Whisper Read online

  Daniel had a way of ruffling Carly’s feathers like no one else could. She took a steadying breath before speaking. “Daniel, we keep many dogs on the island to guard livestock and families. Some of them are quite aggressive. Children are warned to stay away from them from the time they are old enough to understand words. On occasion, children venture too close, and out of curiosity, or sometimes just because they are feeling daring, they taunt the dog. And on even rarer occasion, that well trained animal will lash out, understandably, at its tormentor. The child had been warned repeatedly, and the dog was certainly justified in its attack. In such a situation, what do we do to the dog, Daniel?”

  “That’s not the same thing, Carly. You can’t—”

  “What do we do to the dog, Daniel?” Carly asked again.

  “We put it down,” Daniel conceded.

  “And why do we do that, Daniel? Was the child not warned? Was the dog not justified?” Carly asked coldly.

  “Because we could never fully trust the animal again. We protect our own. But isn’t Darius one of us now? Do you not call him ‘brother’? Don’t let your love for Dearra blind you to her faults.”

  Carly drew a slow, deep breath and then let it out again. “I suppose you are right. I have been blinded by my love. But I think you are equally blinded. You seem to think possessing certain…uh, I mean, you know, having…well, that they give you an excuse to be stupid,” Carly said, braving the briefest glance downwards as she faced Daniel. She felt her face flush.

  “Uh, they? I’m not sure what you mean, Carly. They who?”

  “You know what I mean, Daniel! Don’t be purposefully difficult. I’m just saying that being a man, which, admittedly, is a definite disability, doesn’t give you free rein to act like an animal.”

  Sufficiently chastised, Daniel hung his head a bit. “Yes, Carly. We do tend to get a bit carried away.” He looked down at her, a small, devilish grin on his face, and he said, “But admit it, my sweet. You like knowing the dog can be a bit of a rogue from time to time.”

  Carly took a step closer to Daniel. Her fingers traced a lazy line along his broad chest, and she smiled, coyly, up at him. “So true, Daniel. But remember, if the pup is too much of a scamp, we have ways of making sure his less than desirable traits are not passed on to future generations.” Carly traced her fingers lower, her hand pausing at his belt, and then she smiled sweetly and left the room. Daniel swallowed the hard lump that had formed in his throat and followed her out of the room, mindful to keep a respectful distance.

  ***

  Being aboard the ship, in the middle of the ocean, had severely limited Brin’s diversions. People were an odd group, but he had become accustomed to the minds of his island home, and the daily ebb and flow of life around him. But with only a score of people on board, he had grown bored and a little lonely. Isolated in a box for a thousand years, he was used to only being able to listen to people’s thoughts, but since he had come to know Dearra and Darius, he had gotten used to communicating with others again, and he found he sorely missed the activity. True, the two of them had acted foolishly by putting themselves in a situation that could, potentially, ruin everything, but they were young, and didn’t really understand what was at stake.

  Hearing things from Carly’s and Daniel’s points of view had gone a long way to cool Brin’s anger, as well as his fear. It really had been very, very close. If Brin hadn’t been there to stop them…but it did no good to dwell on it. Cyrus had been sure this was the only way, and Brin would have to trust in that. What other choice did he have?

  Well, Fuzzy, Brin said, using his pet name for Dearra, aren’t you going to talk? I’m bored out of my mind, you know. You could think about someone else for a change, Brin said somewhat stiffly.

  Dearra sat up so quickly, she banged her head on the wooden shelf above her. “Ow!” she yelped.

  Ah, Dearra, always the wordsmith. Your skill with a sword is surpassed only by your gift of oratory.

  “Huh?”

  Brin sighed, but felt relieved to be speaking to Dearra once more.

  “Oh, Brin, I’m so glad you’re talking to me again. I’ve missed you. I really am sorry. I promise, I will listen to you from now on.”

  Don’t go saying things you don’t mean, Dearra. After a moment’s pause, he continued, but maybe you could promise to at least be a little more…prudent.

