Page 31 of Journey to the Elderoak
Casimir leaned his back against the side of the ship and tried to breathe through the pain, staunching the blood flow the best he could.
Hope was a curious thing. One moment it was there, bright and shiny, reassuring you through the darkest of times. The next moment, it was slipping away and laughing that you even dared to grasp it in the first place. And now, it was gone.
And where was Ava? Worry gnawed deep within, not having seen her in a while. He would never forgive himself if she was harmed or recaptured. Though he trusted Raine to keep her safe,hewanted to be the one to do so. He should be there to protect her.
Shouting interrupted his thoughts and alarm worked its way in as he turned to look at Pax, bracing himself for the worst. But they weren’t screams of fear, they were shouts of joy. Cheers. His soldiers were celebrating.
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” Pax said as he scanned the ocean. His eyes widened and a slow smile spread across his face. “Unbelievable.”
“Help me up,” said Casimir.
Pax pulled him to stand and put Casimir’s arm around his shoulder, propping him against his side.
Casimir’s eyes skimmed the sea. Why was everyone cheering? He continued to search when he saw it. Well, he sawthem. Three ocean drakes were winding their way through the boats, smashing them with their blue spiked tails.
He shook his head in disbelief. “How?”
“There.” Pax pointed at a fourth ocean drake, much bigger than the others.
Two figures were riding it as it swam toward the larger ships, shooting arrows at daemon soldiers as they passed.
Ava and Raine.
The remainder of their forces whooped and hollered as they prepared for the next wave of soldiers. The ocean drakes made quick work of the rowboats, smashing them and pulling the remaining soldiers under. Daemon blood painted the water black as the creatures ripped apart the enemy forces.
His heart soared as he watched Ava ride the monstrous being, fearless as it used its spiked tail to break the hulls of the big ships. Once the rowboats were destroyed, the other three drakes joined it in finishing off the large vessels. The last few daemon soldiers who’d made it on the deck were cut down and all the flying monsters were dead.
Pax was laughing with relief. “I can’t believe it,” he kept saying as he shook his head.
But Casimir could. He knew what Ava was capable of when she pushed past her fears. Unable to take his eyes off her beautiful face, he watched as his princess led the creatures that saved them.
12
Rough fibers dug into Ava’s palms as she climbed the rope ladder, not yet able to celebrate the victory. Not until she knew Casimir was alright. With each step of her booted feet, her heart beat louder in her ears.
Please be okay,she urged.
She was still in disbelief that she'd summoned those creatures again and rode on one, finishing the battle and ensuring their victory. Would animals come to her aid any time she called, or was it only in the direst circumstances?
“Ava,” Raine called out from below.
“Yes?”
“Prepare yourself,” he said, voice serious. “Though we may have won, I’m sure plenty of our men still died. I don’t know what we’ll find up there.”
“Okay.” Dread washed over her. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Am I going crazy, or did I see Casimir glowing earlier?”
Raine cleared his throat. “Umm…I don’t think he’ll want to talk about that.”
“What? I’m not crazy?”
“Well, I didn’t saythat.”
