by K Hanson
“I’m supposed to die with my brother that you kicked down the stairs.”
Nereyda rolled her eyes. “No, you’re not. Live your life. There’s more to the world than being a brainwashed puppet. Find something to do. You can take up a hobby.”
He crawled toward her.
“How does this thing work?” she asked.
“I’m not going to tell you.”
She sighed. “Fine. I can figure it out on my own.”
She glanced back at the wheel and spotted a lever next to it. With a swift kick, she knocked it loose, and the wheel started spinning, letting more chain go out into the harbor. Outside, the chain splashed into the water below. To prevent the catch from being engaged again, she gripped the lever and yanked it sideways, breaking it loose, then tossed it out of the chain slot.
“Have a good life,” Nereyda said in a biting tone as she ran past the crawling guard and down the stairs, being careful to avoid the body of the other man. She sprinted out onto the beach.
Nereyda glanced around for the Storm Raven, not seeing it in the dark water of the harbor. Had she been too slow? The cannons on the beach had fallen silent.
A series of distant booms made Nereyda’s brow furrow. They weren’t coming from within the harbor. They came from the open ocean.
She ran to the harbor opening and glanced around, then let her shoulders fall in relief.
The Raven had pulled out of the harbor and was lingering just outside the opening. She jumped into the water and swam toward her ship. Someone tossed down a rope ladder, and she climbed onto the deck. She dripped water over the deck as she strode back up to the helm.
“I see you kept us out of too much trouble,” she said to Nik as she took the wheel back.
“It was close a couple of times.”
“What’s with the guns out on the ocean?”
“I don’t know. It sounds like there are quite a few, though,” said Jax.
“Let’s go find out.”
She ordered the ship to go to full sail, making for the sounds of conflict with as much speed as they could coax out of the sails. They made their way around the bend of the coast to the north.
The Islander fleet was a bit ahead of the Storm Raven, just down the coast, while a host of silhouettes broke up the shimmer of the waves in the distance.
The western Imperial fleet had caught up to them. They launched barrages across the water as the Islander ships sailed in closer to engage the Imperials.
The Storm Raven closed too slowly.
Remembering the trick she had used leaving Antalia, Nereyda summoned her power and threw wind at the sails, filling them to the brim with air. The hull shuddered as it pressed through the water at faster speeds than it was used to. The water frothed around the ship as it plowed through the waves.
Ahead of them, plumes of fire flashed from the tiny silhouettes as the Imperials launched another volley from their ships of the line in a high arc over their frontline ships. Five seconds later, a deep boom roared. Another five seconds passed as the shots continued their journey over the gulf of water.
Two Islander ships exploded. Their men flew into the moonlit water in a shower of wood and other debris. The ships smoldered as they tilted beneath the waves.
The Storm Raven caught up to the Islander fleet as it sliced through the water and closed the distance between itself and the Imperials, its guns silent this far away. None of their ships had guns with the power of the Cambisian ships of the line. The Islanders’ best chance was to get in close. While the guns of the larger ships had long range and could tear through any ship with a single shot, they’d be much less effective in close combat.
Nereyda thought she’d try to push herself further than she ever had. Rather than just throw air in her own sails, she focused on reaching as much of her power as she could and threw wind behind the entire fleet.
Immediately, her vision wobbled with dizziness, but she shoved aside her discomfort and focused on getting the job done. The rebel ships sprinted over the water, surging toward the enemy fleet with renewed vigor. Looking across at the Islanders on the other ships, Nereyda saw their faces register momentary surprise at the sudden gust of wind, but their shock turned to excitement as the water sprayed over their bows.
Another blast sounded from the Imperial fleet. However, its shots overshot the rebels, landing with a host of splashes behind them. The Imperials had their cannons prepared for a fleet sailing at a normal speed. The sudden acceleration of their targets threw their aim off.
Trying something else, Nereyda put a little bit of an angle into her wind gust, which moved the Islander fleet to the side just before another blast of the enemy cannons. She kept using the wind speed and angle to help her fleet dodge the incoming heavy cannon fire.
An ache grew in Nereyda’s temple. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep going.
After a couple of minutes, the Islander ships had closed to a distance where they could engage the Imperials. The long sleek shadows of the Islander ships scattered and slipped between the broader Imperial ships and peppered their hulls with cannon bursts.
Water poured into the holes carved by the rebel ships.
The sulfurous aroma of gunpowder permeated the air.
The front-line frigates struggled to maneuver around to face the rebels. Two Imperial ships cracked together as they turned the wrong way. Sailors tumbled screaming overboard.
After the rebel fleet’s initial charge, several of the Imperial ships were left as broken and sinking wrecks. Men drifted in the water. Some struggled in search of help. Others lay motionless among darker patches of water.
But another full line with two dozen frigates awaited, and the behemoth ships of the line and flagships loomed behind that.
It was one thing to shred some of the frigates, with their thinner hulls. But taking on the giant ships of the line, or even the flagships at the back, would be another task entirely. Would the cannons on the Islander ships even penetrate their thick hulls with a single shot? Meanwhile, a single shot from the heavy Imperial ships would sink any rebel ship.
