Kingdoms of Caelum; Autumn of the War Queen

Chapter 13

The eleven days and nights that followed the departure of the RisingPort were mellow, almost pleasant, despite the cramped conditions and initial sea sickness Katla had endured. Although wary, Pye and his small crew had been accommodating. Pye himself was a joyful, animated man. The many years at sea had been kinder to his features than the others and, although he was fast approaching his fortieth year, he looked a lot younger. He was as fast as a whippet and he swung from mast to mast tending to the sails, barking out orders in his exotic accent and sailing the Elljay like a tender lover. Katla loved to watch him and he would make time for her between duties. They would chat about the NautaIslands and, on an evening, he would sing ballads and songs from his homeland, accompanied by one of the men playing violin. She told him about her skill as an archer and it turned out Pye was an accomplished sculptor and bowyer. A few days into the journey he presented Katla with a rare Blue Dragon ivory tusk. A gift he had received from a smuggler, stolen from the only wild colony of Dragons that still roamed free on Caelum. They were supposed to be protected.

"I will make you a new bow!" he declared, after learning about her misfortune on losing the other, and she was in awe as she watched his skill and speed night after night, chipping away at the ivory.

The Bay of the Six Kings was a calm sea, though a fast undercurrent kept them on their toes, sometimes fighting against the keel and causing some sporadic jolting, but the waves reached no higher then the mid of the hull. Bane had taken to standing at the front of the ship. Most days he would while away the hours alone and in thought, watching the bow plough through the incoming waves, like a knife through butter. The crew gave him a wide berth, as did Katla, but every so often she would watch the giant warrior stand before the giant sea and curiously wonder about him. When the ship jumped beneath them, she would grab onto the nearest stable surface, but Bane at the head of the ship would never flinch. He seemed to be like a statue: cold on the outside and the inside, she thought. And even though she knew she had him to thank for her safe crossing through Gaar, and even her life, the way he had impaled the fat man at the RisingPort so quickly and accurately without remorse or hesitation, sent chills down her spine. She was deep in thought when the shout from the crows nest made her jump.

"LAND AHOY!"

Katla ran to the side of the ship, almost tripping over buckets and ropes. Far in the distance, the blue haze of a gigantic mountain range gleamed in the afternoon sun.

"The Vale of Pelyn," Pye crooned, dropping from the mast rungs beside Katla.

"It will be morning before we reach the Port of the Lost; we've made good time."

Katla's heart skipped a beat; she had only ever imagined all this, the Oceans and the other Realms: it was all so alien and frightening and, at the same time, exciting.

"Do you head to Fortis?" Pye asked as he glanced at the silhouette that was Bane.

"I'm not sure," Katla hesitated, "I suppose."

Amongst all the drama and new experiences the last few weeks had brought, she suddenly realised she was once again alone with no plan. The thought was sobering.

"Be wary in Fortis, Miss," Pye said solemnly, "and watch the company you keep."

He looked once at Bane and smiled, but the smile did not touch his eyes. A moment passed as fear jolted into Katla's stomach, before Pye broke the unwelcome silence this time with a genuine grin.

"Come Miss, your bow is ready!"

Katla beamed, the fear forgotten, and like two excited children they ran below deck. Wrapped in a thick silken cloth, Pye handed the bow over. He glowed with pride as she revealed the raw beauty of his work. At least four foot in length and a beautiful shade of pale blue, the bow gleamed at her. It had been tenderly carved in a spiral pattern from limb to limb; it was a lot thinner and lighter then expected, he had even crafted some sort of taut elastic fibre for the string that seemed as good as any bow string. But the most glorious part was the hand crafted picture of a water ship and crescent moon chipped into the arc.

"It's magnificent!" Katla gushed, feeling the sting of tears well in her eyes. Pye smiled, "I was a bowyer in Baradonia before I became a trade sailor. It's been years since I've crafted in ivory."

"You truly have a talent. Thank you."

He nodded. Pye had lived a life torn with anguish and Katla had reminded him of happier times. He was gracious for the distraction and joy she had provided on this crossing.

"Now, go Miss, let us see how she fires!"

With the eyes of all the crew on her, Katla pulled her leather glove from the pocket of her tunic and stood on the port side, aiming toward the setting crimson sun. The bow held beautifully in her arms, light and elegant. She had almost forgotten the feeling and adrenaline rush it gave her when she pulled the string back. For a moment, the world became silent and she closed her eyes briefly, breathing in the scent of the lapping waves and salty air. Then, with a surge of power, Katla released the string. The arrow shot from the bow like a lighting bolt across the water and the low whistle screamed through the air for what seemed forever. She knew it was a perfect shot. The men let out cheers and howls like a pack of excited dogs.

"She fires beautifully!" Katla shouted above the din and Pye nodded graciously. Behind them all, Bane stood impassive. Katla caught his eye and he gave a gentle nod and, for a moment, her insides twisted with pride.

5%22%3E%3C%