Page 15 of Of Blood & Stone

Elnok’s Decision

Elnok spun the gold ring around his pinky finger. The distant familiarity of its weight brought memories of dark gray stone and gilded chalices, deep blue jewels and the reek of wine. It’d been over a decade since he’d worn it, and while a part of him wished he’d thrown it into the sea all those years ago, he’d known better.

It was the reason he could request Orym’s medicine.

Elnok flexed his hands as he and his group of thieves approached the blood-stained dock. The high noon sun shimmered on the white-capped waters as the gangway creaked underneath their weight. His black cloak billowed around his knees, the rope tied to his hip lightly patted against his leathers, and the blade of his short sword glinted in the sharp sunlight.

Dockworkers lined the gangway, their ragged beige clothes topped with thin sheets of metal. Their backs straightened and their eyes faced the ground, the sky, the brown-husked ship, anywhere they wouldn’t catch Elnok or his crew’s gaze.

The stench of their fear lined the stains of their armpits.

These weren’t warriors—not even close. They would sooner squeal and abandon a fight than attempt to draw their poorly crafted swords. Yet Elnok still narrowed his gaze andunsheathed his small dagger, making sure each dock worker acted accordingly.

In a world where resources dwindled and food had become scarce, survival was a privilege easily squandered. If Elnok was to protect himself and his crew, he had to be seen as heartless—ruthless. Everyone did. It was a mask he hated, but he’d worn it for so long, he often wondered if he’d lost himself to it.

Then again, perhaps everyone had.

“What’s this?” a scratchy voice said from behind, “Someone tryin’ to steal our spoils?”

Elnok stopped on the gangway, turning to face the band of pirates that hadlaid claimto the village.

“Merely retrieving that which has been requested,” Elnok replied with an air of nonchalance.

“Right.” Their captain laughed as she chugged the remainder of her beer, throwing the mug into the dirt afterward, “And I’m the long-lost Prince of Vutror. Now that we’ve acquainted ourselves, why don’t ya pay yer mind and step away from what’s ours,boy.”

Elnok raised a brow, the heated gaze of his crew falling on him. Slowly, he made his way back down the gangway, sliding his fingers through his shoulder-length black hair.

“And where did you just hail from? The Northern Sea?” Elnok inquired as he stepped in front of the pirate.

The woman met him with a smile full of silver and gold.

“Yer dumber than ya look, boy. Course it was the Northern Sea. Years on end in its unruly wake.” She spit on the ground as her posse laughed. “Seen more pillages and battles than ya’ve probably encountered yer small little life. Now, if ya wouldn’t mind?—”

Elnok steadied his dagger underneath the woman’s chin before she had the chance to counter. She lurched back, eyes wide, but Elnok grabbed her shoulder and brought her close.

“I’d reconsider your next move,” Elnok whispered.

The pirates went for their weapons, but Elnok’s crew drew theirs first, a warning for the pirates to step away.

They obeyed.

“Here’s how this is going to work, Pirate,” Elnok whispered, “I’m going to let you waddle on back to your riches and spoils this village has brought you. I don’t care what you do to this place, but I promise you, you’ll only find death if you attempt to board this ship.” Elnok leaned in closer. “Understood?”

The pirate coughed, her throat bobbing on the pointed blade.

“Yer not just a common thief, are ya?” she questioned, sweat beading at her temple.

Elnok smiled. “Not quite.”

The pirate backed away, eyes frantic as she readjusted her gaudy hat and puffy laced shirt.

“They can have this load of shit,” she yelled, loud enough for every passerby to hear, “Vutrorian vessels aren’t worth the damn trouble anyhows.”

Elnok’s crew laughed as the pirates scuttled away, but he couldn’t manage anything more than a thin smile as he turned back to the ship.

“Stay on the gangway and make sure no one else boards,” Elnok instructed, “This won’t take long.”

“Orym said we should accompany you,” one of them stated.

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