“Spars!” the captain bellowed so loudly that even Tiberius heard it.
“Are you okay?” Rafe said as he hurried to Tiberius’ side. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” Tiberius said, although the truth was he hurt all over. “Help me up.”
As Tiberius struggled to stand, he could see that the enemy ship was now a raging inferno. The firebomb had exploded just over the sleek ship’s long prow.
“Spars! Quickly, men!” the captain was still shouting, and Tiberius understood why.
The flaming ship was still flying straight toward them, and if the fiery prowl crashed into their sky ship, the flames would consume both vessels. The crew hurried to the stern of the ship with long poles and held them out to separate the ships, but the enemy’s prow was long and angled, almost like a huge spear attached to the bow of their vessel. It was longer than the unwieldy spars the crew were using to hold the enemy at bay, and Tiberius knew it was only a matter of time before the ships collided.
“Accendo,” he said quietly, extending his hand toward the enemy vessel.
Fire shot out toward the warship, appearing out of nowhere just inches from Ti’s upraised palm. The fire shot forward in a long, terrifying stream. Tiberius had aimed the pillar of fire up, toward the enemy ship’s hylum sail. When the flames hit, they immediately kindled on the tightly stretched canvas. For a tense moment, nothing else happened, and it appeared that Tiberius’ spell was too weak to turn the tide of the battle. But then the sail, now burning fiercely, split with a shriek as the hylum expanded under the heat and suddenly blasted through the rent sail.
The enemy ship fell, disappearing in a swirl of mist and black smoke. The crew cheered their good fortune, but Tiberius saw the way they turned and stared at him. He saw fear and distrust in their eyes and he knew that if they didn’t get to Avondale soon, there would be trouble with the superstitious crew.
Chapter 4
Olyva
The fight with the war ship had been terrifying. Olyva didn’t like being so far above the ground, and fire had become her greatest fear. She supposed that trees feared fire; at least the sentient ones did. They burned so easily, and once ignited, there was very little hope of not being completely consumed. Fire to the forest was like pestilence to men. Olyva knew that most of her body was still flesh, yet fire terrified her. She could appreciate its warmth, but she was never comfortable around it.
Her mother and sisters huddled together just outside the large cabin at the bow of the sky ship, but Olyva preferred to stay with Lexi. They weren’t friends exactly, but both women had come to respect each other, and their many experiences had bonded them. Olyva wanted to be closer to Lexi, but the younger girl was very private and kept everyone but Tiberius at arm’s length. Their lives had been so vastly different that Olyva wondered if true friendship was even possible, but Lexi accepted Olyva just as she was. There was no judgement, no fear, just respect, and Olyva was grateful to have an ally on the ship.
When the war ship fell, ending the attack, Olyva breathed a sigh of relief. It took her a moment to believe they were truly safe. She kept expecting to see another fire bomb flashing toward them out of the mist.
“Is it really over?” she said softly.
“For now,” Lexi said.
Olyva looked over at her companion, who was studying the crew of the ship. Olyva followed her eyes and was surprised to see so many of the men casting angry glances toward Tiberius.
“We can’t get to Avondale too soon,” Lexi said.
“Why are they angry?” Olyva asked. “Tiberius just saved the ship.”
“With magic,” Lexi said. “It takes time for people to get used to the idea of Ti being a wizard. I get that, but I’d rather not be floating in the clouds on a ship surrounded by hostile men waiting for them to get past their fear. Odds are they’ll work each other up into a frenzy, maybe even come after Ti or you.”
“Me?” Olyva said in surprise.
“Yes,” Lexi said, looking down at Olyva’s root-like toes. “People are afraid of what they don’t understand.”
“Are you afraid?”
Lexi smiled; it was a placating gesture, but Olyva sensed that it was genuine.
“No,” the elfish girl said. “I’m not afraid of you, Olyva. I will admit that sometimes I’m afraid for you. I don’t want Rafe to lose you.”
