Captain Black Shadow: Chronicles of the Bat, #1

By Janina Franck

The life of a shipwright's son is a quiet one, always staying in one place while sailors of all sorts pass through, telling tales of their daring escapades to any who will listen. For the young Griffin, stories of adventure aren't enough; he longs to see the world for himself, to have adventures out on the ocean, and to captain his own ship. Even if that means abandoning his old life and running away. But the seas of Jianlah are a dangerous place, filled with strange creatures, treacherous waters, and most dangerous of all: pirates. So when Griffin finds himself aboard the Bat, the most notorious pirate ship of all, his adventures are only beginning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janina Franck
• Release date: Jun 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781948661294

Book preview

CAPTAIN BLACK SHADOW

by Janina Franck

CAPTAIN BLACK SHADOW: Book One of the Chronicles of the Bat Series

Second Edition

Copyright © 2019 by Janina Franck

www.janinafranck.com

Published by Snowy Wings Publishing

www.SnowyWingsPublishing.com

Cover design & Bat logo: Eerilyfairdesign

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher or author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

ISBN (e-book): 978-1-948661-29-4

ISBN (paperback): 978-1-948661-28-7

To my parents who let me find my own way.

CHAPTER 1

"Black Shadow. He’s heartless. He’s crafty. And he’s the boldest pirate the world has ever seen. He stole the secret of cloudships and keeps it hidden from the rest of the world, for only him to use. Some say he appears wherever people are the most evil, people with the darkest shadows on their souls. And they say that wherever he appears, he leaves just one sole survivor, the one with the purest soul, to speak of his deeds. At least that’s what people think. I pity the man who crosses his path. Even the Marine–"

Griffin cut her off. Yeah Ma, you’ve told me the story a hundred times! I’m too old for those fairy tales.

Griffin’s mother, Marielle, looked at him, lowering the book. But it’s true! she insisted. Only last month–

Griffin sighed. "Of course it’s true! You hear about the Bat’s raids all the time. But the legends and the attacks… He paused. It’s different. It has to be."

Bored, he left his mother in the house and went to see his father at the docks. As he walked, the usual smell of wood and metal mixed with the typical fragrance of the sea reached his nose. It was a hectic day. Workers scurried around frameworks of ships and boats, shouting and laughing. Some trolls were hauling tree trunks around, directed and supervised by their human co-workers. Griffin walked to the outer end of the docks, joining his father, Joshua Symes, in front of a majestic vessel.

"The Crow will be ready soon," Joshua explained as his son stopped next to him. Griffin nodded silently as he regarded the large ship.

Glancing at his father, Griffin saw a familiar glimmer in his eye. Pride.

Griffin had partially supervised the building of the Crow, and he knew he'd done well. The three-master bobbing up and down on the waves in front of them was proof of that. He didn't know who had commissioned the work, as Joshua had refused to tell either him or his mother.

It left Griffin with a vague hope and he found himself smiling. Perhaps his father meant for the Crow to be a gift to Griffin. After all, his parents had been privy to his lifelong dreams of one day sailing the ocean. Most people his age had already left home to study at the university or learn new professions, so Griffin figured it was about time for him to do the same.

Coming from a family of shipwrights, a profession held in high regard across the empire, many lanes were open to him, and as long as he got to live at sea, Griffin would accept any of them with open arms.

Griffin sighed and looked over the ocean beyond the docks. He was good at designing and crafting ships and had been increasingly involved in the process over recent years, but it wasn't how he wanted to spend his life. There was so much more for him out there.

One of the many things he wanted to see was the Veil, the wall of mist surrounding the vast archipelago empire of Jianlah. Griffin also loved the tales his mother had told him all his life of a continent beyond the Veil, practically another world. Nobody dared to travel through the mist, since it was said that every person who even so much as touched the Veil was doomed. This fear was fed by stories of daring adventurers who’d attempted a passage and had never returned.

Once he was captain of his own ship, he would decide its course and see the Veil for himself.

As if reading his thoughts, Griffin’s father said casually, You know son, I think you’re about ready to make your own way in the world. Don’t you agree?

Griffin was afraid that if he expressed his excitement, his father would change his mind, so he nodded silently instead. They both stood in silence, gazing across the ocean, lost in thought. Eventually, he sighed and gestured toward the hill behind them, where their house stood, framed by pear trees.

