Page 8 of A Spell of Bones and Madness
“Take cover!” Ajax shouted, sprinting toward Ember who stood closest to where the arrows flew. He tackled her to the ground, throwing a wooden shield over her sister as four arrows landed directly around them.
“We need to get to the shoals faster, Leighton,” Katrin begged, not knowing if she would be able to summon her power many more times in such a direct manner.
“I’m trying my best, but the water around this stretch of sea is volatile and the winds are working against us.” Leighton gripped the wheel harder toward the port side, trying to fight against the raging wind pulling them in the opposite direction.
A crash sounded from the main deck where one of the catapult’s boulders made its mark. The foremast splintered, sending shards of wood falling for the ground and snapping the lower ratlines.
“Alright, just focus on keeping us steady. I have another plan.” Katrin took off down the stairs from the helm, scanning the deck for Farah. She caught her toward the starboard side, still flinging her smokey tendrils out toward the oncoming boulders, trying to disintegrate as many as she could. Another firing of arrows came straight toward them but the Skiathan archers created a blockade with their long, rectangular shields.
They were almost at the shoals, it would only be moments longer, butThe Typhonwas no more than a ship’s length away. The ship would reach them before they had a chance to escape unless there was a way to slow it down.
“Farah, I need your help,” Katrin called as she slid under the shield barrier on her knees, right up to where Farah crouched.
“Does it not look like I’m busy at the moment, or are you trying to get us all killed?” Farah retorted, peeking over the barrier to see if another target hurtled toward them.
“We need to take out more than the jib sails. We need to break the main mast.”
“There is no way I can bring that down myself! I’ve already used more power than I should, and all power comes at a price.” Farah’s hands shook, her veins an inky black threading through her skin. Liquid that looked like onyx blood seeped from her nose.
“Please. One last time, Farah. With me. I will not let these men win.” Katrin let her body heat once more, summoning the power of the sky above.
“Alright, but if this doesn’t work—”
“It will work. It has to work.” Turning to the left, Katrin caught her sister’s attention. “Ember, Ajax, we will need your cover. On my mark, have the archers fire another round of arrows.” She positioned herself behind the line of archers, letting lightning and starlight crackle between her fingers. Katrin signaled her sister with a nod.
Ember nodded back. “Ready yourselves, soldiers!” She raised her arm, holding for one moment before whipping it down. “Aim! Fire!”
Katrin and Farah stood shoulder to shoulder, an overwhelming power thrumming between them, and as the arrows flew, so did Katrin’s light and Farah’s darkness, straight into the main mast ofThe Typhon.
Splintered wood soared from the mast as it fell, smashing through the hull of the ship. Violent screams filled the air as some of the Harrenfort soldiers dove into the sea to avoid death.
But one did not, and Katrin was grateful to be close enough now to see the anger in his features knowing he had lost. Standing at the bow of the ship, sword raised, the red-eyed man let out a war cry. A captain going down with his ship. And as they finally reachedthe safety between the shoals, Katrin watched asThe Typhonsank to the depths of the sea.
Chapter Six
Katrin
It had been an uneasy journey since the attack. The crew worked in larger shifts andThe Nostoswas on the constant move. They didn’t dare venture to one of the small coves along the isles for a rest. Instead they sailed full speed toward the shores of Nexos. Toward their only true ally in the isles—if Nikolaos could even be considered an ally.
Blackened waters and rotting shoreline would meetThe Nostosas it approached the isle of Nexos. At least, that was what Katrin had always been told, what others had seen from a distance, not daring to cross the shoals that surrounded the isle to make port.
What lay before her now, though, were only crystal clear seas, much like those shimmering waters that circled Skiatha, birdssquawking above as they circled and darted to the water’s break for fish. Deep red clay cliffs towered up from white sandy beaches in the distance. A castle that was meant to be crumbling to the ground was cut into a portion of those cliffs; its sturdy alabaster and glass walls glimmered in the sunlight, reflecting rainbows across the sky. Waterways snaked between opalescent arches with enough room a rowboat or small sailing vessel could make its way through and straight into the heart of the castle. It reminded Katrin of the temple at Olympus in her stories, where the Olympi might live and rule, nothing like the stories of Nexos she was told.
Hidden. Everything Nexos was, King Nikolaos had shrouded and kept from the other isles. The God of Sea and Shadows lived up to every portion of his name. Katrin could not blame him for keeping the beauty that was in front of her from the rest of the world. She wished she had done the same with Alentus. That she could have protected her lands and her people from the treacherous and traitorous men who now roamed her halls, sat on her throne.
Approaching the edge of the isle,The Nostoswould need to drop anchor in the cove overlooking the palace, too big to bring through the winding waterways. Instead they would need to row two small skiffs in, unprotected from the guards that lined the entryways. Katrin could only hope that the guards and King Nikolaos recognized their spy on one of the small crafts. Recognized Ajax.
It was hard to fathom how Ajax had remained a spy for Nexos that long. She wondered if he had come to Alentus for that very reason, or if he later met the people aboard this ship and turned. Heard the horrors that were occurring in a seemingly sacred place,and knew that he had to stand up for all that was good in this world.
There were so many things she didn’t see coming. So many things that would not have made sense only months before. Reality was daunting, but Katrin would face each twist and turn that was thrown at her with force. She would have to if there was any hope of rescuing Ander, if there was anything left to rescue.
Water circled around the small craft as they entered through the first alabaster archway, the guards giving a curt nod as they passed. The crew was welcome, at least this far into the stronghold. It was all Katrin could ask for at this point. Wind and sea seemed to guide them—more than Ajax’s rowing—through the winding channel, around marble posts and sculptures of what looked to be the Olympi described in Ander’s book collection. The largest of which was a tall man with a beard cropped short, hair waving down his back, a trident held across his body, two half-horse, half-fish creatures flanking his sides. Poseidon. God of Sea and Storm and Destruction.I think he would have favored you. Katrin could only hope that the little piece of the vengeful Olympi that would have favored her passed on to Nikolaos.
A delicate figure stepped down winding marble stairs to the side of the dock as the row boat approached. Deep navy velvet trimmed a black cloak that flapped in the wind while the hooded person turned toward the dock. Eyes so piercing blue they looked like cracked ice shown from behind the shadows of the hood. Long, stick-straight pieces of black hair hung from the hood, but no other features except a sinful, white, toothy smile could be seen. A shudder went down Katrin’s spine.
The person’s—girl’s—boney hand drifted up to her hood, pulling the velvet cover back, displaying pale skin that glittered in the sunlight. Her hair was a shimmering silver, except for those front two black strands framing her face. She was beautiful, in the way that the Nexian queen, Giselle, was beautiful—cold and terrifying. Soft breath escaped Katrin’s lips. Chloe—it had to be. Although not much was known about the youngest Kirassos, Katrin just knew it was her.
Beside those chilling blue eyes was the same crinkle that Ander always made when he smiled—his, usually natural. His sister’s, however, seemed forced. Chloe walked toward the end of the dock, each step one of predatory grace. Mykonos hissed from beside Katrin, loud enough that the Nexian princess grinned ever wider, flashing her sharp teeth. Ajax stepped off the small boat in front of Katrin and the others, but still Katrin gripped the hilt of her sword, ready to draw. Although Chloe had looked unarmed, she could not be sure that the girl did not possess some other way of attacking them, if she was of age.
