Ren
Cray's handmaids served them a breakfast fit for a king.
They started by placing a beautifully painted cup before him, containing a flower bud that blossomed into a lovely yellow flower when one of the handmaids poured hot water into the cup. The flower reminded him of the one Teron had tucked behind Tula's ear back in Andorus.
The tea was followed by tarts, pastries, and fresh fruit.
Sure Cray didn't mind to splurge her gold. Neither on luxuries nor on Dark Water. Ren shivered. What would have Cray done with the gold from the royal coffers had his father chosen her to be his queen?
His father and Cray. Ren couldn't deny the woman made him feel uneasy. He didn't know whether it was the way she looked at him, or the fondness in her voice when she spoke of the Dark Water. Tula had the very same feeling about Cray, and he trusted her.
In any way, they'd soon be heading away from Cray's lonely palace.
Ren scarfed down his second piece of lemon tart and licked his fingers. The sun was shining outside the walls of the palace, and he couldn't wait to set sails.
"An auspicious day for sailing," he said.
Ioz glowered at him from behind his teacup.
"What?" Ren asked.
"Have you perhaps reconsidered the offer?"
Ren closed his eyes and took a long, deep breath. "My answer remains the same, Ioz."
The pirate shrugged. "As you say."
That was all the conversation they had until they were finished with their food.
"I will go and get Tula!" Niddler said, and after seizing what must have been his tenth lemon tart he was gone.
The tension was so strong Ren could almost touch it. He could feel Ioz was not in the mood to talk, and he tried his best to keep his mouth shut before he finally gave up.
"Whatever Cray is willing to give you, I'll give you double the amount when I'm king."
Ioz snorted at that, and something in Ren's chest ached.
"Don't you trust me?"
Ioz sighed. "I do, Ren."
"Then what?"
It took a painful while before Ioz answered, "Double the amount, Ren? Ay, I'll take it."
Ren nodded. "Just think about all the things-"
"Ren!" Niddler screeched as he rushed into the room.
Ren jumped to his feet. "What's wrong?"
"Tula," said Niddler. "She doesn't wake up!"
Tula wasn't dead, that much Ren could see, her chest rose and fell with each breath, and her skin was warm. She was alive, but Niddler had been right, she just wouldn't wake up.
"Come on, Tula!" Ren shook her. " Time to go!"
It was useless. Tula didn't respond, her eyes were still closed, her lips slightly parted. It was as if she couldn't hear him.
"Noy jitat, why won't she wake?" Ioz growled.
Ren took another deep breath, he tried to count to ten, keep focused. And the next second he was shaking her again. "Tula! Please!"
"Your pretty friend sleeps the sleep of a thousand dreams, and only I can wake her!"
Ren turned.
Cray was standing at the door, arms crossed and a smirk on her face. Ren jumped to his feet, but Ioz acted faster. He unsheathed his big sword. "The antidote! Now!" he commanded.
Cray didn't flinch. "If you use the blade, Tula will sleep for all time," she stepped forward, head held high. "But if you bring me back Dark Water, I will give you what you need to save her."
For a moment, Ren entertained the thought of pushing Cray into the Dark Water she seemed to love so much. "Why are you doing this?"
Her smirk washed away from her face. "Because you father owes me! And you're the one who's going to pay."
"But Tula is innocent!" he had to clench his fists tight, he had to remind himself that he needed Cray alive.
"It's not the first time an innocent suffers! Here," she unlaced a small container she had tied at her side. "This is made from leviathan skin. It will contain the Dark Water. But be quick," she nodded at Tula. "The longer she sleeps, the harder it will be to waken her."
Ioz placed his sword back in the scabbard and snatched the container from her hand. Ren turned back to look at Tula still asleep on the bed. She had been right, Cray was as dangerous as she was crazy, he should have listened to her.
"I'll bring you your Dark Water, Cray. But be sure, anything happens to Tula while we're gone," Ren seethed. "I swear it on my father's name, I'll make you drink the Dark Water until the very last drop."
Cray laughed in response. "Until the very last drop, Prince Ren."
They sailed east, taking on the same course where they had encountered the Dark Water the day before. Ren tightened his grip on the wheel as he glared at the sea, trying not to dwell too much on the thought he should have never saved Cray.
