She quietly made her way toward the food, all the while eyeing the steadily approaching storm.
Tum Tum trailed a bit behind her.
“I’m sorry, Tum Tum,” she said softly.
“Sorries be for the past,” he said. “Let’s just get off this damned boat.”
Sora laughed and nodded as she ladled some of the food onto a tin plate. She raised another spoonful for Aquira, who devoured it in a single gulp, nearly breaking the spoon too.
“Looks great,” Sora said. “Aquira seems to like it.”
“Trust me; it’s not.” Tum Tum laughed this time. “I serve drinks. Leave the food for me cooks. Or well… left.”
Sora pursed her lips and raised her bowl to him in solidarity. If there was one thing she understood, it was losing one’s home. Then they took a sip of the stew together, and she stifled a gag. Tum Tum wasn’t lying. The fish was dry and filled with bones, and the broth was tart.
“Where do you think Whitney is?” Sora asked after a long silence and forcing herself to get half the bowl down.
“Not here,” he answered. “Not here, lass, and that’s all we be knowing. Best not dwell on what we can’t change.”
Tum Tum returned to the helm while she ate, eyes closed, ready to nod off. She'd have cried if she still had tears left, but instead, she stood and walked back out onto the deck. By now, a dense fog had rolled in. The storm still loomed a bit off in the distance, but it was approaching at an uncomfortable rate, and the wind was picking up. The ships sail flapped loudly.
Sora regarded Tum Tum, seated at the helm. It was he who slept now, and she hated him for it, imagined he was dreaming of snow-covered mountains and far-away lands, pretty dwarven women and gold-filled mines. She knew it was unfair. Tum Tum knew Whitney too. He might have even known him better than she had. It was easy to forget that between him leaving Troborough without saying goodbye, and her finding him escaping Redstar’s prison, was nearly a decade of adventures. She’d give anything to hear him exaggerate about another.
Piss in the wind, as Whitney would have said.
What mattered now was how to get to where they wanted to go so she might be able to figure out where they were. It was her magic that disappeared them. She knew it wasn’t Kazimir’s because he had no interest in Whitney. No. Whatever had happened sprung from her fingertips, and the strange power growing within her. Her abilities had always come with the cost of blood. It allowed her to keep them in check, but occasionally, like in the Webbed Woods, or when she lit Winde Port on fire, she lost control. She’d promised Whitney she wouldn’t let that happen again, and she’d lied.
“You’re out there somewhere,” she whispered into the wind. “I know it.”
She couldn’t, however, answer the question of where without first finding land before she and Tum Tum starved. That was step one. Don't starve. Then she could figure out a way to get to Yaolin City, where she and Whitney were headed before everything went south. Based on everything she’d learned from Wetzel, only her Panpingese ancestors, and their great mystics, fully attuned to drawing on the powers of Elsewhere, could help—if any who still knew anything even remained now that the Glass Kingdom ruled their lands.
As she stared quietly upon the continually shifting horizon, white crests rising and falling, a mass of what seemed like land peeked through the rolling fog.
Maybe we’re in Panping already?
She’d never sailed before so had no idea how fast it should go. This was by far the furthest from home she’d ever been, and thanks to Afhem Muskigo and the Shesaitju rebellion she had no home to go back to for the second time.
“Tum Tum!” she called.
“Aye?” he said, sleepily.
She thought about the stories she’d heard over the years when sailors would occasionally pass through Troborough and hunker down in the Twilight Manor on their way to Yarrington. Sora would usually sit and listen to the bards play their songs and overhear some of the tales. What was it they would shout when they spotted land?
“Land, whore!” she cried.
Tum Tum muttered a curse as his head sprung up from resting on a spoke of the wheel. Then he laughed. “It’s land ho, lass.” He waddled over to Sora by the bow. He squinted and said, “I dun’t see nothin.”
“Right there,” she pointed. “Just beyond the veil of…”
Her voice trailed off at the same time she’d realized her mistake.
“It’s not land, it’s another ship!” she yelled. “That might be even better than land.”
