Resigned Fate

by West, Shay

  “We need to hurry! We can’t keep this up much longer.” Fa’ Vel said.

  “It’s too difficult pushing through these people!” Kaelin said, trying desperately to move faster.

  “So move them.” Fa’ Vel snarled as one of his men stumbled.

  “We will handle this,” Saemus said, pointing at Kaelin.

  “Hurry, blast you!”

  Saemus glanced back at the dark magician and reached for his power, reaching out his hand for that of his twin. Their powers combined, surging through them both, connecting them in a profound way.

  Together, the twins shoved the people aside with solidified air, trying to be as gentle as they could.

  “We won’t make it if you continue like that. You don’t have to hurl them a mile away, just shove them aside so we can pass freely. If they stumble and fall, so be it. They’ll have some bruised shins and scraped elbows. The alternative is worse. Move these people out of the way. Now!” Fa’ Vel ordered.

  Saemus sent up a plea of forgiveness to the good Spirits and shoved with all his might, wincing as people hit the ground hard. He ignored them and tugged Kaelin’s hand, forcing her to a slow jog while using the large force of air to thrust people from the path.

  “Some of them are starting to move!” Keera said as she added her own power to shove the people away from the cluster of dark magicians at the back of the group.

  One of Fa’ Vel’s men moaned and fell to the ground.

  “Leave him. Keep moving or we will never make it to the ship!”

  Keera glared at Fa’ Vel but kept moving. Her anger lent her strength and she shoved the people of Vis Rellisa hard, feeling a little guilty at taking out her anger on them.

  Another of Fa’ Vel’s men fell to the ground, holding out a hand as his Master passed him by.

  More of the townfolk started to regain their ability to move. Rather than continue on their way toward the docks, they stood and gaped at the living statues surrounding them and the group of people quickly making their way through them like a prairie wolf through the tall grass.

  “Hurry!” Fa’ Vel urged.

  “I can see the docks!” Saemus shouted back over his shoulder.

  He pulled Kaelin harder, ignoring her weak protests.

  The people near the docks were moving at an almost normal rate of speed. They crowded close to the ramp leading up to Lucian’s Fury, demanding to be allowed on board. Morden’s men were armed to the teeth and standing their ground despite the overwhelming odds against them. Shouts and screams reached their ears.

  “We’re not going to make it,” Kaelin gasped as she tried to keep up with Saemus.

  “We have to try, Kae. If we don’t get to the ship, we’ll be trapped here.”

  Terrified screams and panicked shouts came from the docks. The people there began to move away from the Sea and toward the group frantically trying to fight their way to the Fury.

  We’re going to be trampled!

  “Form a shield of air!”

  Saemus nodded at Fa’ Vel’s shouted order. The group huddled close together and held their breath as the first wave of terrified citizens came at them.

  “What are they running from?” Sloan asked.

  “Dear God.” Brad whispered.

  A Mekan was descending into the Sea of Solace, sending up huge gouts of water into the air. Its four legs tucked up beneath itself and it floated for a moment on the surface. Red and blue lights blinked on what appeared to be the machine’s head. A long metal spike emerged from the back of it and opened, slowly forming a large bowl.

  Slowly, the Mekan sank beneath the surface of the Sea, all the while lengthening the spike the dish rested on so that it remained above the surface of the water. Small waves hit the shore and rocked the ships moored there.

  “Let’s go. The crowd is gone,” Morden said.

  The captain stood on shaking legs, unsure if they would actually bear his weight. His hands shook and his heart pounded in his chest. After a few wobbling steps he began to jog toward his ship and his men, hoping they had withstood the waves well enough.

  “Why are we still going to the ship? The Mekan lies right in our path,” Brad pointed out as they ran.

  “This changes nothing. We still need to reach Faerow. And if the Mekan is under the water, perhaps we can pass above it undetected.”

  The Earth Chosen helped their exhausted Astran comrades to the Fury. Sloan helped Keera walk, his brow furrowing with worry at how weak she was.

