Sea Dweller (Birthstone Series) (30 page)

“First, Haji’s release,” I
insisted.

Orin, preoccupied with
checking his armor, waved his hand at Haji’s guards. They shoved her forward,
wrists still bound, but she ran toward me hardly noticing.

“What are you doing?” she
asked, fear radiating in her eyes. I lifted my sword to her ropes and sliced at
them, being careful not to cut her skin.

“It’s part of the plan. The
islanders and your family are waiting below. If I can get my parents free,
they’ll help with the rest.” I hugged her. “Go down the mountain. They’re
waiting for you.”

Haji didn’t move.

“It’s going to be alright.
Your parents would like to know you’re safe.”

Haji studied me for a moment.
“I’m sorry I didn’t reach your parents in time. I thought I’d seen another
mainlander and went to ask you about it the morning we were captured.”

“It’s alright, Haj. After
everything you’ve done for me, I feel honored to have you for a friend.” I
offered a small smile of encouragement and indicated she should go. Nodding,
she trotted toward the path leading off the plateau and down the mountain,
disappearing beneath the ridge.

“I’m getting impatient,” Orin
said, leaning heavily on his sword, as if bored.

“You’re getting obnoxious
too,” I muttered under my breath.  I walked forward, holding my sword tightly
in one hand. I purposely avoided looking at my parents. Seeing their panic
would guarantee my undoing so I forced myself to focus entirely on the man in
front of me. “Are there any rules you would like to make before we begin?” I
asked stalling for time.

“Where I’m from we don’t have
rules in battle.”

“You’re in Vairda now. We
do.”

The man eyed me suspiciously.

“What would those be?” he
said.

“If either of us is assisted
by someone, you forfeit the match.”

Shrugging, he nodded once. “I
won’t need assistance to defeat a child.”

“You must be so pleased,
being able to ‘defeat a child’ all by yourself.”

Orin’s face hardened. “Are
you done?”

“No. There will be no killing
of the person who loses.”

“Of course not. You don’t
have a chance and the king prefers to meet you alive.” Scattered laughter
trickled over the group.

“One final thing,” I said,
ignoring his comment. “You leave Vairda exactly as you found it after the
match. Once you leave, these people are to never see another mainlander again.”

“I can’t make that promise.
Only the king can decide that.”

 I nodded. “If I defeat you
then I know I have a good chance of defeating your other men. If I don’t, I’ll
ask the king myself.”

The men laughed again and
Orin snorted. “Ready now?”

“Yes,” I said, crisply.
Although I had trained with Aluce for this, I knew I was unprepared. My limbs
shook like a coconut tree being plundered.  Orin was three times my size in
build and height. I had no armor to protect myself and I was new to the Warrior
Gem. I released a shaky breath.

Focus! My inner Aluce
insisted. I felt the dark green stone pressing against my skin and I listened
to the rhythm of its heart. The other stones competed for the same attention
but I concentrated on the warm hilt of the sword in my damp hand, the crunch of
earth under my calloused toes, and the desire to grab my parents and flee far
from these men. Orin stepped forward, his sword raised. I readied my own
weapon, much smaller in comparison. Orin began to circle me. As he did, I felt
an overwhelming kinship with my green jewel. It was made for war and
anticipation for the battle surged through my veins mingling with the stone’s
power. I could do this.

I allowed Orin to continue
circling me while I imagined myself in a protective bubble he couldn’t
penetrate. I followed his every movement with my eyes, waiting for my chance to
go on the offensive. He lunged forward, testing me, and I easily blocked him.
He returned to circling and I guessed he was trying to determine the extent of
my abilities.

When he lunged once more, I
blocked him again, feeling the gem’s power push through my body as I twisted my
own sword back at him. Strangely, as he came closer, I sensed the energy of his
own stone working for him. He turned away from my strike but I was too focused
on trying to discern what I felt from his gem to care. It was weaker, I realized,
surprised I could feel it so strongly. My own Warrior Gem was far superior and
therefore, it promised me I was too.

