The Lion of the Sea (The Maiden Ship Book 2)

by Micheline Ryckman

  It was eerily dim inside, no more than a hand's breadth of air space above their heads as they half-walked, half-swam, chins to the ceiling, through the cave. The water was warmer inside, though not warm enough to keep Sable’s teeth from chattering. She was getting tired of caves.

  The sight that met them on the other end of the tunnel almost made up for all the endless underground crawls. Cliff walls, spans high, rose above their heads in an encapsulating circle. A hole in the top, only the size of a galleon itself, allowed the spring sunshine to filter down in a funnel, turning the calm cove waters a pale sea-green. The only apparent entrance in and out of the cove, besides the cave they'd just entered through, was a rocky archway large enough for one ship to sail through. The distant salmon horizon peeked through the opening; it was a view Sable had missed greatly, and it seemed to wave to her in welcome. A long moment passed before she pulled her eyes away to take in the rest of the cove, but when she did, she stared in awe at the numerous ships bobbing on the smooth interior waves. The colorful pirate galleons were of all shapes and sizes, and from the look of the long beaches stretching around the cove, these ships were all here to buy, sell, and trade whatever goods they’d illegally acquired. Countless tents lined the sandy shores, and Sable could hear all manner of languages as bartered arguments reached her ears. Men, women, and children of all nationalities, more varied than she’d ever seen in one place together, even Eandor Vid, moved in and among one another like a nomadic pirate town was an entirely normal place to be. But the best part of it all though, was the smell of food, fish in particular. It wafted toward Sable like a siren’s call.

  The dozen or so giant pirates who’d been accompanying Captain Foxwing took no time dispersing into the crowds. Were they planning to meet up with their captain later? Though there were still wall-to-wall pirates on all sides, Sable couldn't help letting out a sigh of relief when the giants were out of sight.

  There wasn't much privacy anywhere, but Dain ushered them all toward an out-cropping of rocks, a small distance away from the main hustle and bustle of the beach.

  Casper groaned, rubbing at his ribs while Elden and Jord helped him ease himself against the rocks. Then, all of them except Foxwing, who still stood carrying Idris, flopped wet and exhausted to the sandy ground. Sable shuffled close to Dain’s side as he looked up at the boy. “You did well, Idris. Thank you for saving us. We’ll need to question the captain, though.”

  Idris smiled, obviously pleased with himself. Sable might even say it was the first truly natural smile she’d ever seen him give. Perhaps the knowledge that his sister was safe and out of the emperor’s reach had restored a portion of his joy?

  The captain’s blank eyes cleared, his facial muscles slowly adjusting to his own control. When the thaw was complete, Foxwing’s expression turned to one of horror. And for a moment, when his eyes strained to look down at the boy in his arms, Sable thought he might scream.

  Idris gave him a grin. It wasn’t friendly.

  If Foxwing had been physically able, he’d have turned tail and run, and Sable couldn’t help thinking this was strange for someone so notorious…

  Dain didn’t bother greeting the captain, he simply pointed a finger toward the ships in the cove, and asked, “Which one is yours?”

  The pirate swallowed visibly, then licked his lips like he wasn’t sure if his voice would work on its own. “Aye—well, ye see, I’m between ships at the moment.”

  Dain cocked a brow. “Between ships?”

  Sable couldn’t help jumping to her feet. “Ha! You’re not a captain at all, are you? Those pirates you used to accost us with this morning were hired thugs, weren’t they? No wonder they hardly blinked when Idris gave you a change of heart—they’d only been paid to do what you said. Am I right?”

  She heard Elden whisper under his breath to no one in particular, “Only Sable.”

  Dain had also gotten to his feet, coming to stand by her side in front of the pirate. He gave her a small side-smile, one she thought held a hint of pride. Then he said, “Is it true, Foxwing?”

  The pirate’s eyes went wide. “It was mutiny, I tell ye. My beloved Gilded Pearl snatched out from under me, right at the peak of my career, and only a small sack of coin as recompense. I may have seen the bottom of a lot of rum bottles before yer bloke over there showed up with a coin from her, but once I spied it, I knew exactly how to get my ship back.” His eyes looked slightly manic now, but just before Sable could speak, Casper snorted beside her. She hadn’t noticed him limp to her side.

