Shattered Destiny (34 page)

Sloan laughed and hugged her close. “I should have known I would get an answer like that.”

Keera pulled away. “An answer like
what
exactly?” She crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow.

Rather than answer her, Sloan pulled her close and gave her mouth something to do besides chastising him.

*   *   *

“Looks like it's just you and me.” Saemus stood next to Jon, watching the couples make their way through the night for a little privacy.

Jon grunted. “I can't believe you're gonna let Kaelin run off with that guy!” He pointed toward the pair walking down the middle of the road. It was obvious that Brad had his arm around her shoulders, and Kaelin seemed quite content to let him manhandle her.

“What's wrong with him? Besides, she is a woman grown and perfectly capable of choosing her own husband.” Saemus knew of Jon's feelings for his sister. He also knew she did not feel the same way. Saemus was happy for Kaelin. And he liked Brad well enough. He was a good man and obviously loved his sister very much.

“He's not even Astran!” Jon wanted to chase them down and punch Brad right in the nose. Or maybe use the power to make him trip into a horse trough.

“Don't even think about it.”

Jon looked up at Saemus. “Think about what?”

“I know that look in your eye. You were considering using your power to do something to the man. It won't make a difference what you do. You could kill Brad, and Kaelin will still never love you.” Saemus hated to be so blunt, but he feared what would happen should Jon lose control of the dark magic in a jealous rage.

“I know that!” Jon snapped.

“Let's go back inside and have some ale. We should count ourselves lucky that we don't have wives to shout at us about how much we drink and smoke.” Saemus walked in through the open door, pleased to hear Jon following.

“Tell another story. Take your mind off things.”

Jon shrugged and grabbed a pint of ale from a serving maid, then took to the stage, losing himself in the favorite tales from Astran history.

ASTRA

IT TOOK ANOTHER TWO DAYS
to reach Saguach Port. Gwen felt her spirits rise the closer they got to the sea. The salty tang in the air spoke directly to her soul. She longed for the white-crested waves, the rolling motion of the ship, the cries of the gulls.

“We can hire a ship at the docks.” Saemus checked the weight of Master Brok's purse. He hoped there would be enough gold to hire a ship for all of them.

“Saemus! Look!” Gwen pointed excitedly in the direction of a long, lean ship docked at the nearest pier. The men moving about her decks looked like ants.

“It can't be - ” Saemus began but was interrupted by Gwen's squeal of delight.

She took off running down the road toward a large man still wearing a cook's apron. The laughter bubbled out of her as soon as she heard the familiar voice.

“Gwen! By the good Spirits!” Cook swept up the tiny girl and wrapped her in a bear hug.

Gwen turned at a commotion from the group. Saemus, Brad, and Forka were holding Feeror back. His normally handsome face twisted into a snarl of anger and hate.

Cook set Gwen down and slowly drew his long knife.

“No! Stop this at once!” Gwen put her hand on Cook's. “He's a friend.” She turned to Feeror, hands on her hips. “What has gotten into you?”

“On my world, if a man dared to lay his hands on another's mate, he would be killed on the spot.” Feeror panted and watched Cook with feral intensity.

“Well, on
my
world, it is acceptable for friends to greet each other as Cook and I just did,” Gwen snapped. She was angry, and yet there was a part of her that was delighted that he had gotten so jealous over an innocent hug.

“
Mate
? Gwen, what is he talking about?” Keera gave her friend a huge grin.

Gwen groaned. “Later, Keera.” She ignored the incredulous looks and grins and muffled laughter.

Feeror shook free of the hands that were holding him back. He walked up to Cook, using his height to look down his nose at the man. His muscles bunched and flexed beneath his shirt. “Just so we have an understanding. She is
mine.
” He backed away and simply stared at the large, rotund man.

Cook bit his cheek to keep from laughing. Somehow, he knew that the big man would not understand. “I understand. I look on this little lass like a daughter.” Cook knelt and gave the tiny girl a wink. “And is it too early to say congratulations?”

