Daxton - Episode 12
The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [1,075 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.
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Spire worried for Captain Silverblade and paced back and forth in front of her door. He’d never seen her this way in all the years he was a member of her crew, but he knew his presence inside the room would not help. Instead, he remained just outside her door to make sure whatever happened no one would enter.
Inside, Nelle fetched a bowl of water and rag from the vanity next to her bed and applied some of it to Silver’s face. The cool sensation made her resume blinking again and she turned slowly towards Nelle with tears in her eyes.
She buried her face in Nelle’s shoulder as she breathed fast, trying to speak. “He’s coming, Nelle. That bloody Paragon is coming. And here I sit, cowering in my room over a stupid legend. A thing I have only ever heard stories about but never seen myself. How could I let it scare me so?” She lifted her head and looked into Nelle’s eyes, searching for answers she knew would not come.
“You are not wrong to fear especially that which you have never seen. I fear him and I have magic to protect me. Which, I know, is why you sent for me. I knew this day would come.”
Angered by Nelle’s words, Captain Silver pushed her away and stood from the bed. “What do you mean you knew this would come? Do you mean you had a premonition of this day and chose to remain silent?”
Captain Silverblade and Nelle had been friends since childhood. Nelle’s father was commissioned to craft a compass which would later be presented as a gift to Silverblade’s mother. During his many visits to discuss its design one winter he brought Nelle with him. While she was sent to play out in the garden, she met Silverblade. Although, back then she was called by another name. A name even more outlawed to utter anywhere in the kingdom of Gaspar than that of Silverblade.
“You misunderstand me. My premonitions do not always show me a completed picture, you know that. I only knew I would be asked to do this, but I did not know why. I did not know how grave the danger would be nor that a child would be the ultimate cause for it.” She looked down at Captain Silverblade’s stomach who had covered it with both her hands out of habit.
“So, it is true, I am with child?”
“Yes, I knew it when I walked in the room. And I wish I could bring you congratulations instead I bring you—.”
“Do not speak of Death. I will not allow that kind of talk around my child. I will do what I can to protect this child while I am carrying it. But when this child is born is what I worry about most. You know what I need you to do. Tell me, what you need me to do to make it happen?”
“I’ll need a lock of your hair and your arm, please.”
Without another word, Captain Silverblade removed a dagger from underneath her pillow and grabbed a chuck of her long flowing hair in her hand. She looked in her mirror and catching a glimpse of herself as if for the first time in a long time, stopped for a moment. Just a few days ago she was happy, even when there was a battle raging on overhead. The memory came and went faster than it took for her to slice through her hair with the dagger and hand what she clutched to Nelle. Then she rolled up her sleeve and sat back on the bed, holding it out between them.
Spire heard a scream unlike anything he’d ever heard before and turned towards the door to open it when a glow appeared around the edges of the door frame. Instead of grabbing the door handle he took a step backwards. He knew witchcraft was happening inside and as much as he cared for Captain Silverblade, he wanted no part of it.
Wendynn ran down the corridor from where the other men were preparing for bed, with no shirt on, just trousers, in his bare feet, with sword in hand. When he saw Spire standing outside Captain Silverblade’s door he grabbed him by the arm and spun him around.
“What is the meaning of this? What are you doing here? I thought she sent you back to your ship?”
Thinking quickly on his feet, Spire chose to ignore the way in which he was grabbed and instead distract Wendynn was wanting to get passed him. “Temper, temper Wendynn. I was hoping to have an audience with the Captain as I have heard rumors that the king of Gaspar may be planning another surprise attack on us. But on second thought maybe you should tell her. I am sure after the last time she spoke to you she’d be all too excited to see you again.” He knew the best way to get under Wendynn’s skin would be to call into question his tenuous relationship with the captain.
Wendynn lowered his sword and released his hold on Spire. He had not seen Captain Silverblade since Spire was sent away, receiving his orders through the door for the past fortnight. He did not know what the meaning was behind her sheltering in her room, but the last person he wished to discuss his theories with was Spire. “Carry on,” he growled as he stomped back down the corridor.
Acting swiftly, Spire knocked lightly upon the captain’s door, the glow completely gone. Her door swung open hastily and the captain appeared, not a hair out of place and a smile upon her lips, as if nothing had happened.
“Take her quickly back ashore,” she said, stepping aside so Nelle could pass. “When you’re done, I will need to see you again, I have one more important task for you to do.” Nelle and Spire made for the stairs. “And Spire.” He stopped and turned back to look Captain Silverblade in the eyes. “Thank you.”
With just those two words he puffed out his chest and moved even faster up the steps, Nelle following close behind. They climbed back down onto his boat and this time he rowed on his own faster than he had before. He looked at Nelle and saw a smile on her face.
“What?”
“Men, you’re all so easy.”