by L. L. McNeil
*
Moroda felt a weight on her chest and muffled voices all around her. She struggled to listen, unable to make any sense of what she heard, and when she opened her eyes, she found she was wrapped up in Palom’s large cloak. Amarah stood some way in front of her, by the wheel of Khanna, and further ahead, Kohl stood out on deck, Sapora beside him. She turned to her right, and saw Palom sat on a crate, his arms folded. To her left, Eryn and Morgen sat beside her; everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts.
Kohl walked towards the covered area, and Moroda took a deep breath, trying to control her shivering. ‘I fear Aciel’s power may have increased more than can be stopped.’ He sat down beside Palom. Moroda didn’t move, and closed her eyes again, listening. ‘I feel this is perhaps a fruitless quest. Jato’s power has grown since I last saw her. Aciel is also stronger, despite Amarah’s attack. We’ve no chance. Once we arrive in Val Sharis, how long before he decides to wipe out all non-Arillians?’
‘Kohl don’t be foolish,’ Sapora hissed. ‘When the snows start, I’ll succeed my father as King. I’m not giving up my birth- right for a rogue Arillian who wants to play war. Princess Isa will have more information for us when we reach the capital.’
‘We’re in this too deep,’ Amarah said, from a little way ahead. ‘Give up now after everything we’ve been through? Don’t be stupid. Besides, after that stunt, they’ll be after us. Arillians seem to do revenge well. Hold grudges a long while! At least Aciel and Jato will be out of action for a bit. Buy us some time. We got the sphere though. Excellent bit of thievery if I do say so myself.’
Moroda’s heart pounded at Amarah’s words. ‘Indeed, if you say so.’ Kohl said.
‘Shame I didn’t kill her, too,’ Sapora said. ‘I’m out of practice, it seems.’
‘Sapora, if it weren’t for you, they’d be after us right now. You were merciful to Jato, intentional or not. It’s a good thing.’ ‘Kohl you are talking rubbish,’ Palom said. ‘Whole lot of them deserve to burn.’
Moroda couldn’t feign sleep any longer. ‘No they don’t. They’re not in control of their actions. It’s Aciel who’s to blame.’
‘Moroda!’ Eryn gasped, jumping to her feet and leaning forward to hug her sister.
Kohl tipped his hat to Moroda and walked away, his shoulders sagging. She watched the Arillian take to the sky from the relative warmth of the covered deck. The nausea she felt on the warship had not completely passed, and she regretted her decision to go on the ship. But she had learned invaluable information and Amarah had succeeded in stealing the sphere. For all his terror, Aciel’s edge would be lost. ‘Eryn, I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh Ro, its okay! I’m so glad you’re back with us now. We were so worried.’
‘I’ve not… been asleep long, have I?’
‘Not even an hour,’ Morgen said, standing up. ‘Dragons above, I can’t imagine what you went through on there.’
‘But…the ereven spehere? We have it? It was worth it?’
‘We have it, Ro,’ Ery said, still hugging her. ‘We so nearly lost you, though. What were you thinking, going on that ship?’
‘Ryn, I’m sorry for scaring you.’
Eryn finally let go and kneeled beside where Moroda lay. Her eyes were red, but there were no fresh tears. Moroda smiled at her and wriggled her hands free of the cloak to hold her cheek for a moment. She took Eryn’s hands in hers and kissed them. ‘I promise I’ll never do anything again without you agreeing. It was selfish of me.’
‘How do you feel, Moroda?’ Palom asked from her other side.
Moroda shrugged. ‘I’m okay. A bit sick, but no pain.’ It was a white lie, but nothing she felt now was comparable to Jato’s attacks. She’d never been stabbed before, but imagined the hot, blinding pain to be similar. ‘Is Amarah okay? And you, Sapora? Thank you for what you did there. You saved me.’
‘Both fine, Sapora replied. Moroda met his gaze and smiled, no longer feeling a chill when she looked at him. One of the Varkain, the supposed cruellest creatures to walk Linaria, had stepped in to defend her against Jato. She saw him in a new light, especially after being under Aciel’s control.
‘I’m pleased to hear that. What about Anahrik?’ ‘Everyone is okay, Moroda. Anahrik is scouting as always, but skies are clear to Val Sharis now,’ Palom answered.
