Adventures of Captain Xdey Read Free Page B

looking to the ground, unable to speak on the matter.
    “I see,” the woman said. “Well, you are here now. I suppose it is better than never. I am Isena, Elder of Yorego, and the one destined to guide you.”
    Xoey shifted, uncertain what to make of this revelation. “Guide me?”
    Mal shrugged. “Maybe she knows something.”
    Isena smiled at Mal. “You are a Tinkerton, like your father, Roe. Whereas Nadine possesses her mother’s talents…but that is a story for another day.”
    His jaw dropped. “Can you read my mind? What number am I guessing?”
    Nadine rolled her eyes. “Leave her alone, Mal.”
    Xoey waited patiently for answers. Isena looked at Xoey. “Come, and I will explain.” She gestured for everyone to follow. “Ten,” she said simply, as though it were nothing but an afterthought.
    Mal guffawed in astonishment. “Where can I learn that power?”
    Isena led them further up the path. Even in the dark, the torches gave off a warming glow, leading them to an estate made of driftwood. The home seemed to take in the shadows to bounce off of the sea glass windows. Small seashell chimes swung softly in the tender wind, and for once, Xoey felt at peace—much like she did at sea. They walked through the front door. The room magically came alive as the rows of candles along the side tables sprang to life. Along the center table was the largest seashell she had ever seen. It had to have been home to a three-foot snail at least! Small puffs of a tangy musk wafted from the opening. But Xoey was more interested in the contents within the cauldron that was set to boil over in the far left corner. There was no smell in the world that could take away her desire to eat. Isena, several paces ahead, removed three bowls from the floor cabinet. She returned with them full. “Eat.”
    The broth was earthy in taste, followed by a crunchy bit of some sea creature she had yet to experience. Mal and Nadine took great care in their bites, spooning away from the bowl, slurping politely. Xoey, on the other hand, greedily picked up the wooden bowl and chugged the soup. Content, she used her sleeve to wipe her mouth. Mal chortled at the sight as Nadine fidgeted with the spoon.
    Isena patiently waited for them to finish. When she spied three empty bowls, she settled into the rocking chair. “It was not our intention to push you out, Xoey.” She paused in contemplation. “However, it is not our way to tempt the cycle of fates, therefore, when your enemies came to destroy you we had no choice but to cast you out into the ocean.”
    Xoey narrowed her eyes. “I was told my mother died giving birth to me, and no one wanted me here.”
    The Elder shook her head. “Not quite. Your mother did die, but she died protecting you.” The candles flickered and dimmed with a motion of her hand. She gestured to the far wall, and the shadows began to tell a story in picture form as she spoke.
    “The ocean welcomed you from the night you were born. The moon was so very close to the waters, it caused the tides to push farther up into this village. There was a fear that our very possessions would be washed out to sea.” She smiled and added, “When your mother held you, the sea receded and calmed immediately. A beautiful creation you were. Your eyes reflected the color of the greenest bits of the ocean, hair as white as sea foam, and most importantly, the effect your birth had upon the waters. Once this was spread to the rulers of the city, they wanted you for their own greed, and thus we had to cast you out … But the night before we could, a great storm came through, threatening the ships by land and air and we were landlocked. The dark clad men came at midnight. They spun wildly in the air with weapons of steel. Your mother, a great weapon smith, couldn’t hold them back. She did not die in vain, as your father was able to take you out in the dangerous storm.”
    Xoey rubbed her hands along the brim of her hat. “Why would they want