Refrain

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by Nathan Ravenwood


  Vann threw himself to the side on instinct just as the head of another serpent smashed down on the deck where he'd been standing a moment before. He spun and struck hard with the axe, gouging a line across the serpent's snout. More black blood burst from the wound as the creature screeched and reared back. It's head and neck rocketed down, and Vann threw himself to the side again, his foot mere inches from where the beast crushed down.

  As Vann found his footing, he got a good look at the creature's head. It was flat with a scaled snout, forked tongue, and two slitted, predatory eyes. However, the creature's bone structure was different than a mere snake, with ridges sweeping back into crests that looked almost draconian. Vann had never seen a dragon – they were rumored to be extinct – but the sea serpent was almost a spitting image for one of the drakes he'd seen in books of ancient legends. It opened its mouth and roared at him again, and Vann saw that in addition to it's two prominent fangs it had another two rows of sharp, pointy teeth.

  Rorzan looked up with him. “I'm more of a spikes guy when they're pointed away from me,” he mused.

  The serpent struck down, aiming to smash Vann flat with it's broad snout. Vann was waiting, and let rip with a single power chord, roaring his defiance at the beast. The wave of force that rippled out from him cracked the deck timbers around his boots, but hit the snake in the face as if it were the fist of one of the First Gods. The serpent's head snapped back, and Vann heard the crunch of bone breaking as sheer force torqued vertebrae. The move took a lot out of him, and he felt nauseous as the serpent wobbled back and forth before falling backwards into the ocean with an almighty splash.

  “Vann!” He raised his head at Rorzan's warning to see another serpent lunging towards him, it's hide marked with gashes from Janaza's bladed bass. In another moment it would hit him and smash him flat.

  Then Arielle was in front of him, Singing a high note and holding up her hand. Vann felt the air around them dry as Arielle sucked all the moisture out of it and created a thick wall of ice between her and the beast. The serpent struck it, then screeched and reared back, black blood pouring from holes in it's head. Vann realized that the elf had put spikes on the other side of the ice wall. “You okay?” Arielle asked.

  “Just fine!” A shadow loomed over them and he acted on instinct. He wrapped an arm around Arielle and yanked her back just as another serpent crashed down on the deck where they'd been standing.

  “Good save, Vann!” Janaza said. Vann turned to see her bat the serpent she'd been working on into the waves, then turn to face the newcomer that had emerged from the water. “They just keep coming!”

  “Ideas?” Vann asked, sizing up the new serpent as it did the same to him. He locked eyes with the creature, and saw something more than animal intelligence flicker there. He narrowed his eyes. Some kind of madness?

  Rorzan looked around, then snapped his fingers. “Harmonize with Arielle, both of you! We're gonna bring the thunder!”

  Janaza struck up the Harmony, playing a low note on her bass as several more serpents reared up from the waves around them. Vann stepped close to her, playing the same note and letting his elbow brush the orc's to spark the connection between them. A moment later, Arielle was there, their power pooling together into a massive well for them to draw upon. Through the connection, Arielle sent out the information required for them to play the Song they needed – the notes and scales and, for Vann, a rapid-fire guitar lead that was going to push all of his burgeoning skills.

  As one, they began. Within moments the seas were roiling beneath them and the wind picked up as their magic resonated with the darkened skies above. Vann could feel the potential held in the clouds, waiting to be molded by their Song.

  The serpents, to their credit, where smart enough to realize what was happening. They moved, slithering closer as the trio's song built. “Scatter!” Rorzan yelled. “Keep it accurate!”

  As the serpent on the deck lunged at them, the three were already moving. Vann ducked under the heavy coils and kept himself low as he scurried across the deck, keeping the tapping of his fingers on note. He slid up against the wall of the galley, his body low as he kept his focus. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted some of the other passengers peeking out of a doorway at him, their mouths agape. He realized that, to them, he was playing a forbidden instrument, playing the music of the Rebellion. They didn't, at least, seem to be complaining.

