Rescuer's Reward, page 14
part #1 of Sea Mage Cycle Series
Julietta gasped in fright as Anton grazed Jason’s wounded arm. Now it was the Valinarians who cheered in support of their prince, who pressed his renewed advantage. Steel clashed against steel, the ringing blows echoing off the sails and rigging of the Royal Talon where dozens of men shouted with glee.
Julietta couldn’t bear to watch anymore. She looked out over the water just as the wind began to pick up and saw something that made her gape in awe. The tufts of white on the horizon, which she’d taken for clouds, were in fact dozens of ships sailing straight for them, bearing the blue and gold of the Caravelian navy. A deafening boom resounded over the water as magical fire streamed forth from the ships like thousands of falling stars.
“Jason!” Julietta shouted, a renewal of hope surging within her breast. In the very next moment, the fire fell upon them, throwing the Royal Talon into chaos.
Jason
A deafening boom interrupted the duel. The sight of magical fire and approaching ships made Prince Anton’s face whiten, even as Jason took heart. The horizon burst into vivid hues of red, orange, and yellow as the Ebony Eagle surged ahead of the entire Caravelian navy.
Jason chose that moment to redouble the attack. The prince recovered quickly, though, and with only his injured arm free, Jason couldn’t strike hard or fast enough to overwhelm him.
“Prepare for battle!” Anton shouted as the Royal Talon’s mighty defensive wards began to glow under the rain of magical fire. He turned to Jason and scowled. “Enjoy this brief reprieve. It won’t last long.”
“You’re finished, Anton!” Jason shouted. He charged again, his blade aimed right at Anton’s heart. But the prince easily parried the blow and kicked him in the chest, knocking the wind out of him. Jason dropped his blade as he fell to the deck, landing on his injured arm. Pain shot up the side of his body, and for a few moments, all he saw were stars.
If Anton had chosen that moment to strike, it would surely have all been over. But with his fleet under heavy fire, the prince had no choice but to abandon the duel and rush to the upper deck to take command. When Jason’s vision had cleared, all was chaos about him, with soldiers and sailors running in all directions as the men above them barked contradictory orders.
Jason staggered to his feet just as the Talon dipped low beneath an oncoming wave. “Watch out!” someone shouted, and the men all around him braced themselves. He looked up to see a wave bearing down on them with terrifying speed.
There was no time to think, no time to prepare. Jason grasped desperately for something to hold onto, but the force of the water sent him rolling across the deck. He grabbed onto the railing just before he was pitched overboard, but his injured arm was too weak and the pain threatened to overwhelm him.
For several moments, he clung desperately to the edge of the ship, trying to find purchase with his legs. Somehow, he managed to swing up and get one leg back on deck, helping him to roll on board. He lay on his back and gasped for breath, knowing that if another wave hit them, it would surely wash him into the sea.
With the Caravelian navy’s magical fire raining down all around them, the scent of scorched wood and the sound of splintering timbers soon filled the air. The mages of the Royal Talon deflected the worst of the attack, but the ships on their flank were sustaining terrible damage. Black clouds swirled above them as the seas began to churn with elemental magic, and hurricane-force winds threatened to blast down from the sky.
“Raise the barriers!” Anton’s voice boomed over the din of the confusion. “Return fire!” Jason struggled to rise again, but pain shot through his arm, sending him back to his knees.
Julietta
“Jason!”
Julietta pried herself free just as a wave crashed onto the deck. It knocked her down, but at least she was able to scramble to her feet again. Jason was not so lucky.
Her heart lurched as she watched him almost go overboard. She tried to rush over to him, but the press of the water made that momentarily impossible. As soon as she could, she was up and running toward him, heedless of the Valinarian soldiers. Jason swung his leg up and managed to roll back onto the deck, even as Anton shouted orders from above.
“Jason!” she cried, reaching him just as he collapsed again. “Are you all right?”
“Help me,” he said with a grimace, clenching his eyes shut from the pain.
