by Marcy Lynn
“And if you hadn’t, we would never have seen each other again, right?” His face was still stone like but his eyes flashed with raw anger. “What if we don’t make it in time? What will you owe then?”
“We are going to make it.” She said determinedly, missing the obviousness of his statement. “I should get the waves moving again.”
Determination reached once again up past the pain of the conversation. The waves had eased but they were still going at a clip. The conversation pushed her to get the waves going larger. She had to fix this. Raising her arms she encouraged the water to spill up and start rolling again. The increase of movement brought the ship rising high and then dropping low quickly. Everyone on the ship sounded off their surprise of the drop making their stomach and insides do a funny tickle. Loud wretching echoed over the crash of waves. She winced.
“Sorry, Stepp!”
“This is insane, Elanor.” Derek grounded out as a spray of water came over the rail soaking them both. She put her wand back into the fold of her waist and frowned at him.
“Why can’t you understand how important this is? Why don’t you ever listen to me?”
“I understand how important it is to you.” He nearly spit. “I do listen to you. What I have never done and will never do is agree with you every time you get yourself going and do some impulsive thing out of fear. You know, I couldn’t bring myself to forgive your Father for pulling us apart and now- I’m not sure I can forgive you. Not that you give a damn.” Cold shock trailed up her spine hearing that. She stood frozen where all reasonable responses and emotions were out of reach.
The ship gave another creaking groan before sliding down the slope of water the giant waves were creating. Wind created by the force of it whipped her hair painfully about her head as she tried to gage his expression. She’d never seen him like this.
“I do care, Derek! You know I do.”
“Don’t you lie to me!” He shouted over the roaring waves and wind. “Don’t tell me again that list of yours why you walked away. Why you hid in the country side! It had nothing to do with your Mother dying or what happened to your sisters or bloody magic! You didn’t believe I could protect you. You didn’t believe together we could face anything. You didn’t believe in us.”
“Derek!” Caspin and Stepp were trying their best to move up the steps towards them. Stumbling and pulling on the rail until they reached the top. Elanor didn’t realize how much force she’d put into that last wave spell. She was caught up in the swirl of emotion within herself that it manifested outwardly.
“Take the wheel, Stepp.” Caspin said before shouting over the sound of water crashing all around them. “ Derek, the mast is getting weak, we need to support it before it snaps.” Stepp took the wood spokes and looked as though he was wrestling a large animal. She’d over done it even in her worry to get there fast; the ship breaking apart wasn’t her intention.
“No more magic!” Derek shouted as he passed. “I see those hands raise back up and I’ll lock you in the cabin!” She didn’t argue with him or even try to explain that she hadn’t meant for it to be this rough. Instead she moved closer to where Stepp was trying to keep them steady. She helped some to keep the wheel from bucking out of place. She’d created such a fierce ripple that it didn’t show signs of slowing down for a long while.
“Is the ship really falling apart Stepp?” She asked.
“Just a few spots Miss.” He kept his eyes trained ahead, his arms locked. Signs of being motions sickness still making his skin look pale but he hadn’t vomit while at the wheel.
“The crew?”
“We’re sailors, Miss. They’re used to rogue waves making it hard.” He shrugged. It was the shrug that made her finally pay full attention to him. His usual sweet outgoing nature dimmed. Was he angry at her too? She’d grown very fond of Stepp over the past few months. She saw him as a younger brother that she’d never had.
“Are you alright? Still sick?” She asked.
“I’m alright.”
“Are you upset with me?”
“Captain said you were going back to your family.” He gave a few side glances at her. “I thought… we were your family too. I don’t have anyone else and, you’re...” Stepp looked straight ahead embarrassed.
It occurred to her right then that she hadn’t thought about it. Yes, she’d been pressed to go and help her Father and Grandmother. But like trying to find Meagan, she didn’t think of the people around her or what would come after her impulsive act. She just knew there had to be something done about it. If she were truthful to herself, the Island had become more of a home than her Grandmother’s countryside veil. Yes, she’d felt safe at the country side, and, there was no danger with practicing magic because she never had. The moment she’d got to Sweetlace she hadn’t done a single spell or practiced any of her water craft.
There had always been a feeling of something missing while there as well. She had withdrawn. But she hadn’t felt that way at the Island. She’d made more friends there then she’d ever made in her life in fact. And Derek- his words had sunk in deep and harshly rattling everything she’d thought about what had happened that night and after.
Never had it entered her mind that he couldn’t protect her or anyone else. The truth, the raw truth was she didn’t think she deserved his protection or love. She should have been with her family that night instead of with him blissfully unaware of the tragic accident happening the same time she was bonding with her soul mate for life.
The young man before her had only shoved the knife of reason into her heart further. She wouldn’t just be leaving Derek this time. She would be leaving a whole community of people who accepted her and were friends.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, Stepp.” All the fear and confusion welded together in one upsurge of devouring yearning for answers. “I don’t know who I am anymore. I just want to do what’s right….that’s all.”
