Runefell_The Tempest's Fury

by Shawn Sodman

  Va'leen laughs, “First of all, we were in the midst of a war. It was hardly the time to do so. Also, at the time, his heart belonged to someone else.”

  “Sha'al?” asks Nicari.

  “No,” Va'leen answers. “They wouldn't meet until after the war had ended. No, Chance was in love with the daughter of a pirate. A red-haired woman, whose name eludes me now. He went on and on about her and how much he missed her. He told me how he had written her for years without ever hearing back from her. Can you imagine? Years he held onto that hope. He showed me what she looked like once when he shaped a fire into her image. Never in my life have I come across a man with that level of dedication. He wasn't the type of man you could simply claim and never see again. He was, and still is, the kind of man you build a life with.”

  Va'leen reflects on the past in silence as Nicari thinks for few moments. Nicari asks, “So after the war, what happened? How did Sha'al end up claiming him?”

  Va'leen replies, “Even though Chance told me that he had written a letter saying goodbye to his lost love, I knew he wasn't ready, or at least I thought he wasn't. By the time the war ended, I knew that some of our sisters would have their eyes on him. I decided that I was willing to risk everything, and I was on my way to claim him myself when Sha'al beat me to it.”

  “Why didn't you challenge her?” asks Nicari.

  “If it were anyone else, I would have,” explains Va'leen. “But it was my youngest sister. She had just come off of her Rite of Passage, and had never claimed a man. I thought it would be cruel to deny her that. Besides, if Sha'al was what Chance wanted, then that was good enough for me. I had no idea that she would end up living the life that I wanted so badly.”

  “Is that why you challenged Kristieana's first claim?”

  “In part, yes. She reminded me of Sha'al in the way that she was so confident in herself. Even though I loved my sister, and still love Kristieana, I wanted to remind her of her place and let her know that her claim could be challenged, even if it was her first.”

  “And that’s how it all started between you and Kristieana.”

  “Yes.”

  “After all these years, why haven't you said anything to Chance?”

  “It was never the right time. I have lived alone for many years. I didn't mind waiting until Chance was ready.”

  “So you think he’s ready now?”

  “I do, but now I fear I may have lost him before I had him.”

  “It's not too late,” says Nicari.

  Va'leen stands up and says, “I know, and I haven't given up yet. Now if you'll excuse me, there is something I must tend to.”

  Not far away, Lyra enters her tent after taking her time to return to camp. Yentroc says, “Where have you been? We were getting worried.”

  “I’m sorry,” replies Lyra as she sits on her furs and begins to take off her boots. “I just needed to be alone for a while.”

  “I understand,” says Yentroc. “Did you talk with Sven?”

  “I did.”

  “And…?”

  “And we’re done,” says Lyra.

  “Oh,” replies Yentroc. “I just thought that since nothing happened with Va'leen, and because of what he did to the other Goliath, maybe you would have worked things out with him.”

  “I know,” replies Lyra as she lies back on her furs. She stares at the tent above. “It's just not that easy.”

  Kristieana sits up from her bedding. “Lyra is right. Sven did take Va'leen back to his room, even if he wasn't able stay awake.”

  “I suppose so,” says Yentroc. “I’m sorry you had such a bad day.”

  “Thanks,” says Lyra, “Now I’m just ready for it to end. May your dreams guide you safely...”

  Yentroc replies, “May your dreams guide you safely, Lyra.”

  On the second level of the King's Shield Inn, Gregory is preparing for bed in his room. His face is still swollen, but the blood has been cleaned off of him. He sits in a chair and drinks a potion from a vial. The swelling around his eyes is alleviated as the healing potion takes effect. He bends down and takes off his boots, then leans back in the chair.

  “Don't move,” says a woman's voice. The Goliath feels the unmistakable touch of a blade at his neck, and a firm grip on his hair.

  He says, “Gregory will not move.”

  “Good,” says the woman. “My name is Va'leen from the house of Ree, and earlier tonight you hurt one of my sisters.”

