Heyna's Tale - Chapter Nine

Escape

The soldiers were arrayed in ranks that filled the courtyard. Their armor was cheap aluminum, but their steel-tipped, barbed spears looked sharp. They all knelt when Sronban/Riri appeared. Their commander bowed to the princess. He waited for her to speak.

“Commander, you have our gratitude. The king will hear of your prompt response.”

“Majesty, we heard shots!”

“Slaves!” She shrugged. “What can I say?”

“Of course. Of course.”

“Order my carriage and clear the way to the docks. I want to try out my new slaves.” She pointed behind her and thirty Erda became visible.

“Break ‘em in right, eh? You are wise, Majesty. My Sergeant is an excellent handler. If I may offer his services?”

“Your help in this matter is appreciated, Commander. Yes. Make it so.” The commander nodded to the sergeant, who issued sharp commands. All the soldiers went running, some to a building with wide double doors, some out into the boulevard to clear the streets. The sergeant herded the Erda into a formation three abreast and ten rows long. The Erda went along with the deception, though many were wild eyed with terror. Beetah, always competent Beetah, kept the most tremulous in line with encouraging words.

A carriage was wheeled out and the slaves yoked to it. The sergeant stood at the head of the team.

“Ready, sir. I’ll guide this motley crew on their first ride, shall I?” The commander nodded. The sergeant saluted and shouted to the Erda. “Step off together, you scum.”

“Majesty, the carriage is ready for you and your entourage.” The Commander bowed low.

The friends, with Beetah and Heyna carrying Jaasi, climbed aboard. Heyna was not going to leave her brother to be eaten by the sea snakes. She did not want to believe that he was dead. Her tears still fell on his bloody fur. She would carry him.

They looked to the Ryujin as they were expected to. They appeared as the princess, and her retinue, and her luggage.

“Drive on,” Sronban/Riri said, and the sergeant cracked a whip. The carriage moved forward, jerking at first until the sergeant called a cadence. He sang a war song in praise of the king. A drummer took up the rhythm.

“If I run away to the sea,

I shall be a corpse washed up.

If I run away to the mountain,

I shall be a corpse in the grass.

But if I die for the king,

I will wear a wreath of honor.

But if I die for the king,

I will wear a wreath of honor.”

“Now that’s what I call a delightful ditty!” Tooly said. “Ouch!” he grabbed his arm where blood was still flowing. The coach had silk fabric lining the seats. Heyna tore some strips from it and tied them as bandages around Tooly’s arm.

“I’m not losing anyone else!” she said fiercely.

“Ow! Now it hurts more.”

“Quit whining. At least you’ll stop bleeding,” Sronban said.

“Look at them,” Heyna said pointing to the crowds of people in the street. “Why don’t they fight back?”

“The slaves?” Beetah said. All along the route there were Erda hurrying about to do their master’s will. They looked frightened. “They’re crippled and hobbled. They are outnumbered. They are beneath the ocean without a way to escape. And… they don’t have your powerful friends. It’s always been this way.”

“Tradition,” said Sronban, “is often the camouflage of tyranny.”

“Read that in a book?” said Tooly.

“Yeah, you should try it sometime, Tootoo.

“Somehow, someday, things will change,” Xico said. All eyes turned to the Quetz. “This horror… I… I had no idea.” Heyna hoped that her friend was right, but she wasn’t sure that it was possible.

“Let’s just get out of here in one piece,” Beetah said. “Er… How are we going to do that, exactly?”

“Working on it,” Tooly said.

The carriage rolled down the street to cheers from the crowd that bowed and watched the princess pass. Slaves threw themselves down on their faces. Cheers went up, over and over and drowned out the soldier’s song.

“My head is hurting again, and my jewel is causing an ache in my breast.” Sronban said. “There are too many people. I’m afraid I might lose it.”

“Hold on, Vonnie,” Tooly said. “I see the entrance to the docks up ahead. There are a lot more soldiers up there. Wait! It looks like your brother… I mean that snake, Prince Hazu, is there.” They all looked down the boulevard and saw Hazu standing there with a contingent of elite soldiers wearing Gryphish armor.

“Trouble?” Heyna asked.

“Don’t know,” Sronban said, “but we can deal with it. Ow!” She grabbed her head and grimaced.

“I’ll cover the group,” Tooly said. “You just do you.”

