by PT Hylton
Things were not going well.
Dahlia glared at the head of her Guard, a man named Benedikt. Though he stood a foot taller than she, beads of sweat stood out on his forehead and he couldn’t seem to meet her eye.
“Say that again,” Dahlia snarled at him. “I’m sure I didn’t hear it correctly, because what I heard would be impossible.”
Benedikt swallowed hard. “We lost him, ma’am. We lost the Storm Caller.”
“That’s what I thought you said. Tell me how an unarmed, guarded, and bound man in the back of a wagon managed to escape.”
Benedikt looked at the ground. “We’re still trying to figure that out. The wagon he was in has disappeared, as have the driver and the two men guarding him. We think maybe they were in on it.”
Dahlia scoffed. “Really? Is that what you think? That Dustin somehow convinced his driver and his guards to betray their homeland and help him in his hopeless quest to stop us?”
Sweat ran freely down the man’s face now. “Yes, ma’am. It seems the most likely scenario. Er, it did anyway.”
“Did you consider the possibility that his friends—the ones you let escape from the school—might have rescued him?” She held up a hand. “Don’t bother. I already know the answer. Forget about the Storm Caller for now. See that the men are all aboard The Winter Night. And try not to lose any of them this time.”
The man gave a quick bow and trotted off, relieved that the conversation was over.
Dahlia took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. It was true that the last day and a half had not gone as planned. She’d somehow managed to lose Viktor and then Dustin, both key Storm Callers, and apparently the Arcadian girl could fly now.
She looked at the sea and reminded herself of the positive things. A plan that had been years in the making, one that had forced her to serve first under Tor and then under King Elias, was coming to fruition. She had the entirety of the Barskall army at her disposal as well as its fleet of ships, meager though it might be.
A few hours from now she’d deliver a crushing blow to the Storm Wall, destroying all its stormships, then she’d head to Holdgate and ransack the city. Once all the Holdgate ships were under her control, she’d be able to ensure the Storm Wall was never rebuilt, and she’d be able to travel freely between her two kingdoms on Barskall and the Kaldfell Peninsula.
She’d made an alliance with the city council of Algon for some additional ships and sailors, and she’d honor that arrangement for a while. However, she knew she’d eventually expand her kingdom south to Algon, then to Arcadia and whatever lay beyond.
She beheld the twenty-five ships lined up before her. The smallest was her own The Winter Night, the ship she'd used to escape Holdgate after the battle had turned so sour. She'd upgrade her vessel shortly. With any luck she'd be able to take back Thunderclap, and she’d return to Holdgate victorious on the ship she’d helped make famous.
The other twenty-four ships had been built in Barskall’s shipyards over the past two years, warships designed in the grand Holdgate style. Traditionally, Barskall ships had been inferior vessels made quickly and cheaply, which was part of the reason the Storm Wall had been so effective in deterring them for so many years. Tor and Dahlia had pressured King Elias to modernize his ships, and to that end they’d even kidnapped two Holdgate shipbuilders and brought them to Barskall to help with the process.
Holdgate ships weren’t invincible, Dahlia knew. Only two years ago a stormship had disappeared somewhere near the Lost Isles, and even a Storm Caller and his young apprentice hadn’t been enough to save that vessel.
But these ships were as good as anything Holdgate possessed. As good as Thunderclap, perhaps even better. And with Dahlia commanding the fleet, they’d make short work of the stormships defending the Storm Wall.
She took one last look, then boarded The Winter Night. Half the crew were outcasts, the ones who’d piloted the ship when she’d escaped Holdgate, and the other half were Barskall guards.
The Barskall Storm Callers were gathered together on another ship. As much as she marveled at their ability to conjure storms at great distances, she had trouble thinking of them as true Storm Callers. As a large group working together they could accomplish some useful things, but their powers were nothing compared to hers.
Benedikt approached and bowed his head. “We’re all set, ma’am. The crew is aboard and ready to sail.”
“And the other ships?” she asked.
“I checked with all the captains, and they are ready as well.”
