Reecah couldn’t keep quiet. “Because I defended myself?”
Cookie stared at her; his expression unreadable. Finally, he crossed his arms over his ample stomach. “Because you’re a woman.”
“Excuse me?”
“The sea ain’t no place for women. ‘specially not where the Niad meets the Unknown Sea.”
“What does my sex have to do with anything?” She was tired of being considered inferior because of her gender. Sure, many men were bigger and stronger than her, but there were many who weren’t. As far as she was concerned, everyone had their strengths and weaknesses. She didn’t know of anyone who could match her proficiency in the mountains—including Jaxon, Viper or Junior.
She winced. Just the thought of the eldest Waverunner boy filled her with mixed emotions. She thought she had moved past his betrayal, but judging by the feelings that just thinking about him evoked, it was obvious she hadn’t.
Cookie’s voice rescued her. “It’s a commonly known fact that a woman’s presence aboard a ship invites a curse on those unlucky enough to sail with her.”
“That’s a stupid superstition. How can my presence affect a boat?”
“We’re being chased by a pirate ship, are we not?” Cookie nodded as if his answer was explanation enough.
“Seriously? You think that’s my fault? That’s ridiculous.”
Cookie raised his eyebrows. “We ain’t been bothered by pirates in nigh o’er a year. How else would ye explain it.”
“Coincidence?”
“Bah! Coincidence me nut.”
Reecah couldn’t believe she was having this conversation. Nor did she believe she would sway Cookie’s bias, but she couldn’t stop herself from arguing the point. “Ya? And what about Cahira?”
“Pfft. Cahira is one of us.”
“How does that make any sense? She’s still a woman.”
That threw him.
“You see?”
Cookie shook his head. “She’s different.”
Reecah threw her hands in the air. “How? A woman is a woman.”
“Cahira was born on the waves. She’s seaborn. That’s the difference.”
“But she’s still a woman!” Reecah squeaked incredulously.
Cookie shrugged. “All I know is the crew ain’t happy about yer presence. If not for Cappy’s stern warning that nothing is to happen to ya, ye’d already be swimming. Even with his warning, I’d be careful if I were ye. I’d keeps the walls to me back, and me dagger close. If anyone comes to harm because of the pirates, ye can bet yer under britches me mates’ll be coming for you.”
Reecah pulled her dagger free and flourished it in the air between them.
Cookie held up his palms. “Ye don’t need to worry about me. If Cappy says to leave ye be, I leave ye be.” He placed a hand on the worn cleaver handle.
The ship pitched to starboard. Stuck in the cabin, unable to see the horizon, Reecah was certain the ship was on the verge of capsizing. She emitted a high-pitched yelp as the boat’s momentum threw her into the central butcherblock.
Cookie braced himself. “They’re getting closer.”
Reecah didn’t have to ask who. She eyed the cleaver. “Shouldn’t you be up there?”
Cookie gazed at the low ceiling. “Aye, but then I couldn’t keep an eye on ye.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll stay right here.”
Cookie looked like he considered what she said, but he said nothing more.
The Serpent’s Slip climbed wave after wave, crashing vehemently into the troughs between. The little food Reecah had eaten since boarding the vessel soured in her stomach—thankful to not have eaten since daybreak.
Hoping to settle her stomach, she lowered herself to the galley floor and stared at her worn leather boots—the thongs binding the sides together ready to give out. Her green breeks disappeared into the black boots, their material thinning about the knees. It wouldn’t be long before she was in desperate straits. Without resources, the oncoming winter promised to present her with difficulty.
She grabbed the hem of her cloak and rubbed it between her fingers. It appeared okay considering everything she had put it through. Her white tunic had held up well, as had the equipment Aunt Grimelda had given her—weapons handed down from Reecah’s great-grandmother if the village witch could be trusted.
She leaned her head against the rough surface of the cabinet and stared at the ceiling—the underside of the quarterdeck. The planks creaked continuously, marking the passage of men moving about the top deck.
