Chapter 2 Faolan
TWO
FAOLAN
Crew scurried around, some furiously swabbing the deck and others carrying rich furnishings aboard.
I frowned at the luxuries being hauled on, while looking around for the captain.
It was most unusual to have such things aboard since every available space was always given to cargo that paid.
Luxuries such as beds and armoires took up earning potential, and crews usually roughed it in hammocks in favor of revenue.
But this charter seemed different. I caught sight of the captain on the bow, barking at the crew and scowling.
His usual demeanor and no cause for concern…
or at least that was what I told myself as I walked towards him.
I’d known I would have some explaining to do, but now that I was here, I realized I may be out of luck getting back on his crew.
Why would he take back a thieving deserter?
I was out of my mind for thinking he might.
I was about to turn around and find some other boat to work on when he looked my way, and I froze.
His face hardened.
Shit.
But then he raised a hand and beckoned me over, I approached, prepared for the worst.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Veles said in an unreadable tone.
“Captain,” I said in greeting.
“Didn’t think I’d ever lay eyes on you again.”
“I—” I started, willing the Goddess to provide me with the right words to say, an excuse, a lie, the truth…anything.
“Thought we’d lost you with the rest,” he said, slapping me on the back.
Air punched out of my lungs, and I coughed, trying to make sense of his words.
“Lost some good crew that day, I can tell you,” he continued. “Damn shame. Goddess only knows how we made it out. Just glad to see you in one piece. Assuming you swam for the north side?”
“I…um…”
“Course, it never should have involved us. Just delivering the cargo we were paid for. When that alarm bell sounded, I didn’t know what was going on.
Not until those dead-eyed looking things came crawling out of the cave!
We had no choice but to cut the lines and save ourselves.
Didn’t know we’d lost you until we did a head count later.
Too busy fighting the tide to get away. We’d have gone back, but we saw what those monsters were doing to any fae they found. Couldn’t take the risk.”
I cleared my throat, thinking fast. “To tell you the truth, Captain, I don’t remember much about it. I must have swam for the north, because that’s where I ended up. But it took me a while to get back on my feet. I didn’t know what happened to the rest of you. I’ve been recovering.”
He nodded solemnly. “Well, it’s mighty fine to see you alive and well. What are you doing with yourself now?”
“I was just here today to see if I could find a ship to take me on. I feel ready to get back out there.” I hedged, looking hopeful.
I almost felt bad pulling on the old male’s heartstrings, but I needed to get out of this kingdom and back on the water, and since Captain Veles had no clue of my role in what happened, I could talk my way back on this boat.
The captain scratched his head, looking awkward. “Well, the thing is, this charter is something different. Bit of a hush-hush one, see. I’m not taking a full crew. Just me and a few of the deck lads to keep her moving.”
“No room for a first mate to assist?”
“Afraid not, kid. Come back in a month, and I’ll have something for you. Just been told to clear the decks for this one, and it’s good money, too. I can’t pass it up.”
I sighed. “Fair enough, but count me in for the next one. I’ll see if I can find another boat to keep me going.”
“Faolan?” a familiar voice said behind me. I spun to find Nyx, looking confused at finding me here.
Captain Veles stepped in beside me. “Don’t worry, General, Faolan just stopped by to catch up. He and the rest of my crew have been told to stand down for this charter. As promised, we are prepping the vessel for your voyage, and then they will all be on their way.”
I glanced between them, sure I’d missed something. I’d never seen the captain so twitchy. He was usually the male in charge, but he was simpering in Nyx’s presence.
Nyx shook his head. “Theres no need to send Faolan away. We could use a male like him on this trip.”
“I thought you wanted as few crew as we could manage General, for your…privacy, you know?” he said quietly to Nyx.
“I did, but I would make an exception. I’d be very grateful to have Faolan as part of your crew for our trip. He looked to me, smiling wide. “It’s a happy coincidence. I hadn’t realized you worked on this ship.”
“He’s had some time away, but he’s the best first mate I’ve had, General. He’d be an asset to you, and I can promise his discretion,” Veles said. “Will you join us, Faolan?”
Fuck. My. Life.
Was the Goddess out to get me, or had I just had the worst luck in the whole realm.
There I was, an undetected dragon trying to get away from the crown at all costs and only one way out.
And now that one way out seemed to have been commandeered by said crown for the Goddess only knew what purpose, and I couldn’t really say no.
“Be happy to,” I said to both males, wishing I’d picked a different day to come to these particular docks.
“Great,” Veles said with another hard smack on my back. “Why don’t you put your bag below, and I’ll get you up to speed?”
