Stemming the Tide

by Rosie Scott

  “I must not pay much attention to anything,” I commented with a smirk.

  “No,” Koby agreed with a laugh. “Nothing but your target. That's all right, though. That's why you have me.”

  “It's the only reason I keep you around.”

  “I'm sure.” Koby grinned and pulled out his own cigarette. I turned and ducked forward, letting him light it with mine. He took a long drag. His shoulders slumped with relaxation and his black eyes gained a glassy shine as the ferris high seized his brain. Ever since we ran out of ferris after losing the Wobblin' Woody, Koby had severely cut back on smoking. He had said nothing about it, but I noticed; the disturbing way I acted without the drug likely scared him into trying to avoid repeating the issue. Still, seeing ferris relax Koby to such an extent alerted me to the fact that he was overly stressed. I hoped he wasn't sacrificing too much for me.

  “Do you think the pirates practice actual blood science?” Koby asked after a few minutes of smoking. “Or do you think they obtain the powers of shapeshifting through more indirect means?”

  “Like traveling to the wildlands themselves?”

  “Yeah.”

  I frowned, deep in thought. “I don't know. We know Vruyk and Cale have been to the wildlands before, so they might've learned shapeshifting while they were there. Briona taught me and Aysel a little bit about shapeshifting's history. She said it originated in the wildlands. Myth claims that was due to Chalfon, the god of mutation, living there and spreading his knowledge and powers of transforming to mortals. Like necromancy in the east, shapeshifting eventually got a stigma which minimalized its spread.”

  “What caused the stigma?” Koby questioned.

  “Briona wasn't sure, but she said it was likely due to the erratic behavior of shapeshifters. Regardless, shapeshifting has almost always been contained to the wildlands.”

  “But there's nothing necessarily stopping someone with the knowledge of it from recreating a set-up for first transformations like there are in Silvi and Tenesea,” Koby prodded.

  “I suppose not. The blood scientist herself needs to know alteration magic since the spell to mutate the blood belongs to that school of magic and needs to be recited upon entry to the body. It would also require a lot of supplies and space. And, of course, there would be a lot of casualties from failed transformations.” I hesitated. “Why?”

  “Because quite a few beastmen in that last sea battle were Naharan, Cal.”

  “So?”

  “So,” Koby explained, “for as many humans as there are in Silvi, most of them are light-skinned. Very few are immigrants from Nahara. And if that's the case, where did all the Naharan beastmen come from? Don't you think it's possible Vruyk and Cale are creating shapeshifters somewhere in Nahara?”

  “Isn't magic illegal there?”

  “Only because Chairel has its magical monopoly to the north and threatens Nahara with military action if they don't comply,” Koby replied. “And you know as well as I do that just because something's illegal doesn't mean people don't risk it.”

  “I know,” I conceded. “I just gathered the reason you're bringing this up is that you want to figure out if the pirates practice blood science, and if so, where.”

  “Damn right,” Koby agreed, smoke escaping his lips as he spoke. “We need to be thinking sabotage, Cal. I can't think of a better way to hurt these pirates than to cut off their ability to create more shapeshifters.”

  “You sound way too excited for this considering you figure this next battle might be the end of us,” I pointed out.

  Koby chuckled. “I'm just anxious about what Cale will do, is all. In the meantime, I'm trying to stay optimistic. If you look forward to something, you might just live to see it.” He winked in jest.

  “You only want to find tangible locations that you can blow up,” I jested.

  “Of course,” he replied immediately, to which I laughed. “But if I'm going to get everyone's support I have to find reasons for my destruction.”

  “Pfft. You have my support regardless. Set up explosives all over Llyr and we'll watch the world burn together.”

  Koby snickered. “You know, Hilly told me that the dwarven alchemists use explosives in battle.”

  “Then why don't you?”

  “I asked myself the same thing,” he replied with a grin. “Honestly, explosives are expensive to make, and their ingredients are few and far between in the wildlands. But I thought I could expand my fighting repertoire a bit, you know? There are other offensive alchemical concoctions I can make. Jaecar knows the recipes for some powders that can disable men in battle that he learned underground. I could try to recreate some of them with surface ingredients. He never wanted to use them himself because he likes dual-wielding, but I only wield one sword. I could make it work.”

