by Ashley Nixon
***
Barren stood on the deck of his ship, unable to tear his eyes from the billowing smoke in the distance. He was very troubled by this raid. If the words of the captain were to be believed, no one who encountered Barren Reed ever lived—even if he didn’t kill them himself.
And then the news that his brother was getting married had been very unexpected. Barren felt a deep sense of injustice. Why was everyone who had wronged him finding happiness? Why, when they deserved no such gift?
An icy feeling encased his heart as he remembered the day his father died. William, mad with hate, had rushed at their father after his back was turned, driving a long sword through his stomach. Jess had fallen and died where he landed. Barren never heard his voice again. He had no last words to hold onto, just the image of his father’s face, pale in death.
Leaf crossed the expanse of deck separating him from Barren, the invitation to the engagement party in his hand. He was as tall as his captain, and his blond hair fell in straight lengths over his shoulders. Despite all the time he spent in the sun, his skin was still ivory white.
“You want to attend your brother’s engagement party?” Barren glanced at the Elf—above his sea-green eyes, a pale brow was raised in question. He held out the invitation and Barren took it, leaning against the railing of the ship, his eyes tracing the outline of the letters.
“I would like to see what poor girl has been forced to marry William,” said Barren.
“I’m surprised they would consider having a party with you patrolling their coast,” said Leaf. “Doesn’t it seem suspicious?”
“Suspicious? It seems arrogant.”
“You can’t honestly think they don’t suspect you’ll make an appearance?”
“Not at the party. They’re going to expect me to attack ships—that is what I do.”
“And when you don’t? What then?”
Barren chuckled darkly. “My brother will think I am afraid.”
Leaf’s eyes narrowed. “But you obviously aren’t smart enough to leave them alone, so what aren’t you telling me?”
“If I had a plan, I would tell you,” said Barren. Leaf gave him a dull look and Barren gave in, letting out a short breath. “I am going to kidnap my brother’s fiancée.”
“Why do you deliberately search for trouble, Barren Reed?” Leaf folded his arms across his chest in disapproval. “Kidnapping is very serious and she is the daughter of a lord. You think you are invincible because people fear you, but I can guarantee if you take her, you will meet resistance.”
“I expect resistance,” said Barren. “I will hold her for ransom, this Larkin Lee, in exchange for a duel! I will finally have William in my grasp.”
“What makes you think William will agree to a duel in exchange for his fiancée?”
“Well he won’t just leave her with me, and he will be humiliated that I succeeded in kidnapping her,” said Barren. “He would come after me then—he would fight me.”
Leaf shook his head. “But he won’t fight you at sea. We all know that. Where does that leave the girl?”
Barren shrugged. “With the realization that she would have married a coward.”
“Her marriage to William is not about his cowardice, it is about marrying power with power. You should be careful of the enemies you collect.”
“Are you suggesting this girl could pose a threat?” Barren laughed, but Leaf was completely serious.
“You aren’t going to change your mind, are you?” Barren shook his head and Leaf sighed. “I will tell you that I don’t agree with this, and if you are to go through with it, you must follow the code. No harm can come to that girl unless she gives you reason.”
“I know what the code says, Leaf. I can handle this.”
“And your uncle will not be pleased,” he reminded Barren quickly after.
“No, but I never promised to make my family proud.”
Barren knew his uncle better than the public understood. After Jess’s death, Tetherion had sought Barren out before he’d turned to terrorizing Maris’ coast. Teth had tried comforting him and had given Barren two options: he could remain at Silver Crest and pursue his life as a pirate, or come to Maris and be taken in by the king, himself. Even then Barren had chosen his freedom as a pirate. It was at this point Tetherion had to explain how things would be from then on—that Tetherion would not be able to see him, that he may have to let William rise in ranks, even if what he had done was wrong.
“Very well,” Leaf sighed and gave him a hard look. “And how do you plan to handle this?”
“I’m not sure yet, I haven’t thought the rest out.”
