Mariana's Secret

by A D Lombardo

  “We have to split up,” Tolan instructed. “Hurry everyone, grab a barrel or a crate, but be extremely careful. Whatever you do, don’t drop it. Follow me.” Tolan grabbed two small barrels and marched down the boardwalk.

  As they reached the sandy shore, Tolan gently lowered his barrels into a small rowboat floating abandoned along the coast. In the distance, the two Caroco ships continued to approach. Everyone knew they were running out of time, but they followed his orders.

  “Put only the barrels in the boat. Now, we split into three groups. One group will cross through town and make for the Avar Estate. The second group will take the crates with the clay jars through the harbor to the east beach. Grab a torch along the way. Once the Caroco longboats are within range, light the fuse and quickly toss them at the boats just before they hit the sandy beach. Toss them at soldiers as they come into shore.”

  Dresnor interrupted. “What is this stuff? What will it do?” His brow knit together in concern.

  “Arkin oil. All I know is, you don’t want to get this stuff on you or get it anywhere near fire. I’ve not seen it used myself, but the information Cazier sent said it burns white-hot. Now the third group—someone must drag this boat out through the surf. Before you do, pull the cork on one barrel. Don’t hack at the barrel with your blade, a spark could cause it to explode. Spread the contents of the oil over the other barrels.” Tolan looked at their cargo.

  Kai could see the worry on Tolan’s face. Everyone knew they all fought to save Port Anahita.

  Tolan glanced around at the chaos. “Again, I cannot stress enough—don’t get this on you. One person will swim through the abandoned fishing boats floating in the harbor towards the two incoming ships. Secure this boat alongside the ships once they drop anchor. Someone from shore will need to shoot a flaming arrow and hit the barrels. As I understand, this Arkin Oil is very volatile. I am hoping it will explode and sink both ships and their men right along with them.”

  Kai’s vision of the two ships came to mind. This was his mission. He needed to be the one to swim. “I will do it,” he said. “I am a fast swimmer. I am the best option.”

  Tolan shook his head. “No, that’s insane. It’s probably a one-way mission. When this stuff explodes, it will spread across the water. If what my dad says is true, nothing can extinguish it. It will continue to burn.” He shook his head again. “It can’t be you.”

  Dresnor placed a hand on Tolan’s arm. “Your plan is sound, but we don’t have time to argue about who is best for this. Take five men with you to the Avar Estate. Drew and Redmon are already there with the rest of our men. Gather any men you see along the way. Albey, take the rest of the men and the crates and help the city guard defend the beach. Kai and I will take care of this. I’ve seen him swim, and there isn’t one of us who could swim the distance in this current. Trust me—he can do it. Now go!”

  It was clear Tolan wanted to protest, but he closed his mouth without rebuttal. Kai knew Dresnor was right; there was no time to argue. Taking a moment, Kai pushed his thoughts to Smoke. Go with Tolan, help save Helena.

  Smoke followed Tolan.

  As they separated, Tolan gave one last look over his shoulder before disappearing into the city crowd.

  Dresnor turned to Kai. “Now, remove anything that will slow you down—boots and weapons—and place them on the back of the boat.”

  Kai complied without question. Dresnor ran off, and returned moments later with two oil lamps, cloth, and striking sticks.

  Placing everything together in the boat, he pointed. “Together we’ll push the boat along the shore. Then, before the end, I will run up the beach and around the point to those trees. You will swim out into the water, maneuvering the boat between the abandoned fishing boats. Tie it onto the anchor rope between the two warships and swim away as fast as you can. You won’t have much time. I dare not delay much before firing off a shot.”

  Kai thought about what Dresnor proposed. It was true that his speed and his tolerance for cold water made him the best suited for this mission, but the waves would make it difficult.

  Exposed to the cold water, it would not take long before his muscles locked up and his core temperature dropped. He knew the risks. He only wished he knew how this would end.

  Together they pushed the small boat out into the water just far enough that it began to float. Running through the shallow water, the boat skimmed the tiny waves. Filled with Tolan’s Arkin Oil, they ran along the coastline toward the point. Meanwhile, Kai tried to think warm thoughts. His core temperature began to rise, and even in bare feet, the cold icy water did not bother him.

