Mariana's Secret

by A D Lombardo

  His destination was the beach. The salty air and crashing waves brought a smile to his face. The first day he had met Rayna, they had come to this beach. Kai stood on the sand, listening to the waves crash on the shore through the fog. In the distance, he could see the lighthouse’s rotating beacon.

  He knew Dresnor would be furious if he awoke and found Kai missing from the estate—again. He wanted to heed his Kempery-man’s warning, but he needed time alone. Time to think. Time to let all the changes in his life settle.

  The thought of Keegan coming for him, terrified and thrilled him. With this man still on the rampage, Kai was in danger. And yet he had basically told the man where he was and offered himself as bait to lure him out of hiding.

  Ready to head back, he set a quick pace towards the Anahita city center. There he slowed to marvel at his uncle Kaeco’s newest acquisition. His uncle had bought and demolished four old buildings, which had doubled the size of the city park. In their place, he had erected an ornate white marble lotus fountain, his aunt Helena’s favorite flower.

  Lush gardens surrounded the new fountain, and walkways and hedges blended into the older part of the park. Kai dipped his hands into the water and stared at the bottom of the pool and noticed the decorative blue and yellow tiles. How he wished to be able to express his feelings for Rayna in a grand manner.

  On his walk back through town, he picked up the black cloak he’d left lying across a park bench before his morning run. Turning the wrap over in his hands, he inspected the lining and was pleased that it was still dry. With the cloak draped around his shoulders, he lifted the cowl to cover his sandy blond hair.

  To avoid being detected returning to the estate, Kai walked toward the city stables. There he could take backstreets up to the Avar Estate. At this hour, only a few locals and the occasional city guard with Mryken attack dogs walked the streets.

  As he passed, most civilians avoided getting close to Smoke. Only a few dared to walk on the same side of the street.

  As Kai neared the stables, he saw lights in the windows through the fog. Quietly he stepped near an open window. He heard men talking inside. Who could be coming in at this early hour? His heart skipped a beat.

  Around back, he found a few barrels and crates stacked high enough to allow him to reach the loft window. Once inside, he walked across a broad beam to get a better view and listen to the conversations below. From his vantage point, he saw the back of a broad-shouldered man with fiery red hair handing money to the stablemaster. “Yes, that will do nicely, thank you. We will be back around midday. Have my cart ready.”

  The corner of Kai’s mouth turned up. I know that voice. Tolan, what brings you to Port Anahita at this hour, and why is your stay so short?

  “Sir, yes sir, the cart and your horses will be ready,” said the stablemaster.

  As Tolan and his men left the stables, Kai climbed out and up onto the rooftop. He leaped across to the next building’s balcony. Scaling the wall to the roof, he was able to walk across the flat edge of the building around to the front to get a view of the men on the street. In his mind, he held Smoke back a street out of sight.

  Wrapped in the black cloak, he crouched down. From this distance, he could not hear what Tolan told his men. One man stayed behind, returning to stand guard at the stables, while the others walked with Tolan down the street. The thought of hopping down to surprise Tolan crossed his mind—but then he thought of Riome. She would consider this the perfect opportunity to practice his skills.

  The rising sun began to burn off the fog. His view improved, and he could see farther down the street. Citizens started opening shops and setting out their wares for the day. To keep up, he leaped across a small alleyway between two buildings. Four buildings later, Tolan stopped, gestured toward the shopkeepers, and gave instructions to another man. Leaving the man behind, Tolan and his men continued toward some unknown destination.

  “Where are you going, Tolan?” Kai whispered to himself.

  The fog continued to lift, and his improved view revealed he was approaching a major cross street. The expanse would be too wide to jump. His only choice—run ahead and climb down. He made his way along the rooftops, each footfall precisely placed along the narrow ledge. At the end, he shimmied down the side of the building, still shrouded in darkness. His thoughts brought Smoke in his direction, still ensuring he would not be seen by Tolan or his men.

  Unsure of their destination, Kai took a risk by going ahead of them. On the street a little farther forward, he saw a woman setting out crates of fruit. The oranges and apples glistened like bright orbs in the morning sun burning through the fog. Her stand would be an excellent place to let Tolan pass. Kai slowed his pace as he crossed the street to the fruit stand. While he sniffed a few apples, the woman placed one last crate on the end of the table.

