Voidhawk - Lost Soul

by Halstead, Jason

  Jenna was silent for a moment, then she shook her head. “She thought my interests were scandalous, at best.”

  “Well there you go. Maybe you weren’t so bad after all.” Dexter grimaced, his words sounded over and done with. He spoke carefully, trying to end on a hopeful note. “You aren’t a bad mom.”

  She sniffed and pulled away from him. “I’m jealous,” she admitted. “You spent so much more time with Jia.”

  Dexter sighed. “There’s not a day that’s passed I haven’t pined away for life on the ‘Hawk. Running the Elven Navy’s not much better for family life than being Empress is.”

  Jenna glanced up at him, a twinkle in her eye he’d not seen in a long time. “And you’ve got an idea what it’s like to be the Empress?”

  “Well, on top of having people kneeling and groveling all day long there’s the problem of tripping on some of those dresses. Horrible things, don’t let a person move in them! Not to mention they take too long to get out of when court’s gone on too long and I’m fit to bursting with all that fancy Elven wine I’ve drank.”

  Jenna snorted, then buried her head back in Dexter’s chest. “Thank you, Dex. I don’t know how you can make me smile, but you can.”

  “Comes with being Captain and all. If you’d like I’ll show you some of the other perks later.”

  “Other perks?”

  “Private bedroom, for starters.”

  Jenna looked at him again, then softened in his grip when she saw the tenderness in his eyes. She kissed him hard, not out of passion but out of necessity. Dexter clung to her in return, finding that it helped him as much as it did her.

  “How are we going to find her?” Jenna whispered once they’d separated.

  “That’s where the guy upstairs comes in.”

  Jenna’s eyebrows scrunched together. “When did you take up religion?”

  Dexter grinned, having lured his wife into his trap. “I meant the man wearing the dress.”

  She let out her breath with a soft chuckle. “You really think Xander can help?”

  Dexter shrugged. “Been many a time I didn’t know what would get us out of a jam. With the proper motivation he’s always come through for me.”

  “You’re going to punch him again, aren’t you?”

  “I was thinking of tearing the scarves off of his naughty little apprentice and using them to tie her to a ballista bolt, then seeing how that might affect the weapon’s aim.”

  Jenna’s eyes widened. She let out another laugh before shaking her head. “You wouldn’t do that.”

  Dexter’s grin didn’t fade but his eyes shifted just enough to match his lower tone, “If I knew that pissing into the wind with my mouth wide open stood a chance of getting her back, I’d do it.”

  Jenna studied him then nodded. His promise stood as an example of the lengths he’d go to and it sent chills down her back yet warmed her heart. She remembered the times he’d risked his own life trying to save her, even above that of risks he took for the other crew members. She nodded. Dexter would find a way to move the very void surrounding them if he had to.

  * * * *

  “The Captain has picked you for a reason. It’s an honor, he’s the best damned captain I’ve ever sailed with or against,” Jenna said before the assembled crew. They stood on the main deck of the ‘Hawk while she and Dexter stood on the forecastle. “I know most of you and call you my friends and more. For those who are new here, to me and to each other, introduce yourselves. You first.”

  Keshira stood on the left side of the line of people gathered. She cocked her head in response to Jenna’s demand, then grinned. “I am Keshira, Empress.”

  Jenna scowled at the use of her title. “And what skills do you bring me?”

  “I can handle any position on the ship save the helm. I do not tire and I’m stronger than any two people aboard the vessel. My bond w—”

  “That’s enough, Keshira,” Jenna snapped. Her eyes shifted to the man beside her.

  “Xander,” he said brusquely. “I’m the wizard the Captain can’t seem to live without.”

  “He’ll live just fine without you if you don’t mind your tongue,” she snapped.

  “Trilliana Asoolus,” Xander’s apprentice answered. “I’m a witch, my specialties were forbidden until you ended the tyranny, Empress. I am most adept with combat magic.”

  Jenna nodded and turned her attention to the next crewmate.

  “Sayara Dwymminwyll,” she said. “I’m a helmstress, the finest in the Navy, according to Admiral—Captain— Silvercloud.”

