Converging Destinies: Part 1

Chapter 53

       The group followed her eyes to the dozens of figures boarding a ship that had oars. If the ship didn't move, they would be caught before they even left the port.

       "Alright, does anyone have any ideas."

       "I have one, my power allows me to bend the world around me, including generating wind for just a split second, if someone else could do it with me, we might be able to sail away." Ara' Sei explained.

       "I think I have something that could do that." Zerai responded.

       "Is it going to be faster than the ship with oars?" Eris asked.

       "I have fire, and I can use it from far away. If they start gaining on us I can use fire and burn their ship before it gets to us." Ara' Sei said.

       "I feel like Cedric would be able to help give wind to the sail, but right now he's a shark." Eris said. Ara' Sei raised her hand in the direction of the stern. Suddenly, even underwater, Cedric heard it.

       "We need you on deck, we have a way to move the ship." It was as though Ara' Sei's voice was in his ear. He rapidly swam around the ship, trying to find a way on before swimming upwards and leaping out of the water onto the ship before transforming back.

       "Alright, what do you need?"

       "Me and Zerai both have something that lets us create a brief gust of wind, do you have something like that?" Ara' Sei asked. Cedric nodded.

       "Okay, you and Zerai need to use your capabilities in synch. Once I sink this ship behind us with fire, I can help. For now Eris, you can steer the ship." Ara' Sei said. Eris nodded before running to the steering wheel. Ara' Sei walked to the stern of the ship, and kept her eyes trained onto the group's pursuers across the harbor. They were beginning to leave port.

       With Zerai and Cedric's combined efforts, the ship was able to creep forward a few feet at a time. But the other ship was rapidly gaining. The moment Ara' Sei thought it was in range, she began her attack.

       She let fire flow down her arm, red and furious, before sending a flaming spear hurtling towards the other ship hundreds of feet away. The first fell short into the waves. She let the fire build again. The second one was barely any better. The pursuing ship was going fast compared to the snail's pace that the party was making.

       "Do better Ara' Sei." She whispered. She let the flames build again within her arm, rivers of firelight pouring from her shoulders to her palm. The third spear was fired. This time it hit, and Ara' Sei's heart jumped when she saw the residual red glow that didn't go away even as seconds passed. The burn mark was right on the broad, sturdy bow of the ship. Ara' Sei let fire flow down her arm, the newly rescued people aboard the boat watched in awe as she used her magic. The fourth spear hit the boat, but didn't light any flame.

       Ara' Sei took a deep breath, her arms stung, but she knew she could keep going. She had to keep going. The firelight flowed down her arm once more, and another flaming spear flew towards the other ship. This spear slammed into the burn mark, and instead of a residual glow, the fire was now burning bright. Ara' Sei could faintly hear members of the other crew shouting.

       "Alright, better keep going before they put that fire out." Ara' Sei whispered. She steeled herself for the burning of the flames as they rushed down her arm. She felt like she was being seared from the inside, but the flames did no real damage to her.

       "It's all in your head, it's all in your head." She frantically said to herself. Another flaming spear flew at the other ship. Once again it failed. Angrily, Ara' Sei lifted her arm again, and fired another bolt. No flame ignited, just a minor scorch mark. The ship was gaining, it was little over a hundred feet away. She needed a miracle. The flame on the ship was burning, but there was no chance it would sink the ship in time. Then, Ara' Sei saw the oars.

       "Maybe I just need to slow them so they can't catch up." Ara' Sei said to herself. This time, Ara' Sei took aim at the thin shafts of the oars. She let loose another flaming spear. One of the oars was broken in half. She aimed at the one behind it and fired another. Tears were now flowing from her eyes, as the pain of repeatedly using her fire was excruciating.The second oar was snapped, there was more shouting. The ship was beginning to turn, as the oarsmen on one side couldn't match the others. Ara' Sei looked up and down the ship through teary eyes. She spotted ten oars on each side. She had a chance, a chance to make sure that they would escape Duskholme. As painful as it was for her, she had no choice but to take it.