Demiourgos (40 page)

When Nina, Avreel and Liostro all answered her back she stood up and looked into the doorway only to see something heading down the stairs into the relative darkness. Curiously Rose followed inside and headed down the steps slowly while watching the crate-filled space around her for movement. With a gesture she conjured a series of floating lights around her and sent them out in different directions, checking the corners of the hold and sweeping inward from there. “Hello?”

Something long and lizard-like jumped out from behind one of the boxes to try and catch her light but it failed and landed in the walkway between the crates. Spying her it darted back between two of the larger crates to hide.

Though she knew she should be exercising caution she approached slowly putting one foot in front of the other until she stood before one of the crates. Peering around the corner she saw a small head doing the same from the back of the box just seconds before it scurried back again. “Hey now, why don’t you come out here I’m not going to hurt you.”

Rose heard a light chirp in response and saw the little creature poke its head back around the box again. She crouched down on her knees and held her hand out to the strange creature. It did not seem dangerous to her. From this distance she could tell it felt scared and alone. She knew it was hungry also but she knew not how. Looking around she realized that Avreel and Nina had opened several of the crates. Walking slowly and deliberately she inspected each one. The boards under her feet creaked and she heard the little creature hiss a bit. In one of the last ones she spied what she was looking for in a large strip of meat. With two fingers she grabbed it and pulled it from the box, returning to where the little lizard creature was hiding. Rose held the strip of meat in front of her and waited to see if it would come out. “Come on out, I have something for you. I know you’re hungry little one.”

After a few minutes of the small creature testing the waters by peering out and inching up to her a little at a time it finally snagged the treat from her fingers and scampered back into hiding, drawing a small giggle from her. It smacked its lips loudly as it chewed and she waited for it to finish. “See there? I’m not going to hurt you. Why don’t you come out here so I can have a look at you?”

Rose sat down and crossed her legs waiting for it to reveal itself again. She did not wait long. The small creature eased its way around the corner rubbing its scales against the wood in an odd manner hugging the crate like a cat would. She could see it now under the hovering lights, it was covered in small scales from head to toe and all of them were a rusty amber hue. On its back it had a set of small wings that seemed to be underdeveloped. Its head was a little long and thin with a long snout and needle-like fangs and its eyes were all black and shiny. The little creature’s tail waved and swayed behind it as it approached her cautiously. All-in-all it was a very small creature only a bit larger than a newborn kitten. As it reached its muzzle out to sniff her fingers she smiled down at the strange looking thing and said soft encouraging things to it. “Now where in all the sands did you come from?”

When the little creature chirped in response to her question as if answering she laughed lightly and attempted to touch its head; which the scaled being allowed. She heard a raspy purr in response and figured that it was enjoying the gesture. “Now I’m not so bad huh?”

Rose almost gave a start when it climbed up her arm and perched on her shoulder until it nuzzled against her cheek and chirped again. “Affectionate little monster aren’t you? Still hungry boy?”

She pulled another slice of the obviously salted meat from the large crate and offered it to the lizard which devoured it in a few strong bites. It ate three more until it seemed to be completely full. Rose giggled again and ran her hands across its smooth-scaled back. “Well little one, you need a name. What do you think about Talisbane?”

It was odd but she could almost feel its approval. “You must have snuck on board, let’s go see if Avreel or Nina can tell me what you are.”

Rose mounted the stairs and climbed slowly as not to jostle her new friend. The small creature curled up on her shoulder and she could feel it gripping her fur in its little claws. It didn’t hurt so she let him lay there as she exited the hold and stepped out on deck.

“Rose I think we…” Avreel stopped mid-sentence and eyed the creature on the naarabi’s shoulder. “Where the hell did that come from?”

Her eyes cast from Avreel to Talisbane and back. “He was in the hold, why?”

“What the hell is it?” She shifted her hooves once and looked up at Liostro and Nina staring from the quarterdeck.

“I was hoping you could tell me.” Rose said back to Avreel and followed her gaze.

“A demi-drake!” Nina said excitedly with a smile on her face. “It’s a subspecies of dragon, more accurately a pseudo-dragon. I thought they were extinct! I’ve only ready about them in our library.”

