Long Tale Press

In the Beginning Morgan Connelly’s cries for help sent icy fingers racing up fourteen-year-old Josh Campbell’s spine. They filtered through two grubby ears into his half-mad mind and pulled him back from a happy vision of home. Back to the reality of thick smoke, flames and the savage sea battle raging around him.

The image of her white face seared through his red-rimmed eyes and her screams made his stomach queasy. Blood spurted out of her left shoulder around the long black shaft protruding out of her dirty pink blouse. It ran down her arm and formed into a pool under her slumped body. For a minute that seemed to stretch forward into eternity, the limp figure of his best friend made Josh feel that he was in the middle of a nightmare. Morgan’s sapphire eyes fluttered closed and Josh thought she was dead. His last meal of fish and bread spurted out of his mouth, poured out his nose and mingled with the expanding red pool.

Another ballista stone smashed into the deck somewhere behind him. More screams of pain filled the smoke laden air. This never-ending moment of terror was too much for his young mind to comprehend and it retreated once again to the safe, secure haven of his classroom. The events that had led him to this fateful hour of destruction flashed before his eyes. Starting with the day he discovered the ancient, leather bound volume.

At Sword Point Captain Caircil let small bubbles of air escape from his mouth and sank ever deeper into the murky water. His chest hurt and he knew he would need to breathe soon. The captain was now a little lower than the clay pot containing what he hoped was the seeing stone. Just a little farther and he could let go of the heavy ballista shot that was dragging him deeper and deeper.

Caircil dropped his heavy burden and with strong, steady strokes swam towards the slowly descending clay pot. He waited underneath it, held his two large hands upwards and kicked his feet to keep him-self from going any deeper. Once the treasure was secure in his strong hands he kicked his feet hard and began going upwards, upwards towards the light. Just a few more ells and he would be able to breathe again.

A long, thick tentacle whipped around the captain’s waist and squeezed. The clay pot containing the precious finding stone dropped from Caircil tight grasp “I wish I had my sword with me.” He watched the pot containing the seeing stone sink into deeper waters and struggled to free him-self.

The tentacle that gripped him tight spun him around. Right behind Caircil, so close that he could have reached out and touched it was a large brown head. Four saucer size, jet black eyes bored into the captains green ones. A cavernous mouth filled with several rows of long sharp teeth grinned at him. At least it looked like a grin. With a tremendous force the giant of the deep thrust the two of them up towards the surface.

Caircil took a deep breath and sucked the wonderful air into his starving lungs. He looked to his right and in another of his captor’s tentacles held tight and high above the water was the precious clay pot. An anxious captain looked around for his ship. It was over six hundred ells away and coming to a stop. A boat was in the water heading towards him.

“Harrumph.”

Caircil thought, “What next?” and whirled around to see where the sound was coming from. The odd creature still had a big grin on its face, if you could call it a face. “Harrumph,” the creature said again in a deep booming voice. “I am Squade, Sea King emissary. Who be you?”

“I’m,” Caircil started, “I’m Captain Caircil of the great ship Uniaedean. We’re on a voyage of great importance.”

“Caircil, Uniaedean, I have heard of you both. While great and mighty King Byorium minds not floaters on top of his Kingdom, even minds not company at his feast table. None can come until they be asked. Why be you trying to come to feast table?”

“I’m sorry I entered the great Sea King’s Kingdom,” the captain apologized, “But I lost that pot you are holding.”

“Many clay pots, why need this one, only contain junk. You like junk?”

At first the captain intended to lie to this beast from the deep but then he thought it would be best to tell the truth. “I am on a voyage to find the two from the ancient prophecy. In that pot is the seeing stone of Kings, it guides me on my journey.”

“The two from prophecy,” the voice boomed, “Sea King glad for good news. This be truth?”

“According to two great wise men Breandan and Beround it’s true. They’re the ones that sent me on my journey,” Caircil answered.

“This is good news indeed, Sea King much like to hear. Many time wise men come feast with Sea King,” the grin was wider if possible.

The sounds of rowing and of men shouting was getting closer, Caircil turned to look. Aonas was in the front of the boat his sharp sword raised above his head.

