Flintlock (Cutlass Series)

by Ashley Nixon

  ***

  Leaving the marble cliffs took longer than Barren expected. This area was meant to be a refuge and was tedious to navigate. They departed in small boats, eyes uncovered this time and Barren much preferred enjoying the splendor of the caves. They sailed beneath magnificent archways of stone, and the ocean was quiet and calm around them, though cold.

  At last they came to an area hidden by a large wall of the same marble rock. Behind this, a port had been built, and several ships were docked. His ship was also here, destroyed by the Makar’s attack. Barren looked at Dominique.

  “We will repair it for you, if you wish,” he said.

  Barren wasn’t sure how he felt about Corsairs repairing his ship, but he nodded anyway and said, “I would be grateful.”

  They boarded Dominique’s ship, and Barren was surprised to see that Devon boarded his own ship. He took in the faces of the crew Devon called his own. They weren’t all from the Octent, and he didn’t imagine they were all Avalon pirates, which told him Devon merely had many alliances.

  The Ore Mines were only a day’s sail away from the marble cliffs of Avalon, but Barren found himself more concerned with what awaited them upon arrival and how safe the Elves were in Aurum. He knew Leaf was thinking the same thing.

  “Depending on the wind, it could be a seven to eight day sail to Aurum,” said Barren.

  “A smaller ship would get us there faster,” said Leaf.

  Leaf was referring to sailing in an Elfin ship, but they would have to find one at the Ore Mines.

  “Do you believe we’ll encounter Elves at the Ore Mines?” Barren feared finding nothing but bones.

  “I’m not sure what we’ll find,” Leaf replied. “Perhaps I should prepare for the worst so I can contain my shock.”

  Barren said nothing.

  ***

  When the Ore Mines came into view, it was obvious that the Elves had taken over the island. Several Elfin ships sat along the stone port. Stairs led up a rock hill, and what lay beyond that was not visible from their distance. Barren knew Leaf had seen the island and the ships first, but he hadn’t uttered a single word. He couldn’t really blame the Elf. Everything he believed about his father was being challenged. Barren would have kept quiet, too.

  They came to port, and Barren, Sam, and Slay accompanied Leaf off the ship. If Elves were here, they’d be less likely to kill the pirates if they saw their prince first or so the crew hoped. As soon as their boots scraped against the stone port, Leaf held his hand up for them to stop. They all halted immediately. The pirates seemed to share a common wish to escape the Elves without a fight. Barren remembered observing them in their own halls after he’d been stabbed with the hemlock needle. They were elegant, graceful, and deadly. He’d always been told their best weapons were their hands.

  The arctic air from the west blew about them, mixing ash with salt. It was an unsettling smell and it burned their noses. Leaf peered into the quiet and Barren did too, though it wouldn’t do him much good. Anything the Elves might attempt would probably be over and done with before he even caught sight of them.

  After a moment, Leaf stepped forward, moving up the steps with grace and speed. The crew remained below, waiting.

  Then they saw him. A tall Elf with broad shoulders appeared over the wall. He was imposing, and his size seemed above average for most Elves. He was clad as if he were prepared for battle. His armor was a mix of shining silver and black leather—the breastplate of his armor was black, and the outline of Sysara’s tree glared back at Barren. This Elf had long black hair that spilled over his shoulders and down his back. His features were severe, his eyes a dark gray. Barren took note of the weapons adorning him. A quiver and bow, a long sword, and two daggers strapped to his thighs.

  The Elf’s eyes landed on Leaf and he halted, surprised.

  “Prince Leaf,” he bowed, but his words were tight. Leaf watched as the Elf rose to his feet again. “To what do we owe this great honor?”

  The way the Elf spoke, his voice pitched slightly, told Barren he didn’t think Leaf’s visit was an honor.

  “Layce,” Leaf nodded. “I need to know what’s happening here.”

  The Elf seemed unable to contain his smile as he said, “A revolution!”

  “And what does that mean?”

  Layce’s features turned to stone, similar to the expression Leaf wore when he got angry. “I suppose I shouldn’t expect you to know. You’ve been gone for so long. I’m surprised we still call you prince.”

