A Thousand Ships By Natalie Haynes Novels & Stories

Edgar spoke calmly. "Father, we have to look at it from an outside, non-sentimental perspective. Indeed, she hasn't done anything, but keeping something that possesses that kind of power puts us in massive danger," Nathan insisted. He turned at the table. "My fellow noblemen, what if this vessel falls into the wrong hands? What if....what if the vessel has a change of heart?" "That's a valid point." Alpha Rutherford pointed and nodded. "Yeah!" There was noise as a rowdy argument ensued among all members of the table.

The scene projected wasn't a memory; it was happening now. The black ships we had seen on the horizon had reached the shore. They weren't empty. They were packed with Shadows, not the ink-monsters from the woods, but people. Thousands of them. They were pale, translucent versions of everyone the Shop had ever 'audited' or deleted. The ships were docking at the base of the North-Point Lighthouse. "They aren't coming to fight," I realized, watching the wall. "They're coming to Checkout."

It would be a glorious day in the Highlands. Or so what Joana thought that early daw Ships from the Islands Across the Great Sea had brought the New World in the harbors. When the light of the day will be fully bloom, the trade center would be busy. Thus, such thought made Joana high spirite

The water roiled and hissed, threatening to crash down and crush them all. "I am Saoirse of the Silver Branch," she announced, her voice amplified by the tunnel of water. "I broke the God-Shell. I burned the Throne. And if you touch him, I will snap this ship in half like a dry twig." She glared at Vane. "Do you want to sell us, Captain? Or do you want to keep your ship?" Vane stared at the water hovering above his head. He looked at the violet fire burning in Saoirse’s eyes.

‎ ‎High above the charred cedar trees, the horizon wasn't empty. ‎ ‎A fleet of twelve massive, black-iron battleships belonging to the Southern Council hung suspended in the clouds, their anti-gravity engines emitting a low, rhythmic thrumming that shook the loose snow from the pine needles. Their primary plasma cannons were already pivoting downward, targeting the exact coordinates of the Sanctuary's entrance. ‎

“Okay… fine. Let’s go.” He guided them toward the other side of the dock where enormous vessels sprawled. “Sweet Jesus…” Nevena’s panic set in again. Row after row of massive ships towered above the horizon—crates being loaded, cranes lifting cargo, sailors shouting orders. Antonio paused at the edge of the pier, shifting Junior down so the boy stood between them. “This looks like a floating city,” Junior remarked, staring up at the central ship. “Lead the way, sir,” Antonio muttered gently.

"And you will not win this fight. It is my will that you go with these soldiers, and as my apprentice you must obey. As much as it pains me, past this night, you will not be allowed shelter in my house." There was a finality in her voice that bludgeoned Iris's heart, and suddenly the shelf of fine glass bowls, the drawers of neatly sorted candles, the strings of garlic draped over the wooden crossbeam, all of it, all the things Iris had grown up with and built her world around, seemed foreign and filled her mouth with the taste of ashes. Shoving herself away from the table, her chair screeching against the floor, Iris ran out the door before Mother Hall could see her tears and sought solace

Elizabeth pouts to him. “I don’t think I will EVER get used to being called grandpa.” He mutters. We all walk out of my cabin and onto the main deck, walking over to the gangway that was already dropped onto the dock. Once we walked past the Bloody Hangman, a large brigantine ship, painted in different shades of blue and gray laid before us. It was truly a beautiful ship. “Wow, it’s so cool!” Lizzie yells. “I call being the captain!” Nerina yells, running up the gangway of her ship.

She was his mate, and instead of loving her, he banished her when she killed the love of his life...

"One hour is all we need. I’m going with the first wave." "Elora, no," Thane started, but he saw the look in my eyes and stopped. He knew that the Eclipse Sovereign didn't lead from the rear. We launched under the cover of a moonless sky. The water of the bay was black and glassy, the only sound the soft lap of waves against the shadow-silk muffled hulls. As we approached the Jade perimeter, the bone-white ships loomed out of the fog like the ribcages of dead leviathans. They were beautiful, even in their broken state, glowing with a faint, dying amber light.