Caircil called, “Put away your sword, this is a friend. He has saved our voyage.”

The boat came along side the two in the water and Squade placed the captain into the boat and handed him the clay pot.

Squade boomed, “I look seeing stone?”

Beads of cold sweat rolled down Caircil’s face and he dumped the contents of the pot onto the bottom of the boat. He picked up the seeing stone, cleaned it off and held it up for Squade to see.

As fast as an eye blink Squade plucked the stone out of the captain’s hands. He looked at the bright blue light for a moment and then tossed it high into the air. The dweller of the deep places caught it with a large suction cup on one of its waving tentacles and handed it back. Squade shouted, “Good voyage, next time float by come feast. Sea King like, bring the two if can.” The dweller of the deep winked at the captain with two of its black eyes and disappeared beneath the waves.

Glath was the first person the captain saw when he climbed onto the deck of his ship. A deck he had thought for a while he would never see again. Caircil stormed across the deck towards him and demanded, “Why,” as he stepped in front of the shaking man. “Why did you kill Anst? He was your friend. Why did you throw the seeing stone into the deep?”

The trembling sailor’s stony black eyes stared at his captain. Glath did not know how to tell Caircil about his fear or his need to return to his wife and newborn children. Finally, gathering a little bit of courage he spoke in a frightened voice, just above a whisper. “I wanted to go home.” C aircil roared, “If you wanted to go home all you needed to do was ask. I would have put you ashore on the Island of Teroth. Ships often stop there for water. I would still have given you some gold though not your full share. Now that you have killed one of my crew there will be no gold for you. Your share will go to the family of Anst.”

Glath’s face turned grey and his body shook. “What of me now? What do you intend to do,” his voice sounded weak and his teeth chattered.

“I should kill you,” For the first time in his life the captain surrendered to fury and hate. “If spilling your blood would bring life back to Anst I would be happy to do so with my own hands. Since it won’t, I’ll put you ashore on the first island we come to. You will have food, water and weapons. Even if you were to swear an oath on the blood of your family, it would be an oath I could not trust. Until we find a place you will stay bound, you will only be unbound to eat, take him away. I can’t look at this traitor’s face any longer.” Caircil strode over to the wheel and glanced at the seeing stone, they were a long way off course.

Caircil shouted, “Unfurl all sails,” Coils of anger still looped through his body and mind. “Follow the seeing stone, guard it well. There will be four men on watch all the time and two of them will guard the seeing stone.”

ith all sails set the Uniaedean once more surged forward through the waves. Before the mid-meal was ready the dark angry veils rolled back and the sun peeked out. Caircil hurried to his cabin, picked up his sailing scrolls and returned to the deck.He aimed the arrow of the ships finding wheel at the sun and noted the number that lined up with the point. The captain glanced at one of the scrolls, “More to the north Allador, we can be at the island of great stone birds by the next waking of the sun.”

As the ship changed course the blue light in the seeing stone shifted and pointed more towards the east. Aonas came on deck and walked over to where the captain was standing near the wheel and seeing stone. Furrows ploughed themselves in his brow, “Why have we changed course? We have already lost too much time.”

The captain turned his head towards the angry ranger, “I’m taking Glath to the island of great stone birds, and at times ships stop for water there. The only other choice is to kill him, he has been friend too long and has many children, therefore I will not take his life.”

“You’re the captain,” the anger that coursed through the ranger’s tense body boiled over into his voice. “If we come not to the two in time it will go evil with you.” He turned away and walked over to where the polishing stones were kept. Aonas picked one up, knelt on the deck and began to rub the stone back and forth, putting all of his weight on it.

---

The sun slept and woke again and now the Uniaedean, with all sails furled, rested at anchor close to shore inside a small bay. Glath stood on a white sandy beach and glared at the boat with his captain and two other men moving away from him. A bow, a full quiver of arrows, sword, a barrel of dried fish and one of water were on the beach beside him. Hatred surged through Glath’s rail thin body and filled his mind with bitter thoughts.

