by M. J. Sewall
Kett let the insult go. His people had no love for her folk. Let her kind live in the deep grassy flatlands with their tents.
His curiosity finally won out over his dislike for Lyrra's people, and he reluctantly followed her back toward Cayne's camp, set up just outside of the ruined forest. His numbers seemed vast simply by the number of camp fires, and this suspicion was confirmed as they drew nearer. There must be ten thousand men here now, Kett thought. How did he do this?
They could see that most of men were drunk, none paid them any mind. He looked past the men, trying to see into Cayne's tent near the center. Kett could just see Cayne sitting, drinking from a large silver cup, which looked more like a bucket. Then he saw three young women. They were dressed strangely in black and silver outfits; unlike anything he'd seen in Aspora. It was clear they were important. They all held themselves like royalty, and Cayne was talking seriously and nodding solemnly. Cayne gestured up as he talked with the women. Kett looked upward to where he was pointing.
His stomach churned as he saw the enormous airships, their undersides just visible in the camp's light. They were floating above, just outside the camp. What were airships doing in Aspora? The Thirteener's ships were what Cayne was raging against; surely, he wouldn't actually ally with the people that took over old Dard. Were those the new rulers of Extatumm? Kett pondered this as he realized that Lyrra was looking in a different direction.
Lyrra wasn't even watching the camp, her eyes fixed on the forest. It wasn't the camp fires they had been smelling all day. Cayne had started a new fire. As they had gotten closer, they both knew what they must be burning, but Lyrra still hoped she was wrong as they had neared the camp.
But there was nothing like the smell of burning flesh.
The great smoke rose in the night sky, a dull glow still coming from the pile of the bodies that Cayne had murdered. It was an enormous pile of their dead relatives, and their fellow Asporans glowed and smoked where the haunted forest used to be. The ghosts of the fallen world truly haunt the smoking forest now.
A silent tear cut through the black soot on Lyrra's face. It was a tear born of rage.
Chapter 14: Surprise on the Water
Gordon was glad the sea was calm. Their first day of sailing to the Outlands had been sunny and warm. The winds were in their favor and they were making good time, but Gordon could tell that Aline was still worried.
“I'd give you a coin for your thoughts, but I never seem to have any coin,” Gordon said.
Aline arched her eyebrow, cocking her head slightly, “You couldn't afford my thoughts anyway.”
“Are you worried about Harlow, or the mission?”
“Both,” Aline said, “I'm glad your mother trusts him, but I don't. The crew either. Something seems wrong, but I can't figure out what it is. Don't you think it's suspicious that there are parts of the ship off limits to us?”
Gordon nodded, “Yes, but mother doesn't seem worried about it.”
“Oh, yes I am,” Ellice said as she walked up to their spot by the railing. Two of their own guards were nearby, but Aline was sure the crew member securing rope a few feet from them was listening to everything they said.
The gray bird in Ellice's hand was bobbing its head impatiently. She released it and it flew back towards their kingdom.
“What's to report?” asked Gordon.
“Nothing much yet,” said Ellice, wiping her hands of the stray bird feathers. “Mantuan asked that I send a daily message bird, telling of the day's events. If I don't send a bird, that's a message too.”
“So, you are expecting trouble,” said Aline.
“Always. Hope for the best, plan for the worst,” Ellice said as she leaned on the railing next to them. “I don't trust Harlow as much as I'm letting on. He was the best choice at a bad time. This time of season most of our waterships are fishing or trading with other kingdoms. Harlow also knows the far waters like no one else. But I have both eyes on him,” her voice got louder as she looked at the nearby crew member, “you can tell that to Harlow if you like!” The crew member turned his head, sneered slightly, and rambled off.
“Mother, how do you know Harlow?”
“He helped me get into some underground vaults in Thure and Artoth. There were old tunnels in both kingdoms only accessible by water. We had a few adventures together. Without Harlow, I wouldn't have had the evidence I found to set our kingdom right.”