“Dragons are dangerous creatures maybe we should kill it.” Avreel said evenly while narrowing her eyes.

Rose watched as Talisbane scampered down her back into her tunic and felt him move around beneath it only to poke his nose and head out of the front just enough to see Avreel and hiss its displeasure. “No Avreel, we won’t be killing him. He doesn’t look dangerous and I’ve already fed him so I don’t think the big scary dragon is going to try and eat you.”

“Lump-skulled elf they aren’t dangerous.” Nina said to her with a shake of her head as she walked back toward the wheel casting an amused look to Liostro as he was heading down the stairs. “They’re really smart and they enjoy the company of people.”

“Don’t worry little guy we won’t let the big bad xenophobic elf hurt you.” Liostro looked down at the small dragon and laughed when it crawled out of Rose’s shirt and perched back on her shoulder. “He likes you, so you should chose his name.”

Rose nodded and stroked the small dragon’s head. “I have, his name is Talisbane.”

“Yet another mouth to feed and ass to pull out of the fire.” Avreel said sourly and stalked past Rose into the hold while sticking her tongue out at the small dragon as it hissed at her.

After getting over the shock of seeing a small dragon riding on Rose’s shoulder Avreel had explained to her that their goal was in sight. Rose had rushed to the rail nearly losing Talisbane in the process. Once she was at the prow she could see what Avreel was referring to, the ceiling of the cavern finally appeared to end off in the distance. They were still quite a way out but Rose could finally see the end of the vast sea. The mist and occasional droplets of water touched her face and was pleasantly cool. Nina had been piloting for a while so she decided to take over. Rose turned about and headed back to the aft of the ship. The small dragon on her shoulder yawned and cooed at her quietly and observed its surroundings keeping its chin down on her shoulder.

Once she crested the quarterdeck she approached Nina and put her hands on the wheel. “I’m sure you’re exhausted by now I’ll take over.”

“Thanks.” Nina said in reply as she let go of the wheel and stretched out as tall as she could. “I’m surprised to find a pseudo-dragon down here in the caverns. However from what I’ve read a pseudo-dragon will lay only a few eggs per year. They put each one in a different dragon’s nest. Because of that each one takes on characteristics of its nest-mates. Since you were among shadowdrakes you’re a shadow-half dragon.”

Talisbane blinked at her for a moment then yawned again and looked around as if he was disinterested in the conversation. Rose listened intently, gathering information about her newfound friend. Nina sat near the rail and did a good amount of the talking, with Rose asking questions of her when they formulated in her head. She learned that dragons like Talisbane would take up with a more powerful creature mainly for protection. They were fiercely loyal and highly intelligent and once they were a certain age it was rumored they could even speak after a fashion. As if Talisbane had understood that statement he chirped lightly and licked his chops again. Rose also learned that his kind were more abundant in the wildlands which was a term she had not heard before. “What are the wildlands?”

“Our people say it’s a place of great beauty and magic. They say that the elves all came from the wildlands a long time ago to settle on this world and make it their own. It’s where we learned to shape the trees though that art is all but lost nowadays. There are very few tree-shapers among us anymore.” Nina paused after that statement and wore a slightly troubled expression. “The strongest tree-shapers were among the sunmane legacy but none of us have been born with the gift for a long time. It’s like the powers of our people have been diminished.”

“Could it have something to do with the sundering and the loss of magic?” Rose inquired curiously as she began following a path in her mind that seemed reasonable. “Leonidus told me that magic was only just introduced back into your peoples’ lives a short time ago. He also said that Humans and the rest of the world can’t shape magic yet save for a chosen few that he himself taught.”

“It’s true; I’ve only met one human that could shape magic. It was grandfather’s former apprentice, the one who almost killed Barius. He was so friendly and kind until the night of his escape. Apparently he killed elves and two other human apprentices before the guardian and my grandfather kicked him out of our home for draining the forest recklessly.” Nina thought about it for a moment and shrugged offhandedly. “I suppose that could be the reason why but with the resurgence of magic why wouldn’t the gift return?”

