Serpent: Book II of the Asterian Trilogy

by Sarah Olson

  "Have you ever been there, girl?" someone asked as I walked by one of the tables carrying a stack of dirty plates.

  I turned to see who had spoken and found Hashim watching me. In my anticipation for landing on the islands, I failed to avoid his table like I typically did. I hadn’t spoken to him much since that first day in the dining hall and made sure to stay out of his way as much as I could. The only words that had passed between us since then were greetings—because I didn’t want to be rude—and comments he would make about me loudly if I ever passed him and his friends. They would all laugh, but I moved on as quickly and silently as I could.

  "No," I said and began to walk away.

  "Where are you going? I’m talking to you." The chair scraped against the floorboards as he stood.

  I froze, hoping someone would notice and give me an excuse to walk away.

  He grabbed my elbow and spun me around so I could look him square in the face. It was all I could do not to yank my arm away, unsure if such an action would cause more trouble. His dark eyes were mischievous and full of a hunger that churned my stomach.

  "So it will be your first time there, eh?" he asked. His breath was hot on my face, and I realized just how close he was standing to me.

  I suddenly wished Roy was there to pull me away from this brute of a man. Ethelyn and Stephen were nowhere to be seen either, and everyone else seemed to be happily eating and chatting away.

  I swallowed hard. "Yes."

  He stepped closer. "How about tomorrow we ditch the quartermaster and that other girl that keeps an eye on you, and I give you a tour of the town. After all, me and some of my friends over there would enjoy the company."

  I suddenly wanted to throw up.

  Hashim stepped in closer. "What do you say?"

  I shrieked as someone yanked me out of Hashim’s grip, sending the stack of plates crashing to the floor. Once I was out of the way, Roy released me and slammed a fist into Hashim’s jaw. The blow threw the two of them onto the table where Hashim’s friends scrambled out of the way.

  The murmur of voices in the room turned to shouts as the sailors bolted up from their seats. Roy had Hashim pinned down on the table and was yelling at him. The roar in the room made it too difficult to hear the exchange as the crowd moved in around them. Hashim kicked at Roy and landed a hard punch near his eye throwing Roy backwards. Roy charged at him again just as Seif and Tarique jumped in and grabbed him.

  "Let it go!" Seif was saying to Roy. "He’s not worth it!"

  Roy shook them off but didn’t go after Hashim again.

  Hashim wiped his bloody lip and glared at Roy. "You’ll pay for that, boy."

  "You’re going to threaten me, now!" Roy yelled. From what I could see, his face was twisted with anger, nostrils flaring.

  "Come on," one of Hashim’s friends said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Let’s go."

  Hashim shook him off and gave Roy one more glare before turning his eyes to me. I was standing behind a couple of sailors now, but his eyes still met mine, sending a shiver down my spine. Before anyone had a chance to notice I was the one he was staring down, he turned and followed his friends from the room.

  "What’s the meaning of this?" Bruhier exclaimed from the entrance of the galley as the sailors began to disperse. He took one look at the broken plates at my feet and cursed.

  "It’s not her fault—" Tarique began to say.

  "No, it is," I interrupted quickly. Hashim already had me terrified, and I didn’t want to know what he would do if he were ordered back inside to clean the broken plates and food from the floor.

  "Norah—"

  I gave Tarique the sternest look I could muster and shook my head quickly.

  Bruhier eyed me carefully then looked over at Roy who had blood dripping from a cut near his eyebrow.

  "You idiots started a fight in my dining hall, didn’t you?" Bruhier growled.

  "Bruhier, I’ll clean it up," I said quickly. "Don’t worry about it."

  He huffed.

  "No, I will," Roy said. I was surprised how under control he sounded. There had been so much rage in his eyes only moments before. "It’s my fault. I started a fight with Hashim."

  "Then I suppose that after you clean this mess up you will report yourself to the captain, Quartermaster."

  Roy nodded.

  "The rest of you, clear out!" Bruhier barked. "Norah, get him a bucket and some rags."

