Seven Story Publishing

Prologue

Fields of Kelmer

A whispered wind blew across the wheat fields in the distant land of Kelmer. A gentle rustling of trees breaks through the silence as a lone starling lands in a tree to clean its feathers and sing its song. The waves of wheat flap back and forth gently with each passing stream of wind.

All is peaceful until a group of shadows began marching through the fields. Armed with jagged swords and long spears, a raiding party calling themselves the Vultures, scrape their way across the plains to a nearby village to claim the land for themselves.

The first set of raiders stepped out of the fields as they quickly fell into a hidden hole dug in the ground. The remaining party stopped moving forward and began to panic as their comrades laid lifeless in a dug out pit with sharp spikes on bottom.

Before anyone else could react, a couple of arrows flew out of the trees and landed in the necks of two of the raiders. As the bodies fell, the group panicked and attempted to flee until they were greeted by a large man carrying a metal Pavise shield.

“It’s a demon!” A few cried as they charged at the man, only to be thrown across the field and struck down by a large battle axe.

“Light the signal! Light the signal!” Another begged before joining the same fate as their comrades.

A surviving raider pulled a small rocket from his pack, lit the fuse behind it, and sent off a trail of smoke into the sky as another group of men came soon after, charging in to help. The shield bearer looked up as the angry cries of the enemy echoed across the field.

The raiders drew their swords and waved their spears to defend themselves, until a number of them were struck down from behind by a warrior wielding a silver bow staff. She twirled her staff several directions as she bobbed in and out of the field knocking many raiders to the ground.

A lone arrow flew past her head and struck a raider that snuck up behind her. She glanced into the distance as a hidden archer peeked out of the tree tops. She nodded back to her comrade as she loaded another arrow.

Near the field, was a quiet river that flowed near the village. Unfortunately, the peaceful stream was disturbed as a couple of men wrestled in the waters back and forth as one with a broken helmet is pinned to the shallow waters by another with a torn sleeve and pulsating second degree burns wielding a two handed sword with a blue hilt.

“Try to burn me down, eh!? Who sent you!?” The wounded man cried.

“Do your worst!” The assassin declared. “You would be doing me a favor!”

The wounded man pulled the sword away from the assassin’s throat and dug it into the leg of the assassin as blood curdling scream cried out. “I will not be so generous! Now, answer! Who sent you or I will make this last as long as possible!”

“Alright!” The assassin pleaded. “Come…closer,” He called to the wounded man with shaking breath. He whispered in their ear as the wounded man’s eyes grew wide and his grip of the sword faltered.

“No…it can’t be.” The wounded man begged as an arrow pierced through the trees once again and landed in the chest of the assassin, as the archer dropped herself down. She checked the body and confirmed his passing before pulling the sword out of his leg and turning to the wounded man.

“Cap’n!” They cried out as they rushed to his side. “Don’t move. I’ll fix ya up.” The man didn’t reply as his hands flopped in the water. “What happened? What did he say to you?”

The man looked up with continued shock in his eyes. “He…he was sent to kill me…”

The archer stopped briefly while wrapping the man’s arm. “Who sent him?”

He looked down as tears began to form. “The unthinkable…”

Chapter 1

The Owl’s Nest

In the land Saffron, a traveling party arrived at a quiet Inn amongst the people of Fair Brook. The sun began to set over the rolling hills as the farming community began to turn in for the night.

Asher Dorian walked his exhausted party past the wooden doors and into the warm, lantern lit Inn called the Owl’s Nest. The walls were made of oak and the chandeliers were made out of old ship steering wheels. The ground floor of the tavern was hustling with several field workers barking and yelling for another glass as the table workers pushed themselves to exhaustion to keep up with the demand.

Asher ran his fingers through his stiff, brown hair and shook his head as he directed his party upstairs to their private meeting room. “C’mon, mates,” He spoke with a Coastal accent of a typical sea goer. “Let’s not muddy our hands with an unnecessary tustle.”

Elin Moore, the party’s range specialist, scoffed as she walked to the counter. Her long, blonde hair rested against her back in tight brades. “No need for such cowardice, Asher,” She replied in a thick Gaelic accent. “We faced an angry hoard and you’re turning yellow over some roudy farm hands? Shameful.”

Asher grinned as he shook his head. “Under normal circumstances, I’d be more than happy to bow gracefully at your protest, but there are some matters that must be discussed that simply cannot wait.”

Elin pouted as she glanced back and forth from the counter. Luna Maverous, the parties agile bow staff wielder, flung her arms over Elin and pulled her in tight with her bright red hair laying across Elin’s face. “How ‘bout we ask ol’ Cap’n Asher to buy a round for us all in him?”

Asher’s eyes widened with shock and panic. “Cap’n Asher will do what now?”

“Come on!” Luna insisted. “We did good work saving the southern village from those nasty land grabbers. Their chief paid us double what he promised because we were so quick about it, and we’ve been sailin’ all day. If yer gonna make us wait, at least make it worth it.”

A large gloved hand rested on Asher’s shoulder. He turned to see his turbin wearing First Mate. Grum Arno, the party’s human wall, chuckled. “Hate to break it to you boss, but I don’t think there’s another way around it. Once Luna opens her mouth, she’s set in her ways.”

Asher sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Fine, but not a drop until we finish our discussion. Am I clear?”

Luna jumped up and down in glee, clapping her hands. “Cheers to the best Cap’n! You hear that, Elin?”

She continued to grumble as she walked away. “I don’t like waiting. All that sailing to get back here and we’re still not done.”

Asher’s demeanor changed as he gave a serious look. “I’m afraid I must insist. This must be dealt with, now!” He barked walking up the steps. His party gave each other a concerned look as nothing more was said walking up the creaking wooden steps.

