‘For what?’ Caleb asked, arching his brow.
‘For helping to rescue us,’ Rhidian continued. ‘I’d hate to think what life Red and I would have had on that ship.’ He wiped the excess tears from his eyes, hiding his face from the wizard.
‘You wouldn’t have stayed alive much longer, I’m afraid,’ Caleb admitted bluntly.
‘Why? What would they have done to us?’ Rhidian pressed, uncertain as to what the answer was going to be.
‘You were both due to be… let’s just say you would have joined the crew, whether you wanted to or not,’ Caleb said, sounding really ominous. Rhidian looked serious for a moment.
‘You mean they would have taken our souls and made us into… one of them?’ He gasped and opened his mouth in shock.
‘I’m afraid so,’ Caleb added. Rhidian stroked his chin and suddenly he didn’t feel quite as tired as he had been, pondering on what might have been.
‘Those pirates are the least of our problems,’ Rebus spoke as he entered the room; the tempo of the conversation took an even more sinister path. ‘Believe me, there will be darker times ahead.’
‘So what now?’ Red said dryly as he flicked open his eyes.
‘For you two, a few hours’ sleep,’ Rebus insisted.
‘Yes, you should both get some rest,’ Caleb said as he took the helm.
‘You won’t get an argument from me,’ Rhidian said, yawning again.
‘We’ll take it from here,’ Rebus added. ‘Go on, off you go.’
‘Okay. Just keep her straight and if you come across anything unusual, or there’s a problem with the engines, wake me up.’
‘We’ve got it from here,’ Rebus said, gently nodding his head.
‘All right, see you later. Come on, Red.’ Rhidian said to the boy and they waved as they made their way to the cabins. Caleb steered as best as he could and Rebus stood at his side. Rebus loved the grunt and vibration from the ship’s heart. It was way different to the stone-cold feel of the prison: damp walls and lifeless inmates.
‘OK, push that handle.’ Rebus indicated a lever on the console. Caleb pushed the throttle forward, the engine growled into life and the sudden motion made Rebus grab for something solid to keep his balance. ‘Easy. Be a bit more gentle. She’s very sensitive,’ he said.
‘S-sorry, it’s the first time I’ve ever done this,’ he admitted sheepishly.
‘It’s OK, just ease it back a little.’ Caleb did as he was asked and the revs dropped. ‘Keep it like that for a while,’ Rebus instructed.
‘You’ve done this before?’ Caleb said with interest.
‘Not for a long time, but it’s coming back to me.’ He smiled and Caleb grinned back. ‘You were on Valusha then?’ Rebus probed, raising his voice to combat the revs of the motor.
‘Yes-yes I was,’ Caleb repeated, and lifted his voice, wondering what was coming next. Rebus paused and slowly rolled his eyes, trying to catch Caleb’s full attention.
‘How come I never saw you there?’ Rebus quizzed with a hint of suspicion.
‘Am I under investigation now?’ Caleb snapped back and creased his face. He thought he’d already proved himself.
‘No-no, just general conversation.’ Rebus widened his mouth to a smile. ‘Nothing more.’
‘Okay.’ Caleb took time to collect his thoughts before explaining himself.
‘Well,’ Rebus badgered, waiting for an answer.
‘All right, all right,’ Caleb finally relented. ‘I entered Valusha at the peak of all the troubles.’ Rebus listened intently. ‘I felt the force that dampened my powers straight away as I entered the city. So, I masked them so that I wouldn’t be found out. As you know, the whole place was in disarray, so I hid as soon as I could. I mixed in with the population and no one suspected who I was.’
The wizard kept his eyes dead ahead when he spoke. ‘Over the next few days, I noticed people escaping and realised that they were wizards too. As you know…’ Caleb turned his head slightly and looked at Rebus, ‘even if a wizard’s powers are useless in a certain situation then another wizard can still tell that they are a sorcerer.’ Rebus nodded in agreement.
‘I continued to blend in with the locals and found work doing odd jobs. I stayed there for a year or so, but I could see things were getting worse with the new overlord and knew I had to leave. I got to know the different crew members that came to port. I gave one a couple of bottles of wine one night and waited for him to go to sleep whilst he was on watch duty. So, I stowed away on the ship. My plan was to slip off the ship unseen and start somewhere else.’
