Children of Destiny

by Nicole R. Stevens

  “No. I want justice.” He stammered.

  “We all do.” She said as she stood up. “I’m sorry that I have to do this, but it can’t be helped.” Her boot met the man’s face, knocking him to the side and out cold.

  The prince bent down next to him, “Why did you do that?”

  Her face was stone as they stared at each other. “I’m sorry if you were under the assumption that I suddenly became soft because you witnessed a moment of grief.”

  The heels of her boots clicked on the floor through the silent room as she made her way to her friend behind bars.

  “Thank the Gods, my rescuer.” Phoebe laughed.

  “As always-”

  “Late?” She interrupted.

  Adriana laughed as she put both her hands on the lock, “You know they never bring me in for the first round.” She pulled down until the sound of the lock breaking echoed in the room. When the object fell to the floor, the green cell bars disappeared.

  “If I had known it was that easy.” Owen whispered.

  “But you didn’t.” Phoebe said walking over to him. “Now, please, never try to play hero again.”

  “Fine. I won’t.” He said, “Let’s get out of here. We gotta find a way to Burling.”

  “Wait.” Adriana said walking over to the prince, “Your job is done; your guard is in there, now you can go home.”

  “That wasn’t the deal, Adriana.” He objected.

  “You don’t expect deals to change do you? Have you not yet learned about the company you are keeping with? Thieves lie. It’s time you come to terms with that.” She turned around and walking away from the group. He followed her out of the building calling her name, but it was not until the sound of the tang of his sword sliding from the sheath that she stopped.

  “Do you really want to fight me here? Go home. Have a great life, marry a beautiful princess, have a family, and rule your kingdom from atop your throne.” He dropped his sword. “Go do all the things you can never do if you stay.”

  As she turned back to the road, the light must have been playing tricks with him, but he could almost see a tear rolling down her cheek. Phoebe placed a warm hand on his shoulder.

  “Farewell, Your Royal Highness.” She quickly bowed and scampered away to catch up to the group.

  He watched as they turned a corner and disappeared forever.

  Chapter Ten

  Wanted

  Petite fingers danced over the parchment that held a drawing of a large map. Her fingertips leaving smudges across the rivers of Sabgu as it flowed down from Mount Kebechet, a fiery volcano that was once worshipped by the Elfan ancestors to purify the soul, but no one believed in those fairy stories anymore.

  “Is this a lake?” Phoebe pointed to a body of water in the southern section of the map.

  “Close,” Aaron said. He chuckled as he leaned over the map that Phoebe had stretched out onto the hardwood floor of their home. “This is the harbor just outside our window.” She craned her neck to peer over the windowsill, but could not reach from the floor. “The harbor is the main source of income for many that live in Belleza. Because of the fishing trade.”

  “Ew, fish smell bad,” She wrinkled her nose. “And taste funny.”

  Peering around the corner from a smoke-filled kitchen, Owen’s eyes were hard, “Well thank you for telling me that now. Freshly caught trout will be served momentarily.”

  Aaron turned to her and gave Phoebe a half smile and mouthing ‘You just got in trouble.’ She nodded her head in agreement.

  “If Owen is making trout, then I can eat it.” She said.

  “Just beware the food poisoning.” Braian snickered from a large overstuffed armchair, his violet eyes skimming the pages of a leather-bound book.

  “One undercooked trout for Braian coming up.” He called. Gagging sounds escaped from Braian’s mouth.

  As she giggled at them, Phoebe’s gaze caught Adriana. Sitting with her legs crossed on the top of a wooden window seat, watching the hustle and bustle of the people below.

  Getting up from her spot on the floor, Phoebe walked over to her newly acquainted sister. “Do you like fish?” she asked sitting down on the seat.

  The blonde haired child turned, and a smiled, “Yes, but to enjoy the fish you must catch it yourself.”

  “I have never gone fishing.” Phoebe said.

  “The Aten River is a great fishing spot.” Braian spoke. He got up and ran to the map. “See, it’s just outside the city. If we leave before the sun rises we would be there in time for the fish to be waking up.”

  “That would be a fun outing for everyone.” Aaron chimed in, smiling at the children.

  “Can we?” three voices sang together. He laughed, grabbing his chest as he took a deep breath.

  “Of course. We have some free time before we start more training, so let’s enjoy it while we can.” He walked towards the kitchen to help his eldest child, leaving the three of them left to talk about their upcoming fishing trip.

  Watching the man as he spoke to his older child, pointing to the plates in a cupboard above the stove wondering to herself what he meant by training.

  * * *

  Airship docks have become the meeting place for merchants, and travelers who could afford the fare to travel by air. To have your own airship was something completely different. That was only for the richest of citizens. Even the man that was Phoebe’s father had one at his disposal.

  Aaron had spent years forging friendships with shipwrights, and dock men. One night after drinking in a dank pub in Belleza, he asked them if they could build him a ship. It took a few promises and some IOUs, but soon an accord was struck. It took almost a year of constant work for her to be completed. From stem to stern, great care was taken into putting her together.

