Runefell: Crossroads

by Shawn Sodman

  Ariella replies, “That is because most of these pathetic men are not used to seeing a woman who is not under the control of a man. Never mind a woman who is captain of her own ship.”

  One of the dock masters says, “Welcome back to Bastion, Captain Stormrage. It has been a long time since your last visit.”

  “Thank you,” Ariella replies as she continues past him.

  Soon they reach a small building with a man outside holding a large book and a quill. As the well-dressed man writes something down on his sheet of paper, his assistant, hands a small pouch of coins over to a dark haired man with a tricorne hat. In exchange for the coins the dark haired man hands the assistant a chain with a man bound to the other end. The man in chains has just been sold.

  Ariella walks up to the man with the papers and says, “Are you the manager?”

  “Yes,” the man answers, “I am.”

  “How much are you paying for an orcnea?” She asks.

  The manager looks surprised at the sight of the orcnea in chains. He thinks for a moment and says, “I'll give you fifty silver.”

  Ariella says angrily, “Is that some kind of a joke? You know how much an orcnea would fetch in the arena.”

  “One hundred silver then,” the manager replies.

  “How about fifty gold?” Ariella asks.

  “Have you taken leave or your senses? Captain,” he replies. “No one is worth that much.”

  Just then two men approach as they struggle to drag a girl in chains behind them. One of the men is well dressed in red silk. He has several gold rings on his fingers and is also wearing a thick gold necklace. The other man is taller and plain clothed. The larger man holds tightly onto the chains of the girl as the well-dressed man says to manager, “I demand my money back for this worthless wench!” The short young woman that the men have brought back pulls angrily at the chains. Her short blonde wavy hair hangs down just above her shoulders. Her tattered clothes and messy hair is not enough to hide her youthful beauty. She continues to struggle against the big man holding her.

  Ariella fists clench when she hears the man talk. Torgus whispers to her, “Careful, Captain.”

  “What seems to be the problem?” the manager asks as he gets closer to the girl's face.

  Suddenly the girl spits in the manager's face. “You see,” the man in gold jewelry says, “I have tried and tried with this one, but she is too defiant for my customers. I want my money back.”

  “Fine,” the manager relents. He hands the man a small pouch then motions for two of his men standing near the doorway to come and take the girl from them. They try to take her away as she kicks one of them in the groin.

  “I like her,” Ariella says to Torgus.

  While the other man tries to hold her still, the man who was kicked backhands her across the face. Ariella tries to step in but Torgus grabs her wrist. The girl looks up, and as blood drips from the corner of her lip, glares at the man with a defiant grin.

  “I'll buy her!” Ariella yells over the noise.

  The slave manager says, “I am sorry, but she is not for sale.”

  “What do you mean she is not for sale?” Ariella asks. “You just bought her back, so you can sell her again.”

  “This one is useless,” the man says calmly. “She will just have to enter the arena.”

  “I'll give you fifty gold,” Ariella replies, “and you can have the orcnea.”

  “Fifty gold?” the manager asks. He looks at girl and thinks for a minute. Then he says, “I am sorry Captain I must refuse.”

  “You said no one was worth that much,” Ariella says.

  “No one is worth fifty gold for me to buy,” the man says with a smirk. “But, if you are looking to buy her from me...she is worth a bit more.”

  Ariella takes a deep breath. She turns to the young girl and looks into her eyes. “One hundred gold,” she says, “and the orcnea.”

  “Captain,” Torgus says, “are you sure about this?”

  “Yes,” Ariella says to Torgus. She then leans close to the manager and whispers in his ear, “I suggest you take the offer, or so help me I will make you regret it for the rest of your short, miserable life.”

  The man, now intimidated, replies nervously, “Of course, my lady, your offer is more than fair.”

  “Good,” Ariella says angrily. “Drake, please hand over the orcnea.” Ariella walks up to the girl and says to her, “My name is Ariella, and I promise you that no one is going to hurt you anymore.”

  The girl, looking confused, replies, “Thank you, ma'am.”