Caleb turned to Rebus and looked deeply into his eyes. ‘That’s the truth,’ he said, and didn’t flinch when he said it. Caleb could see Rebus weighing things up in his mind. And then, he blinked.
‘Ok… I believe you,’ Rebus said, finally giving in.
‘So, where are we headed?’ Caleb asked.
‘I’ve an important mission, Caleb.’ Rebus now spoke with a real importance to his tone. ‘I have to find someone called Obsidian.’ When the name left Rebus’ lips there was a flash of recognition in Caleb’s demeanour – his eyes narrowed and his breathing quickened. ‘You know Obsidian?’ Rebus questioned.
‘I don’t know him, but I’d heard all about Obsidian when I was working in Valusha. Everyone seemed sad to lose him – even though it was the population who voted in Jenta-Lor in the first place,’ Caleb said.
‘I’m sure he hypnotised them somehow. Obsidian was a good leader,’ Rebus added with a glare. ‘I have to find him and the rest of the wizards, whoever is left, and take back Valusha.’ Rebus looked grave. ‘What are your plans now?’
‘I only want a quiet life. This Jenta-Lor is an evil influence on everybody. There totally isn’t any need for that brutish police force,’ Caleb said with conviction. ‘If you want to get Valusha back for wizards to rule it once more… then I’m with you. Maybe I could make a life there if peace is restored.’
Caleb turned fully to Rebus and a smile engulfed both wizards.
‘Finding Obsidian isn’t going to be easy,’ Rebus said with a shake of his head. ‘Give me your hand?’ Caleb held out his hand and Rebus grasped it. They stood on deck, eyes closed. The connection between the two sorcerers was strong. An apparition slowly formed in their minds. There appeared a bright mist, and a figure pushed through the white curtain. It soon stood out against the background in solid form. Rebus felt a tightening of his stomach, a joyous feeling.
It was Obsidian. Even though Rebus’ eyes were shut, he felt himself smile. He wanted to speak to him, but it was only a connection of minds. Obsidian looked unhappy and alone. This tugged at Rebus’ heart. Obsidian and Rebus were great friends in Valusha and Caleb could feel the connection with both of them. The experience didn’t last and the image soon disappeared. Rebus felt himself sigh and he blinked his eyes open again. The smile was replaced by a frown. Caleb opened his eyes too and saw the sadness.
‘Did you…?’ Rebus was about to ask.
‘Yes,’ Caleb replied, not giving him the chance. ‘North, we have to head north.’
‘Yes… north.’ Rebus nodded as he still tried to keep the image of Obsidian in his mind. But it was like trying to capture smoke. He grimaced. He’d spent far too long in that prison – it had dulled his senses. He had to get Valusha back and Obsidian was the only real leader who could do this task.
Did he want to though, that was another question. Now it was the time of wizards once again. ‘Definitely north, to the Outlands,’ Rebus said with purpose; he’d never felt so determined in his entire life.
Chapter 13
Cloud Hopper
Red was already on the deck when Rhidian finally left his cabin. The warm evening breeze was welcomed after being cooped up in the small room. Rhidian glanced across the expanse and all he could see was the powder-blue sky. The ship was moving at a steady rate of knots (he could feel the chug-chug-chug of the engine through the flooring), and for the first time he felt rel
axed. He saw Red standing there, on the deck, perfectly still. Something was up. He could tell by the way he was grinning. Rhidian peered at him through half-open eyes.
‘What are you smiling about?’ he felt compelled to ask. Red burst out laughing when Rhidian questioned him. ‘What?’ Rhidian was completely mystified.
‘Okay,’ he giggled, ‘what’s the name of this ship?’ He leaned against the side and waited for the answer. Rhidian frowned because he was taken completely by surprise.
‘Uh, err, I have to say… I don’t know,’ he answered honestly.
‘Yes… I knew it,’ Red responded, almost dancing on the wooden floor, punching the air. ‘We’ve all been on this ship for days and I’ll bet no one knows what it’s called.’ Rhidian looked at the boy, and it was nice to see him being playful; after all, he was really just a kid. He thought back to the first time he’d seen him in the prison. Red was terrified back then. He was a boy in a man’s world. This sent a shiver through Rhidian’s whole body.
