by LJ Andrews
“Pirate ship, sir,” the look-out called down. “Their colors be off the port side.”
“Rival crews seemed to attack,” Taylor said quietly, walking with Nova to the rail to get a closer look. “That be against pirate law.”
“Who could’ve done this, Cap’n?” Kane asked on the quarterdeck.
“Where be the winnin’ crews’ colors?” Smythe cried up to the crow’s nest.
“Can’t see clear, Cap’n.”
“Kane, take some men and get on over there. See if ye can get any supplies and find the captain’s seal who did this. We may be avengin’ some of our fallen brothers.”
Kane nodded and grabbed several men, including Atlas, and made their way toward the jolly boats. Nova craned her neck, ignoring the chills running along her spine. Pirates weren’t supposed to attack one another unless they had good cause. The idea of a rogue pirate ship sailing in the same skies frightened her.
A half hour later Atlas rowed the ship with Kane and two other pirates toward the burning wreck. Every so often the men would lean out and pick up a jammed knife or bag of unscathed gun powder. Nova was sure they wouldn’t find much in way of supplies.
The sun was beginning to set when the boat made its way back to the Vengeance. Kane held tightly to a piece of cloth in his hand, but it was his expression that caused Nova’s heart to pound with worry. His usual ugly expression was pale and anxious. The small team loaded back on deck and Kane immediately tromped to Captain Smythe, holding out the piece of cloth along with a trinket Nova couldn’t make out.
Smythe’s dark eyes widened as he whipped his head around to scan the wreck once more, mumbling something inaudible to Kane.
“What is it, do you think?” Nova whispered to Kale and Gold-tooth.
“Nova,” Atlas said coming up to her side. Her breath caught being so close to him again. “I must tell you something.”
Curious, Nova followed him, ignoring Kale’s annoyed expression and Taylor’s protests at deserving to know the findings.
“What is it?” she said too harshly.
Atlas didn’t seem to mind her tone. “The seal and the flag of the attacking ship, that’s what Kane gave to Smythe.”
“So, who is it? Why is it so secret?”
“I’m not sure if I believe it, but Kane said they appear authentic. He said he hadn’t seen such an attack in thirty years at least, or the seal.” Atlas paused and looked back toward the wreck.
“Atlas,” she said sighing. “What is it? I have chores to do, if this is just an excuse to be alone with me then I’d rather get back to it.”
He looked at her with his brows furrowed painfully. “It’s not an excuse, Nova, I just don’t believe it, at least I don’t want to because if it is true, we might be in trouble. Smythe seems pretty rattled.”
Nova glanced at the captain, who was leaning against the rails on the quarterdeck, his back facing the crew. “What is it, Atlas?”
He leaned in closer. “It was the seal of the Scarlet Moon, Nova. The ship that attacked was Captain Phoenix.”
Chapter 9
Finding the Beholder
The Star’s Vengeance had changed course shortly after coming upon the shipwreck. Atlas hadn’t spoken about the Scarlet Moon or Captain Phoenix since, but simply obeyed Smythe’s orders to skirt along the edges of the kingdom, coming dangerously close to the Unknown and floating debris.
Three days had come and gone, and Nova hadn’t lost the sense of excitement over a sighting of Captain Phoenix. She’d been so concerned on escaping Smythe’s clutches she’d nearly forgotten the pirate she’d set out to find in the first place. Taylor seemed shaken since she’d told him whose seal they’d found. Captain Phoenix was, to some, only a legend. But to find evidence he actually existed thrilled Nova in every sense.
“I don’t know what has ye so happy,” Taylor mumbled as they repaired netting on the deck. “Did ye not see what happened to that ship? It is beyond me why ye would still want to meet a pirate who would go against pirate law in such a vicious way.”
“I’ve told you, Taylor. My mother had the seal of the Scarlet Moon.” And my father was a pirate, she thought to herself. “He must know my family.”
“And who’s to say he’ll wait long enough to find out ye be on board before blowin’ us all to the Below?”
