Exodus: The Windwalker Archive: Book 3 (Legends of Agora)

by Michael James Ploof

  “Zilena?” said Talon.

  “Yeah, that’s it. Do you know her?”

  “Yeah…I know her,” said Talon. “Saved our arses from the Vald attack. She is on one of the ships we’re waiting for.”

  “Hah!” Haze laughed and slapped his knee. “This should be a reunion to behold. No wonder Han was so adamant about helping you lot. And he stole you right out from under her nose!”

  Talon considered his words. They rang with truth; he himself had wondered why Han was being so friendly.

  “You really think she’s going to be angry with him?”

  “She’s a hot one, if Han’s words are any indication. Seems she loves her humans, and loves even more to show off her magic to them. Han says she gets a kick out of going against the elf council and her mother.”

  Talon thought of Argath and Zilena’s obvious affections and wondered what the captain was getting himself into.

  “What I saw of her seemed nice enough,” said Talon.

  Haze only laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, nice, and with the ability to set you on fire with a thought.”

  “You really think it’ll be that bad?” Talon asked, growing concerned by Haze’s jesting.

  “Nah, Han is a lady’s man if I ever saw one. He’ll charm her like he always does.”

  Chapter 25

  Freedom and Redemption

  I see chief at the side of the man in black, a man that I believe I will someday know. I had thought my life close to its end, for the spring of my youth, the summer of my prime, and even the autumn have come and gone. I have been in the winter of my life for many years, decades even, but now, here in the elf lands, I feel spring returning to my bones. My mind feels sharper, the words and the memories coming back to me.

  -Gretzen Spiritbone

  Talon awoke to Chief licking his face. He jerked awake and pushed back the leather tent flap, relieved to find the treasure box still sitting outside.

  He emerged with a yawn and barely caught a tossed bowl from Ash.

  “Get it while the gettin’s good,” said the dwarf, thumbing toward the fire and pot steaming beside it.

  “Thanks,” said Talon.

  He helped himself to breakfast, chuckling when he saw that it was gruel like his amma had always made. This, however, was dwarven gruel, and therefore had the enhancements of side pork and sausage cooked into it.

  Flick landed from scouting and took up a seat beside Talon on the stump.

  “Should be a clear day,” said Flick. “Weather ‘round these parts comes from the southwest, and it is clear as the eyes can see.”

  Talon had hoped to hear some news of the Skomm ships, but none of them had seen anything while on patrol.

  He finished the last of his gruel and washed it down with a heavy pull from his water skin before putting on his silver hawk cloak.

  “Mind if I join you for the next patrol?” he asked Han, who had been preparing his mount.

  “Was going to suggest it anyway,” Han replied with a smile.

  They prepped their hawks and took to their saddles. Talon’s heart skipped and fluttered as it always did before a flight. The feeling of flying was so incredible and terrifying at the same time that he’d found himself liking it more and more.

  Talon didn’t like to leave the treasure, but he was eager to search for the Skomm ships, so he trusted the riders to guard it as they had sworn to do.

  Brightwing leapt off the ground after Han’s mount, spreading her wings and shooting nearly straight up. Talon held the saddle horn with white-knuckled fists, staring up at the clear blue sky. The hawks leveled some and continued to climb in a spiraling ascent that left them miles above the camp and flying north. Talon looked toward the Strait of Shierdon, hoping to find the two ships, and was pleased to see a number of vessels on the waters moving both east and west.

  Han signaled toward the strait, and Talon offered an acknowledging wave. Together their hawks flew north and turned first east to get a better look at two ships sailing some distance apart. Upon closer inspection, however, they proved to be Shierdonian navy, likely patrolling the strait.

  They turned around and followed the waterway east until they came upon another ship, but this one was a merchant vessel. Three more such ships raised Talon’s hopes, and still they saw no sign of Freedom and Redemption.

  They’re a day late, Talon thought, growing steadily more concerned for his fellow Skomm and Princess Zilena.

