A Forest of Eyes: Book of Never #2
By Ashley Capes
()
About this ebook
Poisoned and furious, Never must add a desperate quest for a cure to his existing search for truth. His path takes him deep into the White Wood where he faces vengeful spirits, giant leeches and Commander Harstas himself, whose lust for revenge is an ever-present threat.
Ashley Capes
Hi, I'm Ashley, an Australian poet, novelist and teacher.I've been writing since before my teen years (as so many writers have) and started publishing in 2008, mostly in the poetry world. To date I've had six poetry collections published and released seven novels and novellas. When I'm not flat out writing, I tend to teach, usually Music Production, Media Studies and English. Teaching is a tough gig but it's meant to be - learning is a deeply complex process.Before teaching, I did a few other things - I played in a metal band, worked in an art gallery and slaved away at music retail. Aside from reading and writing, I love volleyball and Studio Ghibli – and Magnum PI, easily one of the greatest television shows ever made. I've also been enjoying Cowboy Bebop quite a lot.My first novel was an epic fantasy/adventure title called City of Masks, released by Snapping Turtle Books in 2014. We followed it with the second part of the trilogy, The Lost Mask the year after. The conclusion - Greatmask is forthcoming in 2016.In between I also released shorter novels The Fairy Wren, A Whisper of Leaves, Crossings and the beginning of 'The Book of Never' series, The Amber Isle.
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The Amber Isle: The Book of Never Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5River God: Book of Never #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsImperial Towers: Book of Never #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Peaks of Autumn: Book of Never #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNever (Prequel to The Amber Isle) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Five Furies of Heaven Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDown Under Fantasy Realms: An Anthology By New Zealand and Australian Authors Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrossings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Whisper of Leaves Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Phoenix of Kiymako Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Crossings: Special Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpectre: (An Epic Fantasy Novel) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Somnus and the March Hare Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsold stone & between giants Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Book of Never: Volumes 4-5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Yellow Buttefly & Other Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
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A Forest of Eyes - Ashley Capes
Australia
Chapter 1.
Never glared at the Vadiya ship that followed them into the Hanik port of Lenan. The warm, setting sun dusted the ship’s sails with orange – too beautiful a scene for the scum onboard. The Boar flag snapped overhead and calm water burst at its prow as it approached.
Two weeks along the Marlosi coast and then right into Hanik waters the Vadiya had pursued the White Wing, and now it looked as though Harstas would chase him into the very streets of Lenan. Of course, the commander had no way of knowing Never was aboard. He was probably chasing the first ship he saw in the vicinity of the Grey Chain, just in case.
Or maybe the man had other means of tracking?
A pair of gulls squawked overhead, fighting over some unfortunate insect or other small creature.
Persistent, isn’t he?
Ferne said from the rail. His large, hairy forearms rested on the wood as he toyed with a small carving of a dog.
One of his finer qualities, it seems.
Never gestured toward the green and white flags on the White Wing’s mast. Glad we’re flying Hanik colours.
Which is probably why they followed us instead of attacking,
Luis said as he approached. His beard had grown in. Never scratched at his own stubble; probably time to shave. If we’d been flying Marlosi colours we would have had to swim most of the way here.
Or be dead.
Never frowned at the Vadiya ship. And I would have hated swimming just as much.
Luis laughed and it seemed Ferne came close to his second smile – at least, the second Never had ever seen. Sure you two don’t want to sail with me a little longer?
the treasure hunter asked. You’ll both end up rich. Very rich.
Never shook his head. I’ll settle for more answers.
I suspect there’s a bigger adventure to be had with Never,
Luis said. Bigger even than sailing to the Summer Isles this late in the season.
For the best spice in the world it’s not too late.
He tucked the carving back into a pocket. And bringing it back half a season before any other ship, we’ll make a killing.
Long trip,
Never said. You sure the Sea King’s Eye will protect you from the maelstrom?
It has already shown me how,
he said.
At movement on the enemy ship, Never stepped away from the rail, moving to crouch behind a row of water barrels. Harstas had docked and was already unloading cargo onto the wharf beside the White Wing, his sailors grunting and swearing as heavily-armoured soldiers watched. More of Harstas’ Steelhawks. Tempting, Ferne, but I have to know the truth about my curse. And in the meantime, I’m going to stay here. Let those blasted Vadiya finish up before we leave.
Maybe not,
Luis said. They’re coming this way.
Never swore. Two of the Steelhawks escorted a tall man dressed in a red robe, blonde hair shining in the sun. A sword and long parrying dagger rested in his belt and chainmail peeked beneath a black tabard.
Commander Harstas.
Damn him. How does he know?
Never hesitated, a hand on one of his new knives. If he tried to fight his way off the ship, Captain Jonaas and his men ran the risk of being killed. Luis and Ferne too. He had to hide. You know nothing about me. Harstas will burn the ship and kill everyone on it if he finds me,
he told them.
