Bound by Fire

by Ronald Craft

Chapter 33

  The sky above had been clear, the birds flying lazily around the mast as they set off to sea. The Death Dealer glided smooth as silk through the deep blue waters. Even the crew had been in high spirits as the sea sparkled before them.

  That had quickly changed.

  Ilian fought to hold the contents of his last meal inside of his stomach. All around him, the sea savaged the Death Dealer. Blow after blow it raged against them, looking for a chink in their armor.

  The ocean hungered, and it was not easily sated.

  He rubbed a bump on his forehead from a tumble he'd taken earlier. After sleep finally came to him, he was woken unceremoniously by a topple to the floor. Amaren sat on the edge of his cot, a cup of water in his hand. He seemed to be fairing far better than Ilian.

  “Aye, seems even the sea itself wants you dead,” Amaren quipped.

  Ilian grimaced. “Feels like my stomach is tied in knots.”

  I miss solid land already. The worst part about this is that I'll have to ride a boat back after we leave the islands. Blacksmiths weren't built for sea travel.

  He held his head in his hands.

  Amaren smirked. “You'll get used to it in time, boy. Once you become tuned to the water beneath you, you'll find your sea legs.” Amaren laughed and patted Ilian on the shoulder. “Though, spend enough time at sea, and you may lose your land legs. I've seen sailors so long out to sea they rock and sway on land as if they're still on the ship. Look like their stone drunk, they do.” He burst into a fit of laughter, and Ilian joined in.

  A loud boom cut off their laughter as the door slammed open. Karena stood in the doorway, her eyes filled with fury.

  “Omus wants you on deck.” Her gaze looked right through him as she spoke.

  Amaren emptied his cup, and tossed it onto the floor. “I'll go.”

  Karena didn't move. “He wants both of you.”

  “Both of us?” Ilian's voice sounded foreign to him. His mouth was dry, and with his stomach in knots he hardly felt like braving the deck in this storm.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Are you deaf now? Yes, both of you. On the deck. Now.” She spun around, and was gone.

  "Since when does she speak for Omus?" Amaren asked as he pulled on his boots.

  Ilian shrugged. "I don't know what to think of her anymore after yesterday."

  Amaren returned his look. "I think she's mad at you. You never know, she might be trying to play hard to get,” he gibed.

  Ilian rolled his eyes. “Surely you jest. I want no part of what's between her legs.”

  And yet, he had found himself oddly attracted to her back in the mountains.

  Ilian dared not speak of that to Amaren.

  "What could she possibly be angry at me about? Oh wait, I seem to recall punching her in the face. Yes, that might do it.” He stalked out of the room to the sound of Amaren's deep laughter.

  Water splashed Ilian's face, and soaked his clothes as they climbed onto the deck. He rubbed the water from his eyes, and breathed into his hands.

  So much for being warm.

  All around them the crew ran about their tasks with practiced skill as Omus barked orders from the wheel of the ship. Even in the storm, his voice rang loud and clear for all to hear. The sea looked much as it had the last time Ilian had ventured onto the deck.

  Angry.

  Thick clouds hung over them with no break in sight, large waves crashed against the ship, and rain pummeled the deck making it slick to walk on. They had already lost one crew member. Ilian never even heard the man cry out. One moment he was trimming the sail, and the next he was gone over the side of the ship. The crew hadn't even stopped to look for him. He pleaded with Omus to turn the ship around, but the Captain only shrugged.

  “Boy,” Omus said, “the sea doesn't return what it takes from us. If he had fastened himself with a rope, like I told 'em, then mayhap he'd still be with us. He brought his own undoing.”

  Ilian made sure his feet were well planted with each step ever since.

  Karena stood by Omus, her hands gripping the railing. Her cold eyes followed their progress across the deck. When they reached Omus, several moments passed before he acknowledged their presence.

  “'Bout time you showed up. I have good, bad, and terrible news. Which would you like first?”

