The Stormborn Saga Read online

  Aunt Tua seemed to look at Edanos as he nodded and centered his gaze. "A boy of the storm? There are legends of such boys and girls, at least among the seafaring folk. A lost race of long ago, before the seas covered these lands, was said to bless the realm with certain souls who would be born of storms who had access to the old knowledge. They actually created souls. Can you believe it?"

  Valrin nodded but he wasn’t actually sure he believed it.

  "I have spent much time on the many seas of our lands, but these seas call to me. There is something to be upon these waters with the story I just told you. I, too, have no parents to call my own, but the sea has been good to me. I have great friends, and we do what we can to help those in need. These pirates are the worst kind. They may promise riches, but they will take over your island. You will be taken care of, but only as slaves."

  "A bit rough for a young boy to hear?" Aunt Tua said.

  "True, but this world is rough. A world full of the coddled is a world in chaos. I find it is better to accept truth as it is."

  There was a knock at the door, and Edanos jumped, his hand to the hilt of his blade. Aunt Tua opened the door, and in stepped the short man.

  "Looking for our captain," a man said.

  "Come on in," she told him. "He is here."

  As he stepped into the house, followed by the woman, Aunt Tua beckoned them to sit as well.

  "The wood is in place," Braei said. "It will hold until we can get to a proper shipwright. But we should avoid any run-ins until we have a proper job done."

  "Aye," the short man said, "and storms, or we'll be fishing our sails out of the seas!"

  "Braei, Rortho, this young man is Valrin of the seas."

  "Another?" asked Rortho.

  Aunt Tua seemed to be more disgruntled. But Valrin wasn't sure if that was exactly the emotion. She was suddenly more distant than before.

  "Yes," Edanos confirmed, "one like me. One destined for the water."

  As it was now clear to the others that Aunt Tua was upset, Braei stood to help her serve the food.

  "Thank you, ma'am, for the hospitality. The fishers are tending to our other crewman. It seems your words have caused a change of heart from the others here."

  "Yes," she said plainly.

  She served the food to them and sighed before going towards her room. Valrin was curious of it but then turned to the others as they ate. Edanos took out a ring he kept in one of his pouches. He handed it to Valrin.

  "Have you seen one of these?"

  Valrin shook his head. The ring had a brilliant speckled white glow in the center of a blue field.

  "It allows you to go under the surface of the water but not drown. It is only usable by some. Put it on. Let us see if you possess what I believe you do.”

  Valrin put on the ring slowly, a bit concerned over what he was actually doing. As the metal rested on his finger, it began to glow slightly.

  Edanos smiled. "We are brothers of the same world, Valrin. I'm happy we have met."

  It was at that moment that Aunt Tua emerged from her room. She had a single silver chained piece of jewelry in hand. She handed it to Valrin with tears in her eyes. He was confused. He had never seen her so upset, and he was worried of why. As the fire glowed behind her, she sat down at the table.

  "I knew at some point the truth would be known, but I did not know it was now."

  Edanos sat up in his chair.

  "You have only been with me for just over twelve years, but when you came here, I was already older than you may believe. I came to the north for the darkness. I was infected some time ago with a kind of curse that while I received a potential cure, it did not remove my sensitivity to the harsh sun.

  "I had prayed to Wura to give me purpose in this desolate place, and that night, you washed ashore with that amulet. I took up my guard of you. I accepted my curse and remained here, watchful. I had a purpose and I rid myself of my cure to assure I could protect you." She gave him the amulet. "I know not what it is, but I do not believe in coincidence. Not anymore, at least. Perhaps this man can tell you more of it. I have a feeling about him."

  Edanos leaned in, looking at the amulet in Valrin's hand. He touched it with his hand and then nodded, looking at the boy.

  "This is special, something that's a sign of—"

  A hurried knock on the door cut off the captain's words. He stood up as Braei made it to the door before anyone else. It was one of the elves.

  "Captain! The men are all sick; they put something in our food."

