Dragonstone (Eligium Series Book 3) Page 4

  “Use this for support,” she said. “Better than leaning on me and pulling us both down again. Now…which way to go?”

  He gave her a wry look. Nothing was ever easy or simple with her. “I was thinking about that. Towards the rocks I think. We’ll gain elevation and, by the look of the direction of the waves, we must have washed in from there.”

  Appraising the way the tide was coming in, she could see his point about the currents. “I think you’re right.”

  The two of them trudged down the beach, periodically stopping to investigate a stray bit of wreckage. The closer they got to the rocks, the larger the pieces, which seemed to further substantiate Sebastian’s theory that they had washed in from that direction.

  “Look there!” said Krystelle as they drew near the rocks. “Do you see that out under the ledge there?”

  Sebastian peered towards where she was pointing. “I don’t see anything.”

  “Just there. By those rocks with the streaks of red running through them.”

  Looking more closely, Sebastian found the formation she was talking about. “There it is. I see it now. But what is it?”

  “I’m not sure, but it’s the largest intact piece of the ship we’ve seen so far. It looks like it might be some sort of crate. Perhaps it's supplies from the ship’s stores.”

  “Well, whatever it is the next high tide will wash it away.”

  “Sebastian, we should try to recover whatever it is. There might be something in there to help us. If we follow that line of rock, we can come just near enough to grab it. Whatever it is.”

  “It’ll be dangerous,” he said.

  “But it might just be worth it.”

  “No sense in both of us risking our necks then.” Tossing the stick he’d been leaning on to her, Sebastian edged his way out onto the slippery rocks. Step by step, he made his way forward toward the object they’d spotted. Every so often spray from a rogue wave would douse him, but it mattered little. He was still drenched from their near-drowning the night before.

  He was about two-thirds of the way out when he came upon a gap in the rocks. Looking about, he could see that there was no way around the fissure. Forced between two rock faces, the sea below roiled in a maelstrom of foam. Down was most definitely not an option. He could see no other way. Before he could think too much about it, he pushed off from his rock, leaping towards the other side.

  Crashing into the rock, he slipped down towards the churning water below. He gripped the sharp rocks, struggling to find a foothold and cutting his hands on the rough edges. In the last instant before his grip gave out, his feet found a purchase, and he paused, breathing heavily. He’d made it…barely. Sebastian didn’t want to think about what it would take to get back across.

  Once he’d caught his breath again, he pulled himself up onto the rock and looked back toward where Krystelle waited on the beach. Giving her a wave to let her know he was okay, he turned back to the task at hand. He pulled himself farther up the rock face to get a better view of the object. It was a small wooden trunk with leather straps to hold it closed. With a start he recognized it. It was the same trunk Gerhard had been rummaging through during the storm.

  Looking back again at Krystelle, he could see she had moved out onto the rocks. She was making her way toward the fissure where he’d made his leap. It must have been obvious to her he would need her help in getting the piece of wreckage back. Pressing forward, he was even more determined to get the trunk now that he knew it belonged to the wizard.

  He scrambled down to the ledge overhanging the trunk and leaned himself over. Stretching himself out with one arm reaching for the trunk and the other grasping the rock to keep him from tumbling over he was just able to grab hold of one strap. Muscles straining, he pulled the trunk up next to him, thankful for those many hours toiling on his uncle’s farm and all the conditioning he had done since, training with the sword.

  He sat up and glanced back to see that Krystelle was almost to the fissure. Good. The trunk was lighter than he’d expected and he should have no trouble tossing it across to her. He shouted back, “I’ve got it! Wait just there.” She waved back in agreement.