  I nodded and followed Bruhier into the galley. I filled a bucket with water and dropped a couple of rags in it. Roy came into the galley and took the bucket from me.

  "I got it," he said softly. There was no more anger in his eyes as they met mine. The cut on his face had stopped bleeding, but there was a bluish tint forming around it. "Are you all right?"

  I gave him a small smile. "I’m fine. You didn’t need to do that. Hashim likes to get under people’s skin, but that doesn’t mean it should turn into a brawl." I left out the part about how it unnerved me to the core. Before he could speak again, I grabbed a broom. "You’ll need this too."

  He took it and went back into the dining hall without another word.

  "Of course the damn brawl was over you," Bruhier snorted from the other end of the galley.

  "What is that supposed to mean?" I gasped angrily.

  Bruhier shook his head and turned his attention back to whatever he was doing.

  I pursed my lips and walked over to where we kept clean rags and ointment for cuts and burns, all the while trying to ignore any meaning in Bruhier’s insinuation. I wet the cloth with fresh water and returned to the dining hall. It was empty now aside from Roy who was sweeping the plate fragments and food into a pile. I sighed and walked over to him.

  He glanced up from sweeping.

  "Sit," I said, pointing to an empty chair near him.

  Roy looked at the rag and ointment in my hand and shook his head. "I’m fine. Let me just clean this up."

  "Sit," I repeated, more forcefully this time.

  Reluctantly, he put the broom down and complied.

  I shifted another chair so it was across from him and sat down. "Just hold still," I said, quietly. I took the rag and carefully placed it against the cut.

  He closed his eyes for a second, probably holding back a hiss.

  "Does it hurt?" I asked.

  "No," he replied.

  I smirked and shook my head. "What is it with men and their denial of pain?"

  He didn’t answer, and I went to work cleaning off the drying blood. I had never treated a wound of any sort before but had healers tend to the scrapes and bruises I would bear after the fighting lessons I had at the castle—the lessons I hadn’t kept up with like Gabriel and Juliette.

  "This may sting a little," I said, holding up the ointment. "Just don’t start crying on me."

  He rolled his eyes at my attempt to lighten the mood.

  I opened the small glass bottle and spilled some of the liquid onto my finger. Gently, I ran my finger over the cut. I was careful not to let any of the excess drip down his face.

  "There," I said, glancing over at Roy.

  He was watching me intently, his eyes on mine—eyes that reminded me of the ocean for they were neither green nor blue.

  I realized I still had my hand on his face when he reached up and covered it with his. I went utterly still at his touch. There was a strange longing in me, and I could not tear my eyes away from him.

  "Thank you," he said, quietly.

  I gave him a small smile and slid my hand away. Was this perhaps the reason Ethelyn had asked what I thought about Roy? Was there something she saw that I had yet to notice?

  "And I’m sorry," he continued.

  "For what?" I asked, surprised I still had a voice.

  "For earlier. I just didn’t like what I was hearing."

  "Words are words," I said quietly. "He likes to bother me, but that is all."

  He clenched his jaw.

  Before I could stop myself, I placed my hand on
his knee. "I'm all right, Roy. Let’s just forget about it now." I knew I couldn’t, but I needed to try and so did Roy. This ship did not need animosity between its sailors. "Now let me see that hand."

  Roy rolled his eyes again and gave me his hand. His knuckles were red and split.

  "Why have you been avoiding me?" he asked as I began cleaning the small cuts.

  I kept my eyes down. "I have not."

  "Yes, you have. You even skipped dinner with the captain last night."

  "I had a headache," I replied, hoping this would end his questioning.

  "Is that the same reason you duck into the galley whenever I come in to eat?"

  "I don’t know what you’re talking about." I placed the rag down and picked up the ointment.

  He pulled his hand away before I could put any on it and gently lifted my chin so I could look at him. Unease gripped my gut as his touch sent a tingling through my skin.

  "What you told me the other night," he said, "I have no intention of sharing it with anyone else. You have my word."

  My heart hammered hard and fast in my chest. His ocean-colored eyes seemed so genuine.

