3. Elspeth
Chapter three
Elspeth
IN WHICH ONE CAPTOR IS TRADED FOR ANOTHER, THOUGH PERHAPS WITH BETTER RESULTS, AND ELSPETH EMBARKS ON A QUEST FOR REVENGE
S he’d thought she was in a worst-case scenario on the ship where she’d been kept, but Elspeth couldn’t see how this was any better. Despite her efforts, she was tied to this man. A man who’d tried to eat her.
Behave or I’ll bleed on your pelt.
The threat that had haunted her days and echoed through her dreams at night had come true, though at the hands of a different captor.
She squinted at his finger. It wasn’t possible. The man’s hand was healed . If she didn’t know better, she’d guess he’d never been bitten at all. Her pelt taunted her with the truth, the smears of his blood slowly fading as it sucked it up like a sponge .
He was, she realized, an odd sort of fish kin, though it was not like she knew all the peoples of the Empire. 1 In fact, she’d tried to learn as little about the rest of the place as possible. They had nothing that would affect Hillskerry, nothing they wanted. Even though he was back in a semi-humanoid form, the man was still massive . He loomed over her, his broad frame blotting out the first morning sun behind him.
The ground shifted beneath her, and Elspeth realized that they were on a boat. Blinking, she looked around. It was unlike any she’d seen before. There was no mast or sails, she couldn’t even see any paddles. Instead, there was a large structure in the middle, a huge wheel near the back, and smoke pumping from a tube.
“Where have you brought me?” she asked, unable to keep the tightness from her voice.
“This is my ship, the—” the man cut off, shaking his head. “Doesn’t matter. I brought you here because you were injured.”
Wet locks of black hair fell over his forehead, shaking back-and-forth with his laughter.
“I guess you weren’t acting strange because you were ill. You were acting strange because you’re not a seal. Are you a selkie then?”
So, he knew that much at least.
“I am.” There was no point in denying it, if he knew enough to know what a selkie was at all.
“That’s wonderful! I’ve only just heard about your people. I’m Aegir, by the way.”
Perhaps he knew very little, then. He clearly didn’t know much about her pelt, nor did it seem as if he’d given much thought at all to the spots of his blood she could feel seeping into it.
“If you don’t mind—” she held her hand out toward her pelt.
His eyes widened, and he handed it over quickly. “Of course, I’m sorry. I hope that wasn’t—I mean I wasn’t trying to—never mind. Anyhow, I’m Aegir. And you are…”
He really didn’t seem to understand how closely they were tied now. If she could avoid him finding out, she might be able to escape him yet. She’d only feel compelled to obey him if she could hear him. If she got away before he learned, then it might be a non-issue. Perhaps he never needed to know about their bond. She didn’t know if she could be bound to anyone else in this way, but escaping before he realized would be more than enough for her.
As if he’d heard her thoughts, he cocked his head. “Well, I guess you don’t have to tell me your name if you don’t want to. As soon as you’re well, we’ll see about getting you back to your people.” He leaned over and finished wrapping a bandage around her leg. Had he been doing that, touching her, the whole time? She’d become disconnected from her body during her captivity, but it was more acute than she’d realized.
He sat up taller, raising a hand to whisk some hair out of his face. “As you can see, I have a boat, so I can take you back home. If you could just give me a heading, we’ll be on our way.” He stood then, wiping his hands on his bare legs, as if he were wearing pants.
He offered her a hand and frowned when she stood on her own. They were far out to sea, the shoreline barely visible in the distance.
“I—I suppose I’m not entirely certain. I know what my island looks like, and I know what’s on the mainland near us, but otherwise, I’m not entirely sure.” Shame and heat rose from her chest into her face. She hated feeling stupid in front of him, this man who would be her jailer.
As if he hadn’t a care in the world, he threw back his head in laughter, hands on his hips. Sunlight glinted on bits of metal that pierced his ears, far more than she’d ever seen anyone have. Somehow, he didn’t seem nearly as large as he had before. In the water, she could’ve sworn he had been many times her size, almost able to swallow her in one bite. Now, though he was still quite large, he wasn’t even twice as tall.
“Well, that’s just fine, I have a map in here.” He walked around the side of the structure and opened a door. Inside, there was a bank of windows lining the front and a large wheel that looked familiar to Elspeth. Next to it, however, was a large lever, and that felt entirely alien—she couldn’t even read the labels on it. 2
Turning away from the bank of windows, Aegir waved his hand behind her. The back wall of the small room was covered in a large map of Caihalaith, written in her own tongue. He pointed his finger at a section in the water, the deep black of his skin a contrast to the pale blue of the map.
