It comes down to the decision of four free men
Chapter 4 - Part 2 (Voyage of the Dawn Breaker)
“Well, that was unexpected,” Marcus commented from the back of the room, where he and the other freeholders had just entered.
“Was it truly?” Lilly asked as she half-turned in the chair to stare at the ranger.
Marcus shook his head. “It was bound to happen; I didn't think it would happen this fast.”
“I'm surprised it took this long,” Analise commented with a knowing smile. “I'll wager that Rhys will have his hands full.”
“You hush,” the draoidh wagged his finger at the bound taghta, who giggled as she settled back on her knees. With the irrepressible woman under a semblance of control, Rhyslin gestured for Torval and K'tek to approach the table.
“What's up, sir?” Torval, the dark-skinned Ciad-Ghin, inquired as he reached up and pushed the hood of his cloak down around his shoulders.
The second freeholder looked around the room, noting the three Ciad-Ghin queens and the two taghta before removing his helm and revealing his infernal nature. “Seann Mhadadh-allaidh said there was something you wanted us to look at.”
Rhyslin pointed to the document spread across the table: “The Clann na coille and clann an-Fhàsaich wish to join the Saor-shealbhan.” The two soldiers, both freeholders, listened without comment, and when Rhyslin continued, “If you think that they'll make a good addition, feel free to sign.”
K'tek carefully took the fragile quill between his fingers and signed his name before offering it to his companion. Torval accepted the instrument and held it as he watched the two women he'd never met.
Allanagh seemed fascinated by his appearance, while Ilyriatri tried and failed to hide a faint blush.
Noticing Allanagh's interest, he nodded in her direction. “It seems that you have a question.”
Allanagh bit her bottom lip as she asked, “What clan do you come from?” She blushed slightly. “I've never met a Ciad-Ghin with such dark skin.”
“I am leanabh a' ghainmhich loisgte[1],” he replied with a smile.
Allanagh blinked and then looked at Ilyriatri as if comparing the man's almost black skin to Ilyriatri's dusky brown skin. Her 'sister' rolled her eyes and shook her head. “T'or'val, I wondered what had become of you,” she commented as she looked up at him.
“Ily'riat'ri,” his smile deepened. “It has been how long, almost eighteen years?” At her nod, he stated, “I left the burning sands and made my way to the Saorsa. I now have my land, home, and good people who live and work there.” He watched her as he signed the document with a practiced flourish. “I think that you'll like being part of the Saor-shealbhan.”
Almost eighteen years? Rhyslin had always wondered why Torval had left his home. His musing was cut short when Natolie poked her head into the chamber. “The Dawn-Breaker has been sighted. She is approaching from the North-East and is coming in for a landing near the battle site.”
“Why would she be trying to land? There's not a docking frame here,” Rhyslin said, rising to his feet. “Could she be damaged?”
Natolie shrugged, “I couldn't tell. She's still too far up.”
Rhyslin frowned and stated, “Let's get to the walls.” Then, after grabbing his staff, he slipped the hat on his head.
“There she is,” Marcus, who had the best eyesight, pointed to a spot just above the treetops. They stood atop the wall, peering up into the cloudy afternoon sky.
“Where?” Rhyslin looked around, “I don't see her.”
“She disappeared into the clouds,” the ranger followed the ship's course with his finger.
The draoidh followed the finger with his eyes, squinting as the ship came into view. “I see her now.” The ship was still too far away to see clearly, though Rhyslin could watch her path. When the ship suddenly lurched to the right, he leaned against the waist-high crenelation. “How does she look?”
Marcus was peering at the ship through his spyglass. “No damage to the fore. Foremast and sail look good.” The ship adjusted course to port, allowing the ranger to report, “Main mast and sail look okay, same with the mizzen mast and sail. The stun sails and booms look good.” He moved the spyglass along the side and to the aft. “Rudder looks good.”
Rhyslin nodded, “So, it's not structural or mechanical.” He watched as the ship jerked to the left and drifted starboard.
“If it's not structural or mechanical, what's left?” Natolie mused as the ship suddenly shot up fifteen feet.
Rhyslin watched the ship. “If it's not structural or mechanical, it must be draoidheil.” He winced as the ship jerked to the right and dropped twenty feet. “It almost looks as if the stabilizer is failing.”
“That's not good,” the ranger said. “If that's what it is, can it be fixed?”
“I don't know,” Rhyslin admitted. “The stabilizer is an integral part of the ship.” The draoidh shook his head. “To fix it, I'd have to go all the way to the beams.” As he continued to watch the ship, he couldn't help but wonder if the problem wasn't with the ship itself but rather a piloting problem. What happened to magaidh Meron? The only way to find the answer would be to talk to the captain. “Marcus, do you have your mind-stone?”
“Yep,” the ranger affirmed, “Who do you want me to talk to?”
Rhyslin eyed the ship. “Captain O'Cuire. We must find out who is piloting the ship before they accidentally capsize.”
“Gotcha,” Marcus reached into the pocket of his cloak, pulled out a reddish-gold crystal, and cupped it in his left hand. “O'Cuire.”
[1] Child of the Burning Sands
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Just like that, my thinking about Flur's decision being a bit strange is reflected in others. That earlier note about Rhyslin's distaste of the idea of bonding adds just a touch of discomfort to the process. He'll still do it, it's still part of his duty, but it definitely seems like he's uncomfortable when his power ends up drawing people like Flur to want to submit to him. Seems that way all the more with how Analise teases him for it, too.
I'm curious what's going on with the ship, too, and where this new alliance is going to lead. Chiefly, what conflicts it may draw them into.