by Charles Lamb
----*----
Cassie was in the cabin she shared with Alex, brooding as she rubbed on Kinsey. She didn’t know what it was about the mermaid, but her comments about Alex struck a nerve deep inside her, making Cassie an easy target for her harassment.
So long as he was not present, she had no issues with the redhead, she even found her pleasant company… well sort of. However, the moment Alex stepped into the room, all semblance of civility vanished. In part, she knew it was the mermaid’s natural attraction to Alex.
As a magical creature, Cassie knew Kelby reacted to males as her nature dictated, projecting her sexuality to entrance them. She herself had practiced much the same thing for years, learning how to control and later manipulate the effect to her advantage.
It was the fact that Kelby didn’t even try to turn hers off that so irritated Cassie. It was like having your little sister trying to steal your boyfriend. Though she trusted Alex, her inner nymph was ablaze in jealousy and rage.
She heard a soft tap on the cabin door before she saw Alex stick his head through a small opening.
“May I come in,” he asked quietly.
“Of course,” she replied while rising from her bunk and crossing over to meet him as he entered. Kinsey took the cue, and curled up on a blanket provided for her in the corner. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Cassie planted a kiss on his lips intended to remind him how much she loved him.
“Wow,” he replied after she relaxed her grasp.
“Why did you bring the mermaid?” she asked calmly without releasing him.
“I will do whatever is necessary to find your mother safely. If that means I saddle a dragon and ride it to the moon, then so be it.”
Cassie actually giggled at the description before asking, “So you think she can help us?”
“Yes, I do. Besides, she has a huge motivation to help us. I am sure the thing that killed her mother was the Sea Dragon at Tantalus’s lake house. I don’t think your mom is there, because it is too close to Tazmain, but to be sure we must investigate. For that, she is ideal.”
“Well, I don’t like the way she looks at you, but I agree,” Cassie replied.
Reaching over to bolt the cabin door, Alex turned back and led her to the bunk.
“Well, I love the way you look at me,” he said.
----*----
It was just after sunset when Alex and the rest returned topside from below deck, after eating dinner. Cassie and Kelby had managed to keep the barbs to a minimum while everyone else enjoyed the food and drink. Alex noted that being out on the sea had the same calming effect on the mermaid as it had on Cassie.
“What a beautiful evening,” Cassie commented as she went to the rail and watched the last rays of sunlight disappear.
“For once we agree,” Kelby added, standing close by and inhaling the sea air.
They had no more than started to talk when the entire ship suddenly shook, as if they had run aground.
“Have we hit a reef?” Leander asked aloud.
Abruptly, there was another jolt. However, this time it came from the other side of the ship. Grabbing the rail, Alex closed his eyes and attempted to sense what was below them. All he could feel was open water, the bottom too deep to detect easily. Then there was a flash as something large shot under the keel and paused just off the port side of the ship.
“It’s the dragon,” Alex said calmly while remaining at the rail with his eyes closed so he could try and track the creature.
“There!” he heard someone shout, and then, as he opened his eyes, he was treated to a flaming display as the creature lit up the night with its spout of fire. While he focused on the beast, he heard a commotion behind him as the captain called his crew to defend the ship.
Alex watched the dragon rise out of the water like a snake, its head and upper body as high as the yardarm of the mizzenmast. The head was larger than Shadows, and its eyes were planted firmly on Alex, as he stood at the railing.
He watched as the creature drew in a breath, and all the while Alex was gathering what loose energy he could find. As the flame burst forth from the dragon’s mouth, Alex formed a shield between the ship and dragon. Slammed by the impact of the blast and struggling to deflect the flames away from the ship, he turned the fire back at the dragon’s head. Engulfed in its own flames, it howled in rage and retreated, only to return to try and ram the vessel by lunging forward.
“Brace yourselves!” Alex shouted, as he wavered under the force of the creature and then fixed himself to the ship, wrapping shielding around himself and the decking. Slamming itself into the shielding repeatedly, the dragon rocked the ship, but left it otherwise undamaged. Alex watched as the shields prevented the creature from reaching the ship and those aboard. He could see its flaming red eyes glaring at him over the short distance
Taking advantage of a pause in its attack, Alex gathered a burst of energy. Pulling from his internal reserves and slamming it into the exposed serpent-like body of the dragon, he sent the energy blast forth. The force of the impact took the dragon by surprise, sending it flying into the darkness and scorching a gouge in its side.
Everyone on-board stood motionless, scanning the darkness and listening for any indication of the dragon’s location.
“He has gone,” Alex announced, after his magical scanning of the area produced no sign of the creature. Walking slowly back over to the railing, Alex concentrated, forming a shield that covered the entire hull of the ship. Once he was satisfied, he opened his eyes to see the Captain and crew forming a semicircle around him, with his companions mixed in among them.
“Sire, we would like to thank you,” Captain Yeagars stated humbly.
“My pleasure. I have placed a shield around the ship’s hull. Should the dragon return, we are protected from damage if it tries to ram us. Please post a watch throughout the night, though.”
