by Unknown
Tempest separated from Qwen, moving with gale force. The sailor’s weapon thrust forward as Tempest pummeled the man, gusting against him and partially deflecting the direction of the attack. The blade was pushed high and away from its intended location, but the tip still sliced through the cloth of Slag’s hood into the side of his throat. Arterial blood sprayed onto the deck. Slag reached up to press his hand against the wound as he dropped to his knees. Life ran red, pulsing between his fingers.
Qwen gasped in horror. He realized Slag was not wearing Anrotean Spider Silk, like the set. If only he had reacted quicker to the attack.
Turk, who fought beside the Trade Master, reacted to Slag’s loud moan and his knees hitting the deck. He turned, saw the assailant, and cut him down with no intent to spare the man’s life a second time. A knife flew through the air and struck Turk on the shoulder. Turned by his garment, the blade dropped point first and buried itself into the deck. A silver-fletched arrow ended the thrower’s life.
Turk barked a command, and the Set formed around him as he knelt next to Slag. He ignored the fighting, reached inside his boot for a small metal vial, and then opened it. “Drink this. Don’t you die on me.”
One of the Set dropped to support Slag and pressed a cloth over the hand he held against his neck. Slag opened his mouth and swallowed the container’s contents from Turk. His face contorted in pain. His body shuddered in response to the healing. His hand flew from his neck to tightly grip Turk’s arm, the fingers paled in effort. Blood no longer flowed down his shoulder.
***
As a Zephyr weaved between the girls, caressing them and gently moving their hair, the air freshened in the chamber. Liddea looked up after feeling the touch. “I’m ready to go.” She gave each of the girls a hug, moved over to the door, and looked out the opening. The corridor was empty. She opened the lock and left the cell. She was about to close and relock the door when the hatch at the end of the short corridor opened. Stinky entered. He stopped when he saw her and stared with a surprised look on his face.
“What are you doing out?” Stinky began to walk toward her. “Well, the captain sent me to fetch one of you. I’m thinking you’ll do.”
Liddea glared. The night of her abduction, she had been distracted and unprepared to defend herself. Now, that was not the case. She reached into her sleeve and drew her Fang.
Startled by the sight of the weapon, Stinky arrested his movement and stood contemplating her for several heartbeats. “The kitten has claws. Come now, let’s see if you know how to use them.” He unsheathed a long dagger and gave her an icy stare while he ran his tongue along the flat of the blade. Then he smiled and continued forward.
Liddea admitted to herself that Stinky scared her. She set aside her fear and prepared to use all her training against him. She felt her hair begin to move, stirred by a strong breeze. Somehow, she was able to sense anger from the wind.
Stinky’s forward progress suddenly ceased. His eyes widened, and he yelled out in fear. Liddea saw him lift up off his feet before flying, helpless, backwards through the open portal. She watched him rise up above the top of the ship’s main mast then soar off the vessel and out toward the bay.
She looked out on the deck and saw people fighting. What had just happened to Stinky and why was there combat on deck? Curiosity rapidly replaced her surprise and pulled her forward. The hatch shut as she drew close and would not budge when she attempted to open it. She looked for a lock but did not find one. Someone had to be holding the door closed. There was no porthole to look through, but she could still hear the battle being waged on the other side. She was trapped.
Frustrated, she turned back toward her cell and saw that the other girls had left the room and stood in the corridor watching.
Tully moved up to her. “We saw you standing there, ready to fight someone. We heard a man yell and then the sound of the hatch slam.”
“It was Stinky. One moment, he was coming toward me, holding a long knife. Then, all of a sudden, he flew off.”
Tully’s eyes widened. “What are you going to do?”
Liddea held up her Fang. “For now, wait. But I plan to make whoever comes through this door next think twice about having made me a captive.”
***
Qwen quickly reassessed the battle. Sloan had engaged the captain, but neither was able to find an opening to take advantage over the other. Sparks flew when their weapons met, held, and locked together. Their arms shook as they challenged each other’s strength. Sloan grunted with the effort and shoved the captain away from him.
