CHAPTER 31
Cam watched Puri as she waited for the horses to cross the planks from the dock into the hold of the ship. She appeared to ignore the onlookers, staring at the animals entering the ship without the use of a bridle to guide them. The faces of surrounding sailors and dockworkers reflected everything from confusion to curiosity. When the last horse crossed, the sailors pulled the planks and secured the cargo door. The sailors then set the planks to run from the pier to the ship’s deck to allow Cam and his companions to board.
Having spent a fair amount of his early years on the ships at the docks at Nor Torin, Cam experienced a thrill when he stepped on board, feeling as if he had now remembered a part of him that he’d forgotten. While his older brothers were busy loading ships, Cam would often play on board, pretending he was a famous captain or a pirate. Sometimes the ship captains allowed him to remain aboard for short day runs in the area. However, he had never actually been out to open sea. A smile crossed his face as he looked out at the sunlit blue waters.
He turned toward the planks, ready to help the others step aboard. Benny’s face reflected the excitement that Cam felt; Tipper’s did as well. Brock, Ashland, Lars, and Libby appeared merely curious. Parker was nonchalant as ever, but that could be expected since he had sailed numerous times before. However, the look on Puri’s face was different. If Cam didn’t know better, he’d swear the strong-willed woman’s eyes showed fear.
Her hand gripped his firmly as she stepped onto the deck. With her aboard, the captain called for his crew to pull the planks and ready the ship.
While the others made their way to the bow, hugging the rail as they looked on in expectation, Cam and Puri lingered behind.
“Are you okay?” Cam asked, concerned.
Puri looked at him, her eyes flashing anger. “Of course. Why would I not be okay?”
Cam shrugged. “Well, I assume you’ve never been on a ship before. It’s a new thing, and sometimes new things are scary.”
She shook her head. “Nonsense. It’s not that it’s new. It’s just unnatural,” she replied. “Men and horses were meant to be on land, not water. That’s why we have feet and hooves and not fins.”
Cam nodded, expecting that she was afraid but wouldn’t admit it. He liked Puri, but she still confused him. Tegan had confused him as well. Glancing toward the bow, he saw Brock at the rail with one arm around Ashland. Cam felt a pang a jealousy. Those two seemed to have a special connection. It must be because Brock understood women. Maybe he should have Brock explain them to him.
The captain shouted, and a sailor began to coil the thick rope that had held them to the mooring. The ship began to drift from the long wooden pier, turning toward the open water.
The captain called out again “To your marks!”
Cam watched as two men began to scramble up the foremast near the bow of the ship. He turned to find others scaling the rigging on the main mast and mizzenmast. Other men scurried around the deck, getting into position and grabbing lines.
The captain bellowed again. “Unfurl the courses! Let go the clew lines! Let go the buntlines! Sheet the sail!”
The men above worked with precision as the lowest sail on each mast expanded to a white sheet, rippling in the breeze. They then climbed to a higher position in the rigging, ready for the next sail as the captain’s voice called out again.
“Unfurl lower topsails! Let go the clews! Let go the buntlines! Sheet the sail!”
After unfurling the lower topsails, the men climbed even higher.
“Unfurl upper topsails! Hoist the yards! Let go the downhauls!”
Craning his neck, Cam watched the upper topsail rising along with the long wooden pole that held it. Once in place, the men climbed to the very top of the rigging. Once more, the captain called out.
“Unfurl topgallant sails! Hoist the yards! Let go the downhauls!”
With all sails ready and waffling loosely, the men shot down the rigging to return to the deck. The crew on the deck pulled lines tight, securing them to cleats on the deck and rails. Cam turned toward the stern to see the captain standing on the quarterdeck. The man nodded and said something to the short blonde woman who stood at the wheel.
The ship turned again. The sails above rippled loudly until snapping full.
They picked up speed, and the pier behind them began shrinking into the distance.
Cam smiled. He had always liked sailing and the rush he felt from it. He looked toward Puri, who looked even worse than before. The bow rose up as the ship left the calm of the harbor, hitting the breakers just beyond. He smiled again at the rush.