Captains. It seemed odd to think of Barskall in such lofty positions. They were land generals who’d been trained only recently to run a tight ship. They had a long way to go before they were at the level of someone like Tor, or even that loser Captain Roy.
“How is the mood among the captains?” Dahlia asked.
“Well, they’re excited for battle, of course. And they’re thrilled to sail their ships to Kaldfell after we break the Storm Wall."
She sensed hesitation in his voice. “Please speak freely. I need to know.”
The man cleared his throat, then continued. “Some of them are uncomfortable with the Storm Callers.”
Dahlia frowned. “I see. And why’s that?”
“Most of them didn’t even know Barskall Storm Callers existed until a few days ago when we presented them with the full scope of the plan. It’s taking them a bit to adjust to the idea, since King Elias has openly mocked storm magic for so long. And to find out he was developing his own Storm Callers all the while… It’s hard for them to understand.”
Dahlia sighed. The one thing she didn’t like about leading was having to cater to the fickle emotions of the people supporting her. “Any thoughts on what we could do to alleviate their concerns?”
“I know it’s not possible now, but perhaps if King Elias himself could address them? If they heard it from the king’s own lips—”
“That won’t be possible,” Dahlia snapped.
“Yes, I know we don’t have time now, but you asked me to speak freely and—”
“That won’t be possible now or ever. Barskall has no king.” She’d planned to wait until after the battle, but she supposed it wouldn’t hurt to tell Benedikt. He was far too meek to betray her confidence.
Benedikt blinked hard, confusion in his eyes. “I don’t understand.”
“There is no king of Barskall, not anymore. Only a queen.”
His eyes widened, and she could see he understood.
The king was dead. She’d killed him three days ago.
“Give the ships the signal to depart,” she ordered. “We’ll follow at the rear so I can provide wind for the fleet.”
Benedikt nodded sharply and marched off to do as she’d asked.
She stood at the prow of The Winter Night and called the wind to speed each ship on its way, using the staff she'd taken from Dustin. The one with the amphorald embedded in it.
When there were only a few ships left, she heard a loud voice calling to her from the docks.
“Dahlia!”
She looked over the side and saw Dustin staring at her.
The young Storm Caller smiled. “How about a rematch?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“This is so dumb,” Dustin muttered as they approached the port of Havert.
They’d ditched the wagon shortly after Clemens had revealed himself to Dustin and traveled the rest of the way on horseback, trailing Dahlia’s caravan at a distance. The big question once they’d arrived was what to do to stop her.
They were only two men. One of them was an above-average swordsman, and the other was a Storm Caller armed only with a walking stick he’d found by the side of the road. They were no match for the army of Barskall warriors and Storm Callers boarding the twenty-some ships.
Clemens let out a whistle when he first saw the vessels. “I hate to say it, but these ships would give Thunderclap a run for her money.”
“Watch your mouth,” D
ustin shot back. Thunderclap was his ship, and he was obligated to defend her against both physical and verbal attacks. But he had to admit to himself that Clemens did have a point, even if he wasn’t going to say it out loud.
From what Dahlia had told him, Dustin knew these ships were headed to the Storm Wall. He didn’t know much beyond that, but it was enough. His friends on the Farrow islands had grown used to daily attacks by a few ships at a time, but this was something completely different.
Those attacks had only been a warmup. This was the main event.
Dustin kept his eyes on the smallest ship, the one with Dahlia standing on its prow. He knew he couldn’t stop the attack, but if he could somehow take out Dahlia it would be enough to make a difference. Given the long odds the stormships were facing, a weapon like Dahlia would make their already difficult task impossible.
After a while Dahlia began stormcalling, and for a terrible moment Dustin was sure he’d missed his chance. However, he realized she was calling wind to send the other ships on their way, which meant she’d be the last ship in port. Perfect for Dustin.
When most of the ships were gone, Clemens remarked, “If we’re going to do this, we gotta do it now.”
