A VICIOUS WAR
From the lost diaries of Iraklis Vidalatos
five centuries ago
Xavlin.
His very name chills me, even as I sit here, knowing he is finally locked away.
I fear he will find ways to poison the minds of our seers, sending twisted visions and empty promises.
To the women of my blood, you are the most vulnerable. If such visions should reach you, guard your heart against them. Heed no words of peace, redemption, or power.
All are lies, and any answer to his call will be our ruin.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
In his dream, Augustus stood on the deck of theAkias, a boy of eight, a small thing in a world where everything in it was made for giants. When every day was new and exciting. There were ropes for swinging and miles of decks to run upon. He could climb to the top of the world here.
On this day, Augustus clung to the railing and scanned the horizon. The setting sun bathed the sea in gold, and the waves rocked the ship with unusual gentleness.
Mettius leaned on his elbows, head bent toward Augustus, a spark of light in his brown eyes. He pointed toward the horizon.“You see that, Gus? The world opens up just there. No bars, no borders. No walls. Just the sea, stretching as far as you can imagine.”
And Augustus saw it all with fresh eyes. In this place, there were no limits.“It’s so big,”he said, voice full of awe.“How do you know where to go?”
Mettius ruffled his hair.“A good captain always knows, but sometimes…”He crouched until they were at eye level, and his tone turned conspiratorial.“Sometimes the sea takes you places you won’t expect. That’s the real adventure.”
Augustus’s question rushed to get out, his eyes growing wide.“Will there be sea monsters?”
His father belted a laugh.“Oh, aye. Great big ones.”
“And treasure?”
“Of course.”
Augustus leaned forward, hiding his next question behind the wall of his hand—only his father could hear this one.“Are there more scary girls out there like Momma?”
Mettius barked a laugh.“Maybe, if you’re lucky, there might be one more left for you.”
Augustus scrunched his nose.“I think I want some treasure instead.”
“If you find her, Gus, she’ll be the only treasure that matters.”
A young Blaze came sprinting up and snatched his hand.“It’s time, Augustus!”Then, in a tone as deep as a man’s. “It’s time, Augustus.”
The voice jerked Augustus back to his cabin aboard theEntia, his mother’s desk spread before him and his back in knots from sleeping bent over it all night.
Blaze cupped his shoulder. “It’s time.”
“Time for what?” Gods, he sounded like he’d been eating sand all night. Tasted like it, too.
The Ranger perched on the desk, hands folded on his thigh, and squinted into the early dawn light. “Omar said it’s time we weigh anchor. There wasn’t much left to salvage. I thought you might want to…”
Say goodbye, Augustus thought. TheAkiaswasn’t coming with them, and who would want to sail it after that?
“Where’s Lili?” he asked.