  Rain pelted the deck in a rush, soaking Vann through as the serpents writhed against the deck, wrapping around the masts in their attempts to bring his companions to heel. But Janaza and Arielle were quick and sure footed, both of them ducking and dodging the beasts as they worked their way back across the deck towards him. Janaza backflipped over a serpent's tail without missing a note, landing neatly next to Vann as the Song reached a crescendo. “Hit it, Vann!” she yelled.

  Vann grabbed the magic tight and launched into the guitar solo, and as he did, he felt magic pour upwards into the sky. There was an almighty crash, then the thickest bolt of lightning he'd ever seen shot downwards and smote the lead serpent, making it screech in pain as it was burned to a crisp. It was followed by another, and another, volley after volley of lightning raining down upon the serpent's, blasting huge geysers of water into the sky where they missed and struck the ocean. The serpents were hammered by the magic lightning as Vann followed through, joining with Janaza and Arielle to finish the Song with a flourish. As they did, the excess magic rippled outwards, blowing the clouds above them away like smoke from a candle and allowing the sun to shine through.

  The three of them surveyed their handiwork. The sea around the galleon was strewn with serpent corpses, all of them slowly going under as they became deadweight. One lone creature remained on the deck, eyes staring sightlessly up at the sky. The distinct scent of burned meat hung about the air, along with an overwhelming odor of salt.

  “Well,” Arielle said, snapping her fingers and dismissing her Omnichord. “That worked out rather well I think.” She paused for a moment. Then, with as much dignity as she could manage, she walked to the edge of the deck. Vann averted his eyes, and a moment later heard the elf royal retching.

  “Oh dear,” Janaza said, going to the elf's aid.

  “Vann, do me a favor,” Rorzan said, sounding apprehensive. “Let me see some of that blood.”

  Vann knelt down by the serpent's corpse and ran his finger through the blood beading on one of the gashes his guitar had inflicted. It felt thick, almost jelly-like. He rubbed it between his fingers, and when he pulled them apart it stretched like taffy. “That cannot be healthy,” he said.

  “No,” Rorzan said, his voice distant. “No, it can't.”

  “Ahem.”

  Vann turned. Standing behind him was a broad, beefy man wearing a long coat and a wide-brimmed hat. His bare arms were bronzed from the sun and were criss-crossed with scars. “I think, young man, you and I need to have a chat.”

  It didn't click for Vann immediately. “Why?”

  The man's dark eyes narrowed. “Because I'm the captain of this ship. And I'd very much like to know what you're doing with an instrument like that.”

  Chapter Two – A New Destination

  Vann, Janaza and Arielle stood in the captain's cabin, staring out the window panes at the wake the galleon was leaving on the surface of the sea. The captain sat at his desk, his thick boots up on the polished wood. He held Vann's guitar pick in his fingers, turning it over and over slowly. Rorzan floated around the captain, invisible to him as he sized the man up.

  “So what are you going to do?” Arielle asked him.

  The captain flipped the pick into his fist. “That remains to be seen,” he said, getting up. With his coat draped over the back of his chair, Vann could get the full measure of the man's frame. He looked like a man who had lived his entire life at sea, his bronze skin knotted with muscle. A belaying pin hung from his belt, along with a horn. He turned his back to them and stared out the window of his cabin. “Te
chnically, I should turn this ship around right now, sail you back to port, and pass you off to the Lords. Preferably with a thick iron chain wrapped around the lot of you.” He looked back over his shoulder, his eyes lingering on Arielle. “You look like you might even enjoy it.”

  Arielle inclined her head. “Eh. Certain days yes, certain days no.”

  “But as it stands, we're headed to the Eastern Continent, a land where they have no such laws against you possessing the instruments of the Rebellion outside of the port.” He sighed and folded his arms. “Considering that you did just save the Incipit and my entire crew, I suppose I owe you one.”

  “A man with integrity,” Janaza said.

  “It's more pragmatism,” the captain said, turning and walking around the desk. “I'd prefer to not have to see you ever again, and I figure it's the best way to ensure that such a thing happens. Though I can't stop anyone else on this ship from going to the authorities with information.”

