32. Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
Lucenna
T he cry of seagulls came from overhead when they reached the border of Argent Cove. It looked like a dreary place beneath the overcast sky. The hooves of Klyde’s horse clomped over the cobblestone as they rode past the glowing windows of homes and establishments. Voices and music drifted out of an inn as a dwarf stepped outside a swinging door. It released the smell of cooking meat drifted to Lucenna from an inn and her stomach clenched from hunger. She held onto Klyde’s waist limply, feeling the damp fabric of his coat. They eventually reached the sea and left Onyx tied to a tree before they climbed over the rocky hill that overlooked the beach.
The field of sand was empty due to the coming rain. Up ahead was the pier. A few ships idled in the wharf, but they also looked unoccupied.
“I don’t see anyone,” Klyde whispered where they hid.
Lucenna peeked passed him. “Dyna is here.” The purple flames of her tracking spell traveled over the sand and continued over surface of the sea leading to a massive ship named the Somnio. There,” she said, motioning with her chin.
“You’re sure, lass?”
“Magic doesn’t lie.”
He gave her a half smile as he studied the quiet ship and the unmarked sails. But the flames had been flickering all night as they rode and now they completely winked out. Lucenna searched for Dyna’s Essence, but the barrier completely blocked her now.
“I can’t feel her anymore.”
“She’s all right,” Klyde assured her. Come. Let’s move closer.”
They climbed down the rocks and onto the quiet dock where the ships idled beneath the dark storm clouds. They ducked behind a stack of creates, attempting to listen beyond the crash of the waves.
“I will cast an amplification spell,” Lucenna said. She waved her hand and focused on the Somnio. She heard voices of men. Tarn’s raiders she assumed. But not Dyna. I can’t hear her voice. That man has her locked up somewhere or…”
“Or she’s not on the ship,” Klyde guessed. Only way to know is to sneak onto the ship.”
“I don’t like this.” Lucenna peeked behind her. We shouldn’t be doing this without Rawn or Zev.”
“Aye, but they should be here by now. Trouble on the road?”
“I hope not.” She glanced at the sleepy town of Argent, casting out her amplification spell in that direction. There was nothing else but chimney smoke and the cloudy skies, yet she felt something off. An odd sensation that carried a foreboding, but she didn’t know for who. Odd how this place was supposed to be a haven for refugees and those running for freedom. Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were all in danger in this place.
The murmur of distant voices drew her attention to small woodland on a rise past the rocky hill on the beach. Men dressed in black appeared from the trees. Klyde yanked her down behind the crates as the men tracked down the hill path to beach and made their way to the dock.
“What—” Klyde covered her mouth before she could say more.
He motioned for her to keep quiet, then he stared at them men. No, at the one leading them. The tall had a distinct scar running across his pale features from his eyebrow to his chin. His white-blond hair had been sleeked back out of his face. Long black cloak fluttered in the wind. Tarn. It wasn’t merely a guess, she knew it was by the way Klyde seemed frozen at the sight of him. As if he had waited all of his life for this moment yet now that he was faced with it, he couldn’t do anything but stand still in it. He slowly got to his feet absentmindedly, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.
“Klyde,” Lucenna whispered incredulously. What was he doing? “Get down!”
But it was as if he didn’t hear her.
“The Maiden must have lied,” one of the raider’s said as they approached them. “That was a bust.”
“Or the Druid wasn’t interested in coming,” a larger one of the group said.
“Maybe we should have offered up someone in service to him,” the other replied.
“Are you volunteering?” Tarn said, his frosted tone making the hair rise on Lucenna’s arms.
The men quickly quieted and bowed their heads to him. The large raider barked at them to get to the ship. Recoiling, the men rushed off at the command, their heavy boots beating on the dock as they rushed for the Somnio. Tarn strode past them with his hands in his coat.
A sudden chill wafted over her with his presence. Lucenna’s heart pounded wildly, shock trembling through her at the power she felt lurking in that man. Klyde blinked, his mouth moving with soundless words. He took a step to follow but Lucenna snatched his hand, and her magic rippled over them like static.
Tarn paused on the dock. He was still, his back stiff. His head turned and he peered over his shoulder—right at them.
Klyde stared back at him, their eyes locking.
Lucenna held her breath.
Then Tarn’s eyes swept over the crates and the pier, a slight frown flickering across his features. He continued down the dock and climbed the gangway onto his ship.
“He … didn’t see me,” Klyde said faintly.
“I made sure he didn’t,” Lucenna hissed. “Are you mad? You could have ruined everything!”
Klyde looked down at where they held hands. “You … cast an invisibility spell.” He exhaled a breath with a strange look on his face. “Here I thought…”
“That he didn’t recognize you?” Lucenna’s glower softened. “It has been fifteen years, Klyde. You were only a boy when he left. There is a possibility he might not recognize you now.”
He rubbed his face. “You’re probably right. It’s not as if I should expect a wholesome reunion.”
“What did you expect?” she asked.
Klyde tired eyes lifted to the ship and his brow furrowed a second before hardening. “Nothing. I didn’t come here for answers.” He drew his short swords with the grinning skulls and marched for the gangway. “I came only to stop him.”