by R W Caron
“You have been gone a long time.” Nahan replied. “I am glad to see you safe.”
“It is good to see you as well Nahan.” Lexi replied and the two embraced in a hug.
“What is the news?” Nahan asked.
“The hunter survived his wounds and boarded a pirate ship.” Lexi replied.
“So he is crossing the sea.” Nahan said matter of factly.
“Yes.” Lexi replied. “There is more.”
“Yes,” Nahan replied.
“The ship is sailed by a demon. A man like you but with skin as red as blood and large horns on his head.” Lexi replied. “The ship has a Bull’s head at the front.”
“A demon?” Nahan said aloud. “How?”
“I don’t know. I got close enough to see the Hunter then flew back to you as fast as my wings would carry me.” Lexi replied.
“Thank you Lexi.” Nahan replied as she nodded her head to him. Nahan jumps slightly as Alina’s hand falls onto his shoulder.
“Nahan, its me.” Alina said as she touched him. Lexi bows her head and starts to take her leave but Alina blocks her way. “I made something for you Lexi.” He removes a necklace that has an insignia of a lion and an eagle forming a circle. “So the true king and the Queen of the skies can be together for over.”
“Andrew.” Lexi whispered as tears filled her eyes. Lexi slides the necklace on the tears start to flow like rivers. Alina pulls her close and hugs her as the two turn around.
“Look,” Alina spoke softly as she stroked the woman’s head. “Carmae and Tuck thought this would be fitting.” Alina, Lexi and Nahan walk to the steps of the citadel where the works continue to work on a statue of Andrew Brady standing guard. Alina and Lexi continue on but Nahan stops, seeing a cloaked figure in the courtyard that catches his attention. Nahan follows the figure around a corner into an alley before the figure disappears.
“Hello,” Nahan yelled.
Nahan turned around to head out of the alley and was face to face with Magmas. Magmas’ smile showed how pleased he was to have startled the man. “Miss me?”
“Magmas!” Nahan exclaimed. “How? I thought you… I mean.” Nahan suddenly embraces his former master.
“I can’t die, you know this. So long as my son lives, I can not die.” Magmas replied. “Not that it didn’t hurt. ” Magmas winces from Nahan’s embrace.
“I’m sorry my friend.” Nahan replied.
“I can’t be here long, but I knew you would need my help. Trinity fly you after the hunter, you would put your life and hers at risk.”
“How did you…”
“You and I think alike. Emotion aside, you need to seek out a captain to get you across the sea.” Magmas replied.
“Yeah, but who is going to take me after pirates?”
“Pirates!” Magmas said and cuffed Nahan in the head. Nahan thought for a second and nodded. "Only these one are honorable-ish."
“Where am I going to find pirates in Debec?” Nahan replied.
“Go to the pub by the docks, talk to the captain Goldie. I know the crew they are harmless merchants that occasionally find their goods in the possession of others.” Magmas replied with a sly grin.
“They will take me?” Nahan asked.
“Give them this.” Magmas hands him a gold coin with the Letter ‘M’ on it. “Trust me.”
Nahan nods and Magmas turns to walk away. “Come with me.” Nahan blurted out.
“How can I come with you if I was never here.” Magmas replied and then vanishes.
∆∆∆
That night Nahan and Alina walk into the Shark Fin after sundown. The Tavern is filled with common folk and some uncommon folk. Nahan skirts around the outskirts trying not to leave his back exposed and keeping one hand firmly attached to his coin purse. He looked around for anyone seeming to fit the name ‘Goldie’ and in the far right of the bar finds a man with hair so blonde that in the light it seemed to dance like gold shining in the light. Nahan slowly made his way to him sitting at a table and pulled up a chair sitting down across from the man. The man does not look up from his drink as Nahan leans in. “Goldie?” He asked.
“Who’s asking?” The Man replied.
“My name is Nahan and I need transport across the sea.”
“Nahan eh?” The man replied. “What kind of name is that?” he asked with a slight accent.
“I was told to search you out by a friend.” Nahan said.
“What friend?”
“A Friend.” Nahan said firmly. Suddenly everyone around Nahan stopped talking and turned to them hands resting on their blades. Alina steps to the table and draws he bow back aiming it at the man’s head.
“Anyone touches Nahan and Goldie dies.” He said firmly. Suddenly a silver dagger rest on her throat as a woman with golden hair steps out of the shadows holding it.
“Tis Tisk, he is not Goldie. I am.” Nahan glares at the man who smirks and leans back in his chair sipping his drink. Nahan looks up at Goldie who is extremely beautiful. Her corset pulled tight allowing her curves and breasts to be on full display through her white ruffled shirt. She looked as deadly as she was beautiful. “That is Zander, now what the hell do you want?”
Nahan grabs the coin and Goldie digs the Dagger into Alina’s neck a bit thinking he is going for a weapon. When Nahan presents the coin however Goldie removes the dagger and smiles at Nahan. “We leave in the morning, Master Nahan.” She said with such sarcasm it sent a cold chill down Nahan’s spine. “You have powerful friends, you better pull your own weight.”
∆∆∆
Shatina crawled her way to the old birch tree in the middle of the Azar Forest, barely alive from her fight with Carmae it had taken her weeks of hiding and regenerate enough strength , but she was failing. The children she carried of the king where draining her faster then she could regenerate strength. She had all but given up hope when she found the clearing with the birch tree she was found at. As she slithered towards it a man dropped from the tree and she turned to flee.
“Don’t, run my sister.” The man hissed. Shatina stopped and turned to him, her body struggling to stay upright.
“Who are you?” Shatina asked.
“Your true king.” He hissed again as Ryukin stepped into the light.
Shatina lunged at him but she stopped as he shifted his form to a humanoid snake and wrapped his powerful coils around her neck. She struggled for a moment and then gave in. “I failed up.”
“Yes,” She snapped squeezing harder with his muscular coils. “ Don’t let it happen again.” He released her and she lay on the ground as she slithers away. “Soon the humans will wish they never destroyed our people. Once our warriors are born.” He grinned ear to ear as he shifted back into Ryukin’s skin. Shatina could feel her children fighting to get out of her but knew it was not time soon though she would give them and then the humans would pay.