“When you talk to Hazu,” Beetah said. “Be dismissive and sarcastic. Don’t let him rattle you. Ryujin royalty are assholes, to their subjects, but especially to each other.”

The carriage pulled up to the entrance of the docks. Hazu opened the door to the carriage.

“Sister! You are full of surprises today,” he said. “Why call out the garrison? Why not the royal guard? Planning a coup?” He grinned.

“Don’t be an idiot!” Sronban/Riri snapped and the grin was replaced with a scowl. “The garrison was convenient.” She regarded Hazu’s guard and fingered one soldier’s armor. “I see that you’ve brought out your toy soldiers. Having fun marching them about? What’s your next target, Merkataritza perhaps?” Hazu squinted at his sister and leaned in until the were nose to nose.

“What are you up to, Riri? I know you! You’ve been acting very strangely. Picking your own slaves? Since when do you do that?”

“This place is so boring,” she said airily. “It was just a whim.”

“Now you’re sounding more like yourself.”

“Out of the way, Brother. I’ve got a boat to catch.”

“Where do you think you are going?”

“Wherever I want to. What is it to you?”

“Father has been asking for you. You ought to go and see him.”

“You know what?” Sronban/Riri poked Hazu in the chest. “You go and see him. I hear that he’s not happy about your last raid. Jewelwood imports have been way down. Quetz are talking about a boycott of precious materials and art. I hope your hostages are worth what you think they are worth.”

“That’s my business. You keep out of it.”

“Gladly. I’m off to Saidai.” She turned to one of her guards. “Run ahead to the Tachizame and tell them to make ready.”

“Tachizame! Don’t tell me your riding with Screeble?”

“And your problem with that is?”

“You know damn well…” He was still scowling.

Tooly spoke silently to Heyna and she nodded. Suddenly, she was a green dragon, with a scarred snout and a gap where a missing tooth used to be.

“Prince Hazu,” Heyna/Screeble stepped from the coach and bowed, daring to speak first. “How are you faring?” Hazu stepped close and whispered.

“I told you that I didn’t want to see you in the capitol again, Ani!”

“Had a little business, didn’t I? You been busy, too, I hear.”

“You been riding in that boat of yours too long. You’re stinking up my docks,” he turned to Sronban/Riri, “Sister, you should keep better company! I hope you enjoy your trip.” Hazu turned and stomped to his own carriage. He departed with the royal guard marching behind.

There was something between the captain of the Tachizame and the prince. Heyna sensed that their relationship was more than royal and subject. She felt there was a strange familiarity. Hazu called him, “Ani.” Odd nickname, or insult? But she wasn’t about to ask.

“Gotta admit,” Heyna laughed back in the coach, “that felt good, even being Screeble.”

*

Screeble/Heyna spoke to Ak’ne when they got to the Tachizame.

“Make ready to depart.”

“And the slaves? Couldn’t get your price.”

“Just as well. The Princess will buy all that we have.”

“How…?”

“You will not question the captain’s orders,” Sronban/Riri said.

“I will not question the captain’s orders,” Ak’ne repeated as the glamour took her.

“She’s the one who helped me escape from Screeble near the Misty Isle.” Heyna spoke silently to the group. “I want to thank her.”

“Once we’re under way,” Tooly said. “How are you holding up?” he asked Sronban.

“Head still hurts. Breast still hurts. But… I’ll manage.”

They were boarding with the help of the crew, when a shout came from the direction of the city. Heyna climbed up to the conn and saw Hazu, Screeble and the royal guard charging in their direction. She ducked instinctively.

“Don’t worry,” Ak’ne said. “They won’t shoot inside the dome. I wonder what’s going on?”

“Let’s move!” Screeble/Heyna shouted.

Ak’ne shrugged then called down to the crew. “Look lively! Cast off.”

Everyone scrambled aboard, and Heyna heard shots from hand cannon.

“Well,” said Ak’ne. “That’s not good. Orders, Captain? Why are they shooting at us?”

“Everyone!” Screeble/Heyna ignored the question and shouted. “Get below. Ak’ne submerge, or whatever, as soon as we can.”

“Button up!” Ak’ne shouted, looking sharply at her captain. But from down the dock, she heard her other captain shouting. She looked, rubbed her eyes, turned to Screeble/Heyna and reached for the knife at her belt.

“This is your captain,” said Tooly, indicating Heyna.

