Page 16 of Queen’s Griffon (Swords & Tiaras #2)

Chapter 15

Avera

Avera couldn’t believe she’d once more been kidnapped, only this time, she wasn’t given free rein of the ship, or a cabin. She was placed in a cage in the cargo hold, a space with no windows where she was allowed no walks on deck, a true prisoner.

The seasickness returned, not as bad as the first time, but enough that Avera couldn’t stand the sight of the slop they sent for her to eat. She stuck to drinking water only, and after a few days, the man tending her noticed she kept refusing food and must have notified the captain for he paid her a visit.

A sour-looking Koonis stood in front of her cage. “I hear you’re starving yourself.”

An annoyed Avera glared. “Maybe if you didn’t feed me garbage and keep me in a cage, I’d have more of an appetite. Why have you taken me?”

“I’d say that’s obvious. You’re worth a lot of coin.”

“Selling people is wrong,” was her lame reply.

“Wrong, but very lucrative,” he countered.

“Benoit is just as likely to kill you as pay you. After all, he had no issue ordering the murder of my siblings and his wife, Queen Voxspira.”

“You’re assuming he’s offering the largest sum,” the sly captain stated.

“Who else would be interested?” Asked, and yet she had a sinking feeling she knew. The captain, after all, sailed under Merisuan colors.

“The emperor has offered a generous payment to whoever brings you to him alive, which is better for you, considering Benoit would prefer your corpse.”

“Why would the emperor want me?”

“To combine the once mighty Voxspira blood with his own. Felicitations on your impending marriage,” Koonis declared with a leer.

“I’d rather die than marry him.” She’d heard enough rumors of the aging Emperor—and the fates of his previous wives—to realize the peril.

“Speaking of death, before I deliver you to the emperor, you have another task to perform. Congratulations, you’re getting your wish and going to Verlora.”

Avera’s stomach tightened. “Why?”

“Aren’t you going to thank me?” he mocked. “I thought you wanted to go.”

“I do, but why have you changed your mind? You were quite insistent on not going near the continent.”

“What else could I say with all those scurvy scoundrels listening to our conversation? Suffice it to say, going to Verlora was always the plan. The emperor wishes for you to retrieve some special rocks. He claims you’ll know which ones he speaks of.”

“What does he know of the stones?” She approached the bars of her cage and clung to them.

The captain shrugged. “I wouldn’t have the slightest clue. I am simply relaying what he ordered.”

“How can you have gotten any orders from him? It’s only been a few weeks since I left Daerva, and Merisu is in the opposite direction of Saarpira.”

“You’d have to ask his witches how they do it. All I know is I have a notebook that displays messages from his eminence. If I write in the book, he can see my reply and respond in kind.”

“Magic,” she breathed.

“Obviously.” The captain cocked his head. “What are these rocks? Jewels of some kind? A rare metal ore?”

“I don’t know.”

“But they are why you’ve been desperately seeking to go to Verlora.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

She lost nothing telling the truth. Perhaps this captain would see the importance of her mission. “The stones act as a lock to keep a very bad entity imprisoned. Without them, it will escape and eradicate life on our world.”

The captain stared at her without blinking, then guffawed. “That’s funny. A royal with a sense of humor.”

“I am not joking. It is imperative I find those stones and return them to Daerva before Zhos escapes.”

“Once you find them, they’re going straight to the emperor.”

“Why does he want them?”

“Don’t know. Don’t care. What I do grasp is my reward quadruples if I return with you both. So we will go to Verlora, and you will find these special rocks. Then we shall sail to Merisu where I shall become a very rich man.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Refuse, and I dump you on Verlora, alone and unarmed. Cooperate, and I’ll send you with some of my best fighters.”

“You really think your people will volunteer? Verlora is deadly to the living.”

“Yet you want to go, and the emperor insists on it, so I have to wonder if that claim is grossly exaggerated.”