Ferne nodded. Understood.
Never slipped down the ladder and into the passage leading to Captain Jonaas’ cabin. He rapped on the door. Captain?
Come in.
The man’s voice was deep, the Hanik accent light.
Never opened the door and closed it behind him. In a lamp-lit room the Captain looked up from a small desk that had been bolted to the floor. Most of his cabin was dominated by a wide bed – a luxury in a ship full of hammocks. Open chests of clothing sat on a bench beneath a porthole.
Never?
Is there anywhere aboard I might stow away for a time?
He frowned. Why?
A Vadiya commander would not be happy to find me. He would most likely burn your ship to the waterline for harbouring me. You know how bloodthirsty they’ve become since the invasion.
I do.
He tapped a quill against an inkpot shaped as a swan. What did you do to anger this Harstas?
I stole a map he wanted to steal. I may have killed ten of his men in the process.
Jonaas grunted. May have?
Well, eleven if you count the fellow who shot one of his comrades with his crossbow after I shoved him aside.
You killed that many men yourself?
I was angry; they’d murdered a lot of unlucky people in the palace. That might have added to my efforts. Captain, I’d rather not put you all in danger. Do you have a stowaway?
He stood. Quickly.
Never followed him to the bench where he helped the man remove the chests. Next, Captain Jonaas depressed a switch concealed in the rim of the porthole. The benchtop opened like a lid on a spring. Within was enough room – barely – for a man to lay curled.
Spacious.
Jonaas grinned. You could always cling to the anchor chain.
Footsteps echoed down the passage outside. This might be swifter.
He didn’t have much choice; he had to trust that everything would work out. He climbed in and hunched into a ball as the captain closed the lid.
Darkness followed, save for tiny specks of light at the corner of the box.
A knock on the cabin door followed. Captain? A Vadiya commander is requesting to board.
I’m on my way,
Jonaas called. Soft thumps followed as he replaced the chests. His footfalls faded. Never flexed his muscles. His neck was hunched against the wood – at the opposite end of the box his feet hit the wall, knees pressed into his chest. Drawing a deep breath was not all that easy.
Hurry back, Jonaas.
When footsteps approached again they brought angry voices with them.
Take my word for it, Commander. There is no such Marlosi man aboard,
Captain Jonaas said, speaking Vadiyem. Your search is disruptive.
Then let my men finish quickly,
Harstas replied. Through the wood, his voice was difficult to hear. Never held his breath, straining his ears. That way you can unload your wares and head on your merry way, yes?
Not so fast as if you weren’t here.
Well I am here. Along with my soldiers.
A pause. Now. About this thief.
There is no thief aboard my ship, Commander.
So you have said but there is nothing to say he has not stowed away in your hold, perhaps. You sailed from the Grey Chain in Marlosi recently, did you not? He would be easy to spot – he will be ill, suffering from a fever.
I know my ship.
Of course.
Another pause. Tell me, Captain – have you considered what future prosperity you might lay claim to by working closely with the New Vadiya Kingdom?
New Vadiya Kingdom?
Encompassing our home in the south and the former Marlosi Empire.
I see.
Your tone suggests doubt.
I hadn’t heard the war was finished.
The resistance? Disorganised rabble.
Then you have the Empress also?
Jonaas asked.
Harstas sniffed. She is a thorn, admittedly, but her time is limited.
Someone knocked on the cabin door. What now? Never smothered a groan; sweat was building again as the fever returned. How by Ju-Anna, Pacela and all the rest of the Gods did it know when to return at the most inconvenient times? Malicious. Childishly so.
Yes?
Captain Jonaas raised his voice.
A soldier here to see his master,
came the answer.
Send him in.
More footsteps, then murmured voices, hushed beyond Never’s ability to discern words. Then Harstas was making his goodbyes. It seems you do know your ship, Captain Jonaas.
That I do, Commander. Let me walk you to the gangway.
The footsteps faded and Never exhaled. Good. Now that Harstas was gone, time to get his hands on a decent healer. And then something hot to eat. Plan his next move.
Were there truly more clues here in Hanik?
There had to be.
If not, south to home? Could he track down Snow? Or risk travelling into Vadiya? The figures on the murals were pale-skinned but didn’t the green suggest Hanik? He gave a grimace. One step at a time, Never.
Someone returned and grunted as they shifted chests from the box. Never blinked against the light when the lid opened.
Jonaas grinned down at him. Am I going to have to carry you ashore?
Chapter 2.
Never pulled the new blue cloak around his shoulders as he and Luis strode along the wooden docks, cutting through crowds of barefoot sailors, puffing merchants and the din of shouts. His cloak wasn’t much of a disguise perhaps, but now that evening was draping itself over the place, it was something other than his