Leaf shook his head. “I still think you are foolish, but if you really believe this will get you what you want, I will be glad to do something other than raid ships from Maris.”
Barren smiled. “Looks like this jacket will be more useful than I thought,” he held up what used to be Jay Nelson’s coat—it was red with gold buttons and threading.
“The notorious opponent of Maris, dressed as his enemy,” said Leaf. “You have reached a new low.”
Barren smirked.
Over the next week, Barren watched as ships from all over Mariana traversed the Cliffs, intent on reaching Maris for his brother’s engagement party. The ships that passed were massive and sailed, one right after the other, as far East as possible. They chose the safest paths, clinging to the places where the Cliffs weren’t as close and the waters were easier to navigate. Obviously, they were hoping to avoid Barren. If luck was with any of them, Barren thought, he would have his revenge soon and they wouldn’t have to worry about the dangers of sailing to and from Maris ever again.
Barren and Leaf decided they would attend the engagement party while the others prepared for the kidnapping of Lady Larkin. Barren’s plan was to hold her hostage until William agreed to a duel.
“Yer gonna get yerself killed,” Slay rasped as he fixed his hat on his head. Between Leaf’s disappointed glances and the crew’s vocal disapproval, Barren felt like a small child being scolded.
“Look at it this way,” said Barren. “If I am killed, you are all free to do as you please.”
“We’re pirates,” Sam scoffed. “We are already free to do as we please, and this is what we choose.”
“Well,” said Barren, putting on his jacket and preparing the dinghy for departure. “You can all continue to do exactly this…as long as you promise to avenge my death.”
“Better keep him alive then,” said Datherious. “None of us wants to fight William.”
“We don’t even know who we’re looking for,” said Leaf. “There’s a good possibility we’ll come back empty-handed, so let’s get this over with.”
The sun was setting on the horizon when Barren and Leaf made it to the port. As they climbed out of their dinghy and set foot on solid ground, they realized just how ridiculous they looked. A number of five-mast galleons lined each dock, carrying equally gallant men and women who were now sashaying through the crowd—the pirates were obviously out of place here in the markets where men and women were adorned in lace and gold, not dirt and grime.
Barren observed his surroundings. The ports were crowded today. Traders and peasants weaved in and out of the throng, carrying merchandise: scarves, hats and figurines, eager to talk to anyone who would spare them a glance. Now and then, Barren saw a nobleman stop his mighty procession toward the castle and glance over something a peasant offered. They never bought from them, however. The most the nobles did was tease the peasants with hope, like a boy teasing his first love—they believed it to be harmless, but in reality, the disappointment took root and sprouted blossoms of hostility.
Barren had heard of small revolts erupting all over Maris because of the embargo placed upon the island. There were demands for William to meet Barren at sea, and demands that the king send ships to destroy this single pirate crew. Neither had happened—the first because William was a coward, and the second because the king’s sons
sailed with Barren, and to destroy Barren’s ship meant killing the only two children of King Tetherion.
While Barren felt a little guilty that his choices had led to so many people’s unease, he knew without a doubt that if any one of them discovered him here, they would turn him over in exchange for the bounty upon his head.
“Are you ready?” Leaf asked.
Barren looked down at himself. He hoped he would be hidden enough. Not only was he at a disadvantage because of who he was, he was also half-Elf. Depending on who you ran into, being half-Elf could either be a good thing or a bad thing. Sometimes, you were just ignored, other times you were hanged. Barren had witnessed both. The hatred humans and full-blood Elves felt for half-bloods truly sprang from ignorance—the humans feared Elves and believed they would destroy all of Mariana with their magic, while the Elves believed humans to be dull and dangerous with their lustful wishes for power. Barren never understood the hatred. He knew very well that no matter a person’s heritage, everyone’s blood was red.
To avoid being noticed, Barren pulled his hair into a tight ponytail, careful to hide his pointed ears. A hat he had stolen months ago kept most of his head hidden, and placed a shadow over his eyes. Luckily, he filled Jay Nelson’s red jacket up nicely and thought he looked quite regal for a pirate.
