Sea of Death botf-3

by Tim Waggoner

  "The better part of an hour, I'd say. Whatever they're talking about, they're evidently in no hurry."

  "Time doesn't mean the same thing to the dead as it does to the living," Skarm said. Then, realizing who he was talking to, he added, "No offense."

  Makala considered backhanding the barghest, but she restrained herself. Depending on how Nathifa's meeting with Prince Moren turned out, they might well end up having to fight for their lives. If so, she wanted Skarm uninjured and ready for battle.

  Haaken sat cross-legged on the sleeping pallet, face pale, eyes haunted. "Do you think they're… going to eat us?"

  Makala turned to the lycanthropic sea raider and sneered. "Depends on whether or not they like the taste of fish."

  Any reply Haaken might have made was cut off by a knock on the cabin hatch. Both Haaken and Skarm jumped, but Makala just looked at the hatch for a moment with a narrow-eyed gaze before starting toward it.

  Haaken leaped off the pallet, rushed to Makala, and grabbed hold of her arm to stop her. "Are you mad? If you let them in they'll devour us!"

  Makala bared her fangs, hissed, and slashed Haaken's face with claw-like fingernails. Haaken released her arm and staggered backward, blood pouring from wounds that were already beginning to heal. Makala inhaled, savoring the scent of fresh blood, and it took every bit of self-control she possessed not to fall upon the man, tear out his throat, and gorge herself on his life's fluid.

  "Don't be an idiot," she snarled. "If Prince Moren and his crew had come for us, do you really think they would bother to knock?"

  Makala continued to the hatch and opened it. She stepped back as Nathifa glided into the cabin. The lich's face-normally bleached of all color-looked even whiter than usual, and the crimson fire that burned in her eyes had dimmed to the point where it seemed as if it might go out altogether.

  "It's done. We have what we need to repair the ship. Begin working. I… need to rest for a bit."

  Without another word, the lich crossed over to the sleeping pallet and lay down with her back to her three servants.

  Makala looked at Skarm and Haaken with a raised eyebrow before walking out of the cabin and onto the deck of the Zephyr. The Ship of Bones was gone, and there was no sign of her in any direction, even though the ghostly craft couldn't have sailed very far away in the time since Nathifa had disembarked. It was as if the ship had simply vanished. A pile of lumber lay on the deck, along with a new runner… no, it was the Zephyr's runner, recovered and returned to them. The planking was mismatched-the boards different types of wood, along with varying widths, and lengths-and the lumber was wet, covered with moss and barnacles.

  "They salvaged the wood from shipwrecks," Haaken said softly.

  Makala hadn't noticed the man's approach. Skarm stood next to him, and all three of them stared at the lumber left by Prince Moren.

  "What price do you think Nathifa had to pay to get that wood?" Skarm asked.

  "I don't know," Makala said. "But I can tell you one thing: when she went aboard the Ship of Bones she had Espial with her, but she returned empty-handed." She glanced up at the night sky to gauge the time, though she had no real need to do so since her vampiric instincts told her how long it would be until sunrise. "We still have a few hours of darkness left to us. Let's get to work."

  As Haaken and Skarm started toward the lumber, Makala glanced back at the Zephyr's cabin.

  What price indeed? she thought, and wondered how she might be able to turn this most recent development to her advantage. Then she joined the others to begin the repairs to the Zephyr.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Thokk was as good as his word, and the Turnabout reached the northeastern shore of Trebaz Sinara a bit less than two days after they'd set out. The sun had edged up over the horizon, and the sky was a bright, clear blue with barely a cloud in sight. Despite the beauty of the dawning day, the island was as forbidding as legend painted it, surrounded by treacherous reefs and enclosed by high, sheer cliff walls. Off in the distance, a flock of winged creatures circled lazily above the island. Birds, perhaps, or something else. They were too far away to tell for certain.

  Captain Onu stood at the ship's rail, gazing out upon the island, eyes shining as if its cliffs were made of gold instead of stone.

  "Trebaz Sinara," he breathed. "How I've longed to look upon its fabled shores!"

