Chapter 16
I shifted uncomfortably. The suit had been made for Kitteren and while she stood a couple of inches taller than me and had more muscle I still found the suit rather tight. I could only imagine how uncomfortable it would be for her.
She and Silver should have returned by now. I bit my lower lip with worry that something happened to them.
I sat and listened to the specific details while I put the soft boots on - their tread meant for silent movement, but would be deadly on slick surfaces.
They argued back and forth shortly after I agreed to help. Many did not want to chance sending in someone untrained, but Father reminded them I escaped not only Silver, but also Darius and Brad who had been following me on foot and Rathal who tracked me through the security camera network. And that I remained elusive until I finally stopped trying to hide. Mother only looked at me during the discussion and I turned away.
My mind drifted and I could not afford to miss details. I had a hard time keeping up with what the others went over - they used terms unfamiliar to me. My task would be as straightforward as it could get. The Ocean’s Edge crew occasionally chimed in with a change they thought should be made to accommodate my different skill set, such as suggesting I could teleport over instead of needing to get in the water.
One of the Highlands agents, a Human woman whose name I had to be reminded was Mackie, put together an equipment bag. The small black pouch would easily attach to my thigh - Kitteren planned on carrying a knife, a flashlight, and a few other small items. The headset I needed to wear would have a camera on it with a live feed. I kept reminding myself it was just in and out. The others would handle the rest.
Mother stepped in when she finished. “This is all I want you to do. When you find the children, we’ll know. Just keep moving. I am not putting you at any more risk. Do not engage anyone unless you absolutely have to.”
Father paced in the background, getting more and more agitated. He had still been unable to contact Kitteren or Silver. With their phones off, he could not track them. Just as they were unable to track me when I took off. At the most I thought I would be giving Silver grief.
Mother knelt in front of me, adjusting the zipper and the collar snap of the suit I wore. She said softly so only I could hear her, “Ketayl, you don’t have to do this. No one will think less of you if you decide you want to back down. The Gods only know how much I destroyed your trust by not telling you. Dark Ops be damned.”
Mackie strode over and started fitting the headset to my ear. I looked at Mother and told her, “I can do this.” I could do this and not become the monster again. I would not have to fight this time. There were teams ready just for that possibility. “Have you tried scrying on Silver?”
Brad caught my question. “Ket, you know as well as the rest of us he blocks scrying somehow.”
“That’s my point,” I said quickly and then slowed down, not sure my idea would actually work. “He’ll create some kind of void, won’t he? Something we can use to get a rough area.”
A female Dwarf whose name escaped me leaned over the railing. “Would need to try an’ cast as if from a bird’s eye view. It’d be worth a shot. If you can give me a few minutes, I’ll give it a go.”
Mother looked up and ordered, “Make it quick.”
“Good idea, kid,” one of the Highland’s agents said.
I nodded shyly - I only hoped it worked.
I fidgeted in the tight outfit and clenched my hands a few times trying to get used to the gloves. The fabric barely made any noise, but I would still have to exercise extreme caution.
The Dwarven woman came back a few minutes later as promised and shook her head. “Sorry ma’am. He might be in the harbor, but it’s a bloody big area to try and guess - too many blockin’ scryin’. Though it may make huntin’ for other scum a bit more fun.”
Father spoke up, “Thank you for trying.”
Mother patted my face in her motherly fashion and stood up. “Let’s roll out!” she ordered.
I took the boat with Darius and Brad. As soon as we got close to the target boat, I could teleport - they wanted to try and keep how much arcane energy I needed to expend to a minimum. It was a slight change of plan from what they originally set up with Kitteren. At least I did not need to get wet.
We were to get close in a small boat with the two of them using a couple of guys night fishing as their cover. Their fishing vests disguised the armor they wore. Brad had jokingly asked if he could keep whatever he caught.
The others would split up on opposite sides of the harbor from the dinner boat and board their own watercraft. Many of the agents moved onto the one inside of the warehouse, so they could have mobile surveillance. I overheard Mother ordering her crew to keep my feed active on the main monitor.
I did not enjoy having to lay down on the floor of the boat between Brad and Darius, but I could not risk being seen. At least a plastic cover lay over me so they were not staring at me curled up. Their rifles were wedged in on either side of me.
“I’m sure glad you don’t need to stand to cast, that might make this difficult,” Brad said.
“Are we close?” I asked. This was uncomfortable.
Darius spoke next, “Not yet, kid. We need to look like we’re searching for a good fishing spot.”
“Why are you here?” I finally asked after a few moments. It bothered me since I first saw them, but it had been the least of my concerns at the time.
Brad spoke this time, “We volunteered. Kitteren stopped in Ocean’s Edge to try to recruit more agents for this mission. We’re all cleared for Dark Ops.”
Darius continued, “Savanas is holding down the fort with a couple of new agents and some help from the main office so she could spare us for a few days. Besides, we were getting bored. It’s been a slow spring. Even Rathal hasn’t managed to get into a fight.”