They all entered the darkened room as Asher lit a candle in the center of the table and hung his long, black coat on the wall. He unsheathed his sword and slammed it in the table as he sat in a large chair at the head of the table. “I call this emergency meeting to order. While I must say our success was indeed without question, there was information that brought to my attention that concerns me.”

Asher leaned in slowly, connecting his fingers with the creaking of his chair. He closed his eyes and took a deep frustrated breath. “There is a traitor amongst us.”

An ill silence fell over the party as nervous glances were traded amongst each other.

“Beggin’ your pardon, Captain” Grum interrupted as he stood slowly. “What gives you the impression that someone would betray us?”

Captain Asher stood to his feet and unbuttoned his shirt and pulled his injured arm out to reveal bloodstained bandages tightly wrapped around. “Our position was compromised. The enemy struck hard and fast.

“While most of the forces seemed wild and chaotic, there was one who came at me from behind while I was hidden away, observing from a distance in case anyone came to close to the village. I was crouched behind a tree watching the combat when a clearly trained assassin set my arm on fire. Fortunately, I was quick to grapple the individual and guided the fight to the river next to me where I pinned the enemy into submission with my blade against their throat. I demanded to know who sent them.”

Luna stood up quickly. “Cap’n! The man must be lying!” She insisted. “We all have nothing but the greatest of respect for you! Surely, of all the crew, the three of us are fiercely loyal to you!”

Elin scoffed. “And, for some, loyalty has a price. The right person can be bought off for the wrong reasons.”

Luna pulled a dagger from her belt and took a stance towards Elin. “Quite an aggressive way to look at it, wouldn’t you say? Only someone with a heart as cold as ice would say something so dark.”

“Be angry all you want,” Elin replied flatly. “ I speak from a place of honesty. Something as simple as loyalty should be without question, but the heart of man is wicked.”

“Then how much did you pay them to attack our Cap’n”

Elin scoffed. “You are letting your feelings for him cloud your judgement. Your zealous attitude may impress some, but I don’t appreciate having smoke blown my way.”

Grum stood and placed his arms between them. “That’s enough! We are all tired and exhausted from a long journey. If we keep fighting amongst each other, nothing will get accomplished. Now, sit down and cool your heads while we figure this out.”

Luna turned her gaze toward him, but kept her staff towards Elin. “Quite commanding of you for a newly elected First Mate. Who’s to say you didn’t set him up in an attempt to become Cap’n yourself? We hardly know anything about you and you start barkin’ at a us like a mongrel.”

Grum shook his head and continued his stance. “I’m not going to get sucked into your blame shifting, Luna. Now, set yourself down before we have to restrain you. That’s an order!”

Luna shook her hands in frustration as she withdrew returned the dagger to its sheath and returned to her seat. “Fine, I will hold my tongue for now. But I will not let this go.”

Grum returned to his seat as Asher put his shirt back together and approached Luna. He rested a hand on her hand gently. “This I promise you, all shall be revealed in just a moment.”

Her face blushed as the warmth of his hand rested softly on hers. She smiled and nodded as she pulled her hair behind her ear while batting her eyelashes. Asher nodded with a straight face as he began to circle the table.

“Ladies and Gent, I have been Captain aboard the Ghost Mariner for a few years now. I have taken my loyal crew on countless journeys and faced many perilous foes. I have few regrets in any of my assignments. I’m…quite saddened to say this is one of them.

“Two of you have been my closest companions, and one of you has captured my heart. I thought…for sure I had found my perfect traveling crew.”

Asher stopped behind grim. “First Mate Arno, what your fellow compatriots have quickly forgotten is that you were my childhood companion in my youth. We have only recently reconnected and continued our journey together. I named you my First Mate because you are more of a brother to me than any one here.”

Asher began to walk again until he stopped behind Elin. “You, Madam, challenged me to a duel for my position once before. I confess you are easily the fiercest fighter I have ever met. You narrowly defeated me until you lost your footing and nearly fell off a cliff. We have since compromised and you have been one of my most reliable comrades I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. We have saved each other on countless occasions.”

He slowed his pace down as he approached Luna. Her eyes continued to glimmer with joy as he ever so cautiously approached. “And you, my darling, gambled your way into the crew and proved your faithfulness to everyone time and again. It’s no secret that we have grown quite fond of each other. I have never felt a joy like this before.”

She lowered her head blushing as she smiled from cheek to cheek. She was about to respond when a sudden clasp of irons cuffed around her wrists from a local guard that appeared from a hidden corner of the room.

Luna stood to her feet with shaking eyes and a shattered heart. She opened her mouth, but nothing escaped her lips.

Asher pulled up her sleeve to reveal an mark of an Ox with a crown on both horns. “A pact with the Aurochs Clan leader. I had hoped my intelligence was wrong.”

“Asher, you don’t understand,” she began to pleed. “I didn’t want to kill you. On my heart and soul, forbid a hair on your head be singed. They left me no choice. That’s…that’s why I paid someone to make it look convincing. If I had known for even a moment he truly intended to put an end to your life…”

Asher placed a hand to silence her. “I have nothing more to say. Farewell…” He turned his back as the guards took her away and slamming the door behind them.

Grum approached Asher and placed a hand on his back to comfort him as tears fell to the table. “I’m sorry, Captain. I can’t begin to understand.”

Asher clawed the table as his entire being began to shake. He stood up slowly, grabbed the hilt of his blade, yanked the sword out of the table, and glanced between Elin and Grum. “Get your rest. By morning light, we sail to Shadowfen. We will find the leader of the Aurochs and we will bring them down!”

Chapter 2

Undefined

After composing himself, Asher sat on a tall chair by the counter downstairs twirling a dagger on the bar top. His eyes were distant, like a trance, as his mind wandered back to the day he first met Luna.

She was gambling below deck during a storm with the rest of the crew. She looked up at him with eyes that reflected the dancing flame of candlelight. She challenged him to a game of chance for a position on his main traveling party. Curious by her offer and entranced with her smooth face, he accepted and the rest was history.