You had better help your mother prepare dinner, said his father. I have some important news to share with the two of you.

His head spun with thoughts chasing one another and heat rushed through his body, making him giddy as he raced home without argument.

Would his dream come true? Would his father finally make him captain of his own ship?

Dinner went calmly. Too calmly for Griffin’s tastes. Inside his mind a storm raged, a storm of anticipation, the knowledge that his dreams were about to come true. All he needed now was his father’s confirmation, but it seemed as if time itself was intent on pushing against him with all its force, just so it could torment him with the slowness of its passing.

Finally, his father put his goblet of wine down. Marielle and Griffin watched him expectantly.

"The two of you know that the Crow is finished now and will depart soon."

Both of them nodded. Griffin’s father proudly extended the exciting news to them. "I’ve kept the contract secret until now, but it’s time to tell you. The man commanding the Crow in a few days’ time is… He paused dramatically, and Griffin closed his eyes, full of anticipation. In a moment’s time his name would ring in his ears and his mother would fall crying around her son’s neck while his father would clap his shoulder and say, I believe in you, son."

Captain Morris!

Griffin’s world fell apart. Determined not to make a sound, his jaw tightened, and his hands clenched so much, his knuckles went white.

His mother jumped to her feet, almost knocking her goblet over, joy written all over her face. Captain Morris? How did that happen? He’s such a capable man! Doesn’t he command a whole fleet?

He used to, replied Griffin’s father gravely.

Black Shadow? Marielle asked, concerned, but Joshua shook his head vehemently.

The black ship is just some pirate imitating the legend. He’s not real.

Marielle and Griffin exchanged a look. Joshua was always like this, yet he continued unfazed.

It was actually that big storm last month. Most of his ships were damaged, so it’s going to be a while until they’re repaired, if they even can be.

Griffin only listened to his parents’ conversation with half an ear. His dreams were shattered. This was supposed to be his time. He was finally going to get off this stupid island and live his own life like other people his age.

Granted, it was big and pretty, with beautiful beaches and a lot of wild animals, even a tribe of flower elves, but he had already explored every inch of it by the age of five. He knew the name and personal history of every person living in the little village his father had set up for his employees near the docks. Griffin was fed up with island life. He wanted to be out on the open sea, to feel the wind in his hair and let the salty sea air blow around his nose without the constant rumbling noise of the docks in his ears. Was that too much to ask?

And you. His father turned to Griffin, interrupting his thoughts. You will supervise the building of our next ship all by yourself! It’s the perfect opportunity for you!

His mother added, You’ll become a brilliant carpenter, just like your father!

Griffin felt cold at his parents’ words. His gaze wandered to the far wall, plastered with his childhood drawings. All of them showed him on a ship, far out at sea. Above them, his mother’s ornate dagger – a gift from her own grandfather, back when they had travelled the empire. It was a reminder of the adventures that were waiting out there for him. His heart sank as he turned his eyes back on his parents, taking in his father’s wide, satisfied smile and his mother’s proud, joyful gaze.

It was also ordered by Captain Morris, by the way, Joshua added with a wink.

It was difficult for Griffin to bring himself to grin, but he gave it his best effort. He imagined that it probably looked more like a grimace, but his parents seemed too happy to notice.

A little while later, Griffin watched the sunset over the ocean from his favorite spot, a small cove surrounded by a steep wall. It was difficult to climb down to reach this part of the beach, making it the perfect spot to be alone. He often came here to watch the passing ships disappearing into the setting sun and imagined how someday his parents would stand at this very spot watching him sail away on his own ship. But now, that would probably never happen. To think, he’d never even been to any of the big cities of the empire like Port Garillya or Marcatia. The next island with a city worth visiting was a whole day’s sailing away. To get supplies, they either had to trade in one of the villages on the island nearby or wait for a merchant, who usually dropped by twice a month. This was the life to which he was supposed to be condemned? There had to be more to his life than that!