  Then suddenly Han gave a whistle and pointed ease. Talon searched the waters and saw two ships sailing close together, heading into the mouth of the strait. He happily followed Han’s lead, slapping the reins and pulling Brightwing into a barrel roll that left them sailing through the clouds. He thought that indeed the two ships were Freedom and Redemption, but he had to be sure. As they drew nearer, the sails and flags flying high atop the masts became clear, and Talon gave a hoot.

  Finally, they had found the Skomm.

  Han gestured to Talon to follow close behind, though it was hard for him to see the general, given that his feathered cloak matched the sky above. But being level with the other hawk made it easier to see the disguise for what it was.

  When they were only a few hundred feet from the ships, Han steered wide and slowed his hawk until Talon caught up.

  “We’re going to lift the disguise now. I need you to fly ahead and tell them to hold their fire. They won’t recognize me, so you must do it.”

  Han had to yell over the wind, but Talon heard every word and acknowledged as much. First Han’s silver hawk changed to shining silver, and then Brightwing followed her leader. Talon flew ahead, diving toward the ship and gaining speed just in case they did fire on him. He hoped that Zilena would be able to see him before the others, and would give word to stand down.

  As he zipped by Freedom, Talon yelled, “Long live the Skomm!” at the top of his lungs before Brightwing glided back up into the air.

  There was a collective cheer from the ship below, and Talon wore an ear-to-ear grin. He steered Brightwing around for another pass, but this time he coaxed her to land on the bow of the ship. The Skomm sailors stood before him, slack jawed and frozen.

  “Well I’ll be a son of a bikkja!” said Argath. “Talon?”

  Han landed beside Talon, and together they dismounted, leaving the silver hawks to eye the crew sideways.

  “Aye, Captain. It sure is good to see you.”

  Just then, Zilena strode slowly across the deck. She stopped dead when she saw General Ford standing beside Talon, and took a moment to regard the two silver hawks perched on the bowsprit.

  “General Han Ford,” she said with slight annoyance. “I should have known the likes of you would be behind all this.”

  “General, is it?” said Argath. He took two long strides forward and stared down the smaller man. “This would be a good time to explain why you took one of my crewmen.”

  “That is a very long story, good Captain. It is one that you are no doubt eager to hear. But here Talon is, no worse off than when we…borrowed him. My king demanded his presence, and now that meeting has come to pass. You will be interested to know that Shierdon has agreed to help your people, and I have been quested with seeing that promise to fruition.”

  Argath eyed the man suspiciously and glanced at Zilena, who made no attempt to hide her disdain for the general.

  “Excuse us,” said Argath, indicating for both Talon and Zilena to follow him.

  “What is he talking about? You’ve met with the king of Shierdon?” he asked Talon when they were out of earshot.

  “Yes, the king has agreed to help get the Skomm off of Volnoss. He even said that he can provide us with a new place to live…an island of our own.”

  Argath and Zilena shared a glance.

  “What does he want in return?” Argath asked, looking more skeptical than ever.

  “Well, he wants me to help my father challenge the Winterthorns. He wants us to kill them. He says that he needs Kreal to beca
me chief and agree to the terms of the new treaty.”

  “What treaty? What have you gotten yourself into?” said Argath.

  Talon’s excitement slowly waned. “I thought that you would be excited,” he said, crestfallen.

  “I would not believe a word that scoundrel says,” said Zilena, glancing over his shoulder at Han.

  “He’s already proven himself trustworthy,” said Talon, glaring at them both. “We found the treasure that crazy Gammond was talking about. It’s a fortune in diamonds, enough to set us up—”

  “Wait,” said Argath. “You dug up the treasure?”

  Talon nodded.

  “Well…where is it? You didn’t leave it with his people, did you?”

  “It is safe with them for now.”

  Argath shook his head. “Talon. Do you know nothing? You can never trust a Shierdonian.”

  “Why? Because the Vald say so? I am no Vald. General Han has given me no reason to not trust him. He had multiple chances to kill me and steal the treasure. And here we are. As for you, Princess, I’m not sure what kind of history you’ve got with the man, but tell me this, is he a bad man?”

