“Mama!” cried Elania.
“You are leaving? The three of you?” asked Mrs. Stone with a frown.
Kaia timorously approached her mom; worried that she would be detained, though, she took care to keep out of her reach. “I have to go, Mama,” she said.
“Don’t worry. Your father doesn’t know, and I won’t stop you. How could I?” asked Mrs. Stone—much to the girls’ surprise. Wiping her nose, she exhaled in a string of shallow puffs.
“You won’t?”
“Burying you was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do, Kaia. I had been doggedly intent on wrapping you up and keeping you in your crib forever, you know; I fought your father about it, too. ‘Why not?’ I’d asked. ‘My baby won’t disturb anybody.’” Mrs. Stone stopped to swallow. “For six years, Kaia, you lay in the ground, only to be returned to us a mere couple of weeks after the curse took effect. How do you explain that? Coincidence? No. Something rare glimmers within you. I can see it, I always have. It shows itself on the bleakest of days, when misery runs rampant and desolation seizes control of the helm, sailing into all that is grim, all that is foul, and all that inspires dread. Clearly, I was not the only one who saw the glimmer. The Atalileve stole you from death’s embrace so that you could go where few others would and do…and do….” She smiled. “It all makes sense.”
“Mama,” said Kaia, blinking rapidly.
Mrs. Stone, who had been inching her way across the room while speaking, held on to Elania’s wrist with one hand and rubbed Kaia’s arm with the other. “Alright…you two take care of one another. Be safe. Stay with the group.” Her lower lip quivered as she spoke. “Do not think of us. Not once. Focus on the task. We will be fine.”
“Yes, Mama,” said Kaia.
“I’m proud of you.” She turned her head away and swallowed again. “Of both of you. So very proud,” she continued, forcing a smile.
Kaia and Elania hugged their mother. The three drank of one another’s warmth. Kaia tried to disengage a bit, to numb herself. She could not lose her composure. No. Absolutely not. That would only make everything more difficult. Kaia shoved away certain thoughts and tugged on others.
“Go on,” said Mrs. Stone, pushing her daughters away. She and Nellie were crying.
***
Insee was waiting for Kaia at the harbor.
“That must be it,” said Elania, pointing to the large ship nonchalantly floating in the water. A ramp protruded from the side of the vessel. Kaia, Elania, and Ani approached. Someone stood at its base.
“Kaia Stone?” asked a fire-haired girl.
“Yes.”
“I am Aylin Spokehwel.”
Kaia bowed her head in salutation. “This is my sister Elania, and this is Ani.”
“Pleased to meet you all. Shall we board?”
Aylin was either Elania’s age or eighteen—no older. Her eyes had an air of geniality about them. She looked at Kaia not with a stranger’s eyes—those are inherently restless, penetrating, and analytical—but with the warmness of familiarity, as if the two had been acquainted long ago.
A large group was gathered on the top deck. They fell silent when the girls approached.
Aylin cleared her throat to speak. “Everyone, this is Kaia, Elania, and Ani Stone. Kaia, Elania, and Ani, allow me to introduce Prince Ashner, Prince Raelon, Prince Bennett, Prince Warrin, Prince Lyon, Sir Pelliab Blackwell, and Thomas Zealston.”
Thomas looked to be in his early twenties. He had a relatively prominent forehead and an irksome, subtle smirk. His arms were crossed before him, crediting him a mien of self-assuredness which bordered—dangerously so—on arrogance. Kaia decided in that instant that she would stay close to Aylin; the kingsman could have Thomas.
Sir Pelliab was to be the only true adult on the expedition. He was certainly well into his forties. His short, dark beard made the gangly Prince Ashner, whose tiny face was hairless and pale—and who already looked exaggeratingly boyish next to his brothers, who were in their late teens and early twenties—look infantile.
Kaia wondered why King Robert had sent his sons. Why hadn’t he simply ordered kingsmen to accompany Pelliab?