“Give it time.” Rose said simply and smiled over at the young elf. She knew not how but she had a feeling that the ancient powers of Nina’s people would return. As she stood steering the ship Liostro, Nina and Avreel all mulled around doing whatever chores Avreel barked out. She was again lost in her own thoughts, handling the wheel again gave her a little apprehension but she had to be sure that disposing of the three rings would give them the reprieve they had been searching for. So far the plan seemed to be working.

In the distance she watched the shoreline approaching, it seemed they would make it before daybreak if Nina took over for her at some point. The main thing on her mind was the Spellrage that Avreel had told her about. With the resurgence of her memories she could feel the ability resting deep within her mind. Her first use of it had been instinctual but something inside of her had flipped on at that moment. To make matters more complicated; since the death eater had died she felt, for lack of a better word, enhanced. Dipping down inside of her mind she focused her efforts on the rage itself. It had been powerful but sloppy, uncontrollable and if she were to need it again she would have to be able to control it at least to some extent.

Holding out her hand Rose concentrated on summoning the silvery flames. When she tried it the ship jumped forward a little as if it had been supercharged for just a moment. She grinned sheepishly at the other three. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to do that.”

“Be careful! This ship is a delicate and expensive craft. I hope to be able to stash it and return for the goods later so I’d rather it didn’t sink.” Avreel called from the railing of the lower deck angrily. With a huff she turned back to her duties.

Rose studied her hand for a moment then put it back on the wheel. She would have to rely on piecing the puzzle together with her mind alone for now. Spying Liostro heading toward her she put on a smile for him, not too big but hopefully not too pitiful either. “We’re almost there.”

“Something’s bothering you I can tell.” Liostro said as he leaned against the railing in front of her and glanced over his shoulder at the other two below them. “I tried to give you space but I’m worried. I was wondering if you want to talk about it.”

“Honestly I don’t know what to say.” Rose shrugged and kept her gaze focused on the waves around them instead of looking into his evocative cerulean eyes. She wouldn’t last long if she met them and she knew it. “I know one thing that’s bothering me, it feels like everything around me is unraveling. I can’t seem to trust anything or anyone. It’s not like me to be so paranoid but if a person I trust implicitly can betray us all so easily what should I expect from everyone else?”

“One of the things that intrigued me about you and drew me in was your love of life but more than that your sense of humanity. You defy all that is this world with every breath you take. Your innocence is refreshing but I fear that such things never last forever. You should not let that affect you so deeply as to change yourself.” Liostro looked out at the water for a moment to let that sink in. “My purpose until I met you was to follow the orders of my superiors without question. I was their divine reasoning, the hand of the ebon dragons and my sword their vengeance.”

“I almost let that sense of duty consume me.” Liostro turned back to Rose and smiled. “It was one of your people that pulled me out of that darkness and it was you that led me into the light. That might be why I hold a special place in my heart for the naarabi.”

“I think I understand but how am I going to keep myself if I keep changing?” Rose said questioningly more to herself than to Liostro. On her shoulder Talisbane shifted a little to get more comfortable.

Liostro grinned trying to add some levity to the situation. “The key is to change but remain the same.”

Rose snorted in amusement and shook her head at him continuing the pay attention to their course. He was right, she knew that, but it was not as easy as it sounded. The lives she had taken, the things she had done, all of these things were a big part of her; that and the Spellrage. That strange part of her mind that she knew was there but just couldn’t grasp fully. “Who’s the mad desert scholar now?”

“That would still be your department.” Liostro shrugged offhandedly and turned around to have a look at the wall in the distance. “We’ve been sailing this sea for a mere few days and already I feel as if I’ll miss it. The feeling of floating atop a body of water was strange at first but somehow I find it comforting and exhilarating at the same time.”

Rose felt the same. “I agree, maybe once this is over we can do it again.”

“Keep your ships and sailing I just want to see dry land.” Nina quipped as she crested the stairs and approached them both, taking a seat at the rear of the quarterdeck. “I tried resting but it’s not working. I just can’t take this constant motion.”

“Do you need something to help you sleep?” Rose asked her in as friendly and non-amused voice as she could muster. “I could always put you under a magical sleep for a few hours to give you that rejuvenated feeling you need.”