  Ilian shared a look with Amaren. “Might as well start with the worst first. What's the terrible news?”

  Omus gestured behind him. “Look behind the ship.”

  Ilian looked past Omus. “All I see is water.”

  Karena sighed. “Now you're blind too? Look more carefully.”

  He squinted. “What? I don't see...” His eyes locked onto a large fin trailing behind them. He groaned. “Do I want to know what that fin is attached to?”

  Omus turned the wheel, and barked an order. “The ship wrecker, Kelsa. It's taken to eating both the ships, and the passengers they carry over the years.” A spray of water splashed them. and Omus shook the water out of his hair. “Seems they've come to like the taste of human flesh more than other ocean creatures.”

  “It can follow us even in this storm?” Amaren asked, his brow creased in worry.

  “That's where the bad news come in, old friend.” Omus met Amaren's gaze. “It don't have to keep up with us. The Kelsa has a tentacle that they use to latch onto their prey. All they have to do is hang on until the conditions are in their favor."

  "And we're the prey," Karena said.

  This voyage keeps getting better and better. I don't fancy breaking bread with the goddess of the sea on the ocean bottom. If the gods are going to take me, at least wait until I'm on solid land again. He stared past Omus at the giant fin that stalked them.

  “So,” Ilian began, “what news could possibly be good after those dark tidings?”

  The captain smiled. “So long as we're in this storm it can't attack. And, if we're crafty, we might be able to dislodge it from the ship. Should it lose its grip in these waters. it'll never find its way back to us.”

  A wave crashed into the ship, sending it rocking to the side. Ocean spray soaked the deck, and sailors clamored for purchase. Ilian clutched the railing, his bladder threatening to let loose at any moment.

  “And how do you propose we do this?” Ilian squeaked.

  “Yes, just what do you propose?” Amaren echoed.

  “Someone has to go down there and cut it off.” Omus stared straight ahead, his jaw clenched.

  “Are you bloody mad, Omus?” Ilian shouted. “You think anyone can survive getting pummeled by the sea on this fool's errand?” The words spilled out of his mouth before he could think to keep his lips shut.

  Karena shook her head. “It's either that, or rot in the belly of that monster.” She turned her gaze on Amaren. “I'd gladly throw anyone too craven overboard.”

  “It'll take more than the sea to kill me, lass. You know that well enough yourself.”

  “Looks like we've found our volunteer, then.” Omus chimed in.

  Karena smiled wickedly.

  Amaren's mouth gaped and his skin turned a shade paler.

  “Now, listen here Omus,” Amaren jabbed the captain in the shoulder. “I may be immortal, but that doesn't mean my body won't rot on the bottom of the sea like any other. I'm no fish, ya' know.”

  “We wouldn't want to inflict you upon the poor fish. Best you succeed, Amaren.” Karena said, her voice ice-cold.

  There's certainly no love lost between these two. I feel like I'm standing between two wolves as they fight for the last scrap of meat.

  Amaren grumbled. “I'd sooner toss you into the sea and be done with you, wench.” He glared at Omus. “So, what's your grand plan for this endeavor captain?”

  “I hadn't put much thought into it,” Omus admitted, “But I figured we'd tie a rope around your waist and toss you overboard. A couple strong lads oughta be enough to hold on to ya.”

&
nbsp; “That's your plan?” Amaren shouted. “There's no way I'm doing that. Let the monster eat us.” He made to turn away.

  “I'll do it.” Ilian heard himself say. What am I thinking? Have I lost my mind? “If Amaren won't do it, then I will.”

  Karena snorted. “The boy has more courage than a grown man. An immortal grown man at that. Where did all that bravado go from our first encounter, Amaren? Does the sea monster scare you? Want me to hold you, and whisper sweet nothings in your ear?”

  “I'm no boy, Karena.” Ilian chimed in.

