Akillia's Reign

by Dawn Chapman

  I thought I almost heard a ‘no way’ a good few moments later, having no clue if I were really on the bridge or not. However, I trusted that they believed in me—no matter how much I thought I was being a lunatic. I’d never piloted a ship, let alone from above the darned thing watching an aerial view.

  Then I felt something else. There was another presence with me. I looked down and yes, there they were—there was a pod of dolphins, gliding through the waters.

  Zurath’s inner grin was much more than I had expected too. “Lady of the sky and water, I am honoured to have found you.”

  Within a second, my mind was beneath the water and inside the mind of one of the most graceful sea creatures I had ever known. The transition was strange, from air to slippery, but I could see what was also under the ship. I gasped aloud and spoke out as I turned the wheel slightly. The ship did groan, and I could hear this all the more from under the waters, but I saw it move away from the edge. It was about to slice a hole right through the lower decks. Then I was back to the skies to make sure that this new course hadn’t altered the view. No, we were good for a while.

  The water felt like home to me, but the sky was entirely different.

  That’s when I saw that the bottleneck had changed. There was one large razor heading to cut us off.

  “Faster,” I said. “We need to be much faster.”

  I felt the ship lurch as her speed increased, and Zurath glided down to keep a close view on it. I would have loved to do many things, but I didn’t know how—a spell, a shield to help, anything—that was when I remembered I had a powerful mage also standing next to me.

  “Macie, we need to shield the port side. Get everyone on the opposite side of the deck. I don’t want anyone near it. When the shield is up, I will then ask one more thing—you need to dip it. Exert enough pressure on the port side of the ship that the deck moves, and I mean force it. This will take tremendous effort. I cannot guide the ship and help. If there’s anyone else you can get to help you, then ask them now.”

  I saw a small commotion on the deck as Macie gave out her orders, and then Taffie stood by her side. I didn’t know he was a mage, but I guess it ran in their blood. Even Dovol joined in, and the three of them formed a triangle. The blue energy surrounding them spread out over the port side of the ship.

  I focussed for one more switch under the water. The dolphin view I used was named Sheeva, and she was pregnant and extremely happy to help me.

  I saw what I needed to see, the angle we needed to be at, and I hoped to all the gods on Puatera that we had this.

  Back in the skies and Zurath’s feathers had started to glow. “We’re doing this?” I asked him, and his response was nothing more than a laugh.

  Fire erupted around me, and I pushed full throttle on the ship’s controls. She started to speed up, and so did Zurath as he dove straight for the ship. The shield that Macie had erected was pure. It protected everything it needed to protect, and I felt the energy from Zurath building. The force of the push Macie and her family were going to try wasn’t going to be enough. Zurath knew this, and he was the last bet.

  Hurtling towards the bottleneck of razors at death-defying speeds, the ship powered on, I could see the smoke billowing from the engines that were working way above their requirements, and no doubt, the guys down below were straining just as much. This was more than mission impossible.

  Chapter 26

  No doubt now—we were in, crash and burn or not. Zurath’s red glow spread out as the boat grew in my field of vision.

  I could see Macie and the crew. They all stood, hoping that this was good enough to get us past and into safe waters. I hoped so too.

  “Brace yourselves!” I shouted and hadn’t realised I was able to be heard above them too as all eyes stared up into the skies.

  For one brief moment, I saw Zurath from the surfacing dolphin’s eyes and was astounded at the fireball of hurtling eagle. If that hit the ship, it would destroy everyone.

  But the view changed, and I was back in my own body. I held tight to the wheel. I couldn’t let what was going to happen move me in any way. We had to stay on course.

  I screamed out as Zurath drew close enough that I could feel his fire, “NOW!”

  Then I saw him push that fire down and spin deftly out of its pathway.

