ASENIA OF THE BLUE ISES-CHAPTER 8

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Chapter 8

 

Karina’s gut instinct told her that today was not going to be smooth. Danger and enemies were in the fog that drifted around the mountains. They had gone low since the attack of the griffons and Gattoy. Something told her he would be a stubborn one. She was hoping he bought that she had sold it but she wasn’t going to take that for granted.

A small steam below them gurgled and was making a mad rush into the mountain streams. Simon was having more luck keeping the Assenia floating. Flying this low in this range of mountains was working for the most part. There had been no storms or sudden snow dumps. Everything around them was green and lush in these floating mountain regions. Large trees with moss handing like cobwebs floated in the breeze.

Karina took out her telescope and canned the area above them. She had visions of the small ship Captain Delphia was sailing to be hovering above her like a humming bird.

But so far the coast was clear.

Kitt came bounding down from the top sail. Her cat ears were bent back making Karina stand at attention. She was something she knew.

“What is it? Did you spot something?”

“Yes, there is another ship above us.”

“Captain Delphia?”

“No, I wish. It’s the ones you scrapped with last fall season. Captain Sahara of the Desert Sands ships. And she’s not alone.”

Karina cringed. “Who has she got with her now?”

“Naid.”

Karina shivered. “Do you think they know we are down here?”

“I don’t think so and I’m not sure but they appear to be watching something.”

“Oh, maybe another ship is arriving.” Karina shook her head. “More company is not what we need. Let’s shift our direction and go through that channel that leads out to clear sky. There is another mountain range just beyond these.”

“You know there is a village on two of those mountain tops.”

“Yes,” smile Karina. “It might be nice to see some old acquaintances.”

Kitt mumbled and scampered off to tell Simon to shift course. Karina knew Kitt would not be happy to go into any of the villages there. There was a certain someone that she would probably like to avoid.

Suddenly a loud bang from above erupted. It sounded almost to Karina like two ships collided. She ran to Silver Fox who was looking. Their own ship was changing course and a nice wind caught their sails and was moving them along at a nice clip.

Karina took out her telescope to see but then they were hidden in the mists and she saw nothing. The echoes of shouts came through the mountain sides to them. She heard Naid. Silver fox was also looking through a telescope. “Did you see anything before we hit the mist?”

“I saw one thing. It was a griffon. I think Gattoy and his bandits are on the attack.”

“Then we have to get out of here and fast.”

Silver fox looked around sniffing. Kitt scampered out of the mist and joined her. “I can smell those awful griffons,” said Kitt with her nose scrunched up.

The fighting above them was getting more intense. Karina was getting a little worried that one of them would end up on top of them but soon as they picked up speed, the sounds of their confrontations were fading.

Karina could see clear sky above and the ship was now rising up into the clouds that were moving briskly. “We will be in the first village and city on the other side if this ridge, said Silver fox.

Karina nodded and all three of them looked up as they rose above the mist into the clear sky. Karina instantly took out her telescope and searched for the ships but could not see them. There was too much mist and cloud.

Silver Fox came up to her. “I see the towers from here. It looks like rain is coming in. I say we head for the city for shelter and maybe get some repairs so we don’t have any more surprises for the rest of the journey.”

“Sounds good. Let’s dock and give everybody a break before we move on.”

Karina kept an eye out for the ships that were battling the griffons. She did not want anybody following her into the city. There were guards at the city docks but some were known to be bribed to look the other way. Word had already gotten out about her cargo.

Karina went to the front to the front of the ship. As they got closer to the large floating mountain, her insides flipped. Going to the city was not part of the plan on this excursion. She wondered if he would be there. He had his own ship and crew now. He came here for dealing and such she knew and even though they parted on good terms, it made her nervous all the same. She felt like Kitt, maybe past acquaintances were best left in the past.

The towers of the city stood out in the grey nay sky. The rains were coming in and the clear sky that they had briefly enjoyed were be hidden by angry clouds.

Simon had found a dock that was out of the way and hidden within the roots of the trees that grew on the side of the mountain. With a rain storm coming in, it would be the perfect place to stay dry.