She tensed as Cookie strode around the central island, but he stopped before he reached her and opened a cupboard door above the long cabinet. Muted light flooded the galley. She tried to ignore him, but he stared into the cupboard, nodding and grunting.
Unable to overlook his strange behaviour, she asked, “What’s so interesting in there?”
He mumbled something that sounded like, “They’re going to ram us.”
“Huh?”
“The pirates. They got themselves a rammer.”
Reecah jumped to her feet and leaned over Cookie’s shoulder—the man half a head shorter than her. Seeing a grimy porthole inside the cupboard wasn’t nearly as shocking as the sight of the two-masted ship bearing down on them. The angle of the pirate’s approach looked as if it would impact the Serpent’s Slip where they stood.
Reecah stepped back and bumped into the island. “Get away from the window!”
If Cookie heard, he ignored her, preferring to remain put and nod his head, as if accepting his fate.
She winced at Cookie’s twisted features, expecting the Serpent’s Slip to recoil under the imminent impact but nothing happened. Through the hull, she heard a thunderous collision and the rendering of wood splintering. She grasped Cookie’s shoulders and looked in time to see the pirate ship dashed against a hidden reef. It teetered, stuck on the concealed obstruction and spun in the heavy seas.
Reecah had to stretch on her tiptoes and crane her neck to one side to see the next big wave smash into the side of the floundering ship—flipping it onto its side before the progress of Serpent’s Slip took it out of view.
“Wow! That was close.” She realized her fingers were digging into Cookie’s fatty shoulders. Embarrassed she let go, unconsciously wiping her hands on her cloak. Her cheeks reddened.
Cookie closed the cupboard. Without a word, he unlocked the exit door and held it open. “You may leave now, lassie.”
“I don’t understand. Why didn’t we hit the reef?”
“Cap’n Dreyger happened.”
She cast him a puzzled look.
“Cappy’s done and outsmarted the rogues. You see, Serpent’s Slip runs a shallow keel. She slips through waters other vessels dare not go. I’m not a tactical man, but if I had to guess the right of it, the pirate cap’n was fooled into thinkin’ he could sail through the same waters as the Slip. Ain’t the first time we’ve evaded capture along this pirate-infested coast.”
King’s Bay
Cahira rested against the starboard rail, chewing a sliver of wood and pointing. “See those twin peaks smoking over there?”
The day had been uneventful compared to the previous one. Luckily, the pirate ship had been sailing solo.
Reecah leaned over the rail and nodded. “Volcanoes?”
“Aye. Mount Cinder and Mount Gloom. The Svelte duchy’s northernmost city of Cliff Face is nestled in between. If yer to be thinking Thunderhead’s bad, I’d be advising ya to stay well clear o’ that rats’ nest.”
Reecah shuddered. “How can any place be worse than Thunderhead?”
“How?” Cahira’s faint eyebrows came together. “Because Cliff Face is a place best left to rogues and villains.”
“Isn’t there a dragon colony around there?”
“Aye. Two rival clans, actually. Dragons and Wyverns. Mortal enemies. The city of Cliff Face is built in the saddle between the volcanoes. That’s a place even I wouldn’t go.” She leaned over the
rail and pointed. “If ya look close, ye can see the beasts flying about the cliffs.”
Reecah tried to discern a dragon through the smoke-covered mountainsides but didn’t see anything. Scanning those on deck, an uneasiness had overtaken the crew—more so than when they were scrambling to deal with the pirates. Everyone’s gaze invariably strayed to the volcanic peaks as they went about their business.
“On a clear day in the crow’s nest, ye’d be able to see Draakhall off the port bow,” Cahira informed her, changing the subject as if she had bored of talking about dragons.
Reecah felt her nerves jump. “We’re almost there?”
“Hah. Nae. We shan’t dock ‘til after nightfall.”
“Is Sea Keep better than Thunderhead and…” She had forgotten what Cahira had called the rat’s nest.
“Cliff Face?”
“Yes.”
“Aye. A different type of wariness is required in the capital.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hard to explain. Especially to someone who’s never been there.” Cahira’s eyes narrowed, her gaze taking in Reecah’s sword. “I’m beginning to think yer not from the Great Kingdom.”