“Why do you all assume that he will?”
“If you became a tree…” she let the sentence trail off.
Olyva nodded. That was understandable. When the changes had first happened, she felt strange but oddly powerful. She felt a deep kinship with the other trees, and she gained an understanding that she’d never had before. She didn’t think she’d ever even thought about trees before her encounter with the Hosscum. Now she understood the way they thought, the way they moved, even the way they saw the world. And they truly saw much more than she had ever expected. They spoke to one another as the wind jostled their branches, carrying conversations hundreds of miles across barren lands and over towering mountains. She could now read the messages that came on the winds. The slightest smell told a story. The air pressure was loaded with meaning. The ground vibrations, too soft for humans to notice, were like the blasting of trumpets to Olyva.
But as wonderful as the changes were and as meaningful as the trees had become to her, she didn’t want to lose her humanity. She had been consumed with the newness of what she had become and hadn’t wanted anything to distract her from the wonderful discoveries she was making about herself. In some ways it was the selfishness of the spoiled earl’s daughter that reared its ugly head during their time with the Hoskali that made Olyva push Rafe away. Now, she was confident in her new abilities and happy with her life. She wasn’t afraid anymore and didn’t feel trapped in a societal mold that didn’t fit, but she didn’t want to lose Rafe’s affection. She didn’t want to become a tree, and even though she wasn’t fully human, she wanted to share her life with Rafe.
“I’m not becoming a tree,” Olyva said. “I’m not sure what I am exactly, but at heart I’m still the girl he fell in love with.”
“Good,” Lexi said. “Rafe needs you.”
Olyva tried not to smile, and Lexi didn’t look at her, but Olyva could feel happiness fluttering through her whole body. It was as if she were suddenly full of beautiful butterflies all flapping their velvet wings at once.
They watched as Rafe and Tiberius spoke to the sky ship’s captain and then slowly crossed the deck to where the girls waited. The crew gave them a wide berth and cast dubious glances back at them once they passed. Olyva had become adept at reading the signs of the natural world, but she still had so much to learn about the ways of men. In that regard Lexi was a lifetime ahead of Olyva, who had been sheltered from the harsh realities of life and the harsher ways of most people. Now she needed to read the language of a fearful glance or a tense body or an angry scowl.
“Tiberius looks tired,” Olyva said.
“Working magic is more taxing than he admits,” Lexi said. “Maybe he can rest on the voyage.”
“Yes,” Olyva said. “He deserves it. He saved my family at Hamill Keep.”
“He’s always looking out for everyone but himself. I guess that’s my job.”
“You love him,” Olyva said, looking at Lexi.
“So much it terrifies me,” Lexi said. “He’s so good, so trusting, and all I want to do is protect him.”
“How can a person be so powerful and yet so vulnerable?”
“I think that’s the price of being a good person. If he wasn’t so convinced of people’s goodness, his magic might be truly terrifying.”
Olyva thought about that for a long moment. She didn’t know Tiberius well. He was Rafe’s best friend and he had proven himself a capable leader with the Hoskali, but they had really never gotten to know one another. She sudden realized that she had so much to do and so little time.
“Olyva.” Her mother’s voice still made Olyva feel like a
little girl. “What is happening? Why are we flying through the mist?”
“I don’t know, Mother,” Olyva said, turning to see her mother and sisters who had come up behind her.
“My guess would be that it’s safer to fly below the mists if the new king has sent war ships to intercept us,” Lexi said.
Olyva’s mother frowned, her eyes squinting. Olyva recognized the look. Her mother was snobbish, and Lexi wasn’t noble-born. In fact, if Olyva remember what Rafe had said about her, she was a thief. Of course Countess Mauryn didn’t know that, but she looked down her nose at Lexi just the same.
“How will we know where to find Avondale from below the mists?” the countess said. It wasn’t a question, really—more of a judgement or a way to show her disapproval. “What if we rise back up right into an ambush?”
