''Thank you'', said the watchman. ''Without you, we would've been doomed''.
As soon as we reached the village, the boy's mother ran towards us. She grabbed her son from my arms and thanked me, crying out with joy. The two men recounted the events to the villagers who had assembled at the gate. Everyone started cheering as they came to know that the danger had passed.
We set out at noon. The villagers had given us free food and other supplies for the journey. We were in a cheerful mood, proud of ourselves.
''I wonder where it came from'', said Alice, thoughtfully.
''Probably escaped from one of the prison ships'', answered the watchman.
''What prison ships?'', I asked, surprised.
''The most dangerous criminals are taken to the Iron tower of Astaroth on the island of Dragontooth. Sometimes the prison ships from Aria stop in Southshore to gather supplies''.
''How do you know this?'', asked Alice.
''I was a sailor once, when I was younger''.
''Wait a minute'', said Alice. ''You mean those ships take them directly to Dragontooth? Isn't that too dangerous''.
''Yes, very dangerous. The ships stop at a small island halfway between Atlantis and Dragontooth, where the prison guards come to collect the prisoners''.
''What if the vampire escaped from the prison itself?'', I asked.
Alice looked at me as if I had lost my mind. The coachman burst out laughing. ''Escape from the Iron tower she says!''.
On the third day, it was still noon when the sky started getting darker. Storm clouds were rolling in from the coast. It started drizzling after a few minutes.
''Can't you wait till we get to Greenport'', complained Alice, frowning at the sky.
We reached the next village at sundown. The rain had stopped and the sky was clearer. Unlike the last village, here the gates were open and travelers were coming in from Greenport and other nearby towns. The streets were bustling with activity.
We managed to find an Inn at the end of the street. It was nearly full. We took a table near the door.
''Fancy, seeing the two of you here'', said a familiar voice from behind us. I turned back in surprise.
It was Julian Le Cordier, one of our masters. He was standing at the door with a broad grin on his face. ''Nice pirate look you have going on there, Scarlett''.
''She was injured during the test'', said Alice.
''I am sorry'', he apologized. ''What are you doing here by the way?''.
''We were on our way to Greenport'', I replied. ''What about you?''.
''What a coincidence. I was headed there myself'', he said, delightedly. ''Maybe I can accompany you''.
''That would be great'', I smiled.
He joined our table and we ordered some food. After we had finished eating, we talked for some time before Alice and I headed to our room. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
We headed out before the sun's rays could break through the horizon. Julian followed us on his horse. We reached Greenport the next day around dusk.
''Home, at last'', I sighed, breathing in the salty air.
The sprawling port city was surrounded by an outer wall, fifty foot high, with walkways on top and equally spaced watchtowers. The three entrances were at the east, west and the south side, guarded by iron portcullis. The walls were designed to guard the city against pirates.
As we neared the gates, the guards came forward and stopped us. They let us in after inspecting the carriage.
The coachman stopped near the market. We paid him a couple of silvers. He thanked us and continued on his way.
''Well, I guess I will see you around'', said Julian, as he headed to the northern part of the town.
''Such a beautiful day'', commented Alice, as we started towards my home, which was located on the other end of town, near the beach. The clouds had already cleared out and a cool breeze sifted through the city. ''I love this place''.
''Yeah'', I agreed. ''We can visit the beach tomorrow. It has been a long time since I felt the sand under my feet''.
As we walked up to the house, I felt a strange sense of foreboding. The house was dark and the door was open.
''That is strange'', I muttered. ''Be careful!''.
I drew my sword and slowly walked inside, followed by Alice.
''Mama?'', I called.
Suddenly, flames burst into existence in the fireplace, illuminating the scene in front of me. There were two men standing on the threshold. One of them was holding a knife to my mother's throat. He was big and muscular.
The smaller one was a teenager, but he looked scarier, with multiple scars that covered the left side of his face. He had dark hair and wore a simple black cloak.
''Scarlett! Run!'', sobbed my mother.