‘All right, smarty-pants… what is it called?’ Rhidian waited for the answer; he realised that Red already knew. The boy held back for a moment, for effect, and Rhidian peered back at him – then the waiting got too much.
‘Red… well, what’s it called? I haven’t got all day you know,’ Rhidian said impatiently.
‘Cloud Hopper,’ Red announced with an air of importance and looked really pleased with himself.
‘Oh, okay, great name,’ Rhidian said, and didn’t get the joke. He still didn’t know why it was so funny as he walked into the control room. He saw Caleb and Rebus studying a chart with great interest.
‘Hi boys, where we headed? Did you have any problems?’ Rhidian asked and broke their concentration. They looked up and gave him a welcome nod. He returned the gesture, rubbing his chin.
‘Sleep well?’ Caleb asked.
‘Yes, thanks, I really did.’
‘No, we haven’t hit any problems. Rebus was on top of it. Apparently, he worked on these things years ago,’ Caleb reported.
‘Oh, great,’ Rhidian said, happy in the knowledge that he could get the same rest as everyone else.
‘We’re going to head to the north – Gelbar, in fact,’ Rebus revealed. ‘It seems the best option.’
‘Gelbar.’ Rhidian scratched his cheek. ‘Don’t think I’ve ever heard of it, but all right. Why there? Have you sensed something?’
‘We think that Obsidian may be there, hopefully,’ Caleb chipped in.
‘You want to take over and keep her steady on this course?’ Rebus was pointing at a map.
‘I’m not really a sailor. All I know is how to maintain and repair things,’ Rhidian admitted. ‘I can steer, but you’ll have to bear with me on the navigation side of things.’
‘No problem.’ Rebus seemed confident. ‘Keep her on these co-ordinates,’ he said, as he moved his finger to the navigation setting that he’d already put in.
Rhidian studied the map intently. ‘It’s simple really, just keep the ship in line with this.’ Caleb showed him by indicating the clock-face dial with a needle inside. The needle was leading the way. ‘Stay to this and the ship will stay true.’
‘So, all I have to do is follow your settings and make sure I don’t deviate? Seems simple enough, just like you said.’ Rhidian nodded his approval and added, ‘Do you know what this ship is called?’
‘Cloud Hopper,’ Caleb replied smartly, and Rhidian’s expectations sank. ‘Why?’
‘Oh, no reason,’ he said, feeling rather sheepish. Red grinned at Caleb as he stood at the back of the cabin.
‘Red,’ Rebus called out, ‘can you sort some food for us all?’
‘Yes, right away.’ Rhidian heard the quick reaction from the teenager and chuckled. That boy is always hungry, he thought.
Caleb stepped away from the wheel and strolled outside and onto the deck. Rhidian noticed him making his way towards the bow. The sorcerer stood at dead centre, just looking out into the wide-open spaces. Rhidian kept on looking at his back; the wizard didn’t move. Soon he was joined by Rebus, and Rhidian looked on curiously. They were standing side by side like two commanders surveying a battle – something was up, Rhidian could feel it. They turned at the same time, both wearing grave faces. They entered the control room, Rebus first and then Caleb following.
‘What’s happening?’ A concerned Rhidian posed the question.
‘We have some problems,’ Rebus spoke first.
‘What kind of problems? Come on, spit it out. We’re all in this together,’ Rhidian said, feeling agitated.
‘There’s a storm ahead, for one,’ Caleb added. ‘A violent storm, we’re sure of it.’ He was rubbing his chin and looked worried.
‘What’s the other?’ Rhidian asked, thinking a violent storm was bad enough.
‘We are being followed,’ Rebus said, his bearded, grim face hard to read.
‘Followed? By who? Jenta-Lor?’ Rhidian was getting more anxious by the second.
‘We’re not really sure, but they’re gaining on us,’ Caleb said.
‘How long have you known this? What can we do?’ Rhidian was an engineer not a strategist in military manoeuvres.