“It seems more personal, he calls you 'my lady' a lot,” offered Aline.
“And so she was,” said Harlow, seeming to appear out of nowhere.
A guard said, “Step no closer.”
Harlow replied, “This is my ship. I will talk to whoever I please.” He turned to Ellice, “May I pass, my lady?”
“It's alright, thank you,” she said to the guard. “Harlow, we have hired you and your ship. Be nicer to our guards.”
“Sorry, my lady. Never liked being told what I can and can't do. Old habits and all that.”
“How old are you?” Aline asked.
“Aline!” said Ellice.
Harlow's laugh burst out, “Oh, I like her. I will answer with pride. Nearly eighty and two years. I am the oldest man I know. Well, still above ground or water, that is.”
Gordon said, “Come on. I mean, you look old, but not… I mean… Really?”
“Gordon!” Ellice said, embarrassed.
This made Harlow laugh even louder, “How old are you then, young warrior? It's only fair.”
“Seventeen years,” answered Aline.
Gordon said, “Almost fourteen. Really, Aline? I thought you were…”
“Thought what?” asked Aline pointedly.
“Oh, be careful boy. You don't want to get too deep in these kinds of waters, not with a woman of any age,” said Harlow, still laughing.
“I think I'll just stop talking,” said Gordon.
Aline's eyes became slivers. “That would be wise.”
Ellice asked, “So, when do we get to see this map of the Outlands you claim to have?”
Harlow smiled, “In good time. I can't give up all my secrets that easily.”
Aline jerked her head to a place she'd tried to investigate earlier, “Why aren't we allowed in some parts of the ship?”
Harlow's eyes narrowed, a strange smile on his lips.
“Actually Harlow, that was to be my next question as well,” said Ellice, staring hard into his eyes. “Old friend.”
“Well, you must understand that you gave me little notice for this little trip. Occasionally I store a few things for friends on board.”
“By the Gods, you're still smuggling?” demanded Ellice.
“Ellice, my Lady, that's a strong word. Just call it temporary storage of goods for friends. Even old men must eat.”
Aline offered, “Goods that are not legal, I presume.”
“Well, that depends…” began Harlow.
One of Harlow's men shouted, “Harlow! Fin spotted!”
“That's strange, there are no airships about,” Harlow said as he scanned the skies.
“About two hundred feet, off the windside, Harlow,” said the pilot.
They went to the railing on the other side of the ship.
“A Jhalgon shadow fin? It won't attack… will it?” asked Ellice, concerned.
“My ship? No, they only attack things that fly,” Harlow said, casually licking his lips. “Well, mostly.”
“Mostly?” asked Ellice.
Harlow dismissed the thought, “Well, there are lots of old legends, but I've never seen one attack a watership.”
The fin was a few feet above the water and now they could see it would definitely breach the surface. It was pretty far out, but as the massive sixty-foot beast came out of the water, Gordon was shocked to see something on its back, just in front of the fin. At first, he thought it was some dark creature attached to its back, “Is it wrapped around the fin?” Gordon asked.
“I don't think so,” said Ellice.
&n
bsp; The wings flapped the great beast upwards more than fifty feet in the air, water cascading from its massive frame. Then the thing on its back turned its head to look right at them.
Harlow said, “By the gods, it's a man. I've heard tales, but it can't be.” He gave Aline a strange glance. She just scowled back.
Gordon pointed, “Look, he's wearing a helmet, with some sort of tubes coming out of either side.” Before they got a better look, the beast turned away from the ship and dove back into the deep waters with a splash.
They all stood in stunned silence. Gordon finally asked, “I assume we didn't just dream that, right?”
Chapter 15: First Warning
“What does it mean?” asked King Asa.
“Is Asa in danger?” asked Asa's brother, Devver.
“No, not for now. It seems that this is just a small group of people,” Mantuan answered.
“But how small? Do they really mean to overthrow the kings?” asked Vance.
