by LJ Andrews
Nova pulled the parchment closer to her. “Not much, sir. I know the legends say there is supposedly a lot of hidden treasure.”
Smythe nodded and sipped his wine. “Aye, but there be one problem. It’s impossible to find.”
Nova’s shoulders slumped; she’d hoped Smythe knew where the mountain was located. Instead of sharing her disappointment, she watched as Smythe chuckled and slurped a long drink of wine until it spilled into his dark beard.
“What?” she asked. “Do you know where Dia is?”
Smythe shook his head, but the smile never left his face. “Ah, lass, ye should’ve studied Launi history more. Even if a man sets foot on Dia, it be uncertain if he be able to find it again once he leaves.”
When Smythe stayed silent, Nova pressed the conversation further. “So, what do you know about the mountain, if it even exists?” she added.
Smythe’s eyes narrowed. “Ye don’t believe the stories, I take it?”
Nova smirked and leaned back in her chair. “I’m a sensible young woman, Captain. I don’t believe every story I hear. I need more proof than that.”
Smythe smiled. “Spoken like a true inexperienced, little woman. Living this life, ye’ll soon see things that will make ye doubt all those sensibilities ye speak of,” he said darkly.
Nova gulped down the dizziness threatening to take her over again in the stuffy cabin. She smirked, playing her disinterested part well before speaking. “I’d love to hear how you know so much about the mountain. What kind of treasure might someone find there?”
Smythe glared at her, but obliged her question. “For one, the manu making our lands fly in the stars is said to have broken off the mountain in bits and pieces until all the Launi islands came to be. Second, more jewels than a man would know what to do with and mountains of gold and silver as tall as me ship. But there be more.” Smythe stood and opened a cupboard behind him.
The ancient book was losing its spine and, from the mud stains coating the leather, seemed to have spent its fair amount of time buried in the ground. Smythe flipped through the delicate pages until he found what he’d been looking for. Mold and dust burned her nose from the ancient pages as she looked them over.
The words were hardly legible, but the drawing was quite detailed: a pillared structure surrounded by tropical trees, but also forests and shrubs she’d never seen on any of the islands dotted the lawns in front of the building. The beautifully sketched building was three levels, until the tower on the top peaked to a severe point. Each level was surrounded by spiraled pillars and dozens of windows and doors.
Arrows pointed to various spots on the building. As she studied the drawing, the words became easier to read. The top level read treasure keep sprawled with an arrow pointing to a door near the back of the floor. On the main level was a Jolly Roger symbol, with the word guardians underlined as if warning of danger. The building filled her with a strange sense of peace mixed with fear. Her eyes faded to the bottom of the page, reading the title of the drawing. Nova’s heart beat rapidly as she read the words: Tempel von Djinn
“Temple of Djinn,” she whispered, looking at Smythe.
Memories flooded her mind of tales Briggs used to tell of Captain Phoenix and the great temple treasure, and her father pretending to fight temple guardians, leaving a scar on his face. Her heart danced as she wondered where they had come up with the tales of such grand adventures of the mysterious temple.
Quickly, her curiosity turned to anger and heat filled her cheeks. The truth was getting clearer—everyone she’d loved in her life had kept secrets from her. Her father, kidnapped by pirates; her mother running from their home and hiding a magic dagger. And Briggs—her lips pursed thinking of her rough but loving adopted uncle. He knew their secrets and never uttered a word to her.
Smythe watched her expression shift from wonder—surprise—followed by anger. “Interesting. Ye can read the dead Launi language.”
“I can’t read it,” she said, looking down at the parchment once more. The symbols seemed different at first glance, but almost instantly translated into words in her mind. Her jaw dropped when she looked at him. “Wait, this isn’t written in ancient Launi, is it? Sir, I assure you…I don’t know how it’s possible. I’ve never been taught the language.”
He studied her a moment longer as if he were falling into deep thought. Nova wheezed as her skin grew hot in her confusion. What was happening to her? Smythe made his way toward her after a moment and sat before speaking. “Have ye heard of the temple?”
