-Callia-

  My family was shocked when I expressed my plan to join the guard team for the fishermen. It wasn’t a recoil in a revulsion kind of shock, but we had been distant with the fishing communities ever since Dad was injured. However, my brother was eager to support my idea. Despite being in the only town in the entire kingdom that actively fishes, we had never learned how people pull in fish that hold ‘supernatural’ power. With me taking an interest in joining, he seemed excited to see how his skills could apply to sailing.

  I don’t think Callen even realized the mayor had almost unloaded all public work onto him. He was being pulled in all sorts of directions by the community to solve problems, and even his free time was being eaten entirely by what most would consider a normal job. I didn’t feel like breaking it to him, but it did mean he wouldn’t have time to join, and that meant he wanted me to share everything I experienced with him.

  The next day was a slog talking to the various captains to see who was willing to bring an extra out. Turns out each ship had a culture of their own. The time in port would only be a week or so out of a month, and the crew weren’t just companions but families that grew up on the sea. Bringing on someone new was like inviting someone into the family, and while it was normal for the knights to rotate their schedule with them, guests in their ship were rare. I had almost given up when an offhand comment mentioning Callen’s interest flipped their attitudes.

  Turns out bringing on an extra who might very well be a burden wasn’t acceptable, but Callen was Master Yoren’s apprentice, who was a longtime friend of their community. The main reason to return to port for monthly visits was so Master Yoren could repair or replace old runes that helped hide the ship's presence on the water. Plenty of their families had sought tutorage but were often denied since growing up on a ship meant helping maintain the ship and all the foundational skills that entailed. Some children did learn the basics of runecraft, which helped in emergencies, but never enough to properly maintain their vessels.

  In the end it came down to the desire for new tools that Callen might create that got me a position as a guard and passenger onboard the ‘Wave Rider.’ It was a decent-sized ship with two large masts that I think would be called a Schooner on earth. Captain Torrents took me through the ship, giving me a full introduction. The ship was built entirely around a single heavy ballista equipped with a massive harpoon. When finding a target, they would shoot a volley from the multiple ships. If the fish fled, they would be pulled along, wearing out their prey, and if the fish retaliated, the knight and guards on standby would take advantage of the fish, which would be unable to escape.

  For some reason the fishermen had been under the assumption I’m an evasion dexterity knife fighter. Apparently the only thing they knew about me was my performance in the child's league one-on-one fights, and they had thought my style was great against people and small monsters but unsuitable for big hunts. Learning my focus was archery seemed to shift their perspective of me some, but I could tell they were concerned I was spreading myself thin.

  My examination of the giant harpoon launcher showed the work of Master Yoren with his runic language. Callen had warned me a long time ago to never write or speak in English, or there might be some impact on his runecraft. At the very least it was easy for me to read whatever he does, but I have no idea what the giant folded-up ballista does other than the obvious. The ship itself was heavily fortified against forward movement and had easily accessible handholds almost everywhere in the ship. For some reason it gave me the feeling of the whaling dinghies I saw in Moby-Dick, which would have a man throw a harpoon into the whale. I suppose hunting giant fish has similarities to whaling.

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  The day we gathered to set off, Callen handed me his latest work: a heavy bow built with parts from the smaller bear we had fought and a set of arrows carved from the bones. All were clearly Runic except the bow, which he had enchanted to have variable draw weight. I gave him a huge bear hug. My new bow might be on par with the kind of equipment knights would use. Sir Eira broke up a moment, ruffling my hair and commenting.

  “That’s a good bow. If you get the chance, I would pay for a piece like that when we get back.” The knight shamelessly covets my shiny new bow, but before I can speak up in defense of my possession, Callen responds.

  “Keep an eye out for my sister, and I’ll make you one for your return.” I feel a bit embarrassed, especially when the knight breaks into laughter and ruffles my hair again.

  “It’s a shame I didn’t hear about an up-and-coming archer like her. Didn’t even know she was an archer until I saw you two during the invasion incident. Might be a bit late to take her as an apprentice, but I wouldn’t be against showing her just what a knight who specialized as an archer can do.” The two of them seem to be getting along well, so I break up their chatting with a declaration of my own.

  “I’ll show you just what I can do out there! The first to get the killing shot is the better archer and has to admit their defeat to the other.” I didn’t really think through my challenge. After getting into so many fights with Callen, this is the first time I felt I had been provoked into one that I might not be ready to face. Especially when a cocky smirk formed on Sir Eira’s face.

  “It’s been a long time since someone challenged me in archery! I happily accept, but don’t worry, I won’t ask you to do anything when I win. I’ll just have your brother make me some arrows as compensation. Getting worthy equipment is a real challenge for any knight, but it seems our town might just be having a change in fortune in that department.”

  As Sir Eira finishes their comment, the captains begin calling down for everyone to board. I watch from the side of the ship as Mom, Callen, Rylin, and all my sisters wave me off. Soon we pass the Wither Tree’s island and step out into the seas beyond our little sanctuary.

  Baron Eldraine

  For a couple months after sending away that irritant, Fullart; Baron Eldraine relaxed into his activities, but the discontent seemed to only grow worse. Paranoia grew in his heart, and thoughts that he previously didn’t even consider snuck in. Like the idea that the man might’ve lied about the woman dying in the monster tide. It was like a tick on the back of his head, the thought that Fullart might’ve played him for a fool.

  Secretly he ordered a merchant to confirm among the locals the condition of Sir Marek’s family. The news he received of that man's son rising in status as the town's anticipated future mayor made his blood run cold. Sir Fullart had dared to defy him. The knight notorious for his strict and upright nature had dared to lie, so how many others would? Could he trust his knights? What about the servants? Could he even truly trust his favorite partners?

  No! He couldn’t just let this fear consume him. Instead, he could set an example. Make it so nobody will dare defy him. In fact, he already had the perfect target. That insolent town that had thrown out his envoys and inspired his most righteous knight to lie. That insolent little town didn’t even have a noble ruler! However, he couldn’t just raise his men without reason. The fool Grimmark had tried assembling men, and it had triggered the duke's men to eliminate him.

  He called in the messenger. He wouldn’t act yet, but informing the duke of his intent to assemble a force to clear a rebel should clear any issues there. He should have permission and the preparations complete to deploy his punitive force within a month. The thought of finally having the object of his growing obsession sent eager shudders through his fattened body.