New Friends
Seraphina watched the pirates disperse at the Captains words, following Tariq as he followed the captain to his quarters a lanky teen running up the stairs with rolls of scrolls in his arms, a spectacle hanging loosely on his neck, his hair every which way, as if he had been pulling it.
Seraphina stepped in the office, as Tariq moodily asked, “This is the Navigator?
“He’s a lot smarter than he looks.” Aariz muttered, as they watched said, boy roll out the scrolls using colored stones that sat on the Captains desk, to hold the corners down. Seraphina watched the gleam of the stones with amusement, realizing the stones the boy used were actually emerald, ruby, sapphire and diamond. She glanced at Tariq, who leaned against a wall, his arms crossed glaring at the stones with distaste.
“Why do you look familiar?” Aariz barked at Tariq who quirked an eyebrow at him, before looking back at the maps.
“Tortuga. I am often in those ports.”
“Ah, a fellow Pirate?” Aariz asked, as Zara and Nasir joined them closing the door as they did. Zara unbuckled her canteen, handing it to Seraphina.
“Wine?” she murmured quietly.
Seraphina smiled down at Zara, who seemed to avoid looking at Tariq, as she took the offered wine and took a wealthy sip before handing it over to Tariq. “Drink,” she commanded.
Tariq rolled his eyes, taking the canteen. “I’m more of a freelancer that any sort of pirate.”
He moved closer to the maps as he sipped the wine, regarding them closely. Seraphina looked at Aariz who glanced at her in surprise. “Your navigator, can he be trusted?”
“Raffa has seen his fair share of magic, so whatever you both are about to do, no need to be discreet. Just keep in mind, my ship is made of wood.” Aariz murmured.
Seraphina held her hand out, Tariq handing her the canteen before reaching into his pocket and holding out a glowing violet stone that he waved around the maps contents. Nasir and the others moved closer watching as the maps contents seemed to rearrange themselves.
Raffa’s eyes went to the stone in wonder. “Is that a piece of the crystal of echoes?” Raffa asked, looking up at Tariq who glanced at the boy with some interest.
“You know of this?”
“What is a crystal of echoes?” Nasir asked.
“A piece of the wall of Dragons, it can store memories, both old and new.” Aariz answered looking at the stone with a curious gleam.
“The wall of Dragons?” Nasir asked a tone of disbelief in his voice.
“In ancient times it was said that the very first caverns of the world housed all the dragons of the realms, where they stood dormant until the world had need for them. It is on these walls that were carved the very first memories of both what has been, and what has yet to come.”
“See how the map is rearranging itself?” Raffa asked, pointing to the different dots that were appearing and disappearing within the map.
“This will give us a more accurate reading of where the Dragon Pearl was in the past, and where we need to travel in order to find it once more. It’s also taking us to places where we might find forgotten Dragon Hordes.” Tariq explained.
Aariz’s eyebrows raised. “Dragon Hordes?”
“Abandoned Dragon hordes.” Seraphina pressed.
“When’s he’s done,” Aariz murmured, patting Raffa on the shoulder, “Give the Quarter master the new coordinates.” Aariz glanced at Tariq and Seraphina. “Give them the other guest quarters on the North side of the ship.” He stated to Nasir, before he left his own cabin.
“The North side?” Seraphina asked.
“We’re in the south side below the deck.” Zara explained. She hesitated for a moment looking uncertainly at Tariq before asking. “Do we have anything to worry about? Sorcerer wise?”
“Shazir is on a different plane of existence. He won’t be harming anyone; his magic is no longer with him.” Seraphina murmured softly.
“You and your sister fought of the sorcerer well.” Tariq murmured, pocketing the stone, and gesturing for Raffa to take the map.
“I was in the castle two days ago. There is no more trace of Shazir,” Tariq murmured, turning a sly glance at Seraphina. “Or a Dragon sized hole to contend with either.”
“Why are we going to abandoned Dragon Hordes?” Nasir asked, after watching Raffa close the door behind him.
“The Queen promised the Captain, any other treasure found would belong to him,” Seraphina explained, her eyes casting a glance at Tariq who gave a small nod.
“There is however something else we are looking for.”
Zara looked between the two of them, her eyes deep in thought. “Another forbidden gem?” she asked.
Seraphina grinned. “Princess, tell me. Have you ever heard the tale of the heart of the Ocean.”