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SOUND TRAVELS ON WATER for miles. Though their campfires were hidden, a loud voice would give them away and so Barin had ordered silence. He wouldn’t finalize his strategy until he had the sword in hand, and his magician at his side. He needed the option of surprise.
He paced along the waterfront, rubbing his hands together and keeping a keen eye out for the boats from Cho Nisi. Neal’s fleet moored along the coast, concealed from the enemy by huge cliffs that made up the bay. However, Barin had an excellent view of any activity in the water to the south from where Arell and Kairos would come.
And he needed them now.
“Hurry,” he whispered to himself. This confrontation must happen before dawn, and his soldiers still had an hour’s ride by horseback to the wharf near Stahlberg. He suppressed the thought that maybe Kairos and Arell weren’t coming or that the island had been attacked again. He wouldn’t hear of it. Yet time was of the essence, and he’d have to leave without them if they didn’t show soon.
When three small boats passed into the starlight in the distance, Barin pulled out his spyglass. There was no mistaking Kairo’s slender form, nor feathers the Cho Nisi warriors wore. He exhaled and bit his lip and followed raced on shore to meet them. When they neared, he waded into the water and helped pull the first boat to shore. The elders pulled the other boats in.
As soon as Arell and Kairos disembarked, he gave them each a warm embrace.
“Where’s Erika?” he asked.
“Home,” Arell said.
Barin would have liked to have had his sister come. She was a valuable warrior and he had so many questions for her.
“It’s just as well, I suppose,” he relented, knowing that she was needed on the island. “We’re not sure what we’re up against. Did you bring the sword, Kairos?”
Kairos glanced at Arell and Barin held his breath. The wizard shook his head.
No sword?
“What?”
“The sword was not in the dungeon, Vasil,” Kairos said, unable to meet his eyes. “It was stolen.”
“You’re jesting.”
“No. I’m serious,” Kairos answered.
“How? How did anyone get into the dungeon to steal it?”
Kairos shook his head. “That is unknown. I’m sorry. I did what I could.”
Barin pivoted away from them and paced back and forth by the fire. What defense did he have without some sort of magic for protection?
“Is there anything else you can tell me, Kairos?”
Kairos only shrugged.
“You searched in the dungeon?”
“It wasn’t there. Gone. The gateway doors were melted, milord. The dungeon was broken into.”
“We think the Keeper took it,” Arell added quickly. “At least, we hope he did. What else could have melted iron bars? Maurice is gone also.”
“Maurice?” Barin asked. Why would my nephew have disappeared?
“We think he contacted the dragon,” Arell added. “It’s speculation, but that is our hope.”
“Your hope? That sword was our shield. We cannot survive on hope.”
“You’re right,” Arell agreed and the two stared at each other. Barin had no answers, but they had already made their move. There would be no turning back.
“I’m sorry,” Kairos said again and seated himself by the fire, a forlorn look on his face.
“It wasn’t your fault,” Barin mumbled. “Come, sit with me over here. It would be better to discuss our options away from the soldiers.” Barin led them to a smaller campfire by his tent. and offered Arell a handshake and a hug.
“It’s been a long time. I’m sorry we must meet under these conditions,” he said.
“As am I,” Arell agreed.
“So here we are. No island enchantments, no magical sword. We are facing half a dozen or more wizards pilfering our wine and our women.”
“Our women?”
“Anna,” Barin said. “She’s been kidnapped. They’re holding her for ransom on one of their ships.”
“Yes, Kairos told me. I wasn’t aware that you had a relationship with her.” Arell said.
“It’s been hot and cold over the years. I’ve made some mistakes.”
“And so has she,” Kairos reminded him.
“Regardless, we can’t let her suffer. If nothing else, she’s a citizen of the kingdom. We must free her and regain what they’ve stolen.”
“And you’re sure they’re the perpetrators?” Arell asked.
“All signs lead to it. If you know something that I don’t, tell me now.”
“I know nothing,” Arell admitted.
“Whatever we decide must be done quickly. But I’m not sure how we’re to survive without supernatural assistance.” He looked at Kairos who shuffled nervously on a stump. As much as Kairos lacked confidence, he had always come through for the king’s army and under the direst of circumstances. Surely, he would have a trick up his sleeve this time as well.
“Don’t look at me,” Kairos muttered. “I told you I have little power to combat those wizards. The best I can do is tell you when to duck.”
Barin sighed and buried his head in his hands.
“The element of surprise might help to save Anna,” Arell suggested. “Sneak onto the ship, find her, and slip overboard in the dark. That at least could be accomplished.”
As much as he intended to save Anna, it was not the prime purpose of bringing the whole of his navy and his foot soldiers here.
“What about retrieving the Cho Nisi magic?” Barin rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s why you’re here. That’s why the elders have come.”
“What were you going to do with the sword?” Kairos asked.
Barin thought for a moment. He wasn’t sure. Kairos had been the one who insisted he needed it. He looked up at the stars.
“You say the Keeper might have taken the sword?” Maybe there was still hope.
“I spoke with the Seer. She wouldn’t give me definitive answers, but she led me to believe there was a connection between Maurice’s disappearance and the Keeper.”
“That the dungeon gates were melted makes me think maybe—.”
“The Keeper knows all the secrets of that sword and the magic it holds. When I used it, it put up a shield of protection around us that withstood the wizards from the Neverworld. With that sort of protection, we could stand against their power while the elders do what they need to do. But if the enemy has the sword...” he met Arell’s eyes. “Then it’s the end.”
Barin slapped his knees and stood.
“So! We’ll have to work quickly with what we have. Neal is preparing the ships for an affront. The plan is to encircle the enemy, get them to meet us on shore, and pay the ransom. Once Anna is safe, we can work on getting the magic back.”
The elders had surrounded them. The dark marks on their faces and their grim expressions gave Barin pause. He had great respect for these men. He nodded to one of the elders.
“Welcome, Cho Nisi.”
“We will have our drums to beckon the winds. No one knew anything about a ransom.” Abenda, now the chief of the Cho Nisi, spoke in a low monotone voice.
Arell turned and talked to them in their own language. A few elders looked his way, but most of them stood stoically and occasionally glanced at Barin. The men finally walked to the campfire where the soldiers offered them food.
Barin’s voice softened.
“Arell, have the Cho Nisi follow our ships. I don’t want anything to happen to them. Did you bring the gold?”
“It’s in the boat.”
Barin ordered one of his soldiers to procure the money.
“When do you plan on leaving?” Arell asked.
“Now. We were waiting for you. I and the soldiers will ride by land, contact them from on shore, pay the ransom, and get Anna someplace safe. I’d like you to come with me, Kairos.”
The wizard bowed.
“Once that’s done, we’ll give a signal for Neal to attack. I don’t see attempting to retrieve the magic without a surrender first,” Barin said.
“You see the fleet victorious, then?”
“I must see it that way, Arell. We have no choice. We fight until we’re victorious.”
Arell and the wizard gave each other a doubtful glance. He understood why. Kairos was the only magic he had.
“What’s my role in this?” Arell rubbed his hands over the fire.
“Stand by. Act when needed. I wish I could tell you more, but I need you watching and stepping in if there are any holes in my plan. Honestly, Arell, I don’t know who or what we’re up against. If they’re wizards from the Neverworld, then they are unpredictable. And now they have —” he sighed. “Now they have the power of the universe at their fingertips. This could be the end of us all.”