The Dragon Writers Collection

by DragonWritersCollective

  Yag snorted.

  “Captain, where are our weapons? Zach and I can help you fight them,” he offered.

  “Weapons?” he said, incredulous. “We ain’t fighting them, we’re gonna disappear! But we need to get over the horizon ’afore we can!” Having set his orders in motion, and satisfied they were being carried out by his officers, Yag stood calmly and quietly watching the Shugu’s well-armed navy.

  “Bastard piermaster must have told them,” he said with a sigh of regret. “I guess I didn’t pay him enough. It’s a tricky thing, bribing a piermaster, you know? You can never tell who got to ’em first, and they’ll take your money all the same. Ten of them to one of us; not odds that I’m liking.”

  Carym nodded, Yag was right. “Where are we going then?”

  “We travel to Sargan Duchy where I will be offering my services to the Duke of Sargan. I’ll have you fetched o’er to Caelambra on the backside.”

  “Won’t the Shugu just follow us?” asked the Keneerie woman, whose name he still did not know, in a silky voice. She hovered behind him, raven tresses spilling out from her cowl. Yag glanced at the woman and nodded to her in greeting. Carym knew the man was thinking that it was bad luck to have a woman aboard ship, as most sailors do.

  “They’ll try, ma’am. They’ll try,” he said as he turned and walked toward his cabin. The captain had ordered his crew to increase speed and he could see the men busily working amongst the sails and ropes and masts. Satisfied that the privateer’s competent and skilled crew could outrun the Shugu’s battleships, Carym turned his attention back to the woman.

  “We haven’t been properly introduced, ma’am,” said Carym bowing as he took the woman’s hand. “I am Carym of Hyrum.”

  “I am Gennevera al Louerra, and I am honored to make your acquaintance, Carym of Hyrum.”

  Carym was pleased that she did not greet him with condescension upon hearing that his namesake was his village, an indication of low station among many cultures. Her eyes regarded him with an intensity that touched his soul as she clung to his hand for a moment longer than was proper.

  “You are going to Caelambra?”

  “Aye. There is someone I must meet there.”

  Finally she let go of his hand and looked back out to sea as the Marineer picked up speed. Carym and Gennevera stood on the weather deck talking and watching for whales, which Gennevera had never seen, for hours. And for a while, it seemed as though the Shugu’s ships would not catch them. Then off the bow directly in front of them, Carym spotted more ships on the horizon! The two watched calmly for a while, waiting to see if the spotters in the ship’s rigging would notice and let everyone know if the ships were friend or foe.

  Before long, it was apparent to Carym that the crew had spotted the ships blocking their path before he did. Yag and his officers had gathered near the ship’s great helm, deep in conversation. As the ships on the horizon grew larger, Carym saw their sails bore the markings of the Shugu’s fleet; a black sun with six red rays extending from it on a white sail.

  “Below decks! All passengers below decks!” shouted the Chief of Mates in his trashy Dockyarder accent, as he walked about the deck. The ship heaved and a great boom swung, forcing a change in direction. North again, Carym observed as he and Gennevera were ushered politely to the ladder leading below by a grim looking petty-officer.

  “What’s happening, Carym?” asked Gennevera.

  “I think we have sailed into a trap, one that has been waiting for our erstwhile captain!” he answered grimly. He wanted to find Yag and throttle him; it seemed there would be little chance of escaping the Shugu’s fleet which was now closing from both flanks. And, it seemed the Marineer was now sailing into a slight headwind, which would give their adversaries a better chance to close the gap. So it will be a fight then.

  “Sorry, sir. Ma’am. Captain’s orders,” said the petty officer, though it was clear he wasn’t sorry to see them go below.

  “Petty Officer, if we can have our weapons we can help you fight them!” said Carym urgently. But the gruff man just smiled.

