The Awakened Book Two (22 page)

Kael lifted off the tarp and struggled to his feet, figuring that it didn’t make sense to keep hiding when the man knew that he was there.

“
Come over here son, and let me get a good look at you.”

Kael stepped out from the crate he had been hiding behind. His leg shot with pain, resisting the movement so that Kael stumbled slightly.

“
What’s wrong with ya?”

“…
leg’s broken,” Kael managed through clenched teeth.

“
Well for cryin’ out loud boy, when were you gonna tell someone?”

Kael paused, not sure of how to react to this man, who didn’t seem to pose any immediate threat. “…when I got to safety.”

“
Well…you’re here. Come on, let’s take a look at that leg.”

Kael didn’t move. “You’re not going to turn me in?”

The man, who had already turned to go up the stairs, looked back to Kael and smiled. “Son, we all done things we ain’t proud of. That don’t matter to me or the rest of the crew. What matters is what you do from now on. Now follow me so we can get you fixed up. Won’t do me a bit of good with a broken leg.”

Kael began to inch forward, his muscles severely cramped by staying still for so long. It took a second for the man’s words to make sense. “What do you mean I won’t do you a bit of good?”

The man barked a laugh that filled every inch of the hull. “That was the deal. A safe place to hide in exchange for your service. I told you that when we set sail, anything aboard my ship became my property.”

Kael doubted if this man’s made up rules were considered legal anywhere in the Empire, but he didn’t really care. It was a convenient hiding place, a way to disappear.

Limping after the Captain, Kael ascended the rough stairs to the deck of a large merchant vessel. It looked different in the daytime than at night when he stole aboard. Larger crates of some unknown cargo were stacked neatly in rows and secured to the decking, most likely the cargo that wouldn’t fit down in the hold. As he followed the man aft, he received shifty glances from the crew as they attended to their duties. They were a rough looking bunch with smirks and scowls on their faces. Kael wondered what they were thinking.

The Captain opened the door to the aft cabin and motioned for Kael to follow. Once inside, Kael sat down and the Captain called for a splint to be brought.

“
Hungry?”

Kael nodded, wary of the man’s kindness.

“
I hope you like fish,” he replied, serving up some stew into a bowl and dropping it in front of Kael.

Kael lifted it to his lips and gulped it down, though his tongue protested.

“
Good?” the Captain asked.

Kael just smiled and placed the empty bowl back on the table. “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m hiding here?”

“
Don’t care cause it doesn’t matter. We all have our stories, but we don’t talk much here. No…most these folks’d rather work with their hands and forget about what goes on in their heads. No questions around here.”

Kael nodded, liking this man more and more with every second. One of the crew came in and delivered a small strip of wood and some dirty rags, torn into strips. The Captain took the supplies and thanked the man, closing the door after him.

“
Well, let’s get a look at that leg.”

Kael held up his hand. “It’s broken just below the knee. And there’s some damage to my hip, but there’s nothing you can do about that. Here, the splint should go on this side.”

The Captain handed the supplies over to Kael. “Sounds like you’ve had some experience with this.”

“
Yeah,” Kael mumbled.

“
What else do know about? Are you a sailor, fisherman?”

“
No,” Kael replied, revealing nothing.

“
Hmm,” the Captain sighed. “Looks like Bestio will get promoted. You can take over his cleaning duties. Oh, my name is Gryllus, but folks just call me ‘Captain’.”

Kael extended his hand. “Caleb,” he lied.

Chapter 15

Maeryn sat atop a rocky ledge that overlooked the eastern bay of
Orud
. Aelia was napping in their room, which left Maeryn alone and watching the tiny white sails move along the water. The breeze moved through her hair and the sun warmed her skin. And though she had many days like this on the island, this was different. The emotional weight that she had been carrying was now gone. And in its place, a sense of peace—which was strange for Maeryn, because if she really stopped to consider her situation, she should have felt lost. No longer did she have a sense of purpose. The mission for which she had risked her life was complete.

No… the people. I didn’t just risk my life for a mission.

And now what?
She was in a strange place with strange people, and no idea of what was going to happen next. But somehow, that didn’t matter. She was at peace. For all of the long and grueling years past, she felt like a bird that had broken free of its cage and was now able to fly anywhere. Did the bird fear the freedom, the unknown?

No!

It was how the bird was meant to live.

A noise turned her attention from the ocean back to the mansion. To the left of the large structure, one of the servants was pointing toward her, and next to him stood a tall man. She couldn’t tell anything about him from this distance, but she knew instantly who it was. He thanked the servant and proceeded to cross the expanse of swaying grass between them.

Maeryn rose to her feet and waited patiently.

“Maeryn,” he addressed her in a kind voice.

He was tall, with thick, dark hair, graying at the temples. His piercing blue eyes looked as though they contained great wisdom, but also humility that immediately put Maeryn at ease.

Maeryn bowed. “I don’t know your name, but I am honored to meet you.”

“It is I who am honored to meet a woman of such courage and strength. What you have done is valuable beyond measure.”

Maeryn blushed.

“One day, when we have managed to change this Empire, minstrels will sing ballads of your heroism, and we will feast in your honor.”

