Dragon Dreamer 🗡 Cregan Stark

Chapter Seventeen

Daenys’ mind was as waterlogged as her physical state was. Her ears were echoing with the effects of water in the canals and the saltiness of the sea stung her eyes. She fought shivers uselessly as her clothes were completely soaked and clinging to her body.

The problem of getting back onto the boat was her first priority. Her cloudy mind would have to wait until she was safe with Cregan, Corlys, and the crew. If anyone was alive from her side, that was. The strangest thing was Cregan's sudden disappearance during the ambush. She did not dare to doubt the strength of the Stark, but her concern for him being pushed overboard outweighed her concern for him falling to another sword.

After all, she was quite unsure if he could swim instinctively if need be, and his heavy clothes and boots certainly wouldn't aid him to float long enough for rescue. It wasn't like she could drag a full grown man that towered over her—or if there was even time to find him if that truly was his fate. She ignored the sour taste in her mouth, trusting her dreams enough now to suspect that neither Corlys nor Cregan would die today. If they would—the Gods or whomever was so cruelly behind her vivid dreams would have forced her to witness it already.

But where was he?

The Gods must have been bored today. To encounter a coincidental battle and wash Lucerys’ sword up must have been a good laugh. She hoped they were amused by their mortal problems. The sword, named Wind Cutter as a sort-of mimic to Jace's ‘Sea Tamer’, was the tiny yet perfectly placed stone atop the mountain of her problems. She didn't find it as funny as they must've.

She glanced around the flank, spitting salty water from her mouth and wiping her lips dry from the taste. The rungs must be on the other side, unfortunately for her. She looked up to the edges of the boats, desperate for a glimpse of her grandsire and Cregan before she swam to the other side.

The sea was wild around her. She'd be pushed and pulled with the tide all the way around. It wouldn't be an easy swim, especially in her restricting dress. Getting caught under the ship was a whole other issue.

The rungs of the enemy ship caught her eye. It was only a short distance away, although a dangerous gamble between who she would come across on board.

She gave in to her urgency, leaping into the water and clutching the sword the best she caught while wading to the other ship's side ladder. She bit the handle between her teeth, cringing at the bitter taste of salt and leather but continuing on. The rocking of the ship and the slickness of each rung made it a tricky climb, but gradually she got half-way up without falling back into the depths. Eveningstar felt like it drew closer, and might just get her crushed between both ships if she didn't hasten her feet.

She looked up, huffing at the remaining distance and clicking her shoe into the next step while clinging her nails into the wood of her eye-level steps. When her next step lost footing and she almost fell, she took a moment to steady her heartbeat and catch her ragged breath.

The faint smell of dragon, salt, and blood was overtaken by a much more potent scent. Daenys’ senses were flooded by smoke.

Smoke?

Sunfyre's growls were still audible above her. He tore into metal and tossed men far from the ship like limp rags. He was clever enough not to release fire and burn his only land away. Who set a fire?

A deep cough rumbled throughout the air, and a chain of cries in pain followed from the chip Daenys held onto. The Baratheon's ship was the one set on fire, not her own. She felt her heart race, knowing that even an ash floating through the breeze might set Eveningstar alight all the same and then everyone would be doomed. Her eyes followed the ropes and gangway that loosely connected the two barges. She needed to cut whatever ropes the Baratheons tied and cross the gangway to steer the ship away. She prayed that Corlys’ crew were winning.