  Anxious to get this done Kai, pushed harder and harder. The movements warmed him further, and he began to sweat. His speed increased faster and faster. He had so much more to give, but Dresnor struggled to keep pace.

  “You really are fast.” Dresnor let his words fade as they neared their destination. “We should stop here.”

  While Kai stripped down to his undershorts, Dresnor tossed Kai’s weapons and boots into the tall grasses along the beach. Then he took one Arkin Oil barrel and set it aside. Slowly he dowsed the boat with the oil from one of the lamps. “Just in case,” he smiled. “A little extra oil can’t hurt.”

  Cautiously Dresnor popped the cork out of the extra barrel. Oily brown syrupy liquid splashed over the other barrels, coating the wood. Small metal fragments plinked out of the hole. “Hmmm, it looks like they are meant to shoot shrapnel bits when they explode.” Gently, he laid the empty barrel in the boat.

  Kai turned his nose away from the awful smell. Worried, he touched the shoulder of his champion, his friend. “Philip, if I don’t…” He stopped midsentence. He didn’t want to finish. There was no choice. It was up to him. If he focused, he could do this.

  Dresnor gave him a nod and took the other lamp. They separated without another word. No need to wish each other luck; they would do what needed to be done whether Kai came back or not.

  Focused on his core temperature, Kai began to pull the boat through the small waves out into open water. Before long, the cold water felt like needles on his skin. His abs clenched as the water reached his stomach. Not wanting to belabor the moment or get spotted, he sank into the water up to his neck.

  Keeping his head dry, he pulled the boat around in front of him. The water was shallow, but with each step, it began to get deeper. His movements helped him feel warmer. His body was even warm enough to create a little steam in the water’s surface. From behind the small boat, he began weaving it between the larger fishing boats. He could no longer touch the ground.

  As he swam, he heard loud explosions, followed by smaller bangs and screams coming from the other beach. The sounds of battle floated over the waves in his direction, again reminding him of his vision.

  He feared what he could not see onshore behind him. Caught off guard, a wave slapped him in the face, bringing him back to his task. Squinting, he pressed the saltwater from his eyes. He coughed a few times and took a deep breath. Hidden by the boat, he glanced at the shore.

  To his dismay, he saw six longboats rowing onto the shore. Caroco men poured out of the boats as they hit the west beach. They wasted no time. Bound for the outskirts of town, they ran toward the Avar Estate. Did they know where they were going? Were they really after Helena? Or was this all his fault for reaching out to Keegan.

  Kai pushed the questions away and continued to swim, forcing the boat through the water. The waves continued to persist, and he took a few more splashes to the face. But he was getting closer to the large warships. Their looming presence weighed on his memory. Closer to the anchored ships, he began to hear sounds of men shouting. He hoped they would not notice his small boat drifting in their direction.

  He kept his head low in the water, close to the boat. Water splashed up his nose. He coughed, but then he covered his nose and mouth. Did they hear me? He hoped not. The two ships were side-by-side, blocking out the sun above. Once in position, he used the rope
from the rowboat to tie it to the anchor line between the two ships. His boat knocked on the other ships.

  In a hurry, Kai swam away from the small boat, and the red flag came into view. As with his vision, he could not make out the black symbol, but now he knew it was a black star. This moment had consumed his sleepless nights for too long. Today it would be finished, one way or another. He swam hard. The tide pulled against each stroke.

  Back on the shore, he saw Dresnor standing at the ready. He nocked an arrow in his bow, barely noticeable in the tall grass. He lit the lamp at his feet. Desperate, Kai swam, fighting against the strong tide threatening to pull him back towards the ships. He struggled but made little advancement. Panic crept inside his mind. Cold seeped into his bones. His muscles were feeling stiff. He looked to shore, then back at the ships.

  Frustrated by the rip current, he changed direction. He swam parallel with the shore to get through the undertow and away from the ships. Finally, he made progress. Still, the cold stung his skin. He swam and tried to refocus on feeling warm, but he’d been in the water too long. Panic consumed his heat, and he felt colder by the second.