  Thokk stood at the railing next to his captain. The dwarf had summoned Diran, Ghaji, and the others to the deck when Trebaz Sinara had first come into view, and the companions stood at the railing alongside the Turnabout's master.

  "If we don't drop anchor soon, we may well run aground on those shores," Thokk said.

  "Hmm? Oh, yes, of course. Give the order if you would, Master Thokk."

  The first mate signaled to a crewman and the ship's anchor was released.

  "Those reefs are like a maze," Ghaji said. He turned to Tresslar. "Are you sure you remember the route through? It has been forty years since you were here last."

  The artificer glared at the half-orc. "Assuming that the visions the demon revealed to Diran are true-and I haven't the faintest idea why the lich would want to go to the dragon's cave where I discovered the Amahau-I'll be able to get us there. My memory's as sharp as it ever was. I may be hazy on one or two minor details, I'll admit, but once we get started I'm sure it'll all come back to me."

  Hinto groaned. "We'll be scuttled before we're halfway through!"

  Tresslar started to protest, but Diran laid a gentle hand on the artificer's shoulder to silence him. "I've been giving the matter some thought, and we shouldn't have to rely solely on Tresslar's recall-as strong as it is, I'm sure. Assuming Nathifa and the others made it here before us-"

  "Which they almost certainly did," Asenka put in.

  "Then once we're on the island, Tresslar should be able to locate the dragonwand using another of his mystical devices. Isn't that right?"

  The artificer nodded. "If the lich brought the Amahau onto the island with her."

  "Would you leave such a valuable artifact behind on your ship?" Yvka asked.

  "Good point," Tresslar said. "In that case, as long as we're within several miles of the Amahau, I'll be able to detect it." He reached around into his backpack and withdrew one of his homemade magical devices: a metal ring attached to a wooden handle. "I've modified my revealer to sense the unique energy signature of the Amahau." He gripped the tool by the handle and held it out in front of him. Several seconds passed, but nothing happened. Obviously disappointed, but trying to hide it, Tresslar returned the device to his backpack. "As I said, the range is somewhat limited. Nathifa and the others might be too far inland, and even if they aren't, those cliffs are likely interfering with any signals I might pick up. We'll need to get closer."

  "But if we can't maneuver through those reefs…" Hinto said.

  "That's where Solus comes in," Diran said, turning to the psiforged. "Can you use your psionic abilities to strengthen Tresslar's memory of the proper route through the reefs?"

  "Yes," Solus said. "But I can do better than merely strengthen Tresslar's recollection. Once I locate the memory, I can reproduce it and transfer it into each of your minds. That way, we shall all know the route in case something should happen." No one said anything for a moment, and the psiforged added, "Trebaz Sinara is reputed to be a dangerous place, is it not? I wish no harm to Tresslar, but we should prepare for all possibilities."

  Yvka nodded appreciatively. "Quite sensible."

  "An unnecessary precaution," Tresslar said, "as I am quite capable of taking care of myself, but I see no harm in it. What do I need to do?"

  "Just come off to the side with me for a few moments," Solus said. "There will be little discomfort, and the procedure won't take long. After we're done, if each of you would come over to me one by one, I'll implant the route into your minds."

  Tresslar and Solus walked off several yards, and the psiforged told the artificer to close his eyes. The construct then gently
placed his three-fingered stone hands on the sides of Tresslar's head, and his artificial eyes glowed bright green as the memory transference began.

  "I'll have a longboat prepared for you," Thokk said, "along with enough food and water for several days. If you're on the island longer than that…" The dwarf trailed off, leaving the rest of the thought unspoken, though it was clear enough. If Diran and the others remained on Trebaz Sinara that long, they were probably dead.

  Onu frowned. "You speak as if our friends are going to be making landfall on their own, but surely we're going with them!"

  Thokk stared at the Turnabout's captain with shock, as if the man had suddenly sprouted a second head.

  Onu made a grand gesture in the island's direction. "It's Trebaz Sinara, Thokk! According to legend, it holds the wealth of two thousand years of pirate raids! Gold! Dragonshards! Priceless relics! Treasures beyond imagining and number! You can't expect me to stay onboard, lean on the rail, and be content to just look at the island!"

