When the effects of the laced dart began to wear off, I woke up slowly, my surroundings unfamiliar and the sound of chains occasionally grinding in my ears. Time ticked by as though it was a day at peace, like the effects of grog or elixir binging wearing off, the numbness a welcome reprieve from my previous terror. My senses gradually returned as my grogginess slowly lifted. As I struggled to sit, the clanging of chains grew louder. Dizziness assailed me and I cradled my head to stop its pounding.
Looking down, I noticed that both my wrists and ankles were shackled with the chains fastened to a post that had been driven into the stone and sand. I slowly glanced around the dark space I was in. Rock walls encased the enclosure and a single torch, secured to a rod on the far side of the space, gave a miniscule glow to my new abode.
They’d placed me into a cave, a fitting prison for a low-based farrin, but they must have deposited me deep into one of their mountains because no outside light penetrated to where I was. I could not see the entire breadth of the space nor could I make out where the possible entrance could be. The furthermost edges of the cave were shrouded in shadow and darkness.
My fine Apolake Ship Captain’s uniform had been stripped from me. They’d left me in my undergarment and I shivered at the cold that seeped through to my bones. Fury rose in my gut at the humiliation. My thoughts flew to my men and I wondered if any of them had survived. Had they burned my ship like they’d done with the other Dwarkaa ship? Were the remaining men on my vessel cut down like the rest of the ship crew?
And what of Tilly? Where was she? Had Akoni Farrin taken back their defector? My soul and flesh ached for her and yet I should be furious. If only I could restrain the impulses and longings of my flesh but it seemed wild and untamable at the thought of Tilly. I stood and paced as my mind raged. The chains only allowed so much movement and I cursed the Akoni Clan for their revolt and rebellion.
Hours passed as I paced in my prison. My stomach growled in hunger but no food was brought. As the hours stretched on and on, my anger turned to despair. Perhaps the Akoni Clan was planning on starving me to death.
I estimated it was at days end before I heard distant sounds of footfalls pinging off the walls of a tunnel. Soft light began to emanate from one side of my prison, highlighting an opening. The sound of voices offended my ears and I stood to my feet in anticipation. War bloodlust raged through my veins and I searched for anything I could use as a weapon. I found nothing of worth. I held up calloused hands. I used them to kill my previous wife and I was sure they wouldn’t fail me this time.
Calculating how much chain I had and my possible trajectory should I choose to attack, I hoped whoever was coming would position themselves close to speak to me. I braced myself and waited for my captors to arrive.
Two women entered the space with torches in their hands. They stopped a distance away and stared at me. Tilly was one of them. She had changed from her Apolake Warrior Uniform into her base farrin wear, her leather, war-weary garb. I hadn’t realized she’d taken it along on the journey until that moment. Her presence made my heart palpitate stupidly and I was surprised how fetching she still looked even with her base choice of attire.
The second woman was a head taller than Tilly and she carried herself with strength, pride and surety. Her commanding presence and piercing gaze galled me. No women should stand so strong and erect. She took a step closer but just far enough that I wouldn’t be able to reach her. She was clearly aware of the length of my chains and was taking precaution. I guessed that this was the farrin leader. Tilly had previously told me her name, Xiomara.
Xiomara said, “So, you are Donagh, the renowned Apolake Ship Captain, the one all of Dwarkaa’s Domain is ranting about. You were the one sent to bully Akoni into submission, the one to enforce Casimer’s rule.” She stared at me coldly.
I remained silent, fury smoldering in my gut at the mockery.
“Don’t look so angry. I understand that a change in status is always difficult for one formerly so honored. It is difficult being humbled.”
“You obviously have no idea who you’re dealing with?”
She laced her hands together before her long leather coat and said, “And do you know who you are dealing with? Have you come to understand that it is you in chains and not I?”
“Casimer does not tolerate dissension of any kind!”
“This places you in a very awkward position because you have now become a deserter of Dwarkaa and have linked arms with Akoni Farrin.”
“I have not linked arms with anyone!” I screamed.
“And yet, here you are, stripped of your men, weapons and ship, with chains dangling from your limbs, standing before me in your skivvies.”
“I demand that you release me. And I demand you return my clothing.”
Tilly chuckled in amusement in the background and I glared at her. She stepped beside Xiomara and said, “Not so in charge now that you find yourself a slave, huh? How does it feel to have our roles reversed?”
“Give me enough time and you’ll eventually feel the chaffing of these shackles on your limbs.”
Tilly shook her head in disappointment. “I don’t think you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into, Donagh. I tried to warn you but you were as stubborn as the Tonrar on a murderous mission. After what you did, stand up for that one man on your ship who was attacked by the Tonrar, I didn’t really believe you’d allow all your men to be cut down by my fellow Akoni Warriors.”
“That is not my doing.” I pointed to Xiomara. “It is your fault that all my men are dead.”
“You were given a choice. You made it and your men suffered for it.”
The guilt was too much. I couldn’t undo what I’d done and secretly wished they’d kill me, end my misery.
Xiomara was speaking and I forced myself to concentrate.
“…and there is a way you can exonerate yourself. If you choose to align with Akoni, help us in our revolt, you will be elevated among the farrins as a hero.”
My mind was reeling from the surreal conversation and position I found myself. “And…if I don’t?”
“We will kill you and find another way. My sources have gathered a great deal of information about you. I know that you have become disenchanted with Casimer and his ruthless rule. Before you met Tilly, you were despondent over the direction of your life and had lost hope in a meaningful purpose. Your thoughts were running dark and if left to your devices, you would have eventually brought about your own demise.”