The sun was high in the sky when Ioz shouted. "Dark Water! Starboard bow!"
"Quick Ioz take the wheel, hard to starboard, as close as you can."
Ioz cursed, shook his head and then cursed some more. For a heartbeat, Ren feared his crewmate was going to just throw him overboard and sailed as far away as he could from there. It would have been the smartest choice after all.
"Be careful, Ren." Ioz finally said as he took Ren's place at the wheel.
Ren braced for the worst part, informing Niddler on what to do. He had placed the fourth Treasure in a pouch, which he handed to Niddler now. The monkeybird cocked his head.
"Here's the Treasure, Niddler. All you have to do is let it touch the Dark Water. But be careful, one drop can be deadly!"
Niddler grabbed the pouch, but still, he hesitated.
"It's for Tula," Ren said.
"Ay, and don't forget, I expect ten... Twenty... A hundred minga melons for this!"
Ren nodded, and as Niddler soared skywards he went to fetch the harpoon from which the container of leviathan skin dangled. Ren was ready and walked to the railing.
Ioz had managed to steer the Wraith as close as possible to the Dark Water, and Niddler too had acted fast. Ren watched him plunge the pouch containing the Treasure into the Dark Water. Smoke rose from it, together with a blood-chilling screech. Ren tried to ignore it and, leaning out from the railing, he held out out the harpoon. Once the bag of leviathan skin had sunk into the Dark Water, he pulled.
The Dark Water didn't give in easily, trying to swallow the harpoon; Ren pulled harder and almost felt down on his backside when the Dark Water finally let go. He quickly checked the container. His plan had worked out and Ren hurried to lace the cork in place. The bag jerked in his hands, like a demon fighting to break free. It took all of his willpower not to toss it back into the sea.
"I can't imagine what good Cray can do with this!" he said.
"But at least Tula will be safe!" answered Niddler.
That was what Ren hoped, but he did not dare to voice any of his worries as Ioz steered them back to Cray's citadel.
"I knew you could do it, my boy!" Cray's eyes were gleaming. She had snatched the container away from Ren's hands and was now cuddling it in her arms as if it were a baby. The view repulsed him.
"What about the antidote?" Ren asked, ready to wrap his hands around her throat at the first sign of betrayal.
Cray produced a vial from one of her large sleeves. "Tell Tula good morning from me!" She said before leaving.
Ren didn't waste any more time on her. He hurried back up the staircase to Tula's sleeping quarters.
That was when the realization struck him. Cray had planned it all along. He remembered the way she'd insisted for Tula to sleep alone, separated from the rest of her crew. Rage boiled inside his chest, but he had to stay focused. He would give Tula the antidote and then they would leave, immediately, leaving Cray alone with her Dark Water forever.
Tula was still where they'd left her. Ren sat on the mattress at her side, uncorked the vial and place it on top of her mouth as Niddler held her head up.
Then they waited, and each second felt like a noose tightening around his neck. What if the antidote didn't work? What if Cray had been wrong, what if she didn't have an antidote after all?
Tula's moan breached through his thoughts. He looked at her, her eyes were still closed but her lips quivered.
"She's coming around!" he said. And at that, Tula opened her eyes. They were heavy, lost. But she was awake.
"Oh," she moaned, blinking. "What," she paused to take a breath. "Happened?"
Ren placed a hand on her cheek. "You're safe."
She squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to rise. "I'm... So tired."
"You're tired? We've been doing all the work!" said Niddler.
"Stay here," Ren gently squeezed her shoulder. "I'll get some water."
He left the room and managed to make it all the way through the corridor before he slumped against the wall. Ioz, Tula, and Niddler had joined him knowing the dangers that lay ahead; still, it didn't make it any easier for him to know they were not safe. And if anything would ever happen to them...
Ren shook his head and pulled himself together. There must have been a kitchen where he could get water from near the dining room; he headed there.
"Ren!" a voice as soft as silk called his name.
At first, he thought it was one of the handmaids, but the girl that he saw walking towards him was definitely not one of them.
She was undeniably beautiful, a waterfall of blond hair washed down her shoulders, framing her lovely face. She carried herself with light and fluid steps, her hips swaying ever so slightly under her blue gown.
