Chapter
12
Silver Fox was suspicious
but she couldn’t find the source and that made her very annoyed. Whenever she
looked through her telescope, nothing could be found. She even looked up above
then and below but there was nothing so she thought she was being paranoid.
However, the
feeling wouldn’t leave her so she just stayed alert to any attacks. Kitt joined
her on the deck. “Everything good up here?”
Silver Fox’s
ears bent forward. “Well, I can’t shake that something is up but I can’t see
anything.”
“Hmm,” said
Kitt. “Maybe if there is someone out there, they are far behind at a safe or
cloaking themselves.”
Silver Fox’s
eyes went wide. “I never thought of that. The crew should be on alert.”
Kitt let out an
uneasy breath. “I think that Karina knows that we have to stay alert with all
the trouble we have had. Anything can happen. We are getting close to the Orox
Mountains. We’ll send out word when we get close and they can meet us perhaps.
Then we can make it safe into the port.”
“That would be a
good idea. Maybe Simon could speed us up. The sooner we have delivered this
load the better.”
Kitt laughed. “I
don’t think that anyone will not agree with. This old ship needs repairs. That
will make a big difference on our travels.”
A rumble took
their attention to the skies. Kitt sighed. “Another thunder storm coming in.
I’m going to get my rain hat. Can’t stand the rain on my cat ears.”
Silver Fox
grinned. “I hear ya. I don’t like rain on mine either. Better get ready.”
Kitt scampered
off as the first drops started to fall. Silver Fox quickly took herself to
front bow where Karina was. She already had her gear on, ready for the storm to
sail through it. Silver Fox came up beside her. “Looks like a heavy rain one
coming though.”
“Yup, we’ll get
through it. Soon as we make our way through the worst of it, Simon will send
out word for the ship to greet us and escort us into the port safely without
attack.”
“That is what
Kitt suggested. I’m glad that we are doing that, makes me feel better.”
“Same with me,”
quipped Karina.
A loud thunder
shook the ship. They both looked up as the rain started to beat down on them.
Another rumble followed. They both looked at one another. “That does not sound
like thunder,” retorted Silver Fox.
Karina looked
around like someone was going to land on the deck at any time. That made Silver
Fox nervous. Suddenly a howl from the back of the ship startled them both. It
was Karzan and it sounded like he had been confronted. Kitt yelled next. “We
have trouble,” said Karina.
Silver Fox felt
prickles run of her furry neck to her ears. Her early suspicions were coming to
light. She ran to get her bow and arrow and see who had challenged her crew
members. She stopped short in her tracks when she saw the large ship that was practically
on top of the deck. She recognized it as The Dreamer with that mean looking
captain. Another battle.
Simon was even
out there fighting the crew off that was landing in front of them. Some of them
were like Kitt, half cat, half elf and they were scampering around sniffing. Silver
Fox knew what they were sniffing for too. She notched one of her arrows and
started firing at them. But they were quick.
Like a storm
cloud a big burly creature landed on the deck waving a sword. He was a bear
like creature. When he roared everyone stilled. Karina stood not too far from
him. “Get off my ship, you thief.”
“Give me the sapphire
ice and we will be on our way.”
“That is not for
you to steal. I’ll say it again, get off this ship before we start firing on
your ship.”
The rain was
starting to get heavier and fog was rolling in. It didn’t bother the captain as
he almost seemed to relish in it. Karina had to stand her ground.
He roared out a
laugh. “Do you think a little thing like you will stop me? My crew will take
what they want.” The rain was dripping off his furry ears and hairy chin.
Karina looked back and Silver Fox flew one flaming arrow at his ship. It stuck
into his sails and despite the rain it caught fire. His crew scrambled to get
back on the ship to put the fire and Silver Fox fired another one and soon all
the sails had caught fire.
He roared at his
crew. His ship was starting to sink and that was one thing Karina never thought
of. He was parked slightly over top of the deck. He would crash and take them
both down.
Simon was now
below trying to steer them out from the large ship. They scraped the bottom a
bit but managed to get out of the way.
Despite the
burning sales, the ship was so far staying up and the bear of a captain was not
giving up. He charged Karina who was ready for him. She dodged his sword and kicked
him at the knee sending him flying face down. She leaped like a cat pouncing on
a mouse, landing on his back with her sword stuck in his back. “I think now is
the time for you to leave.”
Kalzan came up
and picked him up and dragged him across to his burning ship that was starting
to sink in the sky. A gust of wind helped him heave over the captain onto his
own ship. The storm was getting stronger and angrier. Neither ship could sail
in this weather.
The gust of wind
and rain were now beating at them like fists. Simon was doing his best to work
with the wind to get them away. It was working but the ship was creaking and
the sails were almost lying flat. They had to seek refuge somewhere.
The Dreamer was
off now in the distance almost on its side. For now the bear captain would be
no threat but the biggest one was this storm. It was proving to be more
challenging that what Karina thought it would have been.
The Orox Mountains
were just the other side. They were almost there when another ship came into
view, it was Captain Delphia’s ship. The way the ship was being turned, Karina
knew that Simon had seen the captain’s ship. Now it was just to get away from
him in time and hopefully he never noticed them. Maybe thought Karina, this
storm might work to their advantage.
The ship was
sailing through the air at quite a clip and that was dangerous but Karina knew
that just a little bit father, they would be in the protection of the
mountains.
The sky was
lighting up with bright flashes from the storm and thunder was rolling along
with the black clouds. The ship suddenly dropped and Karina fell and slid to
the side of the ship catching on to one of the ropes, she hung on.
Now they had
stopped and were floating calmly. Karina got herself up and went to the edge
and looked over and around. It was eerie and quiet despite the rain falling.
She half expected to see enemies in waiting but so far nothing.
They floated along
and lights from the mountains cliffs glowed in the darkness. There were
creatures that lived here. She just hoped that none of them were interested in
her. One fight per day was enough.
Her ship coasted
through and Kitt came up along and joined her. “The message has been sent out.
We should hear back when we clear this storm on the other side of this mountain.”
“Good, it will
be nice to see a ship that will not be attacking us.”
And sure enough
the ship was there waiting. Karina recognized it as the Evergreen. The owner
was the one who was making the purchase.
The crew were
waiting for them and when they got close, a message came to them to follow them
into port and to stay close.
Karina knew that
meant trouble was waiting at the port for them. At least the ship ahead of them
would be protecting them.
The port was a
sorry sight for Karina’s eyes. “We made it,” she said out loud. It was a
sprawling city in the Orox Mountains. It was the city of wonder as its bone
colored towers hovered over the masses of rock and large trees. It was almost
like that was what was holding them up. Underneath the city was large tangles
roots and rocks that held everything together.
There was even
water in the city that flowed through the middle.
The port where
they were going to land was on the edge where the warehouses where situated.
They started to descend into the port right behind the Evergreen ship. Men were
waiting for them. Simon merged from the bottom and him and Kalzan greeted the
men.
Karina went down
the plank to the board walk. There she greeted the buyer. “Glad you made it. I
was wondering what shape you would be in.”
“Well, as you
can see, we are still one piece but this was not an easy journey. The sapphire ice
caused many attacks on us. Almost lost our ship a few times but we made it. We
need repairs and that new part we talked about?”
He nodded. “Of
course, I will put it in myself and don’t worry, you will be paid well for your
efforts.”
Karina nodded
and off he went to see the men. Silver Fox and Kitt joined her. “Well, captain,”
said Silver Fox, “I think the three of us could go for a bite to eat and celebrate
ahead of the boys?”
Karina laughed. “We
certainly can.”
TIP JAR:
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