Voice floated anxiously by Cali’s side as Captain Rebol and Kileah lowered her to the forest floor. “Is she alright? Does she live?”
Kileah waved her away. “She’s alive. I’m not sure if she’ll remain so, but for now—” She tensed, causing Voice to look up.
Captain Rebol stood with his sword in hand. His eyes darted around the forest. A chill swept through Voice as she saw that Kileah had also slid her daggers from their sheaths.
“Stand down and you will live!” The shout came from above. All three glanced into the trees. Nothing but branches, leaves, and vines.
“How about ye stand down an’ we’ll let ye live!” Captain Rebol stood protectively over Cali.
Laughter floated down to them. Kileah cursed under her breath. “There’s more than one of them.”
I wish I had my magic. I wish I had a body. I hate these limitations! Voice’s anger and fear mounted. She rose until she floated above Kileah’s head. “Cowards! How dare you threaten us when you clearly have the advantage! Do you have no honor? Show yourselves!”
The laughter stopped. Voice looked below to see Kileah rotating the daggers in her hands and sinking back onto her heels. Captain Rebol tightened his jaw and gripped his sword with a fierce determination.
A vine dropped to the ground. Then another. And another. Then more. People slid down them and within moments, Voice and her companions were surrounded.
The band stared at them and parted to let a rugged man in bright yellow through. A cap sat rakishly on his mop of dirty blond hair. A single red feather protruded from it, nodding in the breeze. A cloak hung from his shoulders, clashing with the green grab of his men.
Yellow Hat placed a hand on his sword hilt and shot Kileah a roguish smile. “What’s a pretty lady like yourself doing here?” His gaze swept her appreciatively. “Our island has never been so blessed.”
Kileah leapt forward, daggers dancing as she took a swipe at the man’s chest. Yellow Hat jumped back and drew his blade. He lifted a hand to unhook his cloak, letting it drop to the ground. The men pulled back as the two circled each other. Kileah darted in, trying to draw first blood. Yellow Hat swept his sword in front of him, catching Kileah’s arms with the flat of his blade. She didn’t let go of her weapons, though she pulled back, crouched low, and continued to circle.
Captain Rebol strode forward, grabbed Yellow Hat’s collar, and yanked him backwards. “Enough ay thes nonsense. A body is liable tae end up hurt or killed. Big brute wi’ a sword against a pirate wi’ daggers.” He shook his head and waved Kileah off as Yellow Hat spun to face him.
Kileah slid her daggers into their sheaths, maintaining her wary stance. Seeing his opponent unarmed, Yellow Hat replaced his own sword and tugged at his shirt to get the wrinkles out. “I imagine, my good fellow, that you just saved her a painful lesson.” Kileah stiffened and moved back to stand over Cali.
Captain Rebol smacked Yellow Hat on the back and roared with laughter. “It wasn’t ‘er Ah was worried about, laddie. She would’ve had ye beggin’ fer mercy.”
The men snickered but Yellow Hat eyed Kileah with a newfound interest. “In that case I might have to renew my duel with the young lady someday. I’m always up for a challenge.” He doffed his hat and swept them a bow. “The name is Badger.”
One of the men coughed, “Sunshine.”
Whipping around, Badger replaced his bright cap. “Who said that?” No answer. He scowled at the lot before turning back to Captain Rebol. “So what brings you to our fair island? I didn’t spot a ship, but with the storm last night, I expect you’re castaways.”
“We were on our way tae Palanpas when our ship floundered. We lost mah crew an’ a yoong lassie in th’ st’rm.”
“We don’t have time for pleasantries,” Voice blurted. “The prin—Cali needs medical attention.”
Badger’s mouth dropped and someone whispered, “So that orb was the one yelling at us.”
Kileah bent to lift Cali’s head again. “Voice is right. We can have tea time later.”
Badger closed his mouth and stepped forward. He scooped Cali into his arms and began trekking through the trees. Voice followed close behind. I won’t let her out of my sight again.
