that it was done but the sounds from around them did it for him. The infected carriers discovered the dropped barrier almost immediately, and rushed towards the ship. There were dozens of them, nearly all of the members of Aidan’s troop as well as many of the Perryns that contracted the magical plague.
The ship rocked as they slammed against the hull. Some tried to climb the struts, something no one had considered. They were part of the hull and did not come up to the edge of the deck, however, a reckless bit of balancing and stretching would allow someone to reach the railing from the struts. Reckless and uncaring of their own safety, the ghouls had to be struck away from the struts as they reached for fresh prey.
“Set sail!” Dexter yelled, praying that Willa was not so caught up in the new sensations that she would fail to hear his order below. His fears were unfounded as, a moment later, the Voidhawk lurched beneath them and rose into the air slowly.
“Now!” Dexter called out, throwing his own cask to the ground.
Jodyne and Bailynn did likewise, while Logan, Rosh, Keshira, and Aidan were busy at clearing each strut. Jenna stayed ready to leap to the aid of anyone who would need it, and found herself rushing forward at one point to assist Aidan as his sword caught in the ribs of a former soldier that tried to scramble aboard.
Flames leapt up below them, sparking up immediately as soon as the casks cracked and allowed fresh air into the alchemical substance. The flames spread rapidly, igniting the oil in the ground and on the feet and legs of their attackers. It climbed up their clothing and bit into the flesh, chewing away at them and making them growl and hiss angrily as their prey escaped into the air above them.
A cheer rose up from the crew, one even shared by Dexter. They cleared the tops of the ruins, with no clinging zombies remaining, and saw no movement below them save for those trapped in the flames. Wind caught the sails, stretching and straining them as they were pulled taught. Improperly repaired, they nevertheless held against the lurch of movement the wind inspired.
“Dex, here they come,” Jodyne said, pointing into the sky.
Those not working the lines looked up and saw the dark streaks leaving the cloud and heading towards them at a speed that made the wind look like it was standing still. Dexter nodded and looked to Bekka, who was holding some loose canvas.
“Xander, got anything to slow them down?” Dexter asked, trotting over to the half-elf and taking the bundle of cloth.
Xander stared for a long minute then nodded. “I can try something,” he mumbled, then hastened up the stern castle himself and reached into his pockets for spell components. Dexter nodded, trusting the man to buy him the time he needed.
Dexter did not spare a glance from his task of tying a rope through several loops in the canvas until he heard a great whooshing noise above him. He looked and had to admit a moment of awe. A sheet of flames sprang up and fanned out in mid-air. It forced the elemental guardians to retreat and go around it, or at least wait until it subsided a few moments later. Either way, it gained the Voidhawk precious time to slip further away and gained both speed and altitude.
Dexter tied his last knot and tested it. Feeling confident but nervous, he stood up with the canvas hanging from the rope he held in his hands. He spun it, lifting it off the deck, and continued to spin faster and faster to help him get it higher. Finally ready, he gave it a final surge of strength and sent it up above him and off the bow of the ship.
The bundle of canvas started to open, coming loose with the release of the tension of the ropes. Dexter squatted down and grabbed a thinner rope he tied to it, grimacing as it burned his hands. He pulled it taught, springing the bundle open and catching the wind. Bekka had sewn together a crude kite to act as an extra sail for them. It was only good when the wind was behind them and they were running in a straight line, but it promised some extra speed.
Dexter hurried back to oversee the pursuit. Xander slumped against the railing, watching the pursuing mist devils through glazed eyes. Dexter grabbed his robes and yanked him away from the railing, not being gentle but also keeping the man from accidentally toppling over the railing. He watched their pursuers close the distance slower than he had expected. His hand flexed repeatedly against the sword at his side until, with little over a hundred yards separating them, the spirits gave up the chase. They slowed and halted, retreating back to reform a cloud over the ruins.
Dexter stared for a long minute, amazed and stunned by their turn of fortune. He chuckled, and then laughed harder and louder. Xander roused from his fatigue induced stupor enough to see the situation and speak about it.
“They only guard the ruins, we got far enough away to no longer be perceived as a threat,” he mumbled.
Dexter shrugged, just happy to be alive. He clapped the wizard on the shoulder and left him to lie upon the stern castle. The Captain hurried down to the main deck and announced the good news. Everyone cheered and congratulated each other, even the typically somber Jodyne seemed in a good mood by their harrowing escape. Of those gathered, only Jenna seemed troubled.
Dexter saw her expression and his grin faded. “Jenna, we’ve escaped! What’s wrong?”
Tears ran from her eyes. She reached down to her leg and pulled on her leather leggings, revealing a tear in them and beneath, the bloody scrape in her thigh. Dexter’s heart missed a beat at the realization that he was holding his pistol and that it pointed at her.
It was impossible. They had escaped! Now another of his crew was struck down. And not just any, but his first mate. His Jenna. His…
“How?” he whispered. Around them the cheering stopped and only Keshira paid attention to the rigging.
“When I helped Aidan,” she said through a throat choked with emotion.
Dexter nodded and fought back the urge to shout in rage at her for not being more careful. He turned to Bekka, who looked on fearfully and sadly from a distance away. “How long?”
Bekka shrugged helplessly. “Minutes, maybe,” she said sadly.
Dexter looked back to Jenna and found his hand shaking. Angrily he clenched his teeth and tightened his fist.
“Dex,” Jenna said, her voice pleading. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head, unwilling to hear it. She was strong, damn it. He would not let her break down, not like this and not now. He opened his mouth to bid her farewell.
“I’m sorry I let you down,” she said. She stared at him, her eyes blurred with tears, and then closed her eyes and bowed her head. “Do it. Don’t let me end up like them.”
Dexter nodded and fought back the urge to reach out to her. To touch her one last time. He railed at himself for not touching her before, when she had offered so many times.
The Captain pulled the hammer back on the pistol and simultaneously locked his emotions away inside. He steadied his gun and took a breath, then squeezed the trigger…
Aidan worked his way through the camp, a cloak with a cowl over his head protecting him from the rain that came in gusts and sheets. It also served to disguise him as he threaded his way through to General Havamyr’s tent. The guards outside of it saluted him when he arrived and identified himself. They had not been told to never expect to see him again and thus knew no better. His mission had been secret, known only to himself and the General. Aidan now realized that it had only truly been known to the general.
He slipped inside and saw Havamyr working silently while a naked slave girl waited on several furs set up for him. It appeared he was near to retiring for the night, and she was to be his entertainment. The general looked up, surprised at the interruption. His surprise only increased when he saw Aidan throw back his hood and stare at him.
“Aidan!” He said, shocked.
“My men are not expendable,” Aidan spat at him. “They died for your sick pleasure.”
“Wait a moment!” Havamyr snapped, coming to his feet and rallying quickly. “They died so that fewer of my men — our men would suffer!”
“Not our men, yours. Safe, behind traps, siege weapons, and defenses.”
“Our men,” The general said quickly. “Taking such risks and surviving such an important mission, you deserve to be rewarded. I need an aid, a second in command. A field promotion to colonel for your bravery.”
