by LJ Andrews
“Look-it, Dirk; he is a pirate. Look-it that sword. It’s covered in jewels,” Earl said.
“Shoot ‘im, Earl,” Wiry hair shouted while he failed at hitting Nova’s hip. Nova kicked out one foot, while keeping the dagger engaged with Dirk and hit Wiry-hair with her boot squarely in the knee. He dropped to the floor, spitting a brown piece of chew from his wide mouth.
“Come on, Earl,” Dirk said, sweating from the battle against Nova.
Her breaths filtered through her lungs in short, rapid puffs as she held her ground, too terrified to move. When Earl started to lumber toward her, Nova furrowed her forehead, released her dagger from the deadlock of blades, and slammed her back into his pudgy stomach. Earl stumbled and fell through the doorway into the hall, propping himself up on his elbow in surprise.
Nova released the dagger from Dirk’s sword and jumped over Earl’s large body toward the stairs, but Dirk pulled her back by her collar. Her hat fell off the top of her head and Dirk gawked for a moment before smiling with relief. “He’s a she, boys! Come on now, let’s teach this lady some manners.”
“Get back!” Nova shouted, her hand trembling as she held the dagger straight out in front of her.
“You lookin’ to be Captain Phoenix’s wench, girly? Trust me he won’t go for a stick like you,” Dirk teased. “Now, come here.”
Dirk lunged at her and swiped his sword. He had good form and should’ve done considerable harm to Nova’s upper arm, but the sword miraculously swiped right by her.
She smiled, relieved for the narrow miss, and angrily ran her blade over Dirk’s forearm. Dirk screamed with a chilling pitch. Nova backed away, watching in disbelief. Dirk’s wound burned and charred his skin starting from the edges in. Where there should’ve been blood, only burnt pieces of flesh cracked and fizzled across the cut.
“She cursed ya, Dirk. She’s a sky witch,” Wiry-hair said, his blood-shot eyes wide with fear.
She was just as stunned as they were, but quickly she took advantage of their fear. Grabbing Dirk’s collar, she pushed her face next to his. He whimpered quietly and tried to back away. “Now, where is Captain Phoenix?”
“I…I don’t know. We are just after the bounty,” he said.
“What bounty? What are you talking about?” she asked.
“Ten thousand geld to find the captain who calls himself Phoenix. That’s what the entire banner said. Don’t kill me, witch,” Dirk begged.
Nova tried to stay in character. “Don’t tempt me,” she growled. “Now I’m leaving on that prison ship and I don’t want to hear any of you following me or I’ll curse your families and throw you into the Below.”
She tossed Dirk to the ground and pointed to the floor as if actually pointing to the mysterious dark cloud barrier at the end of their kingdom.
Earl and Wire-hair grabbed Dirk’s arms and lifted him from the floor. The three men shuffled around like frightened turkeys, gathering their bearings and darting down the hallway away from Nova.
Nova released a shaky breath and leaned against the wall, clutching the dagger against her chest. After a short moment, she scanned the jeweled weapon curiously.
What have you been hiding, Mother? she thought as she rolled the blade over in her hands. Dirk’s wound wasn’t normal; perhaps she had cursed him without knowing.
Something toppled to the floor in a neighboring room, causing Nova to leap down the stairs into the pub. Only a few drunkards remained, wobbling between tables, or dead asleep on the bar. Quickly, she placed her leather hat on her head again and slunk into the damp, rainy night.
Chapter 5
Stowaway
Heavy raindrops pummeled her face as she darted along the muddy road. Most shops were dark and hauntingly quiet. The smithy shop had a red glow from the fire that lit her way until she heard the crashing wind beating the ships against the docks.
Naval officers tromped in step along the docks, protecting each ship and its cargo. Nova cursed under her breath. How was she supposed to know which ship was the right one? Silently, she crept behind large crates and stuffed bags waiting to be loaded.
“Who goes there?” an officer shouted.