  “You can call me captain,” Ariella says. “What is your name?”

  “Annalee, Captain,” she replies as the other men take the orcnea away and hand Annalee's chain to Leon.

  “Annalee,” Ariella says, “I am going to have Leon take you back to the ship now. I have some other business I must attend to.” Annalee looks up at Leon nervously. “Leon, would you please escort Miss Annalee to the lounge and watch over her.”

  “Yes, ma'am,” Leon replies.

  “Don't worry, Annalee,” Ariella tells her. “Leon will not harm you. Now, I want to make one thing very clear to you. Do not mistake my kindness for weakness. I have just paid a lot for you. I would appreciate it if you didn't try to escape until after we get to know each other.”

  “Yes, Captain,” Annalee replies. “I promise I will not leave.”

  “Good,” Ariella says with a smile. “Just to be on the safe side, Leon, I want you to leave the chains on her until I return. I hope you understand, Annalee. I have recently developed some...trust issues.”

  Annalee nods and replies, “I understand, Captain.”

  “Leon, make sure she is fed,” Ariella says. “I will return to the ship shortly. Drake, you and Torgus will come with me. I have someone I would like to see.”

  Leon and Annalee walk back to the ship as Leon says to her, “Can I ask you something?”

  Annalee replies, “If you must.”

  “How old are you?” he asks.

  “Old enough,” she replies.

  Leon smiles and says, “I can see why the captain likes you.”

  “Why is that?” Annalee asks.

  “Because you are a feisty one,” Leon replies, “just like her.”

  Annalee grins as they walk down along the docks back to the ship.

  Soon Ariella, Torgus, and Drake are sitting in a large room with marble floors and beautifully crafted pillars. Above them is a vaulted marble ceiling with stained glass windows that allow the light in. It is the palace of Bastion, and they are waiting in a large corridor. A dark skinned man with glasses comes out from two large doors and says, The Makon will see you now, Captain Stormrage. The three stand up to enter as the man adds, “I am sorry, but only lady Stormrage may enter.”

  Ariella says, “That's alright, Torgus. You and Drake wait here. I won't be long.”

  Drake and Torgus sit back down on the white marble bench as Ariella enters the other room. The two large doors close behind her.

  “Welcome to my palace,” the deep voice of the Makon, Dahooras says. The luxurious room is filled with large plants and has a small fountain on each side of the red carpet that leads all the way to a large marble throne. Sitting upon the throne is Dahooras. Standing as tall as Drake or Leon this dark skinned man is a hulking mass of muscle. Wearing only a loose fitting white cloth around his waist, his muscular chest is meant to show his strength. With gold necklaces and rings, his wealth is also on display. Two women stand at either side of him creating a breeze with large decorative fans.

  Ariella walks up the red carpet and says, “Thank you for seeing me, Your Majesty.”

  “That will be far enough,” he says. Ariella stops and he continues, “I know all about your spells, daughter of Red Beard, and I prefer to keep you at a safe distance.” The assistant who showed Ariella in walks up and whispers something in the Makon's ear. Dahooras looks up at her when he is done and says, “I understand you purchased
yourself a young lady earlier.”

  Ariella forces a smile and says, “Yes, Your Majesty, as a matter of fact I did.”

  “Captain, I am not a king. I am only a humble public servant of the people,” he says with a smile. “Please, call me Makon, or if you wish you may even call me by my name, Dahooras.”

  “Of course, Makon,” Ariella says, wanting to stay formal. “Your manager down at the docks would have thrown that poor girl in the arena.”

  The Makon chuckles and says, “I also hear that you traded an orcnea for her. Thank you very much. An orcnea will be a much bigger draw to the arena than a woman.”

  “You are welcome,” Ariella replies. “I would like to point out that I paid one hundred gold for her in addition to the orcnea.”

  “Really?” He asks, “So it was not just an even trade?”

  “No, Makon,” Ariella says. “I paid one hundred gold and an orcnea for that girl's life.”

