Jovari the Blue

Chapter 30.5: Rescuing Captives

Note: This is another insert chapter, and it is meant to take place months after Tamara and Byron's meeting with Bennett. It will be inserted between 30 and 31 (I just didn't feel like renumbering). It happens right after Claire frees her mind from Kane.

Dragonfire Sea

Bennett watched as the sea swallowed up the last of the Oshean slave vessel. Flotsam bobbed in the choppy waters, the only evidence that a battle had occurred. Two other large vessels flanked the Lady Faith, awaiting his orders. "Let's move out," he called. The deck erupted into a flurry of shouts and activity. The drengr standing beside him conveyed his message to the other ships. Sales unfurled and the deck beneath his feet lurched as Jonah turned them back towards land.

Cries quieted as their rescued captives were ushered belowdecks to safety. He caught sight of Cat rushing between his injured men, escorting Emmon, all but holding him upright. She glanced up. Their eyes met and held. She'd been magnificent today; he couldn't wait to tell her that.

He didn't have the exact count yet, but they'd managed to rescue some one hundred captives bound for Oshea. New slaves to fuel the Oshean Empire's market, taken from city jails, ripped from their families. He wasn't stupid. He knew they weren't truly criminals—mostly. Kane found any excuse to lock more people up and justify exporting them. With him in power, the Osheans now had their pick of Dragonwall's citizens.

Tris appeared on the poop a few minutes later, saluting him.

"How are they?" he asked.

"They're getting settled, but definitely relived. Most are from Galadhal—Kastali Dun and its nearby towns."

"Good, get an exact headcount. Find out if they have family or friends they can return to. People who will shelter them. If not, we'll take them to Fort Squall and hand them off to Byron. The last thing I want is Kane getting wind of what we're doing."

Everything might fall apart if that happened. Kane had too much leverage. If he found out that there were drengr helping to free the slaves bound for Oshea, it would be over. The drengr had sworn an oath, and magic kept them from breaking it, but out here on the open ocean, they were no longer in Dragonwall. Oaths to the king didn't apply here. It was a gray area they'd worked around. Still, he couldn't risk Kane discovering it, but neither could he allow the Osheans to make off with Dragonwall's people. He couldn't condemn them to a fate worse than death.

"I'll see to it at once, Captain." Tris bobbed his head and stepped away, retreating.

"Shall I have the others do the same?" The drengr beside him asked.

"Yes, thank you. I'll go check on the our injured. See if there were any injuries on the other ships."

"Our drengr will see to them."

"Good. If not, I can send Cat over."

"No need, Captain."

Bennett retreated. His eyes adjusted to the dim light of the hallway as he made his way to Cat's healing room. He found her treating Emmon's battle wounds. She gave no greeting as he entered, quietly shutting the door behind him. This had become routine for them. After each battle, he crept into her quarters to watch her work magic. She'd already healed most of the injured above deck, in the midst of battle. Only those who were severely wounded were brought down for more extensive treatment.

Emmon groaned. Several arrows stuck from his leg and shoulder. A massive gash along his torso had just been closed. It looked angry and pink. A dagger protruded just above his hip.