The Storm Raven and the Islander ships surged toward the next line of Imperial ships. With more time to prepare, this group of frigates had spread out. This deprived the Islanders of their advantage in tight quarters.
The Islanders weaved between the Imperial line at full speed and unleashed a single broadside burst. They then turned away to dodge the Imperial return fire. A few frigates tipped into the waves, but some Islander ships had gone down, as well.
Nereyda started to feel light-headed. Every time she cast a gust of air, her head would spin worse than the last time. Once her energy drained, she didn’t know how long their fleet could last against the Cambisians’.
The Imperial ships of the line circled their formation around their main flagship, with their broadsides facing out. This created a floating fortress and further denied the Islanders the advantage of maneuverability. As the Islander ships swirled around the formation of ships, unable to penetrate its defenses, their numbers dwindled with each burst of fire from the Imperial fleet. They needed a way into its formation, or a way to board the ships.
The lines of Imperial frigates had now turned around and were plowing toward the Islanders. Soon, they would cut off their escape route. Nereyda had a choice to make. Fight to win? Or fight to escape?
###
From the helm of the Tavara, it was obvious to Brynja that the battle was turning against the rebels. The small and sleek Islander ships could not penetrate the ring of tough Imperial vessels.
As the Tavara circled with the other Imperial ships, her crew worked with solemn faces and subdued voices rather than their usual boisterous behavior and sea shanties. Only Ilker carried a good mood as he stood next to Brynja.
Flashes of cannon fire illuminated the familiar shape of the Storm Raven as it circled the perimeter of the defensive formation around the Imperial flagship. In the low light and noise, details
were unclear and words indistinct, but the raven-black hair and commanding tone of the person at the helm could only belong to Nereyda.
Brynja’s heart panged as she recalled their last meeting. She had hoped she might earn Nereyda’s forgiveness, but understood why it had been too much to ask. Nereyda had treated her with exactly the kindness she deserved after the betrayal at the mines. Never again would they sail and laugh together as they had as children.
But Brynja could at least give Nereyda a chance at victory.
She spun the wheel hard to port and called, “Ramming speed!”
“What? What are you doing?” Ilker yelled as he reached for the wheel.
Brynja punched his face and sent him reeling.
Below, her crew set their faces with determination. They knew what she was doing and were as prepared as she was.
###
Nereyda watched as one of the frigates in the Imperial formation broke from its station and surged toward the main flagship. At full speed, it smashed into the flagship’s hull and burst a hole in the side. The bow of the frigate snapped with the impact.
The sudden action caused the Imperial ships to pause in their firing and gave the Islanders a slight opening. Nereyda called to the crew of the Storm Raven to sail into the gap in the ships, preparing a double broadside. As they pressed between the line of ships, she gave the order to fire, shredding two of the vessels. The other rebel ships followed her lead and broke into the formation among the remaining ships of the line.
A flash of cannon fire lit a human shape that leaped across from the rogue frigate to the flagship, with a gleam of straw-blonde hair.
Brynja?
A gleam of fire glowed from within the hole in the flagship’s hull. Nereyda guessed where it was in the hold of the ship and her eyes widened. “Hard to starboard!” she called as she spun the wheel hard. “Full sail,” she ordered, as she gave them an extra gust of wind and pushed them away from the flagship.
A moment later, it erupted. Fire burst into the sky, and wood and crew members were tossed into the air and out into the sea. The crews on the other Imperial ships froze. The tide had turned, and they sensed it.
As the Islanders swarmed around and picked some Imperial ships off in their stupor, several others raised white flags and turned their tails, moving away from the action. Nereyda had her crew give the signal to let them go.
The guns fell silent as the light of dawn extended from the horizon. Nereyda let go of the wheel and let the Storm Raven drift for a moment while she stood at the stern railing. The surrounding water had become the graveyard of dozens, both Islander and Imperial.
Broken hulls poked above the waves as they slipped into oblivion. Wisps of smoke drifted upward from a few of the wrecks. A forest of debris lay scattered across the surface of the water.
She thought of Brynja, who had leaped onto the flagship. If she had been captaining that frigate, then she had rammed the enemy flagship. And she had probably been the one to set the powder magazine ablaze.
Nereyda’s eyes watered as she remembered her first mate along with the crew members that went down with her. She felt guilty for throwing Brynja aside so callously when she had come to Antalia to offer them help. Because of her, they had been able to get to the naval base and take back the Storm Raven ahead of the western Imperial fleet. Brynja had made all of that possible. And now, she had sacrificed herself so that Nereyda and the rebels could win their battle. Nereyda hoped to see some sign of life climb out of the wreckage, but there was none. The only movement came from waves that lapped against the lifeless hull. Otherwise, a shadowy stillness hung over the remains of the ship.
However, that was not true of the surrounding sea. Rebels and Imperials alike floated among the debris. Some swam and clung to whatever floating objects they could find. Others drifted, either unconscious or dead.
Wiping her eyes of her tears for Brynja, Nereyda went back to the helm. “Let’s fish our people out of the water, along with any Imperials we can capture.”
