27. Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
Dynalya
T he streets of Kelpway were quiet in the early morning, the world just beginning to wake. Fair’s hooves clomped on the cobblestone as they wandered east for the pier. In the market, the smell of fresh baking bread made her stomach growl. One necessity at a time.
Dyna stopped to barter for some apples, cheese, and rolls to break her fast. Well, Fair preferred the apples. She took a seat on the edge of fountain to soak in the sun and breath in the ocean breeze as she quickly ate. But after a couple of bites, her appetite seemed to disappear.
Water sprites in the fountain swam to her curiously, eyeing her food. They chirped at her, blinking their big oily eyes. She tore up the bread and cheese in smaller pieces for them and they took off with their prize.
She needed a plan.
Would it be better to sneak onto Tarn’s ship or approach him? She peered at the tips of the sails just peeking beyond the roofs. Was even he still here? He didn’t exactly give her a time. Maybe she should look for Von instead. He would know how to find Tarn, but Von could be anywhere.
Dyna rubbed her dry eyes and yawned. Exhaustion was catching up to her sooner than expected. Falling sick last night didn’t help either. But when she pulled out the tonic from her satchel, it felt near empty. What she had left wouldn’t last long. She should stop by the apothecary across the street before continuing to the docks. Tipping the bottle back. Dyna drank the last drops to the dregs. A sigh of relief slipped out of her as her energy returned and her worries faded.
She could do this.
After wiping her lap clean of crumbs, Dyna took Fair’s reins and crossed the street. But when she headed for the apothecary, a hand snatched her into the shadowy alley and pinned her to the wall. A man’s gloved hand clamped over her mouth, the other pinning her shoulder in place. Her pulse sped with adrenaline. Her hood covered her vision, so there was no telling how many were in the alley. She had been in this situation before, but they had no idea she had months of pent-up rage ready to release it on the next person to try her.
Dyna thrust her hand against his elbow, breaking his hold off her mouth. She reached for his sword, but he caught her wrist. Twisting, she wrenched free. Her body fell in perfect formation as she whipped out her blades.
A low chuckle echoed in the alley.
Dyna stilled, because she recognized that sound. She yanked back her hood and met a pair of pale blue eyes that matched a winter sky.
His mouth curved in a faint smirk. “Maiden.”
She blinked in surprise. “Tarn…”
After pushing and waiting and demanding to get to him, here he was. Her first instinct was to drive her knife into his heart, but no matter how much she trained, she knew her limitations. Tarn was an opponent she would have to defeat when he least expected it.
Dyna forced a small smile on her face and sheathed her knives. You know it isn’t proper to sneak up on a lady. I could have killed you.”
“Doubtful.” He tucked his gloved hands into the pockets of his long coat. The lapels were pulled up, partially obscuring his face. “Though, I see your reflexes have improved.”
Tarn continued walking through the alley. She took Fair’s reins and followed. It was odd to find him in public. The king’s ransom on his head forced him into hiding, but perhaps he did not need to worry in Dwarf Shoe. Or he had a pressing reason.
“Did you come looking for me?” she teased.
“Hardly. I came on another errand. Fortunate for you, as I am about to leave.”
Dyna glanced behind her to make sure no one followed. “No luck in meeting the Druid then?”
“It seems my information was false.”
She bit back her grin as they entered a quieter street with hardly anyone passing by. They made for the sea. “Well, he isn’t another trinket you can simply gather for your collection, Tarn. You do not find him. He finds you.”
Tarn stopped, eyeing her. “You speak as if you know him.”
Dyna schooled her expression and shrugged nonchalantly. “I don’t. I simply know how tricksy the fae are.”
The crease in his scar deepened as he studied her. Her expression remained blank, fortifying her lie.
Tarn walked on. “How did you manage to come here alone? I half expected your Guardians to appear.”
“I slipped away in Little Step.” She needed to tell him some truths to make her story believable. “I rode through the night.”
“Just as well.” The pier came into view and there was Tarn’s ship. It was a fine black vessel with SOMNIO painted in elegant gold letters on the side. No sigil marked the black sails. “Leave the horse.”
“What?” She slowed as they reached the docks.
“Did you think a ship was a place for animals?”
“But I can’t leave Fair behind.”
“Sure, you can.” He snatched the reins from her and tossed them aside, then pulled her along. As if it were easy to simply leave something behind.
That made a thorn dig into her chest.
“Wait.” Dyna tugged against Tarn’s grasp. Fair whinnied and trotted after her.
“I already told you I am not waiting.” He forced her into a quick pace toward the ramp. “You chose this, remember?”
