The Crimson Scrystone ( Book 4 ) Tarawa's Wand

By Clifford Eddins

Henley, the pirate king of Louisianan Island, is informed of Captain Philia's arrival, he is determined to settle an old feud with the immortal captain. King Henley employs the help of Deliahla, the child witch. The king's knights are sent to capture Captain Philia and Deliahla plots to snare the brothers, Aries and Warren. The brothers soon discover they are up against more than Sorcerer Tolko, Hemsworth Castle is guarded by another, the Witch Tarawa, and her horde of Elder creatures. The brothers and Captain Philia discover the secret behind Xriander, the unsinkable ship. And as the pirate settlers of Louisianan Island turn on King Henley. Prince Aries leads the revolt to place the exiled Queen Nola, back on her throne.

Prince Warren has been summoned by the merpeople, transformed by the child Witch Deliahla, Queen Nola needs Witch Tarawa's wand, the one thing that can transform her people back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Clifford Eddins
• Release date: Dec 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463102572

Book preview

The Crimson Scrystone

Book Four

Tarawa’s Wand

Chapter 1

Louisianan Island

*

On the horizon, Louisianan Island came into view, after weeks at sea, as the stood on the quarterdeck, this was a welcome sight to Prince Aries and Warren. The Captain lowered the telescope from her eye. At the ships wheel, the helmsman steered with caution all around rocks broke from the waves, some small, others large, with their spikes almost reaching the ships rails.

‘This is crazy,’ said Warren.

‘No less rugged than you’ll find the icebergs off the coast of Ebon Island,’ said Captain Philia. ‘Only an experienced helmsman can get us through.’

‘And I’m the best there is,’ said the helmsman, turning the wheel left, steering clear of a smaller rock.

‘That’s it,’ said Captain Philia. ‘Steady as she goes.’

‘Lucky we’re not being pursued by Xoriander, A snail moves faster than this.’ Aries was brash, he exaggerated, his comment was meant to provoke a reaction from the Captain.

‘If you can do better, be my guest, take the wheel,’ said the helmsman.

Aries walk to the jagged edge, where the ships front had been ripped away, taking Seafarer’s figurehead, the railings, and a segment of a compartment in the Captains quarter’s. The warm wind stirred his black, shoulder length hair, he ran his fingers through his short beard, and retrieved the small egg from his waistcoat pocket. This last vestige of his mother was all he had. It was precious to him. If the plague of the gifted was to be thwarted, there was no room for error, he had to succeed, and time was scarce. The Crimson Scrystone had to be found.

Aries plied his probe, Queen Perth, his mother, was there, he sensed her life signs. Her presence touched him, it was warm, caring. In a mindful state of bliss, he sought solace in his discovery. He grinned unaware of what was going on around him.

‘Brother,’ said Warren.

The older brother blinked back to reality. ‘She’s here with us,’ he said. ‘Not in person but spirit. We shouldn’t have sailed on board this ship. It was Meehan’s big mistake paying for our passage, trusting this Captain, she’s nothing but a rogue.’

Heron hooted from his perch on the sleeve of the younger brother’s robe.

Warren stroked the owls head, flattening his pointed ears. ‘Yes my friend. We agree, of course, my brother’s right.’ He gave a pensive face. ‘We’re further from our quests end than we ever thought possible.’

Again Heron hooted.

‘What’s he saying?’ inquired Aries.

‘He informs me Seafarer’s nearing Port Louisianan,’ said Warren. ‘I’m going to get Miriam, I’m sure if anyone, she’ll be pleased to hear this.’

The younger brother set off, the deckhands were busy, he stepped around them. When he arrived below deck, at the Library of Knowledge, Miriam was seated on a wood chair, a long mirror was in front of her, the four-poster bed was gone. With a brush she brushed her hair.

‘Warren,’ she said, at his reflection in the mirror. ‘Hopefully you’ve good news.’