‘You sure you’re okay, Ro? It’s okay if you aren’t. I mean…Aciel…He…’ Eryn trailed off.
‘I don’t know how anyone can fight that. He…his voice…it’s inside you,’ Moroda said. ‘I don’t know how Amarah managed to attack him!’ She suddenly remembered the blood. ‘Amarah! You cut his arm off!’
The sky pirate cackled. ‘Good weapons of yours, Palom. Not quite. But I made sure he knew not to mess with me. Don’t think that Jato took too kindly to it, though.’
‘And… now we have the ereven sphere, his way of finding dragons… he’s weaker now?’ Moroda asked.
‘Damned good heist. Not had a bloody one in years. Sign us up for round two.’
‘Pay her no mind,’ Eryn whispered, leaning close. ‘She was just as worried about you as I was when Kohl brought you on board. She had a go at him for bringing her back first instead of you.’
‘Amarah…’ Moroda breathed, smiling. She shuffled where she lay, sitting upright, her nausea beginning to fade. She exhaled slowly, trying to soothe her stomach and ignore the fresh, painful memories of her experience on the ship. It was no easy matter, and she was so tired that she risked drifting off to sleep.
‘I should have gone,’ Palom said, rousing her.
‘Palom?’
‘I said I would look after you. If I was there then maybe you would not… you should not have been hurt, Moroda.’
‘It’s okay. Perhaps I shouldn’t have gone myself,’ she said.
‘No. You were doing what you had to do. This I understand. But to see you hurting…’
‘Thank you, Palom. I’m okay,’ she said. ‘If one of the Arillians had spotted Khanna and attacked, you’d have been here to look after Eryn.’
Palom gave her a pained look, but nodded.
‘Amarah keeps saying how she’s the best pirate in the skies,’ Eryn continued, keeping her voice low. ‘Stole the most valuable treasure from the most dangerous ship, and walked away unscathed.’
‘She is good,’ Moroda said.
‘What?’ Eryn’s eyebrows shot up.
‘She defended herself and me against the guards we found, took Aciel on one-on-one, and I have to say she came out better. I couldn’t even stand against him.’
‘Ro…’
‘You are not as weak as you think,’ Sapora said. Moroda and Eryn both glanced up. ‘You do not need Palom’s protection, nor anyone’s. You spoke out against Aciel in Niversai. You freed a Varkain from prison. You willingly entered the enemy’s warship, and did not give up against that freak Arillian. Perhaps if you stopped whinging, you’d see that.’
Moroda swallowed, her cheeks flushed. She could not deny Sapora’s words, even if the bite in his voice embarrassed her.
Everything he said had been true, though not all of her intentions were noble. She had given in to Aciel’s compulsion, but it was true she had not given up, if there was a difference. She had tried to fight, tried to get away, however futile a fight it was.
‘Gotta agree with him,’ Morgen said. ‘For someone with no battle experience, who never even held a weapon until a few days ago, you’re not bad off.’
‘I must be dreaming,’ Moroda said, shaking her head.
‘You know I want to look for a ship home as soon as we get to Taban Yul, though? Eryn said, bringing Moroda back to reality.
‘As soon as you get the smallest taste of the real world, you wanna scurry back home?’ Amarah laughed. ‘Didn’t you hear a word the Varkain said, Eryn?’
‘I know you do,’ Moroda said to her sister, feeling subdued. All her confidence built from the Samolen magic had faded. She still wore her crystal, but understood now it could not b
e relied upon to get her out of all scrapes or keep her invulnerable. Topeko had said it was a last resort, something to use in defence if fighting could not be avoided. It was her overconfidence that had led her to the ludicrous decision to accompany Amarah and Sapora on the heist. A hastily made decision, one she felt had been necessary at the time, but thanks to her companions, she wasn’t too much the worse for wear.
She thought back to Aciel, his clothes, his eyes, his voice. How he had so very nearly sent her to her death. Running head first into the heart of the Arillian war was something she never wished to do again. ‘Ryn, I promise I’ll work with you more instead of being stubborn. Next time, I might not be so lucky. I don’t want to put you through that again.’
‘Ro…’
‘You best get some rest,’ Morgen chimed in. ‘Still a little ways to go to Taban Yul. You, too, Eryn. You look exhausted with worry.’