His arm, Julietta realized. She had to free his good arm. With quick and nimble fingers, she tried to attack the knots, but they were too tight for her.
“The sword,” Jason urged. Julietta retrieved it from the deck and began sawing at the cord. The deck pitched beneath them as smoke began to fill the air, but she ignored all that, intent on freeing her beloved from his bonds.
Finally, the rope gave way, and Jason pulled his right arm free. He shook it a little and flexed his fingers to restore the circulation.
“How’s your wound?” she asked frantically. It had bled through his sea-soaked bandage again, which would have to be replaced. She glanced around for something she could use.
“There’s no time,” he told her. “The prince—I have to stop him.”
She nodded and handed the sword back to him. Their eyes locked, and he pressed a quick, grateful kiss to her lips. The fleeting contact sent a jolt of warmth through her, filling her with renewed hope. The next moment, Jason dashed past her, charging up the stairs to confront Anton and finish their duel.
“Finish him, Jason!” Julietta shouted over the din of the battle as their blades clashed once more.
Jason
Jason flew up the stairs to the upper deck of the Royal Talon and charged the prince with a resounding shout. Ignoring the pain of his injured arm, he lunged, sword flashing red from the burning ships on their flank.
“Damn you!” Anton shouted as he parried the blow. His technique was far better than Jason’s, and even with the deck pitching beneath them, his feet danced expertly as he sidestepped and threw a riposte.
But Jason was handicapped no longer, and his strength exceeded that of the treacherous prince. Moreover, he had someone to fight for, someone for whom he cared more than himself. And as he pressed the attack, striking with righteous fury, he took heart from the fear that shone in Anton’s eyes.
“Insolent cur,” Anton snarled, trying in vain to steel himself with rage. But Jason was not deterred.
“It’s over for you, Anton,” he said as he forced the prince to retreat. In his peripheral vision, he saw a ship pull alongside them, sending boarders onto the deck of the Talon.
“Never!” Anton screamed, striking back with renewed ferocity. But Jason sidestepped and threw a riposte that drew blood from the prince’s arm.
“For Julietta.”
“You’ll pay for that!”
“I already have,” said Jason, feeling the sting of his own wounds as their blades clashed again. He risked a glance to the deck below and saw Leona and her men fighting the Valinarian soldiers. The survivors of the Azure Serpent had also joined the fray, with Samuel casting spells that unleashed havoc upon their foes. He couldn’t tell who was winning, though.
The prince held nothing back, and if Jason’s good arm had still been tied behind his back, he surely would have perished. But thanks to Julietta, his arm was now free, and he met and parried all of Anton’s blows.
“Die!” Anton screamed in desperation, but it was soon clear to both of them who had the upper hand. With his superior strength, Jason threw a blow that knocked Anton’s blade out of his hands. Anton’s eyes widened in fear and disbelief.
“It’s over,” said Jason, his blade hovering over Anton’s chest. “Order your men to surrender, or I’ll plunge this sword into your heart.”
The prince blinked and glanced down at the bloodbath down on the deck, the fullness of his defeat suddenly dawning on him.
“Do it now.”
“Surrender!” Anton shouted to his men. They looked up at their disarmed and defeated sovereign and began to throw down their swords. Jason’s men took up a hearty cheer.
“Valinar will never forget this humiliation,” Anton spat.
“I certainly hope not,” Jason said coolly.
Julietta rushed to his side, her bright eyes beaming with an irrepressible smile. “You did it! We’ve won!”
As the white flag of surrender went up the mast, cheers erupted from the other Caravelian ships. The rain of magical fire abated, and the swirling clouds and raging winds dissipated as the chaos of battle died down. Jason couldn’t help but feel a sense of elation at what he and Julietta had accomplished. And as their eyes met, he knew that he wanted nothing more than to have her always at his side.
New Beginnings
Julietta
The wind tossed Julietta’s hair as she surveyed the aftermath of the battle. The once-mighty flagship of the Valinarian navy now flew the flag of surrender, its sails singed and tattered, its crew now prisoners on their own ship. As the sounds of battle faded and Prince Anton slumped in defeat, a profound sense of relief washed over her.