“This is so stupid,” Dustin repeated. “Are you sure about your part?” The plan—if such a haphazard scheme could be called a plan—was to have Clemens attempt to sneak aboard the ship while Dahlia was distracted by battling Dustin. Never mind the dozens of sailors waiting on board to kill him.
Clemens grinned. “What would Abbey do in this situation?”
Dustin sighed. “She’d sneak aboard while I was distracting Dahlia.”
Clemens clapped him on the back. “Then there’s your answer.” He turned and scurried toward The Winter Night without waiting for Dustin to respond.
After his friend had ducked out of sight, Dustin stepped out of the shadows. The stick in his hand felt small and weak—he could imagine the jokes Abbey would make if she saw it—but he knew the staff played only the smallest of roles in stormcalling. It was a symbol to make him feel connected to the sea, that was all. This stick would serve its purpose.
Dustin took a deep breath, then shouted, “Dahlia!” He waited until she was looking at him to continue, “How about a rematch?”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Dustin started stormcalling. He hit her with a sudden gust of wind from the starboard side, hoping to knock her off the prow and into the water below.
But she was more than ready for the attack. Not only did she stand strong against his wind, but she took control of it and turned it back on him.
He set his feet wide and gripped his makeshift staff, struggling to stand against the gale.
Dustin focused on the energy flowing through him. He wasn’t making a strong showing so far. He’d spent so much time thinking about this, about how he’d take her down if it came to a rematch. And here he was, getting his ass kicked again.
No, the battle’s just beginning, he reminded himself.
He called a massive wave, and it slammed into the port side of The Winter Night, spilling over onto the rail and crashing onto the deck. The ship rocked with the force of it, and he heard shouts of terror from the sailors on the deck.
Clemens clung to a rope on the starboard side. He’d managed to get a hook over the rail and had climbed to deck-level. If Dustin could keep Dahlia and the crew busy a bit longer, Clemens might have a chance.
Dahlia’s face was usually the picture of calm when she stormcalled, so Dustin was gratified to see that it was now a mask of fury. Her eyes flashed with bluish-green light, and a lightning bolt crashed into a building behind Dustin.
Dustin briefly considered trying the same tactic; he wasn’t very accurate when calling lightning, but it might be worth the risk. On the other hand, Clemens was aboard that ship.
Instead, he sent another huge wave at the ship. It smashed into The Winter Night, and again he heard the sailors shout. He knew he wasn't doing any permanent damage, but that was all right. His goal here was to keep Dahlia’s attention.
Clemens climbed over the rail and disappeared onto the deck; Dustin had to imagine he was creeping toward Dahlia. If he reached her without being spotted by the crew, he could end her once and for all.
Dustin kept attacking with wave after wave, hoping to keep the crew off balance, and Dahlia responded with more lightning strikes. From the blazing heat on his back, he knew the building behind him was on fire.
Just a little longer, Dustin thought.
Suddenly Dahlia spun, lowered her staff, and fired. Dustin heard someone yell in pain as the energy blast hit him.
Clemens! Dustin thought.
Dahlia turned back to Dustin and smiled. “Nice try. You got any other tricks, or are you ready for a fair fight now?”
***
Georg raced his wagon toward the center of town as Abbey looked on helplessly from the back. Fannar and Olaf were just as anxious, fingering their weapons and preparing for the battle that was now close at hand.
For Viktor's part, he looked almost peaceful. He wore an easy smile and occasionally held his hand out of the wagon, letting the wind caress it as they sped along. Olaf kept giving him dirty looks, but Abbey decided to cut him some slack. The guy had barely been out of his school in years. Let him enjoy his fresh air.
Even if it was on the way to a bloody battle where he’d probably die.
Strange as it seemed, the smoke rising from the center of Havert had to be a good sign. Abbey knew Dahlia and her Barskall Storm Raiders were launching their attack on the Storm Wall from there. The fires meant someone was putting up a fight.
Fannar touched her knee. “I want you to know that no matter what happens today, it’s been an honor to fight at your side.”
