Slave Girl 3: Chapter 69 (Patreon)

We reach the island from the north. The ship is turned to follow the edge of a wide shallow, green mountainous terrain rising up across the slate gray water. The island’s name on the map was Thoronos though crew all used the colloquial Fidonisi or ‘Snake Island’. It was even smaller than I expected, maybe two or two and half miles wide. From this vantage point cruising at just an arrow’s flight from the north shore, even through the slight mist of the falling rain, I could see from the highest peaks at the western side all the way down to the lower eastern tip. By a map Nikias had shown me I knew the landmass wasn’t any further from north to south. Seeing it now with my own eyes I understood better the grim fear I’d seen in those villagers faces. The humans and the kobaloi with their two enslaved monsters were practically living cheek by jowl. The main settlement and our destination sat in a bay on the south shore. These wild forested slopes we were looking at now could have been teaming with goblins for all I knew and the scylla-spawn camouflaged among the boulders strewn along the water’s edge. I wondered how many eyes were staring back at me.

The Hostia Negra rounds the rocky spur that was the eastern tip and within minutes the crew is navigating the ship into the small protected harbor. Ours was the largest ship by far among the smattering of other vessels. A welcoming party stands at the base of the dock along with a wagon’s worth of trade goods that would be sent out with us when we left, behind them a respectable sized village of mud brick buildings with timber and clay roofs. It was, unsurprisingly, surrounded by sturdy wooden walls manned by both men and women bearing spears and at the center of the community where I might have expected an open columned stoa there was instead a central keep of mortared rubble. Cassie and I share a glance, our thoughts the same. If they had armed their womenfolk the times were dire indeed.

The first ones down the plank were the captain and first officer with a few of the crew behind them and our party taking up the rear. Out of the corner of my eye I catch Grub wishing Colly luck, the farewell nothing beyond what a pair of friends might give if they expected to see each other again th next day. With the breeding work done there was no longer any special bond between them. At the end of the dock Nikias and Theron meet and shake hands, a hasty and tense greeting between them. Just by his tone of urgent tone of voice I could tell something had happened. Ora steps forward to take the captain’s hand and say a few words. With only the limited Greek Rosa had taught me I couldn’t make out what was being said. Theron and Ora, the couple I’d seen through Kreer’s magic, spots me near the back of the group right away. It was not hard given I was at least half head taller than anybody else around me and was openly wearing my sword across my back. Though it drew looks, even among the crew accustomed to me now, it felt damn good to be able to finally carry it without fear of punishment or questions. I notice some of the villager whispering among the crew, who were themselves reconnecting with old acquaintances, catching snippets of the men bragging us up while smiling back at us proudly as if we were one of their own. Whatever they were telling the villagers seemed to bring some hope into their hearts.

Stepping from dock to solid land I actually have to pause a moment as wave of elation washes over me. I plant my other foot down beside the first and give quiet prayer to Ceres. A tension I hadn’t even known I’d been carrying relaxes across my chest and shoulders. I was reminded that I was a man of the land. Two feet planted firmly on solid earth was exactly where I belonged. My thoughts stray a moment to my poor steed and I redouble my promise to him that once he was free from the ship I would not make him endure such a thing again. Seeming to recognize the quiet relief I was experiencing Rosa clutches my arm tighter, signaling to me that this moment was a shared one. Indeed her nostrils flare to take in the scent of cypress and sage and wild olives on the breeze, a welcome from her green god Sylvanus. At her side Danae’s ears perk just a little higher.

Just then Rosa gasps as she catches a snippet of Theron and Ora’s dire tidings. She whispers. “Gods! A couple has been taken today. Newlyweds.” Behind the town leaders a middle aged woman steps forward, and infant cradled in her arms. Rose lets out a forlorn sigh, her grip tightening, as she hears the woman’s words. “They have an infant child, Quin! They’re parents!”

Cursing under his breath Nikias waves me forward to join them. As one our group approaches. He says. “There’s been a development.”

“Newlyweds.”

“Yes.” He says. “Just this afternoon, not three hours ago. They were taken from the olive grove on the plateau yonder and carried northwest.” He nods up the slope upon which the village sat. “The kobaloi are growing ever bolder. Theron thinks they might be building their courage for a final push on the village itself.” Standing tall he faces me, looking me in the eyes. “I know we have a contract but…I’ve agreed to take the island’s youth and infirm aboard to ferry them to the mainland. I am sorry, Quin, but…if you cannot solve their problem…” He shakes his head.

I raise a hand. “Nikias, you do not need to explain. We would not dream of taking up a berth if it might be used to save a child.”

With a grateful sigh he says. “Thank you for understanding. Your fee of course will be returned.”

“Hold that silver.” I pat his shoulder. “And have some faith, my friend. Fortuna has lead us to this very place at this very time. I do not think it was by chance. Give us two days to see what we can do.”

“You’ll have it.” He promises. “If I have defend those walls by myself, you’ll have it.”

Rosa speaks to Theron and Ora, expressing similar words of comfort from what I could tell.

On my other side Cassie touches my arm. “Captured, not killed. They might still be alive, Quin. As…play things.”

I nod, receiving her grim message loud and clear. We had hoped to stay the night before heading out, to gather more information, but with the lives of the young newlyweds in the balance we no longer had that luxury. The trail and the couple’s hopes would only fade with each minute we spent here talking. Strangely, it was almost a relief. After so many days of boredom and training and mentally working myself up for this moment I was impatient to finally live up to my heroic reputation. If I could.

My voice deep and bold, conveying confidence to all who heard it, I say to Nikias. “We might be able to save them but we have to move quick and we’ll need a guide. Somebody who knows the island.”

To my great surprise Kreer steps forward. “I’ve been here many times and explored it above and below the waves. I know this island as well as any.”

“You?”

“I was planning on joining you anyway.” He says then turns his bulbous head to Rosa and addresses her as if she lead our party. “What say you, Lady?”

Lady!? Cassie and I glance at each other. We’d been so careful to try keep it from the crew. I should have known Kreer’s hearing would have the same range as his extraordinary voice. Fuck! What else did he know?

Rosa tenses at my side though she shows so sign of it externally. “I think you would make for a valuable ally, Kreer.”

Nikias turns to his first officer and pulls him into a rough, manly hug. “You come back to me, Kreer. That’s an order.”

The telchine mage hugs him back causing even the crew to raise brows in surprise. His only reply is a low cooing trill. They separate and step back from each other and back into their roles as stoic captain and first officer.

I look to Ora. Though her appearance was different in person her strong aura reminded me of my mother. Intimidated to speak to me she bows her head and reaches out to touch my chest. From her lips comes a prayer. Theron steps up and puts his arm around her, gratitude in his eyes though I had yet to do a thing.

As I lead my group through the village toward the far gate other villagers approach and line the path to watch us pass. In their eyes and faces I could see that upon our shoulders we carried their hopes and their future. Putting myself in their shoes I think about what would inspire the most good and in the end I forgo words of comfort and inspiration. Right now what they needed most was a figure of confidence and competence. My chin up, my hard gaze already searching the hills and cliffs beyond the walls, I cut a striking figure as I stride boldly forward with my demon at my side and my party at my back. As I walk I prayed that the onlookers could not see the uncertainty and fear roiling within me…or notice the slight hitch to my step from my still blissfully aching asshole.

Chapter 70