Shadowed by Prophecy: A Crown of the Phoenix Prequel Novella by C.A. Varian

Author:C.A. Varian [Varian, C.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-12-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter thirteen

Pirates

Proteus had only been gone for a moment before he darted back into the room, reaching for his sword. “I need you to stay here. Lock the door behind me.”

Messalina’s heart fell into her stomach at his tone. She reached for her own sword, pulling it over her shoulder. “Proteus, what’s wrong?”

Pausing as he was putting on his boots, he glanced up at her under heavy brows. “There’s a ship. Pirates. They haven’t done anything yet, but they’re closing in on us.“ Tightening his laces, Proteus stood and straightened out his weapons belt. “I don’t want you in danger. You’d be safest down here. I won’t be gone long.”

There was a part of her that wanted to listen to him, to hide and let others fight, but she was an Aegrician. She’d always wanted to be a warrior, and now was her chance. Reaching for his arm, she steadied her voice. “I’m not going to hide while the rest of you fight. I’ve been trained with a sword, a bow. I can help.”

He didn’t want her to go. She could see it in his eyes, but he only took a moment to nod. Only once, but it was enough. When he stood, he took her hand, and they left the room together.

They hadn’t even gotten to the end of the hall before the first shot was fired, the cannon shaking the entire craft. Messalina’s hands flew protectively over her ears as Proteus held onto her, pulling her into his side. “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’ve got you. That was our cannon, not theirs.”

She nodded, but his words didn’t make her feel any better. If they’d shot at the pirates, that meant the pirates could shoot at them. When they started walking forward again, Messalina was trembling.

When they walked out onto the main deck, there was chaos, at least from Messalina’s point of view. Dozens of men stood on one side of the ship, preparing the cannons and working the sails. Just over the heads of the soldiers, she could see the other ship’s sails, solid black with red bones crossed at the center of each. It was smaller than the ship they were on, but only just.

Another cannon boomed, nearly knocking Messalina off her feet. Proteus wrapped his arm protectively around her as they shuffled toward where the captain stood behind the wheel. “Miron.” Proteus had to speak loudly over the shouting on the deck. One of the men near the captain stepped forward, an older male with graying hair and a long beard of the same color. “Look after Messalina.” Letting go of her hand, he went to walk away but she reached for him, grasping his wrist. When he turned back to her, his face was more serious than she’d ever seen it. “I need you to stay here while I go talk to my men, love. If you’re by my side, you’ll be all I think about.” He pulled her in close, kissing her fiercely. “You’ll be all I think about no matter what.

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