  The ship lurched down on one side, the fireball hitting the deck with tremendous pressure. It jolted everyone, and they all fell, but they were safe. The shift in the water as we careened towards the razor was just enough. I could see the edge of it glinting at us as we cut past it, narrowly missing it. The side of the deck that dipped slid past with nothing but mere inches to spare. We were just a tad out, and as the ship started to rise in the water once more, the latter side of the deck’s barrier was sliced apart, wood splintering and screaming as it did.

  But it didn’t matter.

  We were out.

  And we were in safe waters.

  Taffie and Macie collapsed while the others picked themselves up and rushed to their sides. I kept hold of the wheel and waited. Within a moment, Zurath was at the door and back on his perch. His sharp eyes stared into mine, and he bowed his head the once.

  I didn’t let go of the wheel. I managed to keep hold of it until Dovol took my hands and forced them from it. “We’re safe now. I’ve got this. Go sit. You need to rest.”

  I wobbled and moved away, swiping at the pop-ups in my way.

  Abel then put his arms around me and led me to the door. There I breathed in the smell of burnt wood and water.

  “What on earth gave you that idea?” he asked, shaking his head.

  “I don’t know. I just knew I was needed out there, in both the skies and the water.”

  “You have one tremendous affinity with all creatures. I’m astounded.”

  So was I. I’d never been an animal person, but now, looking to Zurath’s amazing form, I knew that was where I wanted my focus to be, not speed or fighting or anything else. They, the animals of Puatera, were just as important as its human and alien inhabitants were, and my job was to keep everyone alive.

  The clear water ahead was sure something to see, and Dovol edged us in further. As we rounded the corner of a rock face, there she was, a stunning city built into the side of the mountains around it.

  I couldn’t do much but just sit there and watch. As the ship started to get closer, people were rushing about the docks. I noticed many shouting and even some pointing. Dovol wasn’t flinching, but following their reactions to the far end of the ship, it seemed we would be able to pull up and moor at the far side.

  “We’re coming in too fast,” I said. “That’s why they were shouting and panicking.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll keep us in a loop until we lose some speed. I think they’re just worried in case I go for a mooring spot because we’d demolish it at this speed.”

  Dovol deftly put us in a wide loop around the bay. The waters spreading from us were thick, fast, and covered the side of the docks with the spray, but moments later, we started to slow. As Dovol aimed us in closer, I saw the guys pointing back at the dock. There was the free space for us, and they pushed us in with their cries of happiness.

  As we drew in closer, the guys from the shore threw ropes out, and then tied them off quick. With a jerk, we stopped and settled against the side.

  More people were milling about, and then I noticed the guards.

  Taffie was the one who took the lead onto the deck, as the guards and one portly gentleman approached.

  I wanted to smile, but he didn’t look happy.

  Taffie did, though, and he didn’t let the other man intimidate him. When they met face to face, though, the portly man offered his hand and then brought Taffie in for a hug.

  “Good god, man. What were you thinking?”

  Taffie pushed himself away from the guy, glancing at the two guards.

  “I wasn’t piloting the ship”—he motioned towards me—“Akillia was.”

&nb
sp; “You let your ship in the hands of a Visitor?”

  I didn’t like the way he said Visitor, derogatory and not so nice.

  Taffie stepped to the side and urged me forward. “Akillia is not just the usual Visitor, Sazzar. She’s special. The animals of Puatera themselves are helping her.”

  That was when Sazzar noticed the Fire Eagle. He took a step back. “You have that on your boat. We saw it from the cliff face. No one would have believed what you did to get the ship through the Razor’s Edge.”

  Knowing I really needed these guys on my side, I held up an arm and called softly with my mind, “Zurath.”

  He came to me, wings spread in a powerful display of energy and force.

  Sazzar took a step back and then let out a bellow. “Magnificent creature. But he’s still young. Please come on in. We’ll set up a room for you in the great halls, then you can eat, drink, and tell us all about your trip. It looks to be very eventful.”

  That it was.

  Taffie motioned to the crew behind him. “Tighten everything off, settle the horses in the local stables, and we’ll meet you inside in an hour.”

