“Last call for breakfast!” called a gruff voice from the hall.
Val opened her eyes to find a cascade of blonde locks in her face. The odd warmth beside her turned out to be Tarra cuddled in close. She must have climbed up some time in the night. Val prodded the girl awake.
Tarra groggily opened her eyes. “Sorry. I was scared, and well-. Hope you don’t mind.”
Val just grunted as she sat up and climbed down from the bed, stretching as best she could in the cramped confines of their room.
“Come on. get ready. I don’t want to miss a chance for food.” Val said, pulling on her armored corset once more. She was glad that she had it on when the pirates had taken her. the heavens only knew when she would be able to recover her other belongings. Perhaps Rowan would find her in Surret. That is, if they ever got off this ship.
Breakfast was a dull affair. Cold porridge was hardly what Valkyrie wanted but the crew
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Valkyrie Black Chapter 67: Captain Glaucus - Admiral of the Black Fleet
The hot air balloon ride was exhilarating. Tarra sat with her back to the wall of the basket, holding tight to Valkyrie’s leg, but Val stared out at the wide ocean and looked down on Captain tailwater’s ship far below as they ascended to the clouds.The Luna Marra now floated at around 500 feet off the surface of the ocean. It had slowly continued to descend even as their balloon rose up to meet it. A guide rope appeared as they reached the final 200 feet and crewmen tied it of to the basket.As the balloon rose above the surface of the floating island, Valkyrie realized this as not just a floating island sized ship, but a city unto itself! In the middle, a large tower glistened with sunlight and morning due. It looked to be at least ten stories high. The surrounding buildings were often two or three floors each.Wide areas of green grass and even a few trees could be seen around the main tower. It reminded Valkyrie of a lord’s estate.
Valkyrie Black Chapter 68: Challenge of Recovery
“Umm, I -umm. Well you see sir.. I did place her in the tiers on my ship.. she actually beat a master gunnery sergeant of the marines, so technically she does have that standing.”“Oh, shut up you.” snarled the admiral.Glaucus stewed for a few minutes. Finally, he looked up, “Staff Sergeant Millons, you know the records. Its been well over ten years since I challenged for my seat. What does the ‘code’ you all are so intent on upholding actually say about the challenge?”Millons apparently was prepared and pulled a small book from his jacket pocket. After reading a few passages he looked up as read aloud, “The first of three challenges is often to retrieve something of value. The only stipulation is that the actual recovery must be undertaken alone. A crew can only come within a nautical mile of the site, be it a fort or island.”Anything else?” Glaucus asked.“A second task mu
Valkyrie Black Chapter 69: Isle of Whispers
Ok, simple enough. Val sprinkled the dirt onto the small shelf. Again nothing happened.Perhaps when all 4 are on at the same time?Val pulled out her waterskin and poured water onto the corresponding shelf.She then took her flash vial and set it on the third.{Wind?} she asked.Lilith was silent.Figures. She likely would just call me a fool… wind… wind… Val leaned down to the shelf, looked at the shatter vial and blew across the wind pedestal as she smashed the flash vial.A grinding sound made her jump and a large stone door slid open on hidden tracks. Valkyrie peeked into the dark hall and cursed.“Sure, just walk into the creepy dark hall on the mysterious island all alone… what could possibly go wrong?”As Val stepped into the dark, she shifted her vision to thermal. What she saw took her breath away. Lining the walls were tiny poin
Valkyrie Black Chapter 70: Ancient Enemies , New Allies
The cave grew still and quiet for a moment before the spectre began chanting again.“Free us! Free the ancestors. Free us, silverblood!”“Why should I free you?” Val asked, not sure why she was engaging with the delusions she was hearing.There was quiet once more, as if the voice deliberated.“The silver speaks. Answers the call! Of the line of Azrael she is… Hope! Not of the tainted and twisted!”As they spoke, the broken dialect became more clear. It was almost sing song as the voices drifted on a fantom breeze in the cave where no wind should be.“The Princes. They come. If united they stand, all will fall. Gates be opened, powers unleashed. Only the silver-eyed one stands opposed.”“Princes?” Valkyrie racked her mind to remember what she knew of the scath hierarchy. Both Desmond and Lilith had mentioned them. It was from them that the other scath spawn. Lilith had
Valkyrie Black Chapter 71: Reaper's Return
“You bear the mark of our oath upon your voice. The lessers will obey. They are slow of mind and not able to strategize. You must guide them with your will. As for us, should you need the power of the ancestors, you have but to call. Know it will take time to summon us, so only call in time of greatest need and call the one who will serve best. In our stead, the lessers be at your command.”“Any scath?” Val asked, her eyes wide. Did this mean she would never hunt scath again?“Nay, the lurkers are but beasts of want and glutten. The Thrashers a mix of chaos and destruction. These are of no progeny of ours.”“Lessers of ours will be near to you. Lessers of their’s, wild they will be. The princes have many, and they will not answer your call or ours.”“Well, at least some will answer.” Val asked thinking of the scath on the ship, “ So I guess I should try to command before trying
Valkyrie Black Chapter 72: War Games
Black tendrils shot up the silver chain and wrapped around Val’s arm. Val felt dark, evil thoughts press into her mind as a malevolent presence assaulted her consciousness, fighting for control.[RESIST!!!] came Lilith’s internal scream. [ WE are stronger. We are many!]Val felt Lilith throwing up mental wards, the spark coming to life as it had never before.Val’s body writhed in pain as the tendrils of obsidian darkness burned her skin. She was vaguely aware of the water Scath thrashing in the pool as it tried to escape and men running towards her, but her mind was consumed with the internal battle.Suddenly she found her consciousness thrust into the meadow of her subconscious as blackness began to blot out the stars above.Lilith stood beside her, sword in hand.“You are about to face the darkest fight you have yet endured. Prepare to unleash every crystal you have, girl.” Lilith said.“What is
Valkyrie Black Chapter 73: Soul Cairn
The staff Sargent sighed heavily, ”In the event a challenger does not have a ship or crew, volunteers may be gathered.”The admiral grinned, “You can use the barquentine we captured from the Vintas fleet. The Soul Cairn.”Captain Talwater groaned.“What?”“The sea banshee holds 450 crew. That thing is a pure sailor, with only 150 crew max. Course, I guess you will be lucky to find that many volunteers to crew it for you.”“The Banshee marines will serve the lady Reaper,” said Major Gunner from the doorway.Val spun to look at the man. She had not realized he was in the room but was heartened to hear his support.“The marines are needed on Sea Banshee,” Talwater protested.The staff sergeant cleared his throat again, “Under the terms only captains are prohibited from volunteering.”Talwater grunted and glared at his officer, “Y
Valkyrie Black Chapter 74: Arming the Soul Cairn
Val stood very still, looking hard at the man, “Rank and job, sailor?”“Names Tim, ma’am. I be the gunner master of the Marauders Corsair. Being short has its advantages. Me and mine can cram three more guns where others wouldn’t dream of fitt’n.”“Master Tim, What would it take to convince you of my victory?”Gunnery master Tim looked back at her seriously for a moment before busting out in laughter, “You had me going there, Lass. Short of commanding the sea herself, I doubt there is much you could do. It’s the Black Fleet, Lass. Nothing going to get through to that fort.”Val considered her options. Here, now, she had to win the minds of at least some of these men. She signaled the barkeep and a drink was set before her shortly. when she went to grab for it, a small puddle on the counter caught her attention.{Think the lesser can put on a show?}[Only know if you ask]
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