  “Gregory apologized to her already,” he says.

  “I know,” says Va'leen. “I was there. I also saw the beating you took from Sven, so I know you are tired of being threatened, but I have to warn you: If you ever hurt one of my sisters again, you will not need to worry about Sven teaching you another lesson, because when he finds you, he will only find your headless corpse.” She leans down and whispers in his ear, “I don't need strength to cut your mindless head clean from your shoulders.”

  Gregory nervously answers, “You do not need to worry about Gregory.”

  “I hope so,” says Va'leen as she releases her grip on his hair.

  Gregory turns to look at Va'leen but the room goes dark. He says, “Where are you? Gregory cannot see.”

  The light returns as quickly as it disappeared and the Goliath looks around the room only to find that he is alone. He sits on the bed that is far too small for him and does his best to make himself comfortable. He shuts his eyes and tries to forget his day.

  Day 21

  Chapter 55

  The Fourth Dawn

  Aboard the Sea Griffin, Fidelma is waking from a long sleep. Confused, she looks around her quarters and asks herself, “What happened last night?” As she begins to dress, her crew is gathering on the upper deck.

  Vindalia asks, “How much longer until we reach New Waterford?”

  Samantha, who is at the wheel, answers, “We should be there by tomorrow evening.”

  Faye asks, “Is there a bounty there?”

  “No,” says Samantha. “The captain has some personal business to take care of there.”

  Fernando says, “Speaking of the captain, I wonder how she is feeling this morning.”

  Fidelma comes up from below and says, “I’m doing well. Now, does someone want to tell me what happened last night?”

  Samantha and Fernando look at each other before Samantha says, “You used the Passion Blossom to make a potion.”

  “I remember that much,” says Fidelma. “But I don't remember much after that. Other than making me forget last night, how else did it affect me?”

  Fernando says, “Perhaps it is better if I let you see for yourself through my memories.”

  “Why are you willing to let me into your thoughts now?” asks Fidelma.

  Fernando replies, “Because if Samantha and I just told you what happened, you may not believe us.”

  “It was that bad?” Fidelma asks.

  Samantha nods to her friend. Fernando says, “Don't worry, we did not allow anything to happen, but you certainly tried. You were quite persistent.”

  “So everything that Chance said about the flower is true,” says Fidelma. “If you don't mind, I would still like to see for myself.”

  “Of course,” Fernando says. “I understand.”

  Fidelma places her hand on Fernando's forehead and closes her eyes. She casts the spell that allows her to relive the night before though Fernando's perspective. It only take a few seconds before Fidelma ends the spell.

  Utterly embarrassed by her actions, Fidelma says, “I’m sorry, Fernando, for what I put you and Sam through last night.”

  “It is all right,” says Fernando. “It was not your fault.”

  Fidelma, distracted by her own thoughts, barely hears him. She says to her first mate, “Sam, if you need anything, I'll be in my quarters.”

  “Yes, Captain,” Samantha replies.

  Once Fidelma is below deck, Fernando says to Samantha, “I should probably go talk with her.”

  Samant
ha says, “I think she would prefer to be alone right now.”

  “If there is one thing I know,” says Fernando, “It is when a woman wants to be alone. Right now, she needs to talk with someone, and since I have experience with what she is going through, it should be me.”

  Samantha asks, “You have been drugged by the Passion Blossom before?”

  “No,” Fernando answers. “But someone I loved very much was. I know how the flower affects people, and Fidelma needs to know that there is no reason for her to feel ashamed.”

  “All right,” Samantha says. “If you think you can help her...”

  Fernando climbs down the stairs and, instead of knocking on Fidelma's door, he checks to see if it is locked. When it opens, he asks, “May I come in?”

  Fidelma is sitting at her desk, staring at the white Passion Blossom. She looks up and replies with a solemn tone, “If you wish.”

  Fernando enters and closes the door behind him. “I am sorry if I am disturbing you.”