  Dearra hung her head in shame. “Yes, Brin,” she said.

  Don’t feel too badly, Dearra. I knew another young couple a lot like the two of you.

  “Really? Who?”

  Cyrus and Dyanna.

  “Cyrus? As in the Legend of Cyrus? Your Cyrus?”

  Yes, Dearra, that Cyrus.

  “But Dyanna is a Mirin Tor name.”

  Yes, it is, isn’t it?

  “Tell me, Brin! Tell me everything.”

  Chapter 7

  When Cyrus first came to Maj, he was very much a stranger in a strange land. The people were kind enough to him, but they always seemed a little distant. There was, however, one girl who was bolder than the rest, and Cyrus was drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. They spent more and more time together until, eventually, they were more than inseparable.

  Dyanna was the niece of Majin. She was considered quite the prize by the men of the island, though her status also served to heighten the jealousy of some of them. Had Cyrus not been so openly attracted to the girl, he probably would have been accepted more quickly into the community, but people are such selfish creatures; if one has something, three more are sure to want it.

  The romance between them blossomed until Cyrus went to Majin to ask to be allowed to join with his niece. Majin’s response was less than kind. He scoffed at the idea of his niece joining with the stranger, not because of any special love he felt for the girl, but because he felt it would diminish his status to be so tied to an outsider.

  What an idiot. Can you imagine? People are all ignorant and prejudiced. If they would spend half as much time getting to know others as they spent imagining what their faults might be—”

  “Uh, Brin,” Dearra said.

  What?

  “Cyrus and Dyanna, remember?”

  Right, right. Where was I?

  “Diminishing status.”

  Yes, so, anyway, Lord Moron refused his permission, and a kind of tension settled over the island. Then, one day, a band of pirates attacked—you know, pretty much same old same old for the time. Cyrus joined the other warriors and kept the pirates busy on the beach until they appeared to give up and make their way back to their ships.

  Now, keep in mind that I was buried in a box in the woods, and that, at the time, I was feeling pretty indifferent to all of the people of Maj. Plus, I really do try to interfere as little as possible. So it really wasn’t my fault, I think we can both agree that, no matter what, I couldn’t have prevented anything anyway and—

  “Brin, I got it. You were in no way responsible. Now, just tell me.”

  Well, there were two groups of pirates. One group kept the warriors busy, and the other group snuck ashore to steal what they could. I’m sorry to say that one of them attacked Dyanna when she tried to stop him.

  “Attacked? He beat her?”

  Yes. Unfortunately, it didn’t end with that. He raped her, too.

  Dearra snapped at Brin. “You say it so casually. Have you no heart?”

  Believe me when I tell you that I grieve for that day more than you will ever know, but it was a very long time ago, and I have let those memories fade as best as I can. If I would have…

  Do you want to hear the story or not?

  “Sorry, Brin. Go ahead.”

  Dyanna was damaged in her mind and in her heart, as a result of the attack, even more so than in her body. Cyrus would not leave her, and stayed at her side as she was nursed back to health. She viewed her rape as a disgrace, as she was no longer pure. Depression set in, and she could never imagine sharing her life with a man, even if that man was her beloved
Cyrus.

  Cyrus wanted Dyanna to know the joy and goodness that could be shared between a man and a woman. He was convinced that only a joining would heal the girl, and he begged Majin to let him join with Dyanna, but, again, Majin refused.

  Unable to live with the memories of her attack any longer, a week after her ordeal, Dyanna snuck out of her cottage, away from her family, and made her way to the cliffs. When she stepped to the edge, Cyrus appeared out of the mist and called to her. I will not share all of that very private conversation, Dearra, even with you, but, Cyrus told her that while he may not be able to join with her, he could teach her that love was neither brutal nor unkind. He did what he could to heal the wounds that had been left by the rape.

  When the babe was born to her nine months after her attack, she did not seem at all resentful of the child, but would coo with love at the handsome, baby boy.