''Drop your weapons and keep your mouth shut'', demanded the man holding my mother.
''Don't do anything to my mother. Please!'', I begged, as I placed my sword on the ground and took a step back.
I had no idea who these men were and why they were here.
''It is a great honor, seeing you in person, Scarlett Ironfang. Your reputation precedes you. You will do as I say, or you will lose your mother'', threatened the scarred teenager, stepping forward. He spoke with unquestionable authority.
''I don't know what you are talking about. My name is Scarlett Hope. You must have mistaken me for someone else'', I said.
The burly man laughed and the scarred teenager smiled in amusement. ''We do not make mistakes. I am quite sure you are one we are looking for''.
''Who are you and what does your king want with me?'', I asked.
''He is Alistair Talbot of the Imperial Guard'', said a familiar voice behind me. I whipped my head around in shock, to see Julian standing in the doorway.
''You!'', exclaimed Alice. She lunged at him, trying to punch him in the face, but he sidestepped and caught her hand.
''Alice, as feisty as ever'', he chuckled.
''Enough with the pleasantries, Julian. Tie them up. We do not have much time. We must leave now'', said Alistair Talbot.
We were bound and gagged. Julian pointed at my mother and asked, ''What about her?''.
''Tie her up and lock her in the basement. We do not want her raising an alarm'', he said.
I started struggling against my bonds, but they were too tight. Alistair Talbot saw me and waved his finger.
''We still have your friend'', he said, pointing at Alice. ''So you better behave''.
Alistair Talbot led the way and Julian steered us behind him. The burly one walked beside us, his sword drawn. They mostly kept to the shadows. It was dark and everyone was in their houses, going on about their lives.
As we approached the eastern gate, I saw that there was only one guard. He looked on as if nothing was happening. I watched in surprise and disgust as Alistair Talbot passed a fat bag of coins to his hands, which he slipped into his pockets and proceeded to open the gates.
As we passed through, Alice made a sound through her gag, staring angrily at the guard, who shrugged and patted his pocket.
We walked along the beach for some time, through the edge of the forest. Soon, the lights of the city were far behind us.
The forest opened into a small cove, where a long boat was moored to the beach. We were forced on the boat and the rest of them climbed aboard.
Julian and the other man started rowing towards the sea. As the boat turned around the edge of the cove, I saw a huge ship anchored at a distance. It was pitch black, the name 'Black Angel', painted in gold letters, across its prow. It had white sails, bearing the crest of the Empire.
As we drew astern the ship, a rope ladder was lowered. Julian removed the ropes binding my limbs.
''Climb'', snarled the burly man, holding a dagger to Alice's throat.
I started climbing the ladder. As soon as I was aboard, my eyes fell upon a huge figure sitting on a chair below the main mast, partly hidden in the shadows. Beside his chair was a g
igantic scimitar.
''Welcome aboard'', boomed his voice.
''Who are you?'', I asked, in a trembling voice.
''I am Royston Stonearm of the Imperial Guard. You must be Scarlett Ironfang. You look just like your mother'', he said in a deep voice.
''We must leave now'', said Alistair Talbot, who had just climbed aboard. ''It won't be long before they find out''.
''Lock them in the brig'', commanded the giant, gesturing at one of the crew.
As we were taken below decks, I heard the captain's voice booming across the ship. ''WEIGH ANCHOR, HOIST THE SAILS AND SET COURSE TO WESTERPORT ''.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
3. Aboard the Dark Angel
I held on to the bars, trying not to fall as the ship rocked violently in the storm. I was trying very hard not to throw up. A guard stood nearby, keeping watch.
Alice was making a racket by shaking the cell door on its loose hinges. ''Let us go!''.
''Shut up!'', shouted the guard, as he strode towards our cell.
Suddenly, the ship listed steeply towards starboard. The guard lost his balance and collided with the bars.
Alice jumped forward and grabbed his neck through the gap, holding it in a vice grip with her elbow.
