Chapter

Two

The Quiet Earth

In short order Daniels had the crew setting up the rope raft overboard. He doubled-checked the rigging as the other two members of his landing party geared up. He chose Anderson and Spider to accompany him below. They were both invaluable men of the Maiden’s crew, but he couldn’t think of anyone else of the crew he would prefer to have by his side inside hostile territory. So he quite selfishly picked them.

Derrick Anderson walked up to him carrying his massive hammer-axe over his shoulder pointedly leaving sailor’s traditional weapon the bow and quiver behind. He was luckless shot, but Daniels didn’t care. He didn’t bring him along for his accuracy with a bow. Anderson hefted the normally two handed weapon effortlessly in one hand as if it was a simple mending hammer. He was easily the biggest and strongest member of the crew.

Percivel Spindell, the thin wiry old man, made up immensely for his fellow landing party member’s lack of skill with the bow. He was the best shot with either the bow or ballista. A former gamesman, he could set up a snare to catch the stoutest stag or shoot the swiftest bird out of the sky. It was because of these formidable skills that the crew ate much better than the dried rations their meager stores provided. The crew had nicknamed Spider for his abilities. He had become a sailor late in life for some unknown reason. He was the only sailor on the Maiden that had seen more winters than the captain.

The three of them stepped carefully into the liftboat.

“Are you and your men ready?” asked the Captain.

Daniels said, “We are sir.”

“Wait!” called a voice from behind.

Everyone turned to see Windsinger Featherheart striding up to the basket. The mystic stopped between the two men, “Captain Jeffson, Lieutenant Daniels, I would like extend my aid to you during this mission.”

“Your offer is most generous Windsinger, but I believe that your talents would be better served aboard this ship than landing dirt-side,” said the Captain.

“With all due respect good captain,” Featherheart replied, “as the sole member of the mystic guild, it is up to my discretion where my talents are best utilized.”

The Captain’s face flushed and his mouth became thin slit as pressed his lips together. Daniels knew that Jeffson was a good sensible captain, but he didn’t like his ‘suggestions’ to be countered by anyone. As far as Daniels knew members of the mystic guild were dictated by things far beyond sense.

Featherheart smile remain friendly and open. “Dear Captain Jeffson, it is not my wish to spread discord. I have a fondness for the McStead family as well. They had many beautiful singers in their family.” He added solemnly. He shook his head slightly to banish the dark thoughts within. When he looked up his eyes hardened. “Their unwavering kindness named them friends to the brethren of the Mystic Guild. My Guild, as does yours, takes the matter of those who harm our friends very seriously. As the sole representative of my order it is my duty to assist in this investigation.”

The Captain’s face softened slightly. “I believe I understand your point Windsinger Featherheart. As Captain of the Maiden’s Saber and ranking officer present of the Sailing guild, I officially accept your offer of help.” He saluted smartly. Daniels and the men all around them snapped a salute.

Windsinger Featherheart met their salute with a deep formal bow. “May the Skymother always grant you favorable wind.”

“May she always tilt her ear to your voice and offer you praise,” the Captain told him formally.

Featherheart eyes widened. “Thank you for that blessing dear Captain. It has been so long since I heard it. Very few beyond the order of the Mystic Guild know this phrase.”

The Captain nodded and turned back to Daniels. “If you find anything or run into trouble, fire an arrow straight up. We will respond accordingly.”

“Aye Captain,” said Daniels.

With that, both Daniels and Anderson assisted Featherheart into their liftboat. They secured themselves in and Daniels gave the crew manning the rope pulley a thumbs up. The men manning the rope started to lower them down. As they descended the four men swayed pendulum-like in the wind. They all gave the motion little more heed than a tightening their grips on the lift boats sides. Featherheart didn’t even do as much. The mystic simply closed his eyes and sang softly to himself. The sailors scanned the oncoming grounds for trouble.

They were halfway down when Anderson finally broke the silence with his growling voice, “I hope we find the bird droppings that did this.”

Spider grunted, “You might get your chance. I can see some fresh tracks on the ground.”

The other men looked sharply around, but whatever signs Spider saw was elusive to their sight. Spiders own eyes narrowed. “Those are different.”

“What?” asked Anderson as he hefted up his massive hammer-axe.

Spider held his fingers to his lips as he agilely leapt out of the basket the last meter up. He knelt down his fingers touched the ground as if to caress the secrets it held free. The others disembarked from the basket and step back to give him room to work. Daniels tugged on the hoisting rope, and the crew above pulled the liftboat back up.