As Asher stared off into the past, Grum and Elin sat at a table near him with mugs in hand as they waited him out to pull himself together. “How long are we giving him to sulk?” Elin grumbled. “In case you haven’t noticed, we are in a tight spot now. The Cap’n is sending us out tomorrow and we are short one hand.

Grum shot her a disgusted look. “We were just betrayed and you are more worried about being short handed for a mission?”

“In case you haven’t noticed, our crew has a reputation to uphold and we are setting course to go toe to toe with one of the most dangerous clans in Saffron. Doubtless, they are assuming we are going to make our way to them.”

“But why do they care so much about the Captain? What is it about him that made him a target? And why would Luna up and turn on us like that?”

Elin sat back in her chair as she threw back the rest of her drink. “Don’t know, don’t care. That’s why personal attachments are useless.”

Grum shook his head as he finished his mug as well. “You are a piece of work, you know that?”

Elin dismissed his question and raised her arm. “Two more over here!”

“Just a moment, Miss!” An attendant replied.

“Look, Elin, I’m just trying to figure this out,” Grum continued. “She said she had to do it. She paid someone to go after the Captain, but make it look convincing. What was she threatened with to make her do that?”

“She’s got a gambling habit and likely made a bet with the wrong person. What’s to figure out?”

Grum sighed in frustration as more mugs were brought to them. “I suppose you make a good argument. Still…let’s say you are right and we move on. No one else in our crew is exactly combat worthy. Whether we like it or not, we need to recruit someone else.”

Before the conversation could continue, a slight commotion was stirring on the other side of the room as a string of darts landed the center of a board. Grum and Elin made their way over to see a feminine figure with a shemagh scarf around her head. She sat calm and collected as she crossed her legs and stared off to the side.

A large man stood shaking in anger. “I demand a rematch!” He shouted with slobber shooting from his mouth. “You weren’t even looking! You cheated! And…”

A thin sword appeared at the man’s throat as she slowly turned his general direction. “Let me be perfectly clear: I have another sword right here to join the first. One more word, and there will be no more words. Blink twice if you understand. Blink once if you think your final statement is worth the last word.”

The man blinked twice and stared in horror. She sheathed her sword as the giant man staggered backwards and ran off while the crowd dispersed. She shook her head as she returned to her meal, but not before glancing over her shoulder once more.

“You two in the back going to keep gawking, or do you have something more intelligent to say?”

Grum scoffed for a moment before approaching her. “That was impressive aim. How did you manage to aim so well?”

She poked her food around with a fork before setting it down. “What’s it to ya, big fella? I already had one nimrod talk me down. You going to be next? I wasn’t aware it was a crime to be proficient in weaponry.”

Grum almost felt offended until he glanced over to Elin and laughed. “She’s spitfire. Reminds me of you.”

Elin didn’t flinch, but continued to study the stranger. “Can you do that every time?” She asked flatly.

The stranger set her fork down and turned to Elin. “That depends, what’s your price?”

Grum staggered back for a moment. “Woah, wait a second. We just met her and…”

“500 gold, as a start,” Elin interrupted pulling a bag of coins from her satchel. “500, up front.”

The stranger examined the bag and studied one of the coins inside. She glanced back and forth between Elin and the gold as she studied the situation carefully. “Why so much? Either you are desperate or after a pretty big fish. You don’t stink of desperation, so I gather it would be the latter.”

“The Aurochs Clan,” Elin answered flatly as the entire room went deathly quiet. She glanced around at the peering eyes. “Unless I invited you to the conversation, I would strongly suggest you return to your drink and mind your own business!”

The room return to its typical demeanor as hushed tones and whispers echoed. The stranger nodded her head as she directed them over the table. “Brave soul to mention them. I suppose no one has told you before about the influence they have here.”

“It matters to our Cap’n. Nothing else makea a difference”

The figure studied Elin for a moment as their eyes traded glances. Her body was relaxed, but her eyes screamed of determination and loyalty. She reached a hand out to Elin. “Zemna Alra. If your Captain is interested, I’m in.”

Grum held his hand up in protest as Elin attempted to reach back. “One stipulation: this isn’t a job we were paid for. Our Captain has a personal score to settle. He walks the path of revenge. If this is something you want no part of, speak now.”

Zemna folded her arms and looked Grum straight in the eyes. “You paid me to do a job, and I accepted. You have your reasons, and they don’t interest me. You want my loyalty, you have it. Now, when do you intend to leave?”

Grum and Elin looked at each other for a moment then back to Zemna. “At first light we sail,” Grum replied. “We’ll meet back here before we board to leave. We won’t wait for you. And most importantly…” He paused before slowly approaching her. “We will be watching your every move. Any intention to betray will be dealt with on the spot. Any objections?”

She rolled up her pants leg and revealed a nasty scar. “I was betrayed once and it almost cost me my life. I would soon rather take my own life than betray another, and that’s the last I’ll say on this.”

Zemna rolled her pants back down and returned to her seat. Grum and Elin likewise returned to their table and sat back as Asher approached them. He looked straight at them with a glare in his eyes.

“So…new recruit?” They began to open their mouths when he held his hand up to silence them. “Well. I only have one thing to say to that…” Asher leaned in close with his hands resting on the table. He looked between them for a moment before patting them on the shoulders. “Way to look out for your Captain. Keep up the good work.” He nodded and walked up the creaking steps to retire for the evening, leaving Elin and Grum unsteady and confused.

“I hate it when he does that,” Elin admitted. “I can never tell what he’s thinking.”

Grum chuckled nervously. “Try being his head officer. It doesn’t get easier.”

