by Cully Mack
Gabe crossed the gangplank, Mirah and the other girls following. Meciel and Bina waited behind him. Did they expect him to run?
‘I believe you owe me some silver,’ Gabe said, patting him on the shoulder. ‘This is Neviah, Abela and Ayla and this is Mirah, my sister.’
‘I’m pleased to finally meet ya. My name is Ammo. Ya probably heard of me?’
Bina groaned from behind him. Ammo lifted his head and smirked at her.
‘This is Sojin,’ Ammo announced to the girls. ‘Come. Welcome aboard Wind Weaver. Ya must be hungry and in need of resting.’
Gabe assisted the girls onto the deck and asked Sojin to show them to their quarters. Nate almost laughed as Sojin stood taller, not knowing which girl to stare at first as he led them away. Mirah never looked back.
‘I see ya brought me guests?’ Ammo said, nodding his head towards the gangplank.
‘The dark-haired one calls himself Nate,’ Gabe pointed out. ‘He’s the son of Shemyaza.’
That got Ammo’s attention, and he flashed Nate a discerning stare. Nate knew Gabe was goading him and held the correction to stepson on his tongue.
‘He was Mirah’s betrothed,’ Gabe dug deeper.
Nate picked up the emphasis on was. What had Mirah told him?
‘The other two are Zeev, his second and Galia, a Water Wielder.’
Ammo instinctively scanned her for an amulet. So he knew about Wielders, Nate reasoned.
‘Go,’ Bina said and ushered them up the gangplank.
‘Why ain’t ya killed em?’ Ammo asked.
‘I’m still undecided.’
Gabe and Ammo escorted them below deck to an empty storeroom with no porthole.
As they walked away, Ammo grumbled, ‘The winds have turned against us.’
More than you know, Nate thought.
Galia sat on the only crate in the storeroom. ‘What do we do now?’ she asked, rubbing the vacant space on her wrist where her golden amulet had once been.
‘We wait,’ Nate answered, sitting down on the wooden decking.
Zeev searched around for something useful. It didn’t take him long; the storeroom was bare except for the crate and an empty barrel. Giving up his search, he asked, ‘What do you make of them? Gabe doesn’t look like he can lead an army.’
‘He keeps strange company. I’ll give him that. I suspect Meciel is from beyond the portal.’
‘You think there are other gods?’ Galia asked.
Nate brought his legs up to his chest and rested his hands on his knees. ‘After Mirah wielded Eran from the plateau, Shemyaza asked her if she knew someone named Meciel. She told me she’d never heard of him but if he was near Barakel. If that’s where Gabe met him. It would make sense why Shemyaza ordered its destruction.
I can’t figure out Bina.’ He paused and rubbed the bridge of his nose. ‘At first, I suspected she might be Chashmalim but now I’m not sure. Ammo is seasoned, if anyone’s preparing an army, it’s most likely him. One thing I know, as young as Gabe is, they expect him to command them.’
Zeev came and sat beside him, stretching out his long legs. ‘I wonder if Shemyaza knows we’ve gone?’
‘Neither of you need to worry. As soon as we got Eran out of the mountain, Arella left taking Sumer straight to Anat.’
‘I wish she were here,’ Galia said, waving her hand like a fan. ‘We could do with some air.’
She was right. The air stifled them and the sun’s heat wasn’t even high overhead yet.
‘We should rest,’ Nate said, laying down.
❊
The sway when the ship turned woke him and the air cooled the further they cut through the swell. How long Nate slept, he didn’t know. He gathered it must be early evening. The door lock clicked and the lad Gabe had called Sojin entered.
‘Water,’ he said, placing a pail down.
Nate assumed he was Ammo’s son but when he spoke he had a different accent. He tried to place it thinking, somewhere south beyond the Salmu sea. Somewhere in Buzur’s territory. Wherever he came from his assessment of them screamed confidence.
‘You’re from Niggisu?’
‘Not anymore,’ Sojin answered. He focused on Galia, ‘You need to come with me.’
Nate took a protective step forward and warned Sojin, ‘If they hurt her—’
‘Mirah will never allow it,’ Galia interrupted. She rose and accompanied Sojin out of the storeroom.