Resigned, Griffin took a stone and let it skip over the almost still surface of the water. It was a windless evening, which couldn’t bode well. Doldrums such as this normally announced an oncoming storm. Clouds already moved across the two visible moons. Sighing, he turned to go. Just before he reached the house, a series of gusts made the trees tremble. The door slammed shut behind Griffin as he went inside. The loud noise snapped him out of his trance. At once it was clear to him what he had to do. He could never stay here and become a shipwright like his father! That was out of the question. It seemed unlikely to him now that he would ever get his own ship and so there was only one option left. He would sneak on board the Crow and depart with her. As soon as he then got the chance, he would leave and find a ship and crew of his own. Yes, this was a fantastic plan! It lacked details, but those would be found in time.

Driven by his newfound optimism, Griffin went to his room and packed all he felt he would need. He knew that the ship wouldn’t depart for at least another week or two, but one could never be overprepared. His scheme was in place: When the Crow was to leave at first light, as all ships did, he intended to be on board, hidden away between provisions and cargo, before his father awoke.

When he had finished packing, the boy hesitated. Had he gone crazy? Was he really intending to leave his family behind without telling them? He knew his father would never let him go. But… shouldn’t he at least ask before he did something so unreasonable? Maybe, just maybe, he could convince them and he might get the chance to command the ship they built next, or at least stay on board to learn. Griffin knew his only sailing experience came from the training his father had given to him as a boy, but once he found himself on the seas, everything would fall in place, that much he was sure of.

He had been home-schooled by his parents, and he was confident about geography, laws, and his understanding of the world. Occasionally, his father would take him along when he went to meet with associates who had children his age. While they’d insisted on sparring with wooden swords and other games of strength, Griffin had preferred to grab any book he could find and sit quietly reading. Even though they’d laughed at him and made fun of him lacking physical talents, when it came to testing their knowledge, Griffin generally had the upper hand. Griffin hadn’t only stuck to stories because the other children picked on him, but also because they showed him another world. Those books gave him the freedom he yearned for, the adventures he couldn’t find at home, the friends he could never meet. As a child, Griffin had imagined his favorite characters there beside him, going on adventures all over his home island, Kyalta.

He had heard his parents speak in hushed tones about imaginary friends, and their worries about whether he would grow up to be a competent, functional adult someday. But while his mother had always encouraged his imagination and told him that it was important, a gift even, his father would advise him harshly to grow up and be a man.

Griffin was sitting on his bed, staring into the candle burning on the little bedside table. His mother must have lit it when it had gotten darker. She was always so caring and thoughtful. She loved stories about adventures just as much as Griffin did, perhaps even more. Sometimes he thought he noticed a faraway look in her eyes, as if she were remembering either something from her past or something that could have been. She never told him which it was.

Griffin loved his parents; he really did. But he had spent his entire life just doing what they’d asked of him. Joshua Symes was a strict man who liked when his orders were followed and his authority wasn’t questioned. He certainly wasn’t a bad father: he provided for his family, he loved his wife and son, and he tried to teach his child everything he knew. But Griffin didn’t think his father would understand that he wanted different things for himself. In the past, whenever they had disagreed on anything, it had caused a huge fight and disturbed the harmony of the Symes’ household. Since they lived alone on Kyalta, aside from the people working directly for Joshua, Griffin had nowhere to go and had ended up having to do things his father’s way no matter how he felt. Marielle Symes was utterly distraught by any sign of discord, so Griffin always tried his best not to give her cause for pain.

But he couldn’t keep living his life this way. It had to end.

A few days passed and Griffin jumped between decisions about the near future almost hourly. Eventually, he decided to take a leap of faith and bring up the issue at breakfast.

I want to go to sea, he blurted out when his mother had put a plate with a fried egg before him.

She looked at him confused and surprised. His father put down the blueprints he had been studying.

Griffin, the Marine are a serious bunch. I don’t think–

His son interrupted him. I’m not talking about joining the Marine Corps, father. I just want to go to sea. See the world. Go on adventures. Command my own ship!

Griffin, sweetie, are you sure you know what you’re saying? It’s dangerous out there and you have no experience, his mother said gently, concern spreading over her features. She folded her hands and threaded her fingers, looking from her husband to her son and back.

Griffin, Joshua began. I know you’re a smart boy. But you’re really not cut out for that sort of life. There are all sorts of dangers at sea: storms, giant sea creatures, pirates, sirens. You barely know how to fight; remember the lessons I gave you?