“That’s a possibility,” Tiberius said as he and Rafe approached. “And if we flew above the mists, we could certainly see the war ships coming from a long way off. But those ships are faster, and they would eventually catch up to us.”
“They have no problem killing us all—that much is clear,” Rafe said.
“Don’t they realize who is on board?” Frezya said in a haughty tone.
“I think that’s why they want to kill us,” Tiberius said.
“But even if we find Avondale from below the mists,” the countess went on, “can’t they just surround the city and destroy us when we arrive?”
“It’s a possibility,” Tiberius said.
“Dancer can fly up and show us if anyone is waiting at Avondale,” Lexi said.
The countess frowned as Lexi scratched her wind glider’s small head affectionately.
“And if there are war ships around the city?” Olyva’s mother said, making the question sound almost like an accusation.
“Then we can land below the mists and climb the mountain,” Tiberius said.
“You don’t think people suddenly showing up at the gates to the city would be suspicious?”
“There are other ways into the city,” Lexi said. “We can go in at night. Anyone waiting for us to arrive at the city will certainly be watching for the sky ship and guarding the gates. We can get in without anyone even realizing it.”
“And then what?” Olyva’s mother asked.
“And then we find a way to make sure you and your daughters are safe,” Tiberius said. “That’s our whole purpose for going to Avondale.”
“Why do I feel like there are more to your plans that just seeing to our safety?” the countess said.
“Mother,” Olyva said. “Tiberius and Rafe risked their lives to save you.”
“No, they risked their lives for you, Olyva. We were just a bonus. Perhaps you thought that King Leonosis wouldn’t risk our lives to stop you, but that wasn’t the case, was it? In fact, we’re in even more danger now than before we left Hamill Keep.”
Olyva could tell things were moving in the wrong direction, but she had no idea how to stop her mother and sisters from acting so selfishly.
“I don’t think you would have been safe in Hamill Keep,” Tiberius said. “But if you truly feel that way, you can let us off your ship and go wherever you like.”
Olyva saw the calculating look in her mother’s eyes and she felt a moment of panic. Rafe slipped his free hand into hers, which gave her confidence, but not as much as the realization that Rafe had his other hand on the hilt of his sword. Olyva looked over her shoulder and realized that the crew of the ship was watching the confrontation.
“Mother, this is not a good time,” Olyva said. “Why don’t we go inside and discuss this?”
“I think now is the perfect time,” Cassandra said.
“We’re making a scene,” Olyva argued.
“What are you afraid of, Sister?” Frezya said angrily. “Is it the fact that this ship’s crew is loyal to us and not you?”
“For the second time, Tiberius and Rafe have saved your lives,” Olyva said, her own temper flaring. “Are you so blind that you can’t see that?”
“Don’t speak to me that way!” Olyva’s mother snapped. “I’m still your mother and the countess of Hamill Keep.”
“Everyone needs to calm down,” Tiberius said.
He turned and started chanting a spell. He was whispering, but Olyva could just make out the words. She didn’t recognize them, but they felt familiar somehow. It was almost as if the spell were speaking to the new part of her, the part that was more tree than human.
“Quievi Adfectus,” Tiberius whispered.
“I will calm down when I’m sure that you and your friends are acting in our best interests,” Olyva’s mother said angrily, but then her face relaxed.
Olyva watched as her mother’s posture changed. She had been rigid, standing straight so that she was taller even than Rafe and could look down on those she deemed inferior. But suddenly she stepped back, the muscles in her shoulders and back loosening. Olyva’s sisters seemed less angry, as well, their frowns melting away.
“We could all use some rest,” Lexi said.
“We’ve been through a lot,” Rafe agreed. “I think I’ll turn in until supper time.”
“Mother,” Olyva said. “You should rest, too. We’re all tense, but things will look better in the morning. Isn’t that what Father always said?”
“Perhaps you’re right,” the countess said. “Come along, girls. A little rest wouldn’t hurt any of us.”
