The Look of a King: Pillars of Peace: Book I by Tom Dumbrell

Author:Tom Dumbrell [Dumbrell, Tom]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kindle Direct Publishing
Published: 2021-03-06T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The bright orange sun rested high in a cloudless blue sky as gulls cawed overhead. The smell of salt stung Cyrus’s nostrils as he stood watching cargo being loaded and unloaded from ships that lined the docks. It was as frantic as Eldred’s Keep, only noisier, with creaking ropes, ringing bells, rolling barrels, and hollering traders creating their own unique composition. To Cyrus, it was wonderful mayhem and a fascinating first taste of coastal life, so far from the life he’d always known growing up in the Low Country.

After leaving Eriwald, the group had divided as Thaddeus escorted the liberated peoples towards the capital, where Cyrus had promised temporary accommodation within the castle walls. Meanwhile, Cyrus, Garrett, and their guard of two had continued across the craggy landscape of southern Easthaven, through the ranges of the Esterloch Hills, until the blue ocean appeared in the distance and Garrett had announced their approach to the port town of Aldsea.

As a remarkable contrast to their experience in Eriwald, Aldsea was absolutely brimming with life. A constant backdrop of lively sea-shanties, laughter, and animated conversations in languages that were all new to Cyrus. The town’s wood-beamed buildings stood facing the ocean, leaning towards the water as if drawn by the horizon.

It was perhaps the most exciting place Cyrus had ever been, but he had told one too many stories about pirates and bandits to let his guard fall completely. For Garrett, on the other hand, it looked like a homecoming. He had instructed Cyrus to travel discreetly under the cover of a dark hood, and their roles had seemed to reverse as the older man drew respect and recognition with every step as he escorted Cyrus inconspicuously to where the ships were docked.

“Been here before then?” asked Cyrus with an accusatory eyebrow raise.

“Once or twice,” answered Garrett. “Though I don’t remember a lot of it.”

The two of them laughed briefly before Cyrus’s face dropped in sadness as he saw a small girl collecting shells in a pool of shallow water.

“I hope there is news of my family when we return,” he said with concern as to whether or not his sister would resurface.

“Keep hold of that hope, young man, and you never know,” Garrett said as he dismounted his horse, handing the reins to one of their guard. “Thaddeus should be back in Highcastle now, and there were many in Eriwald who might know the fate of your village. We will keep searching.”

Cyrus stepped down from Allegro, running his fingers through the horse’s perfect white mane. The heat of the sun bathed his pale skin, and he closed his eyes as the warm sea breeze washed over him.

“But for now,” continued Garrett, as if keen to ruin Cyrus’s moment of peace, “we have another challenge ahead of us.”

Cyrus opened his eyes to survey the harbour, blinking in disbelief as the most magnificent vessel came into view. Constructed of dark oak, with four masts, a prominent beaked prow, and a squared-off stern, it was like every ship he had ever described in his stories, but more like a floating city in size.

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