  When it came to pay for the ship, favors were called in and exchanged, including one where he traveled to the northernmost part of the continent to retrieve a gemstone from a crashed dirigible. There was a belief that the gemstone gave longer lasting life to the owner. The journey took a lunar cycle to complete, and when he returned, he had at least three frostbitten toes. To him, no request was too small or too large when it came for paying for his pride and joy.

  He taught Owen at a young age how to handle the helm when to pull and when to let it bend. At this young age, he learned how graceful these beauties were, like aquatic creatures they could breech above the cloud line and float for miles. The ship had become an extension of who Owen was.

  Now, he felt nothing towards this boat as it cut through the cumulonimbus clouds ahead of it. This pile of wood did not belong to him. His father did not trust it to him. To him it was stale, and he felt the emptiness in his heart.

  “Attention ladies and gentlemen, we will dock in Burling in about ten minutes. I repeat ten minutes.” He noticed the dwarf waddling around the deck yelling as loud as their lungs would allow. A dwarf’s short stature served them well frequently, but the only one that really mattered to them was the ability to get in and out of mines without having to duck through the low ceilings. Their round middles make it difficult to get through smaller creases in the rocks, and their bowed legs make it difficult to get anywhere fast.

  This one in particular must have given many years to the mines in search for treasures. It looked painful with every step their chubby legs took. Owen watched as it made their way towards him, their eyes burrowing into his. He knew he must look menacing, standing there with his arms crossed over his broad chest, and the grips of multiple swords protruding from his person.

  “Anything I can assist you with, my lady?” He asked dropping his head in respect. The dwarf snorted and continued. “Maybe she wasn’t a lady. I get confused with dwarves. They all have beards and long hair.”

  “Dwarven women keep their hair in a braid, while men keep it free and wild.” Phoebe mused from behind him. “That was definitely a man.”

  “Damn.”
He laughed. “I was hoping I got it right this time.” She wrapped her arm around his lean waist. They watched as the metallic pier glittered in the distance.

  “When was the last time you were here?” She asked.

  He shrugged, “It has been awhile. Maybe five years.”

  “Must feel weird coming back to your birth city?

  “I thought it was weird the first few times that I can remember.” He said, “I was only a small child, 4 or 5 when Aaron would take trips back here and he would bring me with him. He would show me around the city. One time he showed me the orphanage where I lived as a baby after my mother died. He would tell me I would never have to go back there. He said no child deserves to be unwanted.”

  Below them, the city came into view. Burling, in the native Fyssh tongue meant pearl. Many believed an ancient warrior clan founded the city after fighting a battle on the cliffs of Hapi. After the slaughter, the clan’s shaman opened their palm and a bloody pearl fell from their grasp, signaling to all of them that this is where they would build their home. Other stories state that the pearl was magic and with that, magic built the city as it is today. This was the less believed story.

  The city council kept a log of the stories that had been passed down from generation to generation. These are the official stories that children learn in school. Owen did not have time to learn these tales until Aaron read to him from an old book he said he found in his travels, long before Owen was even a twinkle in his eye. These were his bedtime stories.

  “I wonder how much has changed.” He whispered.

  She smiled and looked up at him. “I guess there is only one way to find out.” The dirigible kissed the dock. No one in the cabins of the ship would have noticed the ship anchor. The captain of this vessel had made this trip multiple times that the connection to the pier was polished and without incident.

  Fyssh women clad in flowing grass skirts handed the passengers flowers as they entered the terminal. The travelers took the flowers with a smile on their face.

  A nervous man pacing back and forth caught Braian’s attention. He hands were raw from the constant rubbing together. Anymore wringing and they would bleed.

  “Owen,” Braian’s hand touched his shoulder, pointing toward the pacing man. “Logan doesn’t look well.”

  “You two stay here.” He ordered.

  “Yes sir.” Adriana whispered. She turned to Phoebe ready to make another joke on Owen’s behalf, but she wasn’t there. “Phoebe?”

  “What do you mean they won’t allow us to barter for an airship? Don’t they know who I am?” He asked. The man was shaking. Logan had always been jittery and was difficult to understand. Better around just Braian, but still uneasy around the tall Fyssh. No one believed it was because he was racist, but he was not this nervous around any other man.

  “I tell ‘em who ‘ou ‘re. They say if they see ‘ou, ‘ou would arrested.” he stuttered.

  Braian stepped in between the two men, placing his hands on Logan’s shoulders, “Breathe in, and out. Slowly.” Logan took a deep breath, mimicking Braian’s movements. “Did they say why they wanted to arrest him?”

  “No. Just say they had some unfinished business with Mister Owen.” He stated.

  “This is the answer you are looking for.” Phoebe interjected. A thick piece of yellowing parchment gripped tightly in her hand. Younger than his current years, a drawing of Owen in the center of the paper and bold lettering above the drawing that read;

  WANTED

  OWEN LARSON ON CHARGES OF ROBBERY AND ASSAULT

  “Well, that’s not good.” Braian whispered. He turned to Logan, “Thank you. We will reach out to you and the crew when we need you.” The crewmember scurried out of the airship terminal.

  Phoebe shoved the wanted poster into his hands, “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  “I didn’t think it was important.” He sneered.