''Scar! The keys'', she shouted, as the guard struggled to get free.
I dashed forward and grabbed the keys from his belt. The vessel shook again.
''Got them'', I said, holding up the keys.
Alice tightened her hold on his neck till he went limp. She let him slide to the floor.
Once we were outside, Alice tied up the guard and pushed him inside the cell, bound and gagged. He was still unconscious.
''Wait, I'll check the upper deck''.
I slowly climbed up the ladder and lifted the hatch slightly, peering through the gap. There was no one in sight. I signaled Alice to follow.
''How are we going to escape?'', I asked.
''We will steal one of the boats. We are not that far from Atlantis''.
''In this storm?!''.
''Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds'', she said, hopefully.
We held on to the ropes as the ship continued to list from side to side. Finally we reached the gun deck.
''Hide!'', I whispered, when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps. I grabbed Alice's hand and pulled her behind some crates as someone passed by. It was just a crew member.
''Come on'', I whispered.
We climbed up the ladder and peered through the hatch. The crew members were running about on the main deck, trying to secure the ship against the storm.
''Going somewhere?''.
I almost fell off the ladder when I heard the cold voice of Alistair Talbot. He was standing behind us, at the foot of the ladder.
Alice jumped at him, her hand outstretched, but he was too fast. He sidestepped and pushed her against the side of the ship.
I jumped down from the ladder, before I crouched and swung with my feet, sweeping his legs from underneath him. He fell on the wooden deck with a loud thud.
Suddenly, the ship listed again and I lost my balance, falling flat on my back. Alistair jumped back on his feet and ducked as Alice swiped at him with an oar.
Before I could even regain my bearings, Julian and a couple of men rushed down from the main deck.
''Alice, stop, you cannot beat him'', said Julian.
I jumped at him in rage, trying to punch him in the face, but he tackled me to the floor, pinning my hands behind my back.
''Do not even try, Scarlett. He is a werewolf'', whispered Julian.
Once we were subdued, they took us to the giant. He looked quite surprised, but his frown slowly turned into a grin of amusement. ''You are brave indeed, trying to escape from my ship, or maybe foolish. What were you planning to do 'eh? Jump into the ocean? Or maybe take a boat? Even if you could survive the storm, there are monsters in this sea that can take down entire ships. Be careful, lest your stupidity be the end of you''.
I shivered as the stinging mist washed over the deck. The ship continued to pitch and roll as the violent ocean heaved underneath. The wind howled and groaned like a raging monster, battering against the ship.
Stonearm turned to his crew. ''Chain them to the foremast. I want them in front of my eyes at all times. I cannot trust you fools with a simple task of guarding two little girls!'', he bellowed.
It was almost past noon when the waves started getting rougher. Forked lightning flashed overhead, amid the rolling thunderclouds. The salty spray hit our faces, blinding our eyes.
The giant was leaning back on his seat with his eyes closed. Alistair Talbot was at the wheel and Julian was staring over the port side.
''Enemy ships!'', someone shouted from the crow's nest at the top mast as alarm bells started ringing.
I peered though the swirling mist and saw a warship approaching from the aft. Two more were visible far behind the first one.
''They are from Atlantis'', said Alice, excitedly.
''She must have escaped!''.
I was able to make out the trident crest painted on the top sail. The first ship was steadily gaining on us.
''READY THE CANNONS !'', started the captain. ''BRING OUT THE...''.
His voice caught in his throat as a huge snake like creature erupted from the ocean and began encircling the warship in its coils.
''What is that?!'', gasped Alice.
''A sea serpent'', I whispered.
It opened its maw and reared towards the sky, its green scales shimmering in the sunlight. Within a few seconds, the whole warship was crushed like a beetle in its gigantic coils. The whole crew stared in horror as the huge warship was dragged into the depths.