“Unless they be pirates,” Tum Tum remarked.
“Those are just tall tales told by sailors looking for attention,” she said. “The Glass Kingdom drove them all out… right?”
They both stood and watched the approaching ship which was more than twice the size of theirs and had three times the sails. As its silhouette grew, it pierced the veil of fog and Sora’s heart sank into her stomach. The sails were dark as night, and the flag flapping in the now buffeting winds bore the image of a chipped skull with blood leaking from its eye-sockets and mouth.
“Are those...” Sora couldn’t finish.
“Not just tales, lass,” Tum Tum said quietly.
They both swore.
“Mayhaps they won’t be seein us,” he added.
“I think it’s too late for that,” Sora replied.
The ship lurched, the boom and sail swinging over their heads. The sound as the wind caught the fabric was loud as thunder, and Sora and Tum Tum realized they were both crouched in fear. Aquira’s claws dug into Sora’s shoulder, only one leg still on as she flapped with all her might to combat the gust.
“We’ve got to get you inside.” She grabbed Aquira and tucked her under her elbow before running to the captain's quarters.
Cold, wet rain slashed against Sora’s skin like needles as she ran. They were far enough south to escape the bitter cold of winter, but the rain still came down like ice. She locked Aquira inside before it got even worse, the wyvern screeching in protest.
In a matter of minutes, it went from a light sprinkle to a deluge. Their ship rocked uncontrollably in the growing waves, even as Tum Tum took the helm to try and keep them steady. The dark, pirate vessel maintained a straight on approach.
“Best be preparin for what’s to come,” he said.
“Which is?” Sora said.
“The end.”
The seconds ticked by like hours, and the sky turned a sickly shade of green. The ocean lost its blue, as if somehow it could become even less inviting. Now it was gray like death and decay, the waves rising high all around them, blotting out even the clouds.
“We can’t just sit here and wait for them to board us,” Sora said. She turned and raced back to her cabin. She returned a moment later with Wetzel’s knife in hand.
“Are ye plannin on us hackin down twenty pirates all by ourselves?” Tum Tum asked. “Face it, lass, whatever they be wantin, they’ll be gettin. We may as well play coy and ask to join the crew.”
“Don’t underestimate me, dwarf.”
“Long as you don’t underestimate them,” he retorted, pointing a stubby thumb toward the ship that was now only fifty meters away.
Sora walked out to the center of the deck and drew a thin line of blood across her hand. Sacrifice, to draw on the powers of Elsewhere. She raised her hand toward the boarding vessel. Flame sizzled at her fingertips as she pulled on that haunting, indescribable power within; but it never formed further.
Driving rain stung at her wound and washed the blood away, and after whatever she’d done to Whitney, her body was still weak. She could usually feel the energy of Elsewhere percolating in her gut, but now it was distant, fleeting.
“C’mon,” Sora willed her body. “Don’t do this again!” She cut her bicep, deeper this time. Her hand and forearm were numb to the abuse, but as the soft skin split apart, it came with a forgotten pain. She fell to a knee, wincing, but she didn’t give up. A pathetic stream of fire swirled
around her hand, then arced off into the pirate ship.
The rain quickly extinguished even the magical flame, and all that was left was a singe on the ship’s hull.
Several dirty men peered over the side of the rail. The frigate or galleon—Sora knew nothing about the names of ships—drifted close and it occurred to her that their vessel could literally fit inside of it.
“Prepare to be boarded!” a gruff voice shouted, barely audible over the whipping winds. Grappling hooks soared over the watery expanse and found purchase in the wood of the corsair. Several pirates swung across, landing and rolling to a standing stop before drawing short, curved swords.
Rough hands seized her from all directions. Sora swung at them with her knife, but it was pointless. The men were stronger, and no matter how she tried, she couldn’t get the fire to come. She told herself it was the driving rain keeping her spark at bay before it formed, but she knew that was a lie. Every time she looked inward for the call of Elsewhere, Whitney’s face flashed through her mind.