  “We ain’t to be doin’ no fightin’, sir. You can count on that!” then the sailor secured the hatch behind them, muffled voices of the crew could still be heard shouting above. Gennevera was holding his hand again and he felt a surge of warmth flow through his body, he felt connected to this woman and he barely knew her. Feeling giddy, he gripped the woman’s hand in return and led her down the passageway. Doubt assailed him again and he wondered if he was he being fooled again. Was this another one of Umber’s agents sent to waylay him? How much difference could there be between the Lord of Death and the Dark Lord of Deceit?

  “I need to return to my cabin so that I may prepare for dinner,” she said softly, Carym could scarcely hear her voice above the creaking of the ship. He nodded, but said nothing, preferring the silence to think. As they reached the woman’s cabin, he decided to be cautiously optimistic, for she had made no advances and had shown no interest in his plans. He regretted leaving her alone, but knew it wouldn’t be wise to be forward with the woman.

  Forward? When did I decide I like her that much? She could be setting me up.

  She gave him a kiss on the cheek and said, “I’ll see you at dinner.” Then she entered her cabin and closed the hatch behind her. He stood looking at the place where she had stood, torn by conflicting emotions. Was he somehow being unfaithful to the memory of his deceased wife? Was the spirit of his daughter somehow looking down on him in shock and dismay? If the visions shown him by Zerva in the druid’s glade were true, his deceased loved ones wanted him to move on; he had purpose now. He shook his head as he walked back to the porthole and stared out at the sea, hoping a glimpse of the Shugu’s infamous navy would take his mind off things. Alas, he could see nothing but rolling waves from here and so he retired to his own cabin for a nap before dinner.

  Carym, Zach, Gennevera and the officers had dinner in the Captain’s personal galley. The Captain’s galley was a brightly painted room with covered candles placed along the walls for lights. There were paintings of various people whom Carym did not recognize, and a statue of the Goddess of the Seas prominently displayed on the wall behind the Captain’s place at the head of the table. The table, like the chairs and every other thing on this ship, was fastened to the deck.

  Carym was surprised by Yag’s piety, as he began his meal with an invocation to the goddess, Saryln, thanking her for the bounty of the sea before them and asking for speed to outwit and outmaneuver his enemies. It was remarkable, Carym thought, how neither Yag nor his crew seemed overly concerned that they would in fact be caught by the Shugu’s fleet. Their optimism seemed ill-placed and illogical, as Carym was sure there would be a battle by noon tomorrow; yet their optimism was infectious. He shook his head wryly as he surveyed the table fare; fresh salmon, spiced coral cakes, seasoned Amberlouvian Kelpy Beans, with sweet apple wine and fresh seawater to drink. Carym hadn’t eaten this well in ages, and after a receiving a coy smile from Gennevera, he felt truly content.

  A man dressed in dark blue clothes streaked with silver lightning bolts and studded with gems glided in into the cabin. Long brown hair framed a pale face, his eyes were shadowed with fatigue. The man callously surveyed the gathered company then nodded, confirming some silently held assessment, and bent to his captain’s ear. A frown creased the old captain’s visage ever so briefly, and was replaced by a smile as he nodded curtly to his wizard. The grim faced wizard glared at the guests for a moment, then turned on his heel and stalked out of the cabin, the sound of his boots striking the deck loudly as he went. Carym had not known there was a wizard on the ship. It was comforting, as a wizard could be an asset in battle, but also odd as sailors were very superstitious and distrustful of magic-wielders.

  After dinner the officers and the captain made small talk about trade, economic situations around Llars that concerned their clients, and the quality of various privateers prowling the wild waters of the north. Car
ym wondered nervously if this cool captain was ever going to show concern for the dangerous men who now hunted them. Finally, the subject of the Shugu was broached.

  “It pains me that you have become victims of circumstance,” Yag began. “Unfortunately, I took a very big risk in the waters of the Shugu not long ago. I slipped some cargo past the naval blockade of a renegade province the Shugu’s empire. He has summoned me, a number of times, to appear before his court with an explanation of how I achieved this feat.” The captain stopped telling his story for a moment, giving himself time to light a beautiful pipe made of ivory. After a few satisfactory puffs, he smiled and continued. “The Shugu claims only to want me to reveal the manner in which I escaped his blockade. But, he has already learned something of that secret if not how to achieve it.”