“He was too busy running from Holly.” Brad laughed.
Rathal’s voice came through the headset, “You guys know I can hear you, right?”
“I’d still say it if you were in this boat,” Brad tossed back.
“Okay, enough, boys,” Mother kept her voice calm, but a low warning tone rang in it.
Silence fell and I just listened to the sound of the water, letting it calm me.
Darius whined, “Man, why can’t I have a beer?”
“Outside of you’re on-duty?” Brad asked. “You need better taste in drinks.”
“This coming from the wine lover. I don’t know how you can tell the difference between grapes.” Darius sounded utterly bored.
Brad laughed at him. “I have a far more refined taste my friend.”
“Wine doesn’t go with fishing.”
“You win this one,” Brad conceded.
Both men laughed. I heard lines being cast from their fishing poles once Brad cut the engine. They repeated the process multiple times - the conversation turned to their cover. I started to cramp up being tucked away like this and I hoped they had not forgotten about me.
Finally Darius nudged me with his foot. “This is a good spot.”
I poked my head up over the edge of the boat and thought the plastic cover still in my way at first, but it was just so dark in this part of the harbor. I kept myself low, barely spying the target boat over the edge.
As they trolled slowly around the stern of the harbor cruise boat, I saw my opening. “Got it, I just need the guard to pass.”
“Good luck, kid,” Darius whispered.
As soon as the opening became available, I teleported, my body able to stretch out now. I felt stiff as the deck of the boat formed beneath my feet.
I chanced a glance back at them before casting my spell to cloak myself. I hoped no one on board could see teleport lines.
“Well, shit, if things could run this smooth all the time…” I heard someone say over the headset. Their thick accent told me one of the Highland’s agents had spoken.
The above decks were in the direct
ion the guard went. Below sounded like a better option to start. Besides, they wanted a better look there anyway. I heard the guard start yelling at Brad and Darius to go find a different fishing spot.
A gun shot rang out and I started to back track to see what happened.
Mother’s voice stopped me, “They’re fine, keep going.”
Taking a deep breath, I quietly padded my way down the narrow stairs.
~*~
How was this ship organized? It did not seem like a large ship from the outside, but I started to become concerned I might get lost as I took in the general layout. I had not even gone into any of the rooms yet - someone would always show up about the time I considered it.
The doorway at the end of the hall opened and I rushed for it, sneaking in after a Dwarven man came walking out with the two I encountered in town.
I had to hold my breath as I recognized the Dwarf and my hand went to the scar on my left side. He gave me it to me 50 years ago. He now bore a burn scar on much of the right side of his face. I forced myself not to think about fighting or running and focused on the task at hand long enough to get myself into the room.
Finding myself alone, I let out the breath I held and wrapped my arms around my waist to try and control my shaking. “Ketayl. Ketayl, keep it together.” Mother’s voice cut through the memories of the Dwarven man wielding a knife standing over me.
I heard a few people I did not recognized start talking about aborting the mission and getting me out of there.
I took a deep breath and forced myself back into the present. Just keep going.
I stood in an office of some sort and figured I must have made it all the way to the bow given the shape of the room. With no one here, I dropped my spell to conserve energy.
Ledgers lined the wall next to the desk. What looked like surveillance pictures were pinned to the wall behind it. I stepped closer to get a better look in the dim lighting.
I appeared in every picture, but I knew not all of them were me. There were some with recent date stamps in places I had not been at the time of day they were taken. My hair was also up in a bun and I wore the clothes I normally would. Those were all crossed out with a black marker. The one which caught my attention showed the time Silver grabbed my arm when I went to walk away from him at the open market on the same night we first encountered the two men. The stubbornness in my face surprised me, but my evaluation got cut short.
“Ketayl, you need to hurry and get out of there,” Father came through the headset.
I wanted to ask who the other me was and then I figured out Kitteren played the role. I never considered the fact we were close enough in appearance she could pass as me with little effort.
Tearing my eyes away from the pictures, I glanced down at the ledger open on the desk. The numbers and shorthand meant little to me, but hopefully it meant something to one of the others.
I heard the door start to open and immediately recast my invisibility spell.
“The buyer will be here tomorrow, captain,” the Elven man said calmly.
The Dwarven man from before strode in and took a seat. “Aye, I remember. We’ll have our prize soon - that harpy of a woman can wait. For now, I want our guests to have a chance to consider my offer.”
I could not get stuck in here and took the opportunity to leave through the slowly closing door. I cringed as the end of my braid softly thumped the door as I passed. I flattened myself against the wall and listened to hear if the men noticed. The Human man strode down the hall and I held my breath, certain he would hear my heart pounding in my chest.
I should have said no. I was not trained for this.
“Ketayl, if you need to abort, we can get a boat close enough,” Mother said gently. I must not have moved for a length of time.
No, I was going to finish this. I steadied my resolve to find the children if they were here and then started to move.
Seeing the hall finally empty, I started peeking in doors as I passed and someone noted the purpose of the room. I wished I knew who spoke to me, but at least the calm male voice helped settle my nerves.