“Callidor!” Leona called cheerfully as she ambled up the stairs to the Royal Talon’s upper deck. “We’ll dump this garbage for you.”
“Thank you,” said Jason, laying down his sword. Julietta slipped her arm into his, and Leona acknowledged her with a respectful nod.
“I hope everything is well, Princess.”
“Never better,” said Julietta, smiling. “But how did you know to come for us? Without your timely aid, we would have perished.”
Leona flashed a smile and withdrew a small whisperstone from her vest. At the sight, Julietta couldn’t help but laugh.
“Of course! I should have guessed.”
“King Leander wasn’t sure whether to press the attack until he heard Anton confess. He’s waiting for you on the Sovereign, by the way. Best not keep him waiting.”
Julietta nodded and shot one final glance at Anton. Defeated and demoralized, he made a pathetic sight. Instead of giving him a parting remark, she decided to save her breath. Together, she and Jason descended to the Talon’s main deck.
“It looks like the fighting is over,” he said softly. “You’re safe to go home, now.”
“Yes,” she agreed, though inwardly her stomach turned in knots. What was to become of them now? Once again, the weight of her duty kept her from feeling in control of her own destiny. For the moment, however, she laid that thought aside.
As they prepared to board the skiff that would take them to meet the Caravelian king, she caught sight of their massive flagship for the first time. The Sovereign cut a majestic sight, the ship’s main sail billowing proudly, a golden lion rampant on an azure field emblazoned on the cloth. As soon as she set foot on it, she would be back in the world of royal courts and kings.
“Shall we, Jules?” Jason asked her. She nodded, and together they climbed down.
Jason
As Jason and Julietta climbed into the skiff, Leona swung off the rigging and leaped aboard to join them, leaving her men behind. Though her smile seemed genuine, she had a mischievous look in her eyes that immediately put Jason on edge.
“Well, Callidor,” she said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Before you meet with King Leander, I believe there’s still a matter we need to discuss.”
“What are you talking about?”
Leona cast a meaningful glance at Julietta. “Please tell me you haven’t forgotten our agreement?”
“Ah,” said Jason, suddenly remembering. It seemed so long ago that he and Leona had agreed to split the reward for rescuing the princess—almost a different life, in fact. He looked out over the waters where his ship had sunk.
“Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I haven’t forgotten our agreement. We’ll split the reward for Princess Julietta’s safe return, as promised.” After all, he added silently to himself, it isn’t like that gold is going to bring back the Serpent.
“Excellent,” said Leona, grinning broadly. “I must admit I had my doubts about you, Callidor, but we make a decent team, you and I.”
“I agree,” he said, returning her grin. “Only next time, if I’m to be the bait, please swoop in before they sink my ship.”
Julietta frowned. “You planned all of that?”
“Only that Captain Black would return to Caravelia and summon the fleet. I honestly didn’t think we’d cross paths with the Valinarians again before she arrived.”
“Oh, I did, Callidor,” Leona said with a smirk. “You don’t stay a privateer as long as I have without learning to plan for the worst—though of course, that doesn’t mean you should ever stop hoping for the best. I had a sneaking suspicion that you’d need us to bail you out before the end.”
“Thanks,” Jason answered.
Leona turned serious as she put a hand on his knee. “I am sorry about your ship, though. Truly, I am. I came as quickly as I could, but —”
“I understand,” Jason told her. “And I don’t blame you for it, Captain. Frankly,” he added, looking at Julietta, “I’m just happy to be alive.”
They soon arrived at the Sovereign. The sailors on board the flagship tossed down ropes to secure the skiff and a ladder to climb onboard. With Jason’s injuries, he needed a little help, but soon, they were all on deck.