Olyva watched them go. She turned to Tiberius, who looked even more drained than before. Lexi took his hand and led him to the cabin they had claimed for their own, and Rafe stepped up behind Olyva.
“I don’t know what just happened,” Rafe said, “but that wasn’t fun.”
“Tiberius cast a spell on everyone,” Olyva said.
“He did?”
“Yes, and it calmed them all down.”
“I don’t feel calm, just relieved,” Rafe said.
“That’s because he didn’t cast it on you or me. Just my family and the crew. Look at them, working away as if we weren’t almost killed just a few moments ago. They had been so suspicious, but now they seem calm.”
“Well, I’m not calm,” Rafe said. “And I’m not tired. But if you could stand to be inside for a while, I would welcome the company.”
Olyva smiled at Rafe. Then he took her in his arms and kissed her. The butterflies were back, and she followed him into their cabin happily.
Chapter 5
Leonosis
The king of Valana felt like he was in a raging inferno. Draggah, the demon that possessed his body, raged, and Leonosis suffered the spirit’s fury. He had no control of his body, which carried out the business of the kingdom with no outward sign of the tortuous soul within. Draggah, furious over the death of Earl Marcus in Hamill Keep and Tiberius’ escape with the Balestone, still managed to control Leonosis as if nothing had happened.
The army was mobilized, and war ships were raised into the skies once more. Each ship was manned with a crew of twelve warriors and armed with small catapults that could hurl pumpkin-sized fire bombs. Draggah sent ships to every city, and more were sent out to search below the vast sea of mist. The blighted lands would no longer be a mystery to the citizens of the nine cities, but the demon didn’t care. His plan to collect the three stones of power was all that mattered anymore.
Leonosis thought he would go mad, but there seemed no escape from the mental agony he suffered. Not even unconsciousness was possible while Draggah tormented him. He was disconnected from his body, yet he felt as if every inch of his flesh were on fire.
“You sent for me, Brother?” asked Brutas, who was careful to keep his distance since Draggah had attacked him on the day of Leonosis’ wedding.
Leonosis could see and hear what was happening, but all his tortured mind could do was scream in silent agony.
“I have a task for you,” Draggah said. “Take the sky ship and return to Avondale. My warriors will be there ahead of you. Two war ships—they are to remain t
here until I send for them.”
“For what purpose?” Brutas asked.
“Our brother has broken the most sacred of laws and slain Earl Marcus of Hamill Keep.”
“Tiberius? You banished him. Surely he’s dead.”
“He is not dead. He is a wizard, and I want him brought to me alive.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I grow weary of your insolence, Brutas!” Draggah screamed.
The outburst was so unexpected that Brutas stumbled backward, covering his head in fear of being struck.
“I have coddled you long enough, Brother. You will do exactly as I tell you or suffer as you have never thought possible.”
“You can’t treat me like this,” Brutas said angrily.
“I can do whatever I like.”
Leonosis felt his torment lessen slightly, and for a moment his mind cleared. Then he felt the magical power sweeping toward his brother.
Brutas! he shouted, trying to warn his brother, but no one heard him except the demon. Watch out! Run!
Brutas was oblivious to the warning and suddenly found himself rising up in the air. His arms were stretched to either side, and his legs were pulled down and away from his body. He screamed, but Draggah just laughed. Brutas’ limbs were pulled until they were on the verge of being popped from their sockets. His face was pinched in a cry of agony, and then suddenly he fell onto the floor. Instinctively he curled into a ball, sobbing.
“Now that we’ve established what I can and can’t do,” Draggah said. “You will stop that bawling and listen.”
Brutas struggled to pull himself together, sitting up and taking deep shuddering breaths.
“You will return to Avondale and take control of the city.”
“What about Father?”
“I don’t care what you do about him,” Draggah said. “Ignore him, kill him, slice him into little pieces—I couldn’t care less. What I do care about is making sure that Avondale is ready in case Tiberius returns.”
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