  “Do you have any ideas?” Vann asked.

  “Well, seeing as the port is going to be crawling with soldiers, I think it would be pertinent to... make a diversion.” The captain grabbed a rolled up map on the desk and spread it out, weighing the corner down with a book. He gestured to the expanse of the Eastern Continent. “Were you going anywhere specific?”

  Rorzan floated over the map and looked down, turning over lazily in the air. “Not really,” Vann answered, watching the ghost intently. “Just trying to get away.”

  “For obvious reasons,” the captain drawled.

  “Can you really blame us?” Janaza said, a smile playing about her features as she brushed her hair behind her ear. “Things in the Lordships are just so restrictive.” Vann gave her a bemused look. Was she really...? The orc turned her head slightly and gave him a quick wink.

  “Yes, well,” the captain said, coughing into his hand. “Anyways, the matter at hand!”

  A moment of silence passed as the three adventurers looked to Rorzan floating above the map. The ghost's hands played over the surface for a moment, then he pointed at a series of dots on the map several leagues north of their intended landing spot. “Here. Tell him to head here.”

  “Here,” Vann said, indicating the island chain.

  The captain sighed. “I should've figured you'd pick that one. You would make things more difficult for me.”

  “Well, if it's too much trouble,” Vann said, glaring at Rorzan, who gave him an emphatic shrug by way of answer.

  “No, no,” the captain said. Vann could already see the wheels turning in his eyes as his nautical mind pondered what he would need to do to land them near the islands. “Given the instruments you're wielding, makes sense you'd want to go visit the harpies.”

  “It does?” Vann asked.

  “Aye?” The captain looked up at him. Rorzan floated down behind him and waved his arms back and forth, shaking his head. “That is why you're going there, right?”

  “Of course!” Vann said, standing upright. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Janaza suppress a laugh. “I mean, that's totally why we're going there. Yes. Of course.”

  The captain gave him a flat look for a long moment, then slowly turned his head and looked right at Rorzan floating in the corner. The ghost froze. A moment passed, then the captain looked back at the map. “Right. I'm going to trust the three of you to move about and not make any more trouble. If I get even a slight hint that you're making trouble.” He drew a circle in the air with his finger. “Length of chain. Open sea. Get the picture?”

  Vann nodded. “Crystal.”

  “Right. Off you go.”

  Deciding it would be best to not push the captain's generocity any further, the three of them excused themselves and walked out into the hallway. “You have the most obvious bedroom eyes out of anyone, ever,” Rorzan said to Janaza.

  “It's a talent,” the orc said, nonplussed. “I think I got him interested at least.”

  “All it should take is a look,” Vann said, his fingers goosing the orc's rump. “Otherwise I have to question his taste in women.”

  Janaza giggled. Then she stopped, turning to look at him. “You don't mind, right?”

  Vann looked at the orc, at the uncertainty in her golden eyes. It was a strange look for her – normally she was nothing but confident, every action taken with sure purpose. She knew that the physical part of their relationship was new to him, and respected that. But from talking with her, he'd learned that she was rather carefree with her proclivities, and loved to sleep around. She hadn't done it for a few weeks, being so focused on him, but it seemed like she wanted to jump back into it. Rorzan had told him that he and Arielle had enjoyed sleeping with others. And who was he to keep the orc all to himself? He knew firsthand that she could rock the captain's world.

  So he looked at Janaza and smiled. “No, I don't. Go seal the deal.”

  Janaza's face brightened. She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Besides,” she whispered as her lips lingered near his skin. “I think Arielle's been feeling rather needy lately. Maybe you can take care of her tonight. Put what I've taught you to good use.”

  Vann looked at the elf's back as she walked slowly down the hall, at the rise of her shoulder blades against her tunic and the curve of her ass inside her leather pants. “I think I just might,” he said.

  “Have fun,” Janaza murmured in a singsong voice. She turned and walked back down the hall to the captain's cabin as Vann hurried after Arielle and Rorzan.

  “Where's she going?” the elf asked him.