  “It's all right,” Fidelma says. “I was just thinking.” She picks up the flower. “When I saw your memories of last night, I didn't even recognize myself. That’s not who I am, and I cannot apologize enough for my behavior.”

  “As I said before, it is not your fault,” says Fernando. “I know all too well about the effects of the Passion Blossom. You see, my mother was a slave in Bastion and was put to work in a brothel. She told me all about how some of the women used the flower to forget what they were doing.”

  “That must have been terrible for them,” Fidelma says.

  “Yes,” replies Fernando, “I imagine it was. My father was a regular patron of my mother. She would tell me stories about how he would visit her and just talk for hours and do nothing else. My mother always said that my father was a well-traveled man, and she would ask him about the places he had been. He told her that someday she would see the world too. When my mother became pregnant with me, my father spent all the money that he had, down to his last copper piece, to buy her freedom. They moved north and began a life together.”

  “Did you ever meet your father?” Fidelma asks.

  “I was an infant when my father left,” Fernando answers. “I may never know if he planned on returning. My mother always said that he left to get his sword back from someone who stole it.” Fernando draws his sword. “She never told me that the thief was a woman.”

  “Ariella's mother?” Fidelma asks.

  “So it would seem,” says Fernando as he sheathes his sword once again. “My father must have tracked her down to the White Feather, and that is why he was on board when it was attacked.”

  “How do you know that your father wasn't planning on staying with Ariella's mother?” Fidelma asks.

  “If that were the case,” says Fernando, “I believe that the letter that Ariella's mother wrote to her parents would have been different.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” says Fidelma. She walks over to the small garden on the table. “Now I know why you’re so determined to help those women in Bastion.”

  “Yes,” says Fernando. “I want to help as many of them as I can.”

  She shakes her head. “I still can't believe that after all these years, I never once considered that Sven could have been a victim in all of this. I always thought that he drank too much and had a lapse in judgment, but I never would have imagined that Ami would use such a potion.”

  “Wait,” says Fernando. “Did you say his name was Sven?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “He wouldn't happen to be a tall Goliath with reddish-blonde hair, would he?”

  “How did you know?”

  “I have met this man recently.”

  “In Sheathelm?”

  “Yes, at the Rusty Dagger.”

  “It was probably him, then,” Fidelma says. “I also saw him in Sheathelm.”

  “He was rather upset when I last saw him,” says Fernando.

  “It is probably my fault,” she replies. “I said things to a young woman he was with just to cause problems between them.” Fidelma sighs heavily. “I have made a huge mistake.”

  Fernando nods. “It is good that you can admit that.”

  “I feel like I’m looking at the world for the first time with open eyes,” says Fidelma. “For so many years, I have believed a lie that I was telling myself. I became so obsessed with finding the truth that I became blind to it simply because it wasn't what I wanted it to be. Now, I have lost one of my closest friends by taking her brother captive. I can hardly believe the monster I’ve become.”

  “You are not a monster,” Fernando says. “You are woman who was in love, and you were hurt.”

  “I’m not going to make excuses for my actions any longer,” Fidelma says. “Even though Ami used the Passion Blossom on Sven, I was the one who wouldn't listen to him or Ariella. We are going to New Waterford now. I’m going to make sure that Ami pays for her part in all this, and after that, we'll get you back to Ariella.”

  At the docks of Sheathelm, Ariella is overlooking the unusually calm waters of the sea. Annalee stands next to her and says, “Do you think the orcneas have left?”

  “No,” Ariella answers. “But they have ceased with their storm spell. Perhaps it’s so their shamans can rest.” She looks at her young assistant. “When you agreed to join my crew, I didn't know we were going to war. If you want to leave...”

  “Captain, I wouldn't think of leaving you,” says Annalee. “You saved my life.”

  “I didn't do anything that any decent person wouldn't have done,” says Ariella. “I was only in Bastion to sell that orcnea. It was mere fate that we ran into you.”

  “But that orcnea was worth a lot of gold,” says Annalee. “And you used it to free me.”