“Honestly, I don't know,” admitted Mantuan. “We had been fighting for so long against Trunculin that we may have missed some groups that are unhappy with the speed of change.”
“What do you mean?” asked Asa, curling his bare toes on the rug.
“Well, Trunculin controlled things for so long that there was a relative peace. An iron hand can produce peace, but not freedom,” Mantuan explained. “He had evil plans no one knew about, but the everyday lives of the people ran fairly smoothly. Now there is freedom. But without the tight control Trunculin had on all things, it's taken us time to keep things running smoothly. There may be groups out there that don't like change at all. We may have missed some plots against us.”
“Or created some,” said Stathen, walking by the workmen installing new doors to the room of the king's chairs. Now it served as the war room.
Mantuan explained, “My King, I have asked our former King Stathen for assistance. He has been helping Ellice expose the corrupt members of the councils, but he was also a key secret ally in helping me bring Trunculin to justice.”
“Thank you. I could use the help.” Asa asked, “What do you mean 'created', Stathen. Created what?”
'My King, there is a lot going on that should be explored. There is much anger among the people. We may have created some of it,” said Stathen.
King Asa shook his head, “How? We saved the people from Trunculin. The crowds were on our side. They demanded Gordon and I stay kings even though I didn't want to be,” Asa rubbed his eyes. “What do they want from us?”
“Of course, you're right,” Stathen said, then pointed out to the courtyard, “on that stage not long after Trunculin fell, they chose you and Gordon as kings by acclamation. But there are groups of people out there that feel they weren't included in the decision. Some are angry at the two-king solution. Some say Gordon was chosen by us, so we are as bad as Trunculin.”
“They blame us for this?” asked Mantuan, “We didn't choose Asa as king. And the people decided to keep both as king.”
“No, Trunculin chose King Asa, which is worse in their eyes. We must try to see this from their point of view,” Stathen said, “Until we exposed him, the people loved Trunculin. We come along and tell them he's evil and expose him. Then after he's gone, the king he chooses is still in power. To some, it looks like the secret evil from the palace is continuing with a new face, one with a patch.”
Mantuan was clearly frustrated, “So what do they want? A new choosing? For me to leave the kingdom?”
Stathen said, “To throw us all out, it seems. Some are calling for a new system. For the first time in hundreds of years' people are questioning the very system of why and how we choose kings. We opened the curtain to show Trunculin's evil. Now, some of the people are questioning everything we do. I fear it will get worse.”
Asa asked, “Who is this Council of the Thirteen?”
Stathen sighed, “I'm still working on that. They know how to hide themselves, and those that know something aren't talking. At least, not to me or my agents. It seems this council may have some skill at hiding themselves while quietly gaining support from the people.”
Tolan rushed in, past the workmen and the doors.
Mantuan asked, “Tolan, what is it?”
The secondman came in, not smiling, “I'm sorry to barge in, my King, Mantuan, everyone. But you had best see this.”
They all left the room, down the levels to the great entrance and courtyard. Asa still couldn't see any more than some light and dark, so he relied on his brothers to lead him. Asa asked, “What is it?”
Mantuan stared out at the distance. The expansive view of their kingdom from the balcony showed columns of smoke billowing up from multiple points in the distance.
Mantuan said, “They are fires, King Asa. A lot of fires.” He turned to Tolan, “Have you sent crews to investigate them?”
Tolan responded, “Yes, I've dispatched crews, but no one has reported back yet. Local folk will be assembling their fire crews. Hopefully no fires will get out of control.”
“How would so many fires start at once?” asked Vance.
Stathen said, “It can't be a coincidence. Do we know where these fires were lit?”
“It appears that they're scattered throughout the entire kingdom,” Mantuan replied as he scanned the horizon. He looked grimly at Asa, “If I've judged my distance right, one's definitely in your village, my King.”
“Tolan, please send extra guards to make sure my family is safe. My father refuses to come to the palace, at least we can keep them safe at home.” said Asa.