The statement tangled the words on her tongue. She had chosen this.
Tarn led her up the ramp onto the deck. Fair neighed in protest from below. His hooves beat on the deck as he spun in circles. Her heart tumbled and Dyna had a sense she should be crying. She didn’t want to leave him, but Tarn was right, he had to stay. Who knew what was going to happen next, it was too dangerous to bring Fair onto the ship.
“Find your master.” Dyna shooed to him. “He’s looking for you. Go on, Fair.”
As she walked away, his neighs carried on the wind. All her life, she acted on a whim and hoped for the best, because she was following her heart. It had been bleeding inside of her, dying, but it still spoke. And it was telling her now to go back.
Pressure built behind her nose and eyes. She halted, feeling conflicted, but she came here for a reason.
To stop Tarn.
To find her remaining Guardian and to free her friends held captive here. It would work out in the end. It had to.
When Dyna looked back, Fair had galloped away for the harbor. He would reunite with Rawn soon enough, because she was fooling herself if she thought her Guardians wouldn’t come for her as soon as they realized she was missing. Zev would probably arrive first. She only needed to wait. Once they arrived, she would make her move.
Dyna allowed Tarn to lead her onward. The Raiders watched her pass silently. She searched for her friends, but they weren’t on deck. Well, Sorren and Geon were probably working in the kitchen.
Where is Commander Von?” Dyna asked. She had to maintain pretenses, though she was looking for him, too. Elon said he had come to Kelpway. I want to least greet Yavi.”
They are below deck tending their duties,” Tarn said without looking at her.
The spies weren’t in sight either. But she did spot new recruits among them. A man from Xián Jīng idled in the crow’s nest, his dark eyes watching her. There were a few dwarves, and a female elf coming out of the doors to the galley.
All eyes watched her as she walked with Tarn. The atmosphere felt strange. As if the Raiders were holding their breath.
Olsson stood by the steps. She was at least glad to see another familiar face, though he was surprised to see her.
“Lieutenant Olsson,” she greeted. “You look well. Could you send word to Yavi or Dalton that I am here? I would like to see them.”
She had to pretend to be oblivious to Dalton’s escape, but what about Clayton?
The Raider’s eyes widened further. He shifted on his feet, clearing his throat. He glanced at his master.
Tarn’s cool eyes settled on him. “Gather the men.”
Olsson immediately turned away and marched down the steps.
“Somnio…”
Hmm?” Tarn glanced at her.
“It’s an interesting name for a ship.” In her pocket, Dyna rolled the pewter bottle in her clammy palm. Attacking Tarn in his sleep wouldn’t work since he never slept. Recalling the way he caught Rawn’s arrow out of the air reminded her of his reflexes. Not to mention he had magic. How does one kill a powerful man who never let his guard down?
A plan had been in the back of Dyna’s mind for months, though she had not let herself really imagine it because it made her skin crawl.
“Do you know what it means?” he asked her.
“It means to dream.” Dyna faced him and they shared a long stare, both thinking of the time she had spent in his dreams. She canted her head. “How quaint.”
Tarn stood beside her as he looked out at the sea. “I hope you don’t think I named the ship after you.”
Dyna smiled wryly at the churning waves. Oh no. She knew exactly who the ship was named after.
Footsteps lightly thudded on the steps as the she-elf joined them on the quarterdeck. She was beautiful, with waves of dark hair and honey brown eyes. Her lithe body was wrapped in a white dress, but otherwise no weapons or uniform. With a soft round face, pouty lips, and dewy skin, she looked sweet and pure.
Innocent.
The sight of her made Dyna angry and she didn’t understand why.
The she-elf bowed her head to him.
“Dyna, this is Lumina.”
You have been enlisting new members for your army,” Dyna said, crossing her arms as she eyed Lumina. “Why hire her? She’s too soft to be a Raider and you have enough mages. Another spy perhaps?”
“Not exactly,” Tarn said. “Don’t let her appearance fool you. Lumina is a Magi Master, and in this instance, my recruiter.”
“Recruiter?” Dyna furrowed her brow. If she was to fight her way into his inner circle, why not put her up against Len?
His mouth lifted in a cool smile. “Everyone must pass initiation, Maiden. No exceptions.”
The she-elf began to circle her. Vivid pink light spiraled around Lumina’s palms as she faced off with her. She lifted her hands into position, making her bracelet of white shards clink softly.
“You have one minute,” Tarn said.
Dyna frowned. “For what?”
“To survive.” He snapped his fingers.
Lumina thrust her palm into Dyna’s chest with an elvish word.
