It wasn’t common for young women to wander the streets of Cormine after dark, especially this deep into winter. Anyone who saw them would have been quite mad, or daft or both. It had been snowing and raining on and off for at least a week, and the narrow winding streets of the Scaltic capitol were halfway to becoming bonafide waterfalls. No one in their right mind would venture out unless absolutely necessary. Oakannah, however, had too much riding on this particular night to even consider staying home. It’d be midnight soon and that was when it would all go down. The escape... She couldn’t wait to leave this city behind.
Oakannah scurried down the stone steps leading into the harbor below. She paused at the bottom, and pulled out a tiny scrap of paper from her coat pocket.
“Azurag...” She whispered, before pressing on. She didn’t know what the word meant, but she knew it was Dalori, she supposed it didn’t really matter what the word meant, she just had to find the ship. She wished Berila had given her more information, like where the ship was and what it looked like. The docks were deserted, at least she didn’t have to worry about being seen. The wind whipped through her skirts and her cloak, she shivered and pushed damp dull orange hair away from her face.She wished she’d tied it back. She hated this place, this city, soon she’d be far away with Berila and she wouldn’t have to see this place again. She couldn’t wait. She thought of Berila waiting for her in the Azurag and she almost laughed out loud in relief. She stifled it and set off down the docks, examining ships trying to find the one she was meant to be on. She wished she had some light, she knew how to get some but she didn’t want to risk it. She was out of practice and there might be someone lurking in the shadows to see her, being so blatantly illegal. Then she saw it, Azurag in large letters on a relatively small ship. It didn;t look like much, it didn’t look like the sort of ship that would be open to transporting two Scaltic girls across the ocean, but Berila had odd connections, and after a while Oakannah had learned to trust her and things had turned out alright. They’d gotten this far. Cautiously she climbed the gang plank to a deserted little deck. She wasn’t sure where to go from here. She thought someone would be waiting for her, to show her to Berila. She wandered the deck for a few moments before she found a small door near the back of the ship, she knocked. Nothing. She tried the door, and flinched when it actually opened. The other side was dark but she went inside anyway, and then she said the words to bring the light. It was dim, but she made out a set of stairs and cautiously made her way down them. The light came from somewhere above, or around her. When Berila had first taught her those particular words all she could manage was a little spark coming from her fingers.
“Hello?” Oakannah called. “Berila? Are you here?” There was nothing. No one was there. She was boxes and barrels and beds but no people. She was turning to leave when she heard something. She whipped back and saw a figures climbing out from behind a crate. She told the light to shine brighter but suddenly someone had their hand over her mouth and she couldn’t say anything. Where had they come from? And where was Berila? The person who had her was strong, and before she knew it they’d bound her hands and put a cloth in her mouth. Someone put her in a chair and a lantern was lit.
“Hello Oakannah '' said a man’s voice, it sounded familiar but she couldn’t place it. She nodded and the man came into view. Her heart sank, she did know him. It was Odred, Berila’s husband. Another man emerged from the shadows and him she recognized as well, as his hateful face was burned into her memory. The Merchant who’d been harassing her the day she met Berila over a year ago. Odred’s expression was somewhere between anger and vindication and it scared her. He scared her, he always had. Even before Berila had told her the things he’d put her through. She wanted to scream.
“I’m sure you’re wondering what’s going on, and where my wife is.” Odred said, an unpleasant smile on his sallow face, “Berila is in the dungeon where she will stay until I decide what to do with her.” He winked, “We both know what the outcome of that will most likely be, I like to think you know me well enough.” He means he’s going to kill her, she thought. Oakannah realized she was crying, and she hated herself for it. That’s what he wanted, for her to be frightened.
“I found her stash of magic books months ago, I threatened to report her unless she got rid of you, but she had other plans, which I also found. And well, here we are.” He grinned, “I’ve got everything I need to get rid of both of you. Look at her, Rostig, she’s glowing, imagine the fuss!” Odred looked to his companion and both men laughed heartily. Oakannah was certain they were going to kill her. “Are you going to kill me?” She tried to say, she tried to scream. The two men laughed again. “What’s that, witch?” said the Merchant, Rostig; Odred had called him. They laughed again.