  “You know that tranquilizer you make for Neliah whenever the beasts are being difficult?” I asked. When he nodded, I continued, “Figure out a way to use that against the pirate beastmen. We won't have to fight them if they're subdued.”

  “Oh, that's a good idea!” Koby exclaimed, his eyes alight. “Now I can't wait to get back to Silvi.”

  I chuckled at his enthusiasm. The ferris had evidently made him bubbly. “Make the list of things you need now,” I suggested. “Because once we're in Silvi, we won't have time to dally.”

  Koby tugged a logbook and quill out of his knapsack within the millisecond. “I'll get supplies in Silvi and make something special by the time we reach the Forks, Cal,” he promised. “Even if Cale brings a whole pack of beasts, we'll be ready for him.”

  Twenty-five

  88th of High Star, 360

  Silvi's harbor first appeared as a shadow hiding beneath the rainforest canopies from the golden glare of the setting sun. From this far distance, the rustling leaves of the giant trees merged into one blurry green carpet that waved and shimmered in submission to the sunlight's onslaught. The Cunning Linguist was, unsurprisingly, the only vessel coming into harbor from the east. Other mercenary ships departed to or arrived from the north, where Eteri and Chairel awaited. Sails in every color helped to differentiate vessel from vessel. Hassan relentlessly scanned the harbor with his binoculars as we neared, but he reported no black sails. Cale hadn't yet reached the wildlands, but in all likelihood he was currently on his way to the opposite side of the continent.

  The closer we sailed to Silvi, the more the sun retreated as if intimidated by our approach. By the time we docked, the stars mocked us by twinkling at our backs as the city ahead glowed with magic and firelight. It was too late to make our deliveries or pick up supplies, so Koby and I invited our crew out to drinks at Jeremoth's tavern. At the very least, we could update him and rejuvenate ourselves for the hard work ahead of us tomorrow. Gratefully, now that my arm had healed, I wouldn't be useless in that regard.

  Sage, Neliah, and a few others not as prone to partying opted to stay on the ship for the night. Koby and I waited for everyone else near the boarding ramp, enjoying the coolness that nighttime gifted to us in the last days of the hottest season of the year. Jaecar loitered nearby, finger-combing his long black hair back repeatedly before pulling it up into a ponytail.

  I caught his gaze and said, “We need to update Devlyn. Do you mind if we invite him out with us tonight?”

  “Why would I mind?” Jaecar asked in turn, splitting his ponytail to tighten the tie.

  “I wasn't sure how it went with you two the last time.”

  Jaecar grinned. In this darkness, his white teeth were the only easily discernible part of his face. “He offered you an additional discount on ferris, remember? It went really well. I like Devlyn. He's a feisty fellow.”

  Koby chuckled at the description.

  “I'll invite him, then,” I decided.

  “I can,” Jaecar offered. “I know where he lives.”

  “We won't be buying another shipment of ferris right away,” Koby said, “but if you can use your wiles to get us another deal—”

&n
bsp; “Pssh. Done,” Jaecar agreed, snapping his fingers once. “I'll have him eating out of the palm of my hand.”

  “I'll buy your drinks tonight for your efforts,” I promised.

  “It's not effort if I enjoy it,” Jaecar replied, waving away the notion. “I appreciate the offer, but don't worry about it. We'll meet you at Jeremoth's.” He turned and jogged down the ramp to the harbor to get a head-start.

  Silvi was uncharacteristically quiet tonight. Dirt pathways were alight with creamy magical glows from alteration light spells posted on walkways and directly on tree bark, but that only highlighted how few people roamed the streets. A group of shady mercenaries gathered at one intersection, evidently waiting for another party. A few civilians headed home from work by the harbor. Beside a rainforest tree, a dealer sold a small bottle of rempka to an Alderi man who was so thin his appearance mimicked a corpse. Though it was common to see drug deals in Silvi, that the exchange happened on the street was rare. Rempka was so expensive that dealers usually sold it indoors. There were no laws against selling the drug; however, nor were there laws against stealing it. That the dealer sold it outdoors meant he had no expectation about passersby seeing it and robbing him, so whatever kept people off the streets must have happened a while ago because he anticipated it.

