The Sargasso Sea, 1786
Outside the ship, the waves were calm and the wind only a breath. The silence only made Mary's cries sharper as they reverberated through the vessel. 00The three other women on board aided her best they could, but the child was early and coming feet first.
"I don't know much about child birthing, sir," the cook's wife said, wringing her blood stained hands. Edward stood before her, sweating in the tropical heat still trapped below deck despite the nightfall. "But, from what I seen, such babes do not live and the mothers...well..."
Nodding furiously, Edward tore the glasses from his face and wiped them clean on his shirt. "So you are saying what? There is nothing to be done for my wife?"
The woman's fleshy lips dropped open but she had no words, only her large blue eyes filled with tears. Edward waved a hand, dismissing her silently. He had no capacity to comfort her grief when his own raged in his chest.
However, Edward Savage was not the type of man accept the inevitable. He got what he wanted. He fought for the legitimacy of his claim in Jamaica from a dead relative and had inherited the wealth there. He had fought through his guilt towards his friend Gilbert, the man's love for Mary Stewart never having been declared, and asked for Mary's hand himself. Gilbert had severed all ties with both of them followed the wedding announcement.
His mind whipped from one possible answer to the next. Magic of course would be the best course of action. But what kind? He dived down into the belly of the ship where the crates holding his precious books of magic were held. He tore open the cover of one, ripping his shirt on the wooden shards. With steady hands, he dug through them until he came upon the strange little volume that he had never returned to Gilbert. It was simply titled Summoning and Binding. He flipped through the chapters, crouched beside the crate. Mary let out another wail and it echoed through the ship. He swallowed down the frantic terror that rose up in his throat and focused on the words in the chapter he read.
He struck a flint and lit the single candle he'd brought with him, murmuring a few words as flame caught.
"What do you want of me, magician?"
Edward sprung to his feet and blinked in awe. A man clad in an armored chest piece with an oxblood cape stood before him, his yellow hair glowing in the dark hold of the ship. Blood smeared his cheeks and his gaze feral.
"I was only celebrating the slaying of my brother in battle. I am that much closer to the throne of Untold-Blessings and you call me away from my fete."
Edward struggled to catch his breath as another scream erupted above them. The prince glared above him with disdain.
"What is this place? It smells like animals."
"I have need of your magic," Edward began tentatively, his hands gripping the open book till his knuckles turned white. "I need you to save my wife."
The prince grinned. "I gather the banshee screaming above us is the lady in question?"
Edward nodded. "She is in labor with our baby."
"Do you wish me to save the child as well?"
"If it is possible, yes."
The fairy nodded grimly. "That will cost you greatly, magician. But I can do what you ask if you are willing to pay."
"Anything, please-"
The fairy held up a hand. "Be careful, mortal, with the words you use among myself and my kin. They may come back to haunt you."
Edward took a shaky breath. "What is it you want?"
The fairy shifted on his feet, moving the silver helmet from one arm to the other as he considered the proposition. He smiled coolly. "I am not like my brothers, I am not snobbish when it comes to my liaisons. And among my people, I am not interested in any of the women. They are all the same, beautiful and dangerous, fodder for human kings. But mortal women...they have always been my weakness. Tell me, your wife... is she beautiful?"