Tum Tum protested even louder as they ripped him from the helm, lashing out with curses she didn’t even know existed. A plank lowered with a loud thunk when the two ships were close enough to one another.
The pirates jeered at her, and she found herself wondering why evil men were always so gross. Rotting teeth, messy beards, scars going every which way. Last time she’d been faced with a situation like this, Whitney had shown up just in the nick of time, stealing a caravan from a bunch of vile mercenaries, and together, they rode off into the proverbial sunset. Not this time. She would have to handle this on her own.
“There’s nothing worth taking here,” she said, throwing one of them off her arm. The end of the sleeve tore.
“I beg to differ, little lady,” one said, looking her up and down like a piece of steak. He went to wrap her arms around her waist.
“Get your hands off me!” She squirmed, but it was no use against so many of them. And even as her fresh blood mixed with the rain, she couldn’t will Elsewhere to respond beyond the tips of her fingers.
That would have to be enough.
She grabbed her assailant's arm and he squealed like a stuck pig in response to the heat of her palm. “Iam's light, what was that!”
Sora slipped under the grasp of another and ran toward the captain's quarters. Tum Tum was by the helm, still fighting to break free. She could hear Aquira inside making a racket over the storm. The wyvern might be enough to change the tide.
Sora looked back at the ruffians in pursuit, and when she turned to the door, her path was blocked. The man before her cut an imposing figure. He stood more than a head above Sora and three above Tum Tum. A long, thick beard fell from his chin, black with strips of white running vertically at nearly perfect intervals. His heavy, silver clasped boots landed on the deck of the small ship with a horrifying thud.
“All hail Grisham ‘Gold Grin’ Gale!” one fat lump cried from behind. “Scourge of the Seas, Ward of the Waters, and King of the Pirates!”
“All hail!” the rest echoed.
Sora didn’t know how to react.
Of all the pirates in the world…
Whitney boasted about his time spent with Gold Grin a few times. She didn’t usually believe him about these kinds of things, but she had to admit, a bit of hope coursed through her body.
“Aye, let go of me ye shog bucket!” Tum Tum screamed as they tried hauling him toward her.
“Just relax,” Sora said, but it was too late. One of the pirates clubbed Tum Tum hard over the head, and the dwarf collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
“Tum Tum!” Sora lunged for him, and a mess of grimy hands pulled her back.
The hulking man who could be none other than Gold Grin looked down at her. He grinned, and Sora learned how apt his name was. Lots of men had yellow teeth, but his were gold as autlas and sparkled just the same.
“Where’s yer cap’n?” Gold Grin asked, scanning the ship over Sora’s head.
“We don’t have a captain,” she answered.
The men laughed. All but Gold Grin.
“Where’s the rest of the crew?” he asked.
“We don’t have anyone else.”
A few men laughed again, but most took the cue from their leader who remained stone-faced.
“Ye thinking this a joke?” he asked.
“No joke, my Lord,” Sora said. “It’s just the two of us. We were three—someone I believe you may know.”
If the pirate were listening, he didn’t show any sign of it. He strolled off toward the captain’s quarters and threw the door wide open.
“Fortist, Hestor,” Gold Grin shouted to two of his men. “Tear it apart!” He leaned into Sora and grinned even wider. His breath smelled of ale and fish. “And I ain’t no lord, pretty lass.”
Two of the pirates began giving orders to the rest, and in seconds they had fanned out like ants from a mound. Gold Grin joined them and headed down the stairs into holding.
“Please!” Sora yelled. “Just listen!” She went to step, but the deck was slick and rocking side to side with the tremendous waves. She slipped, and was immediately hoisted back up by a couple of men. As could be expected, their hands wandered wherever they desired.
“You don’t understand!” she started.
“Naw, ye don’t understand, wench,” one of her captors said. “This be our ship now, and ye might stay alive to keep us company.”
Everyone within earshot laughed, but Sora finally had enough. The familiar surge of Elsewhere returned, and this time she forced herself to think of Kazimir, Muskigo, and Redstar; all those who’d ever tried to hurt her. Anyone but Whitney. The gash on her arm itched, begging her to draw on blood offered. Flames erupted from her and scorched the men on either side. They cried out, and even those holding Tum Tum backed away.
