Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere by Peter Koevari

the bridge and ignored her playful cries as he dropped into the cool waters below. The sounds of the world muffled under the surface.
    He burst upward and stood with her dripping body on the back of his. Her high pitched yelling brought on laughter as he stepped out of the stream.
    “Now look what you’ve done. We’re soaking wet!”
    Adela looked down and her cheeks flushed. She wrapped her arms around her chest. He grimaced as he thought about her growing up. She wasn’t just his younger sister anymore.
    “Here. Wrap me jacket around yer body,” he said, holding the dripping leather toward her.
    She snatched it from him and put it on. “Very funny. Now tell me how we’re going to get dry before breakfast?”
    He smiled as he turned toward town. “Come on, it’s bright daylight and the middle of summer! We’ll be dry in no time. Now let’s see if ye can catch yer terribly older brother!”
    She giggled as she gave chase, and they were soon running through the town centre. It bustled with morning activity. He looked back to see her gaining ground on him and leapt over a fruit stall, rolling through the dirt and returning to his feet.
    The stall holder’s stern voice bellowed, “Watch where you’re going!”
    Adela complained while diverting around the stalls. “That ain’t fair!”
    He continued past the baker’s stall and untied his pocket, retrieving a polished gold coin and flicking it to the baker’s boy as he snatched two large spicy bread rolls. “Keep the change!”
    He enjoyed the sweet aroma of freshly picked peaches from a nearby fruit stall. The smell of fruit always brought him back to his childhood, when his life was not on the salty seas. One grows tired of eating dried meat and stale bread.
    Adela followed him through the town and called for him to stop and share the food with her. He finally gave in and watched as her chest heaved and running slowed. Just when he was about to give up, he realised they had arrived near the opposite side of the island. The town centre was close to the narrowest section of the island, where the ocean connected into a large mouth, and a seemingly endless line of ships were anchored there. A maze of wooden bridges ran around the port and connected to all of the ships.
    Adela puffed as she took in the sight of their fleet. “I forget... just how beautiful... it is here. My word! We’re drying out already.”
    Raehar took her by the hand and led her down into the busy port, waving to many familiar faces nearby. “I know, and it’s rare we get time together like this while I’m on land. Come on then, ye always complain about wanting to see me ship. Today’s yer lucky day.”
    Her eyes widened as she spluttered her words. “Lucia? You’re taking me to see Captain Silvertongue’s ship? But I’m not allowed down here! I’m not a sailor like you. I could be severely punished.”
    “Worry not, and trust me, aye?”
    Leading her toward the pirate port, their bare feet found sand. He always loved the feeling of soft grains between his toes. Memories of them running along Grenlees’ shores in their childhood were treasured ones. Reaching the edge of the bridges, they climbed the wooden steps. Everyone was far too busy to notice them amongst the crowds of pirates lugging supplies and making their way to the many ships.
    So far, it had been easy.
    He nodded with growing enthusiasm as they approached the largest vessel of them all. “This is our ship. We call her Lucia, and she’s never lost a battle.”
    Three guards in silk clothing approached and drew curved swords. The largest of the trio spoke up. “Raehar, whatchya doing lad? Ye know ye can’t have your sister here, eh?”
    So much for an easy visit , he thought.
    He knew the men well. Guarding the ships was as boring as watching grass grow, and they drew straws whenever they returned home. They had to stay with the ships the whole time, including sleeping on the ships, which meant missing out on the