Daxton - Episode 9
The 5th Compass | Tales of Stonehaven [1,226 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
Ansel let his steamship float down the river during what remained of the evening. There was hardly any wind to set sail against and although he knew what their heading was, the Sea of Swirling Bones was less treacherous in the day time. With every hour that passed Spire grew more and more restless. He could not imagine what Captain Silverblade would be thinking that he had not returned yet. How could he know Nelle intended to force him onto this rickety boat with a traitor from the royal army and a child?
“Won’t you make this infernal thing go faster?”
“Patience, Spire. If you look over yonder there’s the Sea of Swirling Bones just up ahead. For us to pass through unscathed we cannot go faster than the winds intend,” Nelle reasoned with him. Spire knew she was right, but his frustration got the better of him.
The steamship creaked loudly as waves on either side crashed into it, causing them to rock slightly. Spire spent his entire life on a ship, having been born and raised on one by his parents, so he knew when something was not built for the water. This steamship stood little chance of making it through the Sea of Swirling Bones and he had to pace to keep from sharing his thoughts with the others.
“What is the Sea of Swirling Bones?” Adelaide asked, trying to lighten the mood and change the subject. Spire’s pacing was beginning to worry her, too. Ansel jumped at the opportunity to speak from experience.
“Little lady, I have traveled these waters all my life and I will tell you I have never come across a sea quite like this one. Its name tells you all you need to know, but it is nothing like being caught in the middle of it. Soon, you’ll hear rocks hitting the underbelly of my steamship. If we’re lucky we’ll only make contact with the smaller ones. But I have heard tell of many ships who’ve had large holes created by rocks the size of dragons! The trick, as Nelle pointed out to me once, is not to fight it. Too many scared or impatient men always think they can best the sea, outwit and out maneuver the rocks themselves.” He looked at Spire when he spoke these words, but his glare went unnoticed. “But you cannot predict that which you cannot control. The sea is the one beast man insists on controlling no matter how many lose their lives trying.”
Spire finally took notice of Ansel’s words though he hated to admit it, Ansel was correct. It was pointless to try and avoid being struck by rocks which were set in a constant circular motion by a force known by neither man nor beast. The phenomenon was simply accepted as a force of nature.
Before Adelaide or Traix could ask follow-up questions, they heard something bump the bottom of the ship. What Ansel had just spoke about was happening right under them as a quick succession of rocks and bones began to strike the bottom of the steamship. It was still immune from being seen, but it didn’t stop them from encountering whatever was in the water. Spire and Ansel quickly yanked on the ropes to raise the sails.
“What are you doing? I though you just said it was dangerous to move any faster than the wind dictated?” Traix asked.
“The situation has changed since last I spoke. I am afraid if we do not move, and I mean with haste, we’ll find ourselves joining the bones which swirl beneath us now. Trust me.” He patted Traix on the shoulder reassuringly as he went to the opposite end of the steamship and sat on a box of crates. He took a pipe from his shirt pocket and began to ready it for a smoke.
“You do not mean to tell me you just intend to sit there while all of this is going on around us?” Traix continued as he followed close behind Ansel.
“You’d do better to go sit over there with your little girl. it is going to get far worse before it gets better.” Traix pulled his elbow out of the grip of Spire who sat himself down next to Ansel and proceeded to extract his own pipe to join him.
Traix shook his head at both in disbelief before heeding his suggestion and securing himself on the ground near Adelaide. Without waiting, she joined him on the ground as well. He could see her chest was heaving up and down quickly from fright, but she swallowed hard and tried to look as brave as possible.
Spire knew this would be a long wait game, and though he tried, he could not sit still. Instead, he got right back up and paced the ship, back and forth, while puffs of smoke billowed above his head. As he was about to make one more pass to the other side, Adelaide stepped away from Traix and blocked his path.
“You can hold my hand if want. I promise I won’t tell anyone.” He smiled down at Adelaide, her big brown eyes shining in the light of the yellow moon.
He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I think you should go hold your father’s hand. He looks like he needs it more than me.” Adelaide turned around to find Traix rubbing his hands together nervously the more the ship rocked. She swayed side to side back to her seat next to him and without even asking, took his hand in hers. Suddenly, they were hit even harder and the ship made a sound like it was about to tear in two, scaring Adelaide so much she wrapped her arms around Traix’s neck so tightly he could not pry her lose. He realized her embrace was a sign that she relied on him and he stopped trying to remove her from his neck, instead he held her in his lap while the steamship continued to force its way through to the other side of the Sea of Swirling Bones.
At day break, Nelle was the first one to rise by the sun’s rays beaming down on the ship. She looked around her and saw everything was destroyed. It seemed the only thing that survived the voyage was the ship itself and the people on board. She got to her feet and stretched her limbs, glad the worst of it was over. In the distance, she saw a familiar mountain clearing and knew home was near.
“Finally, let us find this brother of yours and get what you need, quickly,” Spire said, rubbing his eyes awake. At the sound of his loud voice everyone else started to wake as well.
“Not before she gives us what she promised. I have no desire to follow you two any further once we reach land.” After coming out of the Sea of Bones in one-piece Traix felt rather bold and confident, he also realized traveling with them would only lead to more trouble he was not interested in finding. He had Adelaide to think about now and what she needed was a home, not more danger.
“Fine. When we get to shore, I will take you both to a place you can call home for an extraordinarily long time.”