War of the Wisps

Andrew felt weak as his brother described what had happened. He made the whole thing sound so matter of fact, but Andrew’s mind filled with images of the Pirates arriving back at their island in a panic, of an apparent fleet of ships with black flags sailing along the coast, and of Prohr burning. The dragon grunted something, and Peter looked at him. “Yeah, one.”

“One what?” Andrew asked.

“They shot an arrow at us, but it didn’t do anything,” Peter said. The dragon rumbled again. “Right. Sorry.” Peter looked down at the others again and continued, “Either way, we made sure it wouldn’t be going back to this Shark Tooth place.”

“But it still sailed away?” Andrew asked.

“Peter shrugged. “Seemed to be. I didn’t want Jarn to just kill all of them.”

“Things probably would be easier if you did,” Andrew muttered.

“What was that?” Peter asked. But Andrew was already shaking his head.

“No. No, I doubt you could have done anything differently. Don’t worry, and let’s get back to town.”

“I think he did the right thing,” Anna whispered to Andrew before they mounted. “I wouldn’t have wanted him killing so many people for our quest.”

“I know,” Andrew said, keeping his voice low. “I’m just worried they might have gone back to the other pirates, warning or no. Things might be harder for us now.”

Anna frowned. “He stopped them from coming after us, and he got some useful information, too.”

Andrew nodded, trying to agree with her. But he couldn’t get the image out of his head that a horde of pirates. One arrow did nothing to the dragon and his rider, but he shuddered to think of what a hundred would do.

The flight back to the castle of Prohr took almost no time at all. A small group of palace officials came out to great them. Andrew told them they had more information for Lord Mac’Fureigh, and asked them to let him know right away. The servants left for several minutes before returning to beacon the three riders inside. Peter Asked Jarnvaror to wait for them, then followed the others on his crutches. The dragon curled up in the courtyard, watching the entrance.

They were led to Lord Mac’Fureigh’s study. When they entered, Andrew was struck by how similar the room was to Lord Ironhill’s study up in the Iron Valley. It had the same shape and height, the same tall window behind the desk, although this one opened out to a view of the sea. As he looked closer, the room was a little more cluttered. Many paintings were hung on the wall, and little gold and silver baubles were littered over the surface of the desk and even the small table before it.

Mac’Fureigh stood facing out of the window when they entered, and he didn’t turn around till all three had been seated. He looked them up and down. “I find it difficult to believe you learned where those Wisps came from so fast,” he said.

“We found a group of Wisps in one of the caves along the coast,” Andrew said. “They appeared to be guarding a hidden treasure.” The nobleman’s expression didn’t change, but he gestured for Andrew to continue. “We didn’t want to risk undoing the spell binding them there without knowing more, but we were able to confirm that was their purpose.”

“How did you manage that?” Mac’Fureigh asked.

“By talking to some of the pirates,” Peter said.

The lord’s gaze swung to him. “Talking to them? Did you fly all the way to that island base of theirs?”

“No, but Jarn and I saw two of their ships heading toward the caves, so we went out and talked to them.”

Lord Mac’Fureigh’s face darkened. “And how did you know these were pirates?” he asked.

“They told me when I asked if they were pirates.”

The Lord blinked, his face filling with confusion. “You just asked… And they actually told you?”

“Well, some of them tried to deny it. Others just nodded. It was kind of obvious. I think Jarn made them nervous.”

Mac’Fureigh was very still for a moment. Then he nodded, almost to himself. “I suppose the shock of a dragon landing on the ship could do that to some men.” He paused for a moment, thinking. Then he looked back at Peter. “And you say they confirmed that the Wisps in that cave belonged to them?”

Peter nodded. “They said they got them from a mage that seems to be distributing them to a bunch of different crews, and that they used theirs to guard the treasure.”

“I see,” Mac’Fureigh said. “Did they say anything else?”

Peter shook his head. “No. One of them decided to try attacking Jarn, so he torched the ship.”

The lord sighed. “I suppose that can’t be helped then. Better than them getting back to their island, at least. What about the other ship. Did you let it get away?”

Peter shrugged. “Ripped its middle mast out and told them not to go back to the island.”