The Islander ships had already begun rescue and salvage operations. The rebel fleet spent the next hour harvesting survivors from the water.
But the sound of gunfire rang from the naval base still. The rebel army needed their help.
Nereyda returned the Storm Raven to the harbor, and the rest of the fleet followed. They pulled through the harbor opening and turned their broadsides toward the coast.
Broadside after broadside, they unleashed an unending barrage into the Imperials who had become fortified in the city. Rather than copying the indiscriminate barrages that the Imperials had unleashed upon Antalia, the rebels and Islanders took their time and picked off squads of soldiers as the dawn highlighted them. It didn’t take much time of sustained attack before their support helped the rebel army advance through the city.
A short time later, the naval base was theirs.
Nereyda pulled the Storm Raven up to a dock and leaped off onto it, even before the gangway had been extended or the ship tied off. She strode off the dock and glanced around for Devrim or Limbani. She spotted the general ordering about a platoon of soldiers on the street.
Exhausted, Nereyda lumbered up to her and said, “Well, it wasn’t easy, but we did it.”
“It’s hard to believe we’re so close to winning this whole thing.”
“We’ll do it. Maybe after a short breather, first. Is Devrim around?”
“He should be here soon. He came in with me, and I know he wants to see you. Ah, here he is.”
Devrim strode up the road, holding his arms open in a triumphant gesture and beaming. “I knew you’d do it. We’re almost done. Unfortunately, I don’t think we have time to rest much. We need to speed down to the capital and finish this.”
Nereyda pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “Surely we have time for a little relaxation. I’d love to give you a tour of the Raven.”
“Can it wait? We really need to get moving.”
“Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.” Nereyda touched his arm and guided him onto the Raven, then whispered into his ear, “I really want to show you just one room.” She led him to her quarters and shut the door behind them.
CHAPTER FORTY
Taking the capital had been easy. Without a significant Imperial fleet to oppose them, the rebels had landed right in the harbor of Manisa, the capital of the Empire. Nereyda had kept the Storm Raven offshore and watched for any lingering ships that might foolishly try to help the Empire while Limbani had led the army into the city. The lower classes rose up, swelling the ranks of the rebels and helping them take the city swiftly.
Devrim spent the final quick battle on the Storm Raven. When Limbani sent the signal that the city had fallen, he bounced with nearly unrestrained energy. As the Raven pulled into the harbor, Jax nearly had to hold him back from jumping onto the dock before the ship had stopped.
Once the ship was tied to the dock, Nereyda jogged to catch up with Devrim.
“What now? Do you want me to come with you?” she asked.
“Hmm?” His eyes darted to her, then flicked around as he scanned the city ahead. “Oh, no. You and the others can stay here.”
Gravel crunched as they left the wooden dock. “What do I tell the Islanders? How long do we keep them here?”
Devrim waved his hand in the air. “We’ll have plenty of time to worry about that soon enough. But we will uphold our promise to them. You can all enjoy some time off while I settle things with Limbani.” He marched off into the city without slowing down.
After a celebratory drink with her crew at the nearest tavern, Nereyda went back to the Storm Raven. Even a few days after the battle for the naval base, she still nursed a headache from pushing herself during the battle.
Alone, she took a moment to appreciate that they had finally gotten their ship back. Standing on the dock, she gazed up and down the length of the ship. It had been a little battered in the battle near the naval base, with dents and bits of wood chipped o
ff of the hull. A couple of gashes had been torn in the sails, either from gunfire or perhaps from Nereyda pushing the ship a little past its abilities with her wind. Still, it was home. They’d get her fixed up and looking good, then they could set sail and at least take the Islanders home.
But beyond that, she still wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. Devrim was here, and she could hang around with him. But what should she do with him? She wasn’t one to sit around as the nice lady, entertaining guests. She needed to be in a fight. Without some sort of trouble, she would feel lost. She needed to cause some chaos, at least. Maybe he’d let her have a little bit of fun every now and then.
Shaking her head away from her musings, she sauntered across the deck of the Storm Raven. This time, she appreciated every creak of the hull as she meandered her way around the ship, starting toward the bow. She ran her hand along the railing, letting the grains caress her palm and the nicks kiss her fingers. In the light breeze, the raised sails swayed gently against the yardarms. Rounding the bow, she came back toward the aftercastle. She hadn’t even spent much time in her quarters since retrieving the Storm Raven. She looked forward to spending a night in her own bed for the first time in what felt like ages.
She drifted up to her door and pulled it open, smiling to herself as she took in her space. Her books were still there, along with the hanging bed along the wall. A couple of ports looked out at the harbor of the capital.
Nereyda took three contented steps into the room. Then something hit her on the back of the head, and she fell unconscious.
Nereyda came to with the sensation of floating along the ground. Her weight rested on something wrapped around her chest. When she opened her eyes, she saw that gray stones drifted beneath her. The rough surface scraped against her knees. A rope embraced her around her arms and torso. She lifted her arms, but manacles jangled around her wrists.
“Oh, are you awake?” came a familiar voice from a few steps ahead of her. Erhan’s.
“You?” she asked. She tucked her feet under her and took the weight off of the rope.