Then Barren turned to the Elf. He had successfully hidden his long blond hair and pointed ears under his hat, but he still looked Elvish. It was in his build, and with unnaturally ivory skin, bright eyes, and chiseled features, he looked more supernatural than most humans. More than his own heritage, Barren hoped no one noticed Leaf’s, as Elves weren’t guests of the royal court. Ever since Tetherion’s wife, a full-blood Elf, had run away, they had not been welcomed. While no one knew exactly what happened, it seemed the general population believed she’d fallen in love with one of her own kind and left Tetherion to raise his two children by himself. Most of Maris also blamed her for the twins’ choice to take up piracy.
On top of this, Lord Alder, the King of Aurum, did not care for the human race in the least. As an immortal, Lord Alder had gone from seeing his race thrive, to seeing it bleed out into the mortal world. More and more, half-Elves dotted the world of Mariana, and Alder grew to despise them. Then when King Cathmor, Barren’s grandfather, began vying for land across Mariana—islands in both the Orient and the Octent—Lord Alder had to fight for his right to remain ruler of his people. The deal was settled with a treaty—of which only one detail is known: that Lord Alder could keep his land and rule the Elves—but what he gave in exchange, no one knows.
“I’m ready,” Barren took a deep breath.
“Just remember, this was your idea.”
“How could I forget?” Barren rolled his eyes. Pulling his hat as far down as it would go, and lifting the collar of his jacket, he and Leaf merged with the crowd, following the stream of people toward the markets of Maris.
The markets at port were a colorful affair. Tents rose in maroon, orange, yellow, and purple. With the sun setting, the sheen of jewel-toned fabric glimmered like gems. The merchandise ranged from weapons to wind chimes, strange trinkets of the sea, even diamonds. And everything was peddled furiously. Women painted with gold danced in what little space they had, musicians worked their instruments until their fingers went numb, men in tattered shirts and dirty pants called out the prices of useless objects, attempting to lure in customers. The market was a loud and tireless place—but this was what Maris thrived on.
Among this rabble, Barren spotted his own face. Wanted posters seemed to punctuate the area. At least he was worth ten thousand pieces, he thought.
The roar of the markets faded as they entered the slums of Maris. Despite their name, the buildings beyond the markets had a certain charm. Most of them were covered in mosaics of reds and teals and oranges. Some buildings had tall columns that rose in support of awnings, laced with scarves. Arches perforated with tiny designs allowed the sun to cast patterned shadows on the walls. The charm, however, ended there. These were the dwellings of those who worked the port. The slums were crowded and smelled of urine. Beggars roamed about, exposing deformed feet with crooked and curled toes or missing limbs, displaying talents in hopes of earning extra gold. The buildings were various sizes, built close together to accommodate the influx of people. Since Maris was the largest island of the Orient and the center for trade for Mariana, it attracted all sorts—sailors, Elves, Dwarves, and even traders from the Octent (the adjoining sea), though they were not well liked in the Orient.
It was through these causeways that Barren and Leaf traveled toward the castle of Maris. While it would have been less suspicious for them to take the main road, all their enemies would also take that route, and Barren preferred to lessen his chances of getting caught.
At some point, the castle appeared before them. Perched upon the highest cliff, it was foreboding as it loomed like a dark cloud over Maris. It was accessed by a wide set of stairs composed of big pieces of flat rock. It was laborious to reach because of the height of the steps and the length of the path. Most rode on horseback, but access to horses was difficult for two pirates who lived at sea.
They made the arduous climb on foot, huffing for breath, and wishing to shed some of their heavy clothing. Another nobleman moved past them, staring as if they had grown two heads. As Barren feared, they were probably eyeing Leaf.
By the time they reached the castle, it was dark. Bright lanterns hung on black rods on either side of the path that led from the stairs to the gates of the wall. Barren and Leaf followed them, and soon came to stand in a crowded line at the entrance of the castle. At first Barren thought this to be bad luck, but when they displayed their invitation, the guard hastily looked over the card, and admitted them.
