Sovereign Stone (46 page)

“Is it safe to assume that the riders command the wyverns?” Isabel asked.

Captain Targa nodded. “Wyverns aren’t terribly smart. Don’t get me wrong, they’re cunning and clever but they can’t speak like a dragon. It’s said that in the first moments after a wyvern hatches, it will bond to a rider for life. And they’re protective and obedient.”

Alexander and Isabel shared a look. “It would help to know why the riders guard the isle. If we knew their reasoning, maybe we could strike a bargain,” Isabel said.

“That would require a conversation,” Captain Targa said. “I’ve never heard of them stopping to chat. Either they’re high overhead watching your course or they’re attacking your boat.”

“It sounds like we need to prepare for a battle then,” Alexander said.

Captain Targa harrumphed. “Let’s just say we get in past them and you get to shore. Then what? They aren’t going to stop trying to kill you just because you made landfall. And what of my ship then? I can turn and run. Maybe I make it, but even if I do, you’re stranded on the deadliest scrap of dirt in the world. If the stories of the wyverns aren’t enough to keep ships away, then the myths and rumors of the things that haunt the Reishi Isle certainly are. That place is said to be home to unspeakable creatures, dark beasts that have no business in the world of the living.”

Alexander and Isabel shared another look—this time they were thinking of the Nether Gate and wondering if it was somewhere on the Reishi Isle. In the back of Alexander’s mind he knew time was running out. He needed to get to the Reishi Keep and then back to Blackstone Keep as quickly as possible, both to save Isabel and to put the Sovereign Stone in the Bloodvault where it would be permanently out of Phane’s reach.

Then a thought struck him like a lightning bolt. There was a shade with Jataan P’Tal. If the commander of the Reishi Protectorate knew where Alexander was going, the shade would probably make the journey with him. If the Nether Gate was on the Reishi Isle, then the shade would be one very large step closer to unleashing a flood of darkness into the world.

The more he thought about it, the more certain he became that his fear was well founded. It stood to reason that Malachi Reishi would have put the Nether Gate somewhere on the Reishi Isle so he could protect it and control it. When he factored in the captain’s account of dark beasts living on the Reishi Isle, it made even more sense, except the Gate was supposed to be closed. If it was closed, then how did creatures from the netherworld get there without being summoned? And if the Nether Gate was open, then why did Nicolai Atherton warn him about it so urgently? Alexander took a deep breath and imposed stillness on his mind. He had so many questions and too few answers.

What he did know for certain was that he had to make it to the Reishi Keep and then back to Blackstone Keep without being captured or killed. That was more than enough to worry about for the moment. The Nether Gate would have to wait. Even as he made his decision, he knew it might bring doom to the world. One threat at a time, he tried to reassure himself.

“Whatever the obstacles, whatever the cost, I have to get to the Reishi Keep,” Alexander said.

Captain Targa shook his head in frustration and exasperation. “What’s so important that you would risk so much?”

Alexander considered for a moment before he answered. He decided to be straightforward with the captain. He was asking the man to risk his ship, his crew, and his life. “Captain Targa, I’m going to retrieve the Sovereign Stone.”

The captain whistled. “As I hear it, the Stone is outside the world of time and substance. Wouldn’t we all be better off if it stayed where it is?”

“Probably, but Phane has already tried to get his hands on it twice, and I doubt he’ll stop trying until he succeeds. If he gets the Stone, the Seven Isles will fall to him. I have to put it out of his reach for good.”

“What makes you think he isn’t just waiting for you to bring it out of the aether so he can take it? It could be you’re playing right into his hands.”

Alexander nodded. “That’s a distinct possibility but it’s a risk I have to take. If I leave it where it is, sooner or later Phane will find a way to get it.” Alexander fixed the captain with a look of steady resolve. “One way or another, Captain, we’re going to that island. What I need from you is passage there and back.”

Captain Targa was silent for a long moment. He held Alexander’s gaze without flinching before he nodded and a grim smile slowly spread across his face. “It would make for quite a story,” he mused. “My catapults are useless against an attack from the air, but I have six ballistae that can swivel and fire nearly straight up. Might be enough to bring a wyvern down—if we can actually hit one, that is. Are your Rangers any good in a fight?” he asked with a little bit of mischief.

Isabel started to bristle before she saw the edge of his mouth turn up. “They’ll stand their ground, whatever comes,” she said proudly.

“Very well then, we have some planning to do,” Captain Targa said. “Truth be told, I’m pretty confident we can run their defenses and get you onshore before they can muster their forces. I’m far more concerned with what happens after that.”

“Once we’re away on longboats, you should turn and run,” Alexander said. “I suspect they’ll let you go and focus on us. Once you’re out of their sight, stop and wait. I’ll send word when to head back in to pick us up.”

Captain Targa frowned. “Not meaning any disrespect, but how do you expect to send word across several leagues of open ocean?”

Alexander smiled. “Either Chloe will come and tell you we’re ready or a forest hawk named Slyder will bring you a message. Or I’ll come to you in your sleep, so don’t dismiss messages you receive in your dreams.”

Captain Targa looked bewildered. “I won’t pretend to understand how you might do such a thing, but I’ll pay attention to my dreams and tell my men to watch out for a hawk.”

“Slyder’s perched on the yardarm at the moment,” Isabel said. “I’ll introduce you later this afternoon so you know what he looks like.”

There was a knock at the door. A moment later, it opened and a grizzled man with weather-worn skin and a week’s worth of graying stubble stuck his head in.

“Captain, rough seas ahead. Do we have a course?”

“Due west, steady as she goes.” He gave his man a stern look to forestall any question or protest, but Alexander could see fear in the man’s colors.