  Those within the house stumbled out. Valrin immediately noticed that many of the crew were lying on the ground, grabbing their stomachs. It also seemed that other members of the crew had not eaten, and angrily held their weapons out at the fishers. It was then Valrin looked up to the bluffs. The other fishers had lit a large fire, and a white glowing plume filled the sky over the island.

  "It is a signal," Rortho said." They are signaling the fleet."

  "Then we must go now," Edanos ordered. Valrin and Aunt Tua stood back as the three sailors moved toward their crew on the ground. Gura stood between them and the sickened crewmembers. A large group of dwarves came from the ship.

  "We see our old master coming this way quickly. We must go now."

  Edanos drew his curved blade, holding it toward Gura. "I only kill when I must, and this is looking to be a situation that doesn't fair well for you, fisher."

  Valrin noticed several ships on the edge of the cove making a slow but deliberate approach. From what he could see in the moonlight, none of these looked exactly like the ship that had been here before.

  "Stay, Valrin," Aunt Tua told him.

  She began to walk at a hastened pace toward the confrontation between the crew of the Truest Bliss and the fishers.

  He followed behind, although kept back far enough to hopefully not alert his aunt.

  "You can strike me, Captain," Gura said, "but I assure you, you will die by the hands of one of the many on this island."

  Aunt Tua walked up to Gura and pushed him in the chest. "You have had good catches this year. The gods have blessed you, and this is how you repay them. By selling out a crew who has not shown any violence to you."

  Gura pushed her back and pointed at her face. "You inbred elf, why don't you act normal for once in your life. I should have waited until morning. I wouldn't have to see your scarred face, you filthy bitch. I know who else spends their nights up, but you're not even an ounce as attractive as a harbor wench from a few islands over. You're old, washed out, and weak."

  Gura kicked her in the stomach, and she fell to the ground. He spat on her, and then Valrin noticed she was to her feet in a flash, to the utter surprise of the fisher.

  "You know not who you speak to, human," she yelled.

  It was that moment when from the darkness of the bluff came several figures. Edanos looked up.

  "Rugag," he said to the others.

  As the figures approached, the captain from before, Rugag, was clapping.

  "Very good, very good. I knew they would come here. I had hoped to get at least some sleep, but we were never too far away."

  Rugag went to Gura and handed him a bag of silver.

  "A payment on a promise to be had in time. You've done good for your island. It will now be a port for the dwarven lord of Barbs. All upon the island and the waters surrounding it, are now under the protection of His Majesty and all property here is now his."

  A sudden grumbling roar came from the other fishers.

  "Keep calm, keep calm," he said. He then walked toward Edanos, lifting his ax up as he did.

  "Come quietly, you sea wretch. I have enough men to take three dwarves and ten Rusis. I can take you, alone."

  Rugag then looked down at Valrin. His eyes widened, and he stepped past Aunt Tua. He pointed a chubby finger at him.

  "A Stormborn here? This amulet, it is what we need. Come here, boy!"

  Valrin stumbled backward and began to run just to have Rugag grab him.

  He began to scream, kicking and punching before taking aim with his fingers and digging into the dwarf's eye. Rugag threw him onto the ground and cursed.

  "Damn boy." He lifted his ax up to strike when Aunt Tua suddenly jumped over Valrin, grabbing the ax, and her face turned white. She let out a blood-curdling scream. Her mouth elongated, and sharp fangs glistened in the moonlight.

  "Vampiric bitch!" He punched her in the face, dropping his ax and driving a jagged dagger into her throat.

  "Aunt Tua!" Valrin cried.

  A blast of magic struck the ground near them, and Valrin felt a hand grab him. He looked up at the deck of the Truest Bliss. Elven archers fired into pursuing dwarves as he was carried up the gang plank. Valrin was tossed on to the deck of the ship by Edanos, who then shouted to the crew.

  "Cast off! We must go now!"

  Braei stood on the plank, helping the few of the crew who could still walk, and pulling another who just happened to be on the ground right near her.

  "They’re killing the others," Rortho said, tossing two more of the crewmen on the deck.