Nova met his eye, calmed her growing anxiety, and then shook her head. “Just children’s stories. The tales must have come from this legend you’re telling me now. It can’t be real, sir.” She smiled as she politely pushed the book toward him.
Smythe scoffed, gently closing the book and peering out the large window. “As I said, Miss Nova, there be more than jewels and gold. There be a Djinn.”
“That’s a good thing?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“Some call ‘em demons,” he said.
Nova thought of the Lamian and how he’d called her a demon. She focused on Smythe’s dark eyes as she tried to push her anxiety down.
“Aren’t demons like a sky witch?” she asked, trying to keep her ignorance at a minimum in hopes Smythe wouldn’t determine her useless to him.
He sighed in agitation. “Sky witches are sky witches. Djinn are considered demons to some old religions, like the Lamian ye killed.”
Nova swallowed bile that burned her throat. “So, Lamians protect Launi from demon Djinns? A Djinn must be dangerous if an entire religion tries to kill them.”
“Extremists,” Smythe said, waving his hand. “That be all Lamians are—ancient believers the power of the Djinn would destroy everything. How little they know.”
“So why do you want to find the Djinn?”
Smythe looked at her over his shoulder incredulously. The raven screeched and flew to his shoulder, showing her its distaste for her question, too. “Why wouldn’t I want a Djinn? The one creature living between our world and the Below that can make anything I desire come to pass? The greatest treasure a pirate could own?” Smythe pushed his face near hers until she could see the beads of perspiration dripping into his beard.
Nova held her breath and tried not to let on her discomfort from the closeness.
“I would be invincible, Miss Nova. I’d rule the skies,” he said with a burning desire in his dark eyes.
“So they grant wishes?” she asked nervously.
Smythe hung his head, exasperated from her questions. “Do ye know nothing about pirate lore? Not entirely. Djinn cause good things to happen, like good luck. And I intend to take the Djinn for meself.”
“But how do you know it’s real?” she asked, shrinking in her chair under his glare.
“Because I’ve been there, Miss Nova. I’ve walked Dia’s grounds, I’ve seen the mountains of treasure, and I almost took the Djinn. I intend to take what is rightfully mine now,” he paused and spoke through clenched teeth. “What was stolen from me so many years ago.”
Nova’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t be telling the truth. This mountain couldn’t exist. “What do you mean stolen?”
“I don’t need to rehash me history girl, but in short, I was betrayed by one of me mates. He took the Djinn for himself, and left me for dead. But not to worry, I took my revenge when I found me way off that blasted mountain. ‘Course, only after I’d left did I learn it can’t be found again until a new map is born. Which brings me to needing your particular skills.”
“Wait,” she held up her hand. “What do you mean a map is born?”
“The map to the Djinn temple destroys itself when a Djinn is taken from the mountain. But according to legend, there must be a map connecting Dia to the kingdom. ‘Course ye may have to wait until a new one is formed. Well, it’s happened. I’ve taken revenge on me mate, and now I intend to take the Djinn.”
Nova rubbed the sides of her head. Smythe’s tales were too unbelievable, and it pained her to know he was actually setting course for a made-up mountain.
“What do you need me for?”
“Ye will be taking the map for me. I’ve never seen someone move with such finesse, such silence, as ye did. Ye’ll be able to steal the map undetected.”
“Where are we sailing?”
He smiled. “The most protected island and furthest, Koning.”
Nova choked on her own breath and spiraled into a coughing spell. “The king’s island?” she said once she caught her breath. “King Insel has the map? You want me to rob the royal house?”
“Aye. The dunce doesn’t know what he has in his treasure keep, and I intend to keep it that way. The wonderful thing about joining a pirate crew, Nova, is we be no respecter of persons. Ye see, we’ll rob just about anyone if they have somethin’ we want. And I want this map.”
“How do you know where it is though, sir?” she asked.
“The king’s brutality has lost him the support of many in his household. It doesn’t take much to find someone willing to betray him for a bag of geld. I have a palace snitch in me pocket.” He looked at her out of the side of his eye. “Ye will do this for me, right, lass?”
