Rivers of Orion by Dana Kelly (a court of thorns and roses ebook free .TXT) 📕

“Well, actually, the Star Navy has asked us to help out during the interim,” said April.

“Imperium’s been tapped to battle pirates?” Melodramatically, he whispered, “I… I just don’t know how anyone can ask me to fight my own kind.”

“You’re an ex-pirate now,” said April, and she smiled playfully. “We’re only serving in a privateering capacity, anyway. As soon as military command has things under control, we’re free to be underway to wherever adventure calls us.” She glanced at his phone. “What’s got your attention?”

“Oh,” he said, and he turned the screen to face her. “This.” It displayed a single message consisting of two images: an illustration of a leprechaun, and a slightly blurry picture of a computer’s up-arrow key.

She took it and studied the images. “There must be more to this than I’m seeing,” said April, and she returned his phone.

“It’s from someone using the name ‘waywardstetson,’ sent to Eridani and me,” said Orin. “That was one of my dad’s old accounts. It was strictly for family use. Only me, my mom, and my sister ever knew about it.”

April hugged him close. “You’re something of a celebrity, now. I bet a terribly bored t-net sleuth traced it back to you. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”

“That’s why I deleted it at first, but the pictures got me thinking. What if it’s a rebus? My dad’s favorite beer has rebuses under the bottle caps, and he’d always give them to Eridani and me after he’d figured them out. We used to stay up late sometimes working on the answers. Who else would know that besides my parents? And if it’s a prank, why send me something I can’t figure out?”

“Leprechaun key… Lucky key… Lucky up?” April shook her head. “The meaning certainly isn’t obvious to me, either.”

The boatswain’s call echoed from the ship’s speakers. “April and Eridani, you’re wanted on the bridge,” said Brady. “April and Eridani to the bridge.”

April draped against Orin. “There is no rest for the wicked.”

“Unless good gives up the fight,” said Orin.

“I hope this is quick.” They kissed, sharing a tender embrace. “I’ll bring back dinner if it takes too long.”

“Your place or mine?” asked Orin.

She lingered a moment. “Yours,” said April, and with a warm smile, she exited his room.

As she boarded the command deck, April regarded Eridani. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine.” Eridani wore a faraway smile. “Thanks for asking.”

“And thanks for coming,” said Casey. She transferred a dozen files to the viewscreen. “These are the crime scene photos and the autopsy reports sent over by the Cavern Lake forensic team. Tell me what you see and tell me what you don’t see.”

April and Eridani reviewed the files.

“Most recent employer is listed as Dark River Auxiliaries for all of them,” said April. “What happened to the Falcon soldiers?”

Casey grinned. “Great question!”

“There’s nothing on any of our parents,” said Eridani.

“Right! From all the stories Mike told us about his dad’s cunning, it always struck me as an awfully big misstep on his part to stay put after Bloodtusk found his mansion,” said Casey. “For obvious reasons, I didn’t want to say anything.”

“Where’s all the scorched earth?” asked Eridani. “There are aspens in the background here, but I saw all of them burn when Schurke attacked.” Suddenly, her eyes brightened, and her breath stilled. “Wait… Hold on.” She retrieved her phone. “Orin and I got this message last night, from one of my dad’s old accounts.” She navigated to the message and transmitted the images to the viewscreen. “It’s a rebus—a picture puzzle. I think I just figured it out!”

“Show us,” said Casey.

Rushing to the viewscreen, Eridani tapped the first image. “Leprechauns are small, or ‘wee’ if you prefer, since they’re Irish.” With growing excitement, she tapped the up-arrow key. “I was spending too much time on the ‘up’ part of this, but it could’ve been facing any direction, because it doesn’t matter what direction it’s facing. What matters is that it’s an arrow key.” Slowly, she pointed to each one. “Wee… arrow key.”

“I don’t follow,” said Casey

“If you shift the pronunciation ever so slightly,” said April.

“That’s right!” said Eridani. “‘Wee arrow key’ becomes ‘We are okay!’”

Casey nodded her head appreciatively. “Okay, but how? How are they okay?”

Eridani shook her head. “I don’t know, but I won’t stop until I find them.”

“Brady, trace that message,” said Casey.

He took a moment to locate its point of origin. “Captain, it came from the Black Doubloon!”

“Looks like that’s where we’re headed next,” said Casey. “I’ll give the Star Navy the bad news.”

April clapped giddily and dashed for the lift. “I’ll tell Orin! Eridani, please tell Torsha and Mike!” A short time later, April stepped into Orin’s room, and she pulled him to his feet. “I have wonderful news,” she said, and she hugged him tight.

The End

About The Author

Dana Kelly

Dana Kelly was born in a hospital. After growing up with a family, Dana became a writer. After writing a manuscript, Dana submitted it to the Kindle Store. Thank you for reading. Reading is good.