“You needn’t refer to any of us as ‘prince,’” said Raelon, addressing the newcomers.
“It isn’t much of a distinction in Darlbent,” added Lyon.
Kaia wondered if the rumors could be true.
Thomas pulled up the ramp.
“Thomas,” called Aylin.
“I’ve got it. Go ahead,” he responded.
The fire-haired Speaker looked at Kaia, Elania, and Ani. “Let me show you to your rooms so that you may get settled.”
The sea of men parted, allowing the ladies through. Aylin led the girls below deck. The hallway looked precisely like that of the previous Zavonian ship that the Stones had been on.
“We have private rooms and communal rooms,” said Aylin. “You may settle into whichever you prefer. The communal room on the right has been taken by Thomas and the princes, though, and this room here is being occupied by Pelliab.”
“And the communal room on the left?” asked Kaia.
“I am the only one in there.”
“Would you mind some company?”
“Not at all!”
Kaia, Elania, and Ani each chose a bed and set their things down.
“We should be arriving in Mar in approximately five days,” said Aylin.
“So long?” asked Elania.
“We will be entering through Mar’s west coast. It will require us to spend greater time at sea than if we entered by the northeast, but it will reduce—considerably so—the distance that we will have to travel by land to reach Enbeck—King Richard’s castle.”
Elania sat down on her bed.
“I am going to spend most of the night up top,” said the Speaker, “watching the waters. If you should need anything…”
“Thank you,” said Kaia, as Aylin took her leave.
Elania pulled on her shoes’ laces.
“You are going to bed already?” asked Kaia.
“Yes. Aren’t you?”
Kaia teetered in place.
“We have plenty of time to get to know everyone later. Besides—do you hear that?” asked Elania; only the white of her eyes could be seen. “It sounds like they’re going to bed, too.”
“Let’s find out for certain.”
“No! They’ll see you!” protested Elania, rising to block the door.
“Elania, move.”
“They’ll think ill of us if they suspect that we spy on them.”
“The things that occur to you!” said Kaia, pushing her sister aside.
The younger Stone gently opened the door a fraction of an inch. Unable to discern a thing, she took both hands and slid the door open even further. Kaia centered her eye for a second time. There were definitely people in the hallway. Elania was right; they were filing into the communal room.
“Tomorrow, then,” said Kaia, after she had shut the door.
***
Strange creatures, which Kaia had only previously known in story, were in the ship’s hold. Dhazegs, that’s what they were called—molded by the Catrees. They had four long, avian-like legs with talons. Their bodies were compact and sturdy, resembling that of a deer’s, albeit brawnier. Each had a thin tail—featuring short hairs at the end—and a long head. Their foreheads had slightly concaved ridges on either side—from above which protruded two black antlers that curved down and forward—and their faces narrowed abruptly, becoming tubular at the snout. They appeared to have no ears when observed from afar. As for markings and coloration, each creature was the same, yet different. The one closest to Kaia was mostly dark grey. Five thick, white stripes ran down its neck—the underside of which matched its green belly. A white patch, speckled with black spots, started at its shoulders and extended down a quarter of its length. Behind that was a grey patch interspersed with four black stripes. The legs were painted much like the body.
&nbs
p; Kaia sat on a plank of wood, observing the dhazegs. Most of them ignored her. One, however, seemed particularly interested in her. It stuck its head out of its stall and watched her as intently as she watched it; what an imposing sight it was. Kaia had heard that dhazegs were stronger than horses, and faster, too. The creature before her certainly looked to fit that bill.
Taking stock of the hold, Kaia noticed that there were no saddles around. She wondered if the Zavonians rode bareback. To remain mounted on such a powerful animal unassisted, that can’t be easy. A rumbling jolted Kaia from her musings. It was coming from her stomach.
Having yet to eat, Kaia pulled herself away from the dhazegs and went into the dining room. Elania was already there, as were the princes, save Raelon. A few trivial conversations were being held. Kaia grabbed some bread from the basket nearest her and passed it to Elania. Bennett stared at her. Now, she thought.