  Taffie motioned for me to take the steps off the ship first. I wanted too, but my legs were still shaky. Abel moved to help, but I stopped him by stepping onto the planks and off the ship. Even Zurath didn’t flinch as I edged down the steps. He grew more and more comfortable on my arm than I thought he might, but he was too heavy. I needed to strengthen everything about me still. That meant emotionally, as well—even if I wanted to better my animal knowledge and affiliations, then I’d be in the training halls with the others just as much as Abel would be.

  I found firm ground and looked at the faces in the crowd ahead. The people were all staring at Zurath.

  “Got an audience here, buddy,” I said. His head whipped around and watched them, seemingly scanning for threats as his eyes started to glow. “Easy boy,” I said. “Easy. They don’t mean any harm. They’re just curious about you.”

  One of the kids broke away from its parent and edged in closer. “Miss, can I see him closer?”

  I glanced at Zurath, whose eyes had paled and turned back to yellow slits. I knelt down, though the strain on my arm was hard. I tried not to drop him, and the kid stepped closer. He didn’t put out his hand though, and until Zurath lowered his head and fluffed his feathers up, I didn’t say anything. This was his way of saying, It’s okay. I will let someone pet me.

  When the kids face lit up, touching the top of his head, it seemed I was suddenly surrounded by them. Zurath didn’t move, he stayed head bowed, but I watched his eyes very carefully. The moment they changed and pinned, I stood up out of the way of the kids. They backed off too, knowing something had altered.

  Taffie moved to my side, and Sazzar pointed in the direction of one of the sheer walls. “We’ll have peace in there away from the kids. It’s their play day today. Hence they’re all out of schools.”

  I followed them to the double doors, and the guards opened them so we could step inside.

  The building was large enough so that Zurath didn’t freak out. I wanted him with me, but I didn’t want him scared, either. However, he did sneak up the side of my arm and onto my shoulder. “A little large to be a parrot, don’t you think?” I said to him as we carried on through a corridor and into another room.

  This room opened up into a banquet hall. At least it was beautifully decorated.

  I saw it before Zurath did, and he let out a squeal.

  Sazzar was soon at my side. “Do not worry. Aheal is our village Familiar.”

  As soon as he’d said that, Zurath was up and into the air, and then sitting next to the Fire Eagle at the far side of the room. They were nose-to-nose, and panic rose—but they didn’t fight. In fact, the larger bird looked my way.

  Then there was a voice echoing around the room. “Zurath tells me that you saved his life, Akillia.”

  We all moved down to where the two eagles were perched, and I answered the female voice. “I pulled two of his flight feathers. They were badly damaged when his mother chased him away.”

  “And he has bonded with you because you are pure of heart. He trusts you.”

  I was the one who lowered my head then. “I am very grateful for that trust.”

  The large female reached down and touched the top of my head with her beak. “You and Zurath are welcome here anytime you wish.”

  Sazzar moved to the side of his bird and scratched the top of her head. She then moved to poke him in the shoulder. “As will Sazzar.”

  “She’s more your Familiar than the towns.”

  He nodded. “I think she’s just fond of me the most as I spoil her. The others are terrified.”

  I laughed and held out my arm for Zurath, who happily jumped back to my side.

  “I have so many questions,” I said. “May I speak with you later?”

  The eagle fluffed its feathers. “Please do. My ears are yours.”

  Sazzar pointed to the tables, which somehow had started to fill with food and drink, and then I noticed tiny people milling around with trays of goods.

  They weren’t dwarves, but I didn’t know what kind of species they were. Sazzar noticed I was staring at them.

  “They’re from the mountains, a species called Brathi. They’re super helpful and love to make sure we’re looked after. If they look after us, we make sure their caves are safe at night so they can sleep. They can’t sleep anywhere else, and some monsters love to eat them.”

  I was shocked by this revelation. As he sat down, I pulled a chair out, and Zurath hopped onto the back of it. I then sat below him. Turning I said, “Don’t you dare turn around and poop on me.”