Orin came after me, swinging
his blade with fury, but I didn’t back down. Yelling, I ran to meet him,
mentally charging through the voices and images in my mind and zeroing in on
destroying my opponent. Metal hit metal with a clang and Orin’s eyes widened in
surprise as I speedily slashed at him. Again, I dodged as he thrust his long
blade in my direction. I was smaller, but there was no doubt I was faster. And
lighter. I wondered if he’d ever battled anyone as young as me, but I put the
thought out of my head as soon as it came. I knew he wasn’t merciful,
regardless of age.

His blade cut down toward me
once more and I spun out of the way. As I twisted, I dropped to my haunches,
still spinning, and reached out with my sword. Orin yowled in pain when the
metal sliced through his boots and into his ankles, one of the few unarmored
spots on his body.

I was on my feet again before
he ran toward me, rage distorting his features. “How long did it take you to
learn that move?” he growled as his weapon clashed against my blade. Fighting
to hang onto it, I pushed back.  He slammed his sword against mine even harder,
attempting to force me to the ground.

“Longer than it will take me
to finish you,” I grunted, hoping to make him angry and careless. I
concentrated harder on the green stone, pulling whatever power I could from it
to aid me. With a cry of effort, I shoved back on his sword, knowing my strength
was no match for his. As I sank to one knee, I kicked out my other leg, pushing
my heel into his wounded ankle.  Orin stumbled backwards and I scrambled to my
feet.

Determined to discourage him,
I lunged forward with speed that wasn’t my own. He met the slice of my weapon
with his and we continued our fight, both eyeing the other person’s position as
our blades clashed again and again. In the meantime, I desperately searched for
some way to disarm him. It didn’t take me long to realize it would be nearly
impossible. No matter my speed, Orin could still outmuscle me. It was then I
had an idea.

As though losing confidence,
I began to fall back toward the switchback trail leading up the mountain. Orin
followed me, our swords clanging with each movement. Step by small step, I
inched backwards, until I feigned a small stumble. Orin’s lips curled upward in
a slight grin and I sensed his growing impatience.

Moments later, I’d positioned
myself so the steep path leading down the mountain was only inches behind me.
To the side of the path, the mountain was laden with thorny shrubbery and
jagged rocks stretching down the slope until it met the next leg of the rough
path. Not far down, scattered through the sparse trees in the barrens, I knew
Vairdans were prepared to help me but I hoped I wouldn’t need to call on them.

With every breath, I thought
of those on the island who had been willing to assist me in the last several
days. Every swing of my sword reminded me of the sacrifices Sai and his friends
were making to save me and their island. As I remembered the recent kindnesses
shown to me by Haji and those willing to defend my family, a flood of
tranquility settled over me, leaving my previously injured soul smooth.
Revived, I made my move. 

Stepping closer to the edge
of the path, I feigned another wobble. Focusing on the power emanating from my
Warrior Gem, I siphoned every ounce of strength I could from its veins and
concentrated on pouring it into my own body.  Gripping my sword tightly and
blocking another slash at my shoulder, I waited for the perfect moment.

Orin took a step forward to
edge me off the cliff. I watched as his sword rose, preparing to come down. I
was too fast. With a swiftness that surprised even myself, I crouched down, as
though to avoid the blow, but twisted to the side. His sword swiped at air as
he stumbled, cursing. Still turning, I rose again, coming up behind him. While
he worked to regain his footing, I kicked the back of his buckled knees. Orin
cried out as he toppled head first over the edge. With a sickening crunch, he
hit the rough slope of the mountain and flipped through foliage and rock. I
didn’t wait for his men to take action behind me. Instead, I jumped down after
him, praying I would keep my balance on the climb down better than I had in the
past.

Holding tight to my sword, I
slipped and skid down the face of the mountain, grabbing at stray branches to
maintain my balance. Earth and forest punished my skin as I descended the rough
terrain.