  “No, the Shugu wants my ship and he wants to see me hang from its yardarm. The Shugu will not see you as innocent passengers. You’ll all hang alongside me.”

  “You doubt your ability to outrun them, then?” Carym was growing angrier by the minute. He realized that the captain’s calm demeanor was a facade, himself aware that no tailwind was strong enough to help them reach safe harbor anywhere. He felt a knot forming in the pit of his stomach and instinctively reached for the bag of stones in his pocket, somehow their presence calmed him. Still, he feared for himself and Zach...and Gennevera.

  “That, sir, is the heart of the matter. Our salvation lies in the secret which I possess and the Shugu so desperately wants. We will escape him, of that you may be certain,” he said with grimness in his voice. “I’ll not have your blood on my hands!” His stern gaze fell upon everyone in the room, not losing a single puff of smoke from his pipe as his eyes lingered upon each face.

  “I must have assurances, however. I can accept no less than total secrecy from each of you, regarding what we are about to do.” The old privateer was very hesitant in his speech, and very quiet. It was apparent that he had hoped things would not progress to this point and he clearly regretted what he was about to say. “I never make idle threats, and I will not start now. I promise you, I cannot allow you to leave this ship should you fail to give me your sacred promise of silence on the matter which we shall discuss shortly.” Yag looked every person in the eye, though it was apparent that the only ones who did not know what was about to be said were the passengers.

  Carym met Yag’s eye and nodded solemnly, hope rising in his heart. Zach scowled but nodded, and Gennevera bowed her head deeply, her raven tresses framing her face. Yag exhaled, forcing a puff of his breath to blow his long mustaches out. He smiled and nodded.

  “Very well,” he said grimly. “This ship is capable of a most amazing feat. A transformation so powerful the kings of the world would sell their great treasuries to have it!” There was a gleam in the old captain’s eye. Carym felt the stones in his pouch pulsing strongly, and he reached into the pouch instinctively grasping the stones in his hand. Suddenly everything seemed to shift in his vision, his head pounded and a paradoxical sensation of cold fire coursed through him. He felt powerful, giddy, almost drunk, as rivers of colored light crackled and flew around the room. The shock of the vision caused him to blink rapidly and he tried his best not to let on. Reluctantly he let go of the stones and the vision left him, breathless and trembling, thirsting for the sensation to fill him again. He glanced quickly around the cabin but none seemed to have noticed.

  “The ancients possessed a powerful magic that allowed them the ability to travel through the Underllars with ease. Each of the great lakes of this world are connected through subterranean rivers. Massive cave systems exist below the surface, teeming with life, full of gem mines and veins of gold and silver waiting to be exploited.” Carym thought the tale a bit fanciful, but Zach was enraptured by the talk and Gennevera nodded as though the old man confirmed something she had long suspected. “Entire civilizations existed below the surface of this world centuries and centuries ago, and they have been centuries abandoned; but the cities exist to this day. And we have seen them!”

  “Get on with it, Yag!” hissed Zach. “You have our attention. How do we get there and how does that help our plight?”

  “We go below the waves,” said Yag with eerie finality. The passengers stared at the man, wondering if he was going mad. Carym knew, somehow, that the man was perfectly sane. The stones told him so, this ship was veritably pulsing with magic. “Under cover of darkness, we shall descend below the waves and the Shugu will find his prey has once again escaped!” Yag abruptly stood. “I have duties to attend, please excuse me.”

  “To your cabin, gentlemen. My lady,” the first officer announced as the rest of the officers left the cabin. “For your own safety.”

  Was he for real? Carym had no doubt that the ship possessed potent magic, but he would sooner expect it to fly than to sail below the waves. And what would keep them all from drowning? Gennevera took Carym by the hand and followed Zach who had sauntered out after the officers. The same grim looking petty officer who had met them earlier on the weather deck pointed toward the hatch that led below.

  “Below decks please!”