Her lips pressed into a tight line. Why did she argue? Let the man drop her on Verlora. She’d slip the sailors he sent with her, find the rocks, and… She didn’t have a clue how she’d sail away, but she did know she’d rather die trying than go meekly to her fate. Marry the emperor indeed.

“It’s settled then. We’ll anchor off the coast of Verlora. You will go ashore, find those rocks, and return.”

She couldn’t help but ask, “And if I die in the attempt? You’ll get nothing.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Hopefully the eyewitness accounts of my crew observing you entering the mist will be enough to convince Benoit of your demise and I’ll still collect a reward.”

A dastardly plan that left her either dead on Verlora, stuck with no way back to Daerva, or returning to Koonis so he could hand her over to the emperor.

An emperor who knew about the stones.

It gave her an idea. “I’d like to converse with your employer.”

“I’m the highest ranked on board.” The captain’s chest puffed.

“I’m aware. I meant the emperor. Let me write to him in your magical notebook.”

“Whatever for?”

“While I am on a quest to find those special stones, I know nothing about them. Not how big or small, or even the color of them, but perhaps your emperor does. It would be helpful.”

The captain appeared pensive before nodding. “I will ask him and if he agrees you’ll be given access to the messaging journal.”

Koonis left the cargo area which held a few crates along with her cage. Avera paced, chewing the tip of her thumb. She’d finally be going to Verlora, just not in a way she’d expected. Whether or not she found the stones and returned to this ship remained to be seen. Then again, she might not have a choice. Being stranded wouldn’t help anyone. At least if the captain took her to Merisu she had a chance. A chance to escape. A chance to stop Zhos. A likelihood of being married against her will.

She slumped to the floor. The thought of what she had to accomplish overwhelmed her. Not to mention, she hadn’t forgotten Opal’s words to find and bring the Griffon on her quest if she wanted the best chance to succeed.

But that ship had literally sailed with her on it. Griff probably thought it was good riddance. Yes, he’d kissed her. He’d probably kissed dozens of other women. It meant nothing. He wouldn’t risk himself, let alone his crew, trying to find her.

It meant she was truly on her own.

Daunting, but she couldn’t give up. She needed to find the positive. Getting to Verlora. Finding the stones. Then she’d worry about how to get back to Daerva.

If she survived.

To her surprise, Koonis returned a short while later holding a slim, leatherbound book and a quill with its ink pot.

“You may write to his eminence. But make it quick. My supper will be ready shortly.” He handed her the items and then stood, watching over her.

Avera hadn’t really thought of what she’d say. She grabbed the quill and held it over a blank page.

Greetings, Emperor Titus. This is Queen Avera Voxspira. Might as well start with an attempt to assert her title.

The text disappeared and her eyes widened. Widened even more when new writing appeared.

Greetings Queen in Exile.

Captain Koonis had spoken the truth of his magical journal.

It is my understanding you wish me to go to Verlora to retrieve some stones. However, I feel like you should be aware that I do not know what I’m actually seeking. Do you have any details?

The missive faded and the blank page took a moment before displaying a reply.

There are five of them. Their size and shape almost identical. They should fit in the palm of your hand. Perfectly smooth. Rounded. One might call them egg-shaped. While appearing almost black in hue, they will exhibit a colored sheen when held to a bright light.

That sounded a little more distinctive than five rocks.

What are they?

She didn’t expect a reply. To her surprise, the emperor gave an answer, but it differed from Opal’s.

They are known as the Dracova set. Lost ages ago during the world’s last great sundering. It is said that in times of great turmoil they will surface to provide the world protection against calamity.

She hesitated before writing, Are you speaking of Zhos?

Yes.

You wish me to find them that I might place them back on his prison to prevent his escape.

There is no stopping Zhos’ return.

Then why have me fetch the stones?

I’ve told you enough. You will find them. Think of them as your wedding gift to me.

I’m not marrying you.

You will. The fates have decreed it.

Avera scowled. As she went to write a reply, a new message stated, Until we meet.

Koonis had been watching the entire exchange and immediately reached in to snatch the notebook.

Avera glared at him. “I wasn’t done.”