Chapter 3

Ghost Mariner

After a restless evening at the inn, Grum and Elin guided their new comrade to a grey scaled schooner ship with black sails. At the top of the ship flew the flag of the Ghost Mariner, an image of an ornate anchor with a helm resting on top of it and a crescent moon in the right corner. The crew was finishing up loading their supplies as Asher sat at the bow of the ship with his knee propped up and arm resting on it.

“Permission to board, Sir!” Grum shouted at request.

Asher glanced over before he stood to his feet, walked across the deck, and down the gang plank to greet them. He approached Zemna and began walking around her in circles. After a few rounds he stopped in front of her and reached his hand out. “Welcome aboard the Ghost Mariner, Miss Alra.”

Her eyes widened as she cautiously shook his hand. “But…I never…They never…”

“Said your name?” He continued. “No, of course not. Let’s just say, I have a habit of getting information about people before they come aboard my ship. That being said, I hear you are quite proficient in your twin blades. May I see?”

She shook off a moment of shock as she unsheathed her blades and handed them to him. He twirled them around with a curious proficiency Zemna had never witnessed before.

“Eastern Isle steel, yes?” Asher asked.

“Uh…yes.” She replied hesitantly. “By the Iron Works Guild. Have you been?”

“Oh, yes,” He replied still examining the blades. “One of the smiths is a good friend of mine. Have you ever heard of old Schafer? His nephew was actually one of my favorite sword wielding teachers as a lad. Quite the temper, but his form with sword was almost like a dance.”

He swung the blades in the air as a loud humming hung in the air as he held a stance. He took a deep breath and returned the blades. “No finer steel. You certainly have excellent taste. Now, time is of the essence.” He turned to Grum. “Master Arno! Have the crew prepare to set sail at once for the southern lands of Shadowfen.”

“Aye aye, Captain!” Grum replied with a stiff salute as he walked off and began barking orders at the crew.

Asher glanced behind him at Elin. “It’ll take a day’s journey to get there, but plenty of time to get to know one another. See that our new friend is up to speed on the general plan.”

He walked off to join Grum in prepping the ship as Zemna stood frozen and dumbfounded. Elin shook her head and passed her a sack of flour. “You get it used to his curious ways. You never fully know anything about his past. Now, help me take this to the galley and we can get you settled into your quarters. There’s a lot to discuss and you appear to be knowledgeable of our enemy. The more we know, the better prepared we can be.”

Zemna nodded as she threw the hefty bag over her shoulder and followed Elin onto the busy deck of the ship. Several crew members loading crates, some were adjusting the sales, and Grum had a firm grip of the helm. “Way anchor!” Grum shouted as the metal links were slowly pulled up out of the water.

As they set their bags down, Elin looked to Zemna. “So, what brings you to town? Can’t say I’ve ever seen ya ‘round her before.”

Zemna rested against the door frame and looked off at Asher climbing the netting to the crow’s nest. “I’m a bit of a drifter. Lookin’ to settle in with a crew. Your mission is a reckless one, but you don’t seem to be the reckless sort.”

“You seem to know about our target. Care to share?”

Zemna shook her head. “The Aurochs Clan is shrouded in mystery. A bunch of savages living on a volcanic island that seem to have spies everywhere. It’s a bit unnerving. All we can do is go in and pray for the best.”

Elin nodded as she continued in small talk as an hour had past. The clear skies left a vision of peace as the crew set sail. The wind blew gently across their faces as a groups of gulls squawked and flew around the tallest mast of the ship.

Zemna exited the galley and noticed Asher remained in the crow’s nest, standing stiff as a post gazing into the distance. Elin soon joined her as Zemna got her attention. “Don’t most crews have a scout that sits up there?”

Elin shook her head. “Perhaps, but as you have already noticed, Cap’n Dorian is not your typical leader. He can cast himself from obnoxiously joyful to deathly quiet in a moments notice. He has his ways, but our many missions have been successful. As you put it, the coin is good so we don’t question it. Besides, once you get to know him, there’s no one else you would rather trust.”

Zemna nodded calmly as the ship started to rock violently. “Captain!” Zemna shouted. “What’s going on?”

Asher turned his scope to the water as giant tentacles broke the surface of the water. “Giant squid! Secure the sails!”

The crew began to pull the sails down as Grum and Elin approached one of the tentacles trying to wrap around the ship. Elin lit an arrow on fire, ran over to the side of the ship, and aimed at the base of the creature arm. The tentacle shriveled back into the water as the rest of the arms followed suit back into the water.

“Quick work, Miss Moore!” Asher praised. “Don’t celebrate too soon. If this thing is what I fear it is, we only just made it worse.”

Before the crew had a chance to react, the ship began to rock even harder as a giant cone shaped creature broke the surface and sprayed a large black mist over the ship. Grum looked side to side, but his field of vision was quickly disappearing.

“Elin! Zemna!” Grum shouted. “Back to back! Tight circle!” They followed orders immediately while they could still see. Grum pulled out his battle axe, Elin readied her arrow, and Zemna drew her blades.

Slowly they glanced back and forth as the creature moved through the water like a ghost. Each tentacle slowly scraping across the ship. Each person slowly holding a tight grip of their weapon.

“Hold steady!” Grum commanded. “Until you get a good look at it’s face, don’t move!”

Every passing moment they waited felt like an eternity watch the creature begin to reveal itself little by little. Elin, drew her bow ever so quietly as the head came further into view. Zemna was nearly entranced by the line of sight with the creature until she heard silent shuffling below her. One of the tentacles was slowly circling Elin’s legs.

Not wanting to wait any longer, Zemna pulled her blades up straight and slammed them down into the forming tentacles. The creature let out an unearthly screech as it flopped around.

Noticing what occurred, Grum turned to the tentacle pinned and slammed his axe down, severing the arm from the rest of the beast. While it was disoriented, Elin lit another arrow quickly and took a shot that landed in the beast’s left eye. She began to load another one when the creature released a thicker stream of ink that blinded all three of them.