‘We haven’t known for long. We kind of felt it at first… it’s a wizard thing. Well, we can’t outrun them in a cargo ship, that’s for sure,’ Rebus said simply. ‘We’re going to have to ride the storm and hope we lose them. Oh, and not get smashed up in the process,’ he added.
‘We’ll have to give it full engine revs – give it all we’ve got,’ Rhidian pressed.
‘We can’t. We don’t want to blow the engine,’ Caleb added.
‘I’ll repair it later if it does break down, but we’ve no choice now. If they catch us… it won’t matter anyway,’ Rhidian said gravely. At that point Red walked in with a tray of food and a grim look on his face too.
‘What’s up, Red?’ Rhidian said.
‘Th-there’s someone following us I think,’ he stammered. Rhidian, Caleb and Rebus burst out onto the deck. The wizards were right – they were being followed.
Far in the distance was a dark speck against the blue backdrop which was gradually getting bigger and bigger by the second.
‘They’re gaining at a rate of knots,’ Rebus realised. ‘We have to try and outmanoeuvre them.’
‘Oh, good grief, what kind of ship is that?’ Rhidian gasped. ‘We’ve only just escaped a bloody ghost ship,’ he cursed. He ran back into the control room and emerged with a pair of binoculars.
Rhidian lifted the lens to his eyes and adjusted the focus. Now he could see it plainly. It was an older vessel with a large balloon on top keeping it afloat. At least it has a weakness, Rhidian thought. The flag revealed a white background with a pair of crossed swords. ‘I don’t recognise the insignia.’
‘Let me look.’ Caleb gestured to Rhidian and tugged at his shirt. Rhidian handed it over and Caleb studied hard. ‘I would hazard to guess that it’s a pirate ship. I’ve seen that insignia before.’
‘Great,’ Rebus moaned. ‘Okay, no time to mess around. We have to get out of here.’
The cool summer breeze that had gently caressed their ship soon began to whip up into a chopping wind, making the vessel list.
‘What’s happening now?’ Red shouted.
‘That.’ Rebus pointed towards the bow and the storm that was fast erupting ahead of them. In the distance were fierce black clouds and huge spears of lightning. There was a sudden and deafening crack of thunder to add to the confusion.
‘Oh, good grief,’ Red exclaimed, almost transfixed to the spot. ‘How did that happen so quickly?’
‘I’ll take the helm!’ Rebus screeched as he dashed to the control room. ‘Find something to hold onto when you get inside. It’s going to be a rough ride.’
‘I’ll give you a hand. You’re going to need all the help you can get to steady this thing,’ Rhidian said, his voice sounding hoarse.
They all dived into the control room. Rebus and Rhidian
were at the wheel. Red and Caleb standing each side of them.
‘We need more speed,’ Rebus growled and pushed the lever to maximum. The engine lifted its revs with a huge roar, and the Cloud Hopper surged forward, the whole ship vibrating under such power.
Red peered through the back window and saw the pirate ship looming in the background. He felt his nerves twist in his stomach. He swallowed hard and turned to the others. Even though the cargo ship was at full speed, it was no match for the pirate vessel.
‘It’s gaining on us!’ Red screamed, but with the storm in full flow and the ship buffeting in the winds, it was hard to hear him.
‘Hold on, everyone, we’re going into the storm any second now,’ Rebus said, and appeared calm. He knew there was nothing more they could do. The bright, blue sky had already morphed into a murky, black hell. Bright, blinding flashes ripped through the cabin like a rapier, followed by the deafening boom of a wild thunder. Strong, gusting winds came out of nowhere and slammed against the vessel. Objects slid from side-to-side as the tray of food that Red had prepared crashed to the floor and threw its contents in all directions. Rain burst from inside the darkness and bombarded the cargo vessel with a torrential downpour.
Rhidian and Rebus wrestled the wheel as it tried to pull away from their grip. The ship rattled and rolled inside the vast, black monsoon. Sharp jabs of violent wind threw uppercuts to its mid-rift, as if in a boxing match. Red fell to the floor and slid towards the open door, his mouth wide in a scream but nothing came out.
Caleb saw what was happening and reached out to grab his leg. He managed to grip at his ankle and the wizard scrambled to a handrail to hold on to. The boy eventually found his voice and called out, but no one could hear him in the din.
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