The light filtering through the crack under the door soon dissipated into darkness.
Zeev yelled, ‘If you don’t let us out, I will piss all over your ship.’
Still, no one came.
Nate estimated they’d been sailing for at least another day before Gabe and Ammo returned. Gabe walked over and leaned against the empty barrel and Ammo’s large frame loomed by the door.
‘Tell us what you know?’ Gabe asked.
Nate saw no reason to hide it. He shared about his life with Shemyaza, the instability within his Puhrum, the other four gods and where their portals were stationed. He told them about the number of giants, the chimera, the Wielders and the Chashmalim. How many of his men would follow him if he asked. He imparted everything they needed to know to protect Mirah.
Gabe’s brows bumped into a scowl. ‘So you followed, knowing you’d lead Shemyaza right to her?’
‘Of course not.’ Nate said, through gritted teeth. ‘If his interest was in me alone, I never would have risked it. You have to understand Shemyaza will never let her go. She’s unique. Her ability to wield water, earth and air is powerful, it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen and the other gods know about it. He’ll never risk one of them finding her and using her against him.’
Gabe shifted against the barrel. ‘So why would Shemyaza inform them she’s left?’
‘Our wedding,’ he confessed. ‘They’ll become suspicious when it doesn’t happen. You need me.’
Ammo tapped his finger on the doorframe. ‘We don’t need ya? We have our own forces.’
Nate stared at him. ‘Whatever strength you think you have, it won’t be enough.’ He let his words hang in the air. ‘Those who will come against you were once under my command. I trained them. I know their tactics and besides, Shemyaza won’t want me harmed.’ He turned to Gabe. ‘I may be the only person who can stand between them and Mirah.’
He didn’t see the point in highlighting that if Bishnor got his chance he’d probably kill him. Or that he wasn’t even sure how Shemyaza would respond now he’d broken free from his grasp.
Gabe lifted off the barrel. ‘You can go on deck.’ As he crossed the storeroom, he added, ‘If you try anything, Ammo will slit your throats, if Bina doesn’t kill you first.’
‘Can I speak to Mirah?’
‘That’s for her to decide,’ Gabe said, turning into the corridor.
❊ 31 ❊
‘You’re going to have to come out and face him sooner or later,’ Neviah said, entering the cabin.
Mirah ignored her and continued focusing on the endless ocean spanning out from the porthole. For all she knew Shemyaza’s Dagani could be lurking out there.
The surge and swell dipped and rose with her own adrift feelings. Wherever they were, the waters were choppy, the sky overcast, and the sea muted grey.
Neviah sat on the edge of the silk covered bed. Whoever Ammo was he had elaborate taste. A small spot of light reflected off the wood near the porthole and to her dismay Mirah realised Neviah still wore her silver and onyx armlet.
‘Where are Abela and Ayla?’ Mirah asked.
‘They’ve gone to assist the cook.’
That didn’t surprise her. Three days they’d been sailing, and the food tasted awful. She should help. These people Gabe called his friends had come to save them. She should offer her service and help them though she didn’t have the energy.
‘Will you tell Galia, I’d like to speak with her?’
‘Of course, I’ll get her now.’ When Neviah arrived at the door, she hesitated but whatever h
eld her thoughts, she kept to herself.
Galia appeared a few moments later and sat on her bed.
Mirah turned from the porthole. ‘Tell me what you know about your wielding?’ she asked, looking down at the empty space where Galia’s amulet had been.
‘Nate told me wielding is not a gift from Shemyaza but from something else.’
Nate had told her? So she hadn’t known before, Mirah concluded. ‘You miss wielding, don’t you? The power it gave you.’
‘Yes. It’s awful being surrounded by all this water and not being able to sense it.’
Mirah understood the vacant, exposed feeling of losing the power and abilities once relied on. ‘You wouldn’t miss it if you knew the source from which it comes. Have you never heard its voice?’
‘No. There’s no connection other than with the water I’m wielding.’
‘The Beast, it chases me in my sleep. I try to keep my eyes open. When I’m awake, I can mostly shut it out.’