Naider glanced around quickly. Qwen knew he could see his crew being taken apart. The Raiders were cutting through the men at the ship’s bow. The Watch had engaged the remaining crew; some were becoming aware of Slag, Turk, and the Set as they were being decimated from behind. Bodies, impaled by silver arrows, lay unmoving on the deck.
Naider looked over at Sloan and shouted, “Hold!”
In response to his command, a figure was launched out the stern hatch, screaming in terror as he was carried high into the air. Qwen saw that the two companions whom he had asked to watch over Liddea and the girls were transporting the odiferous fellow away from the ship. The man was released and fell to the water far below him, disappearing below the surface with a large splash.
When Qwen’s friends returned, they flowed into him and relayed news of Liddea’s escape from the chamber and the actions of the sailor they had removed. Qwen vowed that, if the man lived, he would deal with him later. He then directed them to shut the hatch and keep it closed until the battle was concluded. He returned his attention to the people below him.
Naider flipped his sword and held it by the blade, the pommel toward Sloan. “Watch Officer, you have us at a disadvantage, sir. I surrender my sword to you.”
Sloan grasped the pommel. “I accept your surrender, Captain. Please tell your men to stand down. No more lives need be lost.”
Naider’s crew, having seen the captain’s actions, dropped their weapons and fell to their knees, hands placed behind their backs. They were gathered together and tied up with rope by the members of the Watch.
Slag ordered, “Search the ship through the forward hatch, and make sure all are accounted for.”
Turk nodded and looked to the rest of the Set. “Go. I am staying here.”
“I’ll be fine. I don’t need a babysitter.” Slag tried to stand but was unable to reach his feet without Turk’s assistance.
Turk gestured, and the Set left, leaving him alone with the Trade Master.
Izlan pointed to the stern hatch. “Raiders, go see about the girls. Bring them up on deck.” She then turned to Captain Naider. “If the young ones have been harmed in any way, Captain, you should remember that I was not the one who accepted your surrender.”
Qwen flew down and spoke to his companions who guarded the door. “Let them in.”
The hatch opened as the three Raiders approached. When they looked down the short passage, Liddea could be seen standing in front of the rest of the captives, Fang in hand, ready to protect them.
Landis spoke, her voice full of emotion. “I don’t think you’ll need your weapon, Liddea. You can put it away now.” Landis turned to Martell. “It looks like she already had plans to rescue herself and the other girls.”
“I think you are right.” Martell turned to Liddea. “Do you mind if we give you a hand?”
Liddea slowly put her Fang away. As she stood there for several moments, her mouth opened, closed, opened, and then finally stayed shut. She ran up to the three people in front of her with tears in her eyes.
Qwen smiled as they gathered her in a welcoming embrace.
Patrice spoke quietly in Liddea’s ear as she gently rubbed Liddea’s hair. “You are safe, love. Why don’t you present your charges to us?”
Liddea wiped her face on her sleeve. “I didn’t know who you were, till I recognized your voices. How come you’re dressed like this? And how do I introduce you?”
“Just say we are your Raiders. All will be well.” Landis chuckled.
Liddea released her hold and returned to the former captives, who stood shyly watching the proceedings through the open doorway. She held her hands out to Marum and Tilly. “Well, the rescue didn’t happen as I had planned, but I want you all to meet a few of my friends.
Tilly and Marum gathered Liddea in their arms. They were soon joined by Kamri and Betra.
“You know them?” Tilly asked excitedly.
“We are rescued?” Kamri looked past Liddea at the carnage on the deck.
“We can go home?” Betra whispered.
Marum rolled her eyes upward and huffed. “Liddea said they were her friends. Of course she knows them. You can see we have been rescued, and of course we’ll be going home.”