  "We have to raise the sails. The other vessels are upon us,” Edanos said.

  Braei began to pull up the plank to the ground when several dwarves came upon her. Valrin watched from the railings as she reached out, a blast of fire throwing one back. Another slammed his ax just over her head, and she turned, attempting to pull herself on deck.

  One of them grabbed her leg, and in a shrieking flash, Aunt Tua was on them. Her face was covered in blood, and her body had multiple stab wounds.

  "Aunt!" he cried out, but she turned her attention to other dwarves.

  Rortho pulled Braei up and then the gangplank as the ship began to lurch forward.

  "Valrin! S
tay down!" Edanos ordered. A series of bolts flew across the deck, and he fell to his stomach, crawling away from the fire that took many elves and men off the deck of the Truest Bliss. He had thought of sailing many times, but he never imagined it as this.

  From his spot behind a stack of crates, he saw the massive ships on either side of them. Braei ran along one edge of the ship, casting bolts of lightning from her fingertips as ropes with claws came along the railings of the ship. Men cut them and slashed at dwarves who attempted to board them. A loud and harsh horn called from the two ships, and several more dwarves came in waves upon the deck.

  Edanos, who had been at the helm of the ship, dropped down to the deck level and began fighting the intruders. In several swathes and parries of his sword, he forced his way along one side, cutting the hold the ship on their right had, before turning to the one on the left.

  "Kill them!" Valrin heard shouted from the shore. "Kill them all, except Edanos!"

  The wind seemed to increase. The sails of the ship lifted up, and they broke away from the one ship; however, the other ship was still boarding them.

  “Their sails!" Rortho shouted. "Take out their sails, Braei!"

  The Rusis shot a blast of fire toward the other ship, catching one sail aflame before another crossbow bolt flew into the side of the ship.

  Valrin stood up, seeing the tensed rope in the ship. It was just out of range of sword, and it seemed the Rusis was now engaged with two other dwarves. Valrin saw a large spear. He grabbed it and ran to the edge, stabbing the rope, attempting to fray it and break the hold the ship had on them. Smaller bolts began to fly toward him, striking the wood around his head. Dwarves on the ship saw him, and they had no issues with killing someone as young as Vals, especially aboard this ship.

  As a massive crank on the ship began to pull the Truest Bliss into a fatal position, a screech split the air, and Aunt Tua appeared on the deck of the opposing ship. She tore apart the mechanisms and slashed her clawed hands into the dwarves who faced her. She then jumped onto the rope holding them in place and bit the line. The rope dropped, and she jumped back to the edge of the dwarven vessel. Several ax heads cut into her head, and she fell into the water.

  Valrin began to cry.

  "Now, lift sails. Let's get out of this place!" Edanos said.

  Valrin followed the captain up to the upper deck as they moved with haste out of the cove. There were many ships on the other side of the island, but in their folly, the dwarves had not expected them to escape. They reached open sea and began heading north, Valrin's home well behind them.

  Valrin collapsed on the wooden deck. Edanos gave the wheel over to Rortho. Braei came up to the same area, and he tapped her on the back.

  She looked to him. "That was close, Captain. We lost at least thirty men, but—"

  He cut her off and dropped down to Valrin. "She was your only family you had known?"

  With tears falling down his face, he nodded.

  "Do not worry, son. You are with us. Your aunt was a kind woman, and her curse, as she called it, ended up saving your life and the lives of my crew. I, too, was like you with no family. You will call this ship home."

  Valrin looked up and forced a small smile.

  Edanos pulled him to his feet. "You need rest, and this ship is far from danger, and for now, we can assure you sleep. We can talk more of our futures tomorrow."

  Edanos took him to a lower level and a single door with a golden outline around it. This was the captain's quarters.

  Valrin looked around at the large collection of books, trinkets, and sea charts. He had seen something like this when he was only a few years old. A large vessel came to port and he got to go aboard. He had never forgotten that. Now, he was on a ship himself. As he explored more, he noticed that there were several simple beds with small circular windows looking out to the sea.

