Despairing Tides (Fate's Intent Book 12) (13 page)

Chapter 25

Cadence

Darkness fell and the fires at the Hintin trading port were visible from a distance at sea.

“There it is.” Jinx said as we all stood at the bowsprit. “I hope you’re ready for this.”

“More than.” I replied.

The others followed me to the upper deck.

“All hands to post!” Jinx shouted as the crew started to hurry around. “Raise sails and be ready to drop anchor! We’re coming in steadily, boys!”

The crew got right to their orders and the sails were lifted in no time and the anchors dropped. The ship began to slow down almost to a stop and did just as we reached our desired position at the docks.

“Maverick! Sparks! Retrieve our guest’s horses then lower the gangplank and take them ashore!”

“Aye, captain.”

They hurried off below deck and brought up our six horses as other members from the crew lowered the gangplank down to the pier. They took them off the ship and I turned to Jinx. “Have a room prepared for our royal guest. We’ll be returning soon.”

“Will do. Be careful.”

I nodded and we kissed each other’s cheek before the rest of us walked ashore.

“Thank you.” Seth said as we took our horses. “We’ll take it from here.”

They nodded and walked back to the ship. Everyone got on their horse and we started to ride up the road toward Canbell.

It’s been a while I had to admit but I had to firstly stay focused on what we came to do.

We went through the gates and made our way to the abandoned brewery not far from there where Jinx showed us. We saw lights and heard noises inside when we got there and we got off our horses. We walked up to the door and I tried to open it but it was locked. I looked back at Dirk and he nodded. Everyone stepped away from the door as he stepped up to it and kicked it down. Dust flew everywhere and he stepped through the door. It got quiet at that moment and when the dust cleared, we saw just three standing inside.

“Which one of you is Rory?” Dirk asked.

There was a pause as two of them stepped back and both pushed the green-eyed, blonde haired one forward at the same time. “He is.”

He most certainly was. He looked exactly like Trever.

“Hey!” Rory shouted as he held up his hands. “If this is about the money, I swear to you, you’ll get it. I just need more time.”

“This isn’t about money.” Seth said. “You two out.” Rory’s friends didn’t question it and quickly left through the broken down door. “We were sent to escort you back to Kalu and to Dorlin.”

“What the fuck is in Dorlin that wants me so badly to send so many of you?”

“Your father.” Bryce answered.

The kid laughed. “My father?” He continued to laugh as we looked around at each other and back to him. “Oh, you’re serious. Well, then this isn’t an escort. You’re here to capture me but I’m sorry to tell you that that’s exactly what you’re going to have to do.” He quickly broke to his left and started running.

“Seth!” I shouted.

Seth used his speed and ran in front of Rory as he was looking back and he ran right into him, falling to the floor. He looked up with shock. “What are you?”

Seth got a smile on his face as he leaned down to him. “Capturing you. It was easy.” Rory tried to get away again but Seth quickly grabbed him and held both his arms behind his back. “Let’s go.”

He walked Rory back to us and I smiled. “So, thought you could get away but we knew that’s something you would do. Tie him up. We’re leaving.”

Seth handed him off to Lana and she started to tie his hands behind his back. “Ooh, I could get used to this.”

Lana pulled the rope tight and he flinched. “Don’t count on it, kid.”

She pushed him towards the door and he stumbled to keep his feet. “All right, I’m going. Gees. You don’t have to be so damn pushy.”

We walked outside and got back on our horses except Dirk tossed Rory up on his horse and started walking him back to the gates.

“So, you still believe you’re taking me to my father?” Rory wondered.

“That’s because we are.” Naomi replied.

“You only think that but I, in fact, will not allow you to take me there. So, you can just think whatever you want but it’s not happening.”

“Oh, it surely is.” I said. “I don’t think you understand how dire this situation is.”

“Oh, I understand. You’re taking me to my death but I would much rather die before we get there, thanks.”

“Is that a request?” Dirk stopped his horse and turned to Rory.

Rory had a scared look on his face now.

“Dirk, no.” Seth said. “And we’re not bringing you to your death, Rory. Your father needs you.”

“Needs me? What does that mean, he needs me? Is this some kind of joke? You’re joking.”

“You really don’t know, do you?” Bryce asked.

“Know what?”

“Who you’re father is.”

Rory laughed. “I know who my father is. So he works for the King, so what? That’s nothing special.”

“No, he is the King.” Naomi cut in.

Rory had a confused look on his face again. “What? My father is King? So, that would make me—”

“A Prince.” I sighed.

Rory smiled. “Ooh, you want me now, don’t you? I can tell.”

I laughed and looked over. “Sorry, kid. I have my own Prince and believe me, it’s not you.”

Rory returned the laugh. “Oh, yeah right. Like I’m going to fall for that.”

“Well, you should because it’s me.” Seth said.

“And who the fuck are you?”

Everyone looked around at each other then back at him.

“You really don’t know who any of us are do you?” Lana asked.

“Should I? You look like a bunch of psycho kidnappers to me.”

Dirk laughed. “You see the girls?”

“Why, are you blind?”

“They’re the Kalu Assassins.”

Rory’s eyes got wide.

“And the guys?” Naomi asked. “Who do you think they might be?”

“Whoa. I don’t believe it.”

“Now, you see what we mean?” Seth asked.

“I sure do. I must be a highly important person to have the six of you after me.”

Everyone just sighed. It didn’t seem like we were going to get anywhere with him at the moment.

“How about you just stop talking until we get you back to your father?” Dirk asked.

