Valiant Valerie (the Ballad of Valerie of Mor Book 1)

Chapter Thirteen

Valerie woke, her side cold as though Jonathan had just got up. She looked around and saw he was sitting on the side of Captain Griffin's bunk, his head hanging. It was still dark out.

She crawled over and sat by hit feet.

"He's gone, Val," Jonathan said.

She felt a tug on her mind and then on her heart and she knew Peredur had heard Jonathan. The barge felt like it sank a bit. She sent as much warmth and reassurance as she was able, hoping she was doing it right. The barge rose again and even Jonathan seemed to perk up a bit.

She put a hand on his knee. "You and Cook did everything you could."

"I know. I'm just sick of all this death. The war. The plague. Clade. Pirates. It just seems so senseless and there's nothing I can do to stop it."

"You saved me," Valerie said.

He smiled at her sadly and brushed his hand over her head, his hand stopping to cup her neck. "I did. And you know I couldn't live with myself if you died, Val. But I wish there was something I could do for all the others who are losing their lives."

"You're thinking of what they said in Kailan, aren't you? About the brigands?"

He nodded. "There are reports coming in from every country on this continent of people being attacked. There's talk that an army is being gathered in northern Agrea and there's unrest further North. War may come again."

"Do you think it will?"

"I don't know. It depends on the reasons behind it all."

"Do you know what is behind it all?"

Jonathan shook his head. "At this point, it could be anything. Agrea were so harshly punished, they were left in a sorry state after the war, so the people will be angry and looking for restitution. Mirinlan were so badly treated during the war that they have nothing left. Reports say the plague originated there, so they may want to find new homes. Makar is still running about in the background, and no one knows where he is so Lord knows if he has anything to do with all the unrest. It would be just like him to stir unrest to fuel his own agenda. There are plenty of people who he could convince to rally behind him." Jonathan sighed. "The world is in a mess, there's turmoil left, right and centre. I don't know what we can do about it, Val."

"Take my bunk. Get some sleep. I'll wake Cook and deal with Captain Griffin's body." She stood up and led him to her bunk. She tucked him in and waited a few moments. He just lay there, looking defeated. She pushed his hair off his face, kissed his forehead and left, hoping he would get some sleep.

She did not feel strong enough to break the news to Cook and the others alone, but she knew she had to.

You're not alone. She felt a mental nudge. I am with you now.

She smiled, thanking Peredur, and crept into the bunkroom to wake Cook.

The funeral for Captain Griffin was over and Jonathan was testing the crewmembers' eligibility to Link with Peredur. The men seemed less sad than they were after Edwin's funeral, but Valerie was not sure that they had the ability to feel any more sorrow.

Plus they had had warning before Griffin's death and got to say goodbye, she thought to herself.

They had decided to stay moored until Peredur was Linked to a sailor's mind, so the leviathan had decided to have some time unbonded from the barge.

While the men were tested, Valerie leant over the side of the barge and watched the leviathan swim around. She had not seen him out from under the barge during the day before now and she was enthralled by his movement.