Gwen wanted to shriek in delight and clap her hands, but she tried to act like a lady should. “Thank you.” Her heart was filled with love and pride at Feeror's jealous rage.

“What brings you to Saguach Port?” Cook greeted the other Astrans and nodded to the strangers. If they were with the others, he felt they could be trusted.

“We need to get to the Eastern continent.” Gwen said.

“Har! You are in luck! Captain Morden is sailing within the hour for Neera.”

Gwen looked to Saemus. She couldn't remember where Neera was located in relation to Vis Rellisa.

“That will do just fine. Does he have room for all of us?” Saemus asked.

“He is sailing light this trip. The coast of Neera can be dangerous for ships loaded with too much cargo.”

Cook led the way to
Lucian's Fury
. She was even more beautiful than Gwen remembered. Her lines were long and clean, her sails taut, her decks smooth. Captain Morden was at the gangplank and greeted the Astrans like long lost friends. He bowed his head and murmured his sympathies when they told him of Master Brok's death. “I am at your service. Stump will show you to your cabins.” Captain Morden whistled sharply, and a short old man with a peg leg thumped down the gangplank. After receiving his orders, the man bowed to the strangers and made his way back up the gangplank.

“Why are you heading to the Blasted Lands?” Captain Morden asked. Saemus bit his lip, unsure of how much to tell the old captain. Morden noticed his hesitation and waved his hands. “Why you go is your business. I wish you a safe journey. I will be in Vis Relissa in a few weeks’ time if you are in need of a ship.”

Saemus tried to argue about the price Morden was charging them for passage, knowing full well the Captain was asking far too little. “We have the money to pay our passage,” Saemus protested.

“I won't hear of it. I'm a simple man, and yet I know there is something about the lot of you that is different. And if a boat trip across the Sea is what I can do to help, then I will do so and I won't hear any arguments.” Captain Morden refused to take the extra gold.

Gwen was the first aboard the
Fury.
She ignored the cries of despair from Keera and Kaelin, feeling more at peace than she could remember feeling for a long time.

The Earth Chosen were uneasy aboard the ship. Though they had spent time on the ferry, they had never been away from the sight of land. The Volgons seemed fine with being on the large expanse of water, but they did tend to keep to the center of the ship.

“Are you sure this is the only way to get to where the Mekans are? This craft doesn't seem safe.” Moylir did not know if she felt safer at the edge of the deck or near the center of the ship.

“I assure you, it is perfectly safe. Although I sincerely hope you don't have the troubles those two are about to have.” Saemus nodded towards Keera and Kaelin as he patted the Volgon woman
on the back, trying to be reassuring.

Stump got the group settled in their cabins, then left to get the ship ready to sail. In less than an hour, Captain Thrace Morden stomped up the gangplank, ordering his men to make ready. The Earth and Volgon Chosen were astounded at the efficiency and speed of the men aboard the
Fury.
In short order, the men were below decks at the oars, backing the sleek ship out of the bay. As soon as they lost sight of the land, the men came back above decks to raise the sails.

Gwen stayed at the bow rather than inside the cabins. The salt spray wet her hair and beaded on her lashes. She watched the gulls swooping amongst the sails, their lonely cries filling the air.

Feeror joined her, face tense and worried. “I'm not sure this is safe. Perhaps you should come below decks?”

Gwen laughed. “I can't stay down there in the dark! I feel so alive up here.” She jumped on a barrel, grabbed a rope, and swung herself across to the other side of the bow. One of the deckhands waved to her and signaled her to climb the rigging to secure the sail near the top. She nodded and began to climb. Once the sail was secured, she clamored back down.

Feeror simply stared at the dwarf girl, his face an expressionless mask. “You make me feel like a coward.”

Gwen knew she needed to be careful. To a Volgon, strength was everything. “I have done this before. We sailed on this same ship when we first went to the portal. Since I am small, I have an easier time climbing the ropes.”