King Leander himself waited eagerly to receive them, surrounded by soldiers and courtiers. Though still a young man, he stood taller than all of them. His robes were blue and gold, with the Caravelian coat of arms sewn into the design. His sword was sheathed in a bejeweled scabbard, while on his head, he wore a gold crown. His deep blue eyes seemed to pierce right through them.
“Your Majesty,” said Leona, bowing before her sovereign.
“Your Majesty,” said Jason, bowing as well.
“Welcome,” said King Leander, motioning for them to rise. He turned to Julietta. “I am pleased to see that you are well, Princess.”
“Thank you, King Leander,” she replied as she gave him a curtsy. King Leander returned the gesture with a nod before turning again to Jason.
“And I understand that you, Captain Callidor, played a crucial part in her rescue.”
“It was my pleasure, sir. I only ask that justice be done for my men, who sacrificed so much.”
“As have you, Captain. Your courage and strength have not gone unnoticed. Thanks to you, Prince Anton’s attempts to start a war between our nations have been thwarted. For that, your brave actions have more than merited this reward.”
King Leander drew his sword, the steel glinting in the sunlight as he raised it to his face. “Kneel before your king,” he commanded.
Jason’s breath caught in his throat. He glanced uncertainly at Julietta, who seemed just as surprised as him. Unsure what to expect, he knelt on the wooden deck, as all around them, the soldiers, sailors, and courtiers looked on.
“Jason Callidor, for your unwavering courage, sacrifice, and service, I hereby make you a Knight of the Kingdom of Caravelia.” He tapped Jason’s shoulders with the flat of his sword. “Arise, Sir Jason Callidor.”
Jason’s throat suddenly felt dry, and when he rose to his feet, he felt as if he were floating. He looked to Julietta, unsure whether to believe this was really happening, but the smile on her face confirmed that it was real—as did the cheers of the crowd. Even Leona Black joined in.
“Well done, Callidor,” she said under her breath. “Well done.”
Julietta
Julietta’s mind raced with the implications of Jason’s knighthood. With his newfound noble status, the gulf between the circumstances of their birth was no longer a barrier for their marriage. Still, her duty as princess weighed heavily on her mind. Her marriage had to secure an alliance for her people, and there was only one way to accomplish that.
“Your Majesty,” she said, careful to keep her voice steady. “May I make a request?”
King Leander regarded her curiously. All around them, the cheers and applause quieted down.
“Of course, Princess. What is it you ask?”
For the barest fraction of a second, she hesitated, hardly daring to give voice to her desire. But she pressed on boldly, knowing that if she didn’t, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
“I ask that you adopt Sir Jason Callidor as your nephew, and grant him your blessing in seeking my hand. By doing so, our marriage will forge an alliance between the Kingdom of Caravelia and the Petty Kingdom of Firenia.”
A stunned silence fell across the deck of the Sovereign. The courtiers exchanged wide-eyed glances, and the sound of hushed conversations began to rumble through the crowd. The audacity of Julietta’s unorthodox request hung in the air, making her cringe. Caravelia was one of the richest kingdoms of the eastern shore, and Firenia was little more than an independent duchy of a distant and fragmented realm.
“Your Majesty,” Jason interjected. “I would never presume to impose—”
“Silence, Sir Callidor,” King Leander commanded. His gaze remained locked on Julietta, whose heart began pounding in her chest. Yet she refused to be cowed by the tension that was rapidly becoming palpable. This might be her only chance to secure both her own happiness along with the welfare of her people—but would King Leander see it the same way?
“An alliance between our kingdoms is an intriguing prospect,” King Leander mused. “But to adopt Sir Callidor as my nephew would place him in line for the throne, should tragedy befall my heirs.”
“Your Majesty,” she pressed, ignoring the disapproval of the crowd. “Sir Callidor has already proven his loyalty to you by sacrificing everything to prevent a disastrous war. I have no doubt that he will continue to serve you faithfully.”
“Would you care to explain why such a union would be beneficial for both our kingdoms?” King Leander asked. His expression was unreadable, though he genuinely seemed to want to hear her out.