He nodded curtly. “Aye, aye, Captain, due west, steady as she goes,” he said before closing the door.

“My crew is going to be afraid of the waters you’re taking them into. Don’t get me wrong, they’ll follow their orders but they’re going to talk. What can I tell them about our destination and purpose?”

“Nothing,” Alexander said. “Phane has spies everywhere and ways of gathering information that I don’t yet understand. The fewer people who know our course, the better chance we have of getting there in one piece. Fortunately, I have my own ways of gathering information, as well. I may be able to learn more about these wyvern riders. Hopefully, I can discover something that will give us an advantage.”

“As you wish. For now I need to go take a look at the weather,” Captain Targa said as he stood.

Alexander and Isabel followed him out of his mess and onto the foredeck of the big man-o-war. Anatoly was on the bow with Jack, looking out over the darkening ocean. Ominous black clouds clung to the horizon. Lightning flickered through the storm to the west. The deckhands were busy preparing for the coming turbulence. Isabel looked up and motioned to Slyder. He tipped off the yardarm and landed lightly on her forearm.

“Captain Targa, I’d like you to meet Slyder,” Isabel said, holding her hawk up proudly.

“That’s quite a well-trained bird you have there, Lady Isabel,” he said admiringly.

She smiled. “Oh, he hasn’t really been trained. He’s my familiar.”

He shook his head in wonder. “Today just keeps bringing me surprises.” He chuckled, then turned his attention to the ocean, appraising the sky and the rolling water for a moment.

“It’ll be two days before we’re at risk of drawing the wyvern riders’ attention. Once we cross into the shallows, it’s a league or so to land. I can only take you about halfway there or I risk running aground. I have six longboats, each rated for a dozen men plus a commander and a rudder man. Three boats should get you and your platoon of Rangers onshore. I’d guess it’ll take half an hour at most to make it from the ship to the beach, especially with the tide at your back. For now, I suggest you and your friends retire below decks or you’re going to get wet. My crew will be in to check on you from time to time, but I’m going to be busy until we’re through the worst of this storm.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Alexander said before heading to his cabin. The seas began to swell and the ship started pitching with the rolling water. Again, Alexander decided he preferred to be on land. His footing was better and he didn’t have to worry about drowning.

Chapter 40

The rain battered against the ship and the wind tore at the sails. Alexander and Isabel held each other in their bunk during the night, trying to overcome feelings of total helplessness before the fury of the storm. He thought about the statement the captain had made when he stepped aboard. The truth of it was indisputable. He was just a man. The power that had been thrust upon him was nothing in the face of the raw and untamable power of the world around him.

The storm moved on to the south by midafternoon of the next day. Alexander was grateful to see the light grey clouds overhead instead of the black rain-laden thunderheads. The seas calmed as well, which was more important to Alexander. He’d tried to use his clairvoyance but with the rolling waves, he was unable to find the place of peace and detachment that led to the firmament.

Every time he got close, the boat would pitch and he’d have to catch himself to keep from falling over. He was anxious to learn what Commander P’Tal was doing. He feared they were both making the same voyage and he wasn’t looking forward to facing the battle mage.

With the fury of the storm past, the captain raised more sail and the ship picked up speed. During the torrential rains and tearing winds, the ship had made little headway. Instead, the crew had been fighting to maintain a heading that kept the boat pointed into the swells to avoid being hit broadside by a wave and swamped or capsized.

Alexander found that he admired the captain. He was a skilled sailor who understood his boat and the ocean. During the storm he remained on deck, barking orders to his weary and rain-soaked crew. Once the worst of it was nothing more than a dark stain on the horizon, he began rotating his crew so they could sleep and recover some of their strength.

Alexander sat on his pack in his cabin and slowed his breathing while relaxing each muscle in his body with deliberate intent. Within a few minutes he was immersed in his meditative routine, facing and dismissing each stray thought that entered his mind until he arrived at the place of empty-mindedness that was his doorway to the firmament.

Then he was everywhere at once, floating on the ocean of limitless possibility. He listened to the music of creation for a moment before focusing his attention on his task. The fear and emotional turmoil was greater than he had ever heard before. People were becoming aware of the inevitability of war; their anxiety was reflected in the cacophony of thoughts, feeling, and events all taking place in the moment where the wave of the firmament crested into reality. The collective angst of the world only served to give greater urgency to Alexander’s purpose.

He focused on Blackstone Keep, and his awareness formed above the mountainous fortress. The place was busy with wagon loads of supplies moving up the long road into the Keep. The garrison had grown and the patrols in the surrounding area were frequent and well organized. Off in the distance to the north, Alexander could see a legion of his soldiers encamped on the open plain and to the southwest he saw another large force positioned around the Reishi Gate.

Alexander moved into the Keep to Kelvin’s workshop. The big mage was busy at his furnace, shaping a breastplate made of dragon steel. He looked tired yet driven to complete his work. Alexander went to the message board. What he saw stirred up such a torrent of emotion that he nearly lost his focus.

The message said they thought they had a cure for Isabel’s poison, but they wouldn’t know for sure until they tested it and then went on to say that several wizards were hard at work looking for alternatives in the event that their first plan failed.

Alexander drifted up through the Keep and into the sky, buoyed by the good news, and floated high above the island of Ruatha looking down at the land and people he was responsible for protecting. It was a daunting thought. The island was huge and the population numbered in the tens of millions. So many people counting on him.

He slipped back into the firmament and thought of Jataan P’Tal. His awareness came into focus in the cabin of a ship rolling violently on a storm-racked sea. Commander P’Tal was lying in his bunk, holding on to the headboard to keep from being tossed to the floor as the ocean roiled around the Andalian warship.