Simon and Silver Fox had gone into the city to find some of the repairs that they needed. Karina was hoping that they would get them for a good price. They were low on funds. She climbed out and followed a large root of the main tree that led up to a path into the main part of the city.  

Karina figured out what the best way to go would be. She didn’t want to go too far into the city and be far away from the ship, especially with her hidden cargo on board.

She picked up her pace and went down a stone laid path that led to an old shop. She would get herself something there and then get back to the ship.

She made it inside the shop and the smells of fresh baked bread made her mouth water. Karina was going to pick some bread up and some treats for the crew.

“Well I didn’t expect to see you here.”

The voice froze her on the spot. “Aren’t you going to turn around and greet an old friend? Or am I no longer regarded as your friend?”

Karina turned around and faced him. “Hello Gabriel. It’s nice to see you.”

He smiled at her. “Long time no see eh?” He winked at her.

Karina’s skin prickled. “I have to get some stuff for the crew and get back to the ship.”

“On a tight schedule?”

“You could say that.”

Karina got her breads and treats packed up. Gabriel got his and caught up to her. “Where are you headed off to?”

“The Orox mountians.”

“You have a bit of a journey ahead of you then.”

“Yes we do.” She wanted to part ways with him and was trying to figure that out when she heard something by the docks.

Gabriel looked as well. Karina picked up her pace and ran the rest of the way. She saw something slither under the tree root that led to her ship. She ran to the root and took the old wooden steps. There was some commotion going on around her ship. She could see sniffing hounds around the ship. Her eyes went wide. They were sniffing for the sapphire ice.

“What have you got on board that they are interested in?”

She looked up at Gabriel. “Sapphire ice.”

He sighed. “You have a problem then. This is the last place you want to be with that cargo. I would get out of here fast.”

An arrow whizzed past them. They both looked. Gattoy was standing on the top of the tree root smiling.

 

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ASENIA OF THE BLUE ISLES-CHAPTER 7

Hello and here is our next chapter of this adventure. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 7

 

Kitt sniffed the air and she knew that it was all wrong. The moon shone over the ship bathing it in a blue white ghostly light. Kitt stood perfectly still hiding in the shadows. She waited. And there is was.

A large shadow silently crossed over the ship. Kitt pushed herself back farther into the shadow. She looked up into the star studded sky with only a few wisps of clouds. She took out her little telescope and held it up to her right eye. Kitt scanned the sky and suddenly her scope was filled with the shadowy figure. She knew it was. Gatoy riding on his griffon and around him were more. They were going to arrack the ship she knew.

Kitt flew down the mast and scampered down to the bottom cabins. She knew by the screech of the griffon that they saw her.

Karina met her in the hall half dressed. “Who is it.?”

“Gatoy, and he’s not alone.”

“Get the rest of them up. We have to fight.”

Karina rushed up to the top and could see them above the ship circling them like vultures. By this time the Silver Fox was besides her looking up at them as well. “He’s back.”

“They know what we have and want to steal it. We’re going to have a battle. Get Kalzan to set up the cannons.”

“He’s already there. Just hope we have enough exploding powder.”

Karina sighed. “I hope so.”

Silver fox took out her bow and arrow and got on the deck. She yelled “Fire.”

Kalzon fired and at the same time she aimed her flaming arrow right direct at Gatoy. He seen them and came right for them.

The flaming arrow went flying and the powder went soaring into the air, Gatoy halted as the powder shrouded him. The flaming arrow hit the griffon. They both started to fall and the Silver Fox knew he would crash. But before he hit another large griffon and rider scooped them up and carried them off. The others came down to attack.

The silver fox fired more arrows but they were too fast for her. Now she had three of them in a row standing beside their griffons in front of her. They all had swords that flamed blue. Karina now joined her along with Kitt. Karina stepped forward. “Get off my ship. Or be blown away.”

The middle one came forward. “I don’t think so. We are not leaving without the sapphire ice.”