“How about you make me, big guy?” Rory replied kicking his foot into Dirk’s shoulder.

Dirk was getting mad as he stopped and turned around to Rory, grabbing his throat as his eyes flashed red and fire rose off his hair. “This will make you stop.”

“Shit, that’s cool.” Rory muttered to himself.

“Dirk, no!” I shouted. “Leave him be!”

Dirk let loose his grip around Rory’s neck and turned forward.

“That’s some valuable information.” Rory said. “None of you are allowed to hurt me, are you? I can use that.”

“Don’t push us, kid.” I said. “If you get too out of hand, we’ll use force, regardless of who your father is.”

Rory didn’t say another word and we reached the gates, starting back to the docks.

“Well, here we are.” Bryce said. “The ship that waits to carry you home.”

Rory’s mouth dropped when he saw it. “That’s what we’re traveling on?”

“Yes.” I answered. “And there should be a room with your name on it.”

“You mean a prison cell.” Rory muttered.

Seth laughed. “Oh, if you’re lucky.”

Rory got wide eyes as Dirk laughed too and pulled the horse forward onto the ship.

“Welcome back.” Jinx said to greet us. “I see you’ve manage to obtain our precious cargo.”

Rory looked over and sighed. “Oh, no! Not you! You’re sailing this thing?!”

“Surprise! Don’t feel too downhearted. You’re stay here will surely be unnoticed.”

Rory sighed and put is head down. “This can’t be happening. I can’t be here with him.”

“I see you’ve met before.” I smiled as I leaned into Jinx.

“Unfortunately, yes. This little fool thought he was going to get away with one of my ships but a year ago.”

“And I would have if you ever left the thing. It was in port nearly four days and you never stepped foot on land.”

“Land doesn’t agree with me. Now, let’s get you stowed away to your room.”

“Gladly.” Dirk pulled Rory right down off his horse.

“Hey! Watch it! Don’t make me tell my father about this.”

“Go right ahead. I’m sure he knows how much of a pain you are. He’ll understand.”

Rory didn’t say anything but fought the whole way down to his room. We stopped in front of the door and Jinx opened it. “Here we are. Enjoy!”

Dirk untied Rory’s hands and pushed him inside, slamming the door shut behind him and locked it. “Is this any way to treat royalty?! I’d hate to see how you’d treat a normal person!”

We laughed and started to walk back to the upper deck.

“He’s something else, isn’t he?” Dirk asked.

“Told you.” Jinx smiled. “I think he’ll do just fine. Now, we’ll begin our journey back in the morning but for now, we could use the rest.”

“That’s fair.” I said. “So, it’s still early, how about we go ashore and have a night on the town?”

Lana smiled. “That sounds like a good plan. Would you like to join us, Jinx?”

“No, thanks. Someone should stay here and watch the kid. I’ll be ready for him to make an escape.”

“All right.” I said as we got back on our horses. “We’ll be back in time to sail to Kalu.”

Jinx nodded and we rode off the ship, back to the city but I kind of had other plans about what we were going to do.

“Why don’t you guys head to the market and see the sights?” I suggested.

“Why? What are you going to do?” Seth asked.

“I was thinking about possibly going to see my father. It’s been quite a few years.”

“Oh, why don’t we just go with you?”

“Yeah, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” Dirk wondered.

“He hates everyone. I wouldn’t want something to happen and something will if he finds out who you are. I don’t think he knew that we were going to know about us being together.”

“Well, you should at least go.” Naomi said. “We can just stay outside.”

“All right. Come on.” The others nodded as they followed me up to the palace doors. I took a deep breath while handing my reins off to Lana and got off my horse. “I should only be a minute.”

They nodded as I took another deep breath and walked inside. My father, King Wyatt, was sitting in his throne as I approached.

He had a strange look on his face but I kneeled in front of him anyway and bowed my head. “Father.”

The King was silent for a moment until I heard him stand from his throne and approach. “You have returned.” I lifted my head and took his offering hand as I stood up. “So, it’s true. You have become one of Kalu’s great Assassins.”

“Yes, father.”

“I knew you’ve always had greatness in you. If you only were born a son to me, you could have done great things for this country.”

“Forgive me, father. I’m sorry I was a disappointment to you.”

“I do not blame you for your outcome, my child. After all, I still have your brothers.”

Why did I even want to walk in here? I hated how he demeaned women. I guess I was turning out more like Adele than I always thought.

“So it’s true!” I turned around and my brother Blake was walking in, seeming very happy to see me. We were twins but we had absolutely nothing in common. He grew up in this wretched place, I didn’t. “We’ve been wondering when you would dare show your face around here again. It’s been a long time.”

“Hello, Blake. How are you?”

“Great as always.”

“And where is Gavyn?”

My father laughed a little. “You know him. He’s been spending all his time at the base. He’d much rather be General than King.”

“That’s why you have me, father.” Blake said.

“And I’m thankful for that, my son. You’ll make a fine King.”

“How long are you staying?” Blake asked me.

“Not long. I have to be getting back to Kalu soon.”

“I figured as much with your friends waiting outside.”

My father looked confused for a moment. “You have others waiting outside?”

I just froze and didn’t want him to know who they were but Blake did it for me. “Yes, father. The Great Seni Fighters are here with the other two members of the Kalu Assassins, one of them being the one fit to carry my son.”

My eyes got wide. Naomi! I should not have brought her anywhere near here. What was wrong with me? I didn’t I think of that until now?