After a long tumble, the path
intercepted me and I forced myself to slow just enough to come to a stop. Orin
lay nearby, his sword lost somewhere during his descent. I stepped toward him
cautiously, pointing the sharp end of my own sword in his direction. As I
neared, he opened his eyes and blinked at me, stunned. His armor had protected
him from most of the damage the fall inflicted. He looked stupefied more than
injured. He lay before me, weaponless. Defeated.

I positioned the end of my
sword directly over his throat. My hands shook but I remembered Sai killing the
man in Aluce’s hut to protect me. I would be strong for Sai.

“Now,” I said, keeping my
voice steady, “you will release my mother and father.”

Chapter 25

I followed Orin up the trail
to where his men waited, my sword aimed at the center of his back. I caught
sight of several Vairdans inching up the mountain behind me, keeping to the
shadows. The next few moments on the plateau would be critical and the
islanders were preparing for their part. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought
I glimpsed Aluce, crouching and waiting in a leafy bush but she seemed to
vanish the instant I saw her. I hoped Orin hadn’t noticed.

I put purpose into my stride,
acting as though I had expected nothing less than my own victory, but I was
still reeling from the outcome of my battle. The years of sword practice with
my father had obviously paid off and I felt a surge of gratitude for my
parents.

As we reached the top, I was
aware of the silence. The men had not moved but their faces registered shock,
disbelief, and even fear. I chanced a look at my father and his eyes met mine.
A small, proud smile slid across his face and I returned it, my heart swelling.
I moved my gaze to my mother. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and I although
I could see the fear in her face, love was there too.

Orin stalked forward, limping
just a little. He halted once he reached my mother and father. For a moment, I
almost believe he would release them. Aluce had told me the king’s soldiers
would never keep their promises if it wasn’t in their best interests. Still, I
thought I would try.

“I’ve defeated Orin in a
battle and now you must keep your end of the bargain. Release my parents.”

The soldiers looked at their
leader, waiting for his response. I smiled at the apprehension in their faces.
Orin stood in silence, glaring at me before turning the same fierce glower to
my mother. I worried his loss to me would only fuel his obvious hatred for the
woman who had given me life.

“Let them go!” I said again,
my voice rising. I was tired and ready to end this. The way Orin was dragging
out the inevitable was ridiculous. “Make your choice, Orin,” I said, taking a
step forward. “Release them or start a war you know you can’t win. I’ll fight
with the gems and the islanders will defend their land. It’s your call.”

Orin took another step toward
his men and turned fully to face me. The malice in his eyes was no surprise,
but it was potent enough to make me flinch. Suppressing the urge to flee, I
held my ground.

“Of course you know our
people are not bound to any laws other than the king’s. There will be no
release of the prisoners. Capture the girl so we can leave this cursed island!”
Orin yelled, smirking as the command rolled from his tongue.

His words didn’t surprise me,
but still, an enraged cry of protest screamed from my lips. The soldiers rushed
forward, swords drawn. I watched helpless as my family was pushed further
behind the army of men. From beyond the edge of the mountain, the sounds of
earth moving and changing roared over the wind. In the same moment, images and
currents of power from the necklace began to flow through my body, striking me
like white, hot jolts of lightening. Each gem urged me to let it to take over,
to use it to show the mainlanders the kind abilities I had. I longed to open
myself up to it, to allow myself to be split so the magic could fill my empty,
tired shell, making me stronger than before. I stood, rooted to one spot,
shaking back the compulsion while the soldiers moved closer.

I almost didn’t hear the
Vairdans scrambling onto the mountain behind me, wielding spears, knives, bows
and arrows, and poisonous darts. From further behind them, arrows doused in
grease shot through the sky, lit with hungry flames. They struck several soldiers,
sometimes piercing armor. Some merely started fires in the brush. In the chaos,
they were quickly stamped to nothing. Rocks pelted the charging mainlanders,
hitting them on their heads or hands while they blocked their faces. Only a few
collapsed. I knew it wouldn’t be enough. Without jewels, the Vairdans were
little more than gnats to the soldiers. The mainlanders pressed closer and my
parents were lost in their midst.

