Chapter Five
The Initiation
Han paced the deck of the Breakneck as he shouted, “Fass! I should have sent more men with you.” He glanced at the prince then to Melee and Pluck as the ocean lapped at the docked ship and a few Gray Gulls cried in the distance. “You should have my command for this.”
“Nonsense,” Edward replied. “Consider this, if we had taken more men the bandits might have waited for another opportunity then we would not know one of the Kingdoms is using a Necrom.”
“Fairy tales!” Fracas declared, overhearing their conversation from the gangplank. “There’s no such thing.”
“Yes, but...” Han started as he grabbed the railing of the ship, looking at the port of Pass. “They did see the beggar vanish. Perhaps there’s sorcery at work and since magic exists, then Necroms could also.”
Fracas shook his head in disbelief and threw his Jewel Apple over the side before he said, “I still say they are merely stories; ones told to frighten children into staying out of the woods.” He considered that magic may exist, but the Necroms couldn't. If they did, that would mean the old stories were true and that would mean there could be another Great War. His reasoning frightened him as he considered this time they might not escape with their lives if another war ensued.
Edward put his hand to his chin as he spoke, “Whomever is using the dark arts does not want us to know. They killed the bandits’ leader to prevent him from revealing their identity, and what I saw was no beast but a man. We all have heard that Necroms are cat like monsters.”
“Still...” Han started as he couldn’t get past his failure. “I shouldn’t have let you go with only two guards.”
Edward put his hand to the old High Guard’s shoulder as he told him, “Han, I was in capable hands with Melee and Pluck.”
“Actually,” Melee spoke up. “Pluck’s the one who saved us with that enchanted sword of his.”
“Enchanted?” Han approached her and questioned, “What’s he talking about?”
A salty breeze swept across the ship, blowing against Pluck’s cloak as she shamefully thought more of the Accolade Sword. “My rapier broke during battle,” she told him as she showed him the severed blade. “I’ve been dishonored.”
“To have the blade break during a fight is no dishonor,” Han said as he took the weapon. “Only if it’s stripped.” He turned to Ardor and ordered, “We shall give you another.”
“He does not need it,” Edward said, talking of Pluck. “The weapon he acquired from the trader is far more superior, therefore, a Sword of Honor.”
“I saw it strike like lightning,” Melee added. “It cut through the bandits’ weapons like a sickle through grass.”
“What weapon?” Han asked.
Pluck unstrapped the sword from her back and showed him. Han took the black scabbard, looked the weapon over, and tried to remove the sword as Ardor watched.
“Blasted!” Han yelled as his face reddened with the effort. “It won’t budge.”
“Allow me,” Ardor said and then he tried. “Crell! I also can’t draw the blade.” Frustrated, he handed it to Pluck and ordered, “You do it!”
She hesitated but then took the Lux and drew it. The unsheathing sounded like thunder, and the blade glowed lightning white.
“Witchcraft!” Ardor spat as he stepped back from the crackling blade. “We should toss him and the weapon overboard.” He drew his rapier, wondering if the sword was a weapon of the Necroms.
Captain Brine and a few sailors murmured their agreement and then Brine said, “Aye, evil shall befall this ship if we allow the sword to stay.”
Their accusation appalled Pluck, and she readied herself for a fight.
Before Han could challenge Ardor, the prince commanded, “No!” His face reddened with rage as he said, “I would be in the hands of my enemy if it was not for Pluck’s sword.” He stepped to the taller man and questioned him, “Are you saying we should throw over everyone who possesses an item of magic?”
“Yes!” Ardor answered without thinking.
Han cringed, not knowing how the prince would react.
“Then I should be first to walk the plank,” Edward spoke as he pointed toward the cabins. “Do not forget I possess the Mystic Rose.”
Ardor’s enraged face softened to shock and embarrassment as he started, “My lord, I did not mean...”
“Let us drop this matter then,” the prince interrupted.
Ardor tightened his jaw as he sheathed his rapier and then he said, “The matter is dropped.” He glanced at Pluck with a look that said he would only drop it for the moment.
Han walked to Pluck, leaned to her hood, and said, “Maybe it’s best you leave and let Ardor manage his temper.”
She nodded, placed her sword back in its scabbard, and headed below. Ardor disliked her since she came on board. Why did he hate her? What had she done?
Back on deck...
“What should our next move be?” Han asked, moved to Ardor, and patted the Second on the back, reassuring him.
Ardor remained silent, managing his temper and his tongue. What a fool he was. Him accusing the prince could cost Ardor his command.
Edward walked to the railing and answered the commander, “The only thing we can do for now is–” He scanned the open sea and said, “–set sail for the Morgog Kingdom, retrieve my wife, and head for the Isle of Kismet.”