  Sazzar laughed and began to pass the drinks around. This made me happy, and I dug into the food, famished.

  I actually let Myleen and Abel do a lot of the talking at dinner. It was easier to listen to them get it right than for me to get everything wrong.

  “I’m not sure we can get the horses up the pass,” Sazzar said. “But we’ll try. There’s been some rockfall lately because of several Tromoal attacks.”

  “What’s a Tromoal?” I asked, though out of pure curiosity.

  “Big huge monsters.” Abel was the one who answered for me, and I cringed. But he added, “Think of them like dragons.”

  I swallowed. “There are dragons in this world?”

  When he nodded, I picked up the wine goblet that was in front of me and gulped it down. “The Hismaw is Tromoal waste, you knew that though right?”

  I nodded. “I thought they might be like bats or something. You know, cave systems and waste and all that jazz.”

  Abel laughed. “They are not. We’ll chat some more later, but I think we’ve all had enough for one day. We need sleep.”

  Sleep, what was that? I seemed to be thrust from one adventure to the next, and then finding myself exhausted, stuffing myself, and trying to work my way out of the next one.

  Abel pushed his chair back and pointed to the back of the hall. “Are there guest bedrooms up the stairs?”

  Sazzar nodded, and one of the little people came to show us the way. I picked Zurath up and tucked him into my shoulder. He was also prepping for sleep now after eating his way through a ton of meat.

  Abel followed behind us—so I wouldn’t fall, no doubt.

  When we reached the top of the stairs, the little person didn’t speak but pointed to the far door. There was also a perch outside. I thanked them and moved towards the door. Abel picked up the perch and opened the door for me. He stepped in after me, and moved to place the perch near the side of the window, but tucked in away from any draft. The cool night air was drifting in now from the seas, and I shivered.

  I popped Zurath onto the perch and turned to see Abel making himself at home, pouring us a couple of drinks.

  I moved to take one from him and drank deep, emptying the glass in one. “I want you to stay with me tonight,” I said my eyes not leaving his.

  He too
k a step closer to me, putting his drink down. “I wasn’t planning on staying anywhere else.”

  “Is there a bathroom,” I asked. “Maybe even a bath?”

  He pointed behind me, and I moved away from him, shrugging out of my jacket, then moving to the bed to take off my shoes and socks. Abel did the same, but he didn’t remove anything else. I had thought of a hundred ways to try to seduce him, to make him want me even more, but right now, I didn’t want sex, and I could see that maybe he didn’t either.

  “Well, if there’s a bath, come on. We both need one before we get in bed.”

  Abel laughed and followed me.

  There wasn’t just a bath, but a huge lowered bathing area. There was a small button to push at one end, and it filled up from below. Maybe some kind of spring.

  I tested the temperature as I sat at the edge of the pool, and then I stood, dropped my slacks, and then quickly tugged off my shirt, then my undergarments. I didn’t look at Abel as I slowly slid into the water and dunked myself. When I rose, he had also removed his clothing and had entered the water at the opposite end of the pool.

  I washed off slightly, and Abel stared. “Those tattoos are beautiful. Do you know what they mean?”

  I looked at my arms and my side. I’d gotten used to seeing them, but yeah, they really were stunning. The intricate designs now as I stared at them shimmered, and the colours moved. I smiled as I traced one with a finger.

  “We’re both adults, right,” I said, meeting his gaze. “We can talk. I think the both of us need that.”

  “I know.” He sighed. “I’m just not used to fulfilling my fantasies with anyone else but an NPC.”

  I tried not to let a little jealous streak cross my mind, he was a guy in a computer filled with beautiful and sexy creatures. I didn’t need to know that he’d had relationships inside here. But knowing he had felt weird.

  “You’re worried because I’m a real person, and that it will be different?”

  “I’m being really honest here.” A slight frown formed on his face. “I’ve had the opportunity to see the real you, Emma.”