“Why do you say that?”
Cahira pulled the sliver from her mouth, inspecting its battered surface. Throwing it overboard, she stared Reecah in the eye. “Ye strike me as smarter than regular folk. Ya strut around with an air of confidence and possess some mighty fine weapons. And yet, ye claim to know little of the Great Kingdom. That’s odd if ya ask me. Yer like a noblewoman without a kingdom. Like someone who’s lost their way and ended up here. Perhaps against yer will.”
Reecah fought to keep the surprise from her face. If Cahira only knew how close her accusations hit home. But a noblewoman? She blurted out a laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“You. Thinking I’m highborn. There’s nothing further from the truth.”
“Then tell me, GG…but first, perhaps ye can start by telling me yer real name.”
Reecah gaped, and then felt foolish—her expression confirming to Cahira that she had given up her secret.
Cahira crossed her arms below her breasts. Tilting her head to one side and raising her eyebrows, she demanded an answer.
“Well, I…um, I mean…” Reecah didn’t know what to say. As rough and simple as Cahira came across, a deeper intelligence existed behind those intense brown eyes. Anything short of the truth and she might find herself without her only ally on a ship full of people who wished to throw her overboard.
Heaving a heavy breath, it was time to come clean. She searched the deck, making sure nobody overheard. “My name is Reecah…” She was about to say her last name but changed her mind—officially renaming herself. “Windwalker.”
Cahira stared hard.
Perhaps she should have lied. She hadn’t thought that ‘Windwalker’ might be renowned in the bigger world.
“Reecah, huh?” Cahira nodded. “Suits you.”
She couldn’t break Cahira’s gaze if she wanted to. She swallowed her discomfort and offered the redhead a brief smile.
“Look, Reecah. I don’t know what you did to earn the ire of the baron, but whatever it was, it must’ve been serious. Did you know one of the baron’s ships set out after us? We outdistanced it before daybreak. If the prince gets wind of what went on, I pray to the kraken we reach Sea Keep before he does.”
Reecah stared at the glistening sea dropping behind the Serpent’s Slip. “You mean the prince’s ships can overtake us? He was sailing the other way.”
“Who knows with Cappy running the reefs to steer free of the serpents?”
“Serpents?”
“Ye know? Krakens. The cooler waters of the Unknown Sea are infested with them.”
Reecah shook her head. She knew of krakens from reading Poppa’s books, but what that had to do with where they sailed, she had no idea. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
The look Cahira gave her made her wince. Just when she thought the woman would walk away, a huge grin split Cahira’s face.
Cahira punched her in the shoulder. “Yer really something, Miss Reecah, you know that?”
Reecah shook her head, massaging her shoulder “Please. Just Reecah. Trust me. I’m no one special. Nor do I come from anywhere particularly exciting.”
A look of understanding transformed Cahira’s expression. “Yer from Fishmonger Bay! I should’ve known as soon as we sailed by the pig’s wallow. That explains everything.”
Reecah’s wide eyes searched the deck. There were a few sailors working nearby, but they didn’t appear to be paying them any attention. She should have been offended by Cahira’s description of her home town, but she wasn’t. If only Cahira would keep her voice down.
“Why didn’t ya say so? Ye don’t need to be embarrassed. Not many on the Slip have grand roots. Probably no one other than Cappy. That’s why we sail the seas. To be free of the trappings the highbrows cling to. Being from Fishmonger Bay makes you a kindred spirit.”
Reecah cringed at the mention of her village again. She wasn’t sure being lumped in with the rough and tumble sailors was a good thing. Casting a quick look around, she motioned with her palms for Cahira to keep her voice down.
Cahira leaned in close, touching Reecah’s sword hilt. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “So, what’s someone like ye doing with gear like this then, eh?”
Reecah didn’t know how to answer that. She couldn’t very well tell her what Aunt Grimelda claimed. Cahira would think her daft and turn her over to the captain as a witch.
Cahira’s grin grew wider. “You stole them from the baron!”
Reecah shook her head, mortified, but Cahira held a dirty hand over her mouth and chuckled.
