Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) by A. Lombardo (intellectual books to read .TXT) 📗

Her movements changed slightly. The windbreak around the vessel shrank, but the sails swelled, and the Dragaron lurched forward. They were moving again.

Kai and Rayna continued to weaken the storm above them. Their energy supported Yulia’s efforts. Wind and rain clawed at each of them. At the stern of the ship, Kai saw Dresnor was unprotected from the storm. The rage-fueled storm pelted his Kempery-man, and yet, Dresnor held fast. He kept one hand on the tiller and used the other to protect his body from the hail with his heavy shield.

Waves continued to ravage the ship. Yulia’s decision to focus her power on the sails reduced their protection. Waves slapped the deck, and Rayna lost her footing. The surge washed her towards the railing. Kai dove after her, but a second wave knocked him to his knees. Water splashed over him as he scrambled to grab Rayna.

He watched helplessly as she tried to stand. The next wave slammed her to the deck and washed her out of reach. He called to her, but she was unconscious—her limp form pressed against the railing. Blood trickled down her cheek. Frantic, he ran to her side. He felt the ship reduce speed. The wind around him lulled, and Kai rolled Rayna to her side. She coughed. Water spewed from her mouth. She was alive.

He tenderly wiped the blood from the cut on her cheek. “Let me take you below.”

She shook her head. “No, we need to help Yulia. I will be alright.”

Suddenly aware of the calm around them, Kai looked to the sky. Once again, the storm rolled black over them. Yulia kept the weather at bay, but they were again motionless in the water. Ripped in two, another sail flapped in the wind. Yulia’s movements barely protected the mainmast. Her focus had shifted to protect Rayna.

Kai pulled Rayna to her feet, and they rejoined Yulia. Once again, the ship lurched into motion. They were not streaking across the waves as before, but the windbreak Yulia created protected them from the surge. The storm clouds continued to dump heavy rain. The howling wind pushed against the Dragaron. Hail again pelted the ship. Lightning cracked the sky.

Hours passed, and there was no sign of the shore or the weather easing. Kai wondered how much longer they could hold out. They were exhausted. He felt his strength wane. Rayna’s movements were sluggish; tears welled in her eyes. Even Dresnor was slumped by the tiller. Everyone was exhausted. The push-and-pull of magic made Kai very weary.

Yulia’s focus, however, was unyielding. She pulled, folded, and pushed the energy, ever resilient as she worked. Rain poured from above, the wind stirred the waves and whipped against them. Thunder and lightning pierced the black sky. Renewed by Yulia's commitment, Kai continued to pull the energy from the storm. Their only chance was to push onward.

Off the port side, far in the distance, Kai saw a shaft of light break through the storm. Unsure what to make of the weather change, he dared not stop. He continued to draw power from the storm looming above the ship. Then another ray of sunshine burned through the clouds, and more and more light poured through. The wild weather shifted in a wave across the sky. The black clouds crumbled away and slowly dispersed altogether.

Relieved, Rayna dropped her arms. Kai stepped to hold her upright. Yulia refocused all of her energy at the remaining sails. The Dragaron surged forward with astounding speed. Dresnor stood tall and cleared the water from his face and beard. He dropped his shield at his feet.

The waves started to recede, and the ship cut through the water of Baden Lake once more. Kai and Rayna stepped forward. The early evening sun kissed their faces and the wind blew against their soaked clothing. They were saved. He wrapped an arm around Rayna’s waist and pulled her close. A thin dark line cut into the horizon. They were close to land.

“Yulia, you can stop. Look, I can see land.” Kai gestured.

Yulia did not stop. She worked harder. Their speed increased. The prow of the ship rose out of the water. Rayna stumbled. Kai caught her elbow and steadied her. Concerned, Kai looked to Dresnor.

“Make her stop,” Dresnor called. “We are close enough. Quick before she crashes the ship or the crew comes up.” He gestured at the hatch.

It was enough that Dresnor witnessed everything. The ship’s incredible speed. Yulia controlling the wind. No one knew that Yulia was a Weathervane. While the crew may be thankful for her help, they would also whisper that she was a witch or some other fanciful creature.

“Yulia,” Kai pleaded, “you must stop. The crew, they will see you. The storm is gone.”

In front of them, the horizon began to take shape. The thin line became lumpy and green. Out of the corner of one eye, Kai saw the hatch door rise. There was no time to wait for Yulia to comply. Kai grabbed her hands. “Yulia!” He startled himself with the violence of his tone.

Alarmed, Yulia stared half-crazy into Kai’s eyes. “Sorry, I…I couldn’t. If the storm returned, we needed to be closer to shore. Why did they stop?” she whispered, mostly to herself.

The sails sagged, and the ship sloshed down into the tiny waves. Only the faintest breeze remained. Grunts echoed from the hatch as men spilled out into the fresh air. The captain eyed Dresnor. “I see my ship is still in one piece.” He glanced across to Kai and his group. “I won’t ask what you did, nor tell what I believe. Now, Your Highness, let’s see if I can deliver you safely north of Albey.” The captain gave them a slight nod and took the helm.

Dresnor nodded to the captain. Kai escorted Rayna and Yulia below, leaving his men behind. Satisfied they were in good hands, Kai took them to the captain's quarters.

Yulia wasted no time stating the obvious. “Well, it is pretty obvious to me that the elders