He bent down and shouldered the quiver full of arrows, picked up his bow, drew an arrow from the quiver and notched it to the bow string. The sailor pulled the string and feathered shaft back to his right ear, pointed it at the captains back. The bowstring twanged loudly. Aonas, on the deck of the Uniaedean noticed the actions of the wretched crewman and yelled, “Caircil, be wary.”

Caircil jumped into the sea as the deadly shaft whished over his head.

The tall dark skinned ranger didn’t hesitate. As swift as a hawk diving for its prey he removed the powerful bow from his back and withdrew a long black shaft from the full quiver. In a blur of motion he notched it to the bow string and without seeming to take aim released the bolt. The arrow flew true to the traitorous heart and Glath fell without making a sound. Bright red blood pooled around him and soaked into the white sand of the beach as he lay among his food and weapons.

Caircil said, “I would that this had not been done,” as he stepped onto the deck of his ship. “Glath was once good friend.”

“It would have been your life had I not loosed my arrow,” Aonas grimaced. “I need you, I don’t need him.”

Caircil commanded, “Lift anchor, set all sail and follow the seeing stone,” his voice was full of sadness.

---

Six times now had the sun woken since Glath’s death and yet there was still no sight of land. No birds flew around them, none had for two days. Still the ship surged eastward, always going where the seeing stone pointed.

The captain stood beside Aonas who guided the ship. Aonas liked how the Uniaedean felt so alive in his hands. Just a light turn of the great wheel and it responded. Every chance he had he took the helm, often taking double turn.

Caircil said, “I like not this place, or the waters here, it feels evil. No life lives beneath these waves or above them. Let me take the wheel, go break your fast.”

“In a while,” the ranger was reluctant to let go because he knew not how many more days he would have this good chance. In the days since Glath’s death Aonas’s anger had faded and he and the captain had become good friends.

Caircil laughed, he liked this tall dark skinned wood’s ranger. “Are you certain you do not wish to stay on my ship after we return to safe harbor? Go break your fast. You can have the helm back when you are done.”

“As much as I love the ship and the sea I cannot desert Adelard. Long have we been friends, saving each other’s lives a dozen times at least.” He surrendered the helm to Cairicil’s strong hands, turned and walked away.

The sun slept. Behind Aonas and Caircil a full golden moon sailed in the star filled sky and the ranger once more held the helm in steady hands. Even though the wind from the south and west was blowing strong, filling the black sails, the Uniaedean was slowing down. A dense, thick veil began to grow around them. Slower and slower the dark ship went. The veil was so thick now that they could not see more than a few ells ahead of them. Candle-lanterns were lit and hung on the deck hooks.

“What evil hand is this that slows us,” Caircil did not look at anyone as he spoke. “If it soon does not let go we will need turn make our way to safe harbor.”

“Caircil please go on as far as we can. I would not wish to go back to Adelard and tell him I failed on this most needy quest,” Aonas failed to keep the doubt he felt out of his voice.

“I too wish not to fail,” the captain smiled.

“You need not worry about your blood oath. You have done your best.”

“It is not my way to fail. We will go on until the Uniaedean can no longer go forward.” The veil thickened, the ship slowed and just when everyone on deck believed that it would stop, the hand that held it back, if indeed it was some unseen hand let go. The Uniaedean surged forward and dropped with a loud splash.

A monstrous wave washed over the deck and knocked several sailors off of their feet. Aonas grabbed the rail with his strong right hand as the ship rolled to his right. The veil thinned and their way on the strange sea was clear.

Allador, high above the deck in the small raven’s nest called down to the captain. “Land away.”

Caircil called back, “Where?”

“To the north and east,” Allador’s voice was filled with excitement, “There’s a finger of land curving to the north. Perhaps it makes a bay on the other side.”

Anoas asked, “Will we anchor on the north or south of this finger?”

“To the north,” the captain paced back and forth in front of the ships wheel, “To the north. Turn the ship back to the west before the anchor is set. If we find the two or even if they be not here I wish the ship ready for a fast return. I like not the strangeness of this sea.”

The Uniaedean’s sails were now furled and the prow pointed westward. The black ship came to a stop. The anchor dropped towards the bottom of this unknown sea and a ships boat was lowered to the gentle waves below. The bottom of the boat touched the water and something roared overhead.