He looked at Puri, happy to share this experience with her. Her tanned face turned white and she ran to the rail. He waited for her to finish retching before approaching her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, genuinely concerned.
Anger flashed in her eyes. “I’m not weak.”
Cam’s brow furrowed. “I can’t imagine anyone ever thinking you’re weak.”
The anger in her eyes seemed to cool. She nodded. “I just don’t like being ill. We Tantarri are taught to be strong.”
Cam’s hand cupped her shoulder. “Trust me. We all know that you’re strong. Anyone can get seasick. It’s not a choice. You just need some time to get used to the ocean and then you’ll feel better.”
Her dark brown eyes locked with his in a moment of tension. Cam hoped that she saw his sincerity. When she gave a brief nod, Cam smiled.
The ship suddenly dipped low, rising high before dropping low again. Cam saw Puri’s face whiten further as her eyes grew wide. She leaned over the rail, emptying the remaining contents from her stomach.
“Welcome aboard.”
Cam turned to find a tall man crossing the deck toward them. The man wore a red leather vest over a tan long-sleeve shirt that was cinched at his waist by a thick black leather belt. Serving dual-purpose, the belt also supported the dark brown trousers that were tucked into his black leather boots. A black brimmed hat covered the majority of his brown hair and a single white plume jutted up from the hat, dancing in the wind like a miniature feathered sail. His short-trimmed dark beard framed a handsome face with enough lines to show that he was much older than Cam.
Holding out a hand, the man introduced himself. “Well, met. I’m Captain Sinclair.” He smiled as Cam shook his hand. “Welcome aboard Star Dancer.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m Cameron.” Cam looked over at Puri, who seemed to have recovered somewhat. “This is Puri.”
Sinclair took Puri’s hand, bowing as he kissed it. “Welcome aboard. It’s a pleasure to have such an exotic beauty on my ship,” he said with a smile as he looked her up and down.
Puri’s eyes narrowed. “I am not a toy. I am a warrior. If you or any of your men try to touch me, you will regret it,” she said, in a fierce tone.
Sinclair held his hand up. “Sorry. I meant no offense.”
“Sinclair!”
Cam turned to see Parker approaching.
“Thank you for launching early,” Parker said as he shook the man’s hand.
Sinclair smiled. “Thank you for the extra silver marks. We were already loaded, so leaving early was of little inconvenience.”
Parker nodded toward the others as they gathered around him. “Would you mind showing us to our cabins so we can get settled?”
With a nervous glance toward Puri, Sinclair responded.
“Yes. Come along, then,” he said, waving them to follow as he headed for the stairs.
Cam looked at Puri, who continued to stare daggers at the flamboyant captain’s back.
He cleared his throat and spoke to her. “I think you scared him.”
She looked at him, hopeful. “Do you think so?”
Cam nodded, which earned him a smile. “Okay, then. Let’s go check out our cabins.”
Cam followed her toward the steps, deciding he’d never understand women.
CHAPTER 32
Gulls overhead circled in sea
rch of fish driven by the ship cutting through the deep blue salt water. Sweat beading on Cam’s brow cooled and dried by the swift ocean breeze. The deck below his feet rose and fell with the rhythm of the waves.
Though the crew of Star Dancer watched in silence, Cam ignored them and everything else. Losing focus could result in a lost limb or even a quick death.
He held his sword low, ready to counter. The attack came, forcing him to spin beneath and to swing low at his enemy’s legs. He rose to block, countering again with a quick strike to take out another enemy. Twisting, he dodged an attack before spinning with a backhand slash followed by a slash at a foe on his other side.
Another enemy dove into the fray and Cam turned to parry before slicing with a return strike. His foe went down, instantly replaced by another. On and on they came at him and fell to the might of his blade.
“You’re holding the tip too low when you pause.”
He turned to find Puri emerging from the stairs. Her eyes drifted to his bare torso, with a coat of sweat gleaming in the sun.