  Between strokes, he saw Dresnor raise his bow and let the first flaming arrow fly. Kai watched it fall short of the small boat. He swam a few strokes and saw another arrow. It overshot the rowboat, sticking into the side of the ship. Not waiting for the third arrow to land, he dove below the water and began to swim with all he had. Under the water he heard a loud explosion, and he felt a shockwave push him through the water.

  The blast pushed him deeper, and he saw bright flames scatter across the water above. Bits of wooden debris struck the water all around him. Metal fragments grazed his leg. Frightened, he pulled and kicked through the water. Behind him, under the water, he could hear the crackling of wood and more debris falling into the water. Chunks of the ship sank beneath the waves. Men thrashed, screaming. Dying. It all echoed around him.

  White and yellow flames floated on the water’s surface. He needed to go faster. There was no edge to the fire. His thoughts went to the summer on Baden Lake with Shane. Beat the lake, he thought. In his mind, he focused on the shore. He began to kick. Swim faster, he thought. Faster than you ever have before. He pushed himself harder.

  How he wished he could turn into a fish and swim away like his mother. Sadly, he did not know how. Focused on the dark blue water, he swam. His lungs screamed for air. Still, he kicked. His movements slowed as he grew lightheaded. He was out of breath. His eyes closed.

  The world went black. Kai felt an eerie peace pull him down. He sank into the deep, but one last time he willed his eyes open. The surface was fading from view. Particles of energy, tiny lights, pooled in front of his eyes. The lights formed a woman’s face. Wake up, KAI! echoed through his mind.

  A burst of air filled his lungs. The same air pushed him toward the surface. He kicked and pulled. Clear sun-filled water gleamed overhead. He broke the surface with a gasp. Cold winter air swept across his face. He’d made it. Thank you, Alenga, he thought, making his way through the onslaught of waves.

  Over his shoulder, he saw both ships ablaze. Flames gnawed away at large holes blown in the side of both sinking ships. Screaming men jumped into the water, only to burn in the Arkin Oil floating on the surface.

  Exhausted and cold, Kai swam back through the fishing boats drifting along the shore.

  Dresnor ran out waist-deep into the waves. “Are you alright? I thought… I thought you were dead. Blessed Alenga. She saved you.” Dresnor dragged Kai to shore.

  “I thought I was dead myself.” Kai coughed and wiped the salty water from his face. He had never been so tired after a swim. Unable to grasp what he saw under the waves; he calmed his racing heart. Tossing a wish into the sea, he silently spoke to his mother. I will find you, mother. I will make them help me. Alenga, thank you for saving me.

  “We’re not done yet, Kai. Get dressed,” Dresnor directed. “It appears that the east beach has been contained, but we’ve sustained heavy losses. They have some type of weapon that can cut a man down from a distance. A hand-cannon of sorts. Thankfully it seems to only be good for one shot, and we are overwhelming them by sheer numbers. But some have made it into the city.”

  While Kai dressed, Dresnor continued his report. “They sent several more longboats in with men. The Reaper sunk a second Caroco ship and is assisting the survivors of the Intrepid. The land defenses and the Sun Raider took out the remaining ships. The harbor cannons took heavy damage, as did the lighthouse. Best I can tell, the Sun Raider took minimal damage.” Then he pointed up the hill. “There are several buildings on fire in town, all in a line leading up to the Avar Estate. We must reach Helena. Tolan will need our help.”

  Kai looked at the smoke-filled sky as he finished getting dressed. Buildings burned. People burned. Death hung in the air. He clenched his teeth as he thought of Keegan, his would-be father. Guilt weighed on his heart. His call brought the man here.

  Sounds of short bangs disrupted his thoughts. That sound. It resonated with his soul. He had heard it before today. His vision. The hand-cannons. The weapon from his nightmares.

  Dresnor handed him the last of his weapons, and they ran toward town. They took the most direct route towards the estate. Men dressed in black with an embossed star on their chest armor fought Galloway soldiers and civilians alike. Caroco men—Keegan’s men.

  People ran through the streets, screaming for help. This would be Kai’s first real fight. No armor, no holding back. These men meant to kill him or anyone they came across. There would be no quarter.