  Karena chuckled. “Then what are you? A unicorn? A pretty little butterfly? Whatever you may be, it's certainly not a man.”

  Ilian ground his teeth. She's in a fine mood today. I suppose her attitude towards me wouldn't improve after I punched her.

  Amaren stopped, and faced Ilian. His shoulders slumped in defeat. “You have a big mouth for such a small woman. I liked you better when you were on the verge of death.” He sighed. “It seems I have no choice in the matter. Fine, get me the rope, and let's get this over with.”

  Omus barked an order, and a crew member with shaggy hair and a long unkempt mustache dumped a coil of rope at their feet before vanishing back onto the lower deck.

  Ilian handed an end of the rope to Amaren and he tied it around his waist.

  What happens if he falls into the ocean and never comes back? Will it be the sea monster that claims him or the sea itself? Can even an immortal survive in the belly of a monster or on the bottom of the sea? Whatever the answers may be, should he fail to return, my situation will become even more perilous with nobody between me and Karena.

  Ilian chanced a glance at Karena. She was standing as she was before, her eyes cold and implacable, yet he felt a sense of wrongness about her. Karena's up to something. I can feel it. She's been egging Amaren on since he set foot on the deck. He slid his eyes away as her gaze turned towards his own.

  Ilian kept his facial expression neutral as the realization dawned on him.

  She means to kill Amaren.

  I should warn Omus and Amaren and tell them not to do this.

  He shook his head. No, they'd never listen to me. I can't let Karena know that I've figured out her plan.

  He walked up to Amaren, and yanked on the rope around his waist.

  Pray that I can save you before it's too late.

  “Now, that's no way to tie a knot you big oaf. Here, let me show you how my father showed me to tie a knot. He called it the knot that can never be untied; so strong that you'd have to cut the rope off after you tied it.”

  Amaren raised an eyebrow. “I think you bumped your head a bit too hard below. I know how to tie my knots.”

  Ilian yanked on the rope. “Let me show you, Amaren. It won't take but a moment.” Amaren stumbled towards him, and nearly fell.

  “You're mad, boy.” Amaren untied the rope. “But, suit yourself. This bloody knot of yours had better be as good as you say. or you'll have a matching bump on the other side of your head.”

  “Don't worry,” Ilian said. “It'll be all that and more. A real life saver.”

  Ilian wrapped the rope around Amaren's large waist, and slowly began to tie the knot.

  Truth be told, I haven't any skill with knots. I hope he doesn't smack me too hard.

  “She means to kill you,” Ilian whispered.

  Amaren stared at him. “What'd ya say? You gotta speak up, boy. I can hardly hear over the noise from this damned ocean.”

  “And here I thought it was your mouth flapping in the wind that was making all this noise,” Karena mocked from behind them.

  The big man's face grew red, but he ignored her.

  “She's gonna try to kill you” Ilian said a little bit louder.

  Amaren's expression didn't change. He looked down at the shoddy knot, and with a tug the rope fell to the ground. “It's like you want me to drown. While you're here mucking around with the rope, there's a hungry sea monster waiting for an opportunity to eat us attached to the ship.” He scooped up the rope and quickly retied the knot. “Remind me to teach you how to tie a knot after this is said and done.”

  Did he not hear me? I have to make sure he knows.

  Amaren smacked him across the side of the head as promised. Ilian stumbled, dizzy from the pain. The big man extended his hand, and pulled Ilian to his feet. As he pulled Ilian up he whispered in his ear, “She won't succeed.”

  And then Amaren was walking towards the rear of the ship.

  Thank the gods'. Now, how do we stop her? Karena is much too quick for me in a fight.

  Omus shouted to a burly member of his crew, and the man sprinted over towards them.

  “What'da need, Cap'n?” The man asked. His shirt was tattered, and much too small for him.

  “Gram, I need you to hold a rope with the boy here and make sure Amaren doesn't end up fish food.”

  “Aye Cap'n.”