Spider spoke, “I don’t like these tracks, sir. They have a slightly deeper indentation than their size would indicate, and it doesn’t look like they have any give in their step.”

“What does that mean?” asked Daniels.

Spider picked something off of the ground and showed it to them. It was a broken arrowhead one of the McSteads’ judging by the lack of metal on the tip. Spider said, “I think that whoever made these tracks here was wearing armor.”

“What kind of raiders wear armor?” asked Anderson looking around anxiously.

Daniels shook his head. The trickle of dread began to grow on the edge of his awareness. He shook his head in attempt to dislodge his mind’s unwanted intruder, but it remained firmly anchored to the outskirts of his thoughts. “Let’s keep looking,” he said shortly.

Spider nodded. His eyes had already diverted back to scan their surroundings. He started forward, slowly walking back and forth in a zig zag pattern. He stopped several paces later and knelt between the burned out husks of two buildings.

“Someone fell here.” Spider looked back at them holding a blade of grass tipped with blood, “Whoever it was they were heavy, a large man I think, probably dead. He was dragged this way.” He traced his fingers along the ground for several paces and pointed between a row of houses.

“Follow it,” ordered Daniels.

Spider nodded. “Aye.” He strode down the path without pausing. He pointed at a perch of ground as he passed, “Someone fell there. Smaller slighter build, probably a woman. She was dragged this way too.”

He stopped several houses down. He was looking at heavy gouge in the abode’s frame, “This wasn’t done by any farmer’s weapon or tool.”

Feeling a familiar context Anderson stepped up beside him. “I agree,” he rumbled. “No lumber axe did this. Probably a heavy sword or waraxe.”

Moments later Spider stepped into the clearing at the center of the farmstead, “I believe this is where the heaviest fighting occurred. Many people fell, but . . . that’s . . . odd.”

“What’s odd?’ asked Daniels as he looked around. Here he didn’t need the hunter’s keen skill of observation to recognize the signs of battle. It was all too evident with blood stained ground, broken tools and arrow heads littered about.

Spider took a moment before answering. “There are two sets of tracks.” He pointed off to the side. “These odd sets of tracks here, lead off into the forest. The people they belong to were wearing armor. The other tracks lead that way.”

He was pointing at the smoldering wreckage of the McStead’s family home. It was once the only two story building for leagues, and Old man McStead’s pride and joy. He had built it from the ground up giving it the attention of handcrafted precision. Many of the carpenters on the Maiden explored his home and quizzed the old farmer on his crafting techniques. The elder McStead joyfully instructed them, and because of that the Maiden had benefited from his tutelage.

“I have never seen a better family kitchen,” whispered Anderson.

Daniels looked at him. “Excuse me?”

Anderson stared at the burnt home, “The McStead had the best kitchen I had ever seen. Mayla, Old Man McStead’s wife, told me that her husband built it specially for her. It was beautiful and huge with great big window that overlooked the farm. It had old stone mosaic over the hearth.” He blinked. “She taught me so many fine recipes in there.”

Daniels had forgotten that Anderson spent a majority of his time here in that kitchen. He should have remembered. In addition to being the Maiden’s strongest and arguably toughest fighter, he was also her best cook. He had often spoke of how he only joined the Sailing Guild to experience many far off cultures of the Kingdom. To Anderson that meant food and the best ways to cook it. The entire crew knew that he intended to open a restaurant the day he quit the Sailing Guild.”

Featherheart placed his hand on the larger man’s shoulder. “I remember your time there. Some of the best songs I ever heard here came from their kitchen. When this is over I will sing to the Skymother of their journey into her blessed realm.”

Anderson nodded giving the hand on his shoulder a quick squeeze.

“Daniels,” called Spider.

The Lieutenant approached the hunter kneeling before the smoldering house with an arrow in his hand. “I think you need to see this,” the older man said quietly.

He lifted the arrow up, hefting blackened skull out of the ashes. Daniels suppressed a gasp.

Behind him the other two men felt no such compunctions. Anderson snarled. Featherheart exclaimed, “By the Skymother’s tears!”

The skull was small.

“How old?” Daniels asked in a low voice.

“Six maybe seven.” Daniels vaguely noted that Spider’s words were far too clinical. The older man was working to suppress his own reactions. “It’s not the only one.” He nodded forward and even Daniels untrained eye could see bits here and there that could only be human bones.