“The emperor was.” With that, the captain left, and Avera could only mull over the little she’d learned. The stones had a name, the Dracova set. Odd Opal hadn’t used their title. Interesting the emperor knew of Zhos, but disturbing was his claim they couldn’t stop its return. Also disturbing was his assertion they would marry. She wouldn’t allow that to happen, assuming she survived Verlora.

The only good thing? The emperor seemed to think she’d succeed. She sure hoped so.

The voyage took only a few days, Saarpira being the closest inhabited isle to the lost continent. But those days dragged. Other than a single lantern left lit during the day, she had nothing to entertain herself. Nothing but her own mind which went over and over everything she’d experienced and learned over the last week, or so. She found it hard to keep track of time.

She only knew they arrived at their destination because the swaying of the ship ceased, and she heard a mighty clanking as the crew released the anchor.

Days of captivity had left her rank, the jug of daily water meant only for drinking, but she’d spared a bit for washing. At least they took her bucket of waste out twice daily. Apparently, Captain Koonis didn’t want to encourage disease.

As Avera heard the clomping of footsteps, she readied herself, standing and smoothing out her grimy garments, holding herself stiff and expressionless.

The door to the storage room opened and the captain strode in with a pair of burly sailors. “We’ve arrived. Ready to find those rocks?”

“As if I have a choice,” she muttered.

“You’re right. There is no choice, so no tricks.” Koonis wagged his finger.

What did he think she, a petite and unarmed woman, could do against him and his crew?

Stepping out of the cage felt strange. Exiting into bright daylight blinded. Avera blinked and shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun. It took a moment to adjust and then she looked around. The ship reminded her in many respects of Griffon’s: big deck, coils of rope, sailors. But the faces were unfamiliar, the sails the wrong color, and the captain a jerk.

At least much more so than Griffon.

The water lapping against the hull had the dark blue hue of deep water. A glance past the prow gave her the first sight of the mist. It hung above the water, a thick wall of white that went up high enough she couldn’t see anything of the continent. For all she knew, nothing existed in that foggy expanse, and yet she had no choice but to enter it.

“The skiff is over there.” The captain pointed to the railing on her left.

“I’ll need a weapon.”

“Whatever for?”

“To defend myself.”

“I’ve got six of my best fighters waiting in the boat. You’ll be fine.”

“Is six plus you enough?” she asked even as she recalled Griffon stating he wanted it to be just the two of them to attract less attention.

“I’m not going.”

“Why not?” she asked with a frown.

“A captain’s duty is to his ship.”

“Sounds more like a coward’s excuse to me,” she muttered as she headed for the rail.

A glance over showed a small craft sitting in the water with the promised burly sailors—five of whom looked terrified. Only one didn’t have the wide eyes and pallor of a man frightened, rather he scowled.

Avera thanked the fact she wore trousers as she had to climb down a swaying rope ladder to the skiff. No one helped her, not to descend or even embark. She landed on her two feet with a little hop and almost fell over as the small boat swayed side to side.

Her stomach clenched and the scowling sailor barked, “Puke over the side.”

She pursed her lips instead and sat on the one bench not occupied. At least she didn’t have to row. Four of the men took up oars while the other pair, one at the front and one in back, appeared to be watching for danger.

As they headed for the mist, she heard the captain call out, “Remember, I’m your only hope of escaping Verlora.”

So he assumed. She had to wonder if any ships might have survived. Most likely not. And even if they had, how would she sail one?

“Row faster,” whispered the man at the rear of the boat.

“What’s wrong, Kenny?” queried the mustachioed fellow at the front.

“Something in the water.”

“Yeah, they’re called fish.”

“Something big,” Kenny murmured.

“I thought nothing lived in these parts,” Mustachio stated.

Avera kept her gaze trained on the blue, barely moving surface and saw the shadow as it passed under them.

“He’s not lying. Whatever is swimming below us is huge,” she exclaimed.