  Rising to his feet, he stooped over to pick up the trunk and a flash of color on the ledge below caught his eye. “Hold on a moment! There's something else down there.” Crouching back down on the rock, he leaned out over the edge, straining to see. There it was. A broken and battered body hung over the rocks. The face was bruised and bloody, and the feet dangled just above the swirling water. The waves, which had seemed almost cheerful a moment ago, took on a keening note as if the ocean itself shared his sorrow. It was Captain Cyrillus.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  With Krystelle’s help, Sebastian got the trunk back across the fissure and made the leap himself. “What was it? What did you see out there?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “When we get off this rock.” Handing the case back and forth between them in the tricky spots, the two of them made their way back down the outcropping to the shoreline. They could see from their vantage point that the rocks continued on around the island in that direction, making further exploration hazardous.

  Finally, they climbed off the rocks and set the trunk in the sand. “Now, what was on that rock Sebastian?”

  “Captain Cyrillus…he’s dead.”

  She looked at him in shock. “What are you talking about?”

  “It was his body on the rock Krystelle. I’m so sorry.”

  “And you left him there! What if he’s injured? What if he’s dying right now? We have to save him!” Tears streaming down her face, she turned back to the rocks.

  Sebastian took hold of her arm. “Krystelle…wait…” she slapped him, hard.

  “Let go of me! I’m not losing him too.”

  Ignoring the slap, he pulled her in close. “He’s gone Krystelle. You didn’t see what I saw.”

  Sobbing, she gripped his tunic. “He can’t be. He just can’t. It’s too much.”

  For all the grief he’d experienced himself in the past year, Sebastian had little experience comforting others. All he knew to do was to hold her and let her cry. After a time, the flow of tears slowed and Krystelle came back to herself. Pulling back, she looked up at him, “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “For bringing you into all this. For slapping you. For everything.”

  “Krystelle, none of what’s happened is your fault any more than it is mine. If anything, we can blame Sterling Lex. I’ve been thinking about it and I am sure he sent that storm to stop us. As for the slap…” he rubbed his jawline. “I’d sure appreciate it if you didn’t do that again.”

  She laughed, wiping one last tear from her eye. “I am sorry for that.”

  “Water under the bridge. Now let’s find out if we can get this thing open.” He crouched down next to the trunk and worked on the straps.

  “I do not think that will work Sebastian. It is a wizard’s trunk and I’m sure Gerhard put safeguards on it.”

  The spark from the case knocked him back into the sand. One look at the surprise on his face and Krystelle’s laughter started again. “I told you so,” she said.

  Grimacing, he rubbed his arm where the jolt had hit him. “It’s not funny. That hurt!” His protestation set her to laughing even harder. He stood, nudging the trunk with his foot, then kicked it harder. He was rewarded with another spark, bigger this time, hitting his leg and sending him sprawling back down in the sand. Laughing hard, tears formed in Krystelle’s eyes again. Wiping her eyes, she brought her laughter back under control.

  Still chuckling, she forced out her appreciation, “Thank you for that, Sebastian. I needed a good laugh.” Realizing how ridiculous he must look, he chuckled with her. That sent her right back. The two spent a long moment there in the sand, laughing together.

  After a time, Krystelle calmed. “We’ve a long day ahead of us and a lot to do.” She was back to her serious self again. She was a tough one, Seb
astian had to give her that. Nothing ever seemed to phase her for long.

  “Right,” he said. “We need to find a source of fresh water, shelter, and food.”

  “Then we can figure out where we are, and how to get to Cale Uriasz from here,” Krystelle added. “The Wizards must be informed about Sterling Lex. His power must be growing for him to have been able to reach us this far out to sea.”

  Leaving the trunk there in the shelter of the rock formation, Krystelle and Sebastian followed a trickle of water inland, searching for the source, or at least something they could drink from. Sebastian used his driftwood staff to push back the underbrush and forge a path for them as they traced the meandering rivulet. A fair way from the beach, they emerged into a clearing. Water cascaded down a rock cliff face into a pool on the far side of the clearing.

  Sebastian took in the positioning of the waterfall. “See that on the far side? There’s a natural cave there that should stay dry. This would make a good place for a camp while we decide what to do.”

  Krystelle was not sure she agreed. “Are we not too far from the beach here? What if a ship passes by?”