“What?” he asked.
She smiled, stepping closer as he lowered his blade. “Holding your blade low might be easier on your wrists, but being lazy is a good way to die.”
Cam’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”
In a flash, she had her blade free from the baldric on her back and held it before him.
“You should hold your blade higher, like this. That way, you have coiled energy in your wrist and are always ready to strike.”
Cam nodded. What she said made sense. He lifted his sword, matching her pose.
Puri smiled. “Good.”
He dodged as her sword flashed past; close enough to feel the moving air against his shoulder. Spinning, he prepared for another attack.
She smiled again, holding her sword ready. She slashed at his mid-section, which he blocked, the clang of the swords striking ringing loudly in his ears. Her blade twisted to slash at his other side, which he also blocked. He sliced upward toward her, but she spun away with her sword coming around, leveled at his neck. Ducking, he lunged with a thrust that she twisted around as she spun about to face him again. Puri attacked with a series of swift slashes. Despite her repeated attempts, he blocked each before jumping backward to create space.
With both of them breathing hard, they stared into each other’s eyes. She had a slight edge on speed, much like Brock. He knew that he had an edge on strength. If he wanted to beat her, he needed to use that strength to his advantage. Just as he worked out a strategy, she lowered her sword and smiled.
“That was fun. You are not bad for an outlander.”
Confused, Cam lowered his sword. “Um…thanks.”
He turned toward the sound of applause and found Sinclair approaching as he clapped soundly. The other sailors who’d been watching echoed Sinclair, clapping heartily until Sinclair held his hand up to still them.
“That was quite a performance,” Sinclair said. “I’ve not had such skilled duelists aboard my ship before. It was truly a treat to watch.” He gave a low bow before turning toward Puri. “You are a most skilled warrior, Miss Puri.”
Puri’s eyes narrowed at Sinclair and she responded with a brief nod.
Sinclair redirected his attention to Cam. “When I first saw you practicing with the sword, I thought that perhaps it was just for show. After your fierce exchange, I can see that you are indeed a force, Mister Cameron.”
Cam nodded. “Thanks, Captain.”
Sinclair smiled, patting Cam on the shoulder as he walked past him on his way to the cabin below the quarterdeck.
Cam’s eyes glanced up to the small woman guiding the ship. She nodded to him when their eyes met. It surprised him that the captain entrusted someone so young with steering the large vessel. He spotted Parker and Benny in deep discussion at the rail behind her.
When his gaze returned to Puri, she was sheathing her long curved sword.
Cam nodded toward the weapon as he sheathed his own. “The Tantarri seem to favor that type of sword. I’m not familiar with it.”
Puri’s eyebrow raised in surprised. “The sabre? You don’t have this weapon in your lands?”
Cam shrugged. “Not that I’ve seen.”
Puri shrugged in response. “It is the sword I know; designed for quick strikes and excellent for slashing. It works quite well when we are riding.”
Cam reflected on her statement as he bent to retrieve his shirt. It was easy to imagine how the light single-handed weapon would be effective from atop a horse. When he looked in her direction, Puri was again openly leering at his bare torso. Feeling a flush of embarrassment, he pulled his shirt over his head.
He suddenly realized that she appeared to be feeling better. Now two days into their journey, Puri had spent almost the entire time in the cabin she shared with Libby and Ashland.
“You look like you’ve recovered,” he noted.
“Yes. I feel much better,” she said, nodding. “I see two of your companions, but where are the others?”
“I believe that Lars is taking a nap,” Cam replied. “Brock, Ashland, Tipper, and Libby went somewhere to practice Chaos runes.” Cam replied.
“Chaos?”
“I think it’s what you call lost magic,” he replied.
Her brow raised. “The others can use the lost magic?”
Cam nodded as he began walking toward the quarterdeck. “Yes. Brock thinks it’ll be important for them to learn. Ashland’s already quite good, but Tipper and Libby are new to it.”
He climbed the six steps to the quarterdeck with Puri following.