  “Does this happen every time you use the magic?” he asked.

  Keera nodded. “There’s only so much we can do before running out of energy. Even with plenty of food and drink, we can’t do spells like that for more than a few minutes.”

  Sloan nodded, too afraid to speak, certain she would hear the disappointment in his voice. He had witnessed the Astrans do some amazing things with their power. He assumed they would ultimately be the ones to fight — and win against — the Mekans.

  If they are this tired after such a short time, they won’t be much use in a fight.

  He refused to let the thought take root. It wasn’t fair to put the burden on them alone. They would have to find another way to fight the Mekans.

  Or die trying.

  ***

  Morden was relieved to find his crew and his ship unharmed. Though frightened of the thing that has landed in the water, they trusted their captain with their lives; when he ordered them to make ready to sail, none hesitated.

  The Captain tried to order everyone below decks but they all refused. They couldn’t sit and wait to see if that thing under the water would rise up and swallow them whole.

  “If something happens, you’ll need us to help fight,” Fa’ Vel said, though he looked too weak to hold a quill.

  Thrace Morden nodded and told them all to stay out of the way of his men before heading to the helm. Normally, his helmsman would steer the Fury but for this delicate operation, Morden wanted to be at the wheel himself. If something went wrong, there would be no one else to blame.

  The oarsmen slowly moved the ship out of the port. As soon as they were clear, Morden ordered sails raised. He hoped a silent passing would go unnoticed by the machine lurking below the water. His skin crawled at the thought of the Mekan suddenly emerging right under the ship, tearing it to pieces.

  The strange metal dish sticking out the water didn’t seem to get any closer. Kaelin and Brad stood together, she tucked safely under his arm. Kaelin smiled when she saw Sloan and Keera standing nearby. Even though the two girls had never been close, Kaelin was happy that Keera had found someone special. Just like I have.

  It seemed to take an eternity, but the metal dish finally grew large enough for them to see some of the detail they couldn’t view from shore. It was larger than they’d thought at first, larger across than the Fury. It didn’t move or have any moving parts that they could see. There were no lights and it made no sound.

  “What could it be doing?” Brad asked.

  “Who cares, as long as it stays under the water and leaves us alone,” Kaelin said.

  “We must be right over the top if it.”

  “Thanks for reminding me.”

  Brad pulled Kaelin close. “Just trying to talk, keep my mind off of it.”

  Kaelin turned to face him. “I understand. Why don’t you kiss me instead?”

  Brad laughed and pulled her close.

  ***

  Jon watched the two kissing as if they didn’t have a care in the world. His hands tightened on the railing.

  “Something the matter?”

  Jon looked up at Fa’ Vel and tried to walk away.

  “I am just trying to make conversation.”

  “I have nothing to say to you.”

  “Nothing, eh? Not even ‘Thank you for saving my life?’”

  Jon rolled his eyes and said nothing.

  “Those two sure seem to be getting along well,” Fa’ Vel said, jutting his chin in the direction of B
rad and Kaelin.

  “A little too well if you ask me. He’s not even from this world.”

  Fa’ Vel sucked in a breath. “What’s that you say?

  Jon groaned, realizing his error. “Nothing.”

  “I’ve already seen you walk right through solid rock, you know what these things are, and you just said that chap was from another world. Is that where you all went? To some other place?” Fa’ Val leaned closer, excitement gleaming in his black eyes.

  I suppose it won’t hurt to tell him. Jon told the story from the point where they entered the portal, haltingly at first, then speaking so quickly the words barely had time to form before they tumbled from his lips.

  “And the captain doesn’t know about all of this?”

  Jon shook his head. “He knows something strange is going on and he knows we have to stop it, but nothing about the other worlds. So let’s keep it that way. I shouldn’t have told you.”

  “I will keep my mouth shut. Everything is suddenly so clear.”

  “We’ve moved past the dish.”

  Fa’ Vel looked to where Jon pointed. “Why, so we have!” He had been so intent on the boy’s story that he hadn’t noticed.