Spider stepped away, pointedly turning his back before he spoke. “I think the invaders brought everyone here and set the house on fire.” He turned and looked Daniels dead in the face his eyes grim. “I think they trapped everyone in here whether they were alive or dead.

“What!” demanded Daniels.

Anderson cursed. Featherheart paled.

Spider exhaled slowly then pointed at a place before the ground, “Anderson correct me if I’m wrong, but this spot here was where the Kitchen backdoor was, am I right?”

Anderson squinted taking the whole husk of structure into his eyes. His eyes darkened, “Aye. Why do you ask?”

“It had the largest windows of this home?” Spider pressed.

“Yes. Why?” demanded Anderson.

“It appears that whoever was here. Their armored tracks were amassed here.” He looked across the line of the building, “And everywhere else, if memory serves that there was an exit. I can’t be for certain but it sure looks like they guarded the exits.”

“What kind of monsters would do such a thing!” exclaimed Featherheart.

“I don’t-”

Spider stopped speaking abruptly as his hands blurred and he notched an arrow on his bow. “I think were about to find out,” he said quietly.

Anderson hefted his weapon. “You have contact? Where?”

Spider nodded at a simple cottage ahead, “I saw movement in the window then something reflected light out.”

“Weapon?” asked Anderson.

“Probably,” said the old hunter.

“Only one way to find out,” Daniels said darkly. “Anderson on me, take point. Spider watch our flanks. Mystic Featherheart, I hope it doesn’t breach protocol to ask you if have any songs prepared to help us out?”

“My voice is yours Lieutenant. May the Skymother grant us her favor.” The Windsinger sounded nervous, but resolute.

“Thank you,” Daniels said tightly.

They silently approached the cottage. Several paces out they gave Spider enough room to scan for tracks. He looked up and held up one finger and nodded. An armored raider was inside.

Daniels and Anderson eased up to the door. Daniels looked up at the bigger man and held up three fingers counting down. Two fingers. One. Closed hand.

Anderson whirled around with a speed that belied his size and slammed the top of his hammer-axe into the door.

Crash! The splintered wood imploded inside the cottage.

Anderson was a blur as he followed his weapon into the building. Daniels was an instant behind him. They both froze at the piercing shriek of a child, no of two children.

Someone launched themselves at them. Daniels only caught the sight of a flashing knife before Anderson moved. He swung his hammer round to strike their would-be-assailant.

“What!” Anderson jerked his weapon back throwing himself off balance. He released his hammer-axe and it flew behind him as he caught the knife wielding wrist just before it gored him. Daniels rushed to his side to render aid and his eyes widened in surprise. Anderson was struggling to restrain a little girl who was attacking him rabidly.

“Now see here young lady-” as he grabbed her around her middle he tripped and the three fell backwards on to the ground. Anderson for a wonder was actually trying not fall on her despite her murderous intent. His immense hand wrapped around her wrist. She bit him in the arm. He gritted his teeth and slammed her knife hand down.

“Let go!” he told her.

Daniels pulled her face back. In the light he could see the bloody marks on his crewmen’s skin.

Anderson paid the injury no heed. “I said let go of it, child!”

As he slammed it down the second time the knife skittered across the floor. He pulled her off the floor and held her against his chest, pinning her arms and head. She kicked her dangling legs madly, but he ignored her blows.

Daniels stood up. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

“Lieutenant,” Spider said from the doorway.

“What?” he looked at the hunter who nodded at the floor. He followed his gaze and jumped back as he realized what the three of them had tripped over in their fray. It was the body of a dead man lying in his own dried blood. The dead man was adorned in armor, but not just any armor of a brigand.

“Is that,” Daniels swallowed the hard lump in his throat and finished speaking, “what I think it is?”

Spider kicked the body over onto its back. The dead man’s throat was slit. He took a deep breath and exhaled the air of fear and experience. “Yes. Only the Katanni Infantry wear this armor.

Daniels licked his lips. “But- the Katanni haven’t been on this side of the border for over twenty winters. They haven’t been here since-” He fell silent as his words failed him.

Spider finished. “Not since the war.”

They both stared down at the body. The ramifications of someone in that uniform involved in such an act of violence on this side of the border harbored consequences far too dire for Daniel’s liking.

“Hush child.” The sound of Featherheart voice broke their dark musings. Daniels looked over to see the Windsinger holding a screaming toddler. The young boy was dirty, confused, and frightened but he clutched the mystic with ferocity that was ravenous in his need for comfort. Featherheart obligingly rocked him and the boy buried his dirty face in his robes, “Hush child. You are safe now. You are safe.”

