by Dawn Dagger
As the man launched forward to grab her, she threw herself between his legs, sliding forward across the deck, covering herself in blood. Her red fingers touched the hilt of her dagger and she gripped it tightly. She spun onto her back and sat up, pulling her legs out from under the man as she buried her weapon deep into the flesh of his leg.
He howled and fell onto one knee. Levanine was on her feet. She did not let herself think about her movements she closed her eyes and plunged her knife into the man’s neck. His scream cut off into a gurgle as fresh blood washed over her arm.
Levanine gagged on the scent, unable to convince herself it was anything but the life of another human. She took a shaky step back, choking. Pain suddenly exploded through the back of her skull and Levanine fell.
Black swallowed Levanine for a moment and everything went silent, as if she had been tossed into the sea, and when her eyes opened she felt boots on her back, pinning her to the deck. A face peered triumphantly down at her, raising an ornately decorated sword into the air.
Levanine realized this man was the captain of the Ronartion ship. There was no doubt about it. “CAPTAIN!” She shouted, trying to dislodge the man’s boots as he grinned down at her.
“What a lovely girl.” His voice was sick. It was smooth and sweet and disgusting. It went down her ears and throat like molasses. “Such a clever disguise too.”
He suddenly stepped off of her, but before she could roll away, his boot connected with her face, sending searing pain through it. She screamed. Blood was everywhere now. “Perhaps we will keep you as a sacrifice for Iembirrit.”
“C-Captain…” She coughed as black and red swam in her eyes, her lungs suddenly feeling empty of air.
The Ronartion captain lifted her by the collar of her shirt until her boots were brushing against the deck. Her hands clawed at his bare arms, but he only chuckled. One of his fists moved to wrap tightly around her throat, cutting off the blood-tainted air.
Levanine choked as pain filled her body and her lungs screamed for air. Her heart roared in her ears, drowning out all sound. She tried to call for the Captain, for Quinn, anyone to come and save her.
Black began to slowly swallow her as the man’s face began to blur together with the dark red. Oh, Cedar, please. Her mind begged suddenly. Please, don’t let me die, nymph. Daughter of Earth save me.
The harpys of Death and Darkness only held her in their grasp for a second before her eyes opened again. Something large was flying toward them, and all of a sudden, Levanine was flying. She hit the deck hard as the galleon shook.
The shadowed figure of Cedar let out a deafening roar and the body of the Ronartion captain went flying into the air for a moment like a child’s rag doll thrown in a tantrum, then it fell across the beast’s open mouth, which snapped shut around it with a crunching.
The fighting on the ship stopped suddenly, and the body of the enemy captain fell onto the ship with a dull thud. Levanine’s eyes slid closed and her body gave into the pain, blood, and Darkness, and some part of her begged the keepers of Ursona to allow Death someone else.
Chapter 29
Levanine opened her eyes and it was not dark like she had expected. It was a weird, dark red that held the world. Her body was stiff, yet she laid on something soft. She could hear laughing and buzzing and the air smelled of blood and ale and salt.
Was she dead?
Was this Ursona?
No, she had not been bad enough for Ursona, she should be in Elsomora, yes? Unless killing two men… She tried to sit up, but her body refused. She had no weapon in her hand when she died, so she was not in Alleryia. She must be in Ursona.
A figure approached her and she tensed, readying herself for the ghoulish, terrifying features of one of the judges of Ursona to examine her. Instead, however, the head that popped into vision was one familiar.
“Oh, good, you’re awake,” Rakifi smiled softly and genuinely. His silver eyes looked red in the light, and his hair was an odd shade of orange.
Levanine coughed instead of speaking, as her body would not allow her to form words. Rakifi knelt beside her and tipped the mug in his hand to her lips. She quickly swallowed the bitter, smooth liquid and her parched throat thanked her.
“Are we… dead?” She murmured.
Rakifi gently hooked his hands under her armpits and helped her sit up, leaning her back against the side of the ship. Just over the edge of the… galleon, she realized, the sea was blood, and dotting it were quickly moving ships that were the size of her pinkie.
“Are we dead?” She asked again.
Rakifi chuckled softly and slid to sit down beside her, and she noticed his pant leg was stained dark red and his leg seemed stiff. “No, Levanine. We are not dead.”
Levanine slowly began to examine her surroundings. They were sitting on the Ronartion galleon. The black flag had been painted over with blood, showing badly hand painted figures stabbing both the heads of the lion and the dragon. The galleon was milling with men drinking and talking quietly, full of crates and barrels. She sat on a misshapen pile of linens.
Cedar and the Captain seemed to be conversing quietly, their heads low and tilted together. She wondered what they spoke of. She must be dead, if they were getting along peacefully.
The sun was setting, she realized, deep into the ocean. The skies were red, the sea was red, all was scarlet in color. But, now that she knew they weren’t quite dead yet, it was more peaceful. Like the world was touched with rose kisses.
“What are the ships?” She asked softly, letting her head fall sideways and rest on Rakifi’s shoulder.
“Fishermen, traders, messengers… We will be pulling into the port by sunrise.”