  I expected the worst. Perhaps people had fled or died. Maybe Cale had come to Silvi just to attack it and leave. But what would have been the point?

  “We know nothing yet, Cal,” Koby reminded me, having noticed the absence of Silvi's nightlife as well and my stressed reaction to it. It reminded me of the time he tried to calm me when I'd lost it looking for Patrick, but the worst had come to pass then since we learned of his death. I sent prayers heavenward to whichever gods would heed them in the hopes that no bad news would greet us this time.

  Jeremoth's tavern finally came into view, glowing like a beacon of fire and magic light. Muffled music beat against its interior walls. A group of Alderi and Vhiri friends drank and joked on the patio of its four-story roof, which tempted to relax me despite my worries because it was such a familiar sight. I grabbed the door handle and walked back into a never-ending party that always remained where we left it.

  Familiar sights greeted me: tables of drinking friends, an herbal mist drifting by the light of sconces, Alderi men pursuing available and interested lovers. A couple made love at a corner table, the woman straddling the man as his surrounding Alderi friends paid no attention save for the occasional curious or perverse glance. Mixed race musicians played a jovial tune in the corner. The scents of sex, ale, and ferris combined in the air and put me at a hesitant ease. An unfamiliar Alderi man stood behind the bar, increasing my anxiety until Jeremoth trotted down the stairs holding a mop and bucket.

  Jeremoth glanced over at the entryway where our crew members cluttered after walking through the door. He grinned, put the cleaning tools in a corner behind the bar, and greeted, “If it isn't my favorite people in the world!”

  All but two stools at the bar were taken, so while our crew members claimed tables and chairs, I walked straight up to lean on the corner of the bar as Koby stood beside me. “Give us updates,” I requested immediately, looking for the truth to put an end to my negative thoughts. “Silvi looks abandoned out there.”

  “Ah,” Jeremoth replied, blotting at the sweat on his dark face with a rag. “Don't fret, friends. Silvi's only quiet because many of the unemployed have found themselves temporary work. If you give me a few minutes, I'll bring you ale and we can discuss more about what's happened in your absence.”

  “All right,” I agreed.

  “But before you sit down...” Jeremoth trailed off, hurrying down the bar and disappearing as he squatted to retrieve something from a shelf. He reappeared holding an envelope. “A messenger dropped this off for you two back in mid-New Moon.”

  “Thank you,” I replied, taking the envelope as hope built in my chest. I couldn't think of anyone who would send us a message other than Vallen.

  Koby and I took two seats at one of the tables our crew members reserved for us. It was a large round wooden table with eight seats and a glowing lamp in the middle. It had seen better days; its edges were splintered and it tilted off-balance when I put my forearms down to open the envelope.

  To the Troublemakers was written on the envelope's flap, messily sealed with wax. The blocky handwriting was almost child-like in its simplicity, with thick globs of ink marking short and primitive strokes. I immediately recognized it as Vallen's. I slumped in my chair with relief as I broke the seal and pulled out the letter.

  9th of New Moon, 360

  Calder, Koby, & the Troublemakers,

  Well, we were both right. Our reinforcements didn't arrive in time, like Calder said they wouldn't. But it didn't matter, like I said it wouldn't. Ha. The pirates arrived on shore two days ago. We were outnumbered, but we planned for that. These men weren't ready for a fight, they were ready to do hard labor. We started the fight and caught them off-guard. You two are men of your word so I know you'll be back out to the Forks. I'll wait to tell you details then. For now, here are my updates.