The pirates shouted about witches and demons, but one voice broke through the din of insanity.
“Aren’t ye a special one?” Gold Grin clomped back toward Sora and stood, eyes fixated on her. In his hand he twirled half of King Liam’s crown, fingering the glass. “This be a mighty good fake.”
“That’s no fake,” Sora said, panting. Gold Grin approached her as if her hands weren’t currently wreathed in embers. “That belonged to King Liam himself.”
“Only one king around here,” one of the pirates said, voice shaking.
Sora looked at Gold Grin and smiled. “You’re the king of the pirates, huh?”
“The ones that matter,” he chortled.
“Aye! Boss, look what I found!”
Sora turned toward the captain’s quarters where a skinny little runt of a man came running out holding Aquira by the neck. She flapped and squirmed but couldn’t get free. He had a singed sleeve for what it was worth, and the one next to him was full of bite marks.
“Leave her be!” Sora shouted, her fire growing brighter and stronger.
“A Panping mystic with a wyvern?” Gold Grin said. “Now there be a story I’d like to hear.”
“Put her down,” Sora demanded. “I won’t ask again.”
Gold Grin motioned for the pirate to release Aquira. The wyvern turned and snapped at the man. He drew his hand back, fearful. Two long flaps brought Aquira to Sora, and she tucked under her arm where the wind wouldn’t send her flailing. She coughed, sparks dribbling down her chin to join Sora’s flame.
Last time their powers combined, half of Winde Port went alight. She knew what would happen if she released energy like that on a ship, but a part of her didn’t care. A part of her wanted to send all these grimy souls who thought they could do whatever they wanted to anyone with no consequences to the bottom of the ocean, even if she went with them. But then she’d never find out where Whitney was.
“What’s a pretty, powerful woman like ye doing out at sea with naught but a dwarf for company?” Gold Grin asked, moving closer. She raised her flaming hand, but it didn’t stop him. The man showed no fear as if her magic was just the beginning
of the wonders he’d seen.
Despite her having the perceived upper hand, Sora was fearful of any man who didn’t flinch in the presence of magic.
“Whitney Fierstown,” she blurted as Gold Grin drew close enough for her to smell the fish on his breath.
He leaned back. She could tell from the change in his features that the name meant something to him, just what was yet to be determined.
True to his name, a wide grin began to stretch across his sun-beaten face. It looked like leather stretched across Mr. Gregor’s tanning frames.
“What did you say?” he asked, slowly examining the faces of his men.
Sora still couldn’t judge which direction her choice to invoke the name of Whitney Fierstown would take her.
“You know him?” she asked.
Every last one of the men nearly doubled over with laughter. Gold Grin merely stood there, same grin plastered across his face.
“Do we know him, boys?” Gold Grin shouted.
None stopped laughing long enough to provide an answer.
“Aye,” he said, leaning in again, “I know him weller than any man be wanting to know any lying, thieving, picaroon. Had a date with Stumpmaker Jack, he did.” The man motioned to his neck and drew his finger across his throat. “Escaped with more than his life that day.”
They all laughed again, and Sora swore to herself.
“Left this crew as the only man to ever steal from Grisham ‘Gold Grin’ Gale, he did!”
Gold Grin took one last step forward. Aquira growled, but Sora’s flame began to weaken from drawing too long on the power. She knew she’d made a mistake. I should have known better than to think Whitney left a good impression on anybody.
“Left here with the respect of each and every one of us too!” Gold Grin exclaimed after a brief silence. “Where be that carousing rapscallion?” He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.
“What?” she asked, stunned.
“He be on this crew? This ship? He be a bucko of yers?”
“I—he—I,” she couldn’t manage more than a stammer until Gold Grin stumbled backward, chuckling.
“He was. I—I don't know where he went. He just… disappeared.”
The Redstar Rising Trilogy: (Buried Goddess Saga Box Set 1: Books 1-3) Page 71