  I leaned out of his touch. "Let me finish with your hand."

  He gave me a small smile—as if he could understand any pain and unease I felt but said nothing more.

  When I finished, I stood and grabbed the broom. "Come, I’ll help you pick this up while you tell me about the Boreal Islands."

  Chapter 17

  E ARLY THE NEXT MORNING, the Boreal Islands were in sight. Excitement thrummed through my veins, and I grew impatient, as it seemed to take us hours to reach Fraedelle—the largest island where we would trade with the islanders. I had been let off early from working in the galley since Bruhier would only serve breakfast. He grumbled about the sailors finding a tavern to eat at once we had landed.

  I spent most of the morning trying to make myself look decent for our arrival at Fraedelle. Being so far north, the air was considerably cool, so I chose to wear a blue and gray traveling dress. The bell sleeves were long, and the bodice laced up the front. It was the nicest one I had worn since I’d been forced to tone down my wardrobe with Kara’s clothing.

  "I thought you were still trying to look like a commoner," Ethelyn said, entering the room.

  I waved away her concern. "If anyone asks, I’ll just tell them I always have at least one nice dress."

  Ethelyn shook her head as she watched me carefully brush my hair. "How are you wearing it?"

  "Up, if you would help me."

  She sat behind me and began working on my hair.

  "Do you suppose we will spend the night in Fraedelle?" I asked.

  "Yes, the captain told me that we should pack a few things."

  I sighed in relief. "Good, because I am dying for a hot bath."

  Ethelyn laughed. "I suppose you really aren’t cut out to be a sailor."

  I rolled my eyes.

  When she finished, I looked at myself in the small mirror. Ethelyn had pulled my hair up into an elegant but simple bun with a thin braid weaving through it.

  "This is so exciting!" I exclaimed as she put some of our clothes into a bag. "The Boreal Islands. I do hope we get to see the lights they say streak across the sky at night."

  "Perhaps we will," she replied. "Now, Milady, please don’t try to lose me today. I don’t want you out of my sight—especially after what happened in the dining hall yesterday."

  "I know, I know," I said, waving away her concern.

  "It’s no laughing matter," she said sternly, her gray eyes hard.

  She hadn’t been happy when she learned of the fight through the many different versions that spread through the ship—the most appalling that I was flirting with Hashim and made Roy jealous. That is the one Ethelyn heard, and she was beyond furious when she found me later that day. Of course, I assured her it had been a simple misunderstanding while leaving out what Hashim had said.

  "Am I at least allowed to go on deck without having you as a shadow?" I asked sarcastically. "I’m certain nothing can happen to me when I am surrounded by busy sailors."

  Ethelyn pursed her lips but nodded. "I’ll finish getting some things together for tonight."

  I rushed from the room without a reply, eager to see the islands which would now be close. As I stepped out onto the main deck, I spotted Roy nearby giving out orders. He saw me, and I could have sworn his eyes widened for a second—perhaps none of the dresses I considered simple truly were. I turned, pushing the thought from my mind, and headed to the bow of the ship.

  The nearing islands were larger than I imagined. A layer of clouds hung low around the forested mountains that jutted from their center. I leaned on the railing and let the cold salty air brush my cheeks as I anticipated the day ahead. I wouldn’t be needed to help with the trade, so I would spend the time exploring.

  Once the Enigma was close enough but a safe distance from the reefs, the anchor was lowered, and the men began to load the longboats with goods. I glanced over at the main deck and saw Stephen, Ethelyn and Roy talking. Ethelyn looked annoyed while she shook her head at something Stephen said. Roy glanced over at me, and I turned away quickly, hoping he hadn’t seen me watching the exchange.

  A minute later, there were footsteps behind me. "Norah," Roy said, "the boat for you and Ethelyn is ready."

  I turned around. "Thank you."

  "Stephen and I will be escorting you around Fraedelle," Roy said, as I walked past him.

  I stopped and looked at him. "I didn’t know I was in need of an escort."

  He gave me a mocking smile. "Really?"