Karina laughed. “You are too late, it’s been sold. And if you think I’m lying, go check. Kitt will take you.”

He looked back at the others and Karina could tell that they thought she was lying and maybe trap was down there.

“Okay, I will take two others with me and in case you think of doing something funny.” He pointed to the sky where even more had arrived. “They will tear this ship apart.”

All Karina did was nod.

They went down and they weren’t down there very long when they were all back up. They joined the others where they all talked quiet. They got on their griffons and flew into the air without saying a word.

Karina looked over at Kitt. “So? What happened?”

She grinned. “Nothing, just as it should have happened.”

Karina smiled back. “They bought it that was good. Now maybe we can get this voyage on the tight track. With the sapphire ice hidden in the walls of this ship, we should be safe.”

 

The griffons landed back on the cliff. Gatoy was injured but not as bad as his griffon. They were working on him.

“Did you get the sapphire ice Cai?”

He shook his head. “She said they had already sold it and when we checked, there was nothing to be found.”

“She let you check?”

“Karina told us to go check to verify that she was not lying. But I will admit, that something was wrong about everything. Something was up.”

Gatoy sighed. “She is a sly one. You were set up.”

Cai looked down at him. “Then what are we going to do?”

“Follow her and see what happens. If she is telling the truth, we will see but if she is still heading to the Orox Mountains, I suspect she still has the sapphire ice on board hidden. When she goes to unload it, we will take it off her hands then.”         

 

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ASENIA OF THE BLUE ISLES-CHAPTER 6

And so we continue on this adventure. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 6

 

Karina bit her lip. Damn, was he out looking for her too? She couldn’t be found and the problem was going around these mountains were tricky. She presumed that’s why they hit. It’s too tight. She sighed. They would have to go through.

Kit came bounding up beside her to take a look at the ship. She turned to Karina. “Going to be tough for them not to notice us.”

“I know.” Then she spotted the clouds coming down settling into the mountains. “We could hide ourselves in the cloud.”

“We wouldn’t be able to see anything or where we were going. We have to keep moving to get clear of that cloud or we will be in the same position as them.”

Karina nodded. “Then go tell Simon to get us moving faster and clear out of here.”

She scampered off. Karina leaned over the rail to get a closer look. Out of her pocket she pulled her little telescope to see if she could see him.

There he was, Captain Delphia, giving orders to his crew. He peered up and almost seemed to be looking her straight in the eyes through the telescope. She held still until he turned away and jumped down to help.

Karina quickly put her telescope away and went to find the crew to help manoeuvre their way out of here without being seen.

Simon met her. “If we want to avoid the Captain, we will have to raise ourselves above the clouds, just past the peeks of the mountains. We risk being seen by them but they couldn’t catch us. The only thing is we don’t know what or who lurks up on the tops of the mountains. Could be more trolls out there.”

“I’ll take my chances. Let’s rise up then.”

Everyone went to their stations with Karina at the wheel steering them away from the rocks as best as she could. That cloud was now starting to settle down and it was soon going to be tough to see. They kept it steady.

Then a voice shouted out from the foggy white mist. “Ahoy there, Asenia. This is Captain Delphia, could I ask for your hand in a bit of help?”

Karina never answered back, just kept steering upward. She could not let him board her ship. She was guessing he had a small ship on the side of his own for emergencies. She always wanted one of those and was planning on it when she made this delivery. Get her ship fixed and get another smaller one.

There was silence now so she was hoping that they lost him. Karina looked up and could see the open sky and it felt like a race to make it but she yelled out to blow the sails out. She could feel the warm air. That was a good sign.

Only thing was, Captain Delphia heard her. He had to be close by and suddenly she saw this small ship catch the air current and float right up above them. Now she panicked.

The air current was strong though and for a small ship, it was hard to control. The air current lifted them way above them to almost nothing but a speck in the blue sky.

With any luck she thought, they could catch that draft and sail off before he could gain control.