Feeror gazed to the crow's nest, eyes bleak. “I wish to test my strength against this boat, but I feel fear when I look out across the water, or look up at the sails.”

“There is nothing to fear. Captain Morden has sailed these waters for most of his life. He uses the stars to navigate like we use the roads on land. There are wondrous things to see, and the air is so clean and fresh.”

Gwen stayed on deck with Feeror, showing the man the schools of sailfish and dolphins swimming alongside the ship. When the sun set, she showed him the familiar constellations and told him the stories behind them. They ate their dinner on the deck, enjoying the
calm sea air.

“I'm beginning to see why you like it on this ship.”

Gwen smiled at Feeror. She liked sharing her love of the sea. The big man did not seem affected by the rocking motion of
Lucian's Fury.
Keera and Kaelin were at their accustomed positions, draped over the deck of the boat. Gwen looked at the girls with sympathy, thanking the good Spirits that her stomach was not affected. She could not imagine missing out on Cook's gourmet cooking.

She brought the girls some biscuits and was surprised when they managed to keep them down. Neither girl wanted to leave the deck just in case their tummies acted up.

“You go on to bed. We will stay here a little longer,” Keera said.

Gwen bid the girls goodnight and followed Feeror down the stairs. She waved to Cook as they passed the kitchens.

“Sleep well, lass.”

Gwen bid goodnight to Feeror at his cabin. The man knelt down on the ground so he could hug the girl close. Gwen tried not to flinch as his arms enveloped her. She didn't know if she would ever get used to someone
wanting
to touch her and to hold her.

“Sleep well.” Feeror kissed her deeply.

Gwen breathlessly wished him good night and slipped into the cabin she was sharing with Moylir.

*   *   *

Gwen was sad to see the shores of the Eastern continent coming closer. She could have stayed on board
Lucian's Fury
for all eternity. A part of her wanted to stow away and leave with Captain Morden. She was afraid of what awaited them in the Blasted Lands.

Keera and Kaelin were the first to leave the ship. Although they did not become as ill as they had the last time they'd traveled by sea, the girls were eager to walk on land nonetheless. Their delighted sighs of relief carried to the others walking down the gangplank.

Gwen cried a little when she hugged Cook. He had once again given the group enough food to feed a small army.

“What do we do now?” Gerok asked once they were all gathered on dry land.

“We need to hire a guide. Without one, we will become lost in the passes of the Mishrae Hills. The oases are hidden and only the Nomads know of their locations,” Saemus said.

“Why can't we just carry our own water?”

“We
will
be carrying water. But it won't last long. The heat of the desert is unbearable, and the amount of water we will need will be much more than we have been drinking thus far. And we will have to carry enough to water the camels.”

“Camels?” Gerok asked.

“Yes, camels. They are bred to withstand the heat of the desert. They are large and can carry heavy burdens. We need to buy some here, and some large water skins as well.”

Gerok sighed. He had imagined that they could travel easily to the Blasted Lands, meet the Kromins, and defeat the Mekans.
Nothing's ever easy.
“Where do we find a guide?”

“We need to travel to Yis. The guides will be there. But we need to buy the camels here. They cost triple the amount of gold in Yis.”

Saemus and Jon left the group and found a stable that had three scrawny camels to sell. The man was the only one in Neera that had the beasts for sale, and his price was quite high. The man refused to budge a single copper on his price.

Saemus sighed and handed the man the gold. The purse was quite a bit lighter. He hoped they had enough to hire the guide.

They purchased some water skins from a merchant hawking his wares from the back of his wagon. Saemus hesitated a moment but handed over gold for a couple of swords also. He did not wish to enter into the Blasted Lands unarmed.

The village had no inn so they stayed outside town near a small creek. Robert, Brad, and Sloan went in search of firewood while the Volgons went hunting. Saemus and Jon hobbled the camels near the creek. The beasts of burden were soon munching on the long grass.