Galia reached over and clasped her hand. ‘I’m sorry, Mirah. I didn’t realise what you were going through.’
‘What’s it like on deck?’ she asked, absorbing the comforting warmth from Galia’s hand.
Galia tutted. ‘There’re plenty of oversized personalities up there. For the sake of a far more terrible enemy, they seem to have put their differences aside. Although watching Nate spar with Gabe, I wonder how long their tolerance will last.’
‘What?’ Mirah asked, pulling away from her and swinging her legs off the bed.
Galia kept her tone cool and steady. ‘We can’t afford to lapse with our training. But if you ask me they’ve both got a point to prove.’
‘I need fresh air,’ Mirah said, rising. ‘Will you walk up with me? I don’t think I can face it alone.’
Galia smiled and Mirah knew she’d fallen into her trap.
A hive of activity spread over the deck. Ammo’s ship was imposing but as she walked onto the deck, it didn’t seem large enough.
Crewmen were in the rigging adjusting the sails and those not working sat in small huddles playing dice. It certainly lived up to its name, Wind Weaver, she realised as it cut through the swell at great speed.
She spotted Zeev standing with his back to her. Sojin was showing Eran and Neviah how to sneak up behind him and pickpocket something hidden underneath Zeev’s blue cloak. Ammo stood nearby, re-braiding a frayed rope, evaluating Eran’s technique. He clamped his teeth in disapproval.
‘I can hear ya,’ he yelled over.
‘But—’
‘Stop ya whining, it’s ya arm that’s injured, not ya footwork. If ya want to sneak up on someone ya gonna have to be quieter than that.’
Eran rolled his eyes.
‘I saw that,’ Ammo grunted.
Meciel and Nate sat further away watching Bina throw daggers into a round wooden shield tied to the ship’s bow. Here and there between its dents and splits, flecks of green paint remained. The emblem which once before existed was as indistinguishable as the distant bleak horizon.
The whole set up appeared unwise because if she missed the dagger would go overboard. She flicked her wrist, and the dagger landed with a thud in the centre of the target. Mirah discerned those chances were slim.
She sensed Nate’s awareness of her but he never came rushing over and she appreciated him giving her space.
‘I’m all right now,’ she said to Galia. ‘I need to speak with my brother.’
Gabe leaned against the side of the ship, his eyes cast over the ocean.
She came up beside him and after a moment asked, ‘What are you thinking?’
‘I imagined us starting over somewhere new, somewhere safe. But I see now, for Shemyaza it will never be over. Nate told me about the power you wield. They’re not going to let you go.’
She’d expected as much. Since leaving, she’d heard the Beast. At first, it tried tempting her into returning and when that didn’t work it switched to taunting her that she’d never escape.
‘It’s not me,’ she corrected him. ‘It’s not my power.’
Gabe reached over and she rested her head on his shoulder.
‘Years ago Meciel instructed Ammo to gather forces. Meciel wants me to lead them. He insists I’m some kind of saviour. How ridiculous is that? It seems we are pawns in a war that’s not of our choosing.’
‘How did you meet them?’ she asked, brushing strands of windswept hair away from her face.
‘Do you remember the hermit? The one who lingered on the edge of our borders. Turns out that’s Meciel. He’s strange but there’s no darkness in him. He uses an unusual language to move things around. It was Meciel who taught me how to remove the veil from your eyes. I’m sorry I forced you but it was the only way to make you see.’
She wrapped her arm around his waist. ‘It wasn’t easy making the adjustment but I’m glad you did it.’
She glanced over to Meciel slurping stew.
Gabe followed her gaze. ‘He slips off often. I followed him once, but he just sat down and closed his eyes for hours. I got bored. He thinks I don’t know what he is but I’ve kind of figured it out. Apparently, he’s been watching over us since we were children. Anyway, thugs who stole Nuri, threw me into a boar pit and Meciel helped me get out.’
Mirah rummaged in a pouch tied to her waist. Here take this, she said, passing him the little wolf carving.
Gabe held the wolf up turning it around inspecting its shaggy coat carved into the wood. ‘It looks like her.’
‘It comforted me when I felt the most alone. I’m sorry about Nuri. I know how much she means to you.’