‘I’m fine, thanks Morgen,’ Eryn said, not looking away from Moroda.
‘Sure, Ryn?’ Moroda asked, her body itching to rest. ‘I’m sure. You rest. We’re all here. You’re safe.’
Moroda smiled and let herself drift into sleep, hoping she would not endure any nightmares of Aciel and Jato.
Chapter Eighteen
As the sun began to set, a wash of blues and purples streaked across the sky. Bright bursts of orange interlaced between the clouds, burning like distant fires. The sight was so simple, so beautiful, that Moroda spent several minutes gazing overboard at the sight, lost in thought and memory.
She remembered her father had spoken fondly of the bustling city of Taban Yul, capital of the Ittallan homeland, Val Sharis. It housed more people than Niversai, but was over twice the size, and so never felt crowded or overwhelming. Taban Yul was said to be the largest and richest city in all of Linaria; that the streets were paved with gold. The majority of Linaria’s coins—crowns, florins, pennies, and all their variants—were minted deep within the city’s financial district, and the Imperial Army had been formed within the palace walls several hundred years ago. Moroda imagined a lively, warm place, full of the jewels of Berel and the peoples similar to those of Niversai.
In her mind’s eye, it felt like a second home. The same market stalls and traders, taverns and nobility. The same members of the Imperial Guard patrolling the streets and airships floating overhead.
‘If it’s getting too much for you, we can always get a ship back to Niversai once we land.’ Eryn suggested, breaking Moroda from her thoughts.
‘No, no.’ Moroda pulled Palom’s cloak more tightly around her shoulders. ‘We can rest properly when we get there, and decide what to do after. How long until we reach Taban Yul?’
‘We’re already across the Sea of Nami,’ Morgen said, glancing ahead. ‘Amarah reckons we’ll be there before dark.’
‘Sapora has informed us there’ll be quite a party when we land.’ Anahrik said, a bite in his tone. He approached the three and sat beside them, folding his arms and looking ahead towards Sapora during one of his rare rests.
Moroda’s eyes widened. ‘Not a party for us, surely?’
Anahrik shook his head, eyes still focussed the edge of the deck where the Varkain stood. ‘No, it’s an Ittallan ceremony to mark the beginning of winter. It’s normally in a few weeks’ time, but given he’s royalty, they’ll bring it forward for us. Looks like we timed this just perfectly. Could be a great boon to business, eh, Palom? Make a few crowns, if we’re lucky?’
Palom laughed at his colleague’s words, and made his way to join the other Ittallan. ‘I would like to formally welcome you to Val Sharis, the birthplace of my people.’ He extended his arms as though in a wide hug. ‘Taban Yul is our capital. It is most beautiful city in all Linaria, no question. But, yes, business is business and we need to go back to our workshop. There is not much time before trade finishes for the season.’
Moroda raised her eyebrows. Were Palom and Anahrik really leaving? She had thought the group would remain together when they reached the city, and frowned, realising her naïvety.
‘Is it true the city’s streets are lined with gold?’ Eryn asked.
‘Some are. Around the palace.’ Palom smiled again. ‘But the city is large, and there are much other sights to see, too.’
‘The harbour is always worth a look. Great from the sky,’ Anahrik chimed in. ‘Food and fishing and it’s great to watch boats and airships come in over the sea. Trader’s Alley is where we’re based, and you’ve also got the Food Quarter, The Three Bells, The Upper Rails—finance and money there—Maitload Corner, Little Yomal—that’s where I stay if I’m not at the workshop—then, what else… East Cross, you can get anything you need there, it’s great for tourists! And as for views on foot, all of South Galeo is worth the trip. From there you can see the harbour and the beach as it stretches south.’
‘Wow, sounds incredible!’ Moroda said. From his hurried description, she thought the place more exciting than Niversai. Her city’s districts paled to the Ittallan’s description of Taban Yul.
‘Lived in the city all my life. Was born there.’ Anahrik grinned, on his feet again and pacing. He glanced skywards again, as though itching to be airborne. ‘Taught Palom what was what and where things were when he arrived. Can’t wait to be home. Before Aciel and the others get there. At least the city’ll be better prepared than Niversai was.’ He glanced at Morgen, smirking.