Liddea laughed. “Marum, I don’t think you will be the quiet one any longer.” She let go of the other girls and turned around. “Marum, Tilly, Betra, Kamri, I present you to the Raiders.”
“Please excuse Liddea for not giving you our names. We would prefer to stay in the background, so to speak,” Landis explained. “It is very nice meeting you. Are any of you injured?”
Kamri shook her head. “I just want to go home.”
Qwen was happy to hear all the former captives echo Kamri.
Landis moved forward and took Liddea by the hand. “You shall be delivered to the Temple of the Ladies of Life. Your families will be contacted and brought there to be reunited with you. Liddea, please show me where you all were kept.”
Patrice turned to Martell. “Stay here with the young ones. I need to see to the wounded.” She left without waiting for a reply.
Qwen turned his attention to the conversation between Captain Naider and Sloan.
“I hope you and your men have treated your former captives with respect.” Sloan studied the captain as he waited for an answer.
“You have my word such has been the case. Damaged goods do not bring a good price, if you catch my meaning. And you are?” Naider asked.
“I am Watch Officer Sloan. I wish to thank you for stopping the fight and thereby preventing further harm to your crew and my companions. Please instruct your men to continue to cooperate. Transportation will arrive to take everyone to the nearest station. Once there, I have questions for which I would like answers. The Wave Dancer will, of course, be quarantined and undergo an inspection.”
Naider shrugged. “I wish to give a statement regarding your Watch Commander Wills. I knew I never should have trusted the man.”
Sloan smiled. “Any statement regarding the watch commander will be appreciated and duly witnessed. I am very interested in what you have to say about him.”
A member of the Watch stepped up and interrupted their conversation.
“Yes, Aramis,” Sloan said. “Your report. What is the status of the squad?”
“Sir, there were two wounded. Both have been attended to by the healer.”
“And what of my crew?” Naider asked.
“I am sorry to say that nine are dead and eight others wounded. Your injured have also been tended.”
“Think you, Aramis. When the transports arrive, load the prisoners and take them to the station for processing. Have the bodies of the dead taken to the morgue.”
“What do you want done with our young charges?”
“The station is not a place to see to the children’s needs. Arrange to have them taken to the Temple of the Ladies of Life. They can be evaluated by the healers, their statements taken, and then they may be reunited with their families at the Temple.
“Yes, sir.” Aramis saluted Sloan and walked away.
Sloan looked toward Naider. “Captain, I hope you’ll agree to provide information to enable us to contact the families of the deceased so that the bodies can be claimed?”
Naider nodded as the Set returned to report to Slag.
“No one is hiding below decks. The ship’s compliment is either dead or restrained on deck.
“Good. Then it is time for us to leave.” Slag glanced upward and spoke in a quiet tone. “Qwen, please signal for the transport to come for the prisoners.”
Qwen conjured. A bolt of lightning exploded in the air high above the ship. As he followed Slag and the Set’s disappearance over the port rail, he wondered who had rune locked the girls’ cell and why hadn’t they made an appearance.
***
Stinky swam under the water until he was forced to surface for air. He quickly filled his lungs. His body shivered but not from the bay’s temperature.
I really hate bathing, he thought to himself. Everyone knows how unhealthy it is.
After allowing himself a moment of self-pity, he used strong strokes and swam away from the ship as quickly as he could. He wasn’t going to return to the Dancer and try to fight whatever had attacked him. It was time to start over somewhere else.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
IZLAN FOUND SLAG, Qwen, Turk, and the Set waiting in the warehouse when she and Charion arrived. Slag was seated, his left shoulder and sleeve stained with dried blood.
“I hope the red body fluid you’re wearing didn’t come from you.”
Slag waved them over. “Most of it, but thanks to one of your effusions, you’ll have to put up with me a little longer. Did all go well with Sloan and his prisoners?”
