Shadows Bleed

XXV

XXV

I returned to the ship in the early afternoon, ahead of the rest of the crew. Knowing they would not be far off, I took advantage of being alone to slip quietly into the captain's cabin, clinging tightly to the small bundle in my arms that was Danyael.

I gently deposited the sleeping infant into his cot, tucking the sheets around him. His face was serene, peaceful. It would be many years before he could ever understand why his life was so different to the norm.

Celeste returned shortly thereafter, carrying with her a fresh supply of vegetables for the week's trip to Banstead. I struggled to keep my eyes away from her gently swaying form, hips hypnotically moving from side-to-side as she ascended the gangplank. This was ridiculous; even carrying potatoes and leeks she was gorgeous. I shook my head clear as she reached me.

"Something on your mind?" she asked, head tilting to one side.

"It's all good," I lied. There was a lot on my mind.

"If you say so," she leaned forward and placed the sack of vegetables on the deck before straightening again. "Hey, we've got a problem; the Inquisition hasn't given up on you."

"You're kidding?"

"I wish. One of my local contact's said they're badly pissed since you burned their enforcer," she raised an eyebrow in question but I waved it aside. She shrugged and continued. "Anyway, they're so determined to find you that they're ransacking homes at the slightest mention of red-haired girls fitting your description."

"Damn it!" I hissed, clenching my hands into tights fists. "Can we still dock at Banstead?"

"Unlikely, my contact made it very clear that it's become immensely difficult to get into the Imperium via sea over recent months. There's no way we'll get past the local garrison."

I cursed again. Banstead was the closest port south of Vvarstor. The closest port to the capital outside Imperium jurisdiction would instead require us to travel over land for weeks. There had to be another option.

"What should we do?" Celeste asked nervously.

"We're going to stay on course for Banstead," I decided. "I'll figure out the rest on the way."

"If you say so," she sighed and departed.

***

The rest of the crew arrived with the necessary supplies well ahead of schedule and we were able to ship out an hour earlier than planned. At least something was going well. I was one step closer to the Emperor, one step closer to freeing my family.

Until such a time, however, I knew I couldn't keep Danyael's existence a secret from the crew. I feared what they would say, for it went without saying that, in revealing Danyael to them, I would also have to explain the reason for his presence. So, with an apprehensive heart, I approached the crew that evening.

Danyael slept soundly, pressed against my bosom. My arms were wrapped tightly around him. The wooden stairs clacked softly beneath unsure steps, their hollow ringing echoing loudly in my ears.

Most of the crew were gathered around the table in the galley, impatiently awaiting the evening meal.

"Where's my damn stew!" Orepk mouthed loudly, slamming his fists on the table.

Almost as if in answer to his question, Druilo lifted a large, steaming pot from the stove and carried it to the table. Jumping into his place, Baller was quick to douse the fire. The last thing anyone wanted was to travel the open seas in the Mayflower's skiff.