“You don’t even know if it’s the real Phoenix,” Kale interjected, tossing a bundle of rusty bayonets at their feet and rubbing the orange flakes off the tips. “It could be a ploy to distract from the real crew responsible.”
“Seems sensible,” Taylor agreed. “But still puts us at risk for trustin’ another crew when they may be seekin’ to blow us all out of the skies.” Kale tipped a weapon in agreement with Taylor and nodded.
“Don’t you two find it interesting that after thirty years the seal of Phoenix would show up? I’m sticking with the idea he’s alive and has returned. Though I’m not sure why he would attack the ship or why Smythe is so shaken.”
“Wouldn’t ye be?” Taylor insisted. “Even if he is a legend, the stories are enough to frighten any reasonable captain.”
Nova scoffed and stitched another line in the net.
“Come with me, Miss Nova.” Smythe’s voice shook her from her duties. He watched her sullenly with his hands on his hips. Kale eyed the captain with disdain he couldn’t conceal and Taylor dropped his gaze, stitching as fast as his good hand could manage.
Nova stayed silent but followed Captain Smythe to the stern of the ship.
“We be ready to find the Three Brothers’ payment.”
“The Island of Bones?”
“Nay,” he said with a hint of agitation. “The Beholder. Don’t ye remember in that dense head of yers? We need payment by the next moon cycle.”
“I don’t even know what a Beholder is, Captain,” she sighed. “So how would I know you’ve found one.”
Smythe’s leathery face turned purple as if he were holding his breath in anger. “Watch yer tongue, girl. Point is, the Beholder be on Rand Island. We must tread carefully and not bring as much attention to ourselves being that there be a rogue pirate ship on the loose.”
“Do you believe it’s Captain Phoenix?”
Smythe glared at her. “There surely be no captain called Phoenix. Ye may as well get it out of yer mind.”
“We’ll see,” she responded smugly.
Smythe closed the gap and shoved his face into hers, “Prepare to assist with the Beholder seein’ as it affects ye too. The brothers will hold ye just as responsible as me if we don’t get the payment.”
“Why should I be responsible?”
“Ye were in the meeting, were ye not? They hold everyone who meets with them as debtors. Unless ye would like to take yer chances that I may be lyin’, be my guest.”
Nova frowned and sighed. “What do I need to do?”
“Lead the crew. Yer quick and silent and if we be after a Beholder, then silent be what we want. You’ll lead ‘em to the Beholder and they’ll take it from there. No pillagin’ like usual.”
“Let’s just get this over with before Phoenix comes and blows up your ship,” Nova said, walking away from Smythe. She smiled once her back was facing him, enjoying the fast glimpse she got of his pale face.
“What did you say to the captain?” Kale asked when she walked near him as he unraveled a thick rope near the jolly boats. “His face dropped like he was going to be sick.”
Nova smirked. “Something about that shipwreck really upset Smythe. All I’ll say is I intend to use it to my benefit.”
Kale shook his head and tossed a satchel into the front seat of one boat. “You can be surprisingly sinister when you want to be.”
“I suppose we all can,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “Who is all coming ashore with us?”
“The captain, which I’m surprised at. I overheard him speaking with Kane; apparently, he has to be the one to get the payment or it won’t be accepted by the Brothers. Anyway, also
most of the crew is coming, and surprisingly Atlas, but he looks like he’d rather pull out his own teeth than come,” Kale nodded to the small band of pirates shuffling supplies and weapons into the boats.
Atlas stood behind them all, his hands balled into fists and his jaw tight. Slowly, his eyes rolled in her direction. Nova studied him; he did look unwell and it took all her strength not to ask him why.
“He’s a strange one,” Kale said, stepping into the boat. “He skirts around me as if he wants to say something, but then never does. I have an inkling he’s still not keen about me talking with you.”
“Stop.” Nova sighed. “I doubt that very much. Besides, I don’t think you’re very keen to speak with me either. You’ve made that clear no matter how much I apologize.”