This was interrupted by someone clearing his throat. The laughter stopped short, whoever this was, Odred and The Merchant were surprised to see him. The newcomer came from behind her and stood facing the other two. “I think she asked if you were going to kill her.” His accent was strange, Scaltic but it wasn’t the silky drawl of Cormine, or the lovely roll of the inland but the lilting sweep of an Easterner. Oakanna had only met a few from the East but she’d always thought there was something somber and ancient about the way they talked, like their accent was the closest to what the old Scalts would have sounded.
The newcomer was pale, with grey eyes and hair that was either pure white or so blonde it seemed white, there was a word for people who looked like him but she was too terrified to try to remember what it was.He looked about Oakannah’s age. His face was narrow and his eyes were vivid and expressive.
“But I have questions too, Odred.” He continued coldly. “For example, what are you doing on my ship with this girl who seems to glow in the dark?” He growled.
Odred’s eyes darted from the newcomer, to Oakannah, to his partner in crime, who seemed to have gotten over his initial shock.
“Last time I checked, Usalka, you do not own this ship. I believe you are employed by Mr. Benerigh here, as am I, so watch your tone with me.” Rostig, The Merchant snapped. Usalka laughed dryly. “That’s Captain Usalka to you sir, thank you kindly. And to yourself, Master Benerigh, I meant no disrespect, I swear it.” He did a little bow. “It’s just, well you have to admit it’s an unusual situation but I don’t want any trouble, sir.” Rostig narrowed his eyes but Odred chuckled. “You’re such a cheeky bastard Usalka, but I’ll tell you what you need to know. This little tramp here has been conspiring with my wife, practicing witchcraft and most importantly attempting to run away with her. I lured her here to seek justice.” Usalka examined Oakannah. “ I see…” he said. “But are you going to kill her?” He asked, gently. Odred narrowed his eyes, “I was, but I think I’ve got a better plan.”
“Better how?” asked Rostig.
“The captain here will do the deed.” He said, and grinned.
The young captain had been unwilling to carry out his master’s orders, but once Odred explained to him that he’d be out of a job if he didn’t, Usalka quickly relented. Odred ordered Usalka to throw Oakannah overboard once they reached a certain point in the journey said to be very treacherous. Odred said he was certain she’d die. Usalka agreed. After Odred made Usalka swear to keep it a secret from his crew, Oakannah’s gag was taken off just long enough for her to say the words to make the light stop. Then she was bound even tighter and stuffed into a crate. Then she heard the three men walk back up the stairs into the night, leaving the girl to cry herself to sleep wondering what would become of her.
Chapter 2
Someone was shaking her. She opened her eyes, blearily and saw the young captain, Usalka.
“Sit up, come on, get out of that box.” He said, like he was coaxing a child, or a dog. She obliged. She looked around, it came back. The ship, Berila, her impending doom, all of it. She burst into tears.
Usalka looked alarmed. “Please, stop crying, I’d like to not have to explain this to my crew.”
“But you’re going to kill me!” Oakannah sobbed. He knelt next to her and began to untie her.
“Shut up!” He rasped, “And, no, I’m not going to kill you.”
Oakannah shuddered. “ You’re not?”
“That’s what I said so please cut it out.” Oakannah cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes.
“Why not, you promised that bastard you’d do it, and clearly you don’t want to piss him off.”
Usalka smiled. “Odred doesn’t scare me, he’s all talk, he’s not got the guts.”
Oakannah scoffed. “That’s not been my experience.”
“Well I never fucked his wife.” He shot back. Oakannah felt the tears come again.
“I didn’t-” she started.
“Whatever.” He rolled his eyes. “Listen, I’m not going to kill you, I don’t do that sort of thing. He can’t pay me enough. We’re headed to Visma, if you stay down here and stay hidden I’ll let you off there and you can go live your little life. But don’t try to fuck me over here alright? I’m trying to be kind.”
Oakannah nodded.
“Thank you.” was all she could whisper in reply. Usalka smiled warmly.
“Don’t make me regret this.” He said before climbing back up the wooden stairs.
