by J F Rogers
“Did Ev—”
“I’m right here.” Evan stood behind Maili with a huge grin. “That is what you were going to ask, right?”
I ran to hug him.
“Cahal is helping Wolf bring more gachen on board,” Maili said.
“What about Shim—”
With a quick headshake, Maili closed the door between us.
Chapter Twenty-Five
◊◊◊
I STOOD IN THE field of my dreams, facing Declan on the shore. Someone was trying to enter my mind. This time, I’d find out who. I watched the lights popping in the air, waiting for them to swirl into a window to the perpetrator’s mind.
The lights merged to blackness. Frustration filled the air as if attempting to prick my mind and frustrate me as well. A sliver of light appeared, then grew. A grid covered the light. No, a gate. The end of the tunnel to the beach. Whoever’s mind I saw through ran to the gate, flung it aside at an inhuman speed, then stood staring at the sea. “Noooooo!” The image dropped as if the person had fallen to their knees.
Nothing moved on the shoreline. If I was looking at present time through the mind of someone standing on the sands we’d just left, it was sunrise, and our ship was gone.
The frustration magnified a hundredfold. Whoever this was, they were in pursuit. That meant… It was a fasgadair.
Avoiding the window, I searched for Declan to pull me out before the monster caught my presence. Declan wasn’t there. I ran. Something smacked my forehead.
I woke with a start. I’d banged my head against the table. “Ow.” I rubbed the sore spot and sat up, then stretched my aching back. All was quiet. Like me, everyone had fallen asleep where they sat. But blankets no longer shrouded the window. The early signs of dawn bathed the sky in gray. How much time had passed?
I got up to leave. When I pulled the door open, a guard faced me. “Where’s Wolf?”
The guard stepped aside and motioned up the steps.
Wolf sat by the bow with a bandage around his arm.
I ran and hugged him. “You made it.”
Wolf laughed, but it sounded sad.
I cuddled up next to him and pointed to his bandage. “Are you okay?”
“Aye. ’Tis a scratch.”
“Did a fasgadair do that? Can you get reinfected?”
“Nah. Ye need to be bitten and drink their blood to become a fasgadair.”
I shuddered, unable to imagine him doing that. But that was the past. “I’m glad you made it. I was so worried. What happened? Did everyone get out?”
“No.” He wiped his eyes. “Shimri insisted on returning with Cahal and me. On our last trip, some bloodsuckers found us. Only a few. Probably scouts. We killed them, but not before…not before…”
I wrapped my arms around his good arm.
“He didn’t make it.”
“Shimri? Or Cahal?” I barely breathed.
“Shimri.”
I took a deep breath. Was it wrong to be relieved? “Does Maili know?”
“Aye.”
I didn’t know how close they were, but they’d been among the last of their clan remaining in their village. She’d been so concerned last night. She must be devastated.
I wanted to ease his pain. But what could I say? Sorry? How was that helpful? A conversation with Declan last year came to mind, and I squeezed his shoulder. “You are loved.”
****
I never thought I’d be so grateful to be on board a ship again. The land was gone, the vampires far away and growing further still. I breathed in the cool, salty air and watched the horizon. A half-sun rested on the sea before us, its reflection making it appear whole, casting brilliant red and orange light. For the moment, I felt good. I had my friends back.
As the day wore on, we breathed easier. We’d gotten far enough to sea that birds were no longer a threat. And no vessels pursued. Even if anyone told the bloodsuckers of our plans, they’d be insane to pursue us on a suicide mission. They’d taken over Bandia and driven out the rulers. For them, it was a win. Morrigan might be upset over missing the opportunity to add to her king collection, but she’d survive. For now.
But whoever’s mind I’d spied on…that person was furious.
****
That evening, Rowan insisted we celebrate. “Our king was nearly dead. He’s returned. If we can’t celebrate that, we’ve already lost.”
She had a point. “And their princess has returned.”