  You mentioned Cale had a galleon, and that's the type of vessel Cyrene says the Misu scout spotted off the southern coast. Well, they must have switched ships when they went to Llyr, because the one they returned with is an old re-purposed Chairel carrack. Guess they only used it for trading before the pirates stole it because it has no cannons. Has a hell of a lot of storage, which is likely why they chose it for transport. The good news is that we've managed to steal a ship from pirates. The bad news is that I don't know how to use it, and I'm positive that once this crew doesn't return to Llyr with the goods they'll send more who are better prepared for a fight. We went the same route Koby did and interrogated one of them. She said what we already knew: this ferris operation is extremely important to Cale. What's interesting is that she gave us more insight into this gang than we could've ever asked for because she knows Cale and Vruyk intimately and has evidently had a change of heart. We've kept her alive so you guys can talk to her. Her information might be helpful to you.

  In the meantime, what she said about Cale's motivations make me positive he'll be back. Jayce and I are keeping our men out here in anticipation of the next attack. I'm using the lure of free ferris to attract anyone who wants to fight and/or pick up work transporting all these plants back to the mainland and rebuilding the paddies. From what our messengers told us upon their return, this offer went over really well in Silvi and Tenesea. I'm hopeful that mercenaries and civilians alike will come out here to defend and rebuild. How do you get a nation of anarchists to band together? Threaten their supply of drugs, evidently. Ha!

  I pray your trip goes well. I miss you all like hell. No one around here is as agreeable and friendly as Koby, I can't get my daily dose of snark without Calder, I crave Jaecar's sound advice, I miss Hilly's warmth in my bed. Jayce is driving me crazy about missing Kali. Pretty sure she'll start humping trees soon if I don't intervene, and the last thing we need is for these swamps to hate us.

  So...don't dally in Silvi, yeah? You have a lot of codependent friends waiting impatiently for you up here in the Forks!

  -Vallen

  Vallen's optimism and humor shone through his letter, putting my mind at ease. The only reason I didn't look forward to going out to the Forks remained the prospect of informing Jayce of Kali's death, particularly now that I knew how she was dealing with her absence. Jayce was so erratic and unpredictable that I could never anticipate her reactions or feelings on any matter.

  “These are all good signs, Cal,” Koby commented. “Vallen's men did even better than we thought they would. I wonder what that captured pirate knows and why she's telling.”

  “It's easy to talk when you're facing getting mauled by beasts,” I suggested.

  Koby huffed. “Yeah, that's true.”

  The tavern door swung open, and Jaecar walked in, trailed immediately by Devlyn. The lanky Celd was the be
st-dressed of us all, for he wore a pristine dyed light green doublet that brought out his piercing blue eyes, and buckled boots that had hardly seen wear. Though Devlyn always kept his hair up for our business conversations, he wore it down tonight; the bronze locks swished by his chin as he pulled out a seat next to Jaecar at our table.

  “Yet another voyage under your belt, friends,” Devlyn greeted, waiting to sit down as he reached over the table to shake our hands. “If you're not careful, I may start to rely on you.”

  “Seems to me you already do,” I said, sitting back in my chair once we shook. “Are there any traders other than us who buy ferris in bulk?”

  “Ah...” Devlyn leaned back and looked thoughtful. “As a matter of fact, yes. I had a one-time visit from a human trader some weeks back who was going to try his luck delivering ferris straight to Narangar. I heavily warned against it because of how hard it is to smuggle anything into Chairel, but I can't tell anyone what to do.” He shrugged lightly. “I've started dealing locally to make ends meet. That worked well enough until Vallen started offering ferris for free. Now the selling price is so low here it's barely a convenience fee.”

  “Do you know why he's offering that?” I asked.

  “To get volunteers in the Forks,” Devlyn answered. “I understand why he offered it and why it's working. It'll just be a long time until prices get back to normal.” He wiggled his eyebrows excitedly and asked, “Are you going to require another shipment while you're here?”

  “Not quite yet,” I replied. “I have beasts for you, but once we make our deliveries here we'll be going out to the Forks to help Vallen fend off another attack.”

  “You're the only reliable trader I've got,” Devlyn protested. “If I'm not moving product, I'm not making gold.”

  “Patience, love,” Jaecar intervened, leaning forward to catch the Celd's gaze. “Until those paddies are restored out west, there's not much more product you can order from Tenesea.” He slipped his hand under the table toward Devlyn's lap and added flirtatiously, “We'll be dealing ferris as long as we live. You know we'll be back.”