Part 44 (2/2)
Erik grinned. ”You've been doing well. Haven't had a fight in three weeks.”
”We haven't docked in three weeks.”
”I only hope you remember what it's been like for you once you've got your own s.h.i.+p. You'll have young trainees on your crew, and they'll be looking to you as an example.”
”That's a haunting thought,” Lock muttered. ”All jokes aside, I hope I can help them learn from my mistakes. I...What's going on over there?”
The men stood, glancing off the port side where a small s.h.i.+p approached.
Sir Rain and the s.h.i.+p's Captain, Sir Otto, approached the rail and exchanged words with the two men sailing the s.h.i.+p. Moments later, the filthy men in bloodstained, tattered clothes were brought on board. One nearly collapsed on deck, but Blaze, caught him and began administering to their injuries while Rain and Otto talked with them.
The other Knights, at the Captain's command, kept their distance and continued with their work.
”I wonder who they are?” Lock and Erik returned to their place on deck to continue their time off duty.
”I'd say we're about to get into another battle. Any insight on the matter?”
The Knights were by now familiar with Lock's visions. Though they still came at random, with Blaze's help, he was able to better understand the messages they brought. It had been months since he'd had such a dream, however, so he could offer Erik no reply.
”Then I guess we'll have to wait.” Erik glanced across the deck to where Blaze, Rain, and Otto spoke quietly to the newcomers.
Within the hour, the entire crew gathered on deck for Otto's announcement.
”By now I'm sure you all know two men were brought on board. They're from an island called Black Haven just east of here. Sonian Slavers have invaded their island and s.h.i.+pped off many of their people. The ones who remain behind have been trying to hold their own in the only village left that hasn't been destroyed. Many are wounded and dying. We're heading for Black Haven now. Sonian Slavers don't travel in large groups, but their warriors are well trained. Prepare yourselves for battle and heavy casualties.”
Otto dismissed the men, and everyone set to work readying weapons and healing supplies.
Lock was a.s.sisting Blaze with herbal remedies when Rain approached, his tawny, bull-faced dogs at his side.
”Lock, I know you've been a.s.signed as a healer for this journey, but we're going to need our strongest fighters in the front lines.” Rain glanced at Blaze. ”Sorry to take him from you.”
”No need for apology,” Blaze replied.
”Truth is, we could use you up there as well,” Rain said to Blaze, and Lock understood why. Sir Blaze, though he wore the green sash which signified his vow that he'd never touch a weapon, was the most skilled of any Knight in hand-to-hand combat. Lock had trained with him often, and always ended up with the bruises to prove it. At times the power in Blaze's tall, slender body amazed him. Though Lock was physically stronger, Blaze was like liquid steel: bendable, yet unyielding.
”I would go willingly,” Blaze said. ”However, experienced healers are few here.”
”I know,” Rain said. ”We're going to have our work cut out for us.”
The dark-haired Knight left the hold, his dogs behind him.
Lock followed, glancing over his shoulder at Blaze. ”Good luck.”
”And to you.”
”Lock,” Rain said before the reached the deck, ”I want to tell you something before we go out there.”
”What?”
”Are you familiar with Sonian Slavers?”
Lock shook his head. He'd seen and learned much in his years at sea, but these particular slavers were unknown to him.
”Few people do. They're from far north and are a small but fierce tribe. They like to take prisoners in battle and have a reputation for whipping them to death. I thought you might want to know.”
Lock's stomach twisted and he felt a momentary rush of panic that subsided so quickly it might never have been. ”It doesn't matter to me. I'm part of the Order, and we're in this together.”
”I thought you'd feel that way.”
”Thanks for the warning.”
Rain nodded. ”Let's go. We have work to do.”
”Another attack coming!” Erik bellowed through the broken door of the long house, the only building left standing on the entire island of Black Haven.
Lock heard him, the information registering in the back of his mind, as more urgent matters held his attention. One of the islanders had been injured fighting the slavers that morning, and his leg required immediate amputation just below the knee. While Blaze performed the surgery, Lock held the patient immobile, not a simple task, as the process was excruciating and islander large and strong.
”Almost finished,” Blaze said.
The man shrieked and cursed but Lock kept him from moving.
All around, islanders and Knights scurried to protect the house and the wounded. Tables were overturned and placed in front of the windows. Two men hurried to repair the door that had been knocked off its hinges during an earlier attack.
An arrow flew through the door, just missing Lock's head.
”b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l.” He glanced at the arrow embedded in the wall beside him. ”Blaze, hurry up!”
”Patience.”
”Go to h.e.l.l!” the islander screamed.
”We're already there,” Lock muttered.
Another trainee, little more than a boy, approached Lock, his eyes frantic. ”Sir Rain wants you outside.”
Blaze was bandaging the stump, so the trainee took Lock's place in a.s.sisting him.
Lock grabbed his sword and headed for the door, almost grateful to join the battle. At times he preferred fighting to healing. There were less complications on the field.
Outside, the crew of Knights fought with a group of Sonian Slavers dressed in thick plates of armor. The Sonians carried double swords and wielded them with amazing skill. Before he had a chance to think, Lock found himself fighting two slavers. He killed both, but others appeared. As Rain had said, they were fierce fighters. Lock's blood seeped from shallow wounds that might have been fatal, if not for his skill.
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