“Let him go!” screeched the girl. She writhed harder than ever to get out of Anderson’s grip. “If you hurt him I’ll-”

“We are not going to hurt him.” Daniels said firmly. He met her gaze. “Nor you. We are here to help.”

She looked at them as if seeing them for the first time. “You . . . don’t look like them.” She nodded to the body.

“We are not with them. We are sailors from the cloud ship the Maiden’s Saber.”

“I’m going to put you down now, Kelly,” Anderson said as he placed her feet on the floor.

She whirled away from him sharply. She paled as she backed away. “How do you know my name?”

Anderson expression was soft. “That’s what your Mema Mayla called you when I first met you half a year back. She taught you and me how to make her apple biscuits together.” He smiled down at her. “You were quite the little cook.”

The girl’s eyes widened in recognition. “M-mister Derrick.”

“Yes child.”

She burst into tears. “Oh! Mr. Derrick!” She rushed towards him, this time seeking the safety of his arms. He scooped her up and held her close, a protective bear over a lost cub.

He rocked her muttering, “It’s okay little one. You are safe now.”

Time passed as Featherheart and Anderson held the children with Spider and Daniels looking on.

Kelly suddenly broke the reverie as pushed away Anderson staring at the injuries on his arm. “Mr. Derrick! I hurt you! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to-”

“Hush little one,” Anderson said quietly. “You did too mean to, and it was a damn fine attempt, at that.”

She shook her head sobbing.

“Ease your heart, child. You attacked us because you thought that we were just like him, didn’t you?” He pointed at the armored man on the floor.

She nodded.

“You were just trying to protect yourself, and your little . . . brother . . . is it?”

She shook her head. “His name is Jared. He’s my second cousin not my little brother. When the bad men came dressed just like him,” she pointed at the man on the floor, “he was with me and Mema.” She shuddered slightly and continued, “Mema . . . Mema made me take his hand and run. The bad men would have gotten us, but Mema . . . fought them. She kept screaming for me to run.”

Another sob escaped her lips.

Daniels spoke up his voice gentle and quiet, “You did as you were told, didn’t you?”

Kelly nodded. “I grabbed Jared and ran. He was crying, but I kept running. I didn’t stop when-” another sob burst forth, “I didn’t stop when . . . I heard my Mema scream.”

“How did you end up here?” Anderson asked her quietly.

“I was running. The bad men were everywhere. One of them saw us and came after us. They would have gotten us, but then my Uncle Johnny was there.” She looked up at him. “Uncle Johnny was always so mean to me. He was always kept scolding me for this or that. He yelled at me to go and ran he at the soldiers. But but but they had sw-swords, and Uncle Johnny didn’t have anything and he . . . he-”

“It’s okay child,” interrupted Featherheart, “you do not need to say anymore.”

“You let her speak her piece, Windsinger,” growled Anderson. “It’s better this way. Go on Kelly.”

She nodded and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and continued, “He . . . the bad man . . . stabbed my Uncle Johnny and . . . and was s-so m-m-much blood! That man killed my Uncle Johnny!” she cried.

Another sob escaped. “We ran in here. I grabbed that knife off the table and was about to hide with Jared when he came in.” Her eyes glazed over with the memory. “He was covered with blood. He ran up and grabbed me, hurt me. I dropped Jared. He was the same man that killed my Uncle Johnny. He wasn’t sad. How could he kill my Uncle Johnny and not be sad!”

“I had the knife and I . . . and I.” He words trailed off as her chest heaved with fresh remorse.

“You killed him,” Anderson finished for her.

She moaned shutting her eyes tight and nodded.

“What happened next Kelly?” Daniels asked.

“We . . . we hid in the chimney behind some logs. There was so much screaming, but we hid. It had gotten real quiet.”

She looked at Anderson with aged eyes that were full of remorse. “I waited for someone to come, but no one ever did. I finally looked out the window, and that’s when I saw you. And he saw me.” She pointed at Spider.

“Aye,” Derrick said smiling, “Spider is well known for his sight.”

“I was trying to kill you like I killed him,” she said flatly. “I’m a bad person too. Just like him and those other men. My family beyond the veil, Mema, Uncle Johnny, they’re all ashamed to look at me from paradise. Great Skymother and Mighty Father of the Land will never accept me into their home now.”

Anderson pressed her face back into his chest and patted her head. “Hush child hush. There’s no need for such talk. Do not fool your gentle heart with such lies. Those who have passed before you only look at you with cherishment. The mighty Father would gladly scoop you up in his arms, and the Mother on High will bless each of your cheeks with a kiss.”