Noticing their dismay, the creature slowly lurched its tentacles and wrapped around the 3 of them to swallow them as the rest of the tentacles began slamming other members of the crew against the ship and each other before flinging them into the water.

Hoisted in the air and feeling helpless, Zemna looked up with hazed vision as a blurry figure stood off in the distance. Struggling to breathe, she attempted to cry for help, but no sound was able to escape.

Inches away from the creatures mouth, the figure leaped in the air and slammed their blade straight down into the head of the creature. The arms immediately let them all go as their nearly unconscious bodies dropped to the deck of the ship. The creature flailed in pain as an unnatural screech emanated from its mouth before flopping lifeless back into the water as the figure leaped back into the deck.

The three coughed harshly as they slowly lifted their heads. Their vision still hazy as a figure in a black coat approached them. They looked up as the voice of Asher spoke up. “Get these 3 below deck at once”

Elin slowly pushed herself up on her elbows straining to see. “C…Cap’n?” She asked weakly before passing out.

Chapter 4

Shogun Rock, Eastern Isle – (3 Years Ago)

Two lone figures appeared atop of a mountain on Eastern Isle. Asher sat by a cliff side with his legs dangling over the edge overlooking the scenery as he is approached by a woman in archer’s clothes. He hears the shuffling of footsteps against the stony soil and turned to face her.

“I wasn’t sure you were serious when you said you wanted to talk. Not very often I have someone of my crew seeking to challenge an order. What’s on your mind, Miss…?”

She huffed as she looked him in the eyes. “Elin Moore. I’ve been on your crew for sometime and I do believe the time has come for a change in authority.”

Asher nodded as he turned back to observe the scenery. “Tell me, Elin, when you look off into the distance and you see a sunset, do you think it’s by accident or is there someone out there orchestrating the falling and rising of the sun?”

She huffed in annoyance as she drew a sword. “Don’t change the subject! Are you ignoring the challenge I am issuing!? Are you too much of a man among men to face a woman in combat?”

Asher scoffed as he took a deep breath and rose to his feet. “A bold assumption. I’ll give it a pass since you have greatly peaked my interest. So, ask yourself this, are you really sure you want to this?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” She replied with full confidence as she gripped her sword tightly.

Asher observed her stance and how she gripped her blade. He nodded calmly as he drew his own sword. “Very well. Just realize, what happens from this point on is a choice you made. Savvy?”

“I’m more than capable of squaring with the likes of you.”

“The likes of me, eh? And what pray tell would that be?”

She ignored him as she began to strike with a flurry of blows, but he was quick to parry each of her attacks with ease. She continued to attack with a clear sense of rage in her movements as they continued to dual with the sun sinking ever deeper into the earth.

Asher then pinned her against a cliff face with their blades crossed. “You never answered my question,” He insisted. “What sort of person am I?”

Elin grunted as she began to push back against his blade. “The one who talks too much.” She finally pushed him off and continued swinging violently. One or her crazy swipes swung true and knocked his blade out of his hands. Before she could knock him prone to declare herself the victor, the ground beneath her started to crumble as she felt gravity quickly pull her down.

Elin closed her eyes to accept her fate when a hand reached out quickly to grab her. She looked up in shock as Asher had a firm grip on her arm. “I suppose…no one warned you about the unstable cliffs around here,” He began to say holding her tight. “Hold tight. I’ll pull you up.” He looked behind him and noticed a sturdy rock. He wrapped his feet around them as counter pressure and pulled both of them off of the cliff and onto the ground.

They glanced at each other for a moment as they both caught their breath laying on the ground. “Perhaps…we call it…a draw,” He suggested breathlessly.

Elin pounded her fist against the ground as she slowed her breathing down. “I hate weakness,” She began to say. “But I would be spitting in your face to be ungrateful for you saving my life. I withdraw my claim…Cap’n.”

He grinned and nodded at her. “I appreciate the sentiment, but don’t cut yourself short. I adore your passion in combat. But do be honest, you aren’t a naturally skilled with a sword, are you?”

Her cheeks blushed as she pulled herself up and gazed at the newly approaching stars in the sky. He likewise pulled himself up and joined her. Minutes felt like hours as they sat in silence gazing at the array of lights above them.

“I don’t think it’s an accident,” Elin noted, breaking the silence. “The phases of the sun, the moon, where all the stars are placed…it all has a purpose. I suppose, I have been unhappy with mine and…sought after yours.”

Asher smiled softly as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “I never wanted to be Captain, you know.” Elin shot him a confused look. “Growing up, I was bred to be able to handle myself against practically anything. I had…no parents. For a short time early in my life, I wandered the Eastern Isle alone, starving, and no purpose in life.

“Then, one day I had gone too long without eating and blacked out. I awoke in a bed with a fresh change of clothes and a cool rag on my head with a tall glass of water. One of the elders sword smiths found me and brought me back to life. I stayed with them, trained hard every day, but secretly longed to sail the seas.

“Eventually, I did, and have never regretted it. My former Captain was a bit of a brute, but all I cared was to travel and explore. No desire for the burden of leadership. I just wanted to sail.

“Sadly, our crew was attacked one night in pitch black darkness. All of the officers, Captain included, were quickly struck down and tossed overboard. The remaining crew fought them off long enough long enough for the enemy to retreat. When everything settled, I was named Captain and the rest is history.”

Elin stared in disbelief as the man she could never take seriously suddenly became the image of a model Captain. She pulled her legs in and hugged them tight. “I’ll understand if you wish for me to leave, now. I wouldn’t want to keep a lose cannon like me on board.”

Asher took a deep breath as he looked her way. “Most Captains probably wouldn’t, but I’m not most Captains. No, Miss Moore, I do believe it would be a travesty and a horrible disservice to the crew to let you go. If anything, I think I’d like to have you join my traveling party for our missions instead of tending to the ship all day. What do you think?”