Nova froze, afraid to even breathe. She could hear the officer’s feet slosh through the mud as he left the docks. He was steps away from her hiding place behind a tall wooden crate. The man held a golden lantern high so the bright flame chased away any shadows. The light passed over Nova’s face and she closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the guard to pull her from her hiding place. But slowly, the flame faded from her eyelids and his footsteps stomped back to the docks. Nova cracked an eye and watched the officer retreating, bewildered that he hadn’t seen her. The light had hit her directly, yet it was almost as if she’d been invisible.
After several moments, Nova dared to move and she continued searching for the ship. One ship had a blue and gold flag, which was common for exotic bird-trapping ships. Another had a gray merchant flag, whose deck was filled with various large cargo. And another was a passenger ship with Rand Island’s flag blowing on the mast.
For a moment, Nova wanted to board the ship and sail to the tropical border island just to enjoy the warmth. Turning from the dock, Nova cursed Dirk’s lying tongue just as she saw a long line of men dressed in gray uniforms. Officers surrounded the men, occasionally nudging them with the butts of their muskets as the men loaded onto the deck. Nova’s heart leapt in her chest; the men were chained at the ankles−the prison transport! The ship was old, black, and worn, with the words Freedom peeling from the side.
“Ironic name,” she scoffed under her breath as she studied the Freedom’s dock.
She stayed low and concealed in the shadows as she made her way closer to the old ship. Fumbling for her money sack, she counted up the coins before stepping from behind the crate.
“Blast,” she said, counting several low worth pipers and five kits.
All her gold geld had gone for her room. Nova cursed herself for being so thoughtless with her limited coin. But she cleared her throat to deepen her voice, straightened her soggy coat, and made her way toward the officers.
“How much for passage to Dieb?” she asked, squaring her shoulders as two officers turned in her direction.
“Excuse me?” one officer with a rough voice asked. He adjusted his musket on his shoulder and studied her through his bushy eyebrows, though everything was bushy on his face. His beard fell onto his chest like a brown shrub and grew high on his cheeks, ending just under his eyes. The brown hair beneath his feathered hat was thick and curled in tight rings on his shoulders. “Go on home, kid. You ain’t getting on this ship.”
His companion officer stared at her curiously. The twinkling lanterns shadowed across his youthful face, and he seemed close to her age despite the numerous medals along his collar. Nova blushed under his gaze; his green eyes shone vibrantly in the moonlight, and she couldn’t help notice his handsome chiseled features.
“I want to pay for passage,” Nova insisted again, tearing her eyes from the handsome officer.
The hairy officer flipped around, his eyes narrowed in frustration. “It’s three geld to Dieb. Was two, but seeing how you’re getting on me nerves, I made it three. And frankly, I don’t trust many people who want to go to Dieb—usually means you’re up to no good.”
“You don’t know that, Cesar,” the younger man said. His voice was smooth and clear. Nova shook her head as if wiping away her infatuation.
“Kale, you’re the junior officer. Now, watch and learn how to deal with no-good kids.”
“I won’t cause any trouble, and I’ll work to make up for what I can’t pay,” Nova pleaded.
Cesar stepped closer until she could smell the stale tobacco and sweat on his blue uniform. On closer inspection, his face seemed as if it could be friendly, but living in the dreary rainstorms on Regen had turned his lips into a chronic frown.
“I said it’s three geld. If you don’t pay up or get on home, I’ll throw your skinny r
ear into the Below. Hear me?”
Nova gulped her anxiety away and nodded. He spat at her feet before turning back to his formation, guiding the last prisoners up the gangplank. She met the eye of Kale, her handsome officer, but no more words of defense came from his perfect lips.
The ship was about to tie off and she needed to get off Regen before Dirk and his posse found her again. Nova kept her eye on the officers, who seemed disinterested in whether she’d left or not, and scanned the beat-up ship.
Nova jumped to the ramp below the dock that was snuggled right next to the hull and made her way to the starboard side. When she stood below the quarterdeck, she glanced up, but no one had made their way to the helm just yet. A line of open gun ports taunted her as she calculated how far the jump from the lower dock to the hole was.