“That’s awesome, Reecah. I’m liking you more ‘n more. Ye’ll fit right in with the crew. Once they learn to accept ya.”
“That’s not what Cookie said.”
“Bah! Cookie’s a male. They’re pig-headed.”
“I thought the whole crew were males.”
Cahira raised her eyebrows, conceding the point. “Details. They’ll come around.”
The redhead’s assurances didn’t make a lot of sense, nor did they provide her with the solace she sought. She pushed it aside. What did it matter? Once they reached Sea Keep, she would be rid of them anyway. She just needed to survive until then.
When the sun went down, the tension on the deck rose. Mournful wails pierced the darkness; first one, and then another from a different direction; as if in answer.
Reecah sat cross-legged with her back against the side of Cahira’s cot, shivering with every unnerving cry. She leafed through her journal, attempting to read the strange runes Grimclaw had left on the last pages of the diary. Her thoughts were distracted as she marvelled at everything she had gone through recently. She almost screamed in fright when Cahira burst through the cabin door.
“There ya are,” Cahira said, holding the door open. “Gather yer stuff. We’ll be unweighing anchor shortly.”
Reecah gulped. “We’re there already?”
Cahira’s face twisted. “It’s what I said, ain’t it?”
“Yes, sorry. I was listening to those awful cries. I guess they unsettled me.”
“Ah, kraken song. Ya, it can reduce the biggest man to a whimpering babe.” Cahira reached down to give her a hand up. “Come on. We should be safe on deck now. I want you to witness Sea Keep at night.”
Cahira’s assurance that they should be safe did little to ease her nerves, but she couldn’t refuse the sailor’s enthusiasm. Cahira had not only been responsible for her passage to the Great Kingdom’s capital, she had also kept the superstitious sailors from tossing her into the sea.
Cahira led her to where the port and starboard rails joined above the bowsprit of a topless mermaid. Reecah mused about the hypocrisy of men’s traditions. They claimed a woman’s presence onboard the ship brought them bad luck, and yet, the symbol they used to grant them safe passage
was none other than a twenty-foot, bare-breasted female.
Several sailors were gathered along the rail. Seeing Reecah approach, their conversation dropped off. A few of them nodded to Cahira, but no one spoke. Without having to be asked, the men at the pinnacle of the bow shuffled over to allow Reecah and Cahira room on the rail.
The dirty looks they received didn’t bother Cahira but Reecah checked her weapons and held her quarterstaff close. She pulled her cloak tight to ward off the cold—its hems snapping in the breeze.
Shivers racked her body, but the approaching glow on the black horizon consumed her attention. It was as if the point where the steely waves met the darker sky was ablaze.
The bow dipped into a shallow trough, cutting into the backside of the next wave—spraying everyone with water. Hawsers protested, and spars creaked. Kraken song pierced the night; their unsettling melody mingling with the slap of the sea breaking over the hull.
Mesmerized, Reecah didn’t know whether to watch the sailors scuttling through the rigging, unsnagging block and tackle, or keep her eyes on the approaching skyline.
A sailor in the crow’s nest called out something Reecah couldn’t make out.
A deep voice responded from the helm’s deck and the Serpent’s Slip veered to port.
Glistening walls rose out of the darkness—as if they projected from the sea itself. Massive bulwarks and rooftops materialized in the faint light of the quarter moon. A solid wall of stone and wood-lined what little of the shoreline was visible at its base.
Reecah wondered where they were going to dock. The Unknown Sea crashed into the foundations of the built-up skyline—no piers, docksides or boats visible in the haunting mist lining the shore.
A cry sounded from the crow’s nest and was answered from the stern, accompanied by the annoying peal of a large cow bell.
The deck beneath Reecah’s feet pitched portside as the Serpent’s Slip veered toward a massive building looming out of the darkness—stretching northward and out of sight. She grasped Cahira’s forearm, fearing they were about crash into the lattice-faced wall blocking their passage.
Cahira yanked her arm free. “Ya wanna black eye?”
Legends of the Lurker Box Set Page 36