Gondell's Quest - Book 1 - Destiny - Free Sampler Edition

  Chapter 2

  Dark thunder clouds loomed ominously on the near horizon but Gondell chose to ignore the signs. He was under that spell that afflicts all fishermen from time to time. The fish were biting with a reckless abandon, practically sacrificing themselves to Gondell's hook, and while they were in such a fey mood he would take full advantage. Make hay while the sun shines, he laughed quietly glancing at the rapidly advancing storm, not that the sun will be shining for long now!

  “I should really head back to shore,” he told himself just as his float bobbed below the calm surface of the lake sending out rings of shimmering ripples, but I have time for just one more. His catch for the day was impressive, roach and rudd, carp and bream, most destined for his smoker as he sensibly planned to restock his winter larder, but one fat bronze flanked carp promised him a roasted feast to celebrate such an outstanding catch.

  The cork float bobbed again. “Wait,” he whispered, “Patience Gondell.” Another twitch, it's tasting my worm, this one is cautious, he told himself as his concentration focussed on the bright red cork, just one more before I turn for home.

  Gusts of wind began to race across the lake, their path marked on the surface like an invisible finger drawing through the calm water. “Time to go,” he announced sadly, “It would have been nice to catch another.” he added with regret as he turned to gaze at the distant shoreline and the river mouth that marked his path home. I've drifted a long way, he suddenly realised with the first stirrings of alarm, it's going to be a tight squeeze to get back before the storm hits!

  The float bobbed again, more determined, a positive bite, almost there, he grinned as the ominous clouds disappeared from his thoughts, he's being so cautious... maybe a big old tench. His optimism grew as the fat carp suddenly didn't seem half as appealing, it's place on his plate now taken by his favourite of all fish. So beautiful, and so tasty, his stomach rumbled in anticipation of the treat in store if he could maintain the patience to allow the cagey fish to overcome it's suspicion and finally take the bait.

  “And now I have you.” he cried in glee as the float drifted almost casually below the surface, no-longer a hesitant bob the bright cork disappeared from sight as the big fish began it's run. Striking quickly he set his hook and instantly understood that his prize would be worth the wait. Power surged through the line and bent the flexible pole in his hands, he could feel the struggle in the depths, he felt the panic as his prey surged towards deeper water. “Big.” he declared happily, very big by the feel of him, he admitted as small doubts began to taunt his mind, would his line be strong enough? Would his pole stand the strain? The supple willow began to bend into a tight arc and Gondell instantly relieved the pressure, I have to give him time to fight, I cannot rush this, he warned himself as the real threat of breakages loomed, if I push too hard I will lose both fish and tackle.

  “Oh my, how big are you?” he gasped as the boat began to move, towed by the monster of the deep. I've never had one this strong before, his thoughts quickly attempting to identify any catch capable of dragging the weight of his boat. “No, I'm not that lucky.” he declared as the image of a sturgeon forced itself into his mind. He would be the envy of the whole community if he could reach home with such a rare monster aboard. “Caviar.” he whispered but drove the thought away as he fought the urge to fight harder, whatever it is, I have to give it time to wear itself out, he can't last so long dragging me... be patient Gondell.

  The boat began to rock gently as it slowly cut through the water, the once calm surface now rippling with small waves, the precursor to the gathering storm.

  Now, had Gondell been thinking clearly those waves would have registered as the final warning, the sign to sever his line and retreat to the safety of the river. But of course he wasn't thinking clearly, only dreams of bowls brimming with salted fish roe filled his mind, he could almost taste them as he nursed the pole, applying only enough pressure to offer resistance, slowly tiring his powerful prey.

  The far shore began to appear as a thin dark pencil line in the distance and the first faint alarm bells began to ring as the waves grew in both height and frequency. Gondell felt torn, the light faded quickly as a canopy of angry black clouds closed in above his head, muttering words of frustration he slid his ever present filleting knife from its leather sheath and with a trembling hand reached forward, can I give him just one more minute? His blade paused, the finely honed edge a fraction from the taut line, “One more minute,” he gasped as greed conquered sense and the first fat drop of rain splashed onto his upturned face, “Just a little longer, he's getting tired, I can feel it.”