“I think it will be you that they sing of,” she countered. “But thank you. You are very kind. And thank you for your hospitality.” She gestured to the mansion.

“I trust you have been well cared for?” he asked.

“Of course…much different than our island home,” she added.

“Yes, I’m sorry about that, about all the confusion. I hope it wasn’t too awful.”

“No, no,” Maeryn corrected. “I didn’t mean it like that. I only meant, well…” she stammered.

“Shall we go inside?” he interrupted.

“Of course,” Maeryn said quickly. She felt mortified. Had she offended him? Their island
hideout
wasn’t his fault; it was part of Thaddius’ plan.

Just try to keep your mouth shut. Less talking, more listening!

The Resistance Leader—Maeryn wasn’t sure of his title any more than she was of his name—walked slowly back toward the mansion. The grass was soft underfoot and Maeryn walked by his side, listening to him explain where all the slaves had been reassigned. He confirmed that the sale had gone smoothly, without complication or suspicion.

After arriving back at the mansion, they continued to discuss what the Resistance was doing throughout the Empire. Maeryn had so many things that she wanted to ask and say, but she managed to follow her own advice and let him do most of the talking. In this way, conversation flowed freely into the evening. Aelia joined them for a short time before leaving to walk in the vineyard, her favorite place since their arrival.

The time passed quickly and, as the sun began to set in the west, their benevolent host called for a more elaborate supper than what had been planned. After a few hours of preparation, a feast of lamb and duck was laid out before them. Wine from his own vineyard flowed freely for his new guests. Maeryn couldn’t think of the last time that she had enjoyed herself more. And the smile on Aelia’s face made it all the more special.

As the evening activity slowed, the Leader rose from the table. “I’m afraid I will not be able to stay. I have to leave the city for a few days to attend to other matters.”

Maeryn was visibly disappointed.

“But I must say that I haven’t felt such joy in a long time. Maeryn, Aelia, thank you very much for your pleasant company.”

“Will you come back?” Aelia asked.

“Of course… Until then, make yourselves comfortable. Consider this your home. If you wish to go into the city, you need only ask and it will be done. Oh yes! Maeryn, I understand that you had a beautiful garden in
Bastul
.”

Maeryn wiped tears from her eyes. “Yes I did,” she replied with a questioning smile.

“I have called for flowers and plants of every imaginable type. You will receive them tomorrow. I would very much like to see your talents, and also learn what makes you happy,” he added. “That is…if you still enjoy such things.”

“I do indeed,” Maeryn breathed, hardly able to find the words.

“Splendid! I will return in a few days and will hopefully get to stay longer next time. Good evening.”

And just like that, this gracious stranger exited the house and walked down the front steps to his awaiting carriage. Maeryn stood at the doorway and watched as the team of horses pulled the carriage up the road and out of sight.

* * * *

Life and work aboard the merchant ship would have been hard for anyone, especially with a broken leg. But Kael found it to be a welcome break from the rigorous training at the monastery. Within the first weeks, the Captain realized that swabbing the decks wasn’t the best use of Kael’s time. Instead, he set him to the task of fishing, as well as other sailing duties. Kael welcomed the work as a time to do just as the Captain mentioned—to work with his hands and try to forget about all the things that muddled his thinking.

During his second week, Kael began waking early in the morning as he had done at the monastery. Intending to find a secluded spot to perform his morning exercises, he circled the ship, trying to avoid the few crew members that were manning the sails as the others slept below.

After a few minutes, he found himself at the bow of the ship, where the large crates blocked visibility of the prow and the last five feet of deck leading up to it, the perfect spot. But as Kael glanced around to verify his privacy, he noticed a man standing on top of the crates just above him. Kael stepped to the side to get a better view. Suddenly, a bolt of fear shot through his body and he froze where he stood.

Long, dark hair, flowing in the wind

Slanted eyes

His slow, steady movements were following a pattern that Kael knew all too well.

With his heart pounding in his chest, Kael moved aft. In his haste to retreat, he almost tripped over the Captain.

“
Whoa there! Where you headin’ in such a hurry?”

“
Who is that?” Kael demanded, though careful not to raise his voice.

“
Why don’t you go introduce yourself?”

“
No thanks,” Kael replied.

“
Kinda looks like the men who were lookin’ for you.”

Kael turned to look the Captain in the eye. “Is he?”

The Captain paused for a moment, studying Kael’s face. “No,” he finally answered.

“
Well what’s he doing here; does he work for you?”

“
He’s on my ship, ain’t he?”

Kael didn’t reply; he was still waiting for an answer to his first question.

“I keep him around for protection. That little guy’s an animal when he wants to be. You wouldn’t know it to look at him, but I’ve seen him take down guys twice his size. He earns his keep. And he’s pretty handy to have around when you get in a tight spot.”

The next day, Kael rose before dawn and went up to the prow of the ship. As expected, the dark-haired man stood on the crates, facing the bow and performing his exercises. Kael climbed up the last crate, just fore of the mainsail and watched from twenty feet away. It was fascinating. His motions were slightly different than Ukiru had instructed, but eerily similar. The difference was the lack of aggression in his body language, more peaceful. Though it was evident that he was capable of much more.