Nova didn’t wait for any response, but simply tightened the dagger on her hip and stepped into the back of the boat. Other crew members loaded but took care to avoid sitting too close to her. Each man eyed her hatefully before mumbling slurs about sky witches under their breath and turning their backs to her.
Kane stayed aboard so the next in command under Smythe would be Atlas. Smythe stood in the bow of the lead boat, and finally, Atlas stepped behind him as they led the way toward Rand Island.
The evening clouds surrounded the high peak of the island, creating a beautiful mist encasing the thick pine forests. The fleet of small boats carved through the clouds lining the coast of the island. Nova gawked at the vastness of the coastline visible beneath the setting sun. Rand was one of the larger places, and most people were employed in the numerous lumber mills. The smell of sap and pine was new to Nova compared to her tropical Mollem. It was refreshing and she felt a thrill of excitement in her stomach preparing to explore the island.
“Into that cove, men,” Atlas shouted. Slowly, the small boats bobbed across parallel currents, rocking as they hit each one; it was just enough to stir Nova’s stomach.
“What is a Beholder?” Nova whispered to Kale once they sailed into the shady cove.
She stepped out quickly and helped him pull the boat safely into the cove. Kale shrugged. “I’ve heard stories of mystical people of sorts, and some called them Beholders. From what I understand, they have a sense about them and are much like fortune tellers.”
“That seems a strange request from the Three Brothers.”
He shrugged. “From what you described they were strange people. I have to be honest—I don’t like the sounds of this task. They don’t want the Beholder, right? Just an Eye of the Beholder. That sounds like messy business.”
Nova bit the inside of her cheek, thinking of what he was saying, and a shiver of dread trickled down her spine. Turning away from the gathering pirates, she saw Atlas standing several steps away from the crew with his arms folded over his chest, looking angry and sullen. Finally, able to take his mysterious mood change no longer, she walked toward him.
“You don’t seem happy to be here,” she said.
He eyed her incredulously before releasing a deep breath and allowing his shoulders to relax and sag. “I don’t want to be. I tried to stay on board, but the captain apparently believes I can be useful here with things I know.”
“Do you know about Beholders? Is that why he wants your help?”
Atlas’s eyes darkened and he looked away from the beautiful trees. “Don’t you remember where I’m from?”
Nova paused and her breath caught in her throat as she remembered nights spent telling one another bits and pieces of their childhoods. Only then did the memory of Atlas running away from Rand Island come to her mind.
“Oh. I…must have forgotten. I don’t suppose people will recognize you now, it’s been so many years.”
His face was frozen in an empty expression. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not the same person. You more than anyone know how disappointing I would be to anyone even if they do recognize me.”
“If you are meaning your father, then I don’t think he has a position to judge you,” she said, surprised at her sudden defense of Atlas against his abusive father.
He smirked but didn’t seem appeased. “As I said, it doesn’t matter. If the Beholder is who I think it is, I don’t relish the idea of harming her. She was kind to me as a child.”
Atlas withdrew his cutlass and stepped away from her. Nova watched him leave behind Smythe and the band of pirates and for the first time since his betrayal, she felt a sense of sympathy for his struggle.
“Nova,” Smythe hissed. “Get up here.”
Sighing, Nova scurried to the front of the line.
“Atlas, tell her how to get into town. I want to get to this Vix woman before it be too dark to see.”
Atlas shifted uncomfortably, bending low next to Nova’s face. She smelled leather and a hint of peppermint mixed in the fresh oil he rubbed on his stubbled face. She breathed deeply, ignoring the tugging of regret and heartbreak all over again.
“We’ll be wise to stay in the undergrowth on the edge of the forest. It’s lined with small lanterns that will help keep you oriented. Madame Vix lives on the outskirts of town. About a mile down there’ll be a fork in the road with two lanes and we want to take the left one. Don’t go down the right lane.” He looked at her with such ferocity, she feared whatever might be down the opposite lane. “I’ll be close behind in case you need help. Just show the men how to stay silent.”