❄❄❄
“She’s waking up.”
Cali struggled to open her eyes. It hurt to try. What’s wrong with me? What happened? Memories flooded back and she forced her eyes open and attempted to sit up. “Angel,” her voice cracked.
Voice hovered over her. “Do not try and speak, Pri—Cali. You are dehydrated and badly sunburnt.”
Cali dropped her head on the pillow and closed her eyes against the world. Hurts so bad. Angel. A tear leaked out and spilled down her tender cheek. Nothing would ever be right again. She’d gone on this journey in search of purpose and meaning. It seems all she’d found was pain and loss.
Am I different from the girl who left Trabor? Angel had been the real princess. Angel should’ve made it. Not me.
She turned on her side and winced as her skin brushed the light cloth draped over her. If I had died, it would’ve been better. Maybe then Voice would’ve been free.
No people. No kingdom. No Angel. No one needed her. A princess without skills or subjects to rule.
She opened her eyes at the sound of shuffling nearby. In front of her, on another cot, lay a woman with cropped black hair and skin the color of beach sand. Cali’s stomach roiled. She never wanted to think about sand again.
The woman opened her eyes. They reminded Cali of a hawk, both in color and in fierceness. Neither spoke and Cali’s eyes drifted closed.
❄❄❄
“Ye are lookin’ much better, lassie.” Captain Rebol strode forward and gently hugged Cali. “We ne’er thought we’d see ye again an’ then there ye were. Washed up on th’ san’ loch a bit ay seaweed.”
Cali smiled faintly at the warm greeting. Her skin was still sensitive and she’d somehow acquired scrapes on her legs. Badger guessed she’d probably gotten them from the rocks edging the shoreline. A hazy memory surfaced of something scratching her legs as she released the plank of wood.
“She may look better, but she should be resting. She’s been spouting nonsense about leaving the tent and walking,” Voice spoke with the overprotective tone that had become the norm since Cali had awakened.
“Voice, I am fine, truly. I need to get out of this tent before I go mad. Besides—”She gestured to the slight figure on the other bed“—I’m sure she wants to get out as well.”
The woman hadn’t spoken a word, but she seemed to have recovered faster than Cali. Badger said she’d been rescued shortly before his band had come upon Cali and her friends. Another victim of the storm.
“It’s decided then.” Badger stepped forward and extended his arm to Cali. “The ladies will tour the camp.”
Badger and Cali adopted a leisurely pace as they walked. Voice and the woman fell in behind them. Tents were pitched randomly about the forest. A field opened up near the tents, and campfires sporting overhanging kettles dotted the meadow. Children dashed through the grass and trees as the adults went about the daily rigors of life: mending, cooking, sharpening weapons, swordplay, and cleaning fish.
Badger rattled on about his band, how they survived, the island and what it provided. Cali listened with half an ear. Before, this would’ve fascinated her. But with Angel gone . . . Will I ever be able to enjoy life again?
She didn’t notice when Badger came to a halt until he cleared his throat. She looked up. They had reached the edge of the camp. Voice and the woman had passed them and were circling back towards the center.
“Something is disturbing you, Princess.”
“I am sorry. After all you’ve done for me, I’ve been a rude guest.”
She forced a smile and noticed Badger’s smirk.
What did I miss? She tossed the last few minutes around in her mind. The attempted smile faltered and her face froze. Princess.
“How did you know?”
“Do you want to share your story? Or at the very least, what is bothering you?” He gestured to a log, sweeping his yellow cape aside.
She hesitated. The battle for secrecy was lost before it started. “Thank you. I do need someone to speak to and Voice, she . . .”Cali wiped at her eyes. “Well, it’s nice to share with more than one person.”
❄❄❄
Kota sat before the campfire and watched the smoke disappear into the black sky. Fate, it seemed, would not let her die. How she had survived that storm and landed here . . . She shook her head. It was nothing short of a miracle.