  “Whatever it’s doing down there, it doesn’t seem to care about us,” Jon said.

  “And for that we are grateful, eh?”

  Yeah, grateful, Jon thought sullenly as he watched Brad and Kaelin.

  ***

  Jon stared at Kaelin snuggled under Brad’s arm. Fury forced bile into his throat. His hands reached for the pair, stopping only inches from Brad’s neck. Jon’s heart hammered when the Earthman twitched in his sleep, murmuring something unintelligible. Kaelin moaned and pressed her body against Brad, her arm coming around to curl around the man’s waist.

  It would be so easy.

  Jon relished the feeling of the dark power flowing through his veins. The sensuous voices urged him to strangle the life from the Earthman. He longed to feel Brad’s panicked pulse against the palm of his hand, to see the fear in his eyes, to feel his muscles bunch and jump as he struggled for air.

  Jon froze as Brad’s eyes flew open. In an instant, Brad was in a tense crouch, eyes roaming the deck of Lucian’s Fury.

  “What is it?” Kaelin mumbled sleepily as Brad’s sudden movement woke her from slumber.

  “Can’t you feel that? Something bad lurks nearby.”

  “I don’t feel anything but tired.” Kaelin yawned. “Do you see anything?”

  Brad shook his head. “No. But the hairs are still standing up on my arms.”

  “Maybe there’s a storm coming.”

  “Maybe.” Brad sat back down with his back against the deck and lifted his arm as Kaelin moved closer.

  Jon focused on breathing slow and shallow until Brad’s eyes closed and his chest rose and fell with the regular rhythm of sleep. He backed away slowly, still holding onto the dark magic. When he was out of sight of the two lovebirds, he released the power, despair filling him as the magic drained away. Jon peered at the pair and clenched his teeth.

  You live to breathe another night, Earthman. Tomorrow, you may not be so lucky.

  ASTRA

  LUCIAN’S FURY DOCKED AT SAGUACH PORT. The Chosen and Forka were eager to leave the ship. They had been plagued with rough seas the entire trip, forcing everyone to take refuge below decks. Unfortunately, the rolling motion of the ship caused everyone to suffer the effects of seasickness. Kaelin feared she would never get the smell of vomit out of her nostrils.

  And out of her hair.

  “Captain Morden told us to head for the Sailor’s Folly. It’s not far,” Saemus said.

  “As long as they have water to bathe in, I don’t care if it’s five miles from here,” Kaelin groaned.

  The group made their way to the inn. The streets of Saguach Port were more lively than those of Vis Rellisa. The people strolled about on their usual business, greeting the group walking slowly down the street.

  “They have not yet heard the news,” Morden said quietly.

  “Surely Sheldon sent a bird as soon as he saw those things coming over the Hills?” Saemus said.

  Morden shrugged. “I can’t say. If he did, the bird would have beaten us here.”

  “Not necessarily. Those storms we passed through were quite fierce. The bird may have been lost.”

  Morden nodded. “You could be right. I only hope Mordaen will agree to an audience once we reach Faerow.”

  “He will see us. We saved him and the city from Fa’ Vel,” Saemus said, glancing at the dark magician walking behind the rest of the group with his remaining seven men.

  They trudged on to the inn. Morden took the lead and spoke to the innkeep at length. The rail-thin man smiled and rubbed his balding head, bobbing his head up and down, reminding Saemus of a chicken.

  Morden motioned to them all to come inside. “This is Metson. He has rooms enough for all of us.”

  “And food too, I hope? Har!”

  Metson’s face broke into a wide grin as Cook waddled into the room with the rest of the group trailing behind him. He hugged the big man before kissing him on both cheeks.

  “I have something special, you wait and see! Now, off with you to clean up. You smell positively rancid!”

  Cook managed to look hurt. “I ain’t the one that’s been sick! So you must be speaking of them.” He gestured to the others in the group.

  Metson coughed delicately. “Yes, well, as to who exactly is to blame is not important. What is important is to get you all cleaned up before you scare off the other patrons, yes?” He clapped his hands and ordered a young serving boy to run out and get clothing for the nice folks.