"What do you think?" a smile shone on her face as she spun around, her blue skirt floating like the waves.
"Who," Ren stammered. "Who are you?"
She took his hand in hers and pulled him. "Come into the sunlight where you can see me better!" He let her lead him all the way to a balcony. "Now, how do I look?"
"Uh, very pretty... Do I know you?"
"Of course!" she placed her hands on his shoulder. Her blue eyes beamed as she said, "Now you can see why getting the Dark Water was so important to me!"
Ren gasped, that couldn't be.
"Cray?" He studied her face and felt his legs trembling. The girl couldn't be any older than twenty, but those cheekbones, the curve of her nose, the way she smiled. He had seen them before. "But... How?"
"I used it in a potion!" Cray giggled. "Oh, don't look so fearful, this is destiny, don't you see?" She placed a hand on his neck, and Ren cringed at the feeling of her fingers on his skin. With a finger, she traced a line down to his shoulder blade. "How else can it be that I've been given a second chance to marry the Prince of Octopon."
Ren took a step back. "Marry? What are you talking about?"
Cray sighed and took a step forward cutting the distance between them. "Your strength," she placed a hand on his chest and toyed with the buttons of his vest. "My power. Your nobility," she got closer. "My beauty," she purred. "It's a timeless match." With that, she stepped on her toes. Ren had enough time to realize she was going to kiss him, and he moved away.
"Now, hold on, hold on," he stammered as he tried to put as much space as he could between the two of them. "I- I've got to get back to my friends, our quest-" It was not until he bumped against the rail of the balcony that he realized he'd chosen the wrong direction.
Cray approached him, her smile still shining on her face. "Yes, the quest! You don't need Ioz, or the bird or... That fool girl. Not with my powers! We can do it together!" Once again she laid her hands on him. "Just you and me, Primus."
Primus.
Ren shoved her away. "It's Ren."
She gasped. "Yes! Ren, of course. I know who you are!"
Ren walked away from her. This was enough, he'd had enough of this crazy woman.
"Ren, wait!" she cried out.
Not a chance. He would get his crew, sail away, and perhaps one day he would forget Cray ever existed.
"Ren!"
Ren sped all the way back to Tula's sleeping quarters. He sighed when he saw his shipmates.
"Where did you go for that water, Janda Town?" Ioz grunted.
"We've got a problem. It's Cray!"
"What magical mischief is she up to now?" asked Tula, still lying on the bed.
"Leave them out of this, Ren!"
Ren froze at the sound of her voice. She was standing in the doorway, her hands on her hips, head held high.
Tula gasped. "What in the name of Mer?!"
"Tell me it's the light!" Niddler squawked.
"You all have my most sincere gratitude for escorting the Prince of Octopon safely home. Now, it is time for you to take your leave. You shall be given-"
"You're not seeing things clearly!" Ren had tried to keep calm, but the situation had gotten so quickly out of hand he couldn't help but shout. "This love between us doesn't exist. We're strangers! You can't bring back the past!" He stressed every word to make sure it seeped through her thick skull.
For a moment, Cray was quiet, before she broke loose. "Understand this, my prince!" she yelled. "I will not be scorned twice!"
Too late Ren saw her reaching for something from under her sleeve. He saw her toss something on the floor. There was an explosion and then a smoke rose, engulfing the room. And Ren couldn't see an inch from his nose.
He heard Ioz curse and the sound of the mattress creaking as Tula sprung up from the bed.
Ren felt something brushing along his leg, and he was too used to Niddler using him as a shield in time of danger to notice this time it was not the monkeybird who had his hands on him.
His heart stopped dead in his chest. Ren reached for his pouch but it was not there at its place anymore.
"She's got the Treasure!" he shouted.
The sound of the door of the room slamming followed. Ren heard the distinct sound of a lock being shut.
"There will be no quest, my love!" Cray declared from the other side of the door. "You're staying with me!"
It took several minutes and as many curses for the smoke to finally dissipate through the window.
Ren sped to the door, trying the handle. It was locked. He kicked it, kicked it again and cursed till they could hear him all the way to the depth of the abyss.
"That's useless, Ren," said Tula.
"Is there another way out?" he asked.