T’Nahke’s betrayal and her subsequent fall into the ocean had rattled her. After all the years of planning and striving to reach greatness, she had failed. ‘Never be helpless again,’ that’s what she’d told herself. Yet, there she’d been, hanging from the railing of a ship and then tossed to the sea.
What would Mother think of what I have become? Everything she’d accomplished was gone. Everything she thought she’d gained was an illusion. She was just as powerless now as she’d been all those years ago. Do I even like the life I’ve been living? No . . . she didn’t. She wasn’t happy. So why? Why have I chosen to walk this path?
“Pass me a bowl of that stew.”
Kota jumped, instinctively reaching for a sword that wasn’t there.
Badger settled on the log beside her and the girl, Cali, sat across from them. He looked expectantly at her. Oh! The stew.
She reached forward and ladled them each a bowl. The orb, Voice, joined them and announced, “Kileah and Captain Rebol are talking to a few of your men about a ship that lands here to trade. I think they are getting restless.”
Badger swallowed a mouthful of stew. “That’s the way it is with seafaring folk. They can’t bear to be on land long.” He turned to Kota. “Sjadian, right? Haven’t seen one of you around in awhile.”
Kota tensed and gave a short nod.
“I asked her the same thing while we were walking. I also gathered that she is unable to speak,” Voice said.
Kota shifted on her log and scowled. Her writing utensils were long gone, either left on the ship or destroyed by the sea, she couldn’t remember which. She hated not being able to participate in a conversation about herself.
“I figured as much.” Badger gestured to a middle-aged woman who had stopped a few paces away from their circle. “This is Laralie. She worked as a translator years ago. I thought she might be able to help while we look at getting you some parchment and quills.”
Kota and Laralie exchanged nods as Laralie joined the circle.
It’d been a long time since Kota had used the language of the speechless. Most didn’t know it and it seemed a pointless skill to recall.
She signed, “Yes, am Sjadian. Traveling to big island for trade. Ship hit reef. Able to swim here. Write better than sign.”
Laralie translated. Badger smiled. “All are welcome here. Palanpas does a much better trade, but if you choose to return home, please consider visiting occasionally. We offer some novelties that Palanpas doesn’t.”
Cali had been fidgeting nervously with her hands during this speech and Kota itched to slap them and make her stop.
“Voice.” Cali raised her chin. “Badger and I were talking and he’s offered to teach me how to run the camp while we’re here.”
Kota’s eyebrow raised and she looked at Voice, who pulsated a pale yellow.
“Why?” Voice asked.
“Angel saved my life and as it is now, that life is meaningless.”
“No, it—”
Cali held up a hand. “Please, Voice, I have to say this. It is meaningless. But I want to change that. I want to honor my friend in the only way I know how. I want to learn to lead and organize and be the kind of ruler I should be.” She smiled wistfully. “I want to return to Trabor ready to take over as queen. Break the curse that is on the borders and bring life back into the kingdom. Bring summer back.” Tears formed in her eyes. “Bring people back.”
Kota wasn’t sure if it was possible for an orb to cry, but Voice sounded like she was near tears when she answered. “If that is what you wish, then I will support you and do whatever I can to help.”
Kota picked at a blade of grass. This—this was going to be interesting. She might just stick around.
Chapter 25
1 month later
“Excuse me.” Cali had been bumping into people all morning. She was supposed to be checking off items that were unloaded and making sure that nothing was loaded that shouldn’t be. Badger called it supervising. Cali called it being in the way.
She’d thought that after a month, learning to lead would be easier. But Badger was still close by and double-checking everything she did.
Caras Isles rarely had traders stop by as the only inhabitants were on the largest of the islands, Fakam. Badger’s band consisted of a hundred and forty-two people from every walk of life, from all over Shayal. Not nearly the size Cali expected most queens, or kings, had to rule over, but for her it was a lot.
About once every month, the trader Galut would anchor off the shore of Fakam and send a boat ashore to meet with Badger. Shortly after, the camp would burst into activity. Blankets were placed on the beach and the band would display items they were looking to trade. In turn, more boats would come ashore and Galut and his crew would walk around bartering for what they wanted.