Everyone looked up into the moon bright sky to see what kind of strange bird this might be. Bright lights blinked along both sides of the featherless, large winged flying beast.

“Quickly men, I want three to come with me in the boat, Allador, Nayarth and you too Goroth.” Caircil was anxious to be away from this strange and evil land.

Aonas interrupted, “I’ll be the forth and bring the seeing stone, it will be needed.”

Caircil commanded, “You stay here then Nayarth, keep a good watch. Unfurl all sails when you see us once more in the boat, I do not wish to linger on this sea.” Caircil was the last to put his feet into the boat. Another lit up, roaring bird soared overhead. He commanded. “Pull away, pull away,” little worry bugs started playing tag in his belly.

Aonas held the seeing stone in a tight grip and stepped out of the boat on to the narrow, soft sandy beach of the strange world. “This way,” the ranger whispered and pointed to the thick forest. “We must be as silent as we can.”

“Make fast the boat I do not wish to lose it. It's a long swim to the Uniaedean,” Caircil kept his voice low.

Aonas whispered, “I have found a path, it’s but little used.” He beckoned the others to follow and put the seeing stone back into the small leather bag. The tall dark ranger drew his gleaming sword and walked into the trees. The others followed him in a single file. The tall ranger stopped at the edge of the trees. Ahead of him, less than fifty ells away from where he stood two figures sat on a log close to a dying fire. He held a finger to his lips, his companions nodded.

He opened the bag that held the seeing stone and his eyes grew large because the blue light was no longer there. Aonas removed the stone and showed it to Caircil. He returned it to the bag and hung it back over his shoulder as the little band left the trees.

They entered the clearing and Caircil, Allador and Goroth took their bows from their shoulders, notched arrows to the strings. They inched their way towards the fire. A youngling male stood up and started kicking sand onto the flames.

A youngling female, with golden hair gleaming in the moonlight stood up and stretched her arms high overhead. Aonas trembled with excitement, “These must be the two of the prophecy.” The youngling female turned her face towards the forest and screamed. The youngling male turned, he too screamed.

Aonas commanded, “Lower your weapons.” He slid his sword back into the black leather scabbard. “We must not bring harm to them,” he stepped ahead of his companions. “I am Aonas friend to Adelard. These three be Caircil, captain of the ship Uniaedean, Allador and Goroth two of the crew. We bring no harm or evil to you. Be you the two of prophecy?” Without waiting for a response the ranger answered his own question, “You must be, since the seeing stone has guided us to you.”

A white faced Josh and Morgan stood with mouths gaping open. “Why did I let her talk me into this,” Josh’s mind voice trembled inside his head. “I should have listened to gramp’s warning. I should have stayed at home, played crib with my mother, watched movies or just did the dishes.” He knew deep within that he could not blame Morgan. He could have said no. Aonas called again, “Be you the two,” his voice was louder this time.

Another strange bird roared overhead. “We must make hast Aonas,” Caircil spoke in a low voice, “Perhaps they speak not the common tongue. You must decide if we are to bring them back to the Misty Lands?”

Aonas replied, “I’ll try one more time, if there is no answer we will need to bind them. In my heart I know they are who I seek.” He turned to face the two younglings and called again, “Be you the two of prophecy?”

Morgan glared at the rough looking character and in spite of her knees knocking together replied in a strong, defiant voice, “The two what?”

“At least they have knowing of the common speech,” Aonas turned and looked at Caircil. He turned back towards the two younglings. “The two from long ago prophecy,” his voice was louder. In a strong, deep voice he spoke the ancient rhyme. “When the Misty Lands Tremble in the night When the great mountain, No longer casts smoke and light When a river long dry begins to flow It then will be time to go A captain chosen must then set sail Take his ship through the misty veil That divides the sea between two lands. Two will be found by seeing stone These two were born same time, same day. Both have their part to play, In restoring of King to Calcaria’s throne They will not yet be fully grown, When they come to the Misty Lands”

Josh’s lower lip quivered, he squeaked, “I think we are.”

“JOSH,” Morgan dug her right elbow hard into his left side, “Why did you tell them that?”

“Because it’s true, you know it is. Isn’t this what you wanted? After all you begged me to come here, remember,” blood started coming back into his face.