  When Dyanna died in the Breken attack on the island, and Cyrus soon after, Majin adopted the boy into his house. Majin was greatly changed after that battle and realized, too late, the wrong he had done, preventing Dyanna and Cyrus from being joined.

  Dearra was stunned. “Brin, I…I don’t know what to say. I have never heard that story before.”

  Don’t be stupid, Dearra, of course you haven’t. Why would Majin want that stigma to follow the boy and all of his descendants? With the story buried, hiding the child’s parentage wasn’t all that difficult, seeing as your people aren’t much for keeping records of ancestry, anyway. After a couple of hundred years or so, no one talked about it anymore.

  “Wow, Brin! That’s so incredible! I wonder if I am a descendant of his.”

  Oh, there’s no maybe about it. You are definitely descended from that boy.

  “Seriously? I can hardly believe it! I am descended from a pirate! Well, that certainly explains a lot,” Dearra said.

  A pirate? You? Certainly not! The baby was Cyrus’s. You are a descendant of Cyrus and Dyanna, Brin said smugly.

  Dearra dropped her head to her hands and struggled to stop the room from spinning. When she’d had enough time to fully absorb Brin’s words, she snapped her head upright, and blurted, “That means I’m…we’re…Oh my…I’m Breken.”

  Yes, you are. Funny how these things work out, isn’t it?

  Chapter 8

  About four weeks into the voyage, Dearra’s stomach had settled enough for her to join the others on deck. She and Darius spent enormous amounts of time staring at one another when they thought the other wasn’t looking. Little did they know, the only people onboard oblivious to their longing were Dearra and Darius themselves.

  Hugh looked at the two young people with pity. He had grown to respect the young Breken, and hated to see the boy he liked and the daughter he loved in such obvious pain. He had tried talking with Daniel about the situation, only to have the gruff weapons master advise him against getting involved in the quarrel. Though Hugh was surprised at how quickly Daniel had cut him off, he resolved not to discuss the possibilities for the rift between the two with anyone onboard.

  Daniel and William offered support to the young man by spending time with him and treating him as though nothing had changed. Not long after Carly had related the story to him, Daniel stood next to Darius on deck, clapped him on the arm, and said, “Women underestimate their power over us sometimes, don’t they? I swear, they’ll be the death of us all.”

  Darius understood the dual meaning the statement carried. He knew Daniel sympathized with his situation, but he also understood the not-so-hidden warning as to the consequence, should such a thing ever happen again. Though he was humiliated that Daniel, Carly, and William knew of his disgrace, it was also a relief to not have to hide it from those dearest to him. It also explained why every time he passed Carly she looked at him as though she were torn between hugging him and removing body parts she felt he no longer needed.

  ***

  Dearra groaned. “How much longer?”

  About two weeks.

  “I can’t stand this, Brin! It never ends! There’s nothing to see but water, and nothing to do but eat and sleep. I just can’t stand it.”

  Are you done?

  “I guess so,” Dearra said, still pouting.

  I sit in your room day in and day out. You never take me with you. If you’re bored, think of how I feel. At least you get to smell the salt air and feel a fresh breeze every now and again. The only smells I am privileged to receive have been the half-digested contents of your stomach. I would think that—

  “Okay, okay! I will come and get you. My goodness, someone’s cranky today,” Dearra said. She gripped the rail with both hands on her way to her room.

  Darius? Can you hear me? Brin asked, masking his thoughts to all but Darius, now.

  It’s a small ship, Brin.

  Is that a yes?

  If it wasn’t a yes how could I have heard you in the—you know what? Never mind. It won’t do any good, anyway.

  Yes, Brin, I can hear you. What is it?

  Everyone’s bored. They need a distraction. I think you should tell a story tonight. Everyone seems to enjoy it when you do, and it will lift their spirits.

  I begged you to talk to me. I pleaded with you to tell me what she was thinking. Not one word did I get in response, and now you want me to entertain everyone? No. Not a chance. I am not your own personal plaything to be turned on and off at will. Be honest, Brin, it’s you who’s bored, and as far as I’m concerned, you can just suffer through.