  Omus's look was stern. “If you drop him into the sea I'm dropping you in there with him, ya hear me Gram?”

  “I won't let em drop, Cap'n.” Greggor said, his face dull and unreadable.

  “You got a good, heavy axe I can use Omus?” Amaren asked.

  Omus stared at Amaren, disbelief in his eyes. “I don't got no axe for you, Amaren. What would we need an axe for on a ship? There ain't no trees in the sea.”

  “Oh, I was hoping you kept one on board for all the treasonous heads you had to lop off,” Amaren sneered.

  Omus's knuckles turned white as he gripped the wheel. “T'was the old crew, Amaren. These are some right fine men I have here. No heads' be rolling these days.”

  “I have an axe should it please the Cap'n.”

  All eyes turned on Gram.

  “You have an axe, Gram? What for?”

  Gram shrugged. “I dun like swords, Cap'n. They feel too small in my hands.”

  Omus sighed. “All right, so they're not perfect. Go grab your axe, Gram.”

  Gram ran off to fetch his axe from below. Nobody spoke, but the thought of what lurked behind them was apparent on all their faces. Their eyes were locked on the fin that still followed them from behind, swerving from side to side as the boat lurched through the water.

  A bird flew in the distance, struggling, and failing to make progress against the wind. It squawked, and turned back the way it had come.

  “Must be close to land,” Omus pointed out.

  Amaren covered his eyes, and looked off into the distance. “Eh? I don't see anything.”

  “Sometimes you need to use your brain,” Karena stated. “Though, I imagine there's naught but cobwebs in there.”

  Omus shook his head, a thin smile on his lips. “Birds need somewhere to rest. They won't fly too far from land.”

  Today really isn't Amaren's day. It's nice to not be on the receiving end, this time.

  Amaren brooded in silence, his back turned to them.

  Gram returned, a great two handed axe in his hand. The blades were notched in several places and the shaft had some chunks out of it, but otherwise it seemed sturdy enough for the task at hand.

  Amaren hefted the axe in his one good hand. Where it looked large in Gram's hands it seemed small in comparison when Amaren held onto the axe.

  It still surprises me at just how massive Amaren is sometimes, Ilian thought to himself. The man could crush my head with just one hand.

  Ilian eyed the stump where Amaren's hand used to be, and felt a twinge of guilt. I suppose one hand is all he has now.

  They wrapped the rope around the railing at the back of the ship, and Amaren climbed over and sat on the edge. Waves slammed against the boat, and soaked his legs. He wrapped his arm around a post, and held on despite the oceans' efforts to draw him into its depths.

  “Ready?” Amaren asked.

  “Aye” Gram said.

  Ilian nodded. “I'm ready when you are, Amaren.”

  Amaren glanced at K
arena, then back at Ilian. “I suppose it's time we sent this beast on its way.” He smiled and then launched himself over the side of the boat. The ocean roared around him.

  Ilian silently thanked his years of blacksmithing for building his upper body strength. It felt like the rope was attached to a boulder. The rope burned his hands as he and Greggor lowered Amaren down. The muscles in his arms strained with the effort, but he gritted his teeth and held fast.

  It wasn't until they had lowered Amaren to the bottom of the boat that Ilian realized it wasn't the sea that roared.

  He chanced a look around him. Pin needles of light shot through the clouds, and the waves seemed to grow weaker with each crash against the boat.

  The storm is losing its strength.

  A strange vibration swept through the ship, and shook his body all the way up to the teeth. Ilian's gaze fell upon the fin behind them.

  What was that? Did it come from the Kelsa?

  “Cap'n, I think we'd better get the cannons ready,” Gram said.

  Omus turned his head. “We'll need more than cannons for that.”

  A mouth full of jagged, and mismatched rows of teeth emerged from the surface behind them. A roar that shook every plank on the Death Dealer burst from its throat.

  Ilian gulped. “It sounds hungry.”