  The sounds of skin on skin contact have a way of echoing around you. It also brings the unwanted attention of those just passing by.

  “It’s okay, don’t worry about him. He owes her some money.” Adriana said to the crowd of people gathering around. “He’s her eunuch.” A woman mouthed ‘oh’ and nodded with a knowing smile before walking off, her three children in tow.

  “That was uncalled for.” Braian whispered.

  “Maybe just a little. Bit more fun for me.” She explained.

  His long fingers rubbed over the spreading rosy bruise on his cheek, “That hurt.”

  “You deserved it.” Her body was a stick of dynamite, and her fuse was lit. “No wonder you haven’t been back here for years. I assumed that you did not want to come back, but turns out, you couldn’t return without being arrested. You always said we don’t keep secrets from each other. Trust me; this is a big one. This could land not only you, but all of us in prison.”

  “I didn’t think we would have to be here long.” He said.

  “That’s the problem, you didn’t think. Why do we always have to think of the consequences of your actions?” She yelled.

  “Will you two shut up?” Adriana sighed. “You two sound like an old married couple. It’s disgusting.”

  Braian snorted, “Don’t hold it against me, but she’s right.”

  “I would thank you if that wasn’t just a backhanded compliment.” She stated.

  “Only the best for you.” He smiled.

  The four of them watched each other, their eyes darting from one to the other, daring each other to be the first to speak.

  Phoebe took a deep breath, “Arguing will not help us get anywhere. We need to come up with a game plan. We don’t have the option to leave Burling right now, not unless Owen thinks he can pickpocket another four tickets.”

  “Then let’s get a room at the inn. We all need to rest. Tomorrow with fresh eyes we can come up with a plan.” Braian said. He had always been the most logical; get to a safe place, sleep, eat if possible, then make a plan. They only were in the bigger cities for a job and then back to the air they went. Staying too long meant they were at a greater risk of being caught.

  The sun setting over the iridescent city greeted them as they made their way out of the airship dock. The sky screamed as oranges and red bled over blue.

  * * *

  Dust kicked up in Corbin’s face as he walked through the city. Uneasily he looked from side to side, searching for something that would awaken the muse inside him and help him figure out his next step.

  “Your majesty, please wait up.” Sergeant Omar called as he ran to be at the man’s side. His armor clanking as his feet hit the cobblestone.

  “Don’t call me your majesty out in public like this. You’ll gain us too much attention.” He spoke.

  “But that’s what you are. I cannot call you anything else but what your true title is.” A good soldier was created the day Omar was born into this world, and the prince blessed him for that, but he needed him to play along for a little longer.

  “Just try, for me. Please.” He was not above getting onto his knees and begging if needed.

  The soldier took in a deep breath, “Where are we going, Corbin.”

  He smiled, “You, my friend, are going back to Eskorgan.” He explained as he continued to walk. “I need to find a way to Burling.”

  “Your majesty, I must protest.” Omar shouted.

  “And you were doing so well.” He whispered. The guard ran in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. “Sergeant, you are in my way.”

  “I must protest. Why are you following those criminals? Maybe your father should not have kept you so sheltered, but you must stop this fool’s errand. Let us go home and I will gather only the strongest and most capable of my men to go after them and bring them to Eskorgan justice for your kidnapping and the theft of our most precious item.” he commanded.

  ‘Why am I following them?‘ the prince thought. Why did he feel such a pull to go after them? In his mind, he could see
the four of them silhouetted, but only one of them stood out in color to him.

  He could remember the sprite and her words, “The children of destiny have finally come together.” His voice came out as a hushed whispered.

  “They are bewitching you.” Omar said. “You must return home. Your father is ill. I’m afraid he won’t make another fortnight. If we leave now that will give you plenty of time to say your goodbyes and prepare for your coronation. Eskorgan must always have a king ready to take the throne.”

  The words made sense in his head, but in his heart, he knew he needed to continue. Grabbing the guard’s gloved hand, he squeezed.

  “I’m truly sorry. You have been the best guard I could have asked for, but I need you to return to my father, and tell him to hold on for me. Tell him I need to finish what I started. You tell him I have a destiny to fulfil.”

  “A destiny, young lad?” They turned to see an elderly man behind them. His face, darken by decades of work in the sun, his face covered in folds that made it difficult to see his eye color. Hunched over in what appeared to wobbled side-to-side in painful dance. Every move he made caused a whispering groan to escape his body.

  Corbin walked up to the man and crouched on his knees, there he was eye to eye with the man, “Yes, I have some place I need to be and I am not sure how I will get there.”

  “I heard that. Old, not deaf. I have a vehicle I can no longer drive due to my deformity. It would honor me if you would use this for your needs.” the man held out a small silver key to him. The prince looked at the small key, “It’s parked right outside the city gates. She’s in good condition.”

  It was almost too perfect, too convenient, but he felt compelled to take the key. The shining piece of metal sang to him. The sounds of the market became white noise when the key was safe in his palm. The key felt warm to the touch, and that warmth spread across his hand down his arm.

  “Thank you, sir. How much do I owe you?” He asked.