We attempted to celebrate despite the tragic events. We needed it. King Aleksander and Rowan danced together. Other gachen danced around them. One man drummed on barrels while another beat a pan. Someone played a wooden flute. It was like a medieval party boat.
But the atmosphere was odd. A strange mixture of emotions darkened King Aleksander’s countenance. Joy filled his eyes when they landed on his daughter. But he looked as if something had broken inside him when he surveyed the crowd.
Profound sadness laced the festivities. Everyone had lost their families, their homes, their country…friends. Maili remained below decks. I understood what she was going through. I’d experienced it last year with Ryann. My heart ached for her.
Try as we might to celebrate, monsters occupied Bandia. That overshadowed all else. But I was glad to have my friends with me.
“I was so afraid I’d lost you,” I said.
“We’d never leave without ye.” Cahal took a swig of ale from his mug.
That’s what I would have thought. But he’d left Declan.
Evan clinked his mug with Cahal’s. “Thank God, we had a ship full of supplies for a long voyage and Sully knew what to do.” He watched Rowan and her father, smiling. “If events hadn’t transpired as they had, how many more lives would be lost?”
Valter stood in the shadows, leaning against the rail, every bit of his posture exhausted.
The sun sank, and the deck grew dim. A giant moon filled the sky, casting a brilliant reflection on the sea. The party dispersed, and the crew rotated shifts. The king and Rowan had long since disappeared. But I wanted to bask in this feeling of victory.
Valter approached me. “Princess Arabella requests your presence.”
“Okay.” I followed him to the captain’s quarters where Rowan stood with two guards.
“Leave us.” Rowan flicked her hand, dismissing Valter in a way only trained royalty could. “Please have a seat.” She motioned to a chair and sat behind a desk. “Fallon, I wonder if you’d assist me?”
“You don’t have to speak so formally to me…or do you?”
“Perhaps not when we’re alone.” She relaxed her shoulders. “I’d like you to stay with me, as a protector of sorts.”
“I’m not much of a protector.”
“Well, you’re female for one. I enjoy your company for another. And I know you’d keep me safe should any real danger arise.”
Me? Keep anyone safe? Did she want me to set fire to anyone who threatened her? She knew where I stood with that. “I can’t do what you’re asking me to do.”
Rowan waved as she had when dismissing Valter. “My request is merely that you stay by my side. I’d never expect you to use your fire-starting ability on any living creature.” A mischievous smile curled her pink lips into oh-so-pale skin. “But, once your reputation spreads, anyone who wishes to cause me harm will think twice before attempting to harm me with you present.”
Great. More reminders of a reputation that made me ill. I didn’t want it. Any of it. But I she had a point. And this would help ensure we sided together. “I can’t make any promises. I don’t know what will happen, but while I’m able, I’ll try to stay by your side. But, if you don’t mind, I’m going to keep calling you Rowan.”
“Interesting request.” She laced her hands and rested them on the desk, her lips quirked. “Not that I mind. Keeps me humble. But what is your reason?”
“I just think I’d be more comfortable being myself around Rowan than
Princess Arabella.”
She loosed a throaty laugh that made me flinch. “By all means. Just further evidence as to why I like you. Here…” She sat on the bench and patted the seat beside her. “I agree to your terms. I’ll be much happier with you by my side…as well as safer. My people aren’t pleased that my father has decided to side with Abracham and Sully and sail to the east. Who knows to what lengths one might go to turn this ship around.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
◊◊◊
ROWAN AND I SAT at the table in the great cabin. My stomach growled, ready for my evening rations. I hoped for something more substantial than the meager breakfast and lunch. So far, I’d had oatmeal, a rock-hard biscuit, sardines, and a piece of lemon. Rowan made me eat the whole lemon, peel and all, insisting I’d need it to keep from getting ill.
Others filed in, filling the seats other than the head. Sully, one of the few of my friends invited to sit with us, sat on my opposite side. Probably because he’d saved the king’s life.
Valter, Kagan, and Abracham settled across from us. Dining with nobles still felt strange.
The king entered, and everyone stood. I followed their example.