  Every fisherman understands when the battle is won, that moment of realisation, the struggle is still there but the strength and conviction have waned. “You're finished now!” he whispered to himself as the line slackened, slow and steady now, he cautioned as he took up the slack and felt the slightest of tremors in the solid weight that he had begun to drag up from the depths.

  “Very big... how heavy are you?” he grunted as he hauled, the mass below rising painfully slowly as his pole bent under the strain, “Very soon now.” he murmured as the red painted float broke the surface quivering on the tight line. Gondell licked his lips as the outline of a huge tail fin flipped deep in the murk, still too deep still to identify the species, but clear enough for him to understand that his catch would be worth his patience, “Oh my, you are huge.” he chuckled happily a split second before tears of frustration flooded his eyes as the taut line suddenly shot clear of the water. “Damn it, damn it, and double damn it!” he swore as the massive fin swirled the water liberating a stream of tiny bubbles, “Of all the evil luck.”

  For just a second frustration almost forced Gondell to dive in after his lost catch, so close he could almost touch the tantalising feast, almost taste it's flesh, but the wind lashing the canvas sail with a loud snap focussed his thoughts. “I've left it very late,” he groaned as glancing over his shoulder he saw that his own home shore had drifted from sight, only the bright sunshine glinting on the rolling waves remained of what had started as the perfect fishing day. Now ahead the once calm lake was being beaten into a frenzy of foam by the powerful swirling winds and an oppressive darkness had engulfed his small craft.

  Stowing his pole quickly Gondell cast aside the memory of the one that got away and set his small triangular sail, and cursing himself softly for being foolish turned the boat by paddling hard, his target the brightness that would lead him home.

  That massive fish would prove to be a turning point in Gondell's quiet and comfortable life, the catalyst that set a chain of momentous events in motion, but of course Gondell knew none of these things, and so intent was he on outrunning the storm that he never noticed a scale covered hand slide up from the churning water and grasp the gunnel. So complete was his shock that he barely had time to draw a breath as the small boat was overturned and he plunged head first into the icy lake.

  Cellie had followed the endeavours of the small creature that bobbed on the surface of her lake home for most of the day, such was her boredom.

  With a flick of her broad tail she had followed his thin line down into the murky depths and giggled as a wicked idea entered her mind. It will offer a little distraction if nothing else, she thought as her plan clarified. Of course she intended to kill the creature, that would be the grand finale, but she had no intention of simply drowning it quickly as she had done so many times before, I will play with this one, she decided and turned the crude hook over in her hand watching the impaled worm wriggle feebly.

  How stupid fish are! The fact that they could be so easily duped by such an obvious and alien device always amazed her. She had watched many fall to his bait as the day had passed, often she had aided his efforts by shepherding the ravenous shoals to his line and delighted in their frantic struggles to escape. But now a shadow crept over the bright surface, the outline of scudding white clouds swiftly replaced by a blanket of grey and black. “It is
time to finish this,” she decided and gave the line a playful tug imagining his absolute attention fixed on the bobbing red indicator. “Are you excited now?” she asked as she swiftly tugged twice more, teasing, knowing his anticipation would be growing. From the watery depths she glanced up and watched the darkness approach, “I think it is time now for you to catch a surprise.” malice flashed in her vivid green eyes as she carefully looped the line around her hand several times and began to swim toward the middle of the lake. She felt his strike as her hand jerked, that's it, set the hook, a smile spread across her lips as she began to struggle, tugging and twisting the line around her lithe body, feeling the tension of the line on her scales. “Now I shall take you for a ride.” she whispered and gave her broad tail a gentle beat ever mindful of the weakness of the slender line, I must not break it, she warned herself, she wanted to build his hopes, feed his fantasy, only then would she gain pleasure in his death. To take him from the pinnacle of joy to the ultimate despair appealed to her spiteful nature, she much preferred to kill the happy, and found little pleasure in drowning the depressed, sad creatures that may secretly welcome her final embrace.