Levanine nodded, letting out a soft sigh. “It seems a little funny, doesn’t it? Like, I’m not quite sure if I believe we will be pulling into port.”
He chuckled softly at her, and it wasn’t unkindly. One hand patted her head. “I understand. But we will. No one dares attack us this close to shore. We are now safe by Avondellaen pacts.”
Levanine nodded again. “Um, do you think…?” She tipped her head towards Rakifi’s mug of ale.
He laughed again and nodded, standing up and letting her lean against the ship. “I’ll get you some.” He left and Levanine closed her eyes, resting them until footsteps approached. She opened her eyes to see the Captain smiling down at her, holding out a frothing mug of ale.
“Nice to see you up.”
She took it shakily and drank down a good amount, filling her chest with a bubbly feeling and filling her stomach, then set the cup to rest in her lap. The Captain sat beside her and continued to smile. He was not wearing his tricorn hat.
“Two men, I hear. You did well.” He spoke into the sunset, crossing his arms over his knees.
Two men? She wondered briefly, before realizing with a sinking feeling he meant killing. “O-oh… yeah…” She suddenly felt very sick, and wondered if it was the ale or if it was guilt.
He gave her a funny look, tilting his head so his black curls fell from his face. His hair was longer than hers. “You did well.” He repeated, squeezing her knee. “You don’t feel guilty, do you?” He asked, raising his scarred brow.
“I… ah…” She looked away from him, up to the stars that had begun to unveil their faces in the expanse of satin sky.
“Do not be ashamed. Your soul will not be judged.” He assured, his voice smiling. “You saved my life! You are very loyal and brave.” Levanine still did not turn to look at him, feeling suddenly suffocated, as if all of the red around them were not the gently brushings of flower petals, but instead the blood of the men she had murdered.
She could feel him opening his mouth to speak again, air escaping his lips, but he closed it promptly, apparently without words for her. He suddenly stood up, wobbling, so she knew his leg was indeed injured, and began to hobble off.
“Cedar, come!” He called. The wolf loped over to him, a silly g
rin on her face. Her tail was wagging wildly. The Captain turned to address the milling men. “Attention!” He called.
The men all turned and saluted, in no hurry, but still respectfully. “Aye, Captain!”
The Captain lifted a long, leather cord into the air, upon which hung a golden ring with a large gem set in it. The gem appeared to be the color of the sunset-stained sea, but Levanine could not tell if it were just the jewel or if it was the sun itself painting it.
“The victor of our fight with the Ronartion galleon was us, of course, but more importantly, was Cedar! Cedar killed the pirate captain, and in her honor, we give her this token! To many more battles!”
The men cheered and the nymph dipped her head, her tail holding still for just one moment as he slipped the cord over her large head. The ring bumped against her chest, not but a red glimmer against her dark wood. Levanine had never seen anyone, wolf or human or otherwise, look as proud as Cedar did in that moment.
“TO CEDAR!” The men roared, slamming mugs together and splashing ale over each other.
Someone suddenly began to play some sort of loud, wind instrument and the men began to sing. They danced in crazy, dizzying circles and shouted, some of them shouting in languages she did not understand. It was devilish, wild, chaotic.
And absolutely delightful.
As the sky turned from red to black, the men did not tire, some of the men even more frightfully energetic than before. But Levanine felt herself tired, slipping away in a drowsy state that slipped in and out of sleep.
At some point during the night, Rakifi had returned, this time with a small tin of tea and a biscuit for her to eat. She thankfully swallowed them and rested her head on his shoulder when she had finished, resuming her drowsing.
Even though when she closed her eyes she could sometimes yet taste iron and see red behind her eyelids, she was more content than she had been for a long while. Finally, once they were deep into the dark of night, with the glittering windows of Avondallaen huts dotting the horizon like dancing fairies, Levanine let out a small sigh, and let herself sleep.
Chapter 30
The sun rose slowly in the sky, warming the ocean with a pale yellow touch. The sky was painted with soft hues of pinks against the fading black of night. Fishermen stirred in their huts and smoke trickled from a few chimneys along the portlines, where old residents rose early to watch the Avondellaen sunrise.
A Ronartion galleon pulled slowly to the port of Avondella, squeezing between other resting ships and coming itself to rest where the second Red Running Royalty had once sat.
Atop the galleon a crew of men sang boisterously, raising frothing mugs, dancing and shouting. They looked like wild demons in the early morning sunlight, their eyes tinged red and their skin the same rosy hue as the sky had undertaken. The eyes of the men twinkled with the same amount of wildness in them as the stars shone with hope and purity.
A large beast hopped around between the men, howling. In the early morning light, one could not be sure if it were a moving statue or one of the Dagalos rumored to live in the musky moors of Ronartion, captured and trained, brought upon the galleon.
Neither situation was quite believable.
“So watch your gold,
Watch your wives,
And watch your spines!
Because Fire’s sons are back!
Led,
Led bravely,
By Captain Guy!
Oh, yes!
Ursona’s sons are back!”