‘I’ll get her back, as soon as this is over,’ he said, pocketing the wolf in his cloak.
‘What happens now?’
‘We’re going to Chaba Misgab to meet with Ammo’s forces. It’s the safest place I can think of.’
She heard the clashing of blades and turned to find Nate and Zeev sparring. Eran and Sojin were close by copying their moves.
She watched the determination on Nate’s face and remembered how he’d encouraged her to develop her technique, knowing that one day it might save her. She pushed away memories of the last day they’d trained and how he’d favoured embracing her instead.
‘I’m amazed you’ve allowed them their swords?’
‘If I’d known how good they were; I wouldn’t have considered it. Ammo’s not too keen.’
‘Why then?’
‘He may be the son of our enemy but I can see he’d do anything to protect you. Ammo made me train for months from morning to evening. I practised knowing I might need it to help you but I’m not as good as Nate.’
‘Galia told me you’d been sparring. I understand how you feel.’
‘You trained?’ he asked surprised.
‘Nate insisted. I’ve learned a few skills of my own. I’m not the weakling you remember, not anymore.’
‘Well, in that case, you’ll have to show me,’ he said, nudging her shoulder.
She chuckled. ‘Challenge accepted but it will have to be later. I want to help Abela and Ayla. Do you know where they are?’
Gabe led her to a hatch which opened onto a wooden staircase. The galley was at the end of a narrow passageway.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ Gabe said and turned to go.
‘What can I do to help?’ she asked when entering.
Abela and Ayla glanced up from chopping vegetables.
‘There are some onions over there,’ Abela said, pointing to a red reed basket.
The galley filled with the odour of braised meat boiling in a huge pot.
‘Glad to see you’re up and about,’ Ayla said, looking up from slicing carrots.
Mirah surveyed the kitchen. ‘Where’s the cook?’
‘He’s up on deck somewhere,’ Abela said. ‘We refuse to let him in here.’
‘How did you learn how to do this?’ she asked, placing onions on the counter and picking up a knife.
‘We begged Meciel to s
how us then turfed him out too,’ Ayla grinned.
‘He wasn’t so easy to persuade though,’ Abela added, and they both laughed at the memory.
They diced and chopped and stirred and Mirah felt herself relaxing.
The scent of the stew wafted onto the deck and everyone including Ammo’s crew came in one by one. Abela and Ayla ladled the stew into wooden bowls whilst Mirah gave out the flatbread.
Her stomach hollowed when Nate arrived and she dropped his flatbread when she passed it to him. She’d need to speak to him soon.
After they’d eaten, everyone except the two men on lookout in the crow’s nest sat on the deck sipping beer.
Sojin taught Eran how to play a game using small pebbles on an inked pigskin. Sojin’s eyes missed nothing as he played. The game was unfamiliar and as often as Sojin tried explaining the rules to Eran, she couldn’t work it out either.
Neviah and Zeev slunk off near the stern of the ship and Meciel had already gone below. Galia and Bina sat further away talking. She wondered how they were getting along. Mirah still hadn’t spoken much to Bina although she’d watched in admiration how her elegance and grace matched her prowess.
The sun dipped over the horizon and she didn’t want to retire below and face the Beast she knew would come for her in her dreams.
‘How long before we arrive at Chaba Misgab?’ she asked Ammo.
‘If the winds stay as they are another few weeks.’ Seeing her shoulders sag, he explained, ‘It ain’t all by sea though, it will take around three or four days to reach their encampment.’
‘How many men do you have?’ she asked.
He glanced at Gabe, his face turning a little sour. ‘Numbers ain’t our problem. We need more weapons.’
‘With what Nate has told us,’ Gabe said, ‘Ammo thinks we should attack Shargaz first.’
‘It makes sense. They have the metal and the weapons. We’d be taking out their supplies to Shemyaza’s forces and supplying our own. We’re gonna have to make a start somewhere,’ Ammo challenged.
Gabe sniffed. ‘I said, I don’t like it.’
Their voices rose, cutting over each other arguing.
Mirah retreated and peered over the side of the ship at the waves dancing with the moonlight.