“There is something which I have pondered for quite some time and have yet to procure a suitable answer to,” said Kaia.
“Yes,” encouraged Bennett.
“Why didn’t your father send kingsmen to convey Pelliab to Mar?”
Elania seemed horrified by her sister’s question. She stopped chewing and nearly ceased breathing altogether.
“The future of his brother’s kingdom is at stake,” said Bennett. “He needed people whom he could trust blindly.”
“And since, really, in the grand scheme of it all, we’re just delivering a message, or helping to deliver one, he felt that it wasn’t necessary,” added Lyon. “Nevertheless, I’ll have you know, my brothers and I are just as skilled at wielding a weapon as are Father’s kingsmen.”
“It’s not as if Father has a scarcity of sons, either,” said Warrin.
“Surely you’ve heard.”
“Yes,” said Elania. “We just never knew whether or not to believe it.”
“Hundreds of wives and thousands of children.”
“Are any of you—”
“Full brothers? No. We are all half-brothers.” Lyon paused and, with his eyes, stalked Ani, who had just entered the dining room.
“What’s wrong?” asked Kaia.
“We’ve never seen such a creature before,” said Bennett.
“A canonipom?” asked Elania.
“Is that what it is called?”
“Yes.”
“Is it a pet of yours?” inquired Warrin.
“Not at all! Canonipoms are life partners.”
“She even looks like you!” said Lyon.
“They all look like the person that they’re coupled with.”
“How does one acquire a canonipom?” asked Bennett.
“It’s a birthright,” answered Elania.
“Sorry, Bennett,” joked Lyon.
“Ashner, slow down,” said Warrin.
“Just like Father.”
“In appearance and manners.”
“You flatter me,” said Ashner, his mouth full.
“You don’t even savor it. You just toss your head back and, oh, down it goes,” said Lyon.
“Did your flird ever return, Ashner?” asked Bennett.
“No.”
“His mother is smarter than is he,” mumbled Warrin.
“You give her too much credit.”
“True. She had no way of knowing where to send it to.”
“You know what’s odd?” asked Lyon rhetorically. “These rooms. They have no windows, yet, even without lighting the lanterns, the light in here is equal to that outside.”
“Yes. I noticed that, too,” said Bennett.
“How do you suppose they do that? Utterance?”
“Perhaps.”
“Look,” said Ashner, pointing to a small fissure in the ceiling.
“There is something in there,” said Warrin.
“From there must come the light,” said Bennett.
Raelon strolled into the room and took a seat. “Where are the others?”
“Aylin and Thomas took their plates up top so that they could guide the ship,” said Warrin.
“Does it really need guiding? We’re in the middle of the ocean. We won’t be running aground any time soon,” said Lyon.
“And Pelliab?” asked Raelon.
“In his room.”
“Has he come out?”
“No. Although, it is entirely possible that he simply got lost and cannot find his way out. The private rooms are rather large. Perhaps we should open his door and call his name. He can follow our voices out.”
“Did you know him before embarking on this voyage?” asked Kaia.
“I can’t recall having spoken to him before this. I’ve definitely seen his face,” said Bennett.
“Anyone with an eye has,” said Lyon.
“He’s high ranking,” added Warrin.
“Always close to Father.”
“I saw his family once, from afar. He has two kids—a boy and a girl.”
“Why?” inquired Raelon.
“Just asking,” said Kaia.
“You’re trying to figure it out.”
“Huh?”
“The reason he was named.”
Kaia was silent.
“It’s fine. We’ve wondered, too.”
“We’ll find out soon enough,” said Warrin.
“Honestly, Ashner, it is impossible that you’re still hungry. You’re eating for the sake of eating,” said Lyon.
“Where does he put it all?”
“Just like Father.”
“Leave him,” ordered Raelon.
“As His Highness commands. Would His Highness like some more water?” asked Lyon, as he filled Raelon’s goblet, prompting his brothers to laugh.