Finally they broke through the clouds to the open sky. It was like breaking water and being to breathe again. The current like hands grabbed hold of the sails and pulled them along. Karina smiled. They were once again on their way to the Orox mountains. If they could avoid the Captain and any more chasers, they would make their destination in the next couple of days.

All the crew enjoyed the wind taking care of the work. It gave Simon time to do some repairs and keep them going until they could so some proper repairs. Karina felt confident now that there would be no more major problems. But she knew that could be false hope.

And she was right. The Captain had regained control of his small ship. He was ahead of them flying along at a good speed like them.

There was no changing course. This was the fastest and best route for now. There was only one more set of mountains to pass through and they were far safer than what they had just passed through. Their only threat was a head of them.

Karina stayed up front with her telescope keeping an eye on him. What she didn’t expect was when they were flying just above the mountains that riders would be circling around them like vultures. They were griffon riders. Karina had forgot about them living in these regions. They were thieves of the best kind. She could see them reaching the small ship first.

Karina saw fire balls being fired into the air at them. Damn, that small ship of his had everything on it! Maybe that would chase them away with any luck. But more of them showed up and now she had to defend her ship.

Silver Fox fired her flame arrows at them but they were pretty smart flyers. One came down and landed right on the ship’s bay. A muscled young blond haired man jumped down with his spear tightly held in his hand. His blond hair was tied in a braid that went down his back to almost his knees. His eyes were painted and glaring. Karina and Kalzan met him. “Get off my ship.”

“Give me something and I will gladly leave.”

“I don’t have anything to give. I just delivered my shipment. I’m empty.” Given that he was a thief, she didn’t know if he would fall for her lie.

“Nice try. You wouldn’t be flying through these mountains unless you are hiding precious cargo.”

More riders were flying above them, ready to land. Karina had to do something to get rid of them. Suddenly the small ship came into view and he was aiming his guns at them. “Get off the ship or I’ll blow you all to the other side of the mountains.”

He growled at the ship hovering above them. He climbed on his griffon and lifted off with the others. He yelled down. “We are not finished yet.”

They all flew off with just the small ship now next to them.

Captain Delphia leaned over the rails grinning. “Hello my dear. Are you alright?”

Karina cringed but gave him a small smile. “Thanks, we are okay.”

Without permission, he leaped on board and marched right up to her. He pulled her close and she was ready to hit him but he let go, knowing Kalzan was right behind him. “How long has it been dear? How I missed you. That was a close one, I was glad to be here to help you.”

Karina wanted to yell but it would do no good. She stood there and nodded. “Well, you can go back to your ship. We will be on our way.”

“What’s the rush dear? I would love to know what you have on board to. I agree with that griffon rider. You must have some precious cargo on board to be flying here.”

She looked at him. “Is that why you are flying here? To see if I do have something or do you have something that is worth something?”

He laughed. “My ship ran into some trouble as you saw. But no, I have no precious cargo unlike what I heard you have. Want to make a deal and I’ll protect you from anymore attacks. You heard that griffon rider. He will be after you and how many more?”

Karina shook her head. She was not making any deals. “Sorry to disappoint you but the stories you have been fed were indigestible.”

“Really now. That’s too bad. Well, I will be on my way. Have to get that ship off the mountain. But I assume we will meet again before you reach your destination which is?”

Karina had already turned away from him pretending not to hear his question. She could hear a laugh behind her. He flew off in his ship to her relief.

Karina held a meeting with her crew. They would have to make haste. There were too many after them. It was decided they would work in shifts to keep going.

 

Gatoy and his griffon Pata, were watching form the peak of the mountain. Another rider came up to him. “Did you find where they are going and what they have?”

“They are going to the Orox Mountains with a shipment of sapphire ice.”

Gatoy smiled. “I thought so. We attack and if that small ship shows up? Blow him out of the sky. We attack at midnight.”

 

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ASENIA OF THE BLUE ISLES-CHAPTER 5

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Chapter 5

 

Karina looked far up into the mountains. Large white flakes of wet snow hit her in the face. Her crew and she were trying to shove off the wet snow so they could get air born again. But this storm was settling in and that was working against them.

