group silently sailed off into the mist.
As the shore boat surfed across the Ice Floes’ strong current, Aleksi grazed his fingers across Rudra’s old letter in his cloak pocket. The youth then reached into his other pocket and let out a sigh as he felt the unbroken wax seal of the new letter.
Suddenly, Aleksi heard the first boom of the cannons echo out across the water. The guns’ dull light cast a menacing halo in the dark fog behind them. Instead of looking back, however, Aleksi turned his face forward and looked out into the grey mist beyond the bow.
Holding Saiya tightly with one hand, and breaking the wax seal of Rudra’s new letter with his other, Aleksi felt his Rune pulse with numinous power as he cast his gaze to the journey tha
t lay ahead.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have heard it said “Creation is like the silence between the words, the space between the letters; always present within looking, but never directly observed.”
Creation never occurs in isolation and there are several whose presence is deeply felt within these pages but not directly seen. I would like to acknowledge their contributions to this work and humbly thank them for walking with me upon this long road: Becca Bainbridge, Michael Stone, Terri Benton, NickyStone90, Buzz and Sandy Bainbridge, Patricia and Bill Roberts, Jen Stone, Paula Kosior, Stuart Lord, Peter Parcell, Dana Kingsbury, Adam Gomolin, Jeremy Thomas, Angela Melamud, Emily Zach, Clete Smith, M.S. Corley, Kirsten Colton, Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Benjamin Pincus, and Andrew Watt.
Lastly, I would like to thank Forrest Landry—for what is an Apprentice without a Master?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
© Heather Gray 2015
Jamison Stone was born in Massachusetts and raised throughout New England on a healthy diet of magic, martial arts, and meditation. He lives with a loving wife and wolf, but expects to have their pack grow soon. When he is not getting distracted by video games, Jamison is the director of Apotheosis Studios. Rune of the Apprentice is his first novel; however, there are more on the way. Jamison is also the coauthor of Heart Warrior, an emotive memoir coming in 2018. To learn more about Jamison and his various projects, visit www.stonejamison.com.
LIST OF PATRONS
This book was made possible in part by the following grand patrons who preordered the book on inkshares.com. Thank you.
Rune of the Apprentice (The Rune Chronicles) Page 43