“No I’d prefer not to indulge in artificial sleep thank you. My grandfather used to do that for me when I couldn’t sleep as a child. I never got used to it.” After she was done saying that she regretted it, the last thing Rose needed was a reminder about the person that may have betrayed them all. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to mention him it’s just…”

“No don’t worry about it. We don’t know anything yet so we’d best not speculate. After tomorrow we should be able to reach the council chambers and find some answers to our questions. Until then, like I said, we don’t know anything for sure.” Rose knew she was kidding herself. In the back of her mind she knew what the answer to the question was but part of her wanted to hold on to something good. When everyone got quiet again she reached over and put her hand on Talisbane’s head stroking his smooth scales as if to soothe him but she knew it was more for her benefit than his. When he started to purr like a cat she giggled. “Oh you like that do you?”

After a while Nina, Avreel, Liostro and even Talisbane had left her. The night wore on slowly with nothing but the waves lapping at the sides of the mushroom-carved ship. The air grew chilled again but she didn’t mind the alien feeling of cold and wet, she was built for survival. The others had retired to the captain’s quarters and were most likely sleeping soundly. The calm seas gave way to a calm mind and she was thankful for that. It wasn’t often that she felt at ease but she figured that Liostro had a part in it as well. As if he knew she was thinking of him Liostro appeared from the captain’s quarters and walked up the steps toward her lacking the usual armor and arms with a simple tunic, breeches and a dagger strapped to his waist he joined her again.

“Can’t sleep?” She said with a smile.

Liostro shook his head and stood next to her putting his arm around her waist and leaning in toward her to kiss the nape of her neck. “I’ve had my fill of sleep.”

Rose let go of the wheel and turned around allowing him to wrap his arms around her and she did the same leaning her head against his chiseled chest. He had a slight smell of sweat and brine about him from being on the ship so long but she found that mildly pleasant. She looked up at him for a moment then stepped out of his arms and put her hands on his chest. “Then you’ve come to keep me warm my dark champion?”

~~~~

Avreel had opted to take the bed while Liostro and Nina used the bedrolls they had carried with them. When she swung her feet over the side she was surprised to find Nina still slumbering even though it was obviously morning from the light pouring into the cracks of the window and door. Before she stood she spied Talisbane sleeping at the edge of the bed and crept up upon him silently. Her first thought was to flick the little lizard off but she instead pulled the soft sheet over his body and grumbled something about becoming soft-hearted.

With a loudly huffed sigh she stood up and stretched herself out as far as she could go. After marching so long and going through such an ordeal it had been nice to sleep peacefully on the ship. Because she had at least a marginal amount of trust for these people by way of her god’s own decree she had slept better than she had ever been able to in her home city. Spying Liostro’s armor and sword still in the far corner of the room near the door she arched a brow. In the short time she’d known him she had never seen him go far without having them on.

Her belt contained weapons and pouches for things she thought she would need for the journey and she definitely would not be going far without them. There was something amiss but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it for some reason. Taking her time to look around she once again surveyed the room letting her eyes go from a slumbering Nina over to Liostro and Rose’s equipment. Suddenly she realized what it was, the ship was not moving so she exited the comfort of the cabin to investigate.

Her surprise was genuine when she found the ship securely tethered to the dock. The rope ladder had not been lowered so she walked up the stairs of the quarterdeck hoping to find Rose and Liostro. When she reached the top she stopped and turned around attempting not to blush at the sight of the two of them in nothing but a bedroll. Avreel cleared her throat loudly and could not help but laugh as the both of them scrambled to gather their clothing. “Good morning, I see we made port.”

“Aye, we tied it off last night.” Liostro replied while belting on the last of his clothing.

“I see you did but I was referring to the ship.” Avreel replied in jest. She found herself surprised; she could not remember the last time she had made a joke. Brushing it off she turned around just as Rose tugged her tunic back over her head. “Now that we’re ashore we can make a meal before we continue on. Don’t get too used to the land though; we need the ship to go a little further before we can leave.”

“I thought we were to go on foot from here.” Liostro was the first to speak though he didn’t sound disappointed. He was trying not to make it obvious that he was attempting to deflect the initial commentary.