  “Morning, sir. How can I help you this fine day?” the woman asked.

  “Good morning,” Kai replied, as he cut his eyes over his shoulder to see Tolan and his men pass behind him. “I’ll take one yellow apple, please.” Apple in hand, he dropped the adequate coin in her hand and took a bite. The juicy fruit filled his mouth, and he bowed kindly to the woman as he walked away after Tolan.

  Tolan and his men were still making their way straight through the center of town. They seemed to be on a mission, heading straight towards the harbor. With that idea in mind, Kai decided to take another chance and dart down a side street to run ahead. He chucked the apple core and slipped into the shadows of a narrow road. Winding through the streets, he neared the harbor.

  On an old familiar street, two blocks from his uncle Kaeco’s warehouse, Kai found himself in front of the old bakery Rayna’s family once owned. The smell of freshly baked bread still filled the air, bringing the memory of that day back to him. He peered into the shop. Little had changed besides the owners.

  Since he was so far ahead of the others, he removed his cloak, folded it neatly, and laid it on the bench outside before taking a seat. Next to him, the bakery shop door opened, and a young boy stepped out. “Good morning, sir. Can I offer you some freshly baked bread? Perhaps a muffin or fruit shell pie?”

  Kai chuckled at the “sir.” He rubbed his knuckles along his stubbly chin. Was he really a sir now? “Yes, a fruit shell pie, thank you, but only if you have apple.” Like his mother, apple was his favorite kind of pie.

  The boy hurried back inside, returning with a seashell-shaped apple pie on a white plate. “Here you are, sir. Anything else?”

  Accepting the plate, he dropped three coins into the boy’s outstretched hand. “Thank you. Keep the change.”

  With wide eyes, the boy smiled happily. “Thank you, sir. I will come back for the plate shortly.”

  The street continued to come alive with people as Kai finished the last bite. Not as good as Lizzie’s pie, he thought, but still good. He stood in time to see Tolan and his men pass on the main street to his left.

  Behind him, the bakery door opened, and without turning, he held out the small plate for the boy. “Tell your mother that was wonderful. Also, would you mind holding onto my cloak until I return?” he asked, dropping two more coins on the plate the boy now held.

  “Happy to, sir.” Then the young boy ducked back inside, grabbing the door blown wide by the ocean breeze.

  Chapter 23

  Wrought Iron

  Back on the main street, Kai caught a glimpse of Tolan and his men heading down to the harbor where a small crowd had gathered. Several people pointed at several ships out on the ocean, which were advancing fast toward the port at full mast. Kai silently folded into the crowd to hear the news. In the distance, he saw them. Their pennant was barely visible as it whipped backward by the wind, a sliver of red.

  A city guard stepped up to Tolan and glanced at Tolan’s shoulder. His rank of captain was clearly indicated on his Fort Pohaku uniform. “Sir, shortly after the fog lifted, those four ships appeared on the horizon. Two have now rounded the corner of the bay and ar
e closing on the harbor. Best we can tell they are from Caroco, based on the flag: a black star on a field of red. We have orders not to let them anchor in the port. We’ve sent one of our ships, the Intrepid, to intercept them.”

  Everyone stood anxiously anticipating the arrival of the foreign ships. The Intrepid flew the silver wolf on a field of blue. It moved quickly in the heavy breeze, angling around to block the lead ship’s path. One of the Caroco ships cut sharply toward the stern of the Intrepid. The crowd held their breath. A plume of orange, yellow, and white blasted out the end of the cannon. A single shot fired. The Galloway men on the Intrepid sent a warning shot at the other ship.

  Again, everyone waited.

  The Caroco ship did not heed the warning. They continued advancing towards the harbor.

  Aware the Caroco ship had no intention of yielding for inspection, the Intrepid began its turn. The intense ocean breeze aided their maneuvers and intensified their speed. Once alongside, the Caroco ship fired on the Intrepid. Two cannons shot at once, and both cannonballs ripped through the port side of the Diu vessel. One struck below the railing. Lethal wooden splinters littered the air. The second was a direct hit on the side, near a cannon port. Still moving, the Intrepid returned fire with four cannon shots in rapid succession.

