The sea had always been somewhat of a comfort to Kailani. She wasn't entirely sure why. The sea was full of dangers of terrifying creatures like the Sirens that they had fought off, but also beasts as fearful as the Kraken and mammoth squids and sharks. These monsters were what went through Kailani's mind as they sailed by the a cliff face that had a skull carved into its face.
"We're getting closer." Zathrian said from behind her. He leaned on the rail, looking at the cliff face with a shrewd look on his face.
"Those markings are very distinctive, do you think it was truly carved by some deity or carved by man themselves." he mused.
"So cynical. Aren't you?" Lorcan said as he leaned on the rail beside Zathrian, looking out at the cliffs. "Should we be worried about that, witchy?" he asked.
Kailani shook her head, smiling slightly. "You Pirates and your Omens." she said. She frowned her eyes looking upwards. "You shouldn't worry about Omens of the sea." she murmured.
"What do you mean?" Lorcan said narrowing his eyes as he followed her gaze. Zathrian looked up as well and saw the dark shape that was moving speedily through the clouds, towards them.
"What is that?" Zathrian asked.
"Someone you hope never to see." Kailani whispered as the shape took a sharp right, a cloud of what looked like green smoke in her wake as she vaulted straight down. They watched as a raven appeared landing on the deck it's shape morphing into a velvet cloak that divided in half a young woman in a long black dress with billowy sleeves appeared in front of them with pale skin and short white hair. Her indigo eyes seemed to gaze into everyone all at once before she locked her eyes on Kailani. She put a fist against her chest and bowed.
"Milady Kailani."
"Gwendalyn. What are you doing here?" She asked.
"Another Mage?" Zathrian asked, glancing at Lorcan, who was smirking.
"My ship has never been so popular." Lorcan said dryly. Gwendalyn glanced at the two boys before she spoke again this time in a runic tongue.
"I am sorry Milady. I did not mean to intrude." Gwendalyn said sheepishly.
"Say what you have to say." Kailani said with a sigh.
"You told me once that your King was a good King, that the wars he had fought had spread safety for all the Kingdoms." Gwendalyn said.
"He is. He did." Kailani murmured. "But he is not responsible for the actions that the Kings and Queens of the Kingdom chose to do."
"So you know?" Gwendalyn said.
"Know what?"
"The wards of magic have been weakened with the death of the dark Witch. You and I both know that the Royals decision to Kill her would not come without consequences."
"Gwen, speak plainly." Kailani hissed.
"There is a reason to believe that the ancient one has awoken." Gwen said.
"Abbadon?" Kailani said sharply taking a deep breath she glanced at Zathrian who like Lorcan was staring at her curiously. "Gwen if he's back."
"Then you know who will be coming next. If she hasn't awoken already." Gwen said.
Kailani turned away from her looking out on the sea. "If she awakens, it won't just be war. Our entire way of life will end. If she wakes so too will her husband. If they reunite it will be hell on earth." she said.
"Gwen," she said speaking in English. "I have a task for you."
"Are you asking me, or telling me as the King's Mage?" Gwen said tensely.
Kailani looked at Zathrian. "I owe Lorcan this one last task. But I need you to go to Garren. He needs a protector. If it gets out that the Drakons are coming back than they will want to remove him from power."
"As you wish." Gwen said bowing once more and then flying off.
"Please tell me she didn't mean the Drakons as in the Dragons that nearly decimated the world with their fury. I thought the whole reason the Six kingdoms were created was to make sure they don't come back." Lorcan said furiously.
"How about we deal with one crisis at a time." Kailani muttered as she faced the ocean her eyes narrowed. "Something tells me that is not a good sign."
Lorcan turned around to see something moving in the water. "What?"
There was a yell from above in the Crow's nest, and then the Pirate that was there yelled down, "SEA SERPENT!"
"You've got to be kidding me." Zathrian said his eyes wide.
"Everyone to your stations! Prepare the cannons. MOVE ! MOVE!" Lorcan shouted.
"Are you a good shot?" Kailani asked Zathrian.
Zathrian looked at her startled. "I've had some experience." he muttered.
"Good, because Sea Serpents are creatures of the Sea Witch so they don't exactly go well with Earthen magic. " Kailani said pulling him away from the edge.
They scrambled to the barrel that held shotguns, and with the assistance of other Pirates got their guns loaded.
"Harpoons at the ready!" Lorcan shouted, as the Sea Serpent winded closer.
"Don't shoot until you can see the whites of it's eyes." Lorcan said.
Kailani glanced at Lorcan. "Seems like old times." She said aiming her weapon.
"You've done this before?" Zathrian asked.
"It comes with the territory of being a Pirate," Lorcan said with a smile.
"This is going to be fun."