Windcatcher: Book I of the Stone War Chronicles (44 page)

“Eventually, those thick forests give way to the impassable mountains of the White North. We had to travel awfully close to that harsh region, with its high altitude mountains and everlasting ice, in order to get to you, you know? It’s completely bare of vegetation with little wildlife worth mentioning.”

Galirras shuddered, thinking about the freezing air of those high peaks.

“And finally, if you go south, you can follow one of the many valleys south to reach the southern borders of the kingdom. You have to get around the southern moon point to do so, of course. The valleys are smooth, but wet with many lakes and rivers. So, traveling in a straight line is difficult. The lowest parts are all high above sea level. One of my father’s customers once said, the summers are nice but way too short, while the winters are filled with unpredictable weather and often very harsh.”

“
What else? What about the people? And those outside of the kingdom
?” said the dragon, as they continued their walk to the lookout.

“Haven’t I told you this many, many times already?” said Raylan.

“
I have no idea what you are talking about?
” answered Galirras, obviously playing ignorant.

Raylan let out a laugh.

“Fine,” said Raylan, giving in once more with a laugh. “Aeterra, and it’s people, have a tumultuous history. But, that was all before my time. The last Great War ended almost a hundred years ago, but Aeterran history is filled with bloody royal family feuds, betrayals, deceits, and all-out wars. In the end, all that was left were three of the larger noble families, trying to come out on top. The king’s family, being one of the final three and ruler of Shid'el, managed to turn things around—against all odds—and put a stop to the fighting. For the first time in many years, people carefully worked together again. Fragile peace treaties turned into more trusted arrangements, like joint marriages, and—ultimately—into the Aeterran Kingdom. But because of its history, the Aeterran people are definitely a mixed bunch. Each region has its different ways and habits.”

“
How do you know all this
?”

“I have my dad, and a certain girl’s rich family, to thank for that,” said Raylan, not making Galirras any wiser.

“
Do many people come to Aeterra
?”

This was a new question for Raylan. One he had to give some thought before answering.

“Some? Many? I don’t know…there are always those that will look for good fortune somewhere else. I’ve run into escaped slaves from the southern cities. And you can always find those that are fleeing from whatever warlord is trying to control a piece of the southern wilderness, next. Others are perfectly content with the way they live, like the people of the Water Clans. They’re nomads, fishermen, spread out over the islands in front of the southern cities on the eastern coast. But, don’t be fooled, not all people are friendly. I’ve even heard of tribes that
eat
people, if they’re caught trespassing…although the guy that claimed this did have half a bottle of rum in him…”

“
You have seen so much of the world already
,” said Galirras, perhaps a little bit jealous.

“Really, I haven’t. But sailors like to brag, and I know a lot of sailors. There are so many places still to see. Aeterra, the mountains, the plains and rivers, the southern cities, Tal’Kabur, the Arosh’ad Islands…I can keep going and going…and let’s not forget the mysterious Tiankong Empire.”

“
Xi’Lao said the Tiankong Emperor would like to meet me
,” Galirras said, with some excitement in his voice.

“Exactly. And, I think it will be good to see the lands where you came from, even if you were still an egg. But first, we have to get there, which means we’ve got to lay low for a little while longer,” said Raylan, referring to Galirras’ earlier remark about flying around the Drowned Man’s Fork. “So, just hold on, okay? If we’re discovered here, there’ll be nowhere to go for us…at least for the ones without wings.”

“
I would never abandon you
!” said Galirras, offended.

“I never said you would, but one shouldn’t forget to keep other people’s limits in mind when planning ahead. We’re all in this together.”

As they walked the last stretch to the viewing point, Galirras let out a sigh.

“
I guess you are right
.”

A short while later, they reached the lookout point. Raylan had chosen it well. A flat stone, warmed by any amount of sunlight it could catch. It proved a fairly comfortable seat. It was even possible to slide down next to it and take a quick nap. His seat provided views of all three pillars and most of the north to western part of the ocean. If he wanted to check the southern side of the landmass, he only had to walk three hundred feet, where he would reach a gap in the low shrubbery, allowing him to see miles down the southern cliffs. There were a number of inlets down south, some bigger than others; although it was hard to tell, as the majority of the inner reaches of the inlets remained out of sight because of high cliffs and forested hills.

After checking the waters, Raylan took his place on the stone slab.

“Looks like it’ll be another day of waiting.”

Galirras took his place next to Raylan, head resting on his front legs.

“
I heard those strange sounds, again, last night when I woke up. They seem to be coming from the south
,” he said.

“Did they wake you?” Raylan asked.

“
No…I was dreaming again
.”

“The song from before?” Raylan looked at him, wondering.

“
Just bits and pieces…it always sounds like it’s coming from very far away. What do you think it is? The creaking and cracking that is
…”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem to be getting any closer. It’s been almost two weeks since we’ve first heard it, no matter if it’s day or night. It’s not getting any closer and I don’t think it’s an animal, at least I hope not, because it sounds big.”

They had first heard the noise, in the early morning, when arriving on the landmass. Up until that moment, the terrain must have blocked most of it; or, it was drowned out by the constantly crashing waves against the cliffs. Ca’lek had scouted south a bit, but did not want to get too far away from the main group. He came back empty-handed, so to speak.

“The sounds have a familiar feel to them. It’s almost like the sound of a sailing mast being tested by strong winds,” said Raylan.

“
Whatever it is, I do not like it much. It gives me a bad feeling when I listen to it during the night
.”