“Greetings.” King Aleksander smiled at Rowan and me, giving us a wink, and took his place at the head of the table. There was something about the king. Something genuine. His presence was both intimidating and inviting. How was he both?
A crewman gave us plates of salt pork, peas, fermented cabbage, cheese, a biscuit, and three little green things. Another poured wine. Sully prayed over the food, and I picked up a piece of cheese. Food aboard a ship with no electricity or refrigeration left much to be desired. The biscuits didn’t seem stale. Rather, they’d been created to withstand Armageddon. But the cheese wasn’t bad. I tried to pace myself to make it last.
“What is this?” I held up one of the green things to Rowan.
“It’s a sirist.” Her lips matched when she said the name. It must not exist in my realm.
“What’s a sirist?”
She laughed. My pronunciation must be horrible. “It’s a fruit. Eat them whilst they’re available. This journey could take months. You’ll need them to keep you well. But don’t eat the pit.”
Other than the pit part, it was the same spiel she’d given to convince me to eat the lemon peel. My mouth puckered. I nibbled the fruit. Sour. But not like the lemon. More like a kiwi. And sweet too.
The door to the great cabin barged open. A greasy boy in a white apron appeared, sheer panic masking his face. “Stop!”
I dropped the sirist on my plate.
A guard latched onto the intruder, pinning his arms behind him.
“Don’t drink the wine!” the boy yelled.
King Aleksander, Abracham, and Kagan jumped to their feet.
“What is the meaning of this?”
The boy fought to catch his breath. “The wine barrel… Someone tampered… Six crewmen… dead!”
Gasps rose. I eyed my goblet as though something evil lurked inside, waiting to attack. Thank God, I hadn’t taken a sip. Or soaked my otherwise inedible biscuit in it. Had anyone taken a drink? I searched the faces for signs.
“What is this nonsense?” Kagan asked. “I took a drink, and I’m perfectly well.” He surveyed us. “Anyone else?”
We shook our heads.
“Release him.” King Aleksander commanded the guard holding the boy.
The guard let go, and the boy tugged his sleeves back in place, throwing the guard a venomous look.
The king looked at the boy. “Thank you for the warning. You may go.”
The boy darted out the door.
“Start an inquiry and report back.” King Aleksander turned to the crewman who served us. “Remove these goblets and serve us ale until this issue is resolved.” He eyed Kagan. “And call the apothecary.”
The man nodded and gathered the goblets. I gave him plenty of room to take mine away.
Kagan loosened his collar. “There’s no need for the apothecary. I’m an expert in potions. Don’t you think I’d know if I ingested poison?”
I stared at him, waiting for something to happen.
“Oh, screaming banshees. I don’t know what game they’re playing at, but I’m fine.” He sat and took a bite of cheese.
Abracham and King Aleksander returned to their seats. The crewmember returned with new goblets. Pouring ale, clinking utensils, and chewing filled the space. I kept peeking at Kagan.
Did I dare touch the ale? Or the rest of the food? I watched the others. Their eyes kept roaming to Kagan, but they didn’t stop eating or drinking. My stomach growled as if voicing its opinion. I’d die if I didn’t eat. Better to die quick with food in my stomach. And if ships had taught me anything, it’s to eat when food is presented, even if it’s a rat from the hold.
I dipped my biscuit into the ale, so I could chew it. Not the tastiest thing I’d ever had, but tolerable.
I peeked at Kagan again. Sweat wetted his sideburns. Was he just nervous, or was the kid right and the poison was taking effect? Did anyone else notice?
I caught King Aleksander’s eye and motioned my head toward Kagan. The king wiped his mouth and moved to Kagan. “Where’s the apothecary?”
Kagan’s eyes rolled up in his head. Foam oozed from his mouth. He fell backward into King Aleksander’s arms.
A man carrying a carpetbag rushed to their side. “My apologies, Your Highness.” He peeled back Kagan’s eyelid, then felt his pulse. “I was attending the others.”
“Is there anything you can do?” King Aleksander asked.