Alex stood in place, holding the rail while the crowd dissipated. Cassie came to his side, studying his face, but saying nothing. Finally, after everyone had left, he looked at her and smiled.
“Please get me something to drink before I pass out.”
Chapter 7
Alex sat in the small common area below decks, set aside for the royal family. With him were Leander, Abrianna, Kelby and Cassie, and all had their eyes on him as he drank from the large flagon Cassie had provided. Kinsey was lying near Alex, doing her best to stay out of the way.
“I have never seen that much magic used in one action,” Kelby said, as she watched him drink, clearly in awe.
“Let us hope it will not be necessary to see such again,” Leander replied as he handed Alex a round of bread.
“I thought the Elves taught you how to channel energy, Alex?” Abrianna asked. “I haven’t seen you use that much of your own since the orcs in A’asari.”
“Yes, but the dragon wasn’t providing me energy as the red mages did. This was raw fire and I could only absorb small amounts while fighting. In case you didn’t notice, that thing was big and strong. Did anyone see you help me below?” he asked Leander.
“No one noticed,” Cassie replied to the question.
“Why do you care?” Kelby asked.
“The men have faith that Alex will protect them. He cannot appear weak in front of them,” Leander answered.
“That’s their ignorance! That much magic would kill most wizards, yet he stood there as if it was a game,” she replied, dreamy-eyed and smiling.
“Easy, mermaid,” Cassie responded as the redheaded nymph slipped into the seat next to Alex.
“Regardless of their ignorance, we need them to feel safe and protected,” Abrianna added to the conversation.
“Well, I know I do,” Kelby said while mooning at Alex.
“There is one bright side to this,” Alex said between swallows.
“And that is?” Abrianna asked in reply.
“They no longer fear Kelby,” he said with a smile.
----*----
The nig
ht had passed without incident, and Alex rose early, feeling famished. Grabbing whatever he could find in the galley, he and Cassie went on deck to watch the morning sunrise as he ate. They had left Kinsey below, still sleeping in their cabin.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Cassie asked as the sun cleared the horizon, lighting up a clear blue sky.
“Yes, it is,” Alex answered between bites. When he had finally had enough to eat, the two sat on deck as the crew performed their duties around them. Soon enough, the others appeared from below, having either already eaten or brought their meals up with them as had Alex and Cassie.
“We will be in Tazmain in a few hours,” Kelby announced, while pointing to the direction of the port city.
“Have you been there before?” Abrianna asked curiously.
“Not ashore, but I have been in the bay many times. When I was younger, before I started working at the Siren’s Song, we would come and tease the sailors. Eventually, the patrol would chase us off. We weren’t going to hurt anyone, but I suppose they didn’t know that.”
Alex was actually impressed that the little redhead was considering the feelings of others; the moment passed quickly.
“It was really funny though, when the sailors saw we were bare from the waist up, and jumped in the water to try and catch us,” Kelby finished with a giggle.
“I’m sure it was hilarious,” Cassie commented, thankfully only loud enough for Alex to hear.
“So Leander, what do you know of Tazmain?” Alex asked trying to change the subject before things escalated between the two redheads.
“It is about as large as Windfall, and is one of three major cities on the coast. As we have discussed, most of the shipping actually goes through Freeport, however the major houses also ship directly from Tazmain. Once we land, we should go straight to the Ranger’s Guild. They are our best chance at gaining information on the House of Drakon.”
While they talked, Alex could see the coastline as it came into view. Watching as they grew closer, he could see the green forested hills behind the more barren brown coast. Next came the masts of ships, he presumed at anchor outside those in the harbor itself. It was then that Alex heard the conversation around him.
“Alex, what do you think?” Cassie asked.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Do you think we should go ashore right away or wait until we are warped to the docks so Shadows and Rose can be offloaded?” she asked, the others watching intently.
“Ah… what is warped?” Alex asked, completely unfamiliar with the term.
“It’s how larger ships are brought in. We launch a boat with a line, and then we use the capstan to pull us into the dock,” Leander answered. Alex had actually seen ships perform the task in Windfall harbor; he had just never known what the action was called.
“I think we should check in with the Guild while the ship gets settled. The quicker we get out of Tazmain, the better, I suspect.”
“We can land with the boat that takes the line to the dock,” Kelby proposed.
“Let’s do that,” Alex decided.
----*----
The five, plus Kinsey, were following the main road into Tazmain, having left the First Mate and his men securing the line for warping Cassie’s Quest into position. There had been a short delay as they negotiated with the Harbormaster for a spot on a prime pier. A few well-placed coins from Alex’s pouch had settled the issue.
Kinsey was drawing more than her normal number of stares, as wolves were not all that common on this side of the sea. Glued to Alex’s side, she seemed delighted to be off the ship and back on firm ground again. He and Leander used Kinsey’s influence to help clear a path in the busy street, with the three women close behind.
Leander made quick work of their trip, taking a few side streets and circumventing a large portion of the daily traffic to and from the port. With his guidance, the group soon found themselves as the doors of the Tazmain Ranger’s Guild.