They moved down a cobbled path. A courtyard extended on their left, exposed to the night. To their right, a garden composed of hedges and roses surrounded a large fountain where water rose forth and burst, falling like rain into the pool. The pirates walked farther and found another courtyard, though this one was covered in stone. Doors could be accessed from here and Barren wasn’t sure where they led. He guessed these were rooms for guests, because extravagantly dressed people filed out of random doorways, heading through an archway at the back of the yard.
He heard Leaf chuckle to himself, though it was not out of humor.
“What did you hear?”
Because Leaf was a full-blood Elf, his hearing was exceptional—something he often complained about.
“Our Lady Larkin is half-Elf,” he said, then he nodded toward the courtyard they had just passed. “Seems the men fancy her, and the women despise her.”
Barren did not respond, though he found himself wondering what sort of troubles she’d encountered with her mixed blood, or perhaps her rich father had been able to shelter her from such crudeness. Money, quite literally, almost always made others more attractive. William was a perfect example of this. Being both the son of Jess Reed and a half-Elf should have made his possession of the title of Ambassador impossible, but he had been given sponsorship after the murder and rose to power.
The pirates continued through an open gate and into the biggest courtyard yet, located at the back of the castle. Pale lanterns hung from an invisible line, crisscrossing in the sky, and red and gold fabric unfurled over tall stone walls, adding a richness to the otherwise unsavory gray stone. There were round tables clustered at the edges of the lawn, decorated with white linens, gold and red runners, and candle centerpieces. Zipping in and out of the crowd were servants dressed in white, bearing trays of champagne, wine, and various foods—imported meats and cheeses Barren had only seen in the Octent—fruits that were so fragrant, they made Barren’s mouth water, and decadent desserts smelling strongly of cocoa. Music lilted softly in the background while the murmur of voices rose above it. People gathered in circles, laughing. Others moved through the throngs, seeking companions. Men of various ranks were decorated with medals or sashes, and some had
capes clasped over their left shoulders. The women wore ridiculously layered dresses, composed of silk and lace that created a barrier between them and anything within their reach. Diamonds and pearls acted as accessories, and feathers and flowers adorned curled hair. Barren almost feared seeing what Larkin looked like—he might not be able to reach her for all the fabric.
So, this is how William had been living for five years. No murderer Barren knew had such luxuries.
“This is a little excessive, don’t you think?” asked Barren. He peered around the courtyard, taking in all the finery. It had been a long time since either pirate had experienced these things. “We don’t even know what Larkin looks like without all this added fluff, much less with it.”
“It helps that she is half-Elf,” said Leaf. “And she is probably dressed for the occasion, as she is the bride-to-be.”
“What does that even mean?”
“Look for something frilly.”
“Everything is frilly!” Barren mocked.
Barren gazed at the crowd, sifting through the faces. While he wasn’t sure who he was looking for, he could only imagine what sort of wife William would need. A woman who was slight and meek, someone who didn’t like to stand out in the crowd, or speak up—obviously—or she would not have agreed to marry William. Then again, perhaps Barren was not giving this mystery woman enough credit. Perhaps she saw William as a way out of a situation. Either way, he felt sorry for her.
Barren heard Leaf chuckle and he looked at the Elf. “I think you have no idea who you are dealing with.”
Leaf pointed toward a circle of people. Barren’s eyes shifted there, and his breath caught. What he had expected was a fragile girl—someone slight, doll-like, and silent. This girl was not so. The first thing he took in was her strength. It radiated from her like warmth from a hearth. She stood straight with her shoulders back, an observing eye upon everyone. Then he drank in the features composing her beauty. Almond-shaped eyes gleamed with emerald irises that shone like sun on the green sea. Her smile, while charming and beautiful, had something mischievous about it. She had high cheekbones, blushed with pink and long, dark curls decorated with white flowers falling down her back and over her shoulders. Her dress, crimson in color, was unlike the others, hugging her hourglass figure like it was made on her. Barren could not have thought up a more beautiful girl, and no one around her compared.