Chatter above her caused her heart to beat like the bungee rope she used for island jumping. She saw shadows of crewmen and naval officers filing onto the quarterdeck, ready to make way into the open sky.
“I can’t do this,” she whispered against the chilling wind. If she missed, she’d plummet through the clouds into the Below. What was I thinking? The thoughts poured into her mind. Everything seemed impossible. Who was she to think she could find her father alone?
Then his smile came to her mind, his large arms lifting her over his shoulders, teaching her to hold a blade without falling. Every bit of her heart ached to see him safe again. Lifting her watery eyes back to the dreary prison transport, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. It was now or never.
Carefully, Nova strapped her father’s bag securely around her neck. The dagger and seal of Captain Phoenix were safely inside the leather pouch. Backing up slightly, Nova kept her focus on the small, empty gun port as she ran to the edge of the dock. Launching off her feet, she felt herself free-flying the distance between the ship and dock. The gun port suddenly seemed very far and very small as she flapped her arms wildly, reaching for the hole. Nova watched in horror as the hole left her focus and she began falling. She closed her eyes and desperately reached out, hoping with all she had that she wouldn’t fall to her death.
With a jolt to her shoulder, one hand caught hold of the edge of the gun port, and she dangled dangerously above the dark clouds by a few fingers. Nova bit her bottom lip so as not to cry out and draw attention to herself as she desperately kicked her legs until they found footing on the hull. Quickly, she gripped the edge of the gun port with her other hand. With difficulty, Nova pushed and pulled herself up the side of the ship until she could push her body through the small hole. Dust puffed into the air when her body flopped loudly on the gun deck inside.
The ship was quiet except for the clanging chains on the other side as the prisoners were led down the steps to the brig. Nova dove behind a large pile of dusty cannons that must have been in the same spot for years and seemed utterly useless. She pulled her knees close to her chest and waited as the clanging metal stopped bouncing down the steps.
She stayed low behind a pile of black cannonballs for what seemed like hours. Finally, when the gray clouds brightened and she could see the hazy sun desperately trying to break through the stormy clouds, she peeked out one of the gun ports. Regen’s port was awake with naval officers, merchants, and crews filling the docks as ships departed and arrived.
Nova grew breathless as she stared out the small opening. Her eyes immediately honed in on a trio of frantic men. Dirk was rushing toward a group of officers. He was flailing his arms like a wild bird and pointing to the ship. She held her breath as a white-haired officer began checking his logs and Dirk’s face turned an ugly yellow-blue with frustration.
Nova prayed when the officer shook his head and Dirk pointed at the ship.
“No, no,” she pleaded to the empty room. “Tie off, tie off.”
As if the ship melded to her bidding, suddenly it swayed and dipped as it pulled away from the dock, knocking Nova’s head against the cannon pile.
She held a hand to her forehead as a hot trickle of blood flowed from beneath her hairline. Breathing a sigh of relief, she watched Dirk cursing and stomping his feet from the dock as the prison transport sailed into the open sky.
Nova knew she had to move and find a place to hide for the journey to Dieb. She was certain the crew wouldn’t hesitate to lock her in the brig with the other prisoners, or worse, toss her overboard for stowing away.
She gathered her bag and slipped the leather strap over her shoulder. The dagger’s point pressed into her hip, but it only reassured her of its protection. Nova positioned the tattered leather hat on her head and had begun crawling out from the cannon pile when she felt the press of cold steel against the back of her head and the cock of a pistol.
Chapter 6
The Prison Ship
Nova gulped and held her breath as she prayed her life would end quickly and painlessly.
“What are you doing back here?” His voice wasn’t harsh, but firm and direct.
Slowly, Nova turned her head and met the barrel of a flintlock pistol. A young man with long black hair tied back with a leather strap held the gun with confidence. His blue eyes blazed in the morning light beaming through the gun port, but his expression told her he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her if she didn’t proceed cautiously.
“I said, what are you doing back here? And I expect an answer,” he said.