“Of course, my King,” Tolan replied as he went off to his duties.
Devver's anger flared, “You should have made father come to the palace. I don't know what's wrong with that old man.”
“We have enough to worry about,” said Asa, “one battle at a time.”
Devver shook his head, “It isn't right. You're still his son.”
Asa knew it wasn't the time to have this argument again, “I'm sure they're fine. I just want to be sure.”
“This had to be a coordinated attack,” said Mantuan. “This council may have more influence than we know.”
“Not an attack. A message,” said Stathen.
“What message?” asked Asa.
“I don't know,” said Mantuan, “but it's no accident that the fires number thirteen.”
Chapter 16: Slaves or Dead
The wind was high, whipping the hair around Gordon's face. His mother was right that it was getting too long, but at that moment he didn't care. All he could do was smile. Aside from being on one ship that sunk out from under him, Gordon decided he loved the sea. The sun had been under the water for hours and the deck was alive with games.
The lanterns gently swung, lighting men playing king's dice, another group was huddled around a game of cards. Everywhere there was music. A group had formed that played tunes Gordon had never heard. The sailors turned and danced as musicians blew on their wooden pipes and others strummed their strings. Gordon wandered from group to group, smiling at all of it.
He went toward the back of the ship where his mother and Aline tended the messenger birds. His mother was seated, writing a note. Aline slowly stroked the grey bird's feathers as it gently cooed. Gordon smiled as he watched Aline's wide grin. When she saw him, her smile abruptly vanished.
“Caught you,” said Gordon.
“Did not,” said Aline.
“It was clearly a smile. I didn't know you liked birds.”
Aline replied, “We could fill a sea with what you don't know about me.”
Ellice eyed the two, smiling. The banter could go on for a while when Gordon caught Aline acting like a regular girl.
Gordon continued, “That's because you never talk about yourself. For instance, why do you like birds? They… well, they poop a lot.”
Aline seemed like she wouldn't answer, but finally said, “They can fly wherever they want, no duties, no cares beyond filling their bellies. And yes,
they do poop a lot. Every creature poops. You're a king, and you poop too. I'm sure it smells just as bad as everyone else's.”
Gordon didn't know what to say to that.
“As soon as your mother launches this bird we will do some training,” said Aline, looking into Gordon's eyes, “hard training.”
The banter was broken by Harlow, “Ahhh, my Lady. Writing me a love poem? No need, you already own my heart.”
“You're drunk, Harlow,” Ellice did not look up from her note as she finished. “I'm sending a message back to the kingdom as I do each day. It does not mention you.”
Harlow ignored the slight, “Drunk I am, my Lady. It's your beauty that did it. It fills my heart.”
Ellice shook her head, but a smile popped out anyway. She inserted the note into the small metal tube on the bird's leg, “Keep your heart. Long ago, that wasn't the part of you I was most interested in.”
“Mother!” Gordon yelled.
Harlow roared with laughter, nearly spilling the strong drink from his cup.
Ellice turned to Gordon, “Sorry, son. Men and women find comfort where they can. Your father had been dead for years when I met Harlow.”
“But he's old enough to be your grand…” Gordon eyed Harlow.
Harlow's eyes narrowed, “Say it boy.”
Gordon tried, “Well, your father, at least.”
Harlow slapped Gordon on the back, laughing louder, “I like him Ellice. Honest.”
Ellice agreed, “Yes, Gordon, Harlow is as old as the sea…”
Harlow replied, “Now wait a moment…”
“…but he had some charm long ago,” Ellice continued, “It didn't last long.”
“It wasn't that long ago…” Harlow protested, “Or, wait, do you mean my charm didn't last long, or us being together? I think I'm confused.”
Ellice gave a smile as her answer, as she and Aline let the bird fly.
“You wound me, my lady. Come and dance with me to make up for the slight,” said Harlow, offering her his hand.