Nova felt frozen in fear. If she refused Smythe, she knew she’d be dead, and her father would be lost forever. If King Insel’s reputation preceded him and she was caught thieving in his palace, she’d wish she was dead.
“I’m waitin’ for me answer, lass,” Smythe pushed. “Let me sweetin’ the deal. If ye get me my map, I’ll help ye find yer missin’ pap? What say ye to that?”
“I’ll do it,” she said slowly after a long pause.
“Wise choice,” he said. “Ye’ll have plenty of time to prepare yerself. We be at least four months away from Koning,” he said.
“Four months? It doesn’t take that long to cross the kingdom,” she argued, dreading even another week aboard Smythe’s ship.
“We be pirates, lass, not merchants. To avoid the navy we have to be imaginative with our routes. Use your brain. And, just so we’s clear, I expect ye to train more with that cutlass. I never want to see a crewman of The Star’s Vengeance hold a weapon like I saw ye do tonight. Pitiful. Oh, and Miss Nova, don’t go tellin’ the crew what we be after, or I’ll slit that pretty neck.”
Nova gulped as Smythe left the cabin laughing. Her life as she had known it was over. She had to start believing in invisible mountains and Djinn fairytales—her father’s life depended on it.
Chapter 13
The Navy’s Treasury
Hidden Naval Fort—Two months later
Her feet trembled as she made her way to the main deck. Atlas was in front of her, holding her hand tightly with her cutlass in his other. Nova’s brown pants weren’t as loose around her toned legs and Smythe had fitted her with a tight, blue shirt when they’d stopped briefly to pillage the crystal quarries of Lacin. She felt uncomfortable stepping onto the deck with her leather belt hugging her hips. Willy, the cook, puckered his lips and kissed the air when he saw her.
Nova placed her leather hat over her long golden curls, ignoring Willy’s sloppy kissing noises. Her locks had grown back extraordinarily fast. As soon as word had gotten out she was a woman, her body seemed to respond. Her figure, though still thin, had taken on more curves. Her hair was thicker and whenever the white sunlight kissed her head, her curls shone rose-gold.
Nova’s blossoming features had caught the attention of several crewmen, but they were under strict orders from Smythe to not lay a hand upon her in malice. He seemed to turn a blind eye to Atlas’s attention to her, for which Nova was grateful.
Despite the captain’s order for the rest of the crew, Atlas had become protective, rarely allowing her out of his sight. Instead of sleeping with the elite crew, he slept in the berth next to her, keeping his flintlock pistol loaded and ready should someone come after her at night.
“Knock it off, Willy,” Atlas snarled.
Willy glared at him and turned his attention to the bag of small potatoes he was chopping.
“Not’s fair he gets the wench all to ‘imself. Must be somethin’ bein’ at the helm. Ye get all the special privileges,” Nova heard Willy mumble to his potatoes. She stifled a laugh, knowing much of the crew believed she was somehow Atlas’s personal slave. She allowed them to think such a way; it kept most of their grimy hands away from her.
“How’s your arm feeling?” Atlas asked, pointing to the blood-stained bandage over her forearm.
“It’s feeling better. Taylor got me good; it’s amazing how fast the old man can move.”
Atlas laughed as he rolled a thick rope into a snake-like coil. “You’d never catch me crossing blades with that old fool.”
“Who’s to say I’d invite ye?” an old man snarled, leaning on a tall wooden cane. Turning his attention to Nova, he lowered his voice to a reverent whisper. “Now’s the day ye prove yerself, lass.”
Gold-tooth Taylor. Nova felt his name fit him perfectly. His wrinkled skin hung in loose flaps over his skeletal arms. Large pock marks covered his cheeks from a bout with the dreaded island fever years earlier. But his most distinguishing feature were his gold teeth. The man had spent every coin he’d taken to remove his teeth and replace them with solid gold.
“No one’ll forget me when I run ‘em through,” he’d told her after she’d asked.
Taylor was the oldest pirate on the crew, but also the one who’d been assigned to help Nova with swordplay.