Kalkan slogged through the wet snow drift that had formed across the bridge of the ship. “We have to send for help. There are bears here that live in these snow mountains. They are used to this weather. They might have something to remove the snow.”

Karina nodded. She heard of the snow bears and was a bit scared of them but they would have the brute strength to remove the snow.

Kalkan climbed up the mountain to a ledge and called out. The mountains shook some snow off of them from the vibrations. Finally a large white bear greeted him. Karina couldn’t hear what they were talking about but they must have agreed to help when she saw more bears come out and down the mountain to where they were.

She was glad to have their help despite being scare of them. Two bears stepped out onto the ship and started moving the snow in one massive push. Karina held her breath hoping that the snow wouldn’t crash through the railing causing more damage.

But other bears shoved it over the rails a little at a time. Karina was relieved but the snow kept coming down replacing what they removed. They to get this ship air born and out of this region. This passage was going to more difficult than what she thought.

The ship jerked and she shoveled faster to make it lighter to lift. It got off the ground but that was all. It had to momentum to lift them higher.

Kalkan was coming along with one of the large bears and someone was on the bear’s back. They were all bundled up so Karina couldn’t make out who they were until they climbed onto the ship off the stone ledge. Whoever it was, was not very tall.  They were dressed in wool sweaters and leather boots. All Karina could see was large green eyes sticking out of the hood.

“I see you need held in getting this back up into the air. It’s a nasty day for that.”

“I have a valuable delivery to make. Have to get air born and right away.”

“See what we can do my friend.”

They got back on the bear and went over the ledge where more bears met them. They all had harnesses on them. She hooked up one large rope to the ship. Karina couldn’t imagine what they had planned.

The bears all lined up, one behind the other. Karina watched intently. Slowly one by one they took to the air! Karina eyes went wide. These bears could fly!

The ship jerked again. They started to lift up higher and higher. Karina and the crew scrambled to their posts to help steer the ship.

Soon they were at the level they should be. The bears pulled them along and the wind caught the sails and help pushed them along. The bears kept going until they were out of the heaviest snow in the mountains. The rope got untied and the ship was using the wind as its engine.

The one that was on top of the bear came flying back to them and landed on the ship. Karina greeted them. “Thank you so much. We are on are way.”

“I’m glad as these storms don’t let up here in these parts. And be forewarned when you get out of the snow region into the warmth again, there is war on that side. And if your cargo is worth anything, you will get attacked. Better to take the north route through the Emerald pass. Less busy there if you know what I mean.”

“Thank you, I will do that. I’ve had enough encounters already.”

“Glad to be of help.” Karina watch them fly back out the other bears where they disappeared into the blinding snow.

Everyone was working hard to steer the ship through. Kit informed of the route that they were going to take. There was only one thing that bothered her about that route. There was a certain someone that she knew there and she did not want to meet up with them.

He was another dealer that she was in competition with-sort of. He wanted them to team up and he liked her but she wasn’t ready for anything like that. But he was a charmer.

She could only hope that she would not meet up with his ship-The fair maiden. Karina had to hide the sapphire ice from his eyes.

Yes, it would be a challenge but she could do it.

They sailed for a while and now it was getting dark. They would take refuge in the mountains.

Just before they were scouting out a place, Silver Fox spotted something. There was debris all over the place. Wood splinters were on the side of the mountain. Karina swallowed hard remembering the warning of the trouble that was out there.

Everybody was on high alert looking for trouble. When they coasted around the corner off the mountain, full view of the ship came into view. It was laying on its side. As they got closer she could see crew working very hard to get themselves upright. Karina knew depending on the ship’s damage that they could still fly. But she knew they needed help but would decide if she could see if they were friendly or not.

The flag was flying still and she gasped. The ship was The Fair Maiden.

 

 

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ASENIA OF THE BLUE ISLES-CHAPTER 4

Hello to all! Here is chapter 4 of our continuing tale. Hope you enjoy! And if you would like to support this story, you can throw a tip in the tip jar. Thank you!