Elin smiled and nodded as she laid back down to glance at the stars. A warm sensation came over her as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 5

Coast of Shadowfen (Present Day)

Elin slowly opened her eyes as she rose from her cot and stretched her bruised body. She glanced around and saw her original bow was snapped in half and her quiver was empty. A river of frustration filled her being as she stepped out of the cabin to see a stony coastline and ash covered trees from the volcano in the distance.

The crew was hard at work patching the ship with wood and lumber from the nearby lands. Grum stood next to Asher shaking their heads as they watched the progress. “How many lost from that beast?” Asher inquired.

“Unfortunately, at least seven lives, sir.”

Asher took off his hat and placed it over his heart for a brief moment to honor his crew. He looked at the ship and sighed. “She won’t be as pretty as she was,” Asher began to say. “But she will at least be sea worthy.”

Grum approached the railing of the ship wme peered into the water. “That was no ordinary Kraken, was it?”

Asher sighed a breath of frustration as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I’ve heard tales of a horrific creature of the sea that was born from the black abyss itself. Not a true creature of water, but of pure darkness. Whatever the case may be, we saw its lifeless corpse plunge back into the depths it came from.”

“Not to argue Cap’n,” Elin interrupted as she approached them. “But if it’s truly a a creature born of darkness, then wouldn’t it be safe to assume it could come back?”

“She has a point,” Grum concurred. “We may get a break from that thing for now, but how do we know it won’t come after us a second time looking for payback?”

Asher turned to the coastline and looked off into the distance. “Alas, that concen will have to wait, for now. I suspect our target is expecting us. While the crew handles repairs of the ship, I do believe it’s high time we make way.”

“And what of Zemna?” Grum inquired.

Asher laughed as he nodded towards a clearing in the trees where Zemna was hard at work practicing her techniques with her blades against the thick trees of the land. “You needn’t worry about her. She’s coming with us and I do believe her skills will be invaluable to our mission.”

“I’m not sure I will be of much use to you without my arrows, Cap’n,” Elin confessed.

“I noticed your predicament. Fortunately, I planned ahead. I have a gift for you that I’ve been saving for a special occasion. This seems as good of time as any. Follow me.”

The three of them walked to into the Captain’s quarters where Asher led them to a large trunk. He pulled some keys from his desk and unlocked the trunk. He gestured to Elin to open and look.

She slowly opened the lid as her eyes widened. She pulled out a polished hickory bow with intricate etchings of wind and falcons carved into it. The bow string was strung from the strongest hemp fibers. And the arrow itself was built with shafts made of ash and the arrows of freshly polished steel.

Elin examined the arrow closely as her eyes widened. “Is…the arrow head made of Eastern Isle steel?”

Asher tapped his nose as he looked to Grum. “I think you as well should take a gander. I know your current Battle Axe has seen action, a time or two.”

Grum reached in and pulled out not one, but two battle axes with handles made of ash and freshly polished blades with etchings of lightning carved into the blade. “Let me guess, Eastern Isle steel as well?”

“Let’s just say I’ve been investing our earnings a bit with some old friends from my past. As soon as you joined, I commissioned your weapon as soon as I could.”

Grum ran his fingers over the blades slowly and took in the moment. “Well, this was indeed a pleasant surprise. But what of Zemna? She only had just joined. There’s no way you could have…” Grum’s words trailed off as Asher began to grin. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m a collector by habit, my friend. I had a few extra blades commissioned for the just in case. The ones our new friend is using are her original ones, but I have newly forged ones waiting for her when our mission begins.”

“And would it be fair to assume you got yourself something?”

Asher pushed his coat to the side and pulled his blade from its sheeth. He revealed a two handed sword with a red hilt made of painted Ivory. In the blade itself were etchings of fire and lions. “Lead by example, aye? We will teach these brutes a lesson they will never forget.”

Grum chuckled at Asher’s antics as he thought back to the day they reunited.

The Owl’s Nest – (1 Year ago)

Asher and Elin were sitting at a table enjoying their meal after a long mission to retrieve gems stolen from the Prince of Howothage, that rests in the neighboring kingdom North of Saffron. It took them nearly a week to travel back home, and they could barely hold their cutlery from exhaustion.

It was mid-day, and most of the field workers were still deep in the fields tending to their crops as the Inn sat typically quiet for this time of the day. The barkeep was polishing glasses while the table workers were tidying up and aiding the kitchen with making food.

“Remind me why we took a job from outside our own land?” Elin groaned, trying to keep her eyes open.

“They came to us,” Asher began to explain. “The trade off was well worth it to have our ship custom tailored to make the Ghost Mariner unique among the rest and give us a sizeable amount for an emergency stash. And the queen was so thrilled to see the jewels that she even gave you some new arrows.”

“I suppose,” Elin grumbled as she lifted her aching hand to pick up her mug. “Perhaps we limit how many we do. The crew is still asleep and for some reason, you decided we need to be awake.”

Asher chuckled as he spun his fork in the plate and looked up at the ceiling. “I heard a wise Psalm says, “‘Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.’”

Elin side eyed him for a moment before taking a sip of her drink. “I’ve heard a similar Psalm that says: ‘It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.’ So, which am I to believe?”

Asher nearly choked with food in his mouth as he began to laugh. “I truly enjoy the workings of your mind, Miss Moore. Always a pleasure.”

“You never could keep yourself calm, Dorian,” A gruff voice spoke from the corner of the room. A large towering man lowered the hood of his cloke and approached them. “Always have something smart to say. I see that has yet to change.”

Elin slowly stood from her seat with a hand on a dagger, hilted on her side. “What business have you, sir?”

Asher waved her off calmly. “Return to your meal. I can contend with this one.” Elin shot Asher a glare as she slowly returned to her seat with one hand still resting squarely on her dagger.

The man nodded and looked back to Asher. “Not the trusting sort, is she?”