He did. It had been a disaster and Griffin tried to forget the mental image of him falling into the mud over and over, eventually being matched to spar with one of the sons of one of his father’s associates, only to lose the fight within mere seconds. The disappointment that had spread over his father’s face at that loss had been almost too much to bear. That had been three years ago, but the memory still hurt.

But what else would you have me do? Griffin asked. I don’t want to be a carpenter. This isn’t my life, it’s yours. I want to be free, on the ocean. I can gain experience; I can learn the things I need to know. I don’t have to be captain right away. I just want to get out there!

His voice rose on the last few words and he felt his throat choke up slightly. This was the only chance he would ever have. His father looked less than pleased with his outburst and his mother was staring at her fingers unhappily, clearly unsure of what to do or say. Joshua shot his son a dark glare. Griffin knew that look. It was the expression his father made when he’d had enough of a topic. It meant his decision was final and if Griffin didn’t drop it, things would get complicated. Normally, Griffin would choose this moment to leave things be, but this time, he couldn’t do it. This time he had to try everything.

How am I ever supposed to find a life for myself, if you won’t let me? he pleaded. You can’t just keep me here forever and you know that. I need to find my own way and if I don’t do it now, then when? I’m almost nineteen, for crying out loud!

Griffin really felt like crying now, but he did his best to ignore it. If he burst into tears in front of his father, he’d have no chance. So he swallowed, trying to hold his father’s glare.

Enough, the man snarled. You’ve said enough foolish things for one day. Go to your room. I will speak to you later. I don’t have time for children’s games right now.

Griffin stormed out of the room. Those words had hurt. They had stung like a scorpion-fish in an open wound. If only his father would take him seriously and not think of him as a child…  But that was never going to happen.

Griffin locked his room from the inside and threw himself into his reading corner. It was a sort of pillow and book fort he and his mother had made together years ago by one of the windows in a corner of the room. It was separated from the rest of the room by bookshelves with pillows laid out all over the ground, so he could read comfortably. He sat there for a moment, staring out of the window, watching his father march toward the docks. His steps were brisk, his fists clenched.

Griffin could see from here that his father was still angry. He felt like he was going to throw up any second. A storm was raging inside his mind and body. He let his gaze wander beyond, where he could see the shore and the glistening water following it. A ship was sailing in the distance, headed for the next market port, he presumed. Gulls soared through the sky, swooping down and up again, snatching fish out of the water and swallowing them at the highest point of their arching flight. Griffin sighed. How he longed to be part of that world.

A soft knock on the door disturbed the boy’s thoughts.

Griffin? Marielle’s concerned voice drifted in.

With a sigh, Griffin shuffled to the door to let his mother in. First, she took him in her arms. Her warmth and sweet scent were as comforting as ever.

You have to understand, she said quietly after a moment, still not releasing him from the embrace. Your father only wants to you to be safe. He only wants the best for you.

I know, Griffin replied after a moment.

The boy wriggled out of his mother’s hug to look her in the eyes. She looked sad. But he knew she understood what he was saying. He wanted to ask her to leave him alone with his thoughts, but he didn’t have the heart. Instead he asked, Could you tell me the tale of the cloudships again?

His mother smiled underneath her teary eyes and they sat together in the reading corner, where she told him one of his favorite childhood stories once again.

The reason why ships are named after creatures of the air is that once upon a time, they shared the sky with them…

The decision was made. This was the only option. He had to go. He had to depart with the Crow today. His father would never change his mind; Griffin knew that now. His mother would also never fully understand how much he needed to go. He could not let his life be decided by other people. If he messed this up, he would likely never get another shot. He had to go now.

Captain Morris had dined with them the night before. Griffin didn’t like him at all. He had an air of superiority, especially toward Marielle, whom he treated like a barmaid. Griffin was spoken to like an ignorant child and suddenly, Griffin was glad that his father hadn’t suggested learning under Captain Morris’s guidance. Luckily, the captain had returned to his ship after dinner to get ready for departure. He hadn’t even stayed for the desert Griffin had made.