  Dahooras ponders for a moment then he stands up and motions to the man in glasses. He says something to him that Ariella cannot hear. His assistant leaves and Dahooras says, “If I remember correctly, your father never much cared for slavery either. I am surprised to see you here.”

  “Well, I didn't have anything else I could do with an orcnea,” Ariella explains. “Other than draining every last year of its life from him, but I don't want to be twelve years old again.”

  Makon laughs and says, “I am sure that you are not here to discuss our social practices. What may I do for you?”

  Ariella says, “While I doubt you know him, I have to ask, have ever heard of Fernando Greythorn?”

  “Fernando Greythorn?” he says reflectively. “As a matter of fact I have. There is quite a reward out there for him, I believe. He has caused some problems for a few of our businesses.”

  “What kind of problems?” Ariella asks.

  The Makon replies, “Let's just say that he owes several brothels a lot of money.”

  “So he leaves without paying?” Ariella asks.

  “You would have to ask them,” Dahooras says, “but the reward is up to five hundred gold pieces.”

  “That certainly is a large reward,” Ariella says. “I don't suppose he would show up here then.”

  “No,” Dahooras replies. “He is not allowed within our city walls. Any guard who sees him is supposed to turn him in immediately.”

  “Well,” Ariella says, “if you find him, I would like to contribute to the reward. I will pay another hundred gold, but I need him alive.”

  “Alive? Well, Captain,” Dahooras says with a smile, “you may want to find him before anyone else. They just want to see him dead. If I see him you will be the first to know. May I ask why you want him?”

  “It is personal,” she answers.

  The man with the glasses returns and shows Makon a piece of parchment. He also hands him a good size pouch. Makon says, “Here, Ariella,” he tosses the pouch to her. It is heavy and full of gold coins. “There is your one hundred gold back. It appears that my manager at the dock neglected to report it on his paperwork. I appreciate you pointing this out to me, and I will make sure that I deal with him very soon.”

  Ariella smiles and says, “Thank you, Makon. If you would like to keep it to add to Fernando's reward...”

  “No, Ariella,” Dahooras says. “As a favor to you, I will put up the extra hundred gold for him and inform you at once if we see him.”

  “Thank you, Makon,” Ariella says again.

  “Oh, and one more thing.” He says as he walks up to her and puts his arm over her shoulder. “Since word of your father's passing, there has been a lot more... activity in the waters. Be careful out there, daughter of Red Beard. I am sure there is more than one captain who would like to make a name for himself at your expense.”

  Ariella nods and says, “Thank you for the warning.”

  “Goodbye, Ariella,” Dahooras says.

  Ariella replies, “Goodbye, Makon.” The man with glasses opens the door for her as she leaves with her gold. When she reaches Torgus and Drake she says, “We better get back to the ship.”

  Back in the lounge of the Red Dawn, Annalee is eating as if she hadn't had food in days. Leon watches over her as she devours everything in sight. Apples, cheese, breads, and some smoked fish. She stops only to drink water before eating more. Outside, John and Jacob peer through the porthole.

  “Who is that?” John asks.

  “I don't know,” Jacob replies.

  “How old do you think she is?” John wonders.

  “Can't tell,” Jacob says trying to get a better look at her. “She is so small. I think she is just a child.”

  John squints his eyes and says, “I ain't so sure about that. Sure, she's short and has a cute face, but her body is far from a child's.”

  “See anything interesting gentlemen?” Ariella asks. Her voice startles them and they jump.

  “Sorry, ma'am,” Jacob says as he hangs his head low and turns to face the captain. “We was just curious.”

  Ariella smiles and says, “That young lady is our guest.” Then she moves in really close to the men, and staring them down she adds, “I trust that I do not need to remind you two how to treat a lady.”

  The men nervously shake their heads and John replies, “No, ma'am.”

  “Good,” she says as she steps back to give them room to leave. “Now, go find something to do.”