  Zilena began to answer but then quickly clipped the words. She sighed and flared her nostrils, and finally shook her head. “Toward other men, I can say that he is a good man. I will not speak for his actions toward women.”

  “If he has ever hurt you or your kind, I’ll spill his guts into the ocean here and now,” said Argath, suddenly red-faced.

  Zilena perked at the gesture, and a sweet smile found her face. “I should hold my forked tongue. Thank you, my brave man, but he does not deserve that. But I would not be saddened by news that his sword had rusted and fallen off.”

  Talon was at first confused by her words, but then the meaning became clear to him and he couldn’t help a small laugh.

  “Let us speak more of this later. There is much to discuss. But first, I must return for the treasure and bring back with me the other riders.”

  “How many?” asked Argath.

  “Three more. Continue west as you were. I have been given promise that no Shierdonian ship will interfere with you here. Make for the waters south of Timber Wolf Village, and I will meet you soon.”

  Argath considered Talon for a long time, but finally nodded his head in agreement. They returned to General Ford, and Argath shook hands with the man—though he clearly did so harder than necessary, for Han’s smile was half a wince.

  “Have we come to an agreement then?” he asked, glancing around and lingering slightly on the princess.

  “For now,” said Argath. “Come back with the treasure, and we will discuss things further.”

  “Very well,” said Han, looking to Talon. “Shall we?”

  “Look for me tomorrow in the southwestern sky,” said Talon, waving to Argath and the crew.

  He climbed up onto Brightwing, feeling very much like a hero from one of his amma’s children’s tales. Together with Han he flew off to the west, one step closer to rescuing Akerri.

  Chapter 26

  A Small World

  At the height of my visions I saw clearly the battlefield of my death. I saw as well images of a great human champion. The one whom I believe to be named in the Prophecy of Adimorda. Soon our fallen brother will find us. Soon the war for Agora will begin.

  -Azzeal, Keeper of the Windwalker Archive

  Talon and Han returned to the camp to find both the riders and the treasure waiting for them. Night had fallen during their flight, and the fire raged beneath a wild hog on a spit. No doubt the silver hawks had made short work of the deer remains, and now waited patiently for a taste of the latest kill.

  The riders came rushing over as soon as Han and Talon’s landing mounts began to rustle the leaves on the trees.

  “Did you find the ships?” Haze asked.

  Talon noted that Flick was there as well, which left Ash patrolling the skies. He wondered if the dwarf had seen them flying in.

  “We found them alright. Half a day’s flight west,” said Han. “We’ll be meeting up with them tomorrow.”

  “You must have looked like a hero to your people, eh, Windwalker?” said Haze, nudging him. “Did they drop to the deck in prayer at the sight of the hawks?”

  “No, they’re not a bunch of superstitious savages, you know.”

  Haze waited for the punchline, and when he saw that Talon was serious, he faked a laugh. “Sorry, I must be thinking of the Vald.”

  “How about you go relieve Ash of his duties,” said Han, striding past the man toward the fire.

  Talon shouldered past Haze and followed the general.

  Flick wanted to know everything that happened, and Talon told the story as a flask of rum made its way around the fire. Ash landed shortly after and tore a hunk off the smoking boar before taking a seat and accepting a drink. Flick waited patiently as Ash was filled in, and then leaned forward once more when the story got back to their landing on the ships, and the meeting between Argath, Zilena, and Han. Talon told them nothing of the tension that he had felt between the general and the princess, but kept the telling formal.

  Clearly disappointed by the lackluster story, Flick sat back against a slanted stone beside the fire.

  Ash inquired about the two ships’ cannons and ballista weapons, and the conversation turned to more serious matters. Talon realized shortly that he had little experience in naval combat, or what it took to successfully pull off an operation like the one they were about to attempt to execute.

  “Something like this is no cut and dry affair,” Han was saying. “I have a feeling that your captain will insist on landing a large force on the island, but I believe that would be a grave mistake.”