‘Other than Jato, there has been no sign of more Arillians,’ Palom said. ‘This is good thing.’
‘The city is fine, Palom. You’ll see,’ Anahrik said.
Moroda could sense the tension and worry the Ittallan felt, but agreed with Anahrik, Even if there were Arillians here, they’d stolen Aciel’s eyes. He wouldn’t be able to increase his power unless he was lucky enough to find a powerful dragon or two. It wasn’t to say he’d not already amassed enough followers to attack the city, but as they hadn’t come charging after them following their escape, Moroda believed them to be weakened.
‘I’m really looking forward to it—father always told us wonderful stories of Taban Yul, of the people and of the wealth of the city,’ Eryn said.
‘The whole city isn’t all like that. There are parts you should avoid, but that’s the same anywhere.’ Anahrik pulled a short dagger from the holder on his thigh and inspected the handle. ‘But me an’ Palom need to get back to our workshop. Got some things to repair, some things to make. When the snows really hit, tourists disappear and work slows. Dunno if we’ll have time to go to the palace for this celebration.’
‘I am sure we will see you again if you stay in the city a while,’ Palom said. ‘But our work is our value and it has been too long.’
Moroda smiled. She could feel the passion Anahrik and Palom held for their hometown, though she noted Anahrik loved the city and Palom loved the country. She, too, loved Niversai, but she didn’t care for it in the way the Ittallan did. She gazed at the jewel in her ring, the most valuable thing she owned now, and signed. She knew more now than she ever had before, thanks to Topeko’s teachings, books, and her experience with Amarah and the crew.
She had to embrace what she had learned and tackle every opportunity thrown her way.
She sighed and scratched her head. She’d read a little more of Topeko’s books since getting back on Khanna, but needed a good night’s sleep to focus again after Jato’s attack. Thankfully, when she had drifted off, her world had been dark and pain free. She and Eryn were safe, and they had the sphere. She had touched it a few more times, and slowly grew used to the heat in her fingers. The book Andel had originally given her had explained more about the ereven spheres—that they worked using the natural magic of phoenixes and dragons. Inside the sphere was the feather of a phoenix, a real one, not an ornamental red feather, covered with droplets of clear water, she presumed from the lake in Berel. Moroda had to hold it up close to her face to see the detail, and as she turned the sphere in her hand, the droplets moved along the feather’s barbs, focussing on one direction,
like a compass always pointing north.
Where the droplets gathered, the heat of the sphere intensified and hummed gently. ‘This is how we find a dragon,’ Moroda breathed. ‘A stronger response for a stronger dragon?’ She thumbed through Andel’s tome, but the writing was small, written in an old style she had to work to make sense of. It was too much for her right now, but she understood the gist of how it worked. At least she could read it tonight, or in the morning after sleeping.
‘That little thing is worth a lot of money, Moroda,’ Amarah said, breaking her from her thoughts. ‘Even if it doesn’t work, I can sell it.’
Moroda smiled, shaking her head. ‘It works. Don’t worry.’
‘I’m not worried.’
Moroda placed the sphere on her lap and thought about Eryn’s words of the sky pirate’s concern for her. ‘Were you going to tell me about the scars on your leg?’
Eryn frowned and turned to Morgen, then Moroda, and back to the sky pirate.
Amarah cackled and turned back to the wheel, slowing their speed as they approached Taban Yul. ‘Came to Val Sharis a few times as a kid. After I left home. It’s all Ittallan and Varkain over there. Aside from tourists. Wandered out of a tourist spot one night and ran into a group of Varkain.’
Moroda glanced up as Sapora appeared at the mention of his kin, but he remained silent.
‘Guess they thought I’d make good sport,’ Amarah continued. ‘Managed to get in a few blows but they outnumbered me, and they’re so damned fast. Most of the scars from their blades healed, aside from a couple of deep stabs on my back. But my leg never got better. They wanted to keep me from fighting back so they could enjoy themselves. One of them bit me as I kicked out. It’s awful, when you can feel everything but your body can’t move to scream, when your chest can’t rise when you breathe, so you take short breaths. It’s crushing. It’s cold.’ Moroda saw her shiver.
‘Dragon’s above, Amarah,’ Morgen said. ‘How did you get away? Surely they’d have killed you or left you for dead?’