Shaking off the heaviness of
my necklace, I scanned the crowd for signs of my family one more time. At the
same moment, someone grabbed me from behind and pulled me backwards towards the
mountain path.

“Aylen, wake up!” Aluce’s
said over the noise of battle.

“They took them!” I yelled.

“Some of the islanders
discovered the ships stationed below the cliffs while they weren’t concealed.
They’re going to escape with them on the other side of the mountain. We need to
go around.”

I took one last fleeting look
at the swarm of Vairdan’s and soldiers engaged in battle before turning to
follow Aluce.

Overhead from the trees, more
burning objects and rocks shot through the air, landing on the top of the
mountain. Screams of pain chased us down the trail and mainlanders began
streaming down the switchbacks behind us. I picked up speed, knowing the cover
of the jungle would help my chances of avoiding capture.

Soldiers followed close
behind, slashing at anything barring their path. I slipped and skid down once
more, lurching and tumbling through brush and foliage. Near the bottom of the
mountain, I realized Aluce had left me and was running back up the trail to
hold off the pursuing mainlanders. I crashed my way through trees and down the
steep hill until I reached level ground.  Pausing for a moment, I gasped in
cool night air and tried to gather my bearings. Not far behind me, mainlanders
toppled down the mountain while their armor clanked in resounding protest. I
began to run through the trees, taking the fastest direction to the beach. I
hadn’t gone far when I heard someone call out to me. Halting behind a tree, I
waited. For a few short seconds, the jungle was silent. Then, the sound of my
name hissed again through the night.

I followed the voice, knowing
it was familiar. Weaving through jungle, I heard it once more, calling to me
amidst the clatter of soldiers not far behind. Finally, I found the source of
the voice. Haji and one of her brothers waited for me, perched in the canopy of
an ancient, gnarled tree, poised and ready with tainted darts. Her brother
snaked down the trunk and reached his hand out. I took it and he helped pull me
up. We climbed higher, careful to not disturb any of the tree’s inhabitants or
create questionable movement.

When we were settled, I
mouthed a quick “thank you” to Haji’s brother who nodded once, his blowpipe
pressed to his lips. Looking over at Haji, I was grateful to see she looked a
little better than she had on the mountain.

 “Haran and his father are
close by as well as a bunch of the island leaders,” she whispered. “Most of us
just have darts but there are some with slingshots and bows and arrows. I’m a
better shot with one of these.” Haji pointed to the long, slender blowpipe
around her neck.

Haji opened her mouth to say
more when her brother waved his hand to silence us. Moments later, three
soldiers crashed into view, plowing through vines and shrubs, slashing anything
that lay in their path.

 “She came through here,” one
of the men said, stopping only a few feet from our tree.

“She didn’t go much further,”
said another, eyeing the ground.

“The ship won’t leave without
her. She’s the most important.”

“You know what the reward
will be if we’re the ones to get her? Warrior Gems to last a lifetime. Pardoned
from working in the mines forever.”

One of the men chuckled and
another coughed. The third shushed them. “She’s close by,” he said, carelessly
glancing up in my direction. The shadows hid me well, but I held my breath,
unwilling to risk the slightest movement.

“Come out, Princess!” one of
them called with a twisted sneer on his face. “Your mom and dad are getting
loaded up in the boat. They’d love to see you.”

The soldier who had hushed
the others swiped at the trunk of the tree where we hid. “Cursed island!”

Haji and her brother both
shifted slightly, rigid and intent, blowpipes pressed to their lips. They waited
for the perfect shot.

Two of the men walked a few
paces past the tree and examined a strip of fabric caught onto a bush. I
glanced down at my clothing. Besides what I’d torn off earlier, I hadn’t lost
any pieces as large as the one on the bush. I looked back at Haji. She winked.

“This might be hers,” a
soldier said. “I told you she came this way.”

“Think she’s up a tree?” the
other asked, glancing upward.

