The stranger stirred and rolled over on her back, knocking Quip on his tail. She woke! He had to hide! Quip scurried for the jungle, forgetting his sack.
Pluck blinked in the light of the setting sun and sat up, coughing. The ocean stretched before her, and the smell of the salty beach filled her nostrils. “Where..?” she started as she scanned the beach. “No one's here.” She stood, grabbed her head, and moaned, “Oh...” Pluck felt a bruise on her forehead. The last thing she remembered was the spout. Pluck searched the sea, spotting the tops of five masts sticking out of the water like bony fingers reaching for the sky. It was one of the ships, but which? She wiped sand from the Lux and sheathed the sword. Pluck started down the beach when she kicked something soft and noticed it was a sack. She picked it up, feeling the small bag wasn’t wet and wondered who it belonged to. She noticed tiny foot prints that were smaller than a child’s around her. Pluck took the sack, followed the tracks to the edge of the jungle, and searched the vegetation, but found no one. Many different scents filled the air. She decided she didn't have time to look and that she had to find Edward, Han, and the others. Pluck turned to leave when a creature pounced on the sack she carried.
“Mine!” Quip screeched. “Can’t have. Mine!”
Startled by something leaping at her, Pluck threw the sack along with the rat-monkey toward the beach, drew her sword, and approached it. Pluck wasn’t sure what frightened her more the creature’s strange appearance or that it talked? She pointed her blade at it, demanding, “Who... What are you?”
“Don’t hurt. Me Quip,” he said as he raised his hairy arms. “Don’t mean harm.”
Pluck didn’t feel threatened by the small creature and lowered her sword. She didn’t sheathe the Lux on the chance her instincts were wrong as she commented, “I’ve never seen anything like you.”
“Quip, Trife. There many Trifes,” he told her as he lowered his arms and pointed at her. “Where from?”
“I’m from the Fletching Kingdom,” Pluck replied as she stared at the strange looking rat-monkey. She wondered if he was cursed like herself and then she asked, “I need to find the others. Have you seen them?”
“Others?” Quip questioned as he didn’t understand.
“Yes, beings like me,” she said as she pointed to herself. Pluck considered that maybe he wasn't cursed. Maybe he was what he was.
“Oh... like you. Me seen thousands,” he told her as he pointed inland. “Live in Shangra.”
She ran her hand through her damp sandy mane, remembered her face wasn’t hidden and not only that, but the tip of her tail dangled below the cloak. Quip had seen her and said there were others like her. Pluck restated, “The ones I’m looking for are different than I.” She pulled her hood on ashamed of her appearance and hid her tail. “They have no fur on their faces or bodies.”
“Oh...” Quip said as he stroked his long chin hair. “Me not seen.”
“I have to find them. Maybe...” she started as she looked over the Trife, trying to read his character. “Can you help me find them?”
“Help?” Quip exclaimed and then laughed at the notion. “What me get?”
She checked her belt, found her wet money pouch, and opened it, finding fifty crunes; it was a small silver coin with a turtle engraved on it. She knelt, held up a crune, and told him, “I’ll give you this if you help me.”
“Three...” Quip said as he held up his claws, signifying the number. “Me help sun's cycle.”
“Two crunes,” Pluck countered. “And the sun's cycle will be from sunset to sunset. There are many to find.”
Quip scratched his chin then told her, “Feed me, it deal.”
Food? She didn't even have a Jewel Apple, so Pluck answered, “You can eat half of what I have.”
“Agreed,” the Trife said as he spat on his paw and offered it to her.
She made a face, then took his paw, and shook it.
“Pay,” he insisted.
She told him, “When the job is over or the sun's cycle, not till then.”
“Capah!” Quip cursed. “Fine...”
“We need a plan of action. You’re native...” Pluck interrupted herself as she wondered where she was. What kind of land would have a talking creature? Was there magic there? She sheathed the Lux and asked, “What’s the name of this place?”
“MayPah of West Region,” Quip replied as he stared at the sword sad he wouldn’t have the wealth it would have brought him.
“West Region? West Region of what?”