  Jenna turned to Dexter, raising an eyebrow. “Helmstress?” She inquired. He ignored her until she looked away, then had to bite down on his tongue to keep from grinning.

  “Where’s Tasha?” Jenna said, turning back to face him.

  “She’s below in Jia’s room. While we’re docked she won’t leave Jia’s side.”

  Jenna’s head snapped around, her eyes narrowing. “Is that wise? Or appropriate?”

  “You try getting her away.”

  Jenna cursed under her breath. She turned back to face the others. “We’ve never sailed with a full crew, this won’t be any different. There’s more you must know. I’ve abdicated the throne. Rule of the Elven Empire now rests within the council of nobles. If you come with us we can’t guarantee your safety or a future upon our return. If we return.”

  “Council of Nobles?” Dexter asked.

  She turned and nodded. “It’s a new body of government I created.”

  “Who’s on it?”

  “The elves who made it before I had the guards lock the doors. There were seven of them.”

  A laugh burst out of Dexter’s mouth, spraying spittle on Jenna’s arm. She glared at him. “You just put seven random Elven Royals that were in the right place at the right time in charge of the entire Empire?”

  “No,” she said. “They weren’t all royals, two were servants. They’re nobles now.”

  Dexter laughed again. He shook his head, chuckling and faced the crew. “I’ve sailed with most of you, expect nothing different this time.” He paused for effect, then glanced in Jenna’s direction. “Save the First Mate seems a bit more unpredictable this time around. Now make ready, we’ve no time to waste!”

  Dexter turned to Jenna and nodded. “Let’s go find her.”

  She returned his nod and turned to snap out orders at the crew. Dexter listened for a moment, enjoying the nostalgia it brought back. The last time she’d been that fired up they’d been weaving in and out of the battle between the elders and the elves. Nobody was trying to destroy the Voidhawk this time. He frowned. Maybe not the ‘Hawk but something more important was at stake, his family.

  Sayara took the helm without being told what to do. Keshira moved to the mainmast. Xander waited, glancing about the deck with a frown on his face. Jenna stepped in and began to bark orders out, assigning the wizard and his apprentice jobs then berating them when they failed to do them properly. Dexter followed Sayara to the bridge, intending to tidy up the mess Jenna left behind. If he found some inspiration along the way all the better.

  With the last of the charts rolled up and placed back in the chest, Dexter turned to study Sayara. The elven woman was staring ahead, her point of focus far beyond the walls of the bridge. She was one of the best pilots he knew. Better than him, from what he’d seen her accomplish while chasing rebels. The Voidhawk was one of the biggest ships she’d ever sailed, but he had faith in her.

  “Captain!” Jenna’s voice sounded irritated as it echoed through the hull.

  Dexter glanced at Sayara and saw a faint smile on her face. Sitting in the helm she was aware of everything on the deck of the ship. She couldn’t see it, exactly, but the awareness was like a sixth sense for the helmsman. Or, as she’d claimed, helmstress. He shook his head at the term and headed back up to see what had crawled up Jenna’s skirts.

  He had a hunch as soon as he cleared the deck and saw another woman standing at the e
dge of the plank. She wore a dark gray cloak but beneath it she wore breeches and a sleeveless tunic that had seen better days. “Permission to come aboard, Captain?”

  Dexter glanced at Jenna and saw that she’d already moved on to continue preparing the ship to leave. He waved her on and walked over to greet the newcomer. “A word of warning, we’ll be leaving any time now so unless you fancy yourself paying for a room you’d best be quick about your business.”

  She nodded. “My business is leaving, Captain. I heard of your sudden departure and I wish to offer my services.”

  Dexter stroked the rough whiskers on his chin. The ‘Hawk could use a few more hands, but she didn’t look to be much bigger than his daughter. “What can you do?”

  “Anything you need me too. I’ve been everything from a cook’s monkey to a deckhand. I’m small but strong, sir, and I can tend the rigging easier than most.”

  Dexter smirked. “I expect you know how to sit the helm too?”

  She nodded. “Aye, sir, I can. Never with anything so large as your ship, but I can learn.”

