CHAPTER XV
Now they had the long sail over open water. Dylan was horrified to hear that it would take them around a month to get there. What was he going to do on a boat for a month?
The first week though was quite interesting, he could still walk around the ship unnoticed and overheard the crew talking. A number of them were frightened by the skeletons and the harbour wave. They wanted d’Gaz and the Foreshadow off the ship, but they knew they were outnumbered. Some were suspicious of Tobias’ death even though the two sailors who saw it told them d’Gaz had nothing to do with it. There were then still arguments about what to do once they did reach Silas and d’Gaz left the ship. d’Gaz talked to them on the third day saying he knew of their fears and promised that nothing would befall them, but if they wanted to be sure then they should work hard to reach Silas as soon as possible.
Because they had left Onslow so quickly not all the pirates had made it back, either because they were slow or had decided to jump ship; so now Bell, Mattaeus and Lucas worked as sailors along with the seven Stormcloud men they had picked up. Actually, as Dylan watched them he saw that two of them were women. Not like Kaitlin or Alura though, these women looked and acted tough and Dylan wondered what kind of gang the Stormclouds were.
“What’s a Stormcloud?” he asked one of the men tying a rope.
“Do not say that name too loudly, there,” the man said.
“Why not?”
“The Stormclouds are mercenaries, not well liked by all.”
“What do you do?”
“We are hired by people to do things,” the man shrugged and tightened is knot. “Then, wherever we can we fight the Chinerthians; we wish to see our peoples free.”
“What kind of things do you do for people?”
“Different things, we try to do good, but it is not always possible.”
“Like what?”
“I have jobs to do, young master,” he said and walked away.
Dylan stayed there and looked out into the empty sea. He liked the Stormclouds, they sounded like a good gang. Going around helping people and fighting evil, a bit like Robin Hood. He wondered if maybe the Stormclouds could help them, and thought he should ask his Dad.
“Battle of Alban’s Wood?” the Shadow Ranger asked as they washed the deck.
“We were foolish,” Bell replied.
“But you had to try; you couldn’t accept that which was wrong.”
“I had a very small part to play.”
“And is it linked to your Oath? Being a Defender of the Forest Way?”
“There is no story here.”
“But you said you would tell me if we survived the dragon’s lair,” Mattaeus grinned at him.
“I said maybe I would share. You missed a spot. Come on, I don’t want to be scrubbing into the night,” Bell shook his head, but shot Mattaeus a smile as they got back to working.
%%%
And so the days passed with no great excitement, Dylan looked at maps in d’Gaz’s cabin, watched other ships as they went by, walked around the ship and practiced his magic exercises. At one point his hand felt tingly, but he didn’t know if that was magic or pins and needles and then another time his hand seemed to glow, but again it could have been the Sun through the clouds or the ripples of the sea. So the second week went by and then on the third week the pirates seemed to be happier and d’Gaz told him that they had made good time and would be at port by the end of the week.
The next day they all met again in the cabin along with Hallorn.
“So we need to decide what we are doing once we hit shore,” d’Gaz said.
“What is it that you are doing?” Hallorn asked.
“I don’t think you need to bother yourself with it,” Bell said. “Better that you tell us your plans and then go back on deck.”
“But perhaps we can help you?”
“We?” Dad asked.
“They’re Stormclouds, Dad, they do things to help people, fight the Chinerthians.”
“We do need all the help we can get,” Dad said.
“I would have to agree with Connor,” Alura agreed.
“No,” Mattaeus said. “Enough people know already.”
“Then don’t tell me, tell Thunderground,” Hallorn said. “Bell here can vouch for him.”
“Perhaps. What would be your plan otherwise?”
“Well we, in like, must be secretive, we will leave your ship and find our own ways back.”
“Very well,” the Shadow Ranger said. “Please do not take offence that we ask you to leave, I am sure you would welcome our Quest, but we cannot have too many mouths at this time.”
“So be it. You have already been kind enough to give us passage,” Hallorn said and then got up and left.
“Well?” d’Gaz asked.
“He is right, we could use the help of the Stormclouds,” Bell said.
“But aren’t they mercenaries?” Kaitlin asked.
“They are, but they fight the Chinerthians every chance they get.”
“Freedom fighters,” Dad said.
“Yes,” replied Bell.
“With or without their help, what do we do?” Lucas asked.
“As Btolomy said, we need to free the True King,” Mattaeus said.
“That would just alert the Black Queen,” d’Gaz shook his head.
“No, they will try and solve the problem before they contact higher authorities.”
“No one will want to answer to the Black Queen,’ Lucas smiled.
“No, indeed.”
“Could we also cut off their communications?” Connor asked.
“We could, but again that would risk making the Black Queen aware before we are ready,” Mattaeus said.
“There is nothing we can do that will not arouse the Black Queen at some point,” Bell said.
“Then it is timing,” Alura said. “I think Mattaeus is right that the local authorities will try and solve the problem themselves for as long as they can, that will buy us time to get through the Portal.
“Along the way we cut their communications giving the True King more time to rally his armies, by the time a major Chinerthian force is deployed Sylvae will be ready.”
“It is good, but Sylvae cannot hold a defending pattern forever,” Lucas said thinking of the Mountain City.
“No,” Mattaeus agreed, “but if you can persuade the Hokinoians to join our fight we can push forward.”
“Then we can use the Stormclouds,” Bell said. “Have them as a forward fighting party.”
“It would be well,” d’Gaz agreed.
“What if the True King won’t fight?” Connor asked. “What if he merely wants the Portal himself?”
“That we will not think of,” Kaitlin said quietly.
d’Gaz opened the door and called Hallorn in.
“We will come with you to see Thunderground,” Mattaeus told him.
“It is well,” Hallorn answered. “What are your intentions, may I be so bold?”
“We are here together to destroy the Chinerthian grip and return the Balance,” Bell said and Hallorn looked at each one of them intently.
“Your faces say that this is a True Intent, I believe we can be of service to your Quest.”