Everything she said was true and I’m sure my surprise showed. I couldn’t for the life of me understand how she came by such information. Tilly had been my salvation in more ways than one. My mind whipped to possible informers on Dwarka and I singled out a few who might be saboteurs. I was a frequent visitor to the Shadowed Tavern and right after I killed my first coverling I was known to imbibe in too much elixir and my tongue loosened. I was sure Tilly could not have known all this about me. We never talked of anything deep and meaningful, certainly never of heart issues.
“Who have you been speaking to? I demand to know.”
Xiomara said, “That is irrelevant. Right now you have a decision to make – life or death. It matters little to me which one you choose. We will proceed with our plans either way.”
I couldn’t stop the growl deep in my throat. I felt outraged by this woman’s bold declarations and unflinching bravery. I’d never witnessed anything like it. Tilly was the closest I’d experienced to such recklessness. When I glanced over at Tilly, the smile on her lips told me she was enjoying my discomfort and confusion.
Xiomara’s words drew my eyes to lock on hers. “Thanks to you, we now have plenty of Apolake Warrior uniforms to deceive any opposing Dwarkaa ship and its occupants. I doubt we’ll have much trouble convincing the inhabitants of Dwarkaa of our legitimacy. We’ll simply dock at a Dwarkaa port that knows nothing of what your ship looks like. We’ll pick a spot along the coast that has no idea of the mighty and renowned Captain Donagh’s appearance. You should be easy enough to impersonate. From there, we will easily blend into the scenery, infiltrate whatever echelons of your society we deem necessary and implement the plans we’ve drawn up.”
A chuckle started deep in my throat. “You are a stupid woman who knows nothing of the happenings on Dwarkaa. The Tonrar are everywhere.”
“Not true,” stated Tilly.
I leveled my most intimidating glare her way but it didn’t seem to affect her. I continued, “They will report the presence of intruders to the Royal Palace and you will all be cut down before you disembark from the ship or set foot on the ground of Dwarkaa.”
Xiomara didn’t look worried. “That might be true if we were going in alone. You seem to purposely avoid the fact that the strength of Tarmon Farrin has condoned this rebellion.”
“Tell me what the Tarman Clan is like and why I should fear it?”
The look in Xiomara’s eyes told me that she felt sorry for me. I hated pity. “I will tell you nothing until you’ve made your decision.”
“I demand to know something.”
She shook her head and challenged me. “What happened to all your men, Donagh? Isn’t that enough of a sign or do you insist on more?”
I said, “There’s one thing you don’t realize. Dwarkaa has more than twice the population of all the other land masses and clans combined. The armies at Casimer’s disposal are numberless in comparison to your beggarly numbers. You have no chance of succeeding in this deluded plan of yours.”
“Again, that might be true if Tarmon weren’t going with us. We are counting on the element of surprise being in our favor.”
“There’s no way that a single ship filled with fake warriors would be able to take Dwarkaa down.”
“Who said we have only one ship? And what makes you think we’re the only land mass and clan planning revolt?”
Her words stopped me for a moment. “Which farrins are involved?”
“You will find out in time. Or maybe not at all if you choose death.” Xiomara turned away. As she walked toward the exit she gave me one more piece of advice. “Choose wisely, Donagh. Joining with us will answer many of your questions and will bring vindication.”
“I’m not looking for vindication.”
“When word gets to Casimer that you have not returned and your ship was lost at sea, what do you think he will do to your surviving family members? Word will spread that you’ve abdicated your role and have abandoned Dwarkaa. There are enough men on Dwarkaa that are insanely jealous of you to start a myriad of rumors.”
I didn’t respond. Xiomora turned at the tunnel entrance, the blazing torch in her hand highlighting her face. She looked fierce and determined; her visage almost god-like. She reminded me of the ferocious statues of Casimer which he’d erected in every prominent public forum throughout Dwarkaa. She said, “Choose wisely. We will give you two days to decide.” Then she left.
Tilly stayed behind and said, “Donagh, you don’t have to die. Join us.”
I refused to answer her.
She finally said, “I’ll send one of our warriors later with some food. You must be hungry.”
I stared sullenly at her until she finally turned and left. I watched her torch grow dim in the tunnel she exited until it faded completely.
My thoughts turned dark and visions of my father paraded through my mind. Although I didn’t have great feelings of love for him, he still was my father and I had no desire for him to die a ruthless death at my expense. I was glad that my mother was already deceased. At least she wouldn’t have to endure a horrible demise at the hand of Casimer’s ruthless thugs. I was the only child of my mother but my father had many children by a slew of women, all of them my half siblings. I wasn’t very close to any of them but they were still family. To think of them all brutally murdered because I failed my mission terrorized me as I paced in my enclosure, my chains dragging behind me.
Sleep escaped me as I pondered my options. I didn’t have any. The Akoni Clan had systematically deleted every other choice when they cut down my men in cold blood. I felt utterly alone and destitute.
The choice they’d offered me was a death sentence. Either option meant that I could never return to Dwarkaa Farrin. To return would mean a brutal death at Casimer’s hand. To join the Akoni Clan caused bile to gather in my mouth for it would be the death of the life I knew. The drastic turn of my future tortured me and I felt it would take longer than two days to decide. How could I, a decorated and honored sea captain in Casimer’s service, abandon everything I believe and surrender my will to a low farrin leader, and a woman at that?