Quip tilted his head curiously as he questioned, “Not know? Wellspring.”
“Wellspring? We’re not on the Isle of Kismet,” she uttered as she looked over the sea which seemed vast now. “Then we are lost.” She paused, considering their situation and then told herself, “There’ll be time to worry about that later, I must find the others.” She pointed along the white sandy beach lapped by blue-green water and ordered, “Quip you go south, and I’ll go north. If you find someone or when the sunrises, come back to this point.” Pluck piled planks from the wreckage in an X the size of a man up beyond the tide line.
Quip nodded and scurried along the beach as Pluck hurried north and along the way, she noticed hoof prints. The horses... How many survived? Pluck started up the beach, fearful she would find neither man nor animal alive. She better find the steeds and tracked them into the jungle, found three near a small stream, and checked them over, finding minor injuries. Pluck grabbed their reins, leading them to the beach. It was standard procedure to leave halters and saddles on horses when traveling by ship.
The sun set, darkening the area with twilight as more strange animal sounds blared from the jungle, making the horses nervous. She traveled for more than a nal, finding no one but another horse. The steed was dead, drowned. The sky ever darkened as her feline eyes quickly adjusted to the night. The others weren't as fortunate to have her sight but... She glanced up, seeing both new moons rising in the black sky. Auror the Greater and Array the Lesser would give them light. Pluck hoped they searched the beach and didn't go into the jungle. She stopped as her keen senses picked up a familiar scent on the breeze. Fire. Someone could be near. She ran along the shore with the horses trotting behind. A roaring flame appeared ahead, and many men stood around it. Pluck stopped abruptly, shocked by what she saw. All the men had removed their outer clothing and were standing in their surads, underwear cut above the knee. They wore their sword frogs over their surads, while their wet clothing laid on rocks around the fire. Embarrassed, she turned, shading her eyes.
“Halt!” one of them shouted as most of the men went for their swords, and the Archers knocked their arrows. “Identify yourself!”
It was too late to leave, so she declared, “I am Pluck, the Northern High Guard.”
“Pluck?” Han shouted, glanced down at himself, went, and stood behind the others. “Come.”
She entered the ring of light and there she diverted her eyes from their near nakedness. Curiosity got the better of her, and she glanced around their faces seeing Han, Edward, Ardor, Fracas, Melee, Captain Brine, a few sailors, and more than five dozen High Guards stared at her. Bulwark was there also holding the glass container with the Mystic Rose whose petals were pink. The commander pulled on his pants, motioning for one of the soldiers to step forward. A High Guard came, took the three horses from her, tied them to a tree near other horses they’d found, and removed their saddles and blankets.
“You survived,” Han uttered as he hugged her and stepped back. “Have you seen any of the others?”
That was most odd, Ardor considered. The commander greeted Pluck like a son. Did the Northern High Guard find favor with Han? Ardor sneered as he feared his right to succeed the commander might be challenged and with Han’s support, Pluck might succeed.
“No one,” she answered Han and turned her gaze to the fire. “Did all the ships sink?”
; “We know three did,” Ardor answered, stepping closer to them as the flickering fire cast a shadow beside the scar under his right eye. “We have found no signs of the Dark Monarch.”
Pluck glanced at Han’s Second, noticing Ardor had a large scar across his chest and a small one on his calf. Pluck turned her gaze, realizing he noticed her stare.
Ardor sneered again. Did the Northern High Guard suspect his fears? Did Pluck plot as he did to ensure the commander position? The Northern High Guard hid something. What could it be? Ardor had to know; it could be the one thing that secured his advance. He made a fist, swearing to himself he would find out no matter the price.
“The Dark Monarch is Princess Virago’s ship,” Edward said as he paced. “We must find her. If we do not, it shall be meaningless that we made it to Kismet.”
Pluck turned at hearing the prince’s voice and blushed, seeing him in his surad. His gold medallion reflected the fire’s light as she looked to the ground ashamed she saw her prince like this. Pluck spoke, “I don’t think we’re on Kismet.”
“What do you mean?” Edward questioned.