“Please inform your Master that the travelers from Great Vale have arrived,” he said to one of the Rangers manning the door. In his exchange with the Master here, Leander had informed him they would be traveling anonymously, and without the need for the ceremonies a traveling Guild Master and royalty would demand.
Quickly, the man retuned with another, both men doing a bad attempt at masking the hurried pace of their return.
“Our Master bids you welcome. Please follow us,” one announced.
Waving everyone inside, they led them through the halls of a familiar structure. Though not identical, the building was very similar to the one in Great Vale.
“Welcome!” they heard as they entered a small office in the rear of the building. Inside, its single occupant rose from behind a desk and crossed to greet the party. Once everyone was inside, the Rangers who had led them there exited.
“Please, sit. Would you like something to drink?” the man in Ranger’s colors asked. While older than both Leander and Alex, he appeared fit and weathered. It was Alex’s guess that he spent far more time outside than in. He took a liking to the man straight away.
“I am Guild Master Thomas Robeck, and it is my great pleasure to meet you,” the man announced, the smile genuine, in Alex’s opinion.
Leander introduced himself as Guild Master of Great Vale, and then introduced the rest of the party, Kinsey included. With that, everyone found a seat, and Robeck opened the conversation.
“Your last message about the House of Drakon only confirmed a suspicion we have harbored here for some time. In the last year or so, they have risen from an small trading house to one of the most influential in the region, not just in Tazmain. There have been several mysterious accidents and disappearances among their competitors that have advanced their position in the guilds.”
“They have been coercing the mermaids to assist in that,” Kelby informed the Guild Master.
“That is most unfortunate,” Thomas said somberly.
“We were attacked by a Sea Dragon on the way here,” Leander added.
“And you survived?” the Guild Master asked in surprise.
“With a little luck,” Alex replied before anyone else.
“That is a lot of luck. You are the first I’ve heard to survive such an encounter,” he replied with a skeptical expression on his face.
“Our ship’s master is very experienced. What can you tell us about dragons, and specifically how to kill them?” Alex asked, closing the discussion on the attack.
“That is a very difficult thing to do. Dragons are creatures of dark magic. That is to say, they tend to align with those that practice the dark ways. I understand that the recent attack on Great Vale was, at least in part, promoted by the dark elves?”
“That and they contributed in the corruption of the Rangers. Although they were defeated there, we fear their influence is not gone,” Abrianna replied.
“Yes, we have felt the pressure here as well. However, since you uncovered the plot in the east, we have been able to root out the influences here.”
“Can we get back to finding my mom, please?” Cassie asked, her impatience clear to all in the room.
“My apologies, Lady Cassandra,” the Guild Master said, before continuing.
“I concur with your opinion that Lady Amelia is being held in the presence of a dragon. The House of Drakon is rumored to be in possession of at least one. While not the most gracious of hosts, they are renowned for protecting what is theirs. It will not allow any harm to come to her, but should she try to escape, the creature will pursue her mercilessly until it reclaims its prize.”
“So it will be necessary to kill the thing before we can get Amelia back?” Alex asked, hoping to avoid a fight with something he wasn’t even sure he could kill.
“Not necessarily; if that were so then Tantalus would never be able to reclaim her either,” Leander inserted.
“Yes, the dragon must be willing to relinquish its prize. Unfortunately, we need to discover what the particular c
reature values. Most hoard gold and jewels, as a magpie, stealing shiny objects. I have heard of others more enamored with offerings of food, even casks of ale or wine. That is how Tantalus might recover Lady Amelia when the time came to return her.”
“Maybe he just uses the dragon to guard his gold?” Kelby asked,
“A dragon’s lair is a poor choice to store anything you intend to recover at a later date. It is only their desperation that drives them to place her there. Were she anywhere else in the city, we would have reclaimed her already,” Thomas said to Leander and Alex. “Enough then. Let me take you to the archives to see what we can find about slaying dragons.”
“My Ladys, and mermaid, might I show you to our VIP quarters where a hot bath is available for each of you?”
Alex noted both Cassie and Kelby perked up at the mention of a bath, over Abrianna’s mild interest.
“That would be lovely,” Abrianna replied for the three.
----*----
Captain Yeagars was conflicted at the current state of affairs. Usually he wasn’t pleased to be tied to a dock, figuratively landlocked until whatever he was transporting was transferred to or from his ship. Today, however, he was delighted to be in water too shallow for a Sea Dragon to maneuver. In his many years at sea, that was the first time he had actually seen one of the legendary beasts. He hoped never to see another.
While they had no cargo to transfer, he had the crew ensure that all four mounts, still safely below decks, were ready to go ashore at the whim of the Lord Protector. Before yesterday, he had not given much thought about the man or the rumors of his magical capabilities. To Yeagars, he had been just been another Royal to ferry about.
He had since revised that opinion greatly. He did not know what invisible manipulations the man had performed in defending the ship and crew from the dragon. He just knew they worked. Wizard or Mage, he neither understood, nor cared for the difference. He was just happy to have the man aboard.