roots of the trees twisted together and formed the railing, mast, stern, and bow of the ship. Instead of planks that had been overlapped to form the hull and then sealed to prevent leaking, the hull of these ships appeared to be solid, almost like a dugout. None of them could imagine the size of the tree that would be required to create a ship that big, let alone to create three of them.
They raced toward the docks, as if they had all became unstuck at the exact same moment. When they got there, they learned they were not alone in their desire to see who or what was making its way toward their shores. Dozens of spectators lined the beach, shielding their eyes from the sun as they tried to get a better look at their visitors.
There was some activity on the nearest ship. A sling had been lowered into the hold and was now being pulled back up.
Though the ship was still some ways away from the docks, the people of Maj took a collective step back when the largest horse they had ever seen was lifted onto the deck of the ship. The straps and sling were removed, and the animal reared before settling back on all four hooves.
“Kahn!” Carly screamed, pushing her way to the front of the crowd, which by that time had doubled in size.
The horse lifted its head at the sound of her voice, and in one magnificent leap, he cleared the side of the ship and splashed into the water below.
Royce couldn’t help but smile at the stunned reactions around him. They had encountered Breken war horses in the past, but this giant was beyond their experience.
Carly worked her way into the water. Daniel put a hand on her sleeve, but she pulled roughly away and dove head-first into the oncoming wave. She popped up a few feet later and struck out with sure strokes in the direction of the horse, who was making its way toward her at a much faster pace. When she reached the stallion, she slid her leg over his back and twisted her fingers into his mane. He emerged from the surf and pranced sideways for a few steps before bolting ahead at full speed.
The people of Maj gaped at Carly as she and the huge horse raced out of sight. Before they could collect themselves, the odd ships neared the docks. Ropes were tossed over the side. Instead of waiting for help, two very tiny females approached the rails and stepped into thin air. They drifted gently down toward the dock like leaves on a breeze.
Zusia turned to face Royce and Phillip. She swept her arm in the direction of the fairy ships and smiled triumphantly before saying, “That! We need something exactly like that!”
Chapter 7
Brin! Why didn’t you tell me the fairies were coming? Dearra asked.
I was hoping I was just having a nightmare.
Don’t pout now. This is wonderful news. We need their help and three ships! I never dared hope they would send so many.
“Aesri!” Dearra strode forward when she recognized the diminutive woman floating down from the deck of the ship.
Aesri wrapped Dearra in a warm embrace. “I am sorry that it took us so long to get here. It took more convincing than I thought, and then I could only get about one hundred to come with me.”
“One hundred is marvelous, Aesri. How many Etrafarians are there now?”
“We do not talk about that, Dearra. I am sorry. I can tell you that there are many fewer than there used to be.”
“It’s okay, Aesri. I don’t need the details. I’m just so relieved you have come. Everything is a mess. We’ve had no response from the king, my father’s funeral was a difficult time for me, and Carly has been ill. I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“We will work it out together, but perhaps somewhere a bit more private?” Aesri nodded at the people who still stood gaping.
“I think you’re right.” Dearra turned to face the assembled crowd and smiled warmly, trying to make everyone relax and take a breath.
“Everyone, this is Aesri. She is an Etrafarian, and she and her friends will be staying with us
They raced toward the docks, as if they had all became unstuck at the exact same moment. When they got there, they learned they were not alone in their desire to see who or what was making its way toward their shores. Dozens of spectators lined the beach, shielding their eyes from the sun as they tried to get a better look at their visitors.
There was some activity on the nearest ship. A sling had been lowered into the hold and was now being pulled back up.
Though the ship was still some ways away from the docks, the people of Maj took a collective step back when the largest horse they had ever seen was lifted onto the deck of the ship. The straps and sling were removed, and the animal reared before settling back on all four hooves.
“Kahn!” Carly screamed, pushing her way to the front of the crowd, which by that time had doubled in size.
The horse lifted its head at the sound of her voice, and in one magnificent leap, he cleared the side of the ship and splashed into the water below.
Royce couldn’t help but smile at the stunned reactions around him. They had encountered Breken war horses in the past, but this giant was beyond their experience.
Carly worked her way into the water. Daniel put a hand on her sleeve, but she pulled roughly away and dove head-first into the oncoming wave. She popped up a few feet later and struck out with sure strokes in the direction of the horse, who was making its way toward her at a much faster pace. When she reached the stallion, she slid her leg over his back and twisted her fingers into his mane. He emerged from the surf and pranced sideways for a few steps before bolting ahead at full speed.
The people of Maj gaped at Carly as she and the huge horse raced out of sight. Before they could collect themselves, the odd ships neared the docks. Ropes were tossed over the side. Instead of waiting for help, two very tiny females approached the rails and stepped into thin air. They drifted gently down toward the dock like leaves on a breeze.
Zusia turned to face Royce and Phillip. She swept her arm in the direction of the fairy ships and smiled triumphantly before saying, “That! We need something exactly like that!”
Chapter 7
Brin! Why didn’t you tell me the fairies were coming? Dearra asked.
I was hoping I was just having a nightmare.
Don’t pout now. This is wonderful news. We need their help and three ships! I never dared hope they would send so many.
“Aesri!” Dearra strode forward when she recognized the diminutive woman floating down from the deck of the ship.
Aesri wrapped Dearra in a warm embrace. “I am sorry that it took us so long to get here. It took more convincing than I thought, and then I could only get about one hundred to come with me.”
“One hundred is marvelous, Aesri. How many Etrafarians are there now?”
“We do not talk about that, Dearra. I am sorry. I can tell you that there are many fewer than there used to be.”
“It’s okay, Aesri. I don’t need the details. I’m just so relieved you have come. Everything is a mess. We’ve had no response from the king, my father’s funeral was a difficult time for me, and Carly has been ill. I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“We will work it out together, but perhaps somewhere a bit more private?” Aesri nodded at the people who still stood gaping.
“I think you’re right.” Dearra turned to face the assembled crowd and smiled warmly, trying to make everyone relax and take a breath.
“Everyone, this is Aesri. She is an Etrafarian, and she and her friends will be staying with us
Similar Books