  Ariella sighs. “Well, if you really want to repay me, you can do so by living a long and happy life. You’re still young, and have so much more to experience. If I were to die tomorrow, I could at least say that I got to travel to more of this world than most people. I lived an adventurous life with very few regrets.”

  “But what about the orcneas?” asks Annalee. “What about Sheathelm? I want to help.”

  Ariella leans against the railing of the ship. “Why? You don't owe King Arioch or the people of Sheathelm a damn thing. Where were they when your family was sold into slavery?”

  “But Sheathelm doesn't allow slavery,” says Annalee.

  “No, they don't,” replies Ariella. “But they have open trade with the kingdoms that do.”

  “So why are you helping them?” asks Annalee.

  “Years ago, orcneas killed my parents,” says Ariella. “They slaughtered everyone aboard the White Feather. It was one of reasons for the First Orcnea War.”

  “I’m sorry, Captain,” says Annalee.

  “It's all right,” replies Ariella. “I never knew my parents, but at least now I have a brother.” Ariella notices Chance walking up the plank to board the ship. “Speaking of which...” she says as she rushes over to greet him. “Did you find them?” she asks Chance before he even steps onto the deck.

  Chance nods and says, “Good morning, Ariella. Yes, I did find them, and Fernando is fine.”

  “Is she going to return him?” she asks.

  “I believe so,” answers Chance.

  Frustrated by the vague answer, Ariella asks, “What do you mean, you believe so? What did she say?”

  Chance answers, “She said that Fernando would be safe, and that she would return him to you soon.”

  “And you believed her?” asks Ariella.

  “She seemed sincere,” says Chance.

  “Of course she did,” laughs Ariella. “You are about as good at knowing when someone is lying as you are at telling a lie yourself.”

  “Then perhaps you should have gone yourself, instead of sending me,” says Chance stoically.

  Ariella looks at Chance closely to see whether he is joking or serious. After staring at him for several moments, a hint of smile appears at t
he right corner of his lips. Ariella, relieved, says, “Thank you for going.”

  “You’re welcome,” says Chance. “I am sorry I didn't come sooner, but it was late when I got back last night, and I had to investigate a fight at the King's Shield.”

  Ariella asks, “So tomorrow they are attacking?”

  “Yes,” he answers. “You should probably join the elven fleet if you plan on staying.”

  “I will tonight,” she says. “Would you care to join me for dinner this evening? It could be the last time we get to spend together.”

  “Well, I certainly hope not,” says Chance. “But I would love to.”

  “Great,” says Ariella. “Can we meet at sunset?”

  “Of course,” says Chance. “I'll look for you among elven ships.”

  “We'll be easy to find,” replies Ariella.

  “Yes, the Red Dawn does stand out from most ships,” Chance says with a laugh before leaving down the plank.

  Annalee asks, “Was that Chance Na'Moon?”

  “Yes, it was,” says Ariella as she watches Chance walk back towards the castle.

  “Hmm,” ponders Annalee. “I guess I just figured he'd be...”

  “Yes, I know,” says Ariella.

  Chapter 56

  Port Services

  In the modern library, Laura takes a break from reading. She looks at the nearly ancient account of the war and says to her brother and sister, “I don't think we’re going to finish this before the library closes.”

  “Maybe Aunt Nica will let us check it out for the night,” Josh says.

  Laura shakes her head. “I don't think so. This book looks pretty old, even if it is in good condition.”

  “We can still ask,” says Josh.

  Lyra enters room and says, “The library is going to close in an hour. You may want to find a good place to stop reading.”

  Josh whines, “Can we borrow the book, Aunt Nica, please?”

  Lyra laughs and replies, “I’m sorry, but it isn't a book that I can lend out.”

  Laura says, “It's okay, Aunt Nica, we understand.” She says to her brother, “We can come back tomorrow.”

  “All right,” Josh says, clearly disappointed. “But we do have an hour left. Can we at least get to the next day, when the orcneas attack?”