This time he has the satisfaction of seeing a crack begin to form on one of the slats of the hatch.
Wham!
The crack widens and suddenly the hatch is pulled open from the other side. “Shield!” he cries out as three crossbows fire simultaneously. The sphere pulses and the shield forms just as the bolts are released, causing them to bounce off harmlessly.
“Incinerate!” he cries out and one of the crossbowmen bursts into flame, the other two turn and run. The one on fire begins screaming and falls to the deck where he writhes in pain until finally becoming still.
Still protected by the shield, he makes his way out of the hold and onto the deck. The Ambassador is there as is the captain of the ship. “You have nowhere to go,” the Ambassador says.
Stepping at last on the deck, James breathes the fresh salt air. It’s growing dark, the sun is just now beginning to dip below the horizon. He looks out to sea and can only see water.
“Let me and the girls off in a dinghy and I’ll let you live,” he warns the Ambassador. Just then, a guard comes up behind him and strikes with his sword. The sword hits the shield and flies out of his hand as it rebounds.
James glances behind him at the guard who’s looking at his empty hand in shock. “Don’t do that again,” he tells him.
Turning his attention back to the Ambassador, he says, “Well?”
“You’re not leaving this vessel,” the Ambassador tells him. “Whether or not we all survive is immaterial, you are not to be allowed to go free!”
“So be it then,” says James as he raises the sphere.
Chapter Thirteen
Miko and Paul stand at the bow of the ship, the wind whipping their hair and the salty spray misting them occasionally. It’s cold so they have their jackets pulled tightly. “Think we’ll catch them?” Paul asks.
“Hope so,” replies Miko. “If we can at least keep them in sight then we’ll be able to stay on their tail, possibly attempt to rescue them after they make landfall.”
“I’m worried about the girls,” he admits.
Miko can hear it in his voice. “It’s unlikely they will do anything to them,” he assures him for the dozenth time.
“We’re falling behind!” Dave’s voice reaches them from where he’s complaining again to the captain. He’s been an irritant the whole way and the general consensus is they’d all be better off if they just tossed him overboard.
The captain’s voice can be heard in reply, his tone saying he’s had about enough. “We are not falling behind. Now leave me alone!”
Dave glowers at the captain then stalks off to stand by himself near the rail.
Shaking his head, Miko wonders again what James sees in him. Maybe he was different back where they came from?
“Something’s been bothering me,” he says to Paul.
“What?” he asks.
“Back in Cardri, when we were being led away by Lord Colerain, where did all those guys who jumped him come from?” he asks, glancing at him. “I mean, they appeared in just the right spot and fast.”
Paul smiles as he says, “When we knew the girls were being taken to the ship, we spread the word that Gwynne and Daria were being taken. Those of us on the streets have a sort of brotherhood you might say, we look out for each other and take care of our own. The guys you saw had been there for awhile, they just kept their heads low until needed. Didn’t want to tip off anyone something might be up, just in case.”
Nodding, Miko says, “I see.” He certainly understands about the brotherhood those of the streets have.
They stand there continuing to watch the ship ahead of them as the sun drops lower to the horizon. After awhile Illan comes to join them. “The captain says that when it turns dark there’s a possibility of losing them,” he says quietly.
Miko turns a worried expression to him as he asks, “Lose them?”
Nodding, Illan replies, “A definite possibility. But the captain says they’ll most likely stay on this course through the night. That it’s dangerous to alter course unless you are familiar with the waters in the area. Something about hitting a reef. So once dawn comes we should be able to pick them up again.”
“Let’s hope so,” Paul says.
“Never did thank you for what you did for us back there,” Illan tells him.
“Didn’t do it for you guys,” he admits. “I figured you were the only hope Gwynne and Daria had.”
“Still, I appreciate it,” he says as he pats him on the shoulder.
“Where are Jiron and Fifer?” Miko asks.
Nodding his head to the rear of the ship, he says, “In the captain’s cabin, asleep. The Parvati is in there with them.”
“How can they sleep at a time like this?” questions Miko.
“It’s times like these when you get your sleep,” he explains. “So you’ll be rested when you need to be.”
“Maybe,” says Miko.
From the mid section, a bell begins ringing. “Dinner’s ready,” Illan tells them. Leaving their post at the bow, Miko and Paul follow Illan as he goes to get some food. A wooden bowl full of fish and vegetables along with a single cup of ale is all that’s allotted them.
They take their food from the cook and find a place near the stern where they have some shelter from the wind and spray while they eat. Jiron, Fifer, and Qyrll make their appearance as does Meliana and her father. Dave on the other hand takes his food and goes off to eat by himself on the other side of the ship.
When Meliana joins them with her food, she asks, “Have we gained on them any?”
“Not yet,” Miko informs her.
“We don’t exactly want to be noticed by them,” her father says. “It wouldn’t be good.”
“I know,” she says. Ever since they explained to her about the circumstances of James’ arrest and being given to the Empire, she’s held a deep fear for him. She understands her father’s logic, but her heart doesn’t care. She glances toward the fleeing ship and is thankful she can still see it in the fading light of dusk.
They sit there, quiet as each dwells silently on what the future may hold while they finish their meal.
“Captain!” a sailor hollers down from his position up in the rigging. “Vessel aflame!”
“Where away?” the captain hollers back.
“Dead ahead,” he replies.
“James!” Meliana cries as she drops her bowl and rushes to the bow. The others follow quickly. In the darkening gloom ahead of them, a bright orange light can be seen. “Full sails!” they hear the captain yell. The sailors in the rigging above begin unfurling the last of the sails.
“Mr. Bessin!” the captain hollers.
“Aye sir,” his second in command answers.
“Prepare to rescue survivors,” he says.
“Aye, aye sir,” Mr. Bessin replies and then begins barking orders as sailors prepare their dinghy should the need arise.
Their ship quickly gains upon the other and they can see where the sails have all but been consumed by the flames. It’s listing to the side and appears to be taking on water.
“She’s not going to last too much longer,” Meliana’s father says behind them.
“Oh, James,” she breathes as she looks for any sign of him.
A massive explosion from within the hold blasts the deck outward, debris sails through the air and splashes into the sea many yards away.
Bodies can be seen floating in the water among the flotsam, none appear to be alive.
“James!” Dave cries out from his position near the bow.
“Daria! Gwynne!” Paul cries as his voice joins Dave’s.
“Furl the sails!” the captain cries to those in the rigging and the sails begin to be taken in. Slowing down, the