His face soften in sympathy seeming to want to comfort her but unable to find the right words either. The sea had calmed enough that the ship wasn’t rocking and dropping any longer. It’s glide at a clip that was usual for when the wind was in the right direction and the sails were up. Still Derek didn’t return to the wheel and she suspected he was now avoiding it. She debated in her head whether to go and find him to talk to him. She didn’t want him to believe that she’d left for the reason he’d come up with. It bothered her more than she could say. Elanor touched Stepp’s shoulder indicating she was leaving him and made for the stairs. A call from the crows nest came down causing her to look up with her hand shielding her eyes. She hadn’t heard the call so turned to the young man at the wheel.
“Is it my Father’s ship?” A few more calls were floating from one station to the next.
“Yes, and another ship next to it.” He winced visibly. “ Pirates.”
Chapter twenty-seven
“They’re coming over.”
It had been a terrifying approach to the two ships. They could see the crew of the pirate ship shifting in position getting ready for a fight. Derek had ordered his own crew to stand ready but his ship wasn’t meant for battles. It was a merchant ship that was built for speed. All three ships bobbed and swayed in the water. When close enough, exchanges of intent were given and now the pirate Captain and two men were crossing over from their ship to Derek’s.
“Not one word, Elanor. No magic, no speaking. Nothing.” Derek ground out in a low voice. “Stand quietly over there by those crates. If this goes south, you run for my cabin.” She stole a glance towards her Father’s ship having spotted both her Father and Grandmother on their knees. Derek’s fingers bit into her upper arm in a squeeze and forceful push towards where he had said.
“I mean it.” She didn’t protest or dig her heels in to stop him from starting her on her way to the crates. She had to stand in the shade of the crates, the sun making the wood deck too hot for her bare feet. She marveled at the irony of how beautiful a day it was an
d such a terrible thing was happening. Elanor could easily pick their Captain out with his silk garb and fancy gold jewelry but what did surpriseElanor was the man’s age.
He couldn’t be more than a few years older then Stepp.
“You’re just in time for my rummage sale.” The young Pirate said in a booming voice heavily accented. His men chuckled.
“I see that.” Derek said gesturing to the other two ships. “I’m looking for a trade. That ship is part of my business. It’s unfortunate that they were foolish enough to cross your waters, Mate.” She hoped Derek was only feeding the man’s ego, clearly this wasn’t anyone’s water. The Barbary Corsairs were meant to be in a treaty with Inglid but all merchants knew to cut and run if they saw the pirate ships. Her sister Teagan had teased about this moment when they tried to convince her not go looking for Meagan on her own. . A sudden tremble of fear shot through her realizing that her three sisters could be on the ship too. Did they accompany her Father? She couldn’t bear them being taken for the slave market. Fear began to overwhelm her and with it, energy pulsed from her chest to her finger tips.
“I have no use for another ship. That is acceptable but I will be taking the cargo.” Barely did the conversation creep back into her scattered thoughts. Elanor tried to breath through her nose in long inhales of air. She held her breath until pangs of protest made her exhale. Her fingers began to flex and curl.
“I can agree to that. And the passengers will be left behind.”
“Then you are willing to pay the ransoms?”
Derek’s posture told her just by the slight flex of already tight muscles that he didn’t like that answer.
“I know you’ve obtained a great deal of coin, Mate.” No doubt he was thinking that her Father had brought money to pay the ransom for her since they thought she was captured by pirates. By the arrogant smirk the young pirate captain made it must have been true.
“Aye, but what’s on the ship is mine.” He lifted a hand airily. “We are talking about trading for those things, yes?”
She began to lose the battle against her fear again. They couldn’t possibly come up with ransom sums. She knew Derek didn’t carry his full funds with him for the exact reason that was happening. And going to Inglid for the government to pay for it would take weeks even with her father being a prominent business man. They wouldn’t be treated well and she couldn’t let that happen. Elanor’s gaze shot to the water and then to each ship. She was the most powerful person here but her hands were tied.
She brought her attention back to the conversation hopelessly. Derek stood his ground in spite of the clear message the pirate was giving him. He didn’t look nervous or sound like he felt beaten. A twinge tickled at the back of her mind. He was already doing something. A cold wash of reality that he had been right to be upset with her. To accuse her of not believing he could protect her. He’d been managing pirates and sea trouble for the past few years. And already she’d gone into a hysteria wondering what she needed to do to save the day.
Trust that he could manage this. Have faith in him.
The fearful energy began to be refocused to prayer.
She had to have faith in Derek no matter how scared she was.
She had to believe that he could do this.
She had to believe in him.
Her hands lifted to hover near her chin, not exactly clasped but enough to muffle the whispers she needed to say aloud.
“Hail Cernunnus, Father of all, please please help my husband find the wisdom and courage to overcome the feat at hand. Show him the possibilities that he needs to see.” Her right hand lowered to her heart as she whispered her prayer to the Father god. “Please help him see the right path, I ask in humility and humbleness. I am one of your faithful loving daughters and offer you all that I am for him.”