  The handsome sailor grinned wickedly. “Idris, have the scoundrel set ye down.”

  Foxwing’s eyes grew round as oyster shells, and Idris smiled like he couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Still keeping the pirate’s hand firmly in his grasp, the boy was quickly set by the side. The minute Idris was clear, Casper gut-punched Foxwing so hard that the man bent, with a long gasping wheeze, even in his frozen state.

  Elden caught Casper before he fell backward from the thrust, and then Jord quickly interceded. “May I suggest, before more violence ensues, that we confiscate whatever coin the pirate has left and head into that camp to find food?”

  Sable’s gaze snapped toward Jord—oh, she liked this man. She didn’t wait, snatching the purse from the pirate’s belt almost as fast as if she’d shifted it. They may not have a ship, but at the moment, a meal seemed like a fine consolation prize.

  At first Sable thought they’d make a soggy, conspicuous group, but when they entered the full fray of the pirate market, their wet, dirty, bedraggled selves fit in just fine with a majority of the crowd. Apparently piracy wasn’t an overly lucrative business. Still, the crowd, though rough, had a colorful, welcoming, and well-organized crime ring. And Sable enjoyed taking in the sights.

  Idris had apparently left Foxwing in charge of his own voice because once the man had finally caught his breath, he made overtures. “Nords Cove is new to ye folks, so allow me to be yer guide. Helda runs a decent inn-tent at the far end of the cove. She serves a mean pirate stew, has hot baths, and even cots. I’d say yer in need of all of the above, ain’t ye?”

  Casper seemed to be getting his feet under him better now that he’d had some revenge, he smiled wide at the pirate. “Yes, we’re in need of all that, and yer gonna pay for it.”

  The pirate coughed roughly, but said no more.

  Sable expected Helda to be an old barmaid, but to her surprise a bubbly young woman with pale brown eyes and mousy locks greeted them at the tent entrance. Her first words were full of genuine delight as she bent at the waist to pinch Idris on the cheek. “Welcome, wee-one.” When she straightened, she gave Foxwing’s stiff form a scathing glance. “Ye said ye’d never be back, Trent Laughlin, and yet here ye are again.”

  “Yes, well…” The pirate cleared his throat awkwardly. “My friends are in need of a bite to eat. How could I recommend anyplace else?”

  Helda squinted at him briefly, almost like she was wondering what he was up to. Then she shrugged her shoulders, hands hitting her waist as her lips turned up into a warm smile. “Let’s get ye all fed, shall we?”

  The tent-mistress was captivating, not just because she was clean and neatly dressed—all the things Sable was not—but because even though she was plain of face, she was dazzlingly competent. She flew through her tent caring for them, and her other patrons, with a fluid grace and sharp wit that made Sable want to be just like her. And Sable wasn’t the only one captivated by her—pirates made advances left, right, and center, but Helda evaded them all without making a single soul feel sore or thwarted. When she returned to their bench with a tray full of fish stew and ale, Sable knew Casper wouldn’t be able to resist testing his own charms. “Ye’ve a divine way about ye, lass, and ye know it, don’t ye?”

  Helda smiled at him as she passed out the food and drink. “All women are goddesses, sailor. Treat them as such and ye’ll never be disappointed.” Then she winked at Sable before she sped away to care for
others.

  Dain looked down at his fish stew, nose crinkling as he lifted the wooden spoon to his mouth.

  Sable took a huge mouthful, nudging Dain after she’d swallowed. “We’ll eat anything when we’re hungry enough, hey?” He gave her a grim nod, and Sable couldn’t help giggling over his longstanding hatred for fish.

  No one spoke for a time, the food their topmost priority. It could’ve tasted like mud and they’d have scarfed it. Thankfully, it was delicious. Foxwing hadn’t steered them wrong in this regard at least, and still Sable wondered why he’d led them here, exactly. From his reputation, their experiences so far, and the way Helda had sized him up at the door, Sable figured the pirate shouldn’t be trusted.

