Free The Call of Kerberos by Jonathan Oliver Page B

think how the vast sheets above them would fair against the fierce winds on the Twilight seas. Surely they would be torn from the masts within seconds of being unfurled?
    "Have you noticed the sheen on the material?" Kelos said, following his gaze.
    "Sheen? No."
    "Well the silk that makes up those sails came from the X'cotl."
    "And what are the X'cotl?" Katya said.
    "A sort of giant spider. They're said to exist in our reality only some of the time."
    "So you guys must have a lot in common."
    Kelos chuckled. "Hoist by my own petard. You mock Katya, but I just know that you're warming to the charms of this beauty of the sea."
    And the Llothriall was both charming and beautiful. Below the main deck the ship was opulently attired. Each cabin was comfortably equipped and Silus reckoned that the sleeping quarters would be more than adequate for a high ranking officer in the Vos navy, never mind the ragtag band of thieves and renegades currently on board. There was also a vast dining room, a well equipped and impressively stocked galley, a hold big enough to contain the largest of treasures and an array of gleaming canons, well oiled and with a ready supply of ammunition.
    "There is a lot more to the Llothriall that you can't see. The elf magic has been seamlessly integrated into the design of the vessel. This empowers many of the ship's unique abilities; its ability to negotiate the angriest of maelstroms, or its ability to sail beneath the sea, for example." Dunsany said. "And talking of elf magic..."
    Emuel had joined them and Dunsany put a hand on his shoulder, smiling. The tattooed eunuch returned the mage's expression with a weak smile of his own.
    "Emuel, would you like to show us to the gem room?"
    Emuel nodded and led them down a short flight of steps and into a room buzzing with magical energy. The hairs on the back of Silus's neck rose as he entered and there was a sour taste in his mouth.
    The stone sat in its housing in the centre of the room, veins of power rippling across its surface. The slightly cowed expression on Emuel's face was replaced by a look of affection as he ran his hand over the surface of the gem, almost as though he were stroking a much-loved pet.
    "And this is why we need Emuel," Kelos said. "It is his song that unlocks the power within the stone and enables the Llothriall to handle the roughest of seas. This power will enable us to sail through the Storm Wall unharmed. Entire elf fleets used to venture forth in ships such as this. Unfortunately we have found no record of what they discovered."
    "A good reason why we should set out on a voyage of discovery ourselves." Father Maylan said. "Why, we could map anything we find and sell copies to the highest bidder on our return. We could become very wealthy men."
    "Ah, but this voyage is not just about money, Father." Dunsany said.
    "Speak for yourself," said Ignacio.
    "We are going to be paid, right?" Jacquinto said, his hand dangerously close to his dagger.
    "Gentlemen, of course you will be paid." Dunsany said. "Have I not already given you a little taster? But, trust me, you will gain so much more from this than a full purse."
     
    Silus led Katya to the main deck, leaving the rest of the crew to argue it out amongst themselves. They stood at the prow of the Llothriall , looking towards the mouth of the lagoon and beyond to where the angry ocean stretched to the horizon. The masthead of the ship followed their gazes, the violet eyes of the wooden elf maiden reflecting and somehow enhancing the glow of Kerberos. The wind blew strong and fresh in their faces and the ship swayed gently in its natural harbour.
    "I remember that look," Katya said, turning to her husband.
    "What look?"
    "It wasn't just for me was it, that first night beneath the gaze of Kerberos on the subterranean lake? I know how you dream."
    Silus embraced her. Sometimes he regretted the fact that he was so easy to read. "Katya, you know that I love you."
    "I do know, Silus. But