“You really think so?” she asked in a small voice.

“I do. What you have done today is hard, what you’ve been through was even harder.” He stooped down and picked up her knife and handed it back to her. “Don’t make using this thing a habit, but never be afraid to protect yourself or those you love if need be. Do you understand?”

She said, “I’m not sure.”

“Admitting as much is the first step to understanding.”

Spider knelt before the body. “Why would a Katanni raiding party travel this far in our borders for a family ranch?”

Daniels shook his head. “I don’t know, but it can only mean trouble. Bring the helmet. Spider send up an arrow for the Maiden. I have a feeling that the captain we’ll want to know about this as soon as possible. We’ll probably need to set off for Fort Talon at once.”

“And the Children?” asked Anderson.

Daniels nodded. “Kelly can you show us where you and Jared lived. So we can get some things for you.”

“We’re leaving, Mr. Derrick?”

“I’m afraid so little one. It’s not safe here for you and little Jared.”

“But what about our families? My Momma, Daddy, my brothers Jesem, and Kantos my sister Necee?”

Daniels shook his head. “I don’t know child. We’ve looked around, but what we seen so far does not bode well. Until we discovered you we hadn’t seen anything promising. It looks like they are all gone.”

She looked around at them. “You mean that you think they are all dead, don’t you?”

Featherheart stepped forward. “Not necessarily child, they might have-”

Anderson overrode him, “Yes Kelly, he means dead.”

Featherheart rounded on him. “You don’t have to tell her such things!”

Anderson responded, “You’re a kind soul Windsinger, but no amount of vague poetry will change the horror of her reality. The sooner she accepts this the better she will be in the long run.”

“But she-” Featherheart began to protest.

Daniels stepped between them. “We can discuss the merits of this later. Right now we need to move.”

“Sir!” Spider came darting back into the cottage. “I think we might have a problem.”

Daniels and the others came running out. “What is it?” He demanded.

Spider pointed up at the Maiden’s Saber. “I did as you requested and fired an arrow up, but the ship was already drifting closer to our position and dropping the liftboat to the ground.

Anderson looked at him quizzically. “That’s what there were supposed to do, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” said Spider. “But that’s my point. The Maiden was dropping the retrieval raft even before I shot up my arrow.”

“Why would they do that?” asked Anderson.

Daniels tensed up. “They wouldn’t do that unless they saw something that we didn’t.”

Just then a blaring horn pierced the air.

“What was that?” said Daniel.

Spider and the children paled.

“They’re coming back! They’re coming back!” Kelly cried.

Jared too, began to shriek in fear.

“That’s a Katanni infantry horn!” growled Spider. “I heard those damn things back in the last war!”

“Look!” pointed Daniels.

Pouring from the trees were dozens of the Katanni Infantry clad in their gleaming red armor, and the tips of their halberds pointing at the farm. They shrieked their guttural war cries as they charged the ranch with deaths in their hearts.

“Great mother,” breathed Featherheart.

“This was how they came before!” screamed Kelly.

Daniels looked up at the raft. It was much too far away. “Featherheart, hand the Jared back to Kelly.” He grabbed a handaxe in each hand and looked the young girl in the face. “Kelly you must stay next to us. I swear we will do everything in our power to protect you and your cousin, but when the raft arrives, you must get on it without delay. Do you understand?”

He hoped his words did not sound empty. He and the other sailors were seasoned fighting men, but they were not in the same category of warriors as that of dirt-side infantry. He steeled up his resolve, and could see the others doing the same. Anderson cracked his knuckles on his hammer-axe, Spider held his bow nocked and ready, and Windsinger Featherheart began to sing again. The four of them formed a wall of sorts before the children.

Suddenly first column of Katanni warriors fell as dozens of arrows rained upon them.

“That was from the Maiden!” cried Anderson. “I knew the captain would be watching out for us!”

“As appreciative of his efforts as I am,” added Spider. “The captain is going to need more arrows.”

The waves of Katanni dashed past and over their fallen not even slowing. Dozens more came running out of the trees. More arrows were shot down on them from high above, and almost as many Katanni fell, but not before the first of their number reached the line of homes. A horde of them came running down the path towards him.

“The captain not going to fire any arrows this close to the houses if he still intends to retrieve us!” Spider said calmly as he drew back his bowstring. He loosed his arrow. A moment later it struck on the lead Katanni full in the neck. As he fell his fellows trampled over him in their bloodlust. Spider fired again in rapid succession.