  “There’s water here, and shelter. We don’t yet know where we are, or what manner of beasts lurk in this forest. We will be safer here. At least we will once the sun goes down.”

  “That takes care of water and shelter. What about food?”

  “We can gather plants, fruits, and nuts and I’ll set out snares. With luck, we won’t be here for long. I’ll get started on collecting food. You go back down to the beach and gather up scraps of wood and rope and whatever else we can use.”

  “Use for what?”

  “Some I’ll use to set the snares. With the rest, we’ll build ourselves a raft to get to Cale Uriasz.”

  That first night, Krystelle and Sebastian huddled next to a small fire built outside the entrance of their cave. Making a meager dinner of nuts and berries Sebastian had gathered, their stomachs grumbled in complaint.

  “I hope my snares catch something more substantial tomorrow,” said Sebastian.

  Krystelle shrugged, “This will do for now. Was there any sign of rabbit or other game?”

  “No rabbit. The only thing I noticed was a pack of large rats. Not very appetizing, I’m afraid.”

  Krystelle did not respond and he could sense she was not much interested in talking. She had grown more and more subdued as the evening progressed and he was not sure why.

  Under different circumstances, Sebastian would have been grateful to have time alone with Krystelle. The tropic air and sun agreed with her, giving her complexion a healthy glow. Flickering light from the fire danced across her face. She unbraided her hair, combing it out as best she could and now she had pulled the natural curls forward over one shoulder. Wanting to say something to her to break the silence, he struggled to find the right words. Her reaction to Cyrillus’ death had surprised him and, even now, she seemed weighed down.

  It occurred to him she had just discovered her father’s death not long before and the captain’s demise in the storm would have reminded her of that fact. That was a feeling he could relate to, but it did not make it any easier to find the words to say to her, so he sat a while longer next to her, letting his presence speak for itself.

  After a time, she rested her head on his shoulder, sighing. Warmth rushed through Sebastian at her touch. He wanted to put his arm around her, but recognized that it was not the time. Instead, he allowed the silence to continue to marinate as the fire burned down. When she pulled away, he felt a pang of regret, wondering if he had missed an opportunity.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Cenric stood with Sterling Lex atop the tower in the northeast corner of Cinaeth. Grey clouds hung heavy in the sky above them, and a cold wind blew in from the sea. The sorcerer observed his pupil as Cenric practiced the most recent incantation Lex had revealed to him. The boy’s pronunciation was nearly flawless, if rushed. This particular spell had to be practiced far above the ground. Were they near the ground and something went awry the boy might be drawn down into the earth itself. In their time together Cenric had shown an uncanny knack for controlling the fundamental elements to a degree Sterling Lex had not seen since before the Ban took effect. Cenric was proving to be a better tool than Sterling Lex had expected.

  “How did I do?” the boy had reached the end of the spell and turned toward Sterling Lex. An iron chain draped around Cenric’s neck suspending the red Dragonstone on his chest. For a moment, Sterling Lex felt an urge to rip the stone away and claim its power for himself. But no, that could prove disastrous.

  Forcing down the urge, he focused his attention on the threads connecting him to Cenric’s mind. “Continue your practice. With time and use, each spell will become second nature. They must become so for you to have full command of them. Have you been communing and meditating with the stone?” said Sterling Lex.

  Cenric nodded, “Every day for at least an hour. Just as you told me.”

  “And?”

  “This morning while I was in the middle of the meditation I felt something strange. I don’t know what it was exactly, but I know I felt something.” The boy had a tendency to prattle on.

  “Close your eyes and think back. Put yourself back into the state of meditation. What was it you felt?”

  Cenric did as instructed, “A…presence. From inside the stone.”

  “Good. Keep your eyes shut. What you felt was the spirit of the stone.” That was true, in a sense. It just was not the whole story. “What of the name? Did you hear the name?”