Pink light clashed against her fae armor. It absorbed the brunt of the spell, but the force sent Dyna’s feet sliding backward. She braced her legs, skidding to a stop.
Tarn leaned against the banister and crossed his arms. The Raiders gathered on the deck below, cheering and hooting. Money passed hands as they made their bets. Tarn arched a brow at her, awaiting her response. This was more than just a recruitment. He wanted proof of her abilities.
Dyna took out her blades. “Until I draw first blood or until one of us is left standing?”
His silence left that up to her interpretation.
She faced her opponent, inhaling a low breath.
Lumina muttered a word in elvish and cast out a stream of magic. It rippled across the deck in pink waves. Dyna ran toward her. She leaped above the attack spell and launched herself off the banister. Her blade sliced past Lumina’s arm. The she-elf yelped and dropped to the deck. The magic vanished.
Lumina gripped her injured arm and wobbled to her feet, blood seeping through her fingers. This fight wouldn’t last long. It was clear from the way she moved that Lumina was not a warrior. She relied on her magic.
“Zuled sadapse,” Lumina said, her voice light and sweet.
Essence tugged against Dyna like static. The sky crackled and spears of pink light lifted in the air. Crouching, she readied her weapons.
Lumina swept her arms, and the blades came for her one at a time. Dyna parried the first attack, pivoted away from the second, and flipped to dodge the third.
Pink streaks spun around Lumina. She brought her fingers together, forming a circle. “ Rinuer.”
The blades whipped around midair and formed a ring around Dyna. She had a split second to drop to the floor before and the stars clashed into each other above her head, nearly taking it. A few severed strands of red hair floated down by her boots.
A fight to the death, then.
The Raiders jeered, thrusting their fists into the air. Tarn looked away to the horizon, unimpressed.
Dyna ground her teeth. She was not going to let some untrained she-elf beat her.
Lumina’s eyes began to glow pink. “ Orto ramalcer aram nev.”
The water churned around the ship. The waves rose like a living thing and the Raiders exclaimed in fear. Well, Lumina had some grit after all.
But Dyna smiled back. She determined to win this without using a single spell, but one. She waved her hands in a cast and said in Elvish, “ Orum ed erb’mul.”
Lumina’s eyes widened. She dropped her hold on the ocean and prepared for the fire called against her. Except, the she-elf forgot one thing.
Dyna wasn’t an elf.
She sprinted forward. Lumina tried to counter but it was too late. Dyna ducked under her next attack and slashed her across the stomach. Lumina screamed. Dyna swept her second blade up for the killing blow.
The blade halted against Lumina’s throat. They both breathed heavily, aware of edge pressing into her racing pulse. A drop of blood leaked down.
Dyna glared up at Tarn. “I had her.”
Inwardly, cool relief secretly flooded through her. It had been a gamble if he would stop her in time.
“You did.” He flexed his tight grip on her wrist and ice sank into her bones. “But I rather not have blood on my deck.”
Yet Tarn said so while looking at Lumina. It was her life he valued and Dyna was beginning to wonder who she was.
“Then you should have given me a challenge.”
Tarn searched face, perhaps taken back by the indifference in her tone, then one end of his mouth lifted.
Cheering broke out on the deck from the Raider’s. The man from Xián Jīng dropped from the masts above them and landed beside Lumina. He wore deep blue traditional robes in the style found in his country. His expression was blank, his black eyes regarding her indifferently as he helped the she-elf to her feet. Lumina stared at her, pressing on the shallow cut above her navel. It wasn’t deep enough to require stitches. She would live.
Tarn released his hold.
Dyna’s blades spun in her palms as she returned them to the sheathes strapped to her thighs. “Did you find the fight entertaining?”
“Perhaps.” His pale eyes roved over her toned body, and they stirred with something she couldn’t name. “It seems you did not sit idly these past months.”
“Not much to do in the winter.”
He led her to the banister where the Raiders had gathered and lifted up her hand. They cheered wildly. Their voices were like a roar, thrumming against her chest. It stirred her pride, feeding the victory she earned. It was small, but it secured her place in their circle.
And it brought her one step closer to her goal.
“I only have one question,” Tarn said as they walked away together toward the captain’s quarters.
“And what is that?” Dyna asked.
Tarn pulled her inside and shut the door behind her. She backed up against him, suddenly feeling trapped.
His pale eyes held hers. “Tell me.”
“Tell you what?”
Tarns icy breath drifted down her nape as he leaned forward, trapping her against the rail. Her heartbeat fluttered wildly beneath his stare, but she held still.
“What happened to your magic?”