‘I thought you might like to know, Seafarer’s soon to drop anchor.’

‘I’m almost ready.’

‘Here, let me help you with.’ Warren waved Heron from his sleeve and made his way across the library. He took the brush from his guest. ‘You have the most fine head of hair.’

‘You’re too kind,’ said Miriam.

Again Warren ran the brush through her hair, it was much longer than his, that grew straight and fell just below his shoulders, Miriam hair was wavy and almost reached her waist. ‘My offer stands. If you’d like to remain with my brother and I just say.’

‘Again I must decline,’ said Miriam. She was young, her spirit was adventurous. ‘At long last I’m far from my father’s ship. Free from the curse of Xoriander. I now have my life ahead of me.’

‘Where will you go?’ he asked.

‘Far from Louisianan Island, it isn’t the only inhabited place in these waters, there are many others, I can pick and choose as I like.’

‘You’re a young woman. Your fathers spoilt you no end, in the real world, if you want fine clothes, rich food, you’ll have to work for it.’ Warren gave the pirate girl a sympathetic face. He admired her courage. ‘To get by you’ll need more than the gift of mind control.’

‘I intend to lie low, work hard, and pay my taxes to the treasury of the king or queen, whichever is the ruler of the island I choose to settle on.’

‘I didn’t realise there were other neighbouring Islands in this region.’

‘That’s because the Captain wants you focused. The task ahead is all that matters. She’s close to becoming the last remaining legend of the seas. Once my father’s ship is sank... You and your brother will serve Captain Philia, to ensure her success, willing or not, you must become her hired assassins.’

Warren stopped brushing. ‘We’ve spoke with the Captain, I assure you she’s mentioned nothing of payment for such an undertaking. If this is her pursuit, I assure you I wouldn’t accept a penny from her. I can’t say my brother’s taken to her plans either.’ In frustration, the prince shook the brush at the mirrors reflection. ‘But I’ll tell you this, I’m not an assassin, and neither is Aries.’

‘He has the qualities of one. Your brother frequently gives way to anger and hostile intentions, he lacks consideration for others,’ said Miriam. ‘You know he will do it.’

Warren continued to brush. ‘He’s always been the reckless one, I’ve told him this countless times. He won’t change, he’s beyond reach,’ said Warren, with regret in his voice.

‘The trouble is, you burden yourself with blame, for that which you have no control over.’

‘And what about you?’

At the question, Miriam shrugged. ‘I don’t blame you, nor Captain Philia, my father’s always been a formidable foe, she’ll tell you that. Some say Captain Duncan, my fathers the best Captain that ever sailed abroad Xoriander. In battle he’s sunk many a ship and her crew.’ Shyly she smiled at the prince’s reflection in the mirror. ‘Without regret I’ve left that life behind. You are wise conjurer, the reason why I came here, is to be with your brother. From the moment I met him I was smitten. He’s unlike the pirate men I’ve grown up with. Aries is wild, strong, opinionated, and pleasantly gifted. He didn’t break when my father beat him. It was because of this I saw the error of my father’s way. And here I am... I know what you think, mine is a silly childish crush.’

‘There’s nothing silly about having feelings for someone,’ said the prince. ‘You’ve been under your father’s wing too long, locked away like a caged bird, trapped in his circle of protection. If anything comes from this, grasp the positives, you’ve made a choice, this is just the start of your incredible journey.’

‘In a way I envy you. Sometimes you’ve a strange way with words.’

‘Is that wrong?’

‘Not at all, you’ve a kind, selfless nature, to do good by others.’

‘I’m a qualified politician.’

‘I’m sure you’re the best in your land.’

Warren chuckled. ‘So I’ve been told.’ In the mirrors reflexion he grinned back at Miriam. ‘There, you’re tangle free. And might I add, looking as radiant and beautiful as ever.’

‘No one’s ever told me that, on board my father’s ship I’ve always been admired, for nothing other than