Page 29 of Journey to the Elderoak
One of the winged abominations landed with a thunderous boom, the ship vibrating beneath Ava’s feet. Moonlight illuminated the menacing creature as it stood on two legs, long arms ending in sharp claws, its bat-like wings spread wide. Black skin hung from its frame and a wicked grin revealed jagged teeth. Over eight feet tall, it took a step forward and swiped at a nearby soldier, gutting him in seconds.
Ava loosed an arrow, piercing its shoulder, but it only served to anger the monster. It crept closer and swiped again but the group ducked. Raine took off, shouting for Ava to follow, as Casimir snuck behind it.
Another landed with a shudder, pulling Ava’s attention away, as three crew members lunged for it and took it down with their swords, while Raine shot an arrow into its eye.
Ava glanced back to where Casimir had been, but he was now running in another direction, the first monster a pile of ash on the deck. She swore he was glowing, but there was no time to think about that as daemon soldiers climbed over the edge of the ship.
They were being boarded.
Ava rushed to the railing and looked over the water. The ocean was overrun with rowboats. There had to be nearly fifty. She aimed her bow at the soldiers climbing up the side and took them down as fast as possible. Raine appeared beside her to help, and they felled as many enemies as they could.
It still wasn’t enough.
More daemons clamored on board. Shouts and screams surrounded them as swords clanged behind her. They were fighting for their lives now. Would they even make it? Ava looked around, ignoring the fear working its way through her as she tried to think of some way to help. They couldn’t die now. Couldn’t fail at the first large battle.
There must be something they could do.
A plan formed in her mind. It was risky. Stupid, even. But if it worked, it could ensure their victory. She had to try.
“I have an idea!” she yelled at Raine.
“What?”
“You’re going to hate it, but I need to get in the water.”
“Fuck no! You can’t go down there.”
She grabbed his arm and yanked, making him look at her. “The last time I called an ocean drake I was in the water!”
“Are you crazy?”
“We need to take those boats and ships out! I have to try!”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Alright. But I’m coming with you.”
“You need to stay here and fight,” she said.
“Absolutely not. If you were fae I would, but you’re still human. I’m not leaving you alone.”
“Fine,” she relented. “How do we get down there?”
“Follow me.”
He sprinted to the opposite side of the ship, free from the enemy soldiers, Ava following. They reached the railing and Raine unrolled a rope ladder. “Don’t make me regret this.”
11
Casimir dashed across the deck after burning the winged creature with starlight. There were still eight monsters left and they were taking down his men left and right, almost impossible to kill without magic.
“General!” Gisela shouted from the starboard side of the ship, where more daemon soldiers were pouring over the rail. Half their archers were dead thanks to those winged creatures, and they were no longer able to keep the enemy forces at bay.
He rushed over and his eyes followed her finger pointing to the ocean. More rowboats. There had to be at least two hundred daemon soldiers headed their way.
They were fucked.
“Can your starlight make it that far?” she asked.
“I don’t know.”