“She’s cautious. Makes her reliable. Can’t say the same for some people,” Asher suggested slyly with a toothy grin.

The man reeled a fist back ready to aim at Asher. Asher likewise pulled a fist back to match his. Elin prepared herself, once again, to stand her ground as their fists were thrown at each other. Before she could react, their fists collided against each other as Asher began to laugh loudly.

“Miss Moore, my apologies for the smoke and mirror routine,” Asher began to explain humorously. “I actually know this gentleman quite well. Meet an old childhood friend of mine from my time at Eastern Isle. This is Grum Arno. His father aided in security until he was summoned to aid elsewhere.”

Grum looked her up and down before presenting a hand to her. “A pleasure, and my condolences for having to share company with this shady character.”

Elin smirked as she accepted his hand and shook back. “Likewise that you had to share part of your childhood with him. I am Elin Moore. I actually hail from these parts. My father was a field worker and my mother was a seamstress.”

Asher smiled at the friendliness that came of this as he put a hand on Grum’s back. “Tell me, old friend, what brings you our way?”

“I heard some lunatic that matched your description was looking to build up a crew and needed more hands. Well, here I am. What’s the next job?”

Elin glared at Asher as Grum’s question settled in. “Cap’n…” She growled as she slowly stood with an unsheathed dagger in hand. “We just spent the last month dealing with a gem thief, our boots have not been on solid ground for even half a day, my food hasn’t even begun to digest for Heaven’s sake, and you already have another mission!?”

Grum raised an eyebrow as he glanced back to Asher who was calmly sipping on his drink. He sighed a frustrated breath as he sat down to join them. “I see you still keep close to the vest as always.”

Chapter 6

Southern Timberlands

After a stroll down memory lane, everyone gathered as they began traveling through the woods. Zemna led the group as her new blades easily sliced through the thick foliage heading straight towards the volcano.

Elin glanced around them as her mind conjured shadows following them every direction. “Tell me, Zemna, how do you know where we are going?”

Zemna stopped slicing and looked back to the group. “Remember that scar I showed you? I barely made it out the first time. I’ve been preparing to return for some time. I’m more than ready.”

As she turned to continue cutting a path, several shadowy figures began rustling through the trees. All of them stood at the ready to prepare for an assault when several ox heads broke through the branches. As they came into view, the oxen were saddled with human riders wearing ox hats, painted faces, and armed with spears and swords. They wore no shirts, but we’re covered in numerous amounts of tattoos and clan symbols representing their individual journeys to become part of the clan.

Asher’s usually casual demeanor sunk beneath eyes of fire and an angry scowl. He gripped the hilt of his sword with a shaking hand as anger filled his entire being.

The lead rider approached them and held his spear to them. “You struggle, you die,” He spoke in broken common. “Chief want man with Lion crest.”

“I am he” Asher replied. “You take all of us, or I stay.” He attempted to explain in simple words.

The rider nodded and looked to the rest of his clan as he pulled out a ram horn and blew it loudly as large sacks were placed over their heads. After securing the party, the clan grunted in unison as they steered their oxen towards the base of the volcano.

Carefully the group were led down a carved out path with dimly lit torches. At the back of the assembly was a designated sámi drum player beginning the clan’s pre-battle ceremonial entry to their forbidden arena.

They soon entered a humid arena with a grand throne made of bamboo with patches of hay tied to it in various places. The men dismounted their oxen as they laid their weapons down and bowed with their faces in the dirt as a large figure appeared from behind the throne with a large bull head placed over his.

The man wore an overly ordained robe around his neck and carried a thick morningstar in his hand. He raised his hand as the drummer stopped and the sacks were removed from the party’s heads.

“You dare enter my sanctum!” The man declared. “You must seek after death! Which one of you will be my opponent?”

Zemna did not hesitate to step forward. “I am!” She declared. “I have unfinished business here and I intend to seek justice.”

“Foolish mortal, with your twin blades! Do you really think you have what it takes to defeat me where you have already stood as a defeated worm!?”

“I have nothing to fear.” She answered flatly.

“Then the rest of your group will be brought up here where they will witness your demise!”

Zemna unsheathed her blades as the rest of her group was led to the top of the stadium. She glanced up at Asher who nodded her direction. She nodded back as she took her fighting stance.

The Bull headed warrior leaped from the top and slammed his morningstar into the ground as he landed as a show of intimidation. Zemna was not interested in theatrics as she charged straight for him. He looked up as her blade sliced right through the Bull mask and two pieces collapsed to the ground as a man with a charred face roared in anger.

The rest of the clan, suddenly fell silent after chants of victory and as cheers turned to murmers and whispers. “You fool!” The man shouted. “You have destroyed the very symbol of our people! You will pay for this with your…”

Before he could finish, Zemna had her blades scissored around his neck. She glared at him through her facial covering. “You…mock me.” She declared, enraged by his presence. “You…are not the warrior I faced.” He began to open his mouth as the blade every so slightly touched his skin and scared him too much to speak. Zemna glared up into the crowd. “I know you are here! The act is over…Grum!”

Elin’s face turned white as a ghost as she slowly turned her head to her comrade. “G…Grum, what does she mean?” She asked nervously.

He closed his eyes and ripped off his garments to reveal the same tattoos as the rest of the clan. He ripped off his head wrap to reveal a large bull tattoo that went from the bridge of his nose to the temples of his head.

“You spoke well, Zemna. Or rather…Luna Maverous!” Elin, once again shocked, looked down as Zemna removed her head scarf. Her red hair flowed down and she revealed herself to everyone else. “A clever disguise, but when your belongings were never removed from the ship, I grew suspicious. After the Kraken, a lock of your hair hung from your head scarf. It didn’t take long to figure it out.”