  He sat down on one, and Edanos smiled. "Sleep well, young Valrin. There is much we will speak of tomorrow."

  Part Two: An Ancient Secret

  Valrin had never attempted to sleep on a ship at sea. In fact, of the many small boats he had been on in his life, this was the first actual ship he had really spent much time on at all. He awoke to sunlight coming through the window above his head. The rank smell of the wood by his head caused him to curl his nose, and he threw his feet over the edge of the bed. He stood up, surprised he had not awoken earlier, and then immediately thought of his Aunt Tua.

  Now he understood why she did not like the light. Why she only was in the dark. She had the blood of a vampire. She had been bitten, and that was what she had run to the north for. He touched the pendant around his neck and exhaled. He was deeply saddened by the events, but there was a curiosity in the air, a feeling under his feet, like there was much more within reach than before. The ship lurched, and he struggled to stand. His stomach turned and felt queasy.

  He needed fresh air. He made his way to a dark wooden door and pushed it open. The blow of a salty but icy breeze hit him, and he looked around to see glaciers. It was very bright outside, too. He recoiled back just as Edanos came around the corner.

  "You're going to need a bit more warmth out here than you’re used to. The winds of Dimn blow upon us with a howl."

  It must have been obvious to the captain that Valrin wasn't feeling well, because as soon as they were back in the captain’s quarters, Edanos handed him a jar of crushed herb.

  "For the ocean shakes your stomach is having. You will get used to it in time."

  Valrin took a few of the leaves and chewed them. They were harshly bitter and sent a tingle to his nose, but in just a few seconds, he was feeling better.

  Edanos went to a wooden chest with black brackets and pulled out a large coat.

  "It is a bit big for you, but I believe it will work until we can find something better. I can get you something more appropriate soon. Rortho's repairs are holding, but we need to resupply and perhaps find some more men."

  "Thank you," Valrin said, "for taking me in."

  "Do not thank me. I only did what was right. I know that in time, all of our paths will make more sense. I had thought it was the end of our quest when our center mast was destroyed, but now I have more faith in it overall."

  Edanos went to an alcove in the room where a kettle was hung. He touched it with his fingertips. "Good, it's still warm. Do you like coffee?"

  He nodded.

  After serving two cups of the black brew, Edanos sat down with him.

  "What questions do you have for me?" he asked.

  Valrin couldn’t think of any questions on the fly. He stared at the captain, who drank his coffee and simply waited. He didn't feel rushed; he didn't even feel nervous. This was the first stranger he had felt completely calm with in his entire life.

  He took a sip of his coffee. It was a bit bitter but still good. He looked down at the pendant around his neck.

  "Storm Children or . . . Stormborn, you say you are one too?"

  "Aye, I am. That necklace shows your tie to the sea and passage to a place that, well, you are lucky to be able to go to."

  "So you have one too?"

  "I did, but it was taken from me when I was very young. You were lucky to be left on an island like you were. I was not so lucky. I ended up on an island of unscrupulous characters and many just simply hoping I was worth something on the market. I spent time as a servant boy, if you can imagine it, and the only valuables I was left with were my hands. I had a few friends, if you could call them that. My necklace went to the king of the Barbs, the dwarf king Rugag spoke of, but he never knew what it was, not yet, at least."

  "So they know what it is. They could go to this place, too."

  He nodded. "They can. But they cannot find it. There is an old secret, a weapon in both sight and words. It is a powerful object and unlike any other attainment to children such as you and me. It is something that binds to your very life force. It becomes a part of you. I have never seen it, but I know of it."

  Valrin laughed. "It sounds like some spiritual thing."

  "Yes." He laughed as well. "Something like it, I guess. In the end, my goal has been to get my jewel back. I have traveled over many waters and, for many nights, stared at the stars, looking for my purpose. I have found it, and we will go to a town where there is someone who can help us."

  Edanos stood up. "Was there anything else you wondered? You are on a ship for the first time. Do you want to see the rest of the ship, perhaps climb to the crow's nest and see the view?"