“Actually, I’d like a tour of the accommodations, so why don’t I join you and you can show me around, Faolan?
” He turned to the captain in the way I’ve seen him do with his flyers.
A Dragon in charge, leaving no room for argument.
“I’ll fill Faolan in on the particulars of the voyage while he shows me around. ”
“Very well,” Veles agreed. “We’ll continue loading up your provisions.”
Nyx nodded and steered me away.
“Was this all part of a plan with Jaxus to not let me leave?” I hissed as soon as we were out of sight.
Nyx’s head jerked back in surprise. “What do you mean?”
I rolled my eyes, starting down the stairs leading below.
“Jaxus has just been on at me about staying and joining your wonderful flyers, and I told him I didn’t want to be tied down by a different set of shackles.
And now I find my means to escape has been requisitioned by the very fae I wish to free myself of. ”
“Pure coincidence, I can assure you,” Nyx replied, following.
“So what is the reason you’re here?” I demanded.
Nyx looked around the interior of the ship to make sure we couldn’t be overheard. “I have chartered this ship to take a small envoy to the Light Kingdom to collect and escort the princes’ brides back to their new home.”
My brows rose in surprise.
“I wanted to make the journey as comfortable and as speedy as possible, and I was told this captain could offer me both.” He looked around at the sparse comforts aboard.
I scoffed. “Speed, yes. Comforts fit for royal brides, no.”
Nyx smirked and nodded in agreement. “Which is why I’ve ordered the ship cleared and arranged to furnish the quarters suitably for a brief journey.”
“Which explains why it looks like half the palace is being hauled aboard.”
Nyx sighed. “My intention was to provide enough luxury that the duke’s daughters could be assured they are being well cared for by their new kingdom, though not being weighed down by so many trappings this becomes a months’ long state visit.”
As he spoke, some of the crew carried down a gilded dressing table with matching mirrors and chair and a fainting couch with velvet cushions. We watched in tense silence until the crew were out of earshot, then I broke.
“How is that working out for you?” I laughed.
“Not great,” Nyx gritted his teeth. “His Highness insists on setting the right impression for his bride, so minimal is not really happening.”
“So the secrecy is because the heir is traveling?” I asked, trying to get my head around the facts.
“Oh, no,” Nyx chuckles mirthlessly. “His Highness is far too busy with his ‘duties’ to spare the time. Besides he does not want to risk being out of the protection of the capital while there is so much danger across the kingdoms, He’s far too important to the future of the kingdoms. So he is sending his brother to escort both brides on his behalf. ”
“I see.” I’d never met either prince, but in what little time I had spent in the capital, I’d heard talk of the heir and couldn’t be anything but glad he was staying behind.
I knew little of the spare, but they were twins, so how different could they really be?
I was sure I would dislike them both equally. “Who else joins this envoy?”
“Zaria and myself will be escorting the prince.”
I looked at Nyx in shock. “That’s it? Only you two to guard a prince and two soon-to-be princesses?
With all the unrest in the kingdoms, I would have expected half the legion to be deployed to protect them.
” I was relieved, though. Hiding my nature among dragons long-term was nearly impossible, and I was exhausted from playing the avoidance game this long.
I could not hide on this ship among a dozen of them.
The potion that Kiera gave me to aid the concealment was nasty, and I carried it for emergencies only.
If the ship were to be swamped with legion flyers, I could not stay, so this worked, but his plan seemed reckless to me.
“The idea was to go as quietly as possible. If no one knows we are making the journey, there will be no risk.” He glanced around, checking we were still alone.
“And I plan to bring Kol. He needs to get out of the palace, and I need to keep him close. It will do him good, and it gives me a right-hand, should anything happen. And now I have you,” he added.
I held up my hands. “I am but a lowly first mate, General. I want nothing but the freedom to choose my own path, and I bring nothing to the ship but my willingness to work.”
Nyx fixed me with his knowing eyes. “I respect that. Every fae deserves the right to decide their future, and I think this suits you well. I’m just glad to know who I have aboard with me should trouble arise.
I would ask you to accompany us ashore in the Light Kingdom as one of my guards, then I will have ample protection for them among wingless fae. ”
I studied him, aching to refuse, but if we understood each other, this favor would be returned by him not standing in my way when I left the First Kingdom behind and set my own path.
I nodded, reluctantly. We had an understanding. He appeared to be a good male. At least he seemed to understand my need for freedom, unlike Jaxus. But I would still tread carefully around him, since he had the authority to drag me in and see me conscripted to a life I would rather die than live.