No one had a chance to
answer. A dart shot through the air from another tree, faintly whistling until
it implanted into one of the mainlanders’ neck. I looked through the leaves in
the direction the dart had come from. Even though I couldn’t see anyone, I sent
thoughts of gratitude their way.

The soldier who’d been shot
plucked the dart out of his neck, held it in front of his face with a grimace,
and collapsed. The man closest to him didn’t get a chance to call out a warning
to the third. Haji’s brother released one puff of air into his pipe and his
dart sailed toward the man as he rapidly glanced around. It met its mark on his
cheek. He yelped in pain and reached for it but collapsed before his hand made
it past his shoulder.

The third soldier had been on
the other side of the tree, studying the tracks I’d left. After his friend
cried out, he ran to his slumped body and examined it for a moment. He lifted
his sword, brandishing it as he backed away from the tree, eyes darting to and
fro. When he moved into Haji’s line of vision, she blew into her pipe. He
yelled once when the dart sunk into his unarmored side. Quickly, he yanked it
out and threw it to the ground.

“You think a little pin prick
is going to hurt me?” he screamed into the night. “Come out and fight me,
primitives!”

Another dart from a different
tree zoomed toward him and found its mark in his neck. He staggered once,
pulled it out, and finally collapsed.

Haji moved her blowpipe from
her mouth. “I nearly botched that,” she muttered. “My dart must not have had
enough sleeping poison on it.”

“I thought you were
incredible,” I said, searching the area for more mainlanders coming our way.

Haji met my eyes. “I think
the islanders are taking care of most of them while they come down the
mountain. They tried to make it look like you could have gone in a lot of
different directions. You probably have just a couple minutes before more break
through our barriers. You need to get going.”

“You were with them in the
cave. Do you know where the ships are?” I asked, scrambling down the tree.

“From the bits and pieces I
heard, they have three ships near Haran’s family’s lagoon. They were hidden for
a while, but whatever they were using to hide their ships quit working not too
long ago. They created a way to get down to them from the cliffs where they
were hidden.” Haji paused as her brother grabbed her arm. The silence was soon
filled with the nearby sound of someone thrashing through the trees. Quickly,
she rattled of the rest of her information. “They’re supposed to imprison your
parents on one of the ships. Once they have you onboard and restrained, you’re all
going to leave the island.”

“Thank you!” I said, gripping
my sword and turning to run. Before I could go very far, two more mainlanders
made their appearance close behind me.

“There!” one yelled, pulling
his sword.

Ignoring them, I pushed my
way through vegetation and began to run in the direction of the beach. I didn’t
bother to look back but heard the soft whoosh of a dart sent airborne. Behind
me, someone fell.

The other soldier remained
close but I was faster and knew the jungle better. I glanced back once when I
felt I had put enough distance between us. As I looked at him, a loud crack
echoed through the forest. Suddenly, he was gone. I slowed for a moment,
worried he would appear in front of me. When he didn’t, I grew more alarmed.

I didn’t waste time pondering
it. I pressed forward, wanting only to reach the water before the mainlanders
could stop me. The night, stifling and muggy, drew moisture from my body. I
swiped at my damp face as plants whipped at my skin and the heat licked at my
throat. I thought only of my parents.

As I ran, I came across
several bodies of soldiers with darts protruding from one place or another. I
never lingered until I got closer to the beach. It was then I spotted the first
Vairdan hewn down by a mainlander sword. I stopped, shock rendering me unable
to move for a moment.

He had barely entered
manhood. He lay at the foot of a tree, his body curled up as though he’d simply
fallen asleep in the jungle. I gently touched the skin next to the wet wound on
his chest where a blade had found its mark. My presence on the island had ended
his life, I realized. My family had brought this destruction.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered
before the sounds of more soldiers sent me running again. Icy fear clawed at my
heart as I struggled for breath.

More mainlanders found and
pursued me. Only a few were hit with darts by Vairdans hiding in the trees.
Several, when they realized I was too fast or I knew the forest too well,
disappeared with the same loud crack I’d heard earlier.