18. Rajesh #2
The Scorpion was right. He wasn’t going to like the destination.
Heading into Kithium territory meant they would have to be stealthy and outwit not only the monsters, but the other palace soldiers that hunt them.
It meant crossing borders toward a place where he wouldn’t be protected by Nihikian law.
It meant burrowing into the mountains without their ship and taking on the monsters who sought shelter between their peaks.
It meant more bloodshed.
Despite the desert kingdoms’ agreement to evenly harness the Flames and use mortals as Vessels, Kithium and Nihikia had been tense for years.
Water rations were harder for Nihikia when Kithium was closer to the oceans.
Military tactics between the kingdoms were always putting Nihikia in the path of danger.
Rajesh remembered Iravan telling him about the latest board meetings, where Kithium was willing to sacrifice small villagers as targets to draw the monsters out from the bigger cities.
It made him sick to the stomach at the thought.
Fuck. Is there not another way?
You wanted the tree. You wonder why you never found it.
Rajesh tilted his head to the ceiling and took several deep breaths. His crew was not going to like this. I would be endangering my crew.
Let them go. Do you need them?
Of course, I do. We won’t survive without them.
The Scorpion clicked his pinchers. Sometimes, sacrifices should be made in war.
Rajesh slammed his hand on the table. This isn’t a war. Not between you and the Viperess. I have helped bring each and every crew member from the bottom up. I am not about to leave them, and they won’t leave me.
You’d rather lead them to their deaths?
Rajesh bit his lip. We will manage. We’re stronger together. The more Vessels and Flames, the easier we defeat the monsters.
And what of the Kithium soldiers? They won’t exactly let you walk in.
No. But they have to offer sanctuary. To any Gilded Thorn. If we come across rebels within the walls, then we will deal with them.
I’ve heard they’re looking for Nihikian spies too. Lords are running rampant and trying to take over sections of land at any cost. The Scorpion swished his tail in thought.
Rajesh clenched the table. I will figure it out. This is my crew. We are Gilded Thorns. We will pass through the Kithium cities entirely if we must.
Best let your crew know then.
Rajesh stared out the window, watching as the night cast the dunes in darkness.
He knew the dangers. His mother would not approve of this plan.
If she was here, she’d be dragging him by the ear and urging him not to antagonize anyone in Kithium.
Allies among other Gilded Thorns were tight and tense.
Any wrong move could send the wrong message.
But Rajesh knew he could be careful. He could weasel his way out of situations. He had to try.
Time to alert everyone.
He gathered all thirty members of his crew into the training room. They rubbed their eyes, some groaning and grumbling. He needed to get this off his chest, no matter the hour.
“Wh-what’s the matter?” Tanmay asked. “Is something wrong? Are we heading in the wrong direction?”
“Calm down,” Navya said, slumped back against the bench. “He’ll tell us when he tells us.”
Tanmay continued to pull at his fingers, leg shaking.
Rajesh glanced over his crew. He had lost many members over the last few years as captain, and each one hurt all the same. But they deserved to know why their course was changing and if they wished to turn back, they could. They had families and loved ones to protect too.
As soon as everyone was seated, they fixed their gazes on Rajesh at the front of the stands.
“I know it’s late and I called you at an inconvenient time, but I need to talk to you all,” Rajesh said, voice booming in the open air.
“The attack today meant we lost a few good people. I have always been honest with you, about our missions, about the monsters, and I tried to protect you when I could.”
Liar.
Some lies are meant to protect.
“I want you all to know our next course of action.” Rajesh tilted his chin higher. “We are going to find the wish-fulfilling tree.”
“The myth?” Navya scoffed.
“Not a myth,” Rajesh answered. “It very well exists, and I’m going to find it.”
“Why?” Hema asked.
Vedant barked with laughter, slapping his leg as if this were a joke. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Are you serious? You’re going to put our lives in danger to save that woman of yours?”
Rajesh curled his hands behind his back. “Yes.”
His crew muttered among themselves.
He held up a hand to silence them. “I am giving you all the option to turn back and go home. I will get a separate ship, and you are more than welcome to go. I will be traveling across the dunes, in any which way, which means more monsters. More bloodshed. Possibly heading into Kithium or Jhuna Rin lands.”
“But, Captain, sorry to say, no one has ever found the wish-fulfilling tree,” Tanmay said. “How are you planning to find it?”
“He has the Scorpion,” Vedant chided.
Rajesh glared at Vedant but softened his gaze when he turned to Tanmay. “The Scorpion knows the way.”
“You’re going to take advice from the voice in your head?” another crewmate asked.
“Yes,” Rajesh said. “At this point, we will change our course. You have until sunrise to make your decision. We will stop at the next town and refill our resources before crossing into Kithium.”
“Does your mother know about this?” Navya asked.
“No,” Rajesh said. “And she doesn’t need to. I am the captain of this ship. We are still hunting monsters, which is our job. We’re just finding the tree at the same time.”
Rajesh waited for anyone else to speak up.
He had expected Vedant for one. Perhaps even Navya, considering their previous relations.
A few of the crew at the back shook their heads but eventually left.
He expected some to walk right out. He was asking a lot.
The cooks, the medics, the Gilded Thorns—all of them.
The deeper into the sands they went, the harsher the conditions.
The more monsters to fight.
“I don’t understand,” Hema said. “We’d be entering Kithium. Rumors have been rustling about lately about Nihikian spies. If we’re spotted, we could be charged.”
“We are Gilded Thorns. We can’t be trialed for hunting a monster over the border,” Rajesh said, hoping the lie would stick with the rest of his crew. “We are hunting a lustisha and believe it’s in the mountains. If anyone asks, we have the perfect way in or out.”
Rajesh ensured his crew understood as they nodded and glanced at one another. It was the lies that got them in this mess, and a few more here or there were bound to help them get out of it.
“Perfect,” Vedant said, chuckling. “Lying to Kithium. Of all the kingdoms to antagonize.”
“I’d rather them than Jhuna Rin,” another crew member snapped back. “Have you not heard of the lord who is looking for the Seven Artifacts?”
Rajesh glanced at the crewmate. “What are you talking about?”
The crew member averted his gaze. “Sorry, Captain, I heard a whisper about it before we left. I—I didn’t think it was relevant.”
“Tell me what you know,” Rajesh urged.
The crew member stood wringing the rings on his fingers. “Well, ah, there’s this Lord in Jhuna Rin who is looking for these artifacts. I’ve heard he’s collected a few already and is now searching the other kingdoms for them.”
“It’s just a lord. We continue with our course,” Rajesh said. “Sleep well. I’m sorry to disturb you. You have until sunrise for your answer.”
Rajesh didn’t wait for anyone to respond. He simply left and walked back to his room.