Daxton - Episode 30
The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [1,450 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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Three horses, stolen from the king’s stable, rode masterfully, headed towards the shoreline. Nelle, still in Krieger’s body, led the pack. She had more at stake, expecting to find Griggs waiting for her at the meeting point with her body. Her fears mounted as the longer she remained in this body the harder it would become for her to return to her own. As the horizon appeared in the distance, she looked behind her to see they were not being followed and slowed her steed to a trot. The horses Daxton and Barton rode upon followed suit.
“Why are we slowing down?” Barton asked, looking over his shoulder, anticipating his father to appear out of the nowhere.
“I do not believe a search party has been sent for you yet. If we’re lucky they won’t be able to gain some semblance of order in their ranks until we are well on our way,” Nelle answered.
“And how do you suppose we are to escape? Gaspar is surrounded by some of the world’s largest mountains.” Nelle spoke no words but pointed out into the distance. At the end of her finger, several kilometers out in the ocean was a steamship.
Daxton started to feel himself growing dizzy as Jynx had to catch him before he fell off the horse. “Whoa, Daxton, are you okay?”
Barton brought his horse next to theirs and took the reins from Daxton, bringing both of their horses to a complete stop. “He’s got terrible seasickness.” Nelle couldn’t believe what she heard. She dismounted and handed her reins to Barton to hold onto as well as she watched Daxton crumple to the ground from the smell of the sea.
“I am sorry. I do not know why but I have been this way for about as long as I can remember,” he said, breathing heavily, trying to dissuade his stomach from the nausea it felt.
“Grab a hold of the Bow,” Nelle replied.
“What?”
“Just do it, quickly, there is no time to explain.” Daxton reached his hand out to Jynx who held the Bow which still rested on the cushion. Jynx laid it down on the ground in front of Daxton. He leaned forward and placed his hand on it. His fingers wrapped around its handle and he lifted it weakly off the pillow. A gust of wind blew through them all as they watched and waited, knowing something was expected to happen. Suddenly, Daxton sat up straighter and stood up off the ground holding out the Bow, feeling the power it held coursing through his body.
“What’s it doing?” he asked Nelle.
“Take a few deep breaths,” she instructed, and as he did so his eyes widened with joy. His nausea was completely gone. He placed the Bow back down on the cushion and started to run towards the water. Barton, Jynx, and Nelle watched him charge right into the water and splash around in it.
“What kind of Bow is this?” Barton asked, bending to pick it up himself. Nelle stopped him quickly.
“It cures you of your biggest fears, but Daxton will sooner or later discover it comes at a price he may never forgive me for. I suggest neither of you handle this Bow unless you are willing to pay dearly.” Both Jynx and Barton stepped around it as if it carried a plague as Daxton bounded back up to them, soaked to the bone but laughing like a young boy.
“What are you all waiting for? The water’s freezing but glorious. Will we be swimming out to the Steamship? I cannot swim but I am sure I can learn—.”
Nelle put her hand up to silence Daxton as his excitement and energy at losing his fear of the water was bubbling to the surface at top speeds. “That will not be necessary. There is a boat hidden in those bushes over there.” She began to look around, expecting to see Griggs there with his wagon but there was no one in sight and for the exception of a few seagulls flying overhead she heard no sound of anyone approaching. “Where is he?”
“Who?” Daxton asked, still breathing heavily from splashing and running through the water.
“I think she’s looking for Griggs. He was supposed to be here with your body?” Both Nelle and Jynx nodded as he ran back the way they came to see if he maybe Griggs had strayed into a different part of the forest which was just before the shoreline. He ran back shaking his head.
“Well, we cannot wait for him. We must get to the Steamship. I am afraid my friend will not wait long for me either.
Jynx helped Daxton and Barton carry the boat from behind some bushes towards the shoreline and place it in the water. Everyone except Jynx got inside.
“Come on, there’s plenty of room,” Daxton replied, holding out his hand to Jynx.
“I am not going with you,” he said, looking down at the sand and kicking it around with his foot. “My family needs me here. And besides, if something has happened to Griggs, perhaps I could be of help to him.”
The three on the boat remained silent as they knew his return to the castle could lead to his death for helping them escape, but none of them could speak the words they were thinking.
“Be safe Master Jynx. You are a great friend and an even more cunning opponent. They are lucky to have you in their ranks. All I ask of you is this, if you should see Griggs in need of assistance, do nothing. Your life and your destiny are of more importance than the long life he’s already led. He will understand as will I.” Nelle reached her hand out and although Jynx looked at into Krieger’s eyes he still smiled and stood taller, with his chest sticking out at her words.
Before they started to paddle towards the Steamship they waited and watched him climb onto one of the horses. He then took the reins of the other two and galloped away with them back from whence they came.
“Damn, I wish we could’ve kept any of those horses.”
Both Daxton and Nelle looked disapprovingly at Barton for his remark about the horses when Jynx was about to return to the enemy. They shook their heads with shame at him as they rowed with all their might, reaching the Steamship in record time.
Ansel was there, ready to help each of them up out of the small boat. Daxton took charge of the Bow as neither Barton nor Nelle wanted to risk holding it.
“Took you long enough. I was about ready to— Whoa, who are you?” He pulled a gun from his hip and pointed it directly at Krieger who instantly put his hands up, as did Barton.
“Ansel, it is me, Nelle. I know you do not recognize me but that is because there were some complications with my plan, and I had to borrow this body. I had hoped to be back in my own before we came here but—.”
“Stop right there, do not come any closer!” Ansel said, preparing to shoot Nelle in the face.
“Ansel, remember that night we spent together on the shores of (name here)? Who else but your old friend, Nelle, would know about that night? Shall I go into details in front of these young lads to prove to you who I am?” Ansel lowered his gun, staring with his jaw opened in shock at his friend, standing before him, in the body of a man.
“Blimey! I’ll admit I have seen you do some crazy things in our day, but this one is by far the craziest.” He could not stop staring at her as he walked circles around her.
“We do not have time for this. There is a chance the king will be sending men in search for us at any moment. We must set sail for (name here) immediately. Boys, lift the anchor and prepare the sails. Ansel, stop gawking and get up there to the wheel.”
Realizing he was being ordered about on his ship he snapped out of it. “I am the Captain of this vessel and I give the orders.” He paused for emphasis as Daxton and Barton waited to see who would win this argument. “do not just stand there, boys. Hoist the anchor and ready the sails.” He mounted the steps up to take control of the wheel, looking down at his longtime friend Nelle who looked up and smiled at him as he returned the gesture with a wink.