“Look,” she said, rolling to her knees and holding up her hands, “I don’t want any trouble; I’m just looking for passage to Dieb.”
His eyes narrowed. “We don’t take in strays. Maybe I should lock you in the brig.”
“Please, don’t. I’ll do anything,” Nova felt the burning stream of tears line her eyes. She cursed herself for being so careless. If she landed in a prison on Dieb, she would disappear just as her father had.
The man stared at her and then tipped his pistol so it knocked her hat from her head. He smiled smugly and tucked away the gun in his belt. Nova trembled on her knees but relaxed when his eyes twinkled and his handsome smile widened.
“I knew you couldn’t be a boy. What’s a lady like you doing sneaking onto a run-down ship like this?” He held out his hand, but Nova felt as if she couldn’t move. “It’s all right. I’m not going to shoot you.” He chuckled and the sound helped Nova relax as she accepted his hand.
“Are you going to tell the captain on me?” she whispered.
His lips turned up in a half smile and she noticed a small scar on his right cheek, but it refined him in a way. “Maybe. Depends on if you’re honest with me or not. I’ll ask again, what’s a lady like you doing on a ship like this? You look like you just stepped out of finishing school. Look at those clean fingernails.” He chuckled again as he inspected one of her hands.
Nova ripped her hand back and felt an annoyance flush her cheeks. “I’m looking for someone, that’s all. Now, if you’re going to rat me out, let’s get it over with.”
“You’re a feisty one,” he said. “I’m Atlas, and I’m not going to tell the captain on you.”
“Really? Why?” she asked, though she quickly wished she could take it back, hoping Atlas wouldn’t change his mind.
“Honest? I’m a little intrigued how a skinny thing like you was able to get onto the Freedom in the first place. Not an easy task, seeing as the officers guard the docks like wolves.”
“I jumped from the lower dock through the gun port,” she said.
Atlas raised an eyebrow. “And no one saw you?”
Nova shook her head. “The dock was empty and so was the quarter deck when I jumped.”
“Well, either you’re lying, or you have luck on your side. Do you have a name, or should I just call you stowaway?”
She allowed herself a small smile when she met his eye. “I’m Nova.”
“Nova. Interesting name,” he said. He reached for her bag, but she quickly yanked it away. “Sorry. I was just going to help you with it. Whatcha hiding inside?” Atlas had a playful tone which slowed Nova�
�s nervous heartbeat.
“Just everything I own. I think I’ll keep it close to me.”
“Suit yourself,” he said, shrugging. “Look, Nova, I could get locked up if the captain finds out I’m keeping a stowaway a secret, so you’ve got to stay where you won’t bring attention to yourself, all right?” Nova nodded. “I’m going to put you in charge of the brig. You think you can handle that?”
She grimaced and answered with reluctance. “Yes, I can do it.”
“That-a-girl. Don’t worry about all the ingrates; they’re all shackled up and behind bars. They might holler at you a little, but just ignore them. Shall we?” he said, holding his hand out as an invitation to lead the way.
“Why are you helping me?” she asked.
Atlas looked at her, all playfulness gone. “I don’t know. Maybe because I stowed away once, too. It’s how I got my shot at sailing, but I didn’t get any help and it was a rough life for a lot of years. It just seems like you’re really needing to make it somewhere in one piece. I could be a fool for doing it, but you seem all right. If you prove me wrong, don’t think I won’t put a bullet between your eyes just ‘cause you’re a girl, though.”
Nova smiled nervously. “Thanks for the warning.”
Atlas nodded and picked up her hat. “Best to keep this on. Now, let’s see if we want to keep your gender a secret, we’re gonna have to fix a few things.”
“What do you mean?”
As she asked, Atlas shoved a handful of dried mud from the deck over her cheeks.
“Hey, what’s the idea?” she shrieked.
“Oh, calm down, girly. It’s just a little mud. I’m makin’ you look like a man.” He wiped more dirt on her white shirt and handed her a clump to hold. “Come on, then. Rub it over them pretty nails.”