Now in the small hours of the morning, Griffin looked around his room one last time. This was it. He would not be back here for a while. His gaze was caught by the quill and ink on the table. Should he write his parents a goodbye note? Perhaps it’d help them with the shock of him leaving. They’d know he had left of his own free will and that no one had forced or kidnapped him. But then… wouldn’t they be incredibly angry? His father could make rash decisions… Would he send a search party after the Crow to have his son returned to him? Griffin bit his lip. It was too unsafe. He couldn’t risk his parents stopping him.

He moved to open the door, but he changed his mind. At his desk, he wrote a single sentence to his parents on a piece of paper: I love you. At least they’d know that they weren’t the reason for his escape.

The boy had to pass his parents’ room to get to the front door, but as he tried to steal past, the door opened and a ray of light lit up the hall. Quickly, Griffin pressed himself into a niche behind a plant. He barely dared to breathe. His father stepped out. Griffin squeezed his eyes shut and prayed for his heart to beat more quietly. He feared his father would hear the loud, heavy pounding in his chest.

Please, please, don’t see me. Go back to sleep! the boy thought desperately. He mustn’t fail! He couldn’t risk his father catching him and ruining his plan. There was too much to lose. This was about the path the rest of his life would take. But what other way could he leave the house?

Joshua stood still in the doorway. Marielle said something, and he turned back into the room. The door stayed open and Griffin used the opportunity to rush back into his own room. There he let out his breath. That had been too close. It mustn’t happen again. But he had to get out before the workers started their day. The ship was due to sail at dawn. He buried his face in his hands for a moment. Of course he could wait for the next ship. But that would simply be an excuse. An excuse he would end up using over and over again for convenience’s sake and he’d end up never leaving. He had to make it tonight. A different way… He needed fresh air; he couldn’t think like this!

He opened the window and sucked in the fresh night air. The wind made the leaves of the pear tree next to his window rustle. In his childhood he’d often climbed onto the high, thick branches next to his window to watch the sunrise while eating some pears.

Hold on a second.

What a fantastic idea!

He could climb to the ground from the tree and then use the cloak of darkness to sneak onto the ship.

Moments later, the boy was hanging from a branch of the tree trying desperately to find a way down.

He found it. It was a lot faster and harder than he had planned. Griffin rubbed his aching limbs while standing up after his drop and hissed some insults under his breath that would have caused the most callous sailor to blush.

To avoid running into his father in front of the house, Griffin took a little detour, approaching the docks from a different direction. Even though he had run as fast as he could, Joshua was already there giving directions and orders to some deckhands loading boxes on board.

Griffin thought frantically about how he could make it on board. An idea struck him when some of the men let a barrel fall and the top loosened. It was hollow. But not all of the barrels were empty, so maybe they wouldn’t notice if… It was worth a try.

There weren’t many left. Griffin had to hurry if he wanted to hide inside one of them. In one of the few moments when most of the men were on board, Griffin hurried to the remaining goods and checked their contents. It wasn’t long before he located a hollow barrel.

A few seamen returned to collect the remaining goods. As quickly as possible, Griffin forced himself into the wooden container and closed the top over himself. After a few seemingly endless moments, he felt himself being picked up. He barely dared to breathe.

Oi, Skip, help me with this one! It’s one of the heavy ones, a low voice shouted. Griffin hugged himself tightly. Hopefully, the men wouldn’t lift the lid to see the contents… hopefully… His prayers were heard.

Skip and the other man complained about the heavy load but apparently weren’t curious enough to find out what it was. After a few minutes, Griffin was put down and all voices disappeared. A door closed. Still breathless, Griffin remained and listened for a few hours. Only when he felt the ship move did he dare to take a glance out of his hiding spot.

It was rather dark, but the planks let in a little light. The air was so dusty that Griffin had to suppress a cough. As expected, he was in a storage room.

For a moment, Griffin considered revealing himself to the crew at the end of the day, but fear of their reaction, in particular that of Captain Morris, was mightier.

Maybe I ought to wait around for a while and keep hiding…

They had been at sea for a few days. So far, Griffin had managed to stay hidden and steal food from the other barrels. He just hoped they landed somewhere soon so he could sneak off. The longer he hung around, the more his fear of being found grew. He knew the stories about what happened to the poor wretches who were found as stowaways on ships. He didn’t dare think too much about it. It definitely wasn’t on the list of things he wanted to experience.

Unfortunately, the inevitable happened: Griffin was rummaging in one of the boxes to find some