I managed to make my way back to where I started, but at the end sat a set of double doors still being guarded by a Human man. Suddenly he turned and banged on the door. “Knock it off in there.”
Then the cries of children became loud enough for me to hear from halfway down the hallway.
He grumbled and rolled his eyes, anger plain on his face. He yanked open the door and pointed his gun inside. “I said to be quiet before I silence one of you permanently!”
I started to move by the time the others began discussing if I should stop him or not. Pulling his gun arm up, I opened my other hand near the side of his head and released the electricity spell I hastily conjured.
“Now that was nice,” a female voice said in an appreciative tone through the headset as I struggled to get the slumped over form into the room.
I managed to get the dead weight into the room and set him down just inside dropping my invisibility spell in the process. I saw the children huddled together on the far side of the cargo hold.
“Fairie?” the same little girl from the streets came up to me. “You did come.”
“The rescue boat is less than a quarter of a mile from you, Ketayl,” Mother said. “They’ll be coming toward the stern. They’re moving slowly so we don’t alert the slave traders.”
“You’ll all be safe soon,” I tried to assure them. Looking out over the scared crowd, I could not leave them here. I spotted the boy from the news article and Joanna’s son in the group. Why was her son here? Then I remembered the urgent phone call Kitteren had gotten. Why hadn’t she said anything?
Why had they started taking children with homes and families as well? I would have thought it too large of a risk.
I turned to reach for the door, but paused as Joanna’s son made his way forward. “Ketayl, are you taking us home?” He clung to my hand. “Please don’t leave us here.” I barely knew this child, but his face had gone from despair to hope when he saw me.
“The boat to take you back isn’t here yet,” I tried to explain, but so many small faces turned to me silently pleading for help.
Taking a deep breath, I held up my free hand for them to wait. There were around 20 children here and I never teleported more than just myself before.
I could do it - I knew how, I just never tried it. If the rescue boat got close enough I might even have enough left to teleport myself back afterward. There could be more children elsewhere, though unlikely - they kept them all together before. The way the captain talked about his guests, I did not think them here willingly. They could be in danger, but I could also be wrong.
I took a moment to peek out the door and check the hallway. I needed to clear the remainder of the distance to the back patio-like area I arrived on. Then I just needed line-of-sight to the boat. If they were moving as slowly as Mother suggested, I could make an educated enough guess to get us all there safely.
“Ketayl, what are you planning?” Mother asked, worry clear in her voice.
I closed the door again and moved away from it so I could speak without someone passing by hearing me, though the missing guard might be enough to start an alert. “I need to know which boat they need to go to.”
Only silence came from the other end for a few moments. Then Mother asked, “You can teleport all of them?”
“I can’t leave them here,” I did not want to voice my uncertainty. The small faces surrounding me looked up in silent hope.
Silence again until I heard Darius come through. “We can cause a distraction and try to pull their attention to the other side.”
“On my mark,” Mother ordered. “I want the rescue boat closer so Ketayl doesn’t have to teleport far. Once it’s in position, I’ll have them cut their engines and set up a signal light.”
I took a deep breath and smiled down at the children around me. “We’ll be going soon.”
“I’ll keep
eyes on the stern, but you’re on your own for getting them that far, kid,” a male voice said.
I knelt down while they continued to organize the various boats and spoke to the children. “I’m going to need all of you to hold hands and stay with me, okay? We don’t have very far to go.”
I waited for Darius and Brad to begin their distraction before I checked the hallway again and stepped out fully into it once I saw it clear. I signaled for the children to follow. I silently prayed to whoever might be listening to let me get them to safety without incident. As soon as the last child left the room, I closed the doors and hoped it would be enough.
A few long seconds later I stood on the back patio, hearing shouting from the bow of the boat, surrounded by frightened children, and searching for whichever boat I needed to get them to.
“Ketayl, the blue side lights. I’ll flash them as if we’re having electrical issues,” a female voice came through. What was that supposed to look like?
Despite my concern, I easily spotted the outline of the small barge with the lights flashing. It stopped closer than I anticipated with a wide open deck. I calculated the distance and told the children to gather as close as they could to me. I touched two different heads, too focused on trying to weave together the spell quickly and build the bridge to take us over to pay attention to who I touched. I closed my eyes to work my way through making sure I kept everyone else with me.
“Hurry, kid, the distraction isn’t going to last much longer.”
I finished building the arcane bridge to take us all across and in a flash, we appeared on the rescue boat. I sank to my knees and took deep breaths, ignoring the chatter in my ear. The intensity of taking so many with me felt as draining as the energy required. My head spun from the effort. I had a few small arms clench themselves around me with cheers and thanks. The agents on board pried them off gently and started trying to organize them.
“Is everyone okay?” Mother called as her boat came up between us and the slave trading boat.
“Your girl did it, ma’am,” the Elven woman on board told her.
Shattered Illusions (Terra Chronicles Book 2) Page 18