  Surprisingly, Leaf waited. Barren sensed there was something else between these two. There was no civility on Layce’s part, and Leaf was patient, as if he understood.

  “Come,” the Elf tilted his head a bit. “I will show you, then. But I do not trust your friends.” His eyes fell on the Corsairs, whose numbers were large. It probably appeared to Layce that Leaf had brought an army with him.

  “I trust them. That should be enough,” said Leaf.

  “You will forgive me, your majesty,” said Layce, who gave a sharp whistle. Four other Elves appeared over the wall. They were dressed as he, but lesser in size. Layce commanded them in Elvish. Barren watched Leaf’s expression in an effort to guess what had been said, but the prince’s face was neutral. Barren turned to glance at Dominique and Devon. They were not happy with this arrangement.

  Layce turned and moved up the steps and over the wall. Barren, Leaf, Sam, and Slay followed. What they saw when they crested the wall surprised them all. The Ore Mines were actually one large, desolate pit. The land was terraced like a set of steps. At the base of the pit, strange emerald and blue pools dotted the landscape. There was a disturbing quiet about the place that made Barren feel unsettled, and he knew his crew agreed because they held their weapons tighter. One thing was certain, Barren could feel the power of Lyric all around him. It was strong and made his body ache, and he knew Dominique had not lied.

  They made their way down each step of the terrace. While they looked manageable from the wall, they were actually wide steps with a steep drop. Layce and Leaf moved on as if it were nothing, while the rest were left to carefully maneuver down each one. Barren and the others slipped several times, and by the time they reached the bottom, they were covered in dirt and bruised by the rocks they’d hit while stumbling.

  At the base of the island, the emerald and blue pools were much larger and their strange water was almost hypnotic. The magic was stronger here, too. They moved forward, and Barren couldn’t help but feel drawn to them. He watched them as he passed as if expecting something to rise from them. He knew they were deep, for the water at the center was dark.

  He moved around another pool and slipped, falling hard on his back, his legs landing in the water. He gasped at the sharpness of the water and struggled to crawl from its tight grip. Sam helped him to his feet. Layce and Leaf stopped and looked back.

  “Careful, mineral wells are cold and deep. If you fall in, no one can save you,” Layce’s voice was critical and just as cold as the mineral well. Barren decided he didn’t like Layce or his voice.

  When Barren realized how far they’d walked, he started to feel uncomfortable. They had made it all the way to the other side of the island before Layce moved down a sloping path which led underground, and Barren found himself wondering just how long the Elves had occupied the Ore Mines. This had taken time to build, as the walls were reinforced with wooden slats, and lanterns hung at the center of the tunnel casting green light upon the ground. The tunnel curved, and soon they were moving down several sets of slippery steps. Barren cursed as he went. The green light prevented his eyes from adapting to these conditions, and he imagined Sam and Slay couldn’t see at all. The air around them was moist, the walls felt cool, and the sound of water surrounded them.

  Finally, they came to a tunnel tinged with green. At first, Barren didn’t realize what he’d stepped into. But then he saw them, wraith-like creatures propped up against the wall, their thin arms held in iron chains as if they ha
d strength to fight. These were Lyrics, and they were of varying ages, but all were weak, pale. Their skin was pulled tight over their bones, as if they’d been starved and deprived of water. They didn’t even react to their approach, not even with a glance, and Barren found that he couldn’t move forward.

  To add to the insult, guards stood in every corner of the room, and they were armed. With their prey so weak, Barren wondered why they felt the need for them.

  “Are they dead?” asked Barren. Part of him was so repulsed he wanted to leave immediately, but another part of him was rooted to the spot. This was real. Then he imagined this happening to Larkin, and he became even angrier.

  “No, just weak.” There was no remorse in Layce’s voice. “Their magic has been drained.”

  “What do you mean drained?”

  Layce looked about. “This is an ore mine…and magic and iron ore do not work well together.”

  “So where does their magic go?”

  He gestured to a small river where sparkling water ran along the floor. “There.”

  Barren felt his stare harden. This Elf’s presence was becoming intolerable.

  “So you’re saying those wells up there, they’re filled with magic?”