The galleon slid into port and stopped with a small bump against the stone platform. The most notorious pirate captain in the whole of Kethlatar, Captain Guy, climbed atop the side of the ship, his blue eyes burning light fires and a smirk gracing his face.
On his arm hung a beautiful girl with unruly, short hair and wide, bright eyes. A small smile graced her own gentle features.
“Alright, you bastard sons of Fire and a motherless goat!” He shouted to the men, raising his tricorn hat into the air. “We’re here.
“Now: get off my damn ship!”
Glossary
Countries of Kethaltar
Ankkalia: The largest country in Kethaltar, Ankkalia is a land of jagged ice. Few travelers have safely made it onto Akkalia, and fewer yet have survived. It is unknown whether or not there are peoples inhabiting Akkalia, or what resources may be found there. It is rumored to be plentiful in gold and gems, and is a planned stop for many an adventurous sailor or pirate.
Avondella: A large country continent in the center of the Alliacian ocean. Avondella is a center of trade and scientific learning, and has peace treaties with all countries. Avondella is known for having no army, and has no country-wide religions.
Bandolinda: Bandolinda is part of the three-country continent of Amaranthe. It borders Vedrus and Harothway, and is known for its vineyards, wine, and rare fowl.
Donta: A small, tribal island. Its inhabitants are very hostile and refuse to let foreigners step foot onto their land. Donta is located beside Dreanis, in the Allician sea.
Dreanis: Dreanis is a large island between the Allician and Kalsto oceans, known for its slave trade. Dreanis does not have a working government nor laws, and is a favorite stop of both barons and pirates.
Harothway: Harothway is located in Alliacian sea, in the continent of Amaranthe. Harothway is known for its rare crops.
Iatrain: Iatrain is a lonely island-country whose inhabitants are widely known for being unique. Those who inhabit Iatrain are characterized by their ability to swim, their blue to green hues of hair, their brightly colored eyes, and their dappled skin.
Keshnitte: Keshnitte is a country with a religion-based government. Keshnitte is very hostile, located in the continent of Ishuball, neighboring Ronartion and Utonopia.
Ronartion: Ronartion is a military country known for starting wars in the continent of Ishuball, and is a harsh place to live.
Utonopia: Utonopia is in the continent of Ishuball, neighboring Ronartion and Keshnitte. Utonopia is known for its spices and tropical jungles, full of humanoid animals and towering reptiles.
Vedrus: Vedrus is a small country bordering Bandolinda an Harothway, in the Allician sea, in the continent of Amaranthe. Vedrus is best known for it sprawling forests. It is rumored to be filled monsters, yet its inhabitants are rich, and wear beautiful, earthy clothing.
Islands of Kethaltar
Black Flag Isle: A small island southwest of Dreanis and northwest of Avondella. The island is hard to sail to, as it is surrounded by jagged rocks and is rumored that the sea is full of sirens. Many military leaders and bounty hunters are interested in this island, as the leader of the island and many of its inhabitants are wanted men in many countries, but not many risk destroying their ships.
Dalphi: A small island located between Avondella and Dreanis. Dalphi is small and full of anti-social famers and buccaneers, but is often a stopping place for pirates and other sailors in need of supplies.
Races of Kethaltar
Ashienne: Inhabitants of the country Alleryia
Chinghonese: Inhabitants of the country Chinghon
Dontian: Tribal inhabitants of the country Dontia
Languages
Harror: The official language of the country of Harothway, stemming from Waonasy.
Rachar: The official language of the country of Ronartion, stemming from Iembet.
Waonasy: One of the oldest languages of Kethaltar, and the base language for many modern countries.
Pirates and Ships
Captain Guy: The feared, Kethaltar-known pirate captain who mans The Red Running Royalty.
Scarlet Vexx: A well-known, highly feared female pirate captain known for being the most ruthless captain to live. Mans the Raging Ghoul
The Red Running Royalty: The galleon manned by the pirate Captain Guy.
The Black Plague: The Ronar ship manned by the pirate captain Mashha’j, the second military leader of Ronartion.
Religious Figures
Creators
The Creator: Kethaltar-wide, the Creator is the one who formed Kelthaltar, and is the one rumored to save all from the plights of living.
The Great King and Lady Kethaltar: In the religious beliefs of the tribes of Utonopia, The Great King created the universe and its planet, and Lady Kethaltar wept upon it, giving it water and magic. Lady Kethaltar is also said to have sewn the constellations.
Earth: One of the four creators in Bandolinda religion. The owner of the soil, the plants, and birth.
Fire: One of the four creators in Bandolinda religion. The owner of fire, the sun, light, and souls.
Water: One of the four creators in Bandolinda religion. The owner of water, ice, the sky, and purity.
Wind: One of the four creators in Bandolinda religion. The owner of the wind, the air, and bravery.
Gods
Akka: In many regions of The Wastelands, Akka is seen as the god of the deserts and insanity.
Iembirrit: In the Ronartion religion, Iembirrit is the god of fertility and success in war. Many sacrifices are made to Iembirrit, and he has his own moon cycle of parades and public displays in his name.