For weeks, Taylor had forced her to study books, rising before dawn and staying up late into the night when the howls of the shadow birds filled the skies. During the day, she tended to regular pirate duties, never letting on to the men that Smythe had her training for a secret raid on Koning, per his instruction. Smythe was usually holed up in his cabin or at the helm, and the relentless torment from the other crewmen toward her fell blind to his eyes.
Taylor had started off treating her wretchedly like the other men.
“Just cause I be old don’t mean I should tutor the sky witch,” he’d mumbled every day for three weeks straight. Taylor had thrown every book and manual known to the best swordsmen under her nose. Taylor consistently berated her footwork and shoved more books in her face after every session.
“Ye brainless girl,” he’d shouted. “Ye cock yer right foot, then step with yer left. Not the other way around. Now ye left yer heart exposed to bein’ stabbed.”
Finally, however, after endless hours reading and applying what she’d learned, Nova had pinned a man named Fat-Hugh against the deck. The only problem was, Hugh moved at the speed of an island slug.
“I don’t know if putting me against Hugh means I’m ready for this, Taylor,” she said as Atlas prepared a skiff with the main helmsman, Chipper.
Atlas met her eye sympathetically, and her stomach twirled when she felt the heat rush to her cheeks under his gaze.
“Well, we be out of time, lassy,” Taylor said, patting her shoulder. The old man had softened over time when Nova started sharing her rum ration with him each evening. It wasn’t hard, seeing as she’d never taken to the drink, but now he seemed to enjoy their lessons. “At least ye have one win under yer belt. But there still be more to learn, so don’t get killed.”
“We’ll be right there with you,” Atlas said wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. Lowering his voice, he said only to her “Make sure you concentrate and do that focus you told me about. I don’t know how you do it, but I’ve seen somethin’ change in you over and over, and you always break out of bad situations when you let it happen. Don’t fight it—we don’t have time to second guess our actions out there.”
She pursed her lips, but nodded in agreement. Atlas had been fascinated when she’d told him about the dark power getting her out of predicaments. She’d explained how it filled her with pure confidence, and how time seemed to slow, allowing her to work through confrontatio
ns. Each day he encouraged her to embrace it more, though every minute that passed, Nova became more frightened of the inner darkness.
Chipper frowned his disapproval at their closeness, but Taylor smiled like a hopeless romantic. Nova turned into Atlas, letting his strong arms bring her comfort. Atlas’s dark hair had gotten longer and he kept it off his face with a black bandana. He’d allowed Chipper to pierce his ear with a single gold chain, and Nova thought it added a sense of strength to his appearance.
Absently, she rubbed his wrist hanging over her shoulder.
“When did you get this?” she asked, tracing her finger over the raised skin under the tattoo.
“Last night,” he said, looking at the black star with crossed cutlasses behind it. “We’re on the crew right? I figured it was time.”
Nova frowned at the Star’s Vengeance seal. Technically they were on the crew, but they’d been forced. Atlas assured her everyday he’d never become a pirate. But the more time he spent with Chipper, one of the fiercest on the crew, she worried about him.
“What’s that look for?” he said playfully, giving her forehead a quick kiss. “It’s just a tattoo, but when we go out there we need to think like pirates if we want to make it. You realize that, right?”
Atlas pointed to the small floating naval port. The naval islands dotted the open skies across Launi, but not many people knew where the forts were since they were kept off common maps. The navy hid bits of the king’s treasury scattered throughout the skies to keep the wealth out of reach from enemies. Their secret locations kept pirate raids at a minimum, unless the pirate was Smythe.
“It pays to have a few soldiers on me payroll.” He’d laughed when she’d asked him how he knew where the fort was.
Nova cleared her throat and looked at Atlas as the fort grew clearer through the clouds. “I know we have to fight out there, but it won’t be because I want to,” she whispered back. “The crew enjoys pillaging.”
Atlas’s face fell as if she crushed a part of him, but he slowly nodded and kissed her quickly before pulling out his cutlass.