  The Elf didn’t say a thing; he just lifted his head higher. Leaf widened his stance and faced Layce. “For what?”

  “You’re really not that stupid, are you?”

  “Do you expect to wield magic?”

  “We’re building weapons so the human race will grovel at our feet.”

  “This…” Leaf pointed to the Lyrics. “This is genocide, and no matter what you believe, we are no better than humans.”

  “You’re one to talk!” he spat viciously. “You let mortals kill my sister!”

  Barren looked between them. This was Fira’s brother. There was hatred here, there was blame. Then his eyes shifted to the Elves who were guarding the entrance to the small cell. They tensed, wrapping their hands around their weapons.

  Leaf was careful. It was the slight incline of his head that told Barren he was about to attack, and when he did, Barren and his crew were ready to react, but found that the Elfin guard did not move immediately to assault. Leaf rammed his elbow into Layce’s stomach and then slammed his fist into his jaw. Layce’s head cracked against the wall behind him, but the blow did not deter him. He pushed against Leaf, and the prince stumbled back.

  “I don’t know what you think you’re going to stop. The weapons have already been dispatched. The humans will destroy each other.”

  “And what makes you think you won’t die in the crossfire?” Leaf yelled. He was so angry, the veins in his neck bulged, and his voice was worn and raw. “You’re immortal but not invincible!”

  Layce threw back his head and laughed, and Barren knew why he laughed—because now he spied the ashy line running down his neck. “He’s drinking the water,” said Barren and his blood ran cold.

  Leaf stared at him. “Do you know what you’ve done to yourself?”

  “I’ve become invincible,” Layce smiled.

  “Until what? Until the magic decides you’re finished? Until it suffocates you? “I’m not mortal! I’m not weak!”

  “Your only weakness is believing you are greater than everyone else,” said Leaf.

  Then they fought, and Barren couldn’t recall a time when Leaf had been so angry or so warrior-like. He used his sword brutally, bringing it down upon Layce with force. There was an intention to kill within those blows, aimed for the neck and head. Layce fought with equal strength, their bitter past fueling their animosity.

  And the other Elven guards joined the fight too, engaging the pirates in battle. The space was almost too small to have so many locked in a fight. Barren had not fought Elves before, only Leaf in practice. Even the blade he used was different from those brandished by his opponent now. These Elves used long, slim swords that cut the air violently. The Elf who’d engaged Barren moved forward fast, using every part of the blade; the hilt he rammed into Barren’s jaw, then he moved to bring the blade down on his head, but Barren blocked, finding his arms ringing from the blow.

  The fight continued like that, unclean and ragged. Barren wasn’t sure how to fight. Did he fight to kill, to wound? Did he fight to disarm? He didn’t want to be responsible for any Elf’s death. Leaf still fought to kill. He ducked as Layce’s blade swung over his head and slid his blade along the Elf’s legs. Layce’s legs buckled, but he still managed to block the blow Leaf had aimed for his head.

  “A prince killing his kindred,” Layce mocked. “And you say we’re responsible for genocide.”

  That seemed to get Leaf’s attention, and he backed away, that evil light in his eyes dimming a little. Layce rose to his full height despite the wound to his legs and attacked, his blows even more vicious. He moved forward and Leaf moved back, blocking the hits, but Barren could tell Leaf was too slow. As the prince jumped back, the end of Layce’s blade sliced down his chest. A guttural sound escaped from Leaf’s mouth and he reached toward the wall, and taking one of the heavy chains in his hand, he used it like a whip, hitting Layce’s body over and over again. Layce folded in on himself and brought his head into his hands to protect it from the blows. Finally, with the Elf against the wall, Leaf pulled the chain tight across his neck, trapping his hands beneath the chain.

  “You’ll come with me,” said Leaf, pulling the chain tight and breathing heavily. “You’ll come with me to Aurum. You will show my father what you’ve become,” he released Layce who slid to the ground. Barren wasn’t sure the Elf was even alive anymore.