“A task not easily done,” Kale said, coming up to her side. “I’ll be here, too. Don’t worry—we won’t turn this into Mollem.”
Nova felt a wave of turmoil as she stood between the two men. Her head was filled with questions for her heart. It made no sense why her insides felt as if they were being tugged side to side like the smooth taffy puller in the candy shop she spent days watching as a child.
“Thanks,” she said quietly, glancing between both men. Atlas stiffened next to Kale and his scowl only darkened. Shaking her head to be rid of the strange sensation they were creating inside her, she pushed a thick pine bow out of their way and the pirate band moved forward. “Everyone stay low to the ground and if you see someone, stop. Don’t fight them, just wait for them to pass,” she whispered behind her while crouching low enough to show the men what she meant.
“Who put ye in charge, wench?” a dirty, pirate with two greasy black braids down his back shouted.
Smythe flipped around on the man, pushing the blade of his cutlass against the folds of his neck. “I did. Do ye wish to challenge yer captain’s order?”
“No, sir,” the man said, his lips trembling as he pulled his neck back away from the deadly blade.
“Good,” Smythe snarled. “No one be sneakier than her and unless ye dogs want to be tossed off the side of this island, ye’ll do as she says and keep out of sight.”
Mumbled compliance filtered through the crowd as they pushed through the brush toward the outer roads of the island. The pirates shuffled through the hedges like a pack of wild dogs. Every time someone snapped a twig, two more would roar threats and lift their weapons, ready to teach them a lesson for breaking the silence. Nova spent much of the time trying to explain how the threats were louder than the twig snapping. Finally, it seemed as the twinkling lanterns faded from the tree line the pirates finally understood how to be quiet as they trudged through the forest.
Atlas and Kale walked closely behind her, Atlas never speaking a word but only looking more and more uncomfortable the further from the town they went. As they passed the happy village, sounds of children gathering for bed and shop owners closing up filled the trees. It was as if a distant happy memory was reaching out to Nova. A normal, happy existence was just beyond the trees. She wished she could run toward the townspeople and return to a carefree existence without a deadly dagger and without pirates.
“Here’s the fork,” he said. After such a long silence, Nova jumped at his deep voice, shaking her from her daydream.
“Ye in the back, guard the head of the road,” Smythe commanded quietly while turning to the center
of the crew. “Ye lot, spread out in the forest and make sure we make our visit undetected. The rest of ye come with me.”
Nova smiled when Gold-tooth was picked to follow with them. With only one good arm, it worried her to see him taking up arms in a dark forest.
“Where to, Master Atlas?” Smythe asked once the pirates had scattered to their positions.
“Just down the road. You’ll see the house around the first bend,” he said sadly.
“Who is this woman, Atlas?” Nova asked, standing firm in front of Smythe.
“It is of no consequence to ye, Miss Nova. Ye’ll do as yer told,” the captain snarled.
“I want to know,” she demanded. “I’m not harming an innocent woman.”
Smythe’s hand flew across her face so suddenly she stumbled to the ground. She heard the cock of his pistol and looked up as he pointed the barrel at Taylor again as he’d done once before.
“All right, stop,” she cried. “Just don’t hurt him.”
Smythe knelt down next to her. “Watch yer tongue, girl. Quit playin’ with people’s lives.”
She felt the sting of tears in her eyes as the captain pushed on down the lane. A weight of helplessness overwhelmed her and weighed on her shoulders. No matter how strong she felt when the darkness took over, Smythe still had the upper hand. He could still control her, and he knew just what to do to get her to comply.
“Come now, missy,” Taylor said lovingly, helping her off the ground. “Cheer up. This old timer is still walkin’ on two feet. I don’t intend to go down that easy.”
Nova chuckled, forcing the knot in her throat back down before standing next to the old man. Just as Atlas had said as they turned the bend, a small shack came into view. Smoke billowed comfortingly from the stone chimney and a single window glowed dimly from a flickering candle.