Elf Saga: Bloodlines (Part 1: Curse of the Jaguar) by Joseph Robert Lewis

Author:Joseph Robert Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dragons, epic fantasy, fairies, elves, elf saga

Episode 3

“Welcome to the island of Moa Taka.” Rajani swings the Valkyrie in a wide arc above the small island so we can get a good look at it. Once upon a time, a volcano pushed up out of the sea to form this tiny dot in the middle of nowhere, but I guess the volcano died because the south half of the island is gone, just gone, like a huge sea dragon rose up and swallowed it, leaving a sheer cliff and a few jagged rocks in the shadow of the broken mountain. “According to the map, there’s another crystal ship down there somewhere.”

“That’s a lot of boats.” I count more than two dozen sailing ships anchored off the north shore with dozens more long boats tied up on the beaches, and a hundred campfires burning around a small shanty town at the edge of the jungle. The firelight dances on the dark waves as the stars blaze overhead with a cold, clear light.

“Indeed.” Princess Amara shivers under her coats and blankets. “But I see no sign of Lozen’s crystal ship. Surely we would see it shining in the darkness if it were down there.”

“It’s down there,” I mutter. “And so is she. I can feel it.”

“Well, I’m afraid I can’t feel anything. My fingers have been entirely numb for quite some time now, trapped in this accursed little boat, exposed to the elements.” Amara pulls her blanket tighter around her thin shoulders. “I insist that we land immediately and make camp for the night.”

“You insist?” I raise an eyebrow at her.

“I… suggest,” she says icily. “From great fatigue, and with great sincerity.”

“And great chilliness.” Rajani rubs her arm vigorously. “You poor thing, you’re freezing.”

“She’s a big girl, she’ll survive.” I look down at the little armada below. “What sort of ships are those?”

Amara pulls a small golden spyglass from within her coat and peers down, saying, “Judging by the sails and flags, I would wager they are trading ships from Shihoku, Katagal, Rachatai, Varada, and Tenjia, as well as several fishing vessels from the nearby islands. And I have no doubt that more than a few of them are corsairs.”

“Corsairs?” Rajani asks.

“Buccaneers, privateers, freebooters.” Amara tucks away her spyglass. “More commonly known as pirates.”

“Oh.” Rajani nods thoughtfully. “The sexy kind with colorful costumes and dashing good looks, or the gross kind with rotten teeth and scurvy?”

“An entertaining mixture of the two, no doubt.” Amara smiles. “My father was one of the former for many years, but he employed more than a few of the latter as well. So might I suggest we land away from their harbor, and make every effort to remain hidden while we search for Lozen?”

“Seconded!” Rajani says.

“Fine, whatever.” I point to the southeastern shore at the edge of the volcanic cliff. “There. Looks like a safe beach with a stream. We can hide the ship in the stream, under the trees, and then get some shut-eye.”

The freckled Feyeri circles the island again, still at

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