  Leaf turned to command the guards still fighting Barren and his crew. “All of you,” he growled angrily, almost demonically. “You will obey me, you will obey me, or you will die for your treason! Leave this place!” Barren wasn’t sure they would listen at first, but soon they all lowered their weapons and filed out of the tunnel. The pirates didn’t lower their blades until the Elves were no longer in sight.

  Barren looked at Leaf, pulling the cloth of his shirt away from his wound. There had been very few times Leaf was injured, and seeing it now wasn’t easy for Barren.

  “Leaf, we need to get out of here, now,” Barren said.

  “I know,” he said, his voice quiet, but he did not move.

  “Leaf,” but Barren stopped. He couldn’t say he was sorry because that’s not what Leaf would want to hear. “We’ll make this right. We will, and everyone will be okay. I promise.”

  The prince smiled slightly. “This isn’t for you to make right, Barren.”

  Leaf moved to Layce. He bent and retrieved a key from his person, then moved to the Lyrics. He began unlocking their shackles. It was sad to see them laying there, eyes opened, but too weak to move. None of them even spoke. Leaf bent and scooped the smallest Lyric in his hands. She was a tiny thing, who couldn’t have been more than five. Her hair was dark and tangled. She kept her eyes closed and did not look up at her savior.

  Barren kneeled to the floor beside a Lyric who looked older. Perhaps he moved to her because she appeared closer to Larkin’s age. Her hair was blond and long. It curled down her thin frame. He brushed it away from her face and her eyes flickered open. She stared at him with soulless eyes, saying nothing. He gathered her into his arms, limbs limp and cold. Sam and Slay followed their lead, and then they began their climb up the steps and into open air.

  As they emerged from the tunnel, Barren looked ahead and saw that Sam and Slay stopped as they exited the tunnel. As Barren came upon them, he understood why. Elves had gathered there, several of them. They were a sea of stark faces, frightening, tall, and deadly. Their bodies were lithe and lean, and their strong arms held their weapons aloft with ease. They intended to kill. Barren could see it in their eyes. The hardest part was knowing that Leaf couldn’t stop them.

  Barren stood beside Leaf, and he watched as the prince carefully kneeled to lay the ailing Lyric child on the floor, then he moved past Barren, facing the arrows and the blades, un
afraid.

  “You would challenge me?” Leaf stepped forward from the tunnel.

  “You are our prince, not our king,” said one. “You’ve no say over what we do here.”

  “There is no king here to give you orders,” Leaf said. “But I am here, and I command you to stop this!”

  The Elves laughed, and it made Barren feel uneasy. He kneeled to the floor, laying the Elvish woman on the ground. Her eyes were unseeing, though they were open, and it was her gaze that made him realize that, though these men were Elves, they were not Leaf, and if he must kill them, he would.

  “You have never wanted to be our prince or our king, so you have received your wish,” one of them replied.

  Leaf drew two blades and spread his feet. And then Barren witnessed what it was for an Elf to kill. Leaf used his blade, cutting down his kin as they attacked from all angles. But Leaf also used his body to fight. He would wound an Elf, then use him as a shield, and when he was done with him, he would wrap his long arm around the Elf’s neck and snap it. He continued like this alone for what seemed like an eternity. Barren wanted to help, but he found himself rooted to the spot. He knew this was the Leaf who had been sent to Estrellas.

  Barren’s reality came rushing back to him when he heard cries from a distance—Dominique, Devon, and their crews rushed forward, weapons drawn, prepared to fight the Elves who crowded Leaf. Then Barren joined them, fighting alongside Leaf until few Elves stood, and those who did surrendered.

  Leaf stood over his people, as still as stone in the aftermath. His breath wasn’t even heavy. He sheathed his blades without cleaning them, and then turned toward the tunnel to retrieve the small Lyric. Leaf knelt to gather the girl gently in his arms and walked through the graveyard he had left behind. It was then Barren realized what this war would become. They would kill what they loved.

  They gathered the bodies of the Elves who had died, piled them up, and burned them. It was the best and fastest way to honor them, even begrudgingly. The smoke that rose from the corpses was bitter, and Barren turned away quickly, avoiding the ruin. The survivors of the Elfin guard were taken captive. Leaf said that they would be taken back to Aurum and if Lord Alder did not punish them, he would.