“This is my captain,” repeated Ak’ne.

More shots came in their direction. People were scattering on the docks as the prince’s forces came on. Some people jumped in the water to escape the gunfire. A bullet ricocheted off the rail on the conn.

“Stop!” Screeble shouted.

“Move!” Screeble/Heyna shouted.

“I got this,” Tooly said.

The charging soldiers suddenly stopped and looked about in confusion, looking for their enemy. They started attacking each other. Hazu ran back towards the city. Screeble came on screaming curses and waving a short sword in the air.

Heyna stood on the Conn by herself. She paused at the open hatch.

“Let him see me,” she silently asked Tooly. The glamour dropped for Screeble, and Heyna waved.

“Gonna be hard to catch any more slaves without your boat, you murdering scum! Ha!” Screeble raised his gun to fire another shot but a soldier grabbed his arm and hit him in the face with the butt of a spear. Heyna ducked in the hatch and secured it. The boat started to move and dive immediately.

“How are we going to get through the tunnel defenses,” Ak’ne asked.

“Don’t worry about that,” Tooly said.

“I won’t worry about that,” Ak’ne repeated.

“It’s a good question,” Heyna said.

“Sronban’s calling the Kelpie,” Tooly said.

“They’ll cover us. The turbulence defenses will not detect us.”

“But won’t they send ships after us?”

“That confusion glamour still has them fighting amongst themselves. It will be a while before they can pursue us.”

*

“I’m done,” Sronban said. Heyna, Xico, and the Fennec were sitting on the observation deck at the bow of the Tachizame. Heyna was still cradling her brother’s body. “I need to rest.” Sronban’s jewel glowed only dimly.

“You’ve earned it,” Tooly said. “I can handle the rest.”

Ak’ne came through the door and slunk onto a couch. She didn’t see Jaz’s body. She didn’t see Xico. All she saw was Riri, Screeble and a guard.

“We’re clear of dome access. Where to, Captain?”

“Good question. Princess?”

“We’ll discuss that in private, Captain,” Sronban said. “Leave us, and make sure my new slaves are well treated!” she waved Ak’ne away. When Ak’ne was gone she turned to Heyna. “Where are we going?”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Heyna said. “Once Hazu and Screeble get their wits back, they’ll come after us.”

“They’ll expect us to run for Paititi,” Xico said. “We have a head start. We could beat them there. But if we arrive in an under sea boat my people will panic and the Janizaree will blow us out of the water. They’ll be on high alert after the raid. Maybe the Misty Isle would be safest?”

“We can’t return until we secure a source of jewels,” Sronban said.

“Right. Well, I guess it’s Lurmunduan then,” Heyna said.

“But Hazu will still go to Paititi. I’ve got to warn my parents. The Janizaree are fierce, but they can’t be everywhere at once.”

“You know, I never thought we would get this far,” Heyna laughed. “To tell you the truth, it’s like a dream. My plan was always vague. I never thought what I would do if I actually got you back… one of you back.” She shed another tear for her brother. She let him go and covered him with clean white sail cloth. She sat and embraced Xico. “I don’t know. I got us this far, but now, I’m out of steam.”

“I have an idea,” Tooly said, “But you may not like it.”

“Try me.”

“We can let Xico and the chicks go to Paititi with the Kelpie.”

“No.” Heyna gripped Xico. “I’m not letting her go ever again.”

“Heyna,” Xico said. “You’re not losing me. I’ll be protected. I have to warn my parents, my people.”

“And we’re not done,” Sronban said. “You have to take us to Jakintu.”

“And there’s the little matter of that task for the Kelpie,” Tooly said.

“You’re right. But I don’t like it.”

“We’ve got the chicks with us. We can’t take them to Lurmunduan. Paititi is safest for them.”

Heyna looked at her brother’s body. She desperately didn’t want anyone else to die. The chicks were in danger as long as they were with her. She didn’t want to let Xico go, but the little ones needed someone older. She was afraid, though, that any separation would be permanent, and she would never see Xico again. She made up her mind.

“We’ll head East Northeast and skirt the Dragon Isles and make for Lurmunduan. We’ll drop the Erda in Beoford or Merkataritza, their choice. Xico will take the chicks to Paititi with the Kelpie.”

Xico smiled and hugged Heyna tightly. The chicks, Shosha, Tesh, and Veeter joined in, then Sronban and Tooly did.