“We’re right here, and this is where I found you, not far off.” He dragged his finger a miniscule amount and tapped the map twice.
Scanning the coastline near them, Elspeth realized she didn’t recognize any of the towns nearby. Instead, she followed the coastline north. Hillskerry was cold most of the year, so she figured it might be a fair guess. She was beginning to lose hope when finally, near the very top of the map, she began to recognize names of the towns. Hill. Winter Harbor. Bay of Shoals.
Once she found them, she traced her eyes out to sea, surprised at how far she needed to go. Eventually, she found a tiny island that matched the shape she knew so well.
“I’m from here,” she said, pointing instead at Winter Harbor. It wouldn’t do for him to actually know where Hillskerry was.
His eyebrows shot up. “You’re a long way from home. Did you swim all that way?”
“No,” she answered simply. She didn’t owe him anything about her life or what she’d been through. If he was willing to deposit her home, then they just needed to get there.
As if he just assumed she would follow him, Aegir left the wheelhouse and walked along the side of the ship until he arrived at another door.
“That’s quite a long way. We’ll need to get going, though it might take us a few weeks. My crew and I—well my crew of one and I—do have some business to attend to in the area, so I hope you’ll forgive me if we need to make some stops along the way. But we should be able to get you home in one piece very soon.
“It shouldn’t take too long…” He walked through the door and into what appeared to be his sleeping chambers. It was a strange amalgamation of extravagant materials and ephemera. It stretched the entire width of the boat with windows on either side. A large plush bed was built into the wall, and a wide desk dominated the space. Though it had stacks of papers on it, they were all held down with clips that seemed mounted to th e desk. The walls were lined with bookshelves that had railings on hinges, keeping the books in place.
Those things spoke of wealth and comfort, but the effect was ruined by clothing strewn everywhere. A pair of trousers sat on the floor next to the bed and a boot and its mate traced a path from the door to the desk. A stocking that didn’t look likely to belong to the man in front of her even hung from the chandelier above the desk. Still speaking, he crossed the room and nonchalantly donned the pants.
“I suppose, considering how long you’ll be with us, I ought to assign you a berth. Let me get some clothes on, and I’ll show you where you can bunk.”
He stopped with the fall front of his trousers undone and one boot on, cocking his head to the side. “You’ll probably need something to wear as well, other than that I mean.” He lifted his hand to gesture at her, and Elspeth very suddenly became aware of the fact that she was indeed entirely nude under her pelt that she clutched around her shoulders.
He was speaking so much, so quickly, that she’d been swept up in it. “That would be nice. Though, I’m not sure if you or your crewman have anything that would fit me.”
“Oh, I’m sure we can find something. Jokith and I are both large fellows, any one of our shirts would be like a dress on you I’m sure, our socks would be thigh-high stockings.”
“Well, it seems if I’ve a need, you already might have a few ladies’ stockings.” She looked pointedly at the stocking hanging from the chandelier.
With a cough, he whipped it down. “I’m afraid that’s not likely to have a mate.”
He opened a drawer and shoved it inside, retrieving a balled-up pair of socks and a shirt. He tossed both across the room to her as he pulled on a different shirt.
As quickly as she could, Elspeth threw the shirt over her head, dismayed at how long the sleeves were. She had to roll them several times to get her hands out and Aegir had been right, the stockings came up to her thighs. It was probably too much to ask for him to have some ribbon to tie them… but then again, he did have a lady’s stocking.
“I don’t suppose you have any ribbon?” She asked.
“Actually, as it happens, I do.” He moved to another drawer and pulled out a spool of shiny teal ribbon. “I try to pick things up, bits and bobs that I spot to take home with me. I figured this would sell well when I returned, but you’re welcome to whatever you need of it.”
He tossed it to her, and then motioned toward the door. “There’s no way any of my shoes will fit you, but we’ll see what we can find next time we go ashore.”
Elspeth shuffled after him, clutching her pelt to her chest.
He led her down a set of stairs, and into a hallway. It was short, one end appearing to hold a kitchen, with a door immediately to the right, and another a little farther down on the same side.
Aegir opened the door closest to them, and revealed a small room with six bunks, two on each of the other three walls. Only one of the bunks seemed to be in use at the moment. It had a bag that had been set on the bunk above it, and a pair of boots tucked underneath. The bedding was rumpled, and the sconce on the wall held a partially burned candle.
“This is where Jokith bunks and where—” he pursed his lips, and pulling the door closed behind him, ushered her out. “Actually, I think it might be best if you stayed in my room, I’ll grab what I need and move it down here with Jokith.”
