The Quest, or perhaps The Task Set Before Her Part 19

Peleg looked up from his musings as a sharp wind blew his cabin window open. He had crossed over to close it when a black object sped through the opening and dropped swiftly onto the dining table. Surprised, Peleg turned and looked at the thing that had interrupted him. He saw the largest raven he'd ever seen!¹ There was a tube slung around its neck. Carefully, Peleg reached out and opened the tube. A folded piece of paper slid out onto the wooden surface. Peleg picked it up, unfolded it, and started reading. Anger shook his body when he saw whose name was signed at the bottom. He slammed his stump onto the table causing the raven to jump up and hover in the air. Rage filled his eyes as Peleg stormed out of the cabin.

"Jedediah! Jedediah!" He yelled while he searched the deck for Jeddi.

Hearing Peleg call for him, Jeddi stood up and ran as fast as he could to where the voice was coming from. Andy followed behind, but at a slower pace.

"What is it?" Jeddi asked when he'd found Peleg.

"This!" He said angrily as he shoved the letter into Jeddi's hands.

Jeddi's breath caught in his throat.

"I know you have the First Book. You know I have the girl. Or I might not. She could already be swimming with the fishes.

But you'll never find out unless

you bring me the book.

Meet me at Castle Rock three days

from now. If you don't,

I'll make sure you never see Layan again.

Yes, old man, I know where she is.

your dear daughter,

Seassa"

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Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Pause.

Repeat.

This became Frieda's hourly practice. She knew that if she wasn't careful she could easily slip into despair again. The shadows flickering on the wall kept reminding her. Tempting her. But she wouldn't give in. By the Maker's goodness, she wouldn't give in.

A loud clanging noise reverberated throughout the small cell. Frieda sighed. Whatever force that was at war with the Maker was determined to deny her peace and quiet. The sound continued over and over again. Had Frieda been raised near a smithy, she would've recognized the sound of metal beating metal. With this information, she would've guessed, and rightly so, that weapons were being made. The thought that Seassa was planning for a fight wouldn't have been far behind. But unfortunately, Frieda was completely unaware of the troubles that lay ahead.

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A dark grey raven descended into the Castle Throg. He bowed before the throne situated on top of the steps before him, awaiting acceptance. He struggled to stay upright. His joints had weakened severely in his old age.

How old was he, you might ask?

Well, this raven was the first raven.

The Father of Ravens.

His name was Pater.

The black in his feathers had faded over time to a dull dark grey. Even though his descendants were twice his size, Pater was Master's favorite.

"Come," a hoarse voice said.

Pater flapped up to the throne. A broken hand reached down and Pater jumped onto it. He was lifted up until he was next to the shadowed face.

"What news do you bring?" Master asked.

"The bounty pirate says she'll have the book at Castle Rock in three days," Pater croaked.

The voice laughed twistedly. "Be there, Pater. Bring her here whether she fails or succeeds. I'm tired of waiting."

With that, the raven flew off towards the sea to carry out his master's bidding.

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¹Peleg's grandparents raised ravens. He would visit them often and they taught him to communicate with the ravens. Around the same time Peleg became a pirate, the ravens at his grandparents farm disappeared.

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