  “The ‘Hawks got pilots a-plenty. She’s short-handed on the deck though, what’s your name?”

  “Celia, Captain.”

  “Just Celia?”

  She blushed and cast her eyes to the ground. After a moment she risked a look back up at him. “Aye, sir, just Celia.”

  Dexter grunted. “Your past is yours, long as it don’t come following you and make trouble for me or mine.” Celia nodded. “You stay on the ‘Hawk and I ‘spect no lies and no hiding things. Get me?”

  She nodded again. “Aye, Captain!”

  “Jenna,” Dexter snapped, turning to where his wife was berating Trilliana for a sloppy job tying a knot on the port wing sail. “Got you another deckhand. Put Celia to work and get us off this flying salad.”

  Jenna’s eyes narrowed but she nodded. “Celia? Get over here. You know how to tie knots?”

  Dexter watched for a moment as the newest addition to the crew hurried across the deck. He nodded, catching Keshira’s eye and earning a wide grin from her in the process. He chuckled and turned away, thinking of how Jia insisted that Keshira’s ready smiles were creepy. Nobody should be so happy that they’re always grinning, she insisted. Thinking of Jianna sobered his own good spirits. With a sigh he headed back to the bridge to stew on where in the void they might find her.

  Chapter 3

  “Captain, I’ve been thinking and—”

  “About damn time,” Dexter muttered. “I’m not paying you for your talents on the deck.”

  Xander gaped for a moment, reliving the moment when the ‘Hawk had tacked and one of the ropes he’d failed to secure wrapped around his leg and yanked him across the deck. He clamped his mouth shut and frowned, then tried again. “Yes, well I expect we’re all a bit rusty.”

  “Keshira’s having no problems.”

  Xander sighed. “She’s a construct! That’s hardly fair. But since you mentioned Keshira, she was the basis for what I was thinking.”

  Dexter glanced up from the charts on the table. So far he’d studied every system he could think of within the borders of the Elven Empire. They were hours, at worst, behind the assassin. Thirteen ships had sailed before the ‘Hawk, too many for them to catch and question. According to the harbormaster’s logs they were bound for ports in all directions.

  “Yes, well, I was thinking of Keshira because she’s a construct, like I said. She’s a pleasure golem. She was built for the express purpose of meeting the needs of her owner, whatever they might be, without suffering any long term damages. Since you accidently came to be her Master, her abilities have served in a different role than was originally intended.”

  “There needs to be a point to this,” Dexter growled. “Right now you’re telling me Keshira was built to be used for my pleasure and somehow that has something to do with my daughter? You can understand why my trigger finger’s feeling a might bit itchy?”

  Xander held up his hands. “You’re right, of course. But let me finish. Keshira’s body was crafted with the aid of magic, but it had no life of its own. Her maker had to infuse a soul into it, a soul that was stolen from a woman long ago.”

  “You telling me Jia’s going to end up stuck in the body of some whore somewhere?” Dexter’s fist slammed into the table.

  “No!” Xander shouted, shocking Dexter by the outburst. “I mean many things. I mean there is hope, if we can find the receptacle that her soul resides in. Imprisoned souls are a rarity, the wizard who created Keshira and her sisters was extraordinarily knowledgeable and powerful. Souls are in high demand amongst those who can use them, making them very valuable.”

  “This is about money?”

  Xander shook his head. “No, well not exactly. I don’t know why she was chosen or who did so. What I’m trying to tell you is that I’m almost certain whatever device she’s trapped in has a means of discharging her soul built into it. The elder felt differently, but they seldom deal with such things. Devices are crude and amateurish to them. My greatest strengths lay in artificing. It makes little sense to create a device that would serve only as a prison. Even the denizens of other dimensions that use souls for barter would not bother with a device that won’t allow a soul to be released from it.”

  “Other dimensions?” Dexter parroted.

  “Yes, though you’ve probably heard of them as demons and such.”

  Dexter’s eyes widened. He swore loudly and punched the table again.

  “Captain, please, restrain yourself. That’s superfluous information, what I’m telling you is good news! If we can find the device it will only be a matter of time until we figure out how to release her from it.”