“If that’s what you’d like to do…” Elspeth said. Really, now that she had her pelt, she just needed to keep him happy and from asking too mu ch about their relationship until she could leave.
“Are you hungry then?” he asked, walking toward the galley. He put an arm up against the door frame, crossing one foot over the other. He placed his other hand on his hip and rolled his head toward her. “Since my first snack got away, I’ll need to eat something else.”
He smiled, and something inside Elspeth turned almost pleasantly.
No, absolutely not. She was not doing that. Not to mention, she realized looking at him, he was standing very strangely.
“Are you posing?” she blurted out.
Aegir’s eyes widened. “What? No!” 3 He jolted upright and turned into the kitchen. “So, do you want something to eat or not?”
“I suppose I could eat, yes.” Elspeth followed him into the small galley and sat down in the booth.
“You eat fish?” he asked, digging through an ice box. “Looks like Jokith cooked and then left, judging by this note, so you can meet him later.”
“Of course.” She wasn’t a picky eater, but considering her precarious position, she’d eat whatever he offered her.
Aegir placed two plates on the table and sat down across from her. Both included smoked fish, but the one in front of him was piled high. “Most people don’t eat as much as me, but let me know if you need more. Eat your fill.” He smiled and began shoveling food into his mouth.
Elspeth’s hand moved to the plate before she could even think about it. She hurried to eat her own fish, barely tasting it. While they ate, Elspeth considered her options. He seemed willing to take her home, so on one hand, she could just wait it out and let him. The problem was, the longer she stayed with him, the more likely he’d realize that she followed his commands, and learn about the bond. He seemed an affable fellow, so if she had to be bound to someone, she supposed it could be worse. Still, better to leave before he discovered he had any sway over her at all.
Aegir smiled as she ate, as if watching her eat satisfied him as much as eating. “Well, now you’ve partaken of my hospitality and where I’m from, that means something. You’ve got to tell me your name now.”
“It’s Elspeth,” she said, hating how the words were ripped from her throat without her consent, but grateful that so far, his orders had been innocuous.
Aegir raised an eyebrow, presumably at her tone, but it was replaced with a debonair grin in a blink. “Well then, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Elspeth.”
Surely, his cheeks must hurt from smiling that much.
With a sigh, Aegir sat back from the table and patted his stomach as soon as he finished eating. “Let’s get you to my cabin then, I imagine you want to get some rest?”
Elspeth nodded and allowed him to lead her back upstairs.
I n short order, Elspeth found herself installed in Aegir’s bedroom. He had taken the time to tidy up a bit, removing any items of loose clothing, and straightening the papers on his desk. Then, with what seemed uncharacteristic awkwardness, he’d left her alone.
Elspeth had tried to ask if he needed to bring any other clothing with him, but he’d assured her that he had plenty in the washing. He’d invited her to read any of the many books lining his walls, but she quickly realized that most of them were in a language she didn’t speak, let alone read.
To one side, he had a large round ball that spun. Painted painstakingly in colors of blue, brown and green, she realized she recognized the shapes and outline of Caihalaith on its surface.
Everyone knew that the world was round, but what she saw when she spun the ball was surprising to say the very least. Instead of an expanse of open ocean, as she’d been led to believe, there was another massive landmass. That continent was as intricately labeled as her own. And though she didn’t recognize what any of the names meant, she could at least make out their letters. Upon further inspection, she noted that the continent had many little lines drawn through it, whereas Caihalaith had none. After spinning it a few more times, she moved on. A calendar hung at the side of the room, though again, she couldn’t make sense of it.
Limping to the desk, she trailed her fingers along the edge, until her eyes caught on a stack of blank paper, a pen, and ink. Seeing them, relief rushed over her. She’d always thought better when she doodled. The heavy desk chair rolled easily along a track, though it was much too large when she sat in it. She pulled a sheet off the stack and began sketching.
She sketched rocks she’d seen along her way, undersea coral formations, and the memory of Hillskerry diminishing in the distance. After that page was full, she pulled another down. Now that she was warmed up, she was ready to try to think things through. She did a little doodle of Feann, as he looked wistfully out the window. He was her “baby” brother only by a year or so, and they’d always had a bit of a competitive nature over protecting one another. 4 After her father died, though, Feann had struggled more than she.
Fishermen were highly respected on Hillskerry, and her father had hoped that she and Feann would show a liking for it. Elspeth hadn’t minded it, the long cruises between fishing spots had afforded her time to sketch, even if she didn’t love the actual act as much as she loved eating the fish. Feann however, truly detested it. It had, however, meant that he rarely went out with their father.