  “It would be hard to talk him out of it,” said Talon.

  “Indeed, but it is imperative that he keeps his numbers small, though I doubt any will be needed at all.”

  “What are you saying? You think that the five of us can defeat the dark elf and save Akerri?”

  “The six of us,” said Han. “We will need Zilena most of all.”

  “You think she’ll be keen on helping?” Flick asked, hoping for some dirt.

  Han laughed. “What do you think is between the princess and I?” he asked, squaring on the man with an interested smirk.

  “I don’t know,” said Flick, blushing for the attention. “Just what dragon-shite stories Haze has to tell. He says you two were an item once upon a time.”

  Han eyed Talon and Ash, though the dwarf seemed not to care, intent on the food and drink as he was.

  “A gentleman never kisses and tells,” said the general.

  “Bah!” said Ash, suddenly coming alive. “Then we’ll get an earful from you, won’t we?”

  Han shared in the laugh. When all was quiet once more, his eyes trailed off beyond the fire, beyond the smoke hanging lazily about the treetops, as though watching a fond old memory. “I met Princess Zilena during my first mission as an ambassador to Elladrindellia. I was sent to retrieve a cure for the frozen plague that had been tearing across northern Shierdon.”

  “Frozen plague?” Talon blurted.

  “Yes,” said Han with a look of sympathy. “I know of your mother’s sickness, for the same one took my sister. I am sorry that we couldn’t get the cure to your people sooner.”

  “You’re…you’re the one who gave it to my father?”

  “Indeed, your instincts serve you well. That is partially the reason that the king has given me this mission. I met Kreal sixteen years ago this winter. I remember him as a hulking beast of a man who carried a bright, shining flame of hope and determination. When I heard that his wife had not made it, I lamented for the loss.”

  Talon had no words, so heavily did the shock of revelation lie upon his chest.

  “So Zilena gave you the cure?” said Flick, looking eager for the story to shift back.

  “Yes, Zilena gave me the cure, much to the annoyance of the elder council, who have always preached their
non-intervention dragon shite.”

  If the elves had helped sooner, my mother might still be alive, and I…I would have met the measure, could have helped my father become chief after all. And all of this…

  Talon’s thoughts churned. He became furious suddenly, but then, just as quickly it subsided. If all of that had taken place, the Skomm revolution would never have begun. He had followed this train of thought before, and he had thought himself over it. But with the news of his mother’s untimely death, the thoughts surged again.

  “…of course she was punished,” Han was saying to Flick. “She was banished for a period of five years from the city of Cerushia, and commanded to not have any contact with the other races.”

  “What did she do?” Flick asked, enthralled.

  “She ran away with me,” said Han, grinning.

  “Hah! I knew it,” said Flick. He whistled. “With an elven princess…” he said dreamily.

  “Hey now, don’t let your mind go to the gutter. This is elven royalty you speak of. A lady born before your twentieth grandfather could pee standing up.”

  “Sorry, sir.”

  “Right you’re sorry. She’s as fair and as fierce as you would expect. But she ain’t no Belldonian floozy.”

  “My apologies, General,” said Flick again.

  “Sir,” said Talon. “Her five-year sentence must have been up over a decade ago. Has she done something since that earned her further punishment?”

  “Yes and no,” said Han. “She has remained away from her people all this time as a sort of protest against the elven laws.”

  “She’s a renegade,” said Flick dreamily.

  Han shook his head and finished what was left of the flask.

  “Why did you two have a falling out?” Flick asked.

  “What makes you think we had a falling out, Haze’s big mouth? Well, perhaps he should tighten those lips of his. Go on then. The hour is late and sunrise waits for no man. Get to sleep, all of you. Tomorrow we meet the Skomm ships.”

  Talon had no complaints. It had been a long day of flying, and the night had been spoiled by the memory of his mother and thoughts of a different life. He retired to his tent and summoned Chief to watch over him and the camp, and fell into a deep sleep.