I almost jumped in fright as the captain shouted, ''WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT, YAH SCALLYWAGS! I WANT HALF THE CREW BELOW DECKS, RUNNING THE SWEEPS. THE REST OF YAH, LOAD THE GUNS AND BE AT THE READY ''.
The captain was tall and scary, his eyes as cold as the ocean. His thick black hair hung in dreadlocks about his haggard face. He carried a curved sword at his side. He almost looked like a pirate. The crew scurried about, following their captain's orders.
The whole deck started to vibrate under the drum beats, as the quartermaster set the tempo for the oarsmen. The crew on the deck relaxed as the ship started gaining speed.
''This just keeps getting better and better'', muttered Alice.
Julian walked towards us and sat down on a crate near the foremast. His face was ashen with fear.
The two remaining vessels were pulling back and there was no sign of pursuit from the monster.
''I am sure we did not see the last of it'', he said, wiping his brow.
''It probably caught the scent of a backstabbing rat nearby'', snarled Alice.
''I was just doing my job, Alice'', he sighed.
''Is it going to come back again?'', I asked, nervously.
''Why do you think those two warships pulled back. A sea serpent will never let its prey escape''.
''Oh great! Now the sea serpent is behind us'', said Alice.
''Where are they taking us?'', I asked, glaring at Julian.
''To Aregon, of course''.
''Why?''.
''Because of the prophecy''.
''What prophecy?'', I asked, surprised.
He sighed, staring at the ocean. ''About fifteen years ago, the Emperor of Aria, Viktor Grimm, received information about a prophecy from Atticus. According to this prophecy, you would bring about the downfall of the Empire. He has been searching for you ever since''.
''So, we are being taken because of some foolish prophecy made by a stupid fortuneteller?'', asked Alice.
''I do not know if the prophecy is real or not. Scarlett was not even born then. The Emperor dispatched his men all across Aria to track down your mother. The Witch, Zelda, was successful in locating her whereabouts. Stonearm was sent to capture her, but he failed. Your mother was captured, but somehow, you were never found''.
''My mother was capt
ured?'', I asked, surprised.
He continued, ignoring my question, ''Later, I learnt that Bella, who was your mother's handmaiden at the time, had taken you to Atlantis. She probably thought that you would be safe in the capital of Atlantis, so she kept your real identity a secret and enrolled you into the Academy'', he said.
''You lie!'', I exclaimed. It could not be true.
''Ah, you do not know. Your mother is not Isabella. Your real mother is imprisoned in the black castle of Aregon'', he replied.
I stared at him in shock and disbelief. It was difficult to believe, but he had no reason to lie. Alice threw me an anxious glance. I closed my eyes, trying to get my emotions under control.
''So you work for the Emperor?'', asked Alice.
''I was actually sent to retrieve the sword from the fallen castle of the Witch Queen, by Hector Talbot, the Wolf King of Lycaonia. Nobody knew where the castle was, except Kaiser Frost, who was on the council. I had to join the Arma as a swordplay master, so I could have better access to the cursed forest. As it turned out, I did not even have to go into the forest myself. It was me who suggested the idea for the final test to Kaiser'', he smirked.
''You came to Atlantis for a sword?!'', exclaimed Alice. ''It was because of you Scar lost her eye''.
''The five great swords are no ordinary swords, Alice. They are unique, one more powerful than the other'', he replied. ''And what do you mean, she lost her eye because of me?''.
''Didn't you send that prick Fendrell to do your dirty work?''.
''No'', he said, staring at her incredulously. ''I don't know what you are talking about. I would rather go myself than send someone else. I was going to wait and see if any of you brought it back with you. If you had, I was going to steal it from the academy, and if everyone failed I was planning on going to castle myself''.
''Why does the Wolf King want that sword?'', asked Alice.
''Because it belonged to his ancestor, Alarik Talbot. He is one of the old kings of Lycaonia. He lost it during a war with Atlantis. Our historians were successful in tracking it back to the Witch Queen, Asteria''.
Atlantis: The Beginning (The Atlantis Saga Book 1) Page 5