  I rolled my eyes. "Ethelyn and I are fine on our own. You and Stephen should help with the trade."

  "Well, the thing is that this is a direct order from the captain. You are paying him to be on this ship, and therefore, he feels responsible for your safety."

  I pursed my lips.

  "If it makes you so unhappy, you could always pull rank and tell him you will pass on the escort." There was a glint in his eyes, and I could tell he was testing me—waiting for me to slip up.

  "I do not believe I understand your meaning."

  He smirked. "You talk like that and still won’t admit you are far more than a commoner."

  How he irked me. I thought of the vilest curse I could think of and threw it in his face.

  He blinked in surprise and then shook his head in amusement.

  "I suppose that will convince you," I snapped. I turned on my heel and stomped down the deck toward Ethelyn and Stephen.

  Despite my rejection of the escort, I found myself seated across from Stephen and Roy on the longboat. A couple of sailors were also aboard to row us to shore.

  I glanced over at Roy, attempting to decipher why he wouldn’t give up and accept my identity as Norah. He was wearing a black cloak over a dark long-sleeved shirt and leather vest. It looked finer than what most of the other sailors wore, though they all had cloaks in case the island turned frigid during the night.

  Roy looked over at me, and I averted my gaze. I tried to focus on the nearing island as I felt his eyes lingering on me. He had no shame, even when I saw Stephen elbow him lightly from the corner of my eye. There was a considerable chill in the air, and I pulled my cloak tighter around me.

  "Where do you want to go first?" Stephen asked.

  "I say we get something to eat," Roy answered.

  "Except, I wasn’t asking you," Stephen said with a laugh.

  "Well, I’m certain we are all hungry," Ethelyn said. "What do you think, Norah?"

  I shrugged. "I suppose it’s not a bad idea."

  "Good," Roy said, leaning back. "I know a good tavern we can stop at near the docks."

  I looked down into the dark water beside us. "What should we make sure to see before we leave?" I asked.

  "The sheep farms," Stephen answered. "They are at the base of the mountains."

  "Also, Fraedelle itself is nice to walk around in," Roy added. "Just keep in mind, w
e leave in the morning, so if there is something you want to see, let us know."

  I nodded. We were just reaching the docks now, the dark waves pushing us along.

  "What about night lights?" I asked, for that was the one thing I truly wanted to see.

  Stephen made a face. "That will depend on the weather; and with the clouds over the mountains now, I am doubtful it will clear up."

  I sighed in disappointment.

  "Cast us a rope!" a dockworker called to us.

  One of the other sailors tossed a rope to the man, and he pulled us in. Roy stepped up from the boat and onto the dock first as the dockworker secured the rope. He motioned me to come next.

  I stood up in the rocking boat and reached for his hand. I had barely lifted a foot before Roy swiftly lifted me onto the dock. I internally cursed myself for momentarily admiring his strength.

  Roy gave me a smile and then went to pull Ethelyn up.

  Once Stephen joined us on the dock, I took in our surroundings. People bustled back and forth around the docks and into the village beyond. Most had blonde hair and pale skin as if the clouds rarely let them see the sun. The men looked like warriors— well-built with weapons hanging at their sides. The exposed forearms of one that walked by were encircled with tattoos.

  "Have you never seen a tattoo before?" Roy teased from beside me.

  "Of course I have," I replied. "But you don’t see them in Asteria."

  "Perhaps you should get one then."

  I glared at him.

  He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "But surely if you are no lady, you would not oppose such a thing."

  It was all I could do not to smack him.

  He pulled away just as Ethelyn looked over at us.

  "Why do most of the people here look like they’re going to war?" I asked Stephen.

  "Pirates," he answered simply. "These islands are not far from the ones the pirates in these waters tend to use as their base."

  "Pirates?" I gasped. "I didn’t know we were at any risk of coming upon pirates."

  Roy laughed and gestured at the natives of Fraedelle. "I wouldn’t worry about that here or even at our next stop before we head for Asteria. These are not people to be trifled with, and the pirates have learned that many times."