“I ran into one of the natives,” Pluck replied as she stared at the fire, though her curiosity of the male physique tempted her. “He said this place is called Wellspring.”
“Where’s this native now?” Ardor asked.
“I had him go south along the beach looking for any survivors. He’s to return to a place I marked at sunrise or if he finds anyone,” Pluck answered, then she heard movement, and told everyone, “Many approach us.” She reached up, drew the Lux, and moved to the front of those gathered as she shouted, “Identify yourselves.”
“It is I, Vim, second in command of the Sentinels. I have with me twenty-four of my men,” he answered as his voice sounded labored like he carried something. “Three are injured.”
Pluck saw that they were Morgog royal army but knew the others couldn’t, so she told them, “Come into the light.”
Vim and his men did.
“What ship are you from?” Han asked.
“Sea Sprite,” Vim answered. “We believe we are all who survived.”
“Then no one knows if Virago is well?” Edward asked as he couldn’t stand not knowing, the Emperor’s crown depended on both he and the princess arriving at Kismet. If Virago was dead, then this whole trip was for nothing... It was a complete waste of his time.
Vim replied, “I don’t know.”
“I cannot wait any longer. I must see if she is alive,” Edward said as he grabbed his white cotton pants and blue silk shirt that were still a little wet and put them on. “We shall take torches and go look for her.”
Han put on his white shirt and red cape and then ordered, “Ardor, you, Melee, Pluck, and Fracas come with us.”
“Yes, commander,” the men replied and started dressing.
Han turned to the others and commanded them, “The rest of you stay here and wait for those who might find this fire.”
“I shall go with you,” Vim insisted.
“Of course,” Han said, knowing he would demand the same if he was the Morgog Second.
Vim who was tall as Fracas the Archer turned to his men and ordered them, “Stay here, tend to the wounded, and dry by the fire.” He removed his water logged black leather armor and undershirt, setting them on the rocks, but left on his wet pants and boots. Vim’s long black hair was pulled back in a single braid as was customary for Sentinels. He added, “Group here. I shall go with these men to look for our princess, Lord Caliber, and Avarice our commander.”
“Yes, sir,” they replied, setting down their wounded.
After dressing, Ardor went and stood by the Northern High Guard, noticing a sweet musky scent surrounded Pluck. The Northern High Guard smelled like a wet cat. He cleared his throat and said, “Commander, perhaps Pluck should stay and dry himself. We do not want him to catch a cold.”
She told him, “I’m fine.” Pluck looked to Han. Surely he knew she couldn't stay here for she couldn't undress in front of the men.
“Pluck shall come,” Han commanded.
“Then let us leave,” Edward insisted. “Can we take a few of the horses?”
“I would not, my lord,” Han said as he went over and patted one on the neck. “What few survived need their rest after their ordeal.”
“Then let us set out on foot,” Edward ordered as he grabbed a torch from a supply crate that washed ashore and held it over the fire till it dried enough to catch flame. Ardor, Han, Vim, and Melee also lit torches.
The prince led the group into the night along the shore as he said, “Quickly now, keep with me.”
They ran matching his frantic pace as the moons gave plenty of light to the beach. The group heard the sea lap at the sand and felt it rush under their feet and splash their legs. Along the way, they found four dead sailors and two High Guards.
How could we dishonor our dead? Ardor couldn't believe they abandoned them. They should have done more than drag their bodies up the beach, so the sea didn't reclaim them. He clasped the Black Elk insignia on his red cape. Did this symbol mean nothing to them? Should they not honor their brothers?
Han sensed his concerns and told his Second, “We’ll be back for them. They’ll receive a burial befitting a High Guard.” The commander stopped so he could face his Second and told him, “First, we must make sure our future Queen is safe.”
Ardor glanced at his prince who was now a great distance ahead of them and stated, “I understand.”
“Good, let us make haste and catch up to our lord,” Han said and then he jogged ahead.
Ardor followed. The commander had great wisdom. If only he could lead with such when it was his turn. He glanced at Pluck, knowing there was something not right with the Northern High Guard. What was his secret?