  Thokk's face reddened with frustration. "It's too dangerous, Captain! I don't care how much treasure may be waiting for us there, it won't do us any good if we're dead!"

  For the first time since Diran and the others had met Onu, the captain's good humor deserted him and his expression clouded over with anger. "Bartalan Thokk-ever the hard-headed businessman without even the most minimal sense of adventure. Well, I am the captain of this ship, and I am going to accompany these good worthies on their journey… unless, of course, you have anything more to say about the matter, First Mate Thokk?"

  The dwarf's jaw muscles tightened, and his hands clenched into white-knuckled fists.

  "No… Captain!" With that, Thokk spun around and stalked off to see to the preparation of the longboat.

  Onu turned to Diran and the others and gave them an apologetic smile. "Forgive me. Thokk is a good man, and I couldn't do without him, but sometimes he oversteps his bounds and needs his leash yanked. You understand." The captain then turned back to the railing and gazed across the water at the fabled island of Trebaz Sinara.

  Diran and Ghaji exchanged glances. They understood, all right. They understood that there was far more going on between Onu and Thokk than first met the eye. The question was whether or not their problems were going to interfere with the mission to retrieve Tresslar's dragonwand, and whether that interference would prove a distraction at the wrong time, resulting in disaster for the landing party-or even death.

  Ghaji was almost disappointed by how uneventful the passage through the twisting barrier maze of reef was. Thanks to Solus, they all knew the route, so there were no surprises there, and since the psiforged used his telekinetic abilities to move and steer the longboat, there was nothing for any of them to do but sit and enjoy the ride. Trebaz Sinara was reputed to be home to all manner of terrible monsters, and the companions kept close watch as they drew closer to the island, but no ravening creatures burst out of the sea to devour them. Ghaji wasn't foolish enough to believe that meant they were safe, though, and he continually scanned their surroundings for any sign of danger, elemental axe held at the ready.

  Tresslar sat in the prow of the boat, revealer held out in front of him, slowly moving it back and forth through the air. Ghaji didn't know what the magical device would do once it detected the dragonwand-make some sort of sound, emit a burst of light-but it did nothing. Either it was failing to function properly, or the dragonwand was out of range, assuming it was even on the island at all.

  Hinto sat next to Solus in the back of the longboat, the halfling occasionally reaching out to pat the psiforged's hand. The little pirate looked afraid, but he seemed to be handling it well enough. He'd come a long way since they'd found him shipwrecked in the Mire. No longer did he experience paralyzing bouts of panic. But then again, he'd never faced the sort of dangers that Trebaz Sinara held, and Ghaji wondered if the halfling would be able to manage his fear once they made landfall.

  Asenka sat next to Diran in the middle of the longboat, close enough that their knees were touching. Despite the situation, she appeared happy and content, and though it might have seemed incongruous to some given what they would soon be facing, it didn't to Ghaji. He'd been a warrior all of his life, and he knew the importance of appreciating the good moments in life as they came, for those moments were often all too brief and the future uncertain. The orcs had a saying: Live today and let tomorrow take care of itself. It seemed Asenka had decided to do just that.

  Ghaji and Yvka sat behind Diran and Asenka, the elf-woman's hand resting lightly on the half-orc's leg. Yvka leaned forward, eyes wide, taking everything in, working to memorize every detail so that she could make a full report to her "associates" in the Shadow Network. Ghaji knew she was also keeping a sharp eye out for anything-treasure, magical artifacts, rare plants or animals-that she might be able to claim and take back to her people. When he'd first met the elf-woman in Port Verge, when Diran and he had been working to unravel the mystery of the Black Fleet, he'd been instantly attracted to Yvka's free spirit and love of adventure. But in the months since then, he'd come to know another side of her. She could be calculating and opportunistic, qualities that admittedly served her well in her profession, but which made it difficult to remain emotionally close to her. At times like these, he couldn't help wondering if Yvka was with him because she truly cared about him or because she'd found their relationship advantageous to her career. Thanks to her association with Ghaji, she'd been able to turn over both Erdis Cai's stronghold of Grimwall and the psi-forge facility in Mount Luster to the Shadow Network. Though he knew he should work harder to trust her, he couldn't help wondering which Yvka loved more: him or the professional opportunities their relationship afforded her.