For a second time, Lord Mac’Fureigh blinked at Peter in confusion. “Excuse me, but you just told them not to go back?”

“And ripped up the ship some,” Peter said.

A cold fury filled the lord’s eyes. “And you think that they’d obey that order once the dragon was out of sight?” he asked. “Or do you think that they would try coming here for repairs? Or any other port city?”

“Well, they’d need to go somewhere,” Peter mumbled.

“They would,” Mac’Fureigh agreed. And do you know the only port that lets pirates dock for repairs?”

“It’s the one on Shark Tooth Island, isn’t it,” Andrew realized.

“It’s the one on Shark Tooth Island!” the Lord roared. “Far from ensuring the other pirates don’t learn you’re here, you have guaranteed that they will all know a dragon is hunting their Wisps by midday tomorrow! Why didn’t you sink them?”

“We didn’t want to kill anyone,” Peter said.

“They are Pirates!” the lord spat. “They murder most of the traders that they come in contact with! They steel from everyone who isn’t strong enough to resist!”

“Do you want us to be executioners?” Anna asked.

“I want you not to make my job harder,” the lord snapped back.

“Maybe it won’t,” Andrew said.

“What?”

“Maybe we can use this to make you’re job easier,” Andrew repeated. “They don’t know we’re working with you, do they?”

“What makes you so sure about that?” the Lord demanded.

“Well, Peter didn’t mention it when he talked to them, did he?” Andrew asked. Peter shook his head. “So, if they do know, it’s because they have someone informing for them in the city right now, and—”

“They certainly do have informants in the city,” Mac’Fureigh said.

“So maybe they do have some idea. Even so, if we move quickly, we might be able to act before the informant gets that information Shark Tooth.”

The lord barked a laugh. “How fast do you think I can mobilize a force. Even with your dragon, a raid on the island would take hundreds of men!”

Andrew shook his head. “Even a surprise attack?”

Mac’Fureigh shrugged. “If your dragon flew out of the night, then maybe.”

“Which we can use. We can use that to create a distraction. Do you have some paper?” The nobleman raised an eyebrow, then brought out a sheet of paper and a small stick of charcoal. Andrew thanked him and began jotting notes down as he spoke. “I think we’ve got three distinct goals between us. Both of us want to figure out where and how they are getting their Wisps. We want to free those Wisps, and crippling or destroying the system of Pirates would be good for you, right?”

“For the most part,” the lord said.

“What are you thinking?” Anna asked.

“I’m thinking we launch an expedition to try and capture the Pirates’ mage,” Andrew said. “The one giving out the Wisps. We use Peter and Jarnvaror as a destraction. Have them start burning down the Pirate’s ships. While they’re busy putting out the flames, a small group goes in to capture the mage and bring him back as a prisoner.”

The lord frowned as he thought about it. “You’d never get close to the mage. Even if you managed to distract all of the pirates and their friends on the island, which would be no easy feat, he is likely guarded by his own Wisps.”

“I can take care of that,” Anna said. “At least as far as getting close to him goes.”

“And Jarn and I just get to burn stuff? Pretty sure we can handle that.”

Mac’Fureigh looked between them. “You are aware that there will be more pirates on Shark Tooth than any amount of soldiers I could provide for you, correct?”

Andrew nodded. “I think that works fine. We don’t want to be noticed. Too many and we’d definitely be seen.”

“And you’re sure you can handle the mage?”

Andrew paused. He knew Lord Mac’Fureigh was not referring to the Wisps this time. He glanced at Anna. “Do you think you could disrupt his spells?” he asked.

Anna’s face was white. She opened her mouth to answer, but it took a moment before any sound would come out. “If I have to, I can try,” she said.

“Would you be able to send a mage with us to help in the fight?” Andrew asked the lord.

Mac’Fureigh shook his head. “Unfortunately, none of the mages in my employ have specialized in combat. They would be of no use in this.” The Nobleman turned to look out the window. A gust wind slipped through the window, bringing the salty scent of the ocean into the room as the trio waited to see what the lord would say. “I am not certain about you’re plan,” the lord finally said. “It feels like a suicide mission. But I won’t stop you. Find a ship willing to carry the men, and I’ll see who among my soldiers is willing to volunteer.”