  She watched Dain struggle to swallow his last spoonful. Besides looking like he might chuck everything, he also looked restless, and she knew he was itching for a private conversation with them all. She leaned into him, speaking low. “We can’t keep Foxwing forever—Idris will need to sleep sooner or later.”

  Dain nodded. “I know, I’m working on a plan.”

  Sable smiled. “You’re always good at plans.”

  He shoved his ever-tousled hair out of his face, arm quickly looping around her back to pull her close into his side. “I don’t know about that; I’ve had quite a few fall through in the past.”

  “Ah yes, but this time you’ll let me help you refine it, Captain Lion Cub.”

  Dain chuckled. “Well, about that captain part, I haven’t told you—“

  Helda suddenly returned. “Everyone stuffed? Good. Baths are drawn in the back. I’ve only two bath tents, so there’s one for the men, and another for the happy couple.” She winked at Sable, then laughed when she spied Dain’s flaming cheeks. “I’ve not seen a man blush like that since I had my first kiss.”

  Casper piped up. “If Dain’s not keen on taking up the offer, I’m more than happy to share that tent with ye, Helda. I’m a devout worshipper.”

  Helda wagged a finger at Casper. “Yer a temptingly handsome devil, ye are, but I’ve far too much work to do. Enjoy the baths.” And she was gone again.

  Sable giggled. “I think for once you’ve been rejected, Casper LaVince.”

  The sailor gave Sable a confident grin. “She’ll warm to me. Once I’m cleaned up and looking myself, I’ll coax a kiss from that lass, mark my words.”

  Elden chuckled to himself, and Jord blushed nearly as red as Dain had a moment ago, but Idris just ignored them all, finishing up the stew Foxwing had refused in sullen silence.

  Sable didn’t think the woman’s rejection had anything to do with Casper’s lack of physical charm. Helda just seemed like the kind of woman who knew her mind, and Sable couldn’t agree with Dain more when he said, “Your charm rarely fails you, Casper, but this time, my coin’s on Helda.”

  The large copper tub was full to the brim and the steaming water was delicious, but so were Dain’s arms. Wings fluttered in her belly as he pulled her back tight to his chest, leaning in by her ear as he filled her in on everything that had passed in his world while they’d been apart. Sable listened raptly, not wanting to interrupt for fear that it would break the spell, that it wouldn't be real…

  His tale was long, full of things Sable found hard to believe. There were also moments he hesitated while speaking, almost like he was leaving something out, on purpose. Whatever it was, it added a level of melancholy to his voice that she didn't want to press him about. At the moment, they needed whatever joy they could glean. It’d only been a short time ago that she’d believed they'd never see each other again. Best to just focus on the good until everything was over. Yet for all her brave thoughts, Sable couldn’t hold back her emotions when he finished—a sob escaped her throat right before the tears rained.

  Dain turned her, gathering her against himself tenderly. She cried against his wet chest for a long time before she realized her cheek was pressing into the Dernamn. The sight of her father’s pendant slowed her tears, her fingers instinctively reaching toward it. Dain let her float in the water for a moment as he moved to pull the necklace off. “This is yours; you should be wearing it.”

  Sable stopped him. “No. If what the old siren said is true, it was never mine, or my father’s. Keep it until we find the rightful bearer.” She splashed her face with water, washing away the last of her salty tears. She’d cry about everything later—one day. Dain was here now, they were together again, and there were far more important things that needed attention besides her tears. “We should go talk with the others now.”

  Dain nodded before a serious look eclipsed his face. “One more thing first.” He pulled her tight against himself again. “There’s something I haven’t told you, something I should have told you long ago—”

  His sentence was cut off by the unabashed entrance of Helda carrying a new frock. She smiled at them like it was the most normal thing in the world to walk in on strangers bathing. Dain scrambled for the drying sheet, trying to cover them both as she said, “I’ve brought ye a new frock, lass. I would’ve tried cleaning and fixing yer old one, but it was beyond my skill.” She gave them both a wide grin. “The boys in the other tent told me to let ye know they’re tired of waiting.”