  The blasts echoed across the water. Despite being one cannon down, the Intrepid was making short work of the lead Caroco ship. The mast from the enemy ship split in half, and the vessel now listed to its starboard side. Sails burned. Men scurried for longboats. Part of the crowd gasped in fear while others cheered on the Intrepid.

  “Look!” one man called out. “The Intrepid means to ram them broadside!”

  Set on a collision course, the Intrepid fired two bow chaser shots. Both shots penetrated the hull of the Caroco ship, and water gushed into the enemy’s gun deck.

  Not giving up, the Caroco men fired one last shot. They missed the stern of the Intrepid by mere feet. The Intrepid was still on the move. It veered away, circling around to engage the oncoming ships.

  Coastal defenses near the lighthouse opened fire on the three enemy ships coming around the point. The Caroco ships returned fire, and several shots ripped through the rock walls of the lighthouse. Rubble tumbled into the ocean, but the structure held fast. Multiple wall cannons fired on the advancing enemy ships. One lucky shot ripped through the ship, striking their cannon port. The Caroco vessel exploded, sending debris and smoke billowing into the air. Caroco sailors scampered to longboats, while their ship started to sink. Still, it lumbered toward the bay.

  Kai watched in awe. He wondered if Keegan was aboard any of these Caroco ships. He gleaned the ships. Only a few Katori were aboard. And in his mind, he did not see Keegan’s essence. Then Kai wondered if he should be doing something to help. Not wanting to wait any longer, he stepped up alongside Tolan. Smoke was on his other side. “I could be wrong, but I doubt the Intrepid can take on all three ships. Even if one is limping along.” Kai nudged Tolan’s arm.

  “They’ve sent out the Reaper to join in the fight.” Tolan jutted his chin to another Diu ship.

  Kai crossed his arms, waiting for Tolan to notice him.

  Suddenly realizing who he was speaking to, Tolan turned. “Kai? How did you get here? Are you here alone?” He looked back at the battle. “Never mind, of course you are. Even after all these years, you are still ditching your guards. And no, Smoke does not count as an escort.”

  Kai squinted at the view. “If I am not mistaken, looks like two more ships are coming in behind them. What can we do?”

  Tolan ordered the city guard: “Sound the alarm, get every guard in the city to the harbor. If they land, we need to be ready.”

  “Sir, yes, sir. But we do not have many men. Many are in Diu since the recent attack.” The guard responded.

  “Sound the alarm,” Tolan barked. “Gather all the men you can and send them here to the harbor to fight. Send one rider to Diu for reinforcements. We’ve wasted too much time. They won’t wait for us to be ready. Now GO.”

  “You five with me,” Tolan waved his hand. “Kai, you too.”

  Tolan broke through the crowd and made his way to Kaeco’s warehouse. Outside, Duke Kaeco stood with Kempery-men Dresnor, Albey, and five other guards. “Inside, all of you,” Tolan ordered.

  Dresnor gave Kai a stern glare. “Where have you been?”

  Ignoring the comment, Kai kept close to Tolan, eager to help protect Port Anahita.

  Inside the warehouse, windows illuminated the long row of crates and barrels. Workers collected containers and carried them outside, while others stacked newly received items on shelves. Tolan gathered everyone off to one side. “Kaeco, where is it? Where do you have it stored? Is it here yet?” Tolan demanded in a heavy tone, his sentences clipped short.

  Fear welled in Kaeco’s eyes. “What are you talking about? What is happening in the harbor?”

  Frustrated, Tolan grabbed Kaeco’s arm. “We don’t have time for this. I know it’s here. Some time ago, Cazier’s spies discovered a chemist in Diu and a merchant planning to sell a chemical. I am here to collect something called Arkin Oil. My father sent me to intercept the lot of it here. Did you not receive his letter? He informed you I was coming.” From his pocket, Tolan pulled a letter and another sheet of paper. “I have my orders here.”