  Scrunching his face in concentration, Cenric cocked his head to one side as if listening. He stayed frozen that way for several minutes before his eyes popped open. “Cadeyrn Seaghda!” he said at last.

  Sterling Lex felt the release of power through their link when the boy said that name. A name the dark wizard had not heard in full since the Dragon Wars and dared not utter himself. In that moment, an explosion of light from far above Cinaeth cascaded into an explosion of shooting stars. Sterling Lex jerked his head up in surprise. Few could manage a Summoning, yet this untaught boy managed it simply by tapping the power of the Stone. Making note of the path of the shooting stars, he saw that every one headed out toward Uriasz and the barbarian shores beyond.

  Cenric stared at the stars, his eyes wide. “What was that? It felt so good inside when I said the whole name and it felt like an explosion coming out of me. Then I looked up and saw all those stars! Did I do that?”

  Watching the last of the shooting stars disappear over the horizon, Sterling Lex ignored Cenric’s questioning. “That is enough for now, Cenric.”

  Leading the boy down the dark staircase to the base of the tower, Sterling Lex pulsed energy through the link connecting him to the boy to prepare him for the next phase of his training. Their footfalls echoed up and down the stone stairwell; Lex’s deep and heavy as he trudged down, the boy was light and more sporadic. Halfway down they encountered the wizard Radomil coming up to them. Cenric flinched at the sight of the dark wizard, his memories of their first encounter still raw.

  “Did you…” began Radomil.

  Sterling Lex held up a hand to stop the dark wizard. “Follow us,” he said, continuing down the stairwell, now with both Radomil and Cenric in tow. Reaching his study, the sorcerer waved his hand at two hard-backed chairs for his companions. Remaining standing, Sterling Lex made his way to the shelving on the far side of the room. Gesturing at the books there, he spoke. “Over time, I have amassed a great collection of magical tomes and volumes. Each one devoted to understanding and knowledge. I have read them all. There is one work that has eluded me. The Chronicles. I would have it and the time is ripe to claim the one book denied me all these years. With the death of the Arch-mage, Uriasz is weak, and those at the Cale are not yet aware.” He paused, turning back to stare at Cenric and Radomil. “I believe the time is near when we can strike at the heart of Uriasz. Cenric, return to your room and continue your meditations on th
e stone, I have something to discuss with Radomil here.”

  Waiting until the boy had left, closing the door behind him, Sterling Lex turned to Radomil, “You saw the sign and you know what it means?” Radomil nodded for Sterling Lex to continue. “It was the boy that made the Summoning.”

  Radomil half turned toward the door where the boy had disappeared. “You mean he has gained control of the stone?”

  “He has, but he does not know it yet.”

  “And he can summon the dragon?”

  “We will know tomorrow if he can. If that proves to be the case, then you will travel with him to and use his power to attack Cale Uriasz and recover the Chronicles.”

  “You are not coming to the Cale with us?”

  “No, I must return to Naevean. My influence with the king is growing. With his support and possession of the Chronicles, nothing can stop us.” He chose not to tell the dark wizard the other reason he would not be going. Sterling Lex had no intention of going against the wizards at Cale Uriasz himself unless he could be certain of victory. Sending the boy was a gamble and should the boy’s abilities with the Dragonstone prove insufficient to overcome Uriasz, Sterling Lex had other plans in place to achieve his end goals.

  “And if the boy’s friends are there?”

  “You must focus on the Chronicles. Nothing can deter you from your purpose in retrieving them. If it comes down to a confrontation with Sebastian Pwyll do what you must to escape, even if that means you must sacrifice the boy.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  For three days, Krystelle and Sebastian labored to build a raft strong enough to carry them from their little island to Cale Uriasz. Waking with the dawn in their secluded cave just off the beach, the two fell into a routine that began each morning with Sebastian checking and resetting his traps. He would then venture down to the waterline where their little craft was taking shape. Krystelle spent the first part of each day collecting fresh fruits and nuts for their breakfast and then continued to comb further and further up the beach for bits and scraps they could use in their construction.