Izlan yawned as she and Charion approached the men. “Yes. We stayed long enough to hear Captain Naider implicate Watch Commander Wills as an accomplice. Naider admitted this was not the first port they’ve harvested. I hope that Sloan will be able to get the captain to provide information regarding his prior cargos. Maybe something can be done by the Magistrate to help those children. Naider has been trading in girls and boys. It seems he was just after girls this passage.”
Qwen spoke up. “It has not only been boys and girls Captain Naider has transported. The chamber the children were kept in was conjured to keep a Practitioner of the Arts imprisoned, as well. We still don’t know if the captain is working for himself or someone else. He has much to answer for.”
Slag nodded. “Qwen, do you have any way to determine the identity of the person responsible for the conjures?”
He shook his head. “It could be a Rune Master or another Practitioner. I was worried the culprit was going to be present tonight. Combat between Practitioners is dangerous not only to people but also to property. It’s my hope that the work was commissioned.”
Slag sighed. “Guess that is something else for us to try and learn from Naider. We have more questions than answers. I may have to use Trade resources to investigate further.”
Izlan didn’t envy the good captain and whoever had to extract the information from him. “Trade Master, do you have knowledge of your apprentices?
Slag smiled. “Word was delivered to me that your wards are safely at the Temple. Liddea and the other rescued girls have arrived there, as well.”
Izlan took in a deep breath then slowly let it out before addressing Turk, Qwen, and the Set. “The assault on the Wave Dancer could not have gone any better. It would have ended quite differently if not for your actions.”
Turk nodded in acknowledgement, but he and the Set maintained their silence.
“Thank you.” Qwen turned to Slag. “By the way, one of the crew, a rather odiferous fellow, got away. I intend to locate and deal with him. I don’t know how long it will take, but I will keep you informed. For now I plan to go home and get a little rest.”
“Thank you, Qwen. Let me know if you have to leave Arlanda. Turk could lend you a hand...,” Slag added.
“Your offer is appreciated, but I have my own agents helping me. All I require is a little rest and a day to prepare before I start my search. Please inform the children of my absence. Their testing will have to wait till my return.” Qwen gave everyone an abbreviated bow before transforming into a Zephyr and flowing out the room.
Izlan was caught off guard by Qwen’s sudden disappearance. His legs began to blur, contract, and then b
ecome transparent. The rest of him quickly followed. The silent transformation was accompanied by a brief draft of air. Before he vanished, he hadn’t conjured, as would have most Practitioners she knew.
Charion laughed. “There is more to that man than what he wants seen. Bet he has quite a few stories to tell.”
Turk spoke for the first time in Izlan’s presence. “Qwen is one of the kindest people I know, yet he is also one of the most dangerous.”
Charion began to gather the healing supplies the Raiders had left at the warehouse. “Fortunately, we didn’t need to use all this. Injuries were surprisingly limited.”
Slag rose slowly with effort and approached Izlan. “Commander Casteel, I owe you an apology. It appears I mistook you for an interfering busybody who questioned every step I’ve taken in the training of the children. I know now that you were looking out for the welfare of the members of your company as any good commander would. In the future, unless Trade secrets are involved, I will endeavor to better include you in what I have planned for the apprentices’ education.”
Izlan smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Trade Master. I appreciate not having to consider you an adversary when it comes to the children. You’ve shown me that you do care about them and don’t consider them a commodity to be used to your advantage. But when it comes to your secrets, you may be surprised at what I already know. Your apology is accepted.”
She turned to help Charion with their gear. “It is time we headed to the Temple. Trade Master, please have this chest delivered to me.” Izlan didn’t wait to hear what Slag had to say nor see the questioning look her announcement elicited. She shouldered one of the large packs and accompanied Charion from the warehouse. “We haven’t had a raid in a long time. It felt good to kit up again.”
Charion studied Izlan, watching her intently as they traveled side by side down the road. “I still think you have feelings for Slag, the way you treat him like one of the wild horses I used to watch you break.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Charion. I’m the Matriarch of the Temple of the Ladies of Life. I have no desire to take up with Slag or anyone else.”