  Fine, boy; selfish thing. It’s Dearra who ultimately suffers. She’s the one who’s bored. But don’t worry about poor, sweet Dearra. You don’t owe her a thing. You just go ahead and do whatever you want, boy.

  Darius rolled his eyes dramatically before he responded. What kind of story do you think she’d like?

  ***

  That night, everyone not actively engaged in sailing the ship gathered on deck to listen to Darius’s story. They all knew stories of their own, but they had been told and retold so many times that the prospect of hearing something new excited them all.

  Only meager starlight and an occasional moonbeam lit the deck as the night sky filled with clouds and the sea winds became a bit more brisk. Darius slowly scanned the group assembled. His voice sounded colder and a little harder than they were used to, when he began to speak.

  “The Breken have a legend of a great battle that happened long ago, when the Breken first traveled on the sea. The ships they used were simpler and smaller then, but the Breken desire for conquests and superiority was no less than it is today. The Breken people come from a desert region, and so it is not surprising they did not find life at sea an easy transition, but those who struggled for greater rank and wealth saw it as an opportunity to gain both. Besides, with so many going to war, it could be a chance to rid oneself of a rival. After all, anything could happen in the heat of battle. Who could say how a warrior died when his body slipped from the deck to sink beneath the waves?

  “The battle took place far out to sea, miles away from any land. The enemy we fought has been forgotten over the centuries, but it is said that they were a race as cruel and greedy as the Breken themselves. Their lust for power rivaled our own, and the battle between the two peoples would decide which would become the ruling power in the region. The fight went on and on with neither side gaining ground, but neither were willing to surrender or retreat. On the third day, when the waters were red with the blood of the slain, sharks circled the ships, waiting for the bodies of the dead. Finally, a fire was lit on the deck of the enemies command ship, and when the flame turned blue, the Breken knew their enemy had signaled their surrender.

  “When the Breken met with their enemy counterparts, their leaders were stunned to discover their fate. They had expected the opportunity to be ransomed to their women and children, but no such offer was given. Instead, they were told they had no choice but to spend their lives in servitude or die.

  “The Breken had originally planned to raid the now
mostly undefended home of their enemy and have easy pickings of additional slaves. Beaten, their ships in ruins, and many of their people already dead or dying, the enemy took the only option they could. But nothing could have prepared them for what happened next.

  “After chaining what was left of the enemy crew, the Breken systematically killed any man who was too severely wounded to work. Anyone who needed medical attention was thrown from their ships to the sharks, circling eagerly in the water, until the agonized screams of the dying accompanied the sun setting on the red waves as an eerie lament.

  “The next morning, the Breken were astonished to discover some of their shipmates were missing. And while it was possible that one or two, from this ship or that, had met with some ‘accident’ in the night, the numbers missing were too great to be ignored, and all of the prisoners were checked to make sure they were adequately bound.

  “The second night, the sky glowed, and eerie lights danced overhead in shades of green, and the water appeared blood red, though they had long since sailed beyond the scene of the battle. The night passed in silence, but come morning, the Breken found their numbers similarly diminished. The prisoners seemed unaffected by the news of the disappearances, responding only with knowing smiles amongst their ranks.

  “After five days of strange vanishings, and still a week from home, the Breken forced the enemy captains to tell them what they knew. They said that the bodies of their dead, having not received the blessings of their priests, were doomed to wander the seas for all eternity. Their souls would never find peace, and they were fated to seek out the living of any race, not their own, and punish them, stealing them away to suffer beneath the waves for all time.

  “It is said they come aboard ships in the dark of night and slip like shadows amongst their unsuspecting victims. They cover their victims’ mouths with their cold hands in order to block their screams, and pull them overboard, never to be seen again.”

  Carly shuddered and leaned into Daniel’s side. “Do you really believe such stories to be true, Darius?”