  Against two men at once, he defended a young woman cowering in the street. His movements were swift, his sword precise. The woman thanked him and ran.

  On each street, they found another group of men attacking locals and setting fires. They attacked men, women, and children without care. Bodies littered the smoky streets. The images burned in his memory. Cruel men—with a general disregard for all life—were all they were.

  Cutting down one or two here only led to two or three more on the next street. The city was infested with the invaders. There were way too many to have come from the boats. Some of them must have hidden outside of the town.

  Each corner had another group to contend with. At this rate, they would never make it up the hill. Still, they pressed on. Kai moved at great speed, taking down each assailant he could. Dresnor fought at his side, protecting the Prince.

  “We’re outnumbered, Kai!” Dresnor called out as a horde overwhelmed them. “Run, I can hold them off. Get away.”

  Undaunted, Kai pulled the silver throwing stars from his waist. With the flick of his wrists, he dropped four men. Dresnor’s mouth gaped open. One last star dropped a fifth man. “Where were you hiding those?”

  Together they moved as one double-edged fighting machine. Their blades blocked and sliced men at every turn. The remaining men now lay dead in the street. Kai collected his stars and rubbed his ribs. Both he and Dresnor had multiple minor cuts to their arms and midsections. From where they stood, he saw the street leading to Aunt Helena’s home. They were finally free to run for the estate.

  Wasting no time, they ran up the hill. Kai bolted ahead only to hear Dresnor shout, “Don’t you dare run ahead without me! I belong at your side. Slow down, Kai. KAI!”

  Reluctantly, he slowed to allow his Kempery-man to keep pace.

  When they neared the top of the hill, Kai heard more bangs and men screaming. At the main gate to the estate, they found two men cutting down a Diu soldier. Dresnor dispatched the first man, and Kai took the second.

  The Diu soldier clung to life but urged them onward. “Go, they need more help!”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Kai caught a glimpse of the black wrought iron and stone fence. The twisted metal.

  DREW.

  He knew this moment, too. He’d had this vision so many times. This was his chance to save Drew. But unlike his vision, he would not hesitate today.

  Inside the g
rounds, they found more men dead or dying. Most were Caroco men, dressed in black with shaved heads. Each had a strange scar: a star branded on the side of their neck. Beyond them lay a line of Avar estate guards, all dead and riddled with strange holes. Blood-splattered bodies collapsed in a heap.

  Black swords and strange metal weapons littered the ground. He knew that sword. Keegan carried the same swords the night he invaded the palace. These were Caroco men, come to attack their city. Rage welled in Kai’s heart. He hated this man—his father. A man he’d never met. A man his mother ran from all those years ago, then lied to the world to hide Kai’s true parentage.

  Identical to his vision, battle sounds echoed on the wind. Swords clashed. Metal against metal. He pulled at his memories. Fires raged in the distance. Smoke billowed in the sky. He needed to focus.

  The smell of burned wood and flesh filled his nostrils, making him cringe. He ran through the grounds. The garden fence was too high to jump; he made for the side gate. Sweat rolled down his face. Helena’s garden was a battlefield. Men in black lay dead on the ground. Estate guards grasped at gushing wounds.

  Kai could not let fear control him. Instead, determination drove him to run faster. His nightmares never let him forget. This was Drew’s moment.

  He stepped over the bodies. Through the hedges, he saw Drew slice down a man in black. Drew’s sword dripped with blood. Kai held his breath. He knew what came next. Bang. There it was. The same foreign sound he dreaded. Drew twisted in pain, struck in the shoulder. “No!” Kai yelled out. He was still too far away, separated by Helena’s water garden and rose bushes.

  It cannot end like this.

  In the distance, he saw them. Two men in black, each reloading silver weapons. Hand cannons, as Dresnor had called them. Kai reached for his belt and Riome’s metal stars, secured within the leather. He focused and slowed his breathing. He pulled at the energy of the moment. He needed more time.

  The first Caroco soldier raised his arm. Kai focused harder, pulling the surrounding energy inward, holding it with his breath. He felt time slow to a crawl. While leaping across three steppingstones, he released two stars with the flick of his wrist, one after the other. Jagged metal teeth sliced through the air. End over end, they raced against time.