Daxton - Episode 11
The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [1,398 words]
Daxton is the first book in the 6-book series, The 5th Compass, which takes place in Stonehaven. Released in serial form, two episodes each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The audio version is coming in the future for paid subscribers only. Visit the table of contents for a list of previously published and upcoming episodes.
Previous Episode « Table of Contents » Next Episode
Nelle walked from her brother’s house at a speed she had not used since Spire found her at the Serpent’s Head. He tried to keep pace with her and ask why she moved so quickly but avoiding questions about her brother’s condition was something she’d been doing her entire life.
They rounded a corner and she stopped abruptly, causing Spire to collide into her as she quickly put a hand over his mouth and a finger to her lips to silence him.
“Royal army.” She pointed behind her to where two men wearing the royal green were speaking to Ansel. Undoubtedly, they were questioning the reason for his presence? Steamships don’t usually visit Ebonthorn as they weren’t built for carrying many goods that were of any value to anyone.
Neither Nelle nor Spire could make out what the men were saying to Ansel but eventually they left, seemingly satisfied with whatever story was spun for them. Once they were far enough away, they could not be seen, Nelle and Spire ran for the steamship. When Ansel saw the two of them running as if being chased, he turned on his heels and loosed the rope keeping them docked. He quickly got his ship ready to set sail until he heard Nelle and Spire laughing at his speed.
“We ran, not from being chased your silly oaf, but because of the men who just left you. They may not be satisfied with the story you told them. But it was a good show watching you move so quickly. I do not recall ever seeing that before.” Nelle clutched at her stomach as her laughter grew and tears welled in her eyes. It even made Ansel laugh as well.
After they all got laughter out of their systems, they set Ansel’s steamship back towards the choppy waters. The Serpent’s Head was not yet out of eyesight, but they could see the afternoon sun’s rays shining off its green color. While Ansel steered, Spire took this opportunity to question Nelle when she could not escape him.
“Your brother is…”
“I know what he is, and I don’t need you reminding me. He wasn’t always like that,” her defenses went up, prepared for the insensitive comment she knew Spire would make.
“I meant nothing by it. I was going to say he’s a rather remarkable man. All those compasses. Did he make them all himself or did he acquire some from others?”
His question brought a look of surprise and a smile to her face. No one had ever asked her a question about her brother that did not result in raising her anger. “Some came from our father. Before my brother took over, he was known as a master compass craftsman. He taught Riven everything he knows. After the accident, making compasses is just about all that keeps Riven focused and able to live on his own.”
“Well good for him. To have a father who shared such a brilliant trade and a sister who looks after him. Here I thought you were just a witch out to help others, but only if it came back twice fold for you. Turns out you do have a heart.” He nudged his shoulder against hers and her cheeks flushed.
“What about you? Did your father teach you all you know about being a pirate?”
“Good heavens, no. In fact, I am what you would call a runaway. He had more ambitious plans for me and if I were half the man your brother is, I would’ve stayed and made him proud. But my thick skull and stubbornness just wouldn’t allow it. I needed to be out here you see. The freedom of the open waters.”
“Ah, so he kicked you out, did he?”
“On my ear!” They both laughed like young children and Ansel watched them, reminded of his youth and the girl he left behind. His distraction, though brief, led them straight towards a large boulder which appeared to have risen out of nowhere in their path. Unable to swerve in time he shouted for them to take cover as the side of his steamship crashed into it. The hull made a loud scraping sound as the front of the steamship rose up out of the water. It forced both Nelle and Spire backwards onto each other while Ansel was knocked back from the wheel onto the floor.
“Ansel…” Nelle shouted as she pulled herself up from on top of Spire who broke her fall. She ran to the wheel and found him flat on his back, laughing at himself. “Who taught you how to steer old man?”
The rest of the journey was not as treacherous as that minor scraping caused no major damage. Nelle and Spire resumed talks about their families and the lives they willingly left behind. Neither had a shred of regret but longed to have that family back to the way it once was.
They reached land and as luck would have its Spire’s boat was exactly where he left it, untouched. He half expected it to have been stolen or at the very least torn apart by Raiders. Cutthroat bandits who traveled in packs, raping and pillaging from village to village. Captain Silverblade despised them especially and blamed their very existence on the nobility who have done nothing to put a stop to them. She believes it is because the Raiders only cause harm to the peasants and leave the wealthy alone.
“Why the long face? Are you upset the Raiders didn’t think your boat worthy of stealing? You needn’t be insulted; they prefer to stay on land. They know if Silver ever caught them in the open seas, she’d string them up from her highest mast for all to.”
“Really? I would’ve thought they avoided it because it looks like a piece of junk.”
They parted ways with Ansel whose laughter they could still hear as he made his way to the Serpent’s Head, likely to quench his thirst and tell all within earshot of their travel through the Sea of Swirling Bones.
Spire helped Nelle onto his small boat and together they rowed towards The Shadow. The sun had just begun to set so the men would not yet be asleep. As they got closer to the ship, the lookout perched up on the mast was about to sound the alarm, but Spire always waved a red handkerchief he kept on him. The lookout recognized it right away and allowed them to approach without alerting anyone to their arrival.
They climbed on board and Spire quickly went to work putting his arm around Nelle, pretending she was a lady friend. She knew what he was doing but did not appreciate the placement of his hands all the same and let him know it when they were out of the lookout’s view, by kneeing him in the groin.
“Ouch, what did you do that for? Do you want everyone to know you are here and start asking questions?” he asked, cupping his bruised appendage.
“Next time ask me before you grab me like that, or I’ll turn you into a creature with no hands.” He could tell from the fire in her eyes and the sternness of her voice that she was not kidding either.
They crept down to the underbelly of the ship and headed straight for Captain Silverblade’s private quarters. Spire did not knock, instead he walked right in and was stunned to find her so unkempt. Her hair was disheveled and her eyes bloodshot. She looked like she hadn’t slept since Spire left her more than a fortnight ago.
“My darling Silver look at you. This state you are in is surely not good for the baby. What will the men who turn to you for leadership think if they saw you this way?” Nelle went to Captain Silverblade’s side and sat on the bed beside her. To Spire she looked like the child, Adelaide, they left back in Ebonthorn. Her knees were up to her chin and her eyes open wide, unblinking, in a way that sent a chill down his spine. “Leave me with her, Spire. you have done all you can, now it is up to me to do the rest. Make sure no one comes in here and you must not enter either. No matter what you hear.”