“Why would I go out on a boat when I can be a seal?” he’d complained. And while Elspeth could see his point, she’d always argued that the boat could take them far farther than their flippers any day.
Regardless, Feann’s dislike had meant that when Elspeth had reason to stay in town that day, her father had been alone. And while Elspeth had channeled her sadness into making sure no one else was ever lost in such a way, Feann and her mother had descended into a depression so deep they couldn’t leave their beds. For weeks, Elspeth had fed them and cleaned them, coaxed them and encouraged them, until they both, eventually, had decided that perhaps life was worth living again.
So, even though she knew she had plenty to work through on her own, she imagined that Feann was struggling even more.. Who knew what he’d been experiencing all the time they’d been gone. He’d need her, if she ever found him.
Thinking of Feann’s captivity made her think of her own, and its odd beginnings. She sketched Aegir, repeating his bust in the many faces she’d seen on him. He was so expressive, and she felt like she could draw all day and not capture every gesture she’d seen within the space of an hour. She could bond a worse looking fellow, to be sure, but it was a moot point—she couldn’t stay. It didn’t matter how handsome he was, or how kind he’d been, because how could she ever be happy knowing she abandoned her brother? He’d been captured because of her, and she needed to do everything she could to find him.
Once she’d filled that page, she grabbed the next in the stack, and stopped. Instead of a blank sheet it was a letter—one she could read. She tried to tear her eyes away, she really did, but they snagged on a word.
Selkie.
Elspeth squinted, her eyes quickly scanning the missive. It appeared to be a communication between members of the Pathian army. They detailed the raid on her village, as well as her capture, and that of her brother. It went on to discuss selkie traditions, and physical attributes.
Then it continued more specifically about Feann, mentioning how the Navigator who had captured him had bound him, and detailing how the blood rite that made the binding permanent.
Icy fear pricked in her heart. Had Aegir read this yet? He really hadn’t seemed to know anything about the blood rite.
Beneath the letter was another sheet of paper, half filled with writing she couldn’t read. A translation, she surmised, judging by the reference books and dictionaries she found stacked around the desk, but it wasn’t complete. In fact, it appeared to stop just before the information about the blood rite.
Aegir might not know what kind of control he had on her yet, but it was plain her days were numbered. As soon as he finished translating this passage, he’d know that she was forever bound to him. The second any command fell from his lips and reached her ears, she would be compelled to obey it.
She’d escaped captivity before, and she couldn’t stomach the idea of being kept captive once more. She didn’t want to see the transformation that came over Aegir when he realized that he was not only her savior, but her owner as well.
Heart beating quickly in her chest, Elspeth undressed, tying what little clothing she had in a knot. Every fiber of her being told her that she needed to leave, and quickly. Clutching her pelt around her, she climbed onto his bed, creaking the window open. She looked around, memorizing the small space. It had seemed so cozy and inviting, she’d have loved to have been able to stay. How nice it would’ve been, to have ridden in luxury all the way home.
But no, it didn’t matter how nice he was, how beautiful her cage might be, she couldn’t submit to a man’s control again. And what was more, she now had some idea of where her brother was. The letter had been postmarked from a town named Sunax, which looked to be north of their current location in the Konfusmeer Ocean. 5 It boggled her mind that the ship had carried her so far from home. And so, though she had little else to go on, she at least had a heading.
Never leave your pelt behind.
Travel only exactly where you mean to be.
Never go out on the ocean alone.
Two out of three rules wasn’t terrible, and the third couldn’t be helped, really. Perhaps her rules needed modification…
As she plunged into the water, something bubbled inside her. It wasn’t hope—nothing so innocent. Its molten heat felt more akin to desire. But instead of sexual desire, she felt the desire for revenge settled deep inside her.
She’d never killed anyone nor ever even really hurt anyone, but out there, somewhere near Sunax there was a Navigator who held her brother captive, and only his death would rectify that situation.
1. The Pathian Empire spent a great deal of energy to keep the peoples of Caihalaith separate as much as possible. By isolating cultures, they were able to perpetuate myths and sew fear that prevented cross-cultural cooperation.
2. The Lady’s Revenge is a steamship, modified to be run by only one or two people. Aegir’s work benefitted from a discreet crew, and though such things are common nowadays, at the time, it was entirely unheard of in Caihalaith.
3. He was absolutely posing.
4. Selkies tend to have young in bursts, with a higher instance of twins than humanoids without animal affinities.
5. Sunax, situated on the western coast of Caihalaith is a settlement of basilisks and was one of the settlements most frequently in active rebellion against the Empire.