Chapter 4

 

They worked all night to get things working to get through the pass in the mountains. It was a dangerous route they were taking. Snow storms erupted her on the tops sending ice over everything. Plus it was a favorite hideaway for pirates.

There was one who was called the icicle pirate. His ship the show maiden always had ice hanging off of it. His crew even used the ice as spears. They were a crazy bunch and the crew kept an eye out for him.

Simon had steered the ship under a large rock that jetted out giving them a roof to protect them from the weather. Karina knew the crew needed some rest before they stuck out into the centre of this pass that was going to be the most tricky to get through.  

Karina sat on the sail looking out over the misty mountains that drifted around the mountains. The cold mist that dripped off of them sent a shiver through Karina. She would be happy to be out in the open sun. This had to be the most miserable trip she had made. Her ship was falling apart and she ran into too many pirates and such for her comfort and it the trip wasn’t over yet.

Silver fox joined her. “Everything is working right now but we can’t take too many more attacks. We have to get good sail to make good time.”

Karina nodded. “Yes, and the sooner we can get through this pass, the better I will feel.”

 

***

 

The next morning was not kind to them. The mist had turned to a thick pea soup fog and the mist was steadily falling creating a thin layer of ice as the temps started to get colder. They had to move out and make their way through. This kind of weather was always a prelude to a snow storm coming in.

Everyone was on deck helping to navigate their way through this white out. Before they pulled out, hovering above the large rock that they were tucked under was The Trove ship. The captain was standing on the rock looking down on them. They did not see him. Like a spider he slipped a silvery rope down to the ship’s sail and it slipped around tightly. His mate above secured the other end to their ship.

They were doing a pretty good job making their way through. The snow storm was coming soon. The mist now was pellets hitting their faces. Karina was at the air ship’s wheel steering and trying to stay away from the side of the icy mountains. She couldn’t figure out why it felt like they were pulling something. She sent Kit to see Simon and see if everything was alright.

There was muffled shouting from below and Karina knew instantly that they had unwanted company. She slipped down the pole and marched to the stairs. Kit met her at the top of the stairs. “Troves!”

“What? How did they get here?”

“They hitched a ride. They were almost at the sapphire ice.”

“Where are they now?”

“The little beggers are hiding in the stock room. They can disguise themselves into anything. Worse than termites!”

Crashes from below made them both scramble down to the lower decks. “They’re searching for the sapphire ice. The place will be trashed if we don’t stop them,” shouted Kit.

“Time to exterminate the invaders!”

Karina grabbed two masks and threw one to Kit. “Put this on while I get the spray gun.”

Kit had her spray gun ready as well. They were hiding now. Karina went around one way and Kit the other. Lit saw a snout sniffing out of one broken box. She aimed but he moved too quickly.

Kalkan came down to help. They really scattered when he showed up but Kalkan, despite his size was quick and grabbed two of them by their ankles.

That brought the others out. Kit and Karina aimed the guns at them and fires. The room filled with the most horrible smelling gas ever. Kalkan wasn’t bothered by it. The Troves came out and passed out on the floor like flies. There was six of them!

The two Kalkan had also went limp.

They gathered them up and dumped them on the deck. Kalkan was still hanging on to the two he caught. The air had gotten a lot colder and the snow storm was coming right at them. The two Troves came too and started to squeal. Their wild boar snouts were huffing. “What should we do with these vermin?”

Karina and Kit who took off their masks looked around at the now falling snow. “Send them back up their rope and cut the rope.”

One by one Kalkan sent them back up the rope. The old captain of Trove watched with intensity as each one came up the rope. The wind now was getting up and the silver rope was swinging. It wasn’t going to hang on much longer. The last trove was almost there. Kalkan swung with his large knife and the cut the rope snapping it back at them. The wind caught their sails also and off they went into the wind with the last Trove hanging on to the rope.

“Good riddance,” shouted Kalkan.

The snow was coming down mercifully and the wind was driving it down onto their ship. They were losing ground and with the weight of the heavy snow, it was pushing them down, down, down…

 

 

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