  The men quickly leave and Ariella enters the lounge. “You may remove the chains, Leon,” she says as she walks over and sits next to Annalee. Leon begins to unlock the shackles as Ariella continues, “It seems that due to a paperwork error you only cost me an orcnea. So I will leave this decision up to you. You may go if you please, or if wish to stay on board the Red Dawn as my personal assistant, I would be happy to have you as a member of our crew.”

  Annalee looks up from her now empty plate with a look of shock. She hesitates before finally asking, “Are you saying I am free?”

  “Yes, darling,” Ariella replies. “I don't know how much that orcnea was really worth anyway, and the thought of having someone working for me against their will has always been a line I did not wish to cross.”

  For almost as long as she can remember, this young woman has been treated like property. For the first time she is able to choose her own fate. She is both relieved and terrified at the same time. “I don't know what to do,” she says sounding distressed.

  “Well, you don't have to make a decision right away,” Ariella tells her. “I doubt you would want to start a new life for yourself here anyway.”

  Annalee laughs and says, “You are right about that, ma'am.”

  “You are so pretty when you smile,” Ariella says. “Can I ask how long have been a slave?”

  The question brings back unfortunate memories. Sadness eclipses her smiling face and she answers, “The ship that I was on with my family was attacked when I was nine. I have spent half my life as a slave. Being traded from one person to the next. Being forced to...” she stops unable to say what Ariella already knows. Tears begin to run down her cheeks.

  “It's alright,” Ariella says as she places her hand on her shoulder. “You don't have to talk about if you don't want to.”

  Taking a deep breath, and slowly letting it out, Annalee continues, “Then a year ago I was traded to a ship named the Misty Water. The Captain on that ship treated me well. It was a trading ship and I was actually happy there.”

  “So how did you end up for sale in Bastion?” Ariella asks.

  “About a week ago we were traveling around Bastion,” Annalee explains. “We thought we were far enough away to avoid pirates, but we still came under attack. They took me and sank the ship. After I punched the captain who attacked us in the face they sold me in Bastion. A brothel owner bought me but I refused to let the men...you know. He was returning me when you showed up.” She looks down again and as tears start to roll down her cheeks she says with a cracking voice, “I don't know what I would h
ave done if you hadn't...”

  “Shh,” Ariella says as she embraces her. Annalee lays her head on Ariella's shoulder unable to hold back her emotions any longer. “No one is going to hurt you now,” Ariella says comforting her. After Annalee regains her composer Ariella says, “Now let’s get you cleaned up.” Holding up a small package she adds, “I picked up something for you to wear.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” Annalee says with a sniffle as she wipes her face.

  “You're welcome,” Ariella says with a smile. “I like my assistants to look their best.”

  Chapter 42

  A Little Pick Me Up

  Sven and the Amazons have finally made it far enough down the mountain that the temperatures are no longer below freezing. Evelena says, “This looks like a good place to rest for bit.”

  Everyone finds a place to sit down including Sven who is visibly tired. Yentroc walks over to him and says. “Sven, are you alright? You look exhausted.”

  He replies “Sven did not get good sleep last night.”

  Yentroc smiles and says, “Really? So did Lyra keep you up all night?”

  Sven sighs and says, “Not like that.”

  “What do you mean?” Yentroc inquires.

  Sven looks around to see that they are alone before answering, “Do you have any idea how hard it is for Sven to lay next to a woman all night and have to try to fall asleep?”

  “So you like her then?” Yentroc asks.

  “It would be the same for you or any of your sisters,” Sven answers.

  “Admit it,” She says with a smile. “You have feelings for her.”

  Sven dolefully replies, “Whether Sven has feelings for Lyra or not is not important.”

  Yentroc laughs and says, “Yes, it is. Why don't you tell her? Is this still about Chance's warning?”

  Sven looks over at Lyra who is reading a book. He looks back at Yentroc and says intensely, “This is not just about Chance and that you are his sisters, or that Kristieana threatened Sven not to touch her as well. It is only about one thing. Sven is not good for Lyra.”

  “What do you mean?” she asks.