“Have any of you ever met him?” asked Elania, when the cackling dwindled.
“Met whom?” asked Raelon.
“King Richard.”
“No.”
“We were only children when the curse fell,” reminded Bennett.
“And no invitation was ever extended for us to visit,” added Warrin.
“How very rude of us to impose ourselves now,” said Lyon.
“Well, at the very least he shall have one reason to be pleased.”
***
The group’s time at sea was spent largely in leisure. There was no dearth of mindless activities—most of which, to some degree, included lazily lounging about. In nearly any other situation, the absence of stimulating pursuits or conversation would have been deemed wholly disagreeable, but the group, acutely aware of the unspoken truth, welcomed it.
Few life-altering moments are anticipated. Most are recognized as such only after they have happened or while they are happening. When change can be seen looming on the horizon, the mind often speaks more than does the mouth—so it was with the group en route to Enbeck.
Wanting to stretch her legs, Kaia abandoned her idleness and rose from her bunk to venture onto the top deck. The vessel—sails swelled—was charging forward, as if in a hurry, beating the water into a white foam.
“Good morning,” said Kaia.
Pelliab, who was hunched over the gunwale, bearing his weight on his arms, looked over his shoulder. Seeing whom it was, he turned back around. Kaia considered approaching the kingsman. His body was rigid, though; he did not look as though he wanted to talk.
“Good morning,” he muttered.
Emboldened, Kaia closed the distance between them. Pelliab stood up straight. He was quiet for a while. His eyes moved from side to side.
“Mar lies beyond it. Nearly there now,” he said, pointing towards the abyss of nothingness which lay before them. A thick, ominous fog stretched up into the sky and became one with the heavens, forming a boundless, opaque wall of white. Not billowing tree tops, nor mountain peaks, nor the outline of the coast could be seen. Nothing.
“You can see it from Greyland, can’t you?” he asked.
“It’s visible from the Dead Forest.”
“The ‘Dead Forest.’ What a name.” Pelliab tapped
on the gunwale, shook his head, and maundered to the staircase that led to the lower decks.
Kaia wondered if she had said something offensive. Impossible. She had hardly spoken.
“He says little,” said Thomas, working to secure a small rowboat that had come loose.
Kaia nodded her head and ambled towards the helm. What a curious sight, she thought. To the right of the ship’s wheel was a map of Acu engraved in wood. A miniscule model of a vessel was on its surface. Kaia saw Aylin draw near.
“Is this how you steer?” asked Kaia.
“Yes. The model follows the path that I outline with my finger.”
“And the actual ship does as the model does?”
“Yes.”
“Then what’s the wheel for?”
“Mostly for when we are in tight spaces that are difficult to—” Aylin froze.
Kaia turned around. Hundreds of yards away, a thin, black line had emerged right above the water’s surface. Aylin walked towards the vessel’s bow. Motionless and with bated breath, she tried to discern the oddity ahead. As the ship advanced, the line became punctured in multiple places.
“Vessels!” cried Thomas. “Hundreds of them!”
Chapter Seven
The Point of No Return
Thomas released a flird into the air. It returned seconds later. “No answer,” it articulated.
“They refuse to identify themselves,” said Thomas.
“Send it again,” commanded Aylin.
Thomas repeated his message to the flird. “This time,” he instructed, “go to another vessel.”
The flird blinked deeply before leaping into the air. Thomas hardly had time to draw four breaths before their messenger returned.
“They refused again,” said Thomas.
“We must assume that their intentions are not friendly, then,” said Aylin.
“Will they grant us passage?” asked Kaia, hastening towards the pair.
“I don’t think so.”
“What are we to do?”
“We should try entering through another coast,” asserted Thomas.
“It’s too late,” said Aylin.
“Nonsense.”
“Do you think that they will stay put? They will follow us if we change our course.”
Capering on Glass Bridges (The Hawk of Stone Duology, Book 1) Page 6