  Dexter stared at him, then nodded. He glanced at the charts on the table, including the one he’d torn with his fist. “Now tell me where we go to find her.”

  Xander took a step back. “How would I know that? We have nothing to go on, only what you and Tasha told us when you found her.”

  “Put your nose to it then,” Dexter said. “Or I’ll let Tasha know you’re not trying hard enough.”

  Xander’s eyes widened. He nodded and turned away, hurrying to the door. Tasha had been forced to leave Jianna’s side once they’d set sail, but she kept her armor ready and her sword with her at all times. She checked on Jia every chance she had, sometimes even spending her time off the deck sitting with the soulless girl.

  The wizard paused at the doorway. He turned back to Dexter and, with only a glance at Sayara, he said, “Dexter, all your threats and blustering aside, I’d sooner face Tasha’s wrath than let you down.”

  Dexter looked up at him and nodded. Xander shut the door and was off, headed to do whatever finger-wiggling he could do that might help. Dexter stared at the door for a long moment, then turned back to the charts. Powerful wizards, demons, and black markets. He rubbed his chin again and wondered where he would go if he had something as valuable as Jianna’s soul.

  * * * *

  Jenna found Dexter hours later staring out one of the eye shaped windows of the bridge. The void stretched away before them, lit only by the stars in the sky that promised limitless places the assassin could hide. In every direction there was more of the same, crushing their spirits with the weight of the task.

  “They’re rusty and I don’t know the new people, but it feels good to be back here,” Jenna said after she’d walked up to him and slipped her hand into his.

  “Not what I had in mind for a reunion,” Dexter admitted. He pulled his hand away and wrapped it around her side. “Never thought I’d sail without Bekka, Logan, and Bailynn.” Dexter barked out a macabre laugh. “Never thought I’d miss having Rosh’s ugly mug around here either.”

  Jenna smiled. “I know. Me too. I never realized how much we depended on Rosh. He was difficult, but between him and Keshira we didn’t need anyone else tending the sails.”

  “I was thinking Bekka, mostly,” Dexter admitted. “Logan was our healer and we coul
d be sorely missing him soon enough, but Bekka had a way of healing the soul.”

  A shadow passed over Jenna’s face at the mention of ‘soul.’ Dexter sighed. “She was quiet and had a way of helping me figure just about anything out without her saying much.”

  “I didn’t know. I mean, I talked to her a few times, but she never really opened up to me like that.”

  Dexter smiled. “She helped me with you.” Jenna’s raised eyebrow brought a fresh smile to Dexter’s tired face. “Think she told me if I didn’t hurry up and do something about you, she was going to.”

  “She was what?” Jenna asked after snapping her mouth shut.

  Dexter nodded. “Aye, she had a thing for you. When you wasn’t available she set her sights on Willa.”

  “I knew that. About Willa, I mean,” Jenna remembered back to a talk she’d had with the sorceress what seemed like ages ago. She shook her head. “It was like a keg of fire powder with all of them on here. Lucky no one put flint to steel.”

  Dexter chuckled and pulled Jenna in close. He reveled in the feel of her body against his. “Been too long since we’ve had some time for ourselves.”

  “Mmm,” Jenna agreed, savoring the moment as much as he did. Both of them pointedly ignored the fact that it had taken a tragedy to make them realize it. “When we’re done with this, then what?”

  “What do you mean?” Dexter was quick to ask. He feared he understood Jenna’s question all too well. The odds were worse than long that they’d never find Jianna’s soul, but he refused to consider them.

  “I mean after we get her back,” Jenna whispered into his chest. She hugged him tightly, as though his presence alone could bring Jianna back and make everything all right.

  “I don’t know,” Dexter returned the whisper. He stared into the void, noting how cold and distant everything seemed.

  “You’ll find her.”

  Dexter nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He’d search for her until his last breath, but there was a lot of searching that needed to be done. He closed his eyes and pushed the dismal thoughts away, when he opened them he looked down and found Jenna’s eyes rising to meet his. “You haven’t yelled at anyone in at least ten minutes, let alone sent orders that would have a small world fit to be tied. Where’d that woman go?”