  Leontis sat in the back of the boat in front of Solus and Hinto. Ghaji had never expected to encounter a Silver Flame priest as grim as Diran could sometimes be, but Leontis was that man. He held his longbow with an arrow nocked, prepared for whatever danger might threaten, but he stared straight ahead, eyes focused on a point far more distant than the island looming before them. Ghaji had seen similar looks in the eyes of warriors who had witnessed so much blood and cruelty on the battlefield that they no longer believed life was worth living and were merely marking time until Death finally came for them.

  None of the companions, Ghaji included, felt comfortable around Leontis, but they accepted his presence because Diran vouched for him. They'd all tried speaking with the priest at one time or another during the voyage from Kolbyr, and though Leontis had responded to their overtures, he had always done so briefly and without enthusiasm, and before long even the ever-curious Hinto gave up.

  Ghaji didn't like heading into an almost certainly dangerous situation with a man he didn't know well enough to trust. He hoped Diran knew what he was doing. So far, the priest had never steered Ghaji wrong, but Diran was only human, and could make a mistake as easily as any other man.

  Onu and Thokk sat behind Tresslar. The captain continued to wear his garish regalia, despite the fact that his red longcoat made for a very effective target. Thokk had attempted to explain this to Onu before they'd lowered the longboat and departed the Turnabout, but the captain had refused to listen. Onu grinned like an excited child as the longboat slowly wound its way through the reef maze, bringing them ever closer to Trebaz Sinara. When Ghaji had first met Onu, he'd thought the man eccentric. Now he was beginning to wonder if the sea captain was in truth insane. Thokk certainly seemed to think so. The dwarf sat with his arms crossed, brow furrowed in a scowl, occasionally shooting dirty looks at Onu and grinding his teeth in frustration. Ghaji had no idea why the dwarf continued to serve as Onu's first mate if the man upset him so much. Perhaps in his own way, Thokk was just as mad as Onu.

  Diran's face was impassive, only the slightest crinkling of his brow giving any indication that he was anything but relaxed and calm. But Ghaji knew his friend well, and he was certain Diran was running one scenario after another through his mind: debating st
rategies, calculating odds, anticipating problems, and exploring alternatives. Careful preparation is the assassin's greatest weapon, Diran had once told him. But Ghaji knew Diran wasn't making his plans dispassionately. He understood the risks they were all taking to recover Tresslar's dragonwand and prevent the terrible visions revealed by the Fury-demon from becoming reality. The priest wanted to make certain he had done everything within his power to ensure the safety of his companions, and so he continued to think, plan, and plot, and he would keep doing so until the time came for action. And when that time arrived, Diran would act swiftly, confidently, and-if the situation called for it-utterly without mercy.

  As for Ghaji… well, he wasn't anticipating their landfall with the insane glee that Onu was, but he had to admit that he was curious to see if Trebaz Sinara lived up to its fearsome reputation. So far, it had been something of a letdown. He'd expected-

  The twang of a bowstring vibrated through the air, and out of the corner of his eyes, Ghaji saw the shaft of an arrow blur by as it flew skyward. A second later, came the sound of the arrow striking something meaty with a dull thwok! followed by an ear-splitting screech of pain. Ghaji looked up in time to see a monstrous winged lizard that looked something like a wyvern with the head of a jungle cat come spiraling downward, Leontis's arrow buried in its heart. The creature was easily the size of the longboat, and when the thing struck the reef on their port side, the rock cracked and partially crumbled. The beast ended up laying half in, half out of the water, eyes wide and staring, forked tongue lolling out of the corner of its mouth.

  Everyone in the longboat, including Onu and Thokk, turned to look at Leontis. The dour priest already had a second arrow nocked, its point trained on the cat-headed lizard, just in case the thing turned out not to be quite as dead as it appeared.

  "My apologies if I startled you," Leontis said, never taking his gaze off the cat-head. "But the beast was flying a little too close to our vessel for my liking."