  “I might have,” Kaeco searched the satchel over his shoulder. “With Kai’s visit, I did not read all my correspondence last night.”

  Shaken, Kaeco read Duke Roark’s letter, then reviewed Tolan’s document. Shocked, he pushed through the group to a small desk. He riffled through a stack of papers and matched it to the sheet from Tolan.

  Kai recognized the shipping manifest he had last seen and taken from the merchant. Spies indeed. He had given that very sheet to Riome less than a month ago. Not that he knew anything about this Arkin Oil or any of the other items. She had been searching for each of the items on the list. The shifty man, with the frazzled blond hair and white streak, must have made this before they caught him.

  “If I am reading this correctly,” Kaeco pointed, “it's sitting on dock number four, to be loaded on a ship called the Hsiu, bound for Milnos. What is this stuff, Arkin Oil? I’ve never heard of it before.” he asked.

  Tolan ignored his question. “Show me,” he motioned to the door.

  Frantically, Kaeco led the group outside. The city bells rang out. The harbor was now in utter chaos. People ran from the shops, bells rang out, and cannon fire assaulted the once-tranquil port. Guards gathered on the docks while others ran for the shoreline. Cannons exchanged fire between land and sea.

  Tolan and Kaeco quickly looked through the cargo stacked up on the pier and then boarded the Hsiu. Kai and Dresnor took in the developing battle in the bay. Ships set ablaze, longboats floating on the waves.

  Three Caroco ships slowly sank; the Intrepid was listing to one side with a fourth Caroco ship along its starboard side. The glint of steel and the faint sounds of metal clanging against each other now added to the scene. Interspersed in the chaos, Kai heard a foreign bang from time to time and the screams of men calling out in pain.

  The Reaper fired cannons in rapid succession at the next ship. Thud and creaks groaned across the water as the two vessels collided. Men swung across, engaged in battle. Fainter sounds. Strange minor explosions assaulted his ears.

  Far in the distance, one ship drifted on the waves alone, watching. It made no movements to aid in the battle or flee in defeat.

  Kai reached out with his sight. The ship bloomed with Katori light. He could sense they were the main cause of the increased wind. Energy oozed from the decks. Gusts of wind blew across the ocean toward the battle in port. Two more wind-enhanced ships advanced. They splashed through the outer defensive cannons with minimal damage.

  Afraid to push his sight, there was no way to tell if Keegan was among them. But if he was, this was all Kai’s fault. He’d tempted Keegan, and now others would pay for his mistake.

&nbs
p; He shook his head and gazed west across the harbor. “Dresnor, look.” He pointed. “Those two other ships are headed for the western shore. If they drop anchor and lower longboats, a hundred men could pour out of those ships. That beach leads up the Avar Estate. Aunt Helena, who is with her?”

  Not waiting for an answer, he found Tolan stacking several small barrels and three crates filled with small clay jars. “Tolan, I trust you know what you’re doing here, but we have several longboats from the downed ships coming in.” Kai grabbed a crate and chased after Tolan.

  “Are you listening? Can you not see what is going on behind us? We are under attack, and you are sorting crates. TOLAN!” Kai thundered.

  “I see well enough, Kai. Help me get the last of these crates.” Tolan grabbed another crate.

  “Why are you getting this stuff? We need to do something.”

  “I am doing something,” Tolan shouted back.

  Kai looked to the harbor battle. The Sun Raider warship was now in the battle. Its massive size made it slower, but its multitude of cannons made it a massive blockade blasting in the bay. “Tolan, please. The Reaper is the only ship left chasing the enemy. I can see two new ships about to anchor offshore below the Avar Estate. Tell me you are planning something?” Kai asked, a little frustrated.

  Tolan put up his hand to block the sun from his eyes. He watched the chaos in the harbor. He looked west at the new Caroco ships approaching, and he did not appear thrilled with their options.

  Tolan’s continued silence worried Kai, but Tolan had over four years of military experience. It had taken him less than a year to become a captain over his own squad. Strategy had always been Tolan’s strength, and he was fiercely competitive. The battle raged in the distance, and they waited for Tolan to formulate a plan.