The rowers doubled down, stroking, their paddles lifting and sluicing and pulling. A nudge on the keel had their skiff rocking and one of the rowers blubbered, “It’s madness to come here. Everyone knows this place is cursed.”

“Cursed because the Verlorians eschewed their god,” exclaimed the guy across from him. “Don’t forget, Ron, we are true believers. We serve our god, the emperor, every day. He watches over us.”

“Do you really think so?” was Kenny’s small reply. Some brave, big fighter he was. Afraid of?—

It happened so fast, no one screamed. Or blinked, for that matter.

One second Kenny sat at the rear of the skiff. The next? He’d been dragged into the water by a black tentacle.

“Row!” Mustachio screamed.

“Shouldn’t we turn around?” whimpered Ron.

“We have a mission. Now row, or I’ll feed you to the sea myself!”

They rowed while Avera kept watch over their wake. She saw the beast surface enough to show its sleek back as it tunneled after them. Not a worm like she’d encountered in the lake in that mountainous cave, but obviously deadly.

And fast.

She croaked, “It’s coming.”

“ROW!” Mustachio gave them the unnecessary command.

To her surprise, even more speed had them hitting the fringe of the mist, the moist tickle of it warmer than expected. It reminded her of steam from a hot bath. A few more strokes of the oars and the fog fully enveloped the skiff, cutting off the sunlight, making it impossible to see.

Had the beast followed?

Given nothing capsized or yanked anyone off the boat, she could only assume it had remained beyond the mist, probably because of the heat rising from the water.

Avera leaned over and trailed her fingers in the water.

“You idiot. Are you trying to die?” barked Mustachio.

“The beast won’t follow. The water is much too hot, I’d wager.” She’d had baths cooler than this because the servants usually couldn’t be bothered to cater to the misbegotten daughter.

“Air smells bad,” muttered Ron.

Avera sniffed and processed the faint stench of rotted eggs. “It’s sulfur. Most likely from seeping volcanic gasses.” She’d learned quite a bit about volcanoes while on Saarpira.

“Is it poisoning us?” Funny how the men looked to her for answers.

“If we breathe too much for too long, we’ll end up with irritated throats and noses, possibly a headache, some nausea.”

“It won’t kill us?” Ron again.

“Nope, but the effects can be unpleasant. Hopefully it’s not as strong on shore.”

“Speaking of which, where is it?” Mustachio muttered. “Can’t see a bloody thing.”

They couldn’t and yet Avera found herself pointing. “Keep rowing in that direction.”

“What makes you think you know?” Mustachio blustered.

She gave him the look, that of a queen annoyed someone questioned her, before coldly replying, “I was sent here for a reason. And that reason is in that direction.” She couldn’t explain her certainty.

The rowers obeyed and Avera kept her arm up, making a noise when they veered even slightly. Mustachio glowered from the prow but didn’t say anything further. Then again, why would he when they suddenly found the mist thinning enough to see that they approached a beach. Too fast, she should add. The skiff ran aground before they could react, causing her and a few others to fall from their benches at the jolt. She righted herself quickly and had a look.

To her surprise, there was little fog over the land. There were patches here and there, but for the most part, the sun seeped through the thin clouds overhead. Enough light came through the haze to allow foliage to flourish. Everywhere she looked, green leaves, even some brightly colored flowers bloomed, but no signs of habitation until Ron exclaimed, “Holy shit, look at that bush. It ate a boat.”

Not so much ate as enveloped. The small vessel, most likely for fishing, was fully covered. Only its shape made it distinguishable. As Avera glanced around again, this time with a more discerning eye, she realized the unchecked plants had overtaken the manmade items, covering them in dense vegetation that made them hard to recognize. This would make her task more challenging, because most likely the rocks she sought had been covered too. Not ideal, but it could have been worse. She’d feared to find Verlora encased in hardened lava.

“Where to now, your majesty ?” asked Mustachio with a sneer.

She opened her mouth to reply, Don’t know, only to find herself walking, drawn towards the jungle.

Ready or not, the quest had now truly begun.