  “Oh, that’s not necessary. We can wash—” Saemus began, but was interrupted.

  “Those clothes are beyond the aid of washing I’m afraid,” Metson insisted.

  The serving boy sized each of them up quickly before rushing out the door clutching a bag full of coin.

  “Now, we only have two tubs so you’ll have to take turns. And considering how dirty you all are, I suggest bathing in the stables.”

  “Ladies first!” Keera shouted as she grabbed Kaelin by the arm.

  The stable was warm and clean. The girls stripped down to their bare skin and waited for Metson’s wife to fill the single washtub. Keera insisted Kaelin go first and washed the girl’s hair for her. She tried not to gag as she rinsed off a week’s worth of vomit and filth.

  As soon as Kaelin was done she dried off and helped Keera wash her hair.

  “I wish I had curly hair,” Kaelin said wistfully.

  “Are you crazy? Your hair is so glossy and shiny. Mine looks like a rats nest most of the time!”

  Kaelin rinsed Keera’s fiery locks, sighing as they curled of their own accord.

  Metson’s wife brought them some clean clothes. The girls scrambled into the simple dresses, sighing in contentment as the clean clothing caressed their clean skin. They combed their hair quickly, not wishing to keep the boys from their baths.

  Metson settled the girls at a large round table in one corner away from the door. It was semi-private, with three half-walls surrounding it. There was a merry candle burning in the center of the table and a cup that held wild flowers.

  A serving girl brought them each a cup of water and milk. She asked if they wanted food. Though starving, Keera and Kaelin told the girl they would wait for their friends.

  “I hope they hurry. Whatever is cooking in the kitchen smells divine!” Keera said as she tried to peer over the low wall.

  “There are a lot more of them than there are of us. My guess is, it’s going to take them awhile,” Kaelin said.

  “Perhaps they wouldn’t mind if we at least had some bread and fruit or something. It’s not like we would be eating the whole meal without them.”

  Kaelin laughed and called the serving girl back to the table. “If it’s possible, we would like some bread and perhaps some fruit while we wait for our friends.”

  �
��Of course.” The girl bustled off and returned quickly with fresh hot bread and a plate of apples and pears.

  The two girls tore into the bread, gulping it down so quickly they barely tasted it. When the men returned from their baths, they found the bread all but gone and both girls with fresh pear juice running down their chins.

  “Nice to see you waited for us,” Saemus teased.

  “We were starving,” Kaelin said.

  “Ah, here you all are!” Metson said as he approached the table. “I will bring you drinks and a meal that is sure to please everyone.”

  “If it’s half as good as it smells it’s sure to be wonderful,” Keera said.

  The group sat in silence while they waited. Stomachs growled and mouths watered as plates heaping with unfamiliar dishes were placed before them.

  “Here we have fish served with cumin, oregano, roasted purple peppers, oil and butter, and topped with tart cheese. And here we have chicken roasted with spicy mustard...”

  As the man rattled off the dishes before them, servers scooped portions of each onto everyone’s plates. The group dug in with gusto before the server had even managed to move the spoon out of the way.

  “This is damn near good enough to serve on my ship!” Morden called out to Metson.

  “Now, Captain, that be hurting my feelings,” Cook said even as he grabbed second helpings of everything on the table.

  “I have to keep my options open, Cook. After all, you could choose to work on some other ship. Or go to work for some rich fat lord and leave me hanging with only my own cooking to sustain the crew.”

  “Har! You’d starve to death inside a day, you would. I reckon I’ll stay with you until the day you give my body back to the sea.”

  “If you keep eating that way, it will be sooner rather than later!” Morden said, laughing.

  “I’m a big lad and it takes a lot of meat to keep me strong!” Cook said as he patted his large belly.

  Metson left to go attend to other customers, leaving the group free to speak in low whispers. Most agreed that they should head for Faerow on the morrow, but there was some argument as to how best to get there.