  Deeper into the storm she towed the small boat and soon felt the action of the waves acting on the line wrapped around her body, I can play a little longer, she decided aware that eventually the creature would admit defeat and cut it's losses when faced by the danger posed by the tempest closing in fast. I like this new game, she sighed contentedly as she decided the time had arrived to move to the final chapter, I shall enjoy playing this again.

  “You think you've won,” she chuckled as her struggles became more feeble and the line tightened around her waist as the creature above began to haul, but I don't intend to make it too easy for you, she sighed as she rolled out of the coils keeping a tight grip and steady tension with her hand. Let me excite you with my beautiful tail, she giggled as she met his frantic hefting, and with a spiteful grin released the hook from between her fingers watching it shoot to the surface before playfully diving toward the depths.

  Her long blonde hair billowing she beat her tail rapidly cutting swiftly through the water, far enough she decided glancing at the dark hull behind her and rose swiftly to the surface, her head breaking through just in time to watch Gondell shaking his head as he studied the empty hook.

  “It is quite a pretty little thing,” she decided as she cast her gaze onto his face, or it would be without that beard, maybe I should spare it! The thought was only passing and her grin widened as she watched him dip a paddle over the side and pull hard, so you think you can go home? I have other plans for you, and silently she slipped back beneath the surface edging closer to the outline of the hull. “Say goodbye.” she chuckled and gripping the side of the small bobbing craft easily flipped it over before tearing a hole in the oaken hull.

  Arms and legs flailing wildly the creature fought to breach the surface, that's it, catch your final breath she laughed before grabbing an ankle and tugging swiftly down. Cellie's heart soared as she looked into the creatures eyes and watched them focus, it's expression changing rapidly from confusion to terror as the full impact of it's predicament crystallised. “I am the last thing you will ever see.” she spoke aloud, “You are lucky, few have ever seen my beauty,” and taking a handful of his beard she began to drag Gondell struggling frantically toward the depths.

  It has strength, she admitted, they have usually drowned before now. Cellie paused and glanced at the contorted face of her victim, “You can't hold your breath forever,” she said, “Relax and let the lake take you, don't fight the inevitable.” she shuddered as his eyes widened and the pain blossomed, “Yesss,” she hissed quietly, “This is what I love the most.” Her final words little more than a gasp as bubbles rose from his mouth, now open wide in a silent scream, “Feel the water flooding into your lungs air breather.” she released his beard and shivered sensually as his death throes excited her to the point distraction. Oh I will definitely play this game again, she groaned just as her eyes settled on the motif embossed on his waistcoat pocket.

  Horror crossed her face as her mirth and arousal disappeared in an instant, and grasping his hands she surged powerfully to the surface, “Stupid,” she screamed at herself, “Oh Cellie... what have you done? He is the last, was the last. What am I going to do now?” she wailed in utter despair. Broaching the surface she rolled the limp creature onto its back and began to pound the chest frantically, her wails pitiful, her sobbing heavy with remorse, “I've killed the last keeper.”

  “Breathe,” she screamed, “Please breathe.” her fists hammered rapidly, “Please forgive me, I didn't know who you were.” her tears streamed as her pounding became less intense and the full impact of her actions dawned, “I knew the last keeper was one of these creatures,” she sobbed, “But why did it have to be this one?”

  Her heart leapt as Gondell gasped, a rapid shallow breath followed by violent choking, his eyes flew open wide as he retched water from his lungs, “Oh Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Cellie sobbed repeatedly as she caught the limp body again just as Gondell lapsed back into unconsciousness, alarm flooded her features but relief blossomed swiftly as she witnessed his chest rise before another cough voided the remaining fluid in his system, she held her breath before relaxing as his breathing continued steadily. “I have been so lucky,” she sighed deeply secure in the knowledge that he would survive her spiteful attempt to end his life, “I would never have forgiven myself. They would never have forgiven me.”