“No, that’s not acceptable. Perhaps though, one of my men would be willing to take the woman.” Elanor had closed her eyes to repeat the prayer over and over so it wasn’t until the word woman penetrated that they flashed open. The pirate stared at her, letting his eyes drifted unhurriedly down to her feet and then back up. Derek looked over his shoulder at her giving an accusing glare. He must have thought she was disobeying his orders not to do magic.
“I would be tempted. I’m in fact bringing her back to Inglid because she’s such a pain in my ass.” Elanor’s eyes grew as large as saucers. He wouldn’t actually send her with these pirates? He had good reason to be angry with her, maybe even resent her for losing faith but sending her to the slave market?
“Excellent. I would be doing you a favor after all.” The young pirate’s arrogance showing again, “We don’t worry about insolence. It’s simple to discipline them.”
“As much as I appreciate your offer of a favor, Mate, she is my wife.” He sounded as though it were the worst fate in the world for him. “And my father in law over there isn’t going to take too kindly that I traded his daughter.”
“Pity. We will sink the ship and be on our way then.”
Clearly the Corsair wasn’t pleased with the stall again. He was losing interest in the conversation. Suddenly Derek looked over his shoulder at her again, the accusation gone and a small squint of question about the lines of his handsome face. She didn’t know what was going through his mind but it was soon answered when he turned back to the young pirate.
“I do have one last thing to trade with.”
“Oh? I think you are wasting my time.” The airy wave of his hand dismissing any notion that Derek had anything to offer at this point.
“Yes, valuable information. I would be willing to trade you for the ship intact and its passengers.” Derek didn’t falter in his negotiation skills. “I know of a vulnerable position which will yield a highly valuable ransom.”
“Why would I want to waste my time with an untrusted source? You could be trying to send my ship into a trap.”
“It’s a risk to be sure.” Derek didn’t deny. “But, if you pursue this venture, Mate, you’re going to make a name for yourself. And make a lot of money.” Elanor watched the other man clearly become tempted by the offer. The appeal of making a name for himself what had snared him.
Her fingers weaved into each other willing him to take the agreement. On edge, she looked over to where her Father and Nain were still kneeling. Their faces had taken a vicious red; cheeks burnt by the sun. This had to end soon.
“I would need supplies enough to make the journey to where this,” The Corsair’s tone taking a scoffing sound. “Valued pursuit is and back to my home country.”
“What kind of supplies?” Derek inquired with an edge to his voice. She guessed it was because he knew that the pirates had already cleaned her Father’s ship of fresh water and food. If the pirates took the same from his ship it would leave them in a very bad way.
But, then again, it wouldn’t! Even before the pirate had answered she was drumming up a plan in her head. Something Derek might not get upset at her for doing.
“Water and food of course. All that can be spared.” He would have no idea what Elanor could do and how he’d just gave them the best demand that he could. Derek turned to glance over his shoulder at her as though considering the haggling. She only just gave a full eye contact before dropping her head again so that it didn’t draw attention to herself.
Please remember what I can do. She willed him.
“That would put my crew and the others in a tight position. But I will agree. You have a deal.” He motioned to Stepp to come over to him giving the order to get all barrels of water and food. He called to another crew member to bring the map while all the barrels were collected. Fruit from the Island, rum, grog and other staples came from below deck. It would put them in a bad way. She couldn’t fix that but she could bring back a supply of fish and water to get them safely to a Port. The confidence she had felt good despite what was happening around her. She could do this. Barrel after barrel, crate after crate pulled from their respective places. Derek didn’t begi
n his showing of the map until the last supply cargo had left his ship to theirs.
“I will begin as soon as your crew leaves the other ship.” Derek said matter fact. Elanor winced since the experience so far with this young Barbary pirate had been that he didn’t respond to orders or demands well.
“I didn’t see enough water pass. I think one more barrel will satisfy this deal.”
“I believe we gave all the supplies. It should be more than enough.” Derek’s voice held a warning.
“No, one more is the only acceptable offer.” She knew Derek well enough that the resolve to end this without a fight was starting to fade. His body language said he’d had enough of this whelp and would be throwing a punch soon.
“We will check again.” He said tightly.
He’d said no magic but they were so close to this all ending without anyone getting hurt. It would take grounding and connecting to her sister’s elements but it would take too long for that. For the first time, she’d have to rely on her own elemental powers only. She channeled the sea water from below to stream up in a thin line up the side of the ship and into a barrel that had been used for rain catch. It was dry the last time checked but if she could filter the sea water fast enough... If she were caught it wouldn’t be just a harsh discussion about ‘disobeying’ him. The pirates were seekers and the harshest kind. They would kill her for being a caster.
She held her breath forcing the water to move as quickly as she could muster. The effort physical and rushed. She had to urge it even faster as Derek’s men started to return empty handed one by one. Elanor could only hope that the water wasn’t salty and there was enough of it to end this. She just had to have faith in herself now. Stepp started by her, no doubt going to give the bad news as well. She caught his eye and with a quick glance told him with no words to check that barrel. He looked confused. Again her eyes left him to dart to the barrel. When her sight traveled back to him she realized he wasn’t confused by her direction but by the fact that he knew it had been empty. One of his jobs was to keep track of such things.