Daniels glanced up, “The raft is still coming, but it’s not nearly close enough!”

“I’ll take point,” said Anderson as he stepped ahead.

“No, Sailor Anderson,” said Featherheart, “it is you, who must stand behind me.”

The robed man stepped forward purposely chanting his undecipherable words. His song rose to a violent pitch and he jabbed his staff at the oncoming soldiers. Wind suddenly howled past the Windsinger towards the oncoming ranks of enemies. It twisted into gale force whirlwind an instant before it plowed headlong into the charging troops, hurling them up screaming. The vortex tore through their line for several moments before Featherheart slammed the butt of his staff to the ground. Suddenly the wind ceased just as abruptly as it started and the Katanni soldiers formerly gripped in its violent updraft plummeted. They crashed to the ground in a cascade of sickening crunches.

Featherheart sagged against his staff panting. “It will be several moments before I have the strength to sing another song to the Skymother.”

Another group of fifteen Katanni appeared around another path and charged.

Anderson roared defiantly as he charged them head on. Despite their heavier numbers the Katanni were momentarily taken aback by the ferocity of the larger man’s attack. He crashed amongst them weapon swinging. He leveled two on his hammer-axe’s first pass. The Katanni flowed around him, but Anderson beat back their encroaching weapons. For what he lacked in his opponents’ training, he made up for with his own savage finesse.

An arrow whistled past his ear an instant before it took a Katanni in the eye. He ignored the visceral, Thok as he grabbed the not insubstantial man by his chest plate and hurled him back into his fellows. He followed through sweeping the legs out from under another Katanni then twisted around and struck another’s face with his balled fist. The impact was almost as devastating as his weapon.

Suddenly Daniels was there beside him, with a hatchet in each hand, defending his flank. Anderson briefly wondered who was defending the children, but the thought dissipated as questions of his own mortality selfishly came to mind.

A foe tried to skewer Daniels with his halberd, but the Lieutenant deflected the weapon retaliated with a kick the soldiers forward knee. As the soldier stumbled back Daniels pressed his advantage and buried his blade into the bridge of the other man’s nose. He pulled it free with a bloody, Squelch as he collapsed.

Daniels parried away an oncoming blade and tried to counter, but the offending Katanni was already upon him. The foreign infantryman crashed into him bodily sending the two of them sprawling to the ground, with Daniels on the bottom. Daniels valiantly tried to push the other man off, but his opponent was far stronger and much more skilled hand-to-hand combatant. Daniels violently writhed but was held pinned under the other man’s weight as the foreign soldier pulled a knife free from his belt.

Before he could bring his weapon to bear, the Katanni suddenly flew up and off him. Anderson, bloody and ragged, hurled the Katanni to the ground onto his stomach, his knife flew away forgotten. Anderson crossed the body-littered ground and stepped down hard on the Katanni’s back as he tried to rise. He slammed back down onto the ground, his armor groaned under the weight of the immense sailor’s foot on his back down. In one smooth motion Anderson swung his hammer-axe overhead and slammed the hammer down on the back of the Katanni’s armored head, squashing the metal and flesh into a bloody smear.

He pulled free his gory hammer and strode over to Daniels holding out his hand. Daniels took it and let himself be hauled off the ground.

“Lieutenant,” said Anderson.

“Master Anderson,” said Daniels

Daniels looked behind at the others in their party, “Is everyone okay?”

“We’re all accounted for,” replied Spider. The ground around the hunter/sailor was lined with dead Katanni all of which had an arrow protruding out them. Beside him Featherheart for once was speechless as he held his staff in a white-knuckled grip. The windfinder was dented from where he battered of few their enemies back with his staff. Behind him, the children clutched each other. Jared was reduced to whimpers and Kelly was decidedly pale.

The thump of the liftboat behind them pulled their attention around. “Everybody get in!” shouted Daniels.

Everyone did as he bade and loaded the children in the middle of the small craft. Anderson tugged hard on the line twice to alert the crew above them. Daniels began to strum the one-stringed harp generate lift in the landing craft’s small resonance chamber. Featherheart began to chant and a small wind began to flow up from below them.

Anderson shouted, “What are those!”

Everyone looked and Spider released a string of curses.

Daniels nodded. “I hope the captain has already spotted this. Because we are in very serious danger.”

Six large dark shapes zoomed across the sky towards their ship.

The Maiden’s Saber: By Christopher Chancy Christopher@christopherchancy.com pg.