Oakannah sighed heavily and sat down on top of the box she’d been inside. She seemed to be in some sort of closet. There were coils of rope, many barrels of assorted size and all sorts of other seafaring sundries. She wondered how Usalka would keep her hidden on a ship this size, unless he forbade the crew from going in the closet. She decided to try not to think about it. There were many things she was trying not to think about. Like what had happened to Berila, how Odred and The Merchant had know about their plans and the things they’d been practicing. She really didn’t want to think about what she was going to do after this voyage was over and she’d be all alone in a country she knew nearly nothing about. She didn’t want to cry again but there were tears in her eyes long before she noticed them.
"Dammit." she whispered, wiping her eyes on her dirty pale green dress. She spent the next few hours pacing the cramped closet, before exhausting herself and falling asleep. When she woke up, she immediately knew she was going to be sick. She found an empty barrel just in time and vomited till there was nothing left. There was a knock at the door then but she didn't answer, this was not the time. The door opened and Usalka sauntered into the room.
"Oh dear, I thought this might happen." he said, he looked like he was trying not to laugh but also attempting to look sympathetic. "Never been at sea before?"
"What do you think? " She muttered. Usalka chuckled and then came to sit down next to her. He handed her a mug of water.
"Try to drink this, not now necessarily."
"Thank you." Oakannah said, taking the water.
"I'll bring you some food whe-"
"Why did you help me?" Oakannah blurted, she'd had enough of this boy's upbeat attitude about her certain doom.
"I don't-"
"I want the truth, why did you help me, where are you taking me? I'll go out there and show myself right now if I think you been lying to me." She was in his face, she was vaguely aware of how insane she must be, threatening the only person who'd been willing to help her but, well. Usalka just laughed at her, which made her even more bold and annoyed.
"It might just be me but I find it quite funny that you don't threaten me with your magical language. Says a lot, girl."
"Don't call me girl, I'm your age!" She snarled. "Would you stop trying to be charming for like a minute so I can talk to you?" His crooked smile faded. “You don’t think I’m charming?” Oakannah growled in frustration, Usalka’s expression became serious.
“I‘m sorry, you’re right. That’s probably not what you want right now.” He said. He looked ashamed. He sighed and sat down next to her.
“I’m helping you because I hate those two and I really don’t want to kill anyone because someone else told me to do it. We really are going to Visma, I promise.”
“I know nothing about Visma, what am I going to do?” Oakannah said, more to herself than Usalka.
He smiled kindly.
“It won’t be as hard as you think it will, there’s more Scalts than you think. You’ll do fine.”
Oakannah laughed weakly,
“I really hope so.” she said.
“Look, I’ve got to go, I am a captain, and we are currently at sea. I’ll send a boy down with food and water in a while.”
“I thought I was supposed to be secret.”
“You still are, more or less.” He grinned, Oakannah rolled her eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I only told the boy.” He retorted. Oakannah laughed in spite of herself.
“I see, thank you again, uh captain…”
“You can call me Drest from now on.” He said and winked at her before opening the door and disappearing into the outside world.
Chapter Three
The boy, as Usalka had called him was young, much younger than Oakannah it seemed, for he was small and it was dark down there. He had a sour, but delicate face, light bronze skin and dark curly hair. She’d been asleep when he’d entered and hadn’t made any attempt to wake her up. She didn’t know how long he’d been there and it seemed that he was watching her.
“How long have you been here?” She asked.
“Not long.” He said, in a Dalori accent. He handed her a small dry piece of bread. Oakannah took it eagerly.
“Eat if you can.” He said, curtly before turning to leave.
“Um. Thank you?” Oakannah murmured.
“Try not to look at.” He replied.
Oakannah did not know what that meant. So she didn’t say anything. She didn’t eat the bread for a few hours after he left. It was very dry. And possibly moldy. She didn’t have any water until the next morning when The Boy came back with more dry bread. She asked him for some water. He said nothing to her and returned that night with a small tin mug of freezing water.
“What took so long?” She hissed. She didn’t mean to sound rude. “I’m sorry.” She said. “Thank you.” She added quickly.
“I have other things to do.” He shrugged. She swore she saw him smile. “I will try to remember.” Oakannah thought that was sort of a crummy thing to say, especially since she could die if he didn’t remember. But she kept it to herself. There was really not
Much she could do locked up down here but thinks about what a precarious situation she was in here. But he didn’t forget after that.
Time had lost its meaning by the time she’d been there for two nights. The only way she knew a day had passed was when The Boy came to bring her food and water. He continued to be as sullen and silent as he had the first time.