“Luna!?” Elin called out as her typical calm persona was shattered. “But I thought…”

“I know…” Luna began to explain. “Asher and I planned this some time ago. The plan was complicated, but necessary. Grum did in fact threatened me to kill Asher.” Luna’s hands began to shake as tears streamed from her eyes. “Or else he would kill my sister. Soon after Asher rescued me, I soon learned she was already dead.” She pointed a sword are Grum. “You…killed her!” She shouted as her voice echoed.

“Why, Grum?” Elin asked with sadness and a hint of betrayal in her voice. “Why her…why try and kill Cap’n Asher…why pretend to be our friend!?”

Grum glared her way as one of the men shoved her and Asher into the ring with Luna. “Because my family was banished!” His words hung in the air as everyone stood in anticipation to hear. “What miss Luna failed to tell you all is that she is not just a gambling misfit…she is also Princess Lunara Maverson, next in line to the throne of Saffron. Her personal body guards were Asher’s family.”

“But why was your family banished!?” Elin demanded.

“Because his parents were hired assassins that were paid to kill our entire family,” Luna began to explain. “Unfortunately for him, even after years of biding their time, their plans were foiled…but not without sacrifice as his parents took a bullet for them. The rest of the royal guards arrested them on the spot. They tried to find Asher after it was over, but his people already kidnapped him and dumped him off in the outskirts of Eastern Isle.

“When my family eventually discovered him, they decided to let the smiths raise him to help him grow stronger. As for Grum’s family, banishment from the Kingdom was too easy, and it was Father’s greatest mistake letting him live. Because of him…my sister was taken and murdered!”

“A necessary sacrifice, but I have allowed you to talk long enough.” Grum pulled out the twin battle axes and jumped in the ring with them as he charged straight for Luna. He raised his battle axes high as he slammed down on top of her.

Luna easily guarded against his strike, but was brought to her knees. With all the bottled anger and pain she felt inside, she let out a deafening screech as she forced him back and plunged her boot square into his chest.

Grum faltered back for a moment as Asher came charging at him from behind Luna. He swung down as Grum swung one of his axes up to deflect the hit.

While lost in the fray, the man with the charred face lifted his morningstar from the ground and raised it high over Luna. Before he completed his swing, an arrow shot lightning fast through his hands as the weapon fell on top of him and pinned him to the ground.

Elin lowered her bow and ran to Luna’s side as the rest of the clan raised their spears and began to attack. They looked at each other and nodded as they began to handle the rest of the clan as Asher focused on Grum.

Back and forth they crossed steel as the ground began to shake. While the rocking momentarily deterred the fighting, they kept eyes on each other as they continued their relentless attacks.

“You knew all along!” Grum shouted. “You could have stopped me at any point, and yet you continually saved me. Why?!” He demanded as he slammed his axes down on top of Asher’s blade.

“Because…there was once…a friend…inside that rage,” Asher began to explain as he barely shoved the axes down and kicked Grum in the face. “Even as a small boy, I called you my brother. When I heard what has occurred, I hoped and I prayed that the seeds of revenge did not plant themselves in your heart.

“When the assassin told me who he worked for, what hope I held shattered. All the times since, I saved you out of respect for the memories I had of you. It’s clear to me now…my friend is surely dead.”

The ground shook violently at the end of Asher’s last statement as lava burst from the walls and slowly began to consume the room. Many of the clan were too slow to evade the flow and were swallowed. Luna and Elin managed to find high ground with an opening to escape from.

“Asher!” Luna cried. “We have to go!”

The lava seeped ever closer to them, but neither Grum nor Asher moved at first until they both dashed out there. Their blades continued to clash as they ran out of the cave. The entrance was soon within sight when the roof began to collapse. They both attempted to leap out of the cave as the entire tunnel vanished into rubble.

Asher shook off a dizzying sensation as he glanced up to see Grum pinned to the ground unconscious by a large boulder with the lava slowly moving towards him. Asher stood over him briefly before Luna pulled him out of the way as they took off towards the ship.

They quickly mad sail as they all watched the shore become consumed in lava. Luna and Elin placed a hand on Asher’s shoulder as the island disappeared into the distance.

Epilogue

Ghost Mariner

The crew of the Ghost Mariner held a service in memory of Grum. However twisted in his intentions, he was still part of the crew. One of the members began to play bagpipes as the newly promoted First Mate Elin Moore ordered a round of cannon fire send off for Grum and to those who suffered under the violence of the Aurochs Clan.

Now dressed in full Captain’s uniform, Asher stood in the middle and looked to everyone on board while holding a small basin in his hand.

“Ladies and Gents, life is frailty. We have but one life to live in this cruel world. Choices are made every day. Those choices are like a stone that sinks into the water. The ripples of the sinking stone affect everyone and everything around us.

“All we can do is work harder to be better. Every day we breathe is another chance to better ourselves for another day. Life is too short to hold a grudge. Let us continue on in the spirit of forgiveness as we press towards the future.”

Asher set the basin down and pulled a bag out of his pocket as he poured a small pile of gun powder into it. He struck a flint and started a small fire. “From ashes we were created, to ashes we shall likewise return. To those who suffered, may the Heaven’s guide you to your final destination.”

As the smoke billowed into the air, the music continued to play as Luna grabbed his hand and held him close to her. He wrapped his arm around her, kissed her head, and used his free hand to place his hat over his heart.

The crew remained in solumn silence for the remainder of the voyage as the words of Captain Asher Dorian hung in the air, as a story was told of Trust and Betrayal.

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About

James is a Christian Fiction writer who puts his faith first and foremost in all his inspiration. After a decade of retail life, he seeks to join the writing world by creating a safe reading selection for teen/young adult readers. He is the author of a 10-book series called the Grace Series and the Fantasy series Clash of Light and Dark.

James follows the teachings of the King James Bible and believes every day is another chance to learn from the Creator and spend every day taking steps closer to becoming more Christ-like.

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