  Rolling onto her back she gently laid his body on her chest, her arms wrapped around him, so warm, she marvelled in the heat that radiated from him into her own cold flesh, a sensation that she had never experienced before, It's actually quite nice, she chuckled and began to slowly fin toward the distant shore. I will leave him by the water, leave him in his own element, it would be safer than putting him back into the boat, that is if it was still afloat.

  And so the siren saved Gondell and set him on a course that changed his life forever.

  Cold shingle bit into Gondell's face as he woke with a fire raging inside his chest, Where am I? He wondered as his mind gradually cleared, his feet were cold... and wet, he realised, why am I lying face down on a stony beach?

  Suddenly memories flooded back and summoning all of his strength he struggled to his feet and in panic staggered a few paces away from the water. Vivid green eyes filled his mind, long flowing blonde hair, scales, and a face of such beauty that it stopped his heart, beautiful until she smiled, he shuddered as he remembered the viciously sharp teeth that she had revealed as she laughed, her laughter ringing out clearly a second before his lungs filled and his world had come to an end.

  “What was that?” he questioned out loud as he sank to his knees and stared out across the now calm water, the storm having blown itself out.

  “I am a siren,” the reply to his question drifted up from below the water, the voice like sweet music even if slightly distorted. “My name is Cellie, and I am truly sorry, I didn't know who you were.”

  Gondell shuffled nervously further from the lakes edge as Cellie gradually rose, her head breaking the surface with barely a ripple.

  “A siren,” he gasped in disbelief, “I didn't think they were real, I mean I didn't think your kind existed,” he stammered as she drifted closer to the shore. Gondell gazed in wonder at her pale skin, her upper body milky white flecked with only small patches of shimmering silver scales, her waist cleared the surface and he saw the scales spread, she is half fish, a true siren.

  “Then it is your tail that I saw?” he questioned and saw her slowly nod.

  “I am sorry that I tricked you,” she whispered, “I was playing with you, I should have been more careful.”

  “That is how you play?” snorted Gondell regaining a little composure and confidence, he knew that on dry land he would be safe, “Drowning innocent folk is your idea of fun?”

  Cellie shrugged shyly, “It is what we do, it's our nature
.” she replied quietly, “But if I had known.” she sighed, “But you are safe now,” she added with a small smile.

  “Where is my boat?” demanded Gondell, “And which side of the lake am I?”

  “Your boat is gone,” Cellie cast her gaze down onto the still water. “And as we were closer to this shore I have brought you to the forest side, I do not know what you call this land in your own tongue, we simply call it the shadowland.”

  “Perfect,” Gondell sighed in resignation, “No boat, miles from home... and to add insult to injury, I lost all my fish, and I'm hungry.”

  Cellie shook her head sadly, “I have wronged you, is there any way that I can make things right in your eyes?”

  Gondell thought long and hard, I could demand that she transport me home, he debated, but in all honesty I don't trust her... what is the guarantee that she doesn't get me back into the water and drown me again?

  “Fish,” he declared, “Bring me a tench and I will consider a small part of your debt to me paid.” who better to catch one, he thought as his stomach rumbled. I can start a fire and with a full stomach I can begin the long march to the docks, from there I can catch a boat home.

  Gondell had a small blaze started before Cellie eventually returned, luckily he always carried a small fire stone in his pocket and the white hot sparks soon caught in the tinder he had foraged on the edge of the dark forest. Pine logs crackled merrily as silently the siren resurfaced and tossed a still wriggling golden green tench far up onto the shore.

  “A nice fish,” he admitted, I've never seen one as big he thought suppressing a wide grin, he had no intention of showing excessive gratitude, I'm in this fix because of her, and I still don't trust her despite how apologetic she appears to be.

  “So how many more of your kind are in the lake?” He asked glancing back out over the water. But his question never received any answer. Cellie had gone.