Raylan took another look across the sea.

“
I wonder if the ship will show up today
,” said Galirras.

“I don’t know. It would be most welcome. Everyone is getting pretty restless, staying in one spot for so long, after being on the move constantly. But, everything depends on that one pigeon…if it didn’t make it, we’re waiting here for nothing. Gavin said, if all went well, the ship should have gotten here days ago, but it was likely they might encounter low wind days, or perhaps get caught in a storm, delaying them.”

“
At least Galen has recuperated well, with all the rest. He looks more relaxed, and Richard told me he seems to be back to his old self, again.
”

“True…”

Raylan let himself sink backward onto the stone. As the sun rose to its highest point, the stone slab got pleasantly warm and Raylan felt himself doze off.

“
Raylan, wake up
…”

He felt Galirras’ nose poke him, softly, in his side. He grunted, it felt as though he had just fallen asleep.

“
Raylan, wake up. I think I see a ship
.”

He shot up and looked around. From the looks of the sun, it was just past midday.

“What? Where?” he said.

“
There
…” said Galirras, using his head to gesture, “
on the horizon, just left of the second pillar
.”

Raylan followed Galirras’ gaze and squinted his eyes. The water reflected a lot of the sunlight, making it hard to look that far out. The dragon’s eyesight was far better than that of any human; it took some time before the little dot on the horizon was big enough for Raylan to recognize it as a ship.

“You’re right, and from the looks of it, it is heading this way! Go down and tell the others. It will give them time to get ready. I will keep an eye on it and confirm it’s one of ours. It should be here by the end of the afternoon, I expect. I’ll be down after that.”

As Galirras left, Raylan felt wide awake. If this was their ship, they could finally get out of there. No more sleeping with one eye open, no more jumping at the snap of a twig in the forest, and no more of that mysterious southern sound.

As the ship approached his lookout post, he recognized more of its shape. It appeared to be a caravel. Two large towers at the stern castle and one small one up front, near the forecastle, about eighty feet long. They are quick, light ships, able to move into the wind—if necessary—with their triangle sails. Its wide, rounded deck lay high in the water; it was obviously traveling light, for speed. The main deck was narrow, but would be enough to put a dragon on, Raylan assessed, right away.

Two small ballistae could be seen on the port and starboard sides of the ship. Another was on the bow. It looked like the ship was used either for hunting small whales, or to catch up to and overtake pirate ships. They could harpoon other ships and reel them in, and they could outmaneuver enemy ships with their speed and agility.

The ship was finally close enough for Raylan to spot people on deck, but just barely. The ship was a busy scene of people running back and forth. Strong winds blowing to the south allowed them to make excellent speed, but also required all hands on deck, especially given the treacherous waters near the cliffs.

The waters round the Drowned Man’s Fork were known amongst all serious sailors. Those who tried to sail round the Dark Continent, looking for trade routes and unknown riches, knew to steer clear of the three pillars. Stories of the strong currents swirling around them, the difficult wind directions often blowing toward the deadly waters and underwater rocks much further away from land than one would expect, were brought back over time only by the luckiest of men. Any good captain would do well to heed their warning. It seemed this captain was fully aware of the dangers, as they veered off south, well in advance of perilous waters.

The caravel’s shallow depth allowed it to move more easily along the hidden rocks. Raylan saw it turn toward the south, as it finally showed the colors it was sailing under. Raylan’s heart jumped with joy as he recognized the banner of the Aeterran Kingdom high up in the mast. The flag carried four symbols in total. Three represented the royal families, who together had formed Aeterra more than a hundred years ago.

The bow, for the northern royal family of Dahales, who were considered to excel in the art of archery. The sickled moon, which represented the western royal family of Shid’el, who had ruled the region of the Crescent Moon Massif with its endless farmlands. The ship, for the eastern royal family of Thyraulos, whom had ruled the harbor area of Azurna, their destination, and also home to the best sailors in the world. And lastly a crown, to represent the current ruling king. The royal symbols were divided by a cross made up from three swords pointing toward the middle, with a fourth sword pointing upward, representing the support of the families for the unified kingdom of Aeterra.

Raylan knew enough. Abandoning his post, he ran back toward the rock wall. He descended as fast as he could, but had to slow down after almost losing his grip on the steep wall.

As he jumped the last few feet, he saw the camp, buzzing with activity. Gavin came running up to him.

“Please, tell me it’s good news,” he said.

“Aeterran banner…south side,” Raylan panted, while nodding. “They should be coming into view by the time we get to the south cliffs.”

Gavin turned to the group, right away.

“Peadar, pack those herbs…the rest, finish up packing. We’re going home. South cliffs, it is,” he called out. “Let’s make sure they don’t have to be anchored for long, especially with the enemies still looking for us…”

“Where’s Galirras?” Raylan asked, as he looked around.

“
I am here,
” said the dragon, in his mind, as he came in low over the trees. He retracted his wings during his approach, moving between a few of the trees and touched down, skidding to a halt. In his jaws, he had a bloody sea lion.

Gavin turned back at the same time, not knowing Galirras had already replied.

“He went to get a final meal. We don’t know what the supplies will be on the ship and if they have calculated enough for a hungry, growing dragon,” he said. “Galirras, I suggest you eat your fill and give any leftovers to Kevhin, to cut up and pack for us. We’ll be leaving soon.”

Corza sat, staring at the map in front of him. Outside, the yard was a constant sound of hammering, sawing and shouting.