This was the first trade Cali had seen and her first task by herself. Badger needed to keep an eye on the ship’s crew and couldn’t be looking over her shoulder. If she messed up the count, it’d be too late by the time he checked her documentation.
“We need Galut. He brings supplies we can’t produce here,” Badger had said that morning. “But I’m always on my guard. Only so many men are allowed ashore, no weapons, and we trade on the beach so they don’t get a chance to scope the island. Luckily the reef surrounding the island discourages him from staying too long. A sudden tempest could run his ship right into the coral.”
The Sjadian castaway, who called herself Zarna, had offered to help Cali keep record of what went to and from the island. Having seen how tidy her hand was, Cali jumped at the offer. Zarna may be quiet, but the one person who’d attempted to start a fight with her had ended up on the ground with the wind knocked out of him. The people respect her more than me.
Cali backed into a crewman while trying to avoid a large rug being carried to the longboats. “Excuse me.”
The crewman glared at her and picked up the rolls of fabric he’d dropped in the sand.
A tug on Cali’s ragged sleeve pulled her from the bustling line of people. Once clear, she shot a grateful smile to Zarna. It wasn’t returned. It never was.
Voice had been skeptical about Zarna for weeks, but Cali had grown to respect the silent woman. She seemed so sure of herself and she never shirked working.
“She’s Sjadian, Cali. Considering the only Sjadians we’ve heard about are less than friendly, I think we should be cautious,” Voice had warned.
Cali couldn’t deny that Raina, the empress, Kota, and even Amee were less than stellar examples of Sjadian culture, but she would hate to be judged by her Sjadian blood and silently vowed to give Zarna a chance.
A tap on the shoulder reminded her she was still working. She buried thoughts of anything else and focused on recording everything that passed in front of her.
❄❄❄
Voice stopped alongside Badger, who had just finished arguing with Galut about how many men he’d brought with him.
“I know it is not the best time, but I wanted to speak with you when Cali wasn’t around,” she said softly.
Badger adjusted his hat and sent her a tired smile. “Always have time for my favorite orb. What’s on your mind?”
“I appreciate what yo
u have done for Cali. She needed a distraction after the loss of Angel and this is a good opportunity for her to learn leadership skills.”
“But . . .” Badger raised an eyebrow.
Voice turned bright red. “I can’t help wondering why. Why would you spend time teaching someone you barely know? Why would you entrust your people and your camp to a stranger?”
Badger watched the trade proceedings as he answered, “My life here is a good one, but sometimes a shakeup in routine is nice. Cali seems like a nice kid, a bit naïve and timid, but a good person. Teaching her gives me something new and worthwhile to do. As for trust, that is earned.”
He glared at a sailor nearby who was shouting at the fish vendor. “HEY!” The man looked up. “If you can’t speak nice to the lady, then you won’t be trading on my island anymore.” The man scowled, but lowered his tone as he continued his bartering.
Badger returned his attention to Voice. “Sorry about that. Ruffians. Anyway, your Cali doesn’t seem the type to purposely cause harm. I oversee what she does, let her study what I do, run over things at night with her, and someday, if she proves herself, I’ll start stepping back a little at a time until she’s running the show. Not forever, but I want her to be able to try out her wings.” He grinned rakishly. “I’m not willing to give up my camp forever.”
The worry in Voice eased. “Thank you, for explaining and for helping her.”
“I should be the one thanking you for letting me steal your charge for free labor.” Badger laughed and walked toward another heated argument.
❄❄❄
Galut’s ship lifted anchor and left for open water against the backdrop of the setting sun. Cali’s shoulders were knotted and her legs ached from standing for hours. Zarna handed her the records she’d kept and turned towards camp.
“Thank you. I’m not sure I could’ve done this alone,” Cali called to her retreating back. She sighed as Zarna continued walking and finally disappeared into the tree line.
Badger approached and waved her towards a pair of boulders. They sat down and Cali’s legs cried with relief.
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