“Good old Joshy boy, always blaming me. Ok, ok it’s my fault, all my fault. Now what do we do?” She glared at him for a moment and then glared at the wild looking men.

“I’m sorry, of course it’s not all your fault and I don’t know what to do.”

“Hurry Aonas, we must hasten from this evil place.” Caircil’s sounded more worried than ever.

Aonas commanded, “You must come with us, now.”

Morgan shouted, “Were not going anywhere with you,”

Caircil spoke in a stern, demanding voice, “Bind them Aonas, we need be away.” Aonas walked towards them and sheathed his sword. Goroth and Allador raised their bows and pulled back bowstrings.

Morgan yelled, “Leave us alone.” She felt like someone had reached a cold bony hand out of a moldy grave and squeezed her heart. She kicked out as hard as she could with her right foot and the toe of her running shoe connected with Aonas’s left ankle. “Josh! Do something.” Morgan’s balled up fists pounded into the tall dark man’s stomach.

Josh, wrapped in strong coils of fear could not move, could not even speak.

Aonas walked behind Morgan and Josh, grabbed Morgan’s hands. The ranger removed leather binding cords from his pockets and bound her hands tight. He did the same to Josh. “Be these things yours?” Caircil pointed at Morgan’s sleeping bag and the two backpacks.

Morgan nodded.

Aonas withdrew his sharp blade, prodded them with it and pointed at the trees. Trembling inside and out Josh and Morgan walked towards the forest. Aonas commanded, “Faster,”

Morgan cried as they stepped from the trees on to the narrow beach where the ships boat still waited.

Nayarth kept a vigilant watch from the raven’s nest high up above the deck. The moment he saw the captain and his company appear on the beach he called to the men below. “Unfurl the sails, the captain be returning with two younglings.”

The Uniaedean was already moving when Caircil, the last to leave the boat stepped onto the deck. The boat was hoisted to the deck and safely stored. The captain shouted, “Unbind the younglings and take them to my cabin. Make a bed on the floor for the youngling male, guard them well.”

“Ship away,” Morgan and Josh heard a voice call from somewhere above them as they reached the stairway.

The captain yelled, “Where, what color be the sails?

“From the south and west, the sails be blue and there be the likeness of a golden swan on the prow,” was the loud reply.

This was the last that Josh and Morgan heard as they walked down the stairs. The two of them were no longer crying but icy fingers still raced up their backs.

“Unfurl on all sails,” Caircil took the helm and turned it so the ship was heading more to the north than to the west.

The Uniaedean surged forward and cleared the finger of land. The sails billowed out, filled with the strong wind.

he watchman called from his little raven’s nest high above the deck, “The white ship has turned to gave us chase,”

The captain called back, “Fools, there is no ship on any sea that can catch the Uniaedean when a good wind blows. “ He turned to Aonas, “What land do you think this ship is from?”

Aonas thought for a moment before replying, “Breandan believed that the steward too had a seeing stone and the Golden Swan is one of his fleet. Gwaylin will be in command if it is.”

“The Golden Swan,” Caircil laughed, “The wind best stay strong.”

“Why?” Aonas asked.

“He will have more than a hundred oarsmen aboard her and if the wind dies away it will go ill for us. If it were not for the two, I would stay and fight. The Golden Swan is the bigger ship but my men are better at the ballista and my archer’s can aim more true,” the captain’s eyes blazed. He loved a sea fight and for a moment Caircil thought about turning his ship around

Aonas felt excitement surge through him and then he remembered how important completing his task was. “I wouldn’t mind a fight with Gwaylin. Long now have his men come into the wild lands. They tax the tillers of soil heavily, leaving not much to eat. We can only fight if there is no other choice. The two must be kept safe. What then is your plan? ”

Before Caircil answered he turned the helm so his ship was heading straight to the west. A wispy veil swirled around the Uniaedean, growing thicker as the minutes passed.“As soon as the veil gets deep and we can’t be seen, we’ll go north. Perhaps Gwaylin will think we still go to the west.”

Aonas asked, “How far north do you plan on going?”

“To the place where the ice floats.”

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