  29

  When Sable finally joined them all in the second bath tent, Dain admired her new, pale brown dress. Helda had been kind to replace her clothes, yet he was still frustrated that the tent-keep had interrupted them. He’d waited so long to tell Sable that he loved her—hopefully they’d have another private moment soon. Sable's freckled cheeks glowed, her chestnut hair rolling in thick, shiny waves to her shoulders. The tired tears she’d shed in his arms were long gone—she almost looked herself again, and despite everything they had yet to face, the sight eased his soul.

  Elden stood when she entered, smiling in welcome. “It’s good to see you thus, my la—my friend.”

  Sable curtsied playfully, giving her friend a warm smile. “It’s good to be thus.”

  Dain could tell Elden and Sable had grown close during their short travels together, but from what he’d experienced of the huntsman so far, it was no wonder. Ileana’s beloved was everything she’d said he was, all old-world charm and kindness. Dain knew he needed to take an opportunity to thank Elden for helping set Sable free.

  Once they were all seated on benches again, Dain glanced around the small circle. No one said a word, only looked to him expectantly. Despite giving up his role as captain of The Maiden, it seemed everyone believed he was still in charge. Perhaps leadership was never voluntary. But, he supposed, he was the one bearing the weight of the Dernamn and the dreams, so he cleared his throat and nodded at Idris. “Sable said you can put people to sleep—can you give Foxwing a nice nap, please?”

  The pirate looked mortified. “Ye’ve nothing to fear, I—” He didn’t even get to finish the sentence. His head lolled to one side as a fast snore escaped his lips.

  Dain winced internally. The power Idris and his sister wielded was—well, he’d just be grateful they were on the right side.

  He looked to Elden first. The huntsman had yet to hear of the Dernamn or the rightful bearer, so Dain took a few moments to fill in any gaps before he turned to everyone else and said, “It was Elden who pointed out that we are right where my dreams have been leading, and even though I know the sea is safer by far, I think we need to stay in this cove and start planning. I don’t mean we should enter into anything without help. We can’t face the emperor, his thugs, his army, or his stalkers alone.”

  Elden interrupted Dain. “I fear there’s more than that, my friend. The woman who saved us, the one Sable calls witch, warned of other creatures coming—she told us to keep our eyes on the skies.”

  Dain felt Sable shiver beside him, and he knew this must have been the sort of creature that had abducted her in the first place. A new type of stalker, one that could fly. The thought made his jaw tense. There was no doubt the odds were stacked against them. The emperor had been planning, making this war for
centuries, and they hadn't even had a year to consider it. Dain touched the Dernamn beneath his tunic—at least they had one hope. He nodded at Elden. “Her warning is appreciated.”

  Sable gave a low cough beside him.

  Dain knew she didn’t like the witch, or trust her, and Sable’s instincts often proved true. Either way, they’d still heed the warning. He pushed some errant strands of hair from his face, and continued, “We need to find a way to get The Maiden and The Wildflower here to Nords Cove.”

  With one perfect black brow raised, Casper said, “Ye think a company of pirates will let a merchant and carnival ship anywhere near this place? No doubt patrols are sent out daily, by sea and land, to keep this harbor a secret.”

  A bubbly laugh erupted from the tent entrance.

  Everyone’s heads whipped toward the sound to see Helda standing at the flap with one fist on her hip. “Yer right about that, handsome. No one gets into Nords Cover besides pirates.”

  Elden stood as Helda entered, but everyone else stayed seated in shock.

  “Relax.” Helda waved a hand as she seated herself on the bench beside Sable and Dain, then waved at Elden in particular. “Seat yerself, gorgeous. I ain’t no royal lady.”

  Elden eased himself back down while Dain tried to sort his thoughts fast enough to find words. Helda beat him to it. “I wondered at Trent bringing ye my way.” She looked over at the sleeping pirate. “He’s knackered, ain’t he?” Then she shrugged, looking at each of them in turn. “Five strangers, obviously not pirates, suddenly appearing as Foxwing’s friends. Ye’ve got to agree it’s a tad suspicious.”

  Sable seemed the least stricken by Helda’s presence. “How much of our conversation did you hear?”

  “Enough to know ye hate that emperor as much as us—he’s no friend of ours. And if yer fixing to stop whatever he’s got planned, then I think my wife can help ye.”