“Hi, Cam.” Benny smiled.
“For a minute, I thought she was trying to kill you down there,” Parker said.
“You outlanders know nothing,” Puri replied as she reached the deck. “If I wanted him dead, he’d be dead already.”
Cam tried to determine if she was joking, but she appeared serious.
Benny and Parker laughed, deciding it was a joke. After laughing a moment, Benny spoke.
“Tenzi here was explaining how the ship uses the wind for sailing. It’s quite interesting.”
“Tenzi?” Cam asked.
The short woman steering the ship turned, giving a small bow before turning back to the wheel.
“Did you know that the ship can’t sail directly against the wind?” Benny’s excitement showed as he spoke. “Instead, they have to go at an angle, turning frequently if they are running a coarse into the wind.”
Parker nodded, as if it were obvious.
Cam nodded as well. “I know a bit of how it works. I’ve spent a fair amount of time on ships in Nor Torin’s harbor.”
Puri grumbled. “I still think it’s unnatural. Men were not meant to be on the water.”
Tenzi turned, addressing the taller woman. “Sailing is the most natural thing there is. It’s a dance on the ocean with the wind as your partner.” She sounded bemused as she spoke. “To sail, you must embrace the mother wind, bending to her will as she propels you across the sea.”
Puri stared down at the other woman. “Well, that’s fine as long as she propels you across the sea and not into it.”
CHAPTER 33
Brock climbed the steps from their cabins onto the empty foredeck. Above the bow, the eastern sky glowed as it prepared to welcome the sun. He glanced backward, seeing Ashland’s gorgeous face glowing in the pre-dawn light. The wind blew her curly brown hair back, making it look a bit wild. She flashed him a smile, which he returned.
Grabbing her hand, he pulled her toward the bow. They latched onto the rail as the ship rose and fell in time with the waves below. This was their last chance to watch the breaking dawn together before the voyage ended.
Having grown up along the west coast, Brock had seen the sun set into the ocean waters countless times. Until this voyage, he’d never seen the sun rise up from the ocean. The previous two mornings, he and Ashland had risen before the others to watch the sunrise together. Unli
ke the previous dawns, today they could see the silhouette of land against the brightening horizon.
Minutes later, a sliver of light edged over the mass of land far to their east. The sliver soon evolved into a ball of fire floating low above the horizon. As the sun rose into the heavens, the coast ahead began to take shape.
In the distance, tall towers jutted into the sky above the city of Sol Polis. The city spread out along the coast, unable to remain captive within the walls that had attempted to define it. Brock had heard that the capital was big, but it he hadn’t expected it to be this large. Sol Polis appeared bigger than Kantar and Nor Torin combined
The harbor was already teeming with life as smaller craft set sail to the north and south, hugging the coastline. Two ships the size of Star Dancer launched, their sails being unfurled as they drifted from the pier.
Brock glanced toward Ashland, who looked radiant in the bright light of the rising sun. He heart leapt every time their eyes met. I love you. He thought to her.
I know. How could you not love me? She replied, cracking a smile.
He laughed, turning toward the city that was their destination. Despite the low odds of their quest succeeding, he felt confident. With Ashland by his side, he felt as if he could do anything and the odds became irrelevant. Of course, he was quite happy to have the support of his friends as well.
As the ship closed the distance to the docks, others from their group began to join them. When Sinclair called the men to their marks to lower the sails, Brock’s companions were all at the bow and eager to dock.
As the sails were drawn, the ship slowed. By the time all sails were furled and secured, the ship was less than a hundred feet from the pier. A man ran along the long dock, waving a flag as he neared an open mooring. Sinclair called out orders, and Tenzi steered the ship toward the designated berth. Men along the rail tossed thick lines to workers on the pier. With the lines secured to the thick posts rising above the dock, Tenzi turned the ship to slow the last bit until the secured ropes pulled tight. After straining on the ropes for a moment, the ship relented and settled into its mooring.
The Emblem Throne (The Runes of Issalia Book 2) Page 16