Niddler went to the window. He saw him trying the bars, but Ren didn't dare to hope they would move. Then Niddler screeched. "Not through here, especially now!"
Ioz walked to the window and shot a look outside. "By Daven's beard, just about our luck!"
A roar echoed from the sky, and Ren didn't need to go and have a look outside to see who had just found Cray's palace. That roar couldn't belong to anything else than a dagron.
Bloth had finally caught them.
Konk
Konk had been riding his dagron for hours, he was tired and his back hurt. But Bloth had sent him and Mantus scouting for Ren and his mates, and Bloth had also said that if they were to come back without news of their whereabouts, Bloth would flog Mantus and throw Konk to the Constrictus.
One day Konk would kill the Constrictus, but now he would keep his backache and keep on searching for Ren.
The dagron stank. He stank more than the brig of the Maelstrom. But Konk was getting used to it. Riding dagrons was an honor, it was a very important task, and Konk was getting more and more important lately.
Konk was very tired though, and even if he fought hard to keep his head straight, he felt like dozing off. And he must have, at some point, cause he jerked awake when Mantus cried out, "There they are!"
And Konk saw it too. The Wraith.
She was a beauty, a ship fit for an important man like Konk. Maybe one day Bloth would give her to him. Yes, Konk would bring back Ren and his friends and he would get the Wraith in return.
Mantus landed with his dagron on the deck as Konk waited in the sky. Mantus always wanted to do all the work for himself. It was fine for Konk, Mantus made things easy. He saw Mantus mounting back on his dagron and soar in the sky. "They're not here!" he shouted. "Follow me."
Konk did as Mantus commanded. One day, somebody would do as Konk commanded.
They flew around a stone palace that rose on top of a cliff. The building was high, but it didn't seem very rich. Just a bunch of rocks.
At times Konk dreamed about the palace he would build himself, once Bloth would repay him for the hard and faithful work. It would be like a royal palace, with lots of windows and lots of paintings. Konk was still not sure about what kind of paintings he wanted on the walls. Something colorful.
They landed right in front of the palace. Mantus didn't have enough time to dismount when the doors opened.
A girl stood there, her face was pretty but Konk didn't like her anyway.
"What business brings dagron riders to my citadel?" she asked. She looked very annoyed. The fool wench should have been scared.
"We've come to claim the boy. And all of his cargo," said Mantus.
"Ren is my prisoner. And as for his Treasures, they're mine!"
Usually, people, especially girls, were scared of Mantus. This little wench had courage, Konk would give her that. But Konk would slit her throat anyway if it came to that.
"And how do you intend to stop us?" Mantus roared. Konk saw his hands reaching for the short swords. Mantus was good with his swords. Enemy underestimated him because he was as thin as a skeleton, but Mantus was fast. Very, very fast.
The wench was faster.
Konk saw her reach for something from under her sleeve and then she flung it on the ground. Then there was an explosion and a lot of smoke. Both their stupid dagrons reared sending both Konk and Mantus splashing into the sea.
Now Konk was really angry.
"What wizardry is this?" Mantus yelled.
Konk would make the girl regret the day she decided to challenge them. "Your tricks may stop us, but not captain Bloth!" She would die right there of fear.
But the stupid wench's eyes grew as big as the moons, and she cupped her chin with her hand.
"Captain?" she asked, musing. "A captain? Perhaps we can strike a bargain after all!"
"She wants me to what?!" Bloth's fist slammed down on the table, and Konk took a step back.
"Perform a marriage ceremony for her," replied Mantus. His voice was as ever calm and collected. Mantus always managed to keep his back straight and head high while talking to Bloth. Konk wondered how Mantus was still alive.
But Konk was not a coward and he would prove it to the captain. He cleared his throat and will his voice to be steady. "She says she'll give the Treasures to the captain who marries her and Ren." Konk's good leg started to shake.
"She will, eh?" Bloth shouted. But then he went silent and sat back down.
After a moment, Bloth reached for his goblet and took a sip of wine. Bloth drank the best red wine they had stowed on the Maelstrom. One day Konk would have it too.
"By Goda's guts, I'll do it!" he finally spoke. A smirk was on his blue lips. "The poor groom... It'll be the shortest marriage on record!"
The next chapter of a Drop of Darkness will be up on July 23