The apothecary reached into his bag, clinking small bottles, and pulled one free. He uncorked the top. “I’m not familiar with the potion used. Whatever it is, it spreads quickly. The others didn’t survive.” He opened Kagan’s mouth and peeked inside, then inserted the bottle.
Kagan gurgled and spat most of the liquid out. It ran down his neck.
The apothecary made another attempt. “I don’t know if this will help. But I’m at a loss for what else to do. I have limited supplies on board. ’Tis a miracle I escaped with what I have.”
Kagan’s back arched. He remained tensed as if an electric current coursed through his body, the veins in his neck bulging. Then his body fell limp.
The apothecary felt for Kagan’s pulse again, then leaned his ear to his mouth. “He’s dead.” He picked up his bag. “I have a sample of the wine. I need to run tests, but I’m limited without my laboratory.”
“Do what you can, Graer,” King Aleksander said.
Sandor appeared in the doorway. “Your Majesty, we believe the entire cask was poisoned.”
“Graer.” The king half rose from his chair, hands grasping the armrests.
The apothecary stopped at the door. “Aye, Your Majesty?”
“Have a sample taken from every cask aboard. Ensure they’re not contaminated.”
“As you wish.” Graer bowed and left the room.
“You”—Valter shook an accusatory finger at Sully—“failed to see this coming?”
Sully’s eyes widened, revealing more of his eerie gray irises. “Am I God?”
“How did you know I was talking to you?” Valter asked. “I’m not convinced you’re blind.”
Sully sighed. “I see in my own way. But I can assure you, I was unaware.”
“You’re not at fault, Sully. You wouldn’t have raised me from the dead to kill me now.” King Aleksander shot Valter a hard stare. “You’ll do well to hold your tongue, Valter. At the present, I trust Sully more than my prior successor.”
Ouch. That had to hurt.
King Aleksander eyed us each in turn. “Either the murderer was too intent on killing one of us to concern himself with the remaining casualties…or he meant to kill us all.”
****
The next few days were quiet. The air brimmed with suspicion as people kept a watchful eye on one another. Thank God, I could trus
t my friends. Rowan and King Aleksander kept me and Sully close.
But who wanted to kill us? And which of us was the target? The king? Was the person who’d attempted to assassinate him in the past aboard the ship? Kagan must’ve been telling the truth. He wouldn’t have been so desperate to kill the king that he’d drink the same poison. It served no purpose.
Rowan rarely allowed me to leave her side, but I needed air. So, she accompanied me on the deck. The ship banked portside, and I planted my feet. Then stepped carefully toward Evan leaning over the bow.
“What are you doing?”
He pointed into the water. “Look.”
He eased aside to give Rowan and me a better view.
Dolphins, a ton of them, leaped in the wave created by the bow.
“Wow.” I wanted to jump in the water and swim with them. Watching them frolic in the wave filled me with peace and awe. Not like flying, but close.
“Aren’t they amazing?” he asked.
“Mmmm.” I could watch them all day. Too bad gachen can’t change into any animal whenever they chose. Then again, that would make the fasgadair even more of a nightmare.
“How’s the investigation going?” Rowan folded her arms on the railing, still leaning over the side.
“There are no suspects yet, Your Highness. The apothecary is doing his best to analyze the poison.”
“Who’d want to kill so indiscriminately?” I asked. “I mean, what if he’d killed everyone. What if he’d been left without a crew?”
“It doesn’t make sense.”
I shuddered. A killer in our midst. That freaked me out more than the fasgadair.
Shouts behind us made us turn. A guard pushed Valter, arms behind him, starboard side. An angry mob followed. Shouts of “murderer” and “killer” stood out over the ruckus.
Valter looked like he’d taken a few serious blows to his face. Redness indicated bruises to come. A cut above his eyebrow dripped blood past his eye.
“What’s happening?” I rushed over with the others.
A crewman following the crowd turned toward us. “Valter murdered my mates. He’s going to be reunited with them.” He caught up to the crowd.