  “She's going to seal the deal,” Vann said, looking behind him. Janaza lingered outside of the captain's cabin, running her fingers through her hair and tying it up in a braid behind her. “Make sure that the captain is motivated to see us through to our destination.”

  “As one does.” Arielle smiled a little. “What about you?”

  “I'm beat after fighting those snakes. I just want to rest in the cabin.”

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  “Okay, seeing how old Arielle is I'd expect it from her,” Rorzan teased them as they walked. “But you, Vann? How old are you again?”

  Vann gave him a flat look. “I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer because you already know.”

  “And I'm not old!” Arielle protested. “I'm only a bit over eight hundred!”

  Vann missed a step and nearly tripped over his own feet. Arielle was how old?

  “Technically you're five hundred, you were just in limbo for the past three hundred years,” Rorzan said, floating lazily back and forth in front of them.

  Arielle made an exasperated noise as they rounded the corner and reached their cabin. Vann held the door for her and she walked right to the bed and sat down. He closed the door behind him and locked it, debating how to proceed. Janaza's suggestion floated lazily around in his head, and he couldn't deny he thought the elf was attractive.

  Then he caught Rorzan giving him a knowing glance. The ghost smiled, and Vann felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. When Rorzan started smiling, you kept your guard up because you never knew what was coming.

  “Well, since the both of you seem to be all tuckered out, I'm going to go do some snooping around the ship. See if anything interesting is going on.” He winked at Arielle. “Maybe peek in on the captain and Janaza and see how that shakes out.”

  “Have fun!” Arielle said, flopping backwards onto her bunk and throwing her arm over her eyes. Rorzan gave Vann a knowing look, then floated down and mimed grabbing the elf's tits. He winked at Vann, then zipped off through the wall and was gone.

  Vann let his head drop into his hands. “Was he always like that?”

  “Who?”

  “Rorzan. Was he always so...” Vann searched for a word. “Lecherous?”

  Arielle giggled and sat up, reaching up behind her head to undo her hair tie. “I would say yes, but he only ever got comfortable being like that after I met him. When this all started, back when I first met him, h
e was much more demure.” The tie came loose, and her silver hair fell free, spilling over her shoulders and face like liquid mercury. Arielle brushed her bangs aside, and Vann felt his heart skip a beat and his throat dry a little. “Or perhaps cowed would be the better word.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Rorzan is and always has been a very brilliant man.” Arielle leaned forward, resting her elbows on her thighs. “He's always had a talent for thinking in ways that are foreign to most people. He would figure out how to do something, and then while people were still trying to wrap their heads around how he'd done the first thing had already refined it twice into two newer things. Like with scrying portals – he had a hand in figuring out the Song used to create them, and then a year later figured out how to look across space and time into other worlds.” She smiled. “That's when I met him. When he was working on that.”

  “And that's when the two of you discovered metal.”

  She nodded. “It was like nothing I'd ever heard before. It was just what I was looking for.” Arielle bowed her head. “Tell me, Vann. What do you know about me?”

  Vann blinked. “Only what Rorzan's told me, and what I knew beforehand, which was a mix of lies and half-truths. You and Rorzan joined forces, went south to where Ibanz is now, Rorzan became Lord, and then the Rebellion began.”

  Arielle brushed her hair behind her ear, and the simple motion sent shivers down Vann's spine. “That's the condensed version.”

  Seeing his chance, Vann got up and walked across the cabin to sit next to her. “I mean, I'd like to know more, if you're willing to share. I've only got Rorzan's perspective on his history, when I realize it's half your story as well.”

  “It's many people's story,” Arielle said. She drew one of her legs up, resting her ankle on her thigh. “But I was a major player, yes.”

  “You say that as if you were an actor and not...” Vann searched for the words.

  “What I was?” The elf smiled. “I wore many faces, Vann. I was, at some point, a statesperson, a warrior, a magician, assassin, pariah, lover.” She made a circular motion with her hand. “You get the idea. I was whatever I had to be for the cause. It was liberating.”

 

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