Within a nal, they arrived at Pluck’s marker and found several men. A few were crouched, trying to start a fire with their flint from their High Guard belt and then two men approached them. Edward and Han lifted their torches, seeing Sinew and Parry stood, shivering before them.
“My lord... Commander... Are... are both of you well?” Parry stuttered, cold.
Melee walked over with his torch, igniting the lightwood and slowly the men added more wood till a fire roared.
“Yes, we are searching for Princess Virago. Have you seen her?” Edward asked.
“No, my lord,” Sinew replied. “We have seen no one else except the odd little creature who told us to meet here. He said Pluck instructed him to do so.”
“I did,” she said as she stepped forward. “Where’s Quip now?”
“Me here,” the Trife replied as he scurried in from the darkness, warming his paws by the fire.
“By Fletching!” Ardor uttered. “What the Phraggs?”
Vim drew his sword and spat, “The Fires of Morgog! We should kill this vile thing.”
“No!” Pluck yelled as she stepped between them. “He’s helping us. He’s a friend.”
“Me friend,” Quip insisted as he hid behind her cloak like a frightened child.
“There can be only sorcery involved,” Vim exclaimed and then he insisted, “It must be destroyed!”
“Stow your weapon, Morgog,” Han demanded. “If Pluck says the creature is a friend, then it is.”
“Crell!” Vim cursed as he sneered, sheathing his sword. “Morgogs are not quick to make such judgments of loyalty. A word is nothing only action. I shall keep my eye on this creature.”
Quip gulped and muttered, “Me afraid.”
“I would stay out of Vim’s way if I were you,” Pluck spoke as she knelt to the Trife. “Were you able to find anyone else?”
“Ship,” Quip answered as he pointed into the darkness.
“Where?” Edward demanded.
“Cove,” Quip replied. “Far.”
“Take us there,” Edward commanded.
“Yes,” Vim agreed. “We must go now.”
/>
“Me take,” Quip said as he headed into the darkness. “Follow.”
The group headed off.
Han turned to Sinew and Parry and commanded them, “Stay here. Warm yourselves. We shall return.”
The group followed the Trife along the shore. Several nals went by before they reached the cove, there they saw a ship anchored. The first rays of the new sun’s cycle peered over the jungle, revealing a rocky shore around the cove, and the jungle lay beyond the rocks. The water in the cove was indigo unlike the blue-green water surrounding the island. The hilt of the Lux flashed twice.
“What is this?” Vim demanded, looking at the sword strapped to the Northern High Guard’s back. “Does he carry a weapon of magic?”
“There’s nothing to fear, Sentinel,” Han insisted. “Are you suspicious of everything?”
“I am Morgog,” he answered, tightening his jaw. “Have all of you gone mad? Crell! Only evil can come from dealing with such things.”
For once Ardor agreed with a Morgog. No favorable end would come from Pluck’s weapon.
Han looked to the approaching rays as he said, “We can move faster in the light, let’s hurry.”
Pluck frowned as she considered too many feared magic. What would happen when they discovered she was cursed by it?
“Let us move to the other side of the cove,” Edward ordered as he started walking over the large rocks surrounding the area. “The shore this way is closest to the ship.”
Quip scurried after the prince. The Trife darted forward, stopped, scanned the area, and sniffed the wind. He did this several times and within a quarter of a nal, they were nearly to the point closest to the Dark Monarch.
Pluck scanned the indigo waters surrounding the ship, seeing tiny sparkles shimmered in the light of the sun and danced in its yellow radiance. She smiled, delighted by the beautiful sight, but her delight turned to bewilderment. Movement in the water splashed away the reflections, and she noticed many shadows swimming beneath the indigo surface. Hundreds of these dark shapes neared the princess’ ship.
“There’s something in the water!” Pluck warned and hurried ahead.
Quip looked to the cove and exclaimed, “Not good. Ship disturbed Breed.” He darted into the jungle. “Hide!”
“What are they talking about?” Ardor asked as he squinted, but couldn’t see anything at their distance.