  When Carym and Gennevera reached the bottom of the stairs Zach had already disappeared into the cabin and shut the door. It was clear to Carym that his friend would not change his views of the Keneerie woman and let out a ragged sigh as he stared at the cabin door. Wistfully remembering his wife, he longed for her warm embrace, and quite suddenly he felt her presence. It was a comforting and warm sensation, reminding him of her eternal love for him and that they would be reunited in heaven. For now he knew he must live this life and live it fully, she had given him closure and approval to move on. Beside him stood an exciting, breathtaking woman. Her beauty mesmerized him, her intelligence and charm caught him, and her noble poise held him. She looked quietly back at Carym for a long moment, and then she spoke.

  “The ancient histories told of the Uta Milla Empire, located far beneath the surface of Llars, and their amazing manner of travel. I never fancied that I would one day see that fabled place!” He was lost in her large golden-brown eyes; she smiled warmly at him. A sensation distracted him, however, and doubt assailed him. He felt the pull of the stones in his pocket and realized with mild annoyance this was the source of that which distracted him from the woman’s eyes.

  “I have never heard of such a place, my lady,” said Carym stiffly as he walked to the porthole and looked out to the blackness of the sea beyond. “Could it be true that we are about to sail below the seas? Do we go to our doom?”

  “I am hardly a lady, Carym. In fact I am merely Keneerie; a Low Elf,” she said, sadness in her voice. He wanted to reach out to her then, hold her close. Yet he resisted the dangerous thoughts, remembering how little he knew of this woman, though yearning to love once again. “But I am sure we do not go to our doom.”

  “If your beauty is indicative of your kind, then you do not deserve such a menial title, but rather one as beautiful as you are.”

  “Please, Carym. I don’t deserve your praise, as I’m sure you will see in time,” she said and looked away. Fearful of having offended her, Carym gave in to his emotions. Caution be damned! He thought to himself as he put his arm around her shoulder, sharing his view of the inky blackness of night beyond the porthole.

  “I do not know much of these Sisters of Grymm, my lady. What is their purpose?”

  Gennevera was quiet a moment, before finally speaking. “You will hear many things about my order for it has a nefarious reputation. Many people think we are assassins or black wizards. It is not true,” she paused for a moment to study his reaction. But Carym gave no hint of his thoughts. She continued, “Grymm is indeed the keeper of souls; he greets them at the end of life and directs them to their eternal resting place. Where the souls go is a direct result of the life they have led and the gods they have served. We are merely Grymm’s servants on Llars and we do not condone murder. We believe people will die when it is meant for them to die.”


  “Now that you mention it, I recall one of those black robed Sisters who appeared in our village many years ago. Old Maggie Markham claimed for the longest time that the spirit of her long dead husband was haunting her house, making her cat attack her in the dark. Dryume, a druid who lived nearby tired of wasting his precious healing potions on the woman and finally sent for one of the Sisters of Grymm.”

  “We do communicate with the spirits of those who have passed, to help those who linger to find their way. What happened?” she asked.

  “Well, the Sister examined Maggie’s claim. And found that Maggie was in fact, possessed,” he leaned in whispering.

  “Really?” she asked in wonder.

  “Yes, she told Maggie that she was possessed of a senile mind and not to ever bother the Sisterhood again; lest she be sent to Grymm prematurely!” the pair laughed together for a few moments. Carym studied her, silently wondering why she would choose such a morbid life. As the ship rode the upside of a high swell, Gennevera fell into his arms. As the ship crested and rode the downside of the swell the pair lost their balance and grabbed the handrails.

  Gennevera appeared a bit nervous now, her former stately grace gone. Carym chuckled. “We should be coming up any.....minute,” he finished lamely as he realized they were not coming up. The ship was still riding downward at an alarming angle suggesting that they were, in fact, sinking. An eerie green glow slowly surrounded the ship, filling the portholes and seeping in between the beams.

  “We go below the waves,” he whispered in awe, reality setting in.

  The two struggled toward the woman’s cabin, preferring their own company to that of Zach and his dismal attitude. They closed the door to Gennevera’s cabin and made their way across the tilted floor. This will take some getting used to, Carym thought.