“Take it easy, Barskall. We’re not dead yet. But, yeah, it’s been an honor to fight with you too.”
Abbey turned to Viktor as they sped toward the docks. “Hey, how will we find the Storm Callers? If Dahlia runs this thing like the Holdgate fleet, they’ll spread them out evenly between all the ships.”
Viktor shook his head. “That’s not how our stormcalling works. Our power comes from large numbers of people using magic together, so they will have to be in close proximity. If she’s smart, she’ll put as many of them as she can on the same ship.”
“She’s smart,” Abbey muttered, “as much as I hate to admit it.”
The smell of smoke was thick in the air as they approached the seaside, and Abbey tapped Georg on the shoulder. “Drop us off here. I don’t want you getting any closer to the fight than you need to.”
Georg pulled the wagon to a stop, and they got out.
Abbey looked Georg and Linda in the eyes. “Thank you. You saved our lives.”
“It was an honor,” Linda responded.
Viktor pushed his way in front of Abbey and held out the sword he’d taken from the guard at the school. “Don’t forget your payment.”
“Thanks.” Georg glanced nervously at the fire. “Um, aren’t you going to need that?”
Viktor shrugged. “Probably not. I’m not great with it anyway.”
As the wagon pulled away, Olaf looked nervously toward the water a few blocks ahead. “So what’s the plan here?”
Abbey considered for a moment before answering. In truth, the only plan was to do anything they could to free the Storm Callers. Barring that, they had to stop Dahlia.
“Stick close to me,” she told them. “Follow my lead.”
With that, she took off running toward the water. The others quickly followed.
As she ran, she felt the heat from the burning building pressing against her. It made her think of the last time she’d faced Dahlia, during the battle of Holdgate. There had been a burning building then too, but Dustin had called a torrential rain to put out the blaze.
This time no rain was falling.
She rounded a corner, and the port came into view.
No! They were too late—the ships w
ere already headed to sea. They’d missed their opportunity to save the Storm Callers before Dahlia used them to destroy the Storm Wall.
Then she saw there was one ship still waiting at the dock. It was smaller than the others, and someone was standing at the prow. Dahlia!
Down on the docks, Dustin stood holding a pathetic little staff.
Abbey’s heart leaped in her chest. He was alive. She’d hoped, but the realist in her had doubted Dahlia would let him live. And yet here he was.
He was stormcalling. Dueling Dahlia, she realized.
Abbey turned to her crew. “Stay here a moment.” Then she ran toward Dustin.
He had his eyes tightly shut as she approached, and the bluish-green glow leaked from between his eyelids. She wanted to give him a hug, but there was no time for such nonsense. Not until after they’d given Dahlia the ass-kicking she so righteously deserved.
“Dustin!” Abbey called.
He cracked his eyes open and stared at her, the shock clear on his face.
She wanted to explain everything, and she wanted to ask him a thousand questions. Instead, she just said, “Give me an updraft.”
Dustin looked confused for a moment, but then he got it. He nodded fiercely. “Ready when you are.”
That was the only signal Abbey needed. She took off sprinting toward Dahlia’s ship. When she’d almost reached it, she leaped into the air. As her feet left the ground, she thought as hard as she could about a feather. She imagined she was a feather.
The magic flowed into her, and her body became as light as air.
Dustin called an updraft beneath her right on cue, and she shot upward like an arrow from a bow.
Dahlia’s eyes widened as she saw Abbey gliding toward her. To the woman’s credit she reacted quickly, almost immediately calling a wind to push Abbey away from the ship. But it was too late—Abbey crested the prow and once again channeled magic, returning her body to its normal weight.
She crashed to the deck and sprang to her feet, sword in hand.
Dahlia quickly pointed her staff at Abbey, but it wasn’t her staff at all, Abbey realized. It was Dustin’s.
Abbey charged, knocking the staff out of the Storm Caller's hand, then grabbed Dahlia by the arm and twisted her around. She put one hand on Dahlia's shoulder and pressed the tip of her sword to the Storm Caller's throat.