Unmagic

by Jane Glatt

  By the time she came up for air, the current had carried her far enough away from the beach that she could no longer touch the bottom. She kicked her feet and feathered her arms, trying to stay at the surface. Her chin dipped under water and she leaned her head back in order to take a breath. Keeping her head above water was getting harder. The cold was seeping into her limbs, making her legs feel heavy—too heavy to move. Panicky, she knew she should call for help but it took all of her energy—all of her breath—to try to stay afloat. Her ears were under water and now her arms were starting to falter.

  And then Reo was there. He pulled her back against his chest and lay flat, keeping her head above water. She sucked in a deep, shaky breath.

  “Relax,” he said into her ear. “I’ve got you.”

  And she did relax. She rested against him and pulled her feet up and out of his way, the same as she had when they’d jumped off Mage Guild Island. He towed them for a minute or so before he stood up, drawing her with him up onto the beach.

  “Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t realize . . .” Then a blanket was tucked around her, and Reo helped her sit down in the sun, with her back against the overturned boat. “I’ll get you something hot to drink.” And then he was gone. She was aware of people moving around, aware that orders were being shouted, but she was too busy shivering to worry about it.

  DARIO TOOK A step back at the fury in the Assassin’s eyes as he shouted at three Seyoyans to get a fire going.

  A bedraggled Kara sat shivering by an upside-down boat as the Seyoyans scrambled around the beach, picking up driftwood and then piling it at a fire pit.

  Chal, wet from the sea, stood looking a little lost, then nervous as the Assassin descended on him.

  “You almost let her drown,” the Assassin said to the Seyoyan. “After she got you out of that Gyda forsaken cave, you almost let her drown.” The Assassin paused to rub a hand across his eyes. “She can’t swim. She would have drowned if I hadn’t been here!”

  And he was right. Dario had arrived on the beach just as Kara had dived into the waves. But he hadn’t noticed anything wrong when she surfaced. Chal had been a few feet from her and he hadn’t reacted, so Dario didn’t think Kara had called for help.

  Then he’d heard someone swear and the Assassin had raced past him, diving straight toward Kara. It wasn’t until the Assassin reached her that Dario understood that she’d been struggling to keep her head above water—had in fact been drowning.

  “I didn’t realize she was in trouble,” Chal said. “I . . . she didn’t make a sound. I was right there and she didn’t make a sound.”

  “They usually don’t,” the Assassin said. “Drowning is a quiet way to die.”

  Dario shivered. An Assassin would know the quiet ways to die, he thought. That’s how he’d known Kara was in trouble; he’d watched someone drown before. Had he caused it?

  The Assassin’s initial anger seemed spent but Dario sensed the smouldering fury that he was keeping in check. The fire was burning and someone had put a pot on to heat. The Assassin poured the liquid into a mug and took it over to Kara. He sat down and pulled her against him and helped her sip from the mug.

  Chal stood by the fire and Dario joined him.

  “I didn’t notice anything wrong either,” he said to the Seyoyan. It wasn’t an excuse—he wanted the other man to know that he too would have been responsible if the worst had happened.

  “He’ll never trust me again,” Chal said. “At least not with her.” He sighed. “And I have something to tell him that he will not want to hear. It’s not his decision—not mine either—but he’ll blame me for it anyway.”

  “He loves her,” Dario said, not wanting to think what an Assassin might do to the people who allowed his love to drown.

  “Yes,” Chal agreed. “Though he feels he doesn’t deserve her so tries not to allow himself to.” He sighed again.

  Dario was handed a mug of tea and some hard bread and cheese. They would be setting out for the ship as soon as Kara was recovered, he was told, understanding that they meant as soon as the Assassin decided she was ready to travel.

  He found a place in the sun—alone—and sipped the warm liquid and ate his food.

  Chal was still by the fire—he too had a mug and some food—and the Assassin remained by Kara’s side.

  The rest of the party, after some huddled conversations with Chal, scattered around the small beach to wait.

  Dario found it fascinating that the Assassin—a non-Seyoyan—seemed to be the one in charge. Until he realized that it wasn’t so much in deference for him as it was concern for Kara. Not one of the men here wanted to do anything to risk her health or do anything that might cause her harm.

  Javan strolled over to the Assassin and Kara; they were too far way for Dario to hear what they were saying but the Assassin rose, gently pulling Kara with him, and the sailors started breaking camp.

  Dario joined Chal, who was kicking sand onto the fire.

  “So, we’re leaving?” he asked. “And going where?” No one had asked him where he wanted to go—not that he thought returning to Mage Guild was safe for him. Not that he ever again wanted to see the inside of a workroom.

  “We’re off to Yeend,” Chal said. “Do you know it?”

  “It’s the capital of Seyoya, isn’t it?” He’d heard the name a long time ago when everyone thought he’d have a useful talent and would need to know about the world.

  “Yes. And the largest city. It covers most of the island. Oh, Reo,” Chal called.

  The Assassin turned, and Dario fought the urge to step away from Chal. The man did not look like he was in the mood for light chatter.

  “I need to tell you something,” Chal continued. “Before . . . well, before Kara mentions it.”

  Reo took a step until he was facing Chal, and now Dario did ease away. He wasn’t sure how Chal could face the fury and anger in the other man’s eyes.

  “What about Kara?” the Assassin asked softly.

  “She, uh, she was asking me about living in Seyoya,” Chal said. “Whether I thought she could earn a living teaching about the guilds and helping Seyoyans learn Tregellan. I just thought you should know.”

  “Now I know.”

  “And I didn’t want you to blame me for not telling you,” Chal said quietly, but the Assassin had already walked away.

  KARA DIDN’T PROTEST as she was bundled into blankets and Reo picked her up and handed her over the gunwale of the dory. A Seyoyan helped her settle into the seat, and then Reo jumped into the boat and sat beside her.

  Once at the ship Reo helped her climb aboard. She was almost asleep by the time she was deposited on her bunk by him. She saw Sif Shadae behind Reo looking worried. She was helped out of her damp clothes, and when she stretched out, more blankets were layered on top of her.

  WHY WAS SHE so tired? Kara lifted a hand to brush her hair out of her eyes and her hand got snarled in the still damp tangle of her hair. She’d been in the water with Chal and then . . . she remembered not being able to keep her head above water and being cold and so, so tired.

  Then Reo had saved her. Of course, it was Reo. It was always Reo.

  The bunk was swaying: was the ship moving? Were they heading for Seyoya? She sat up and pushed the blankets off. She was only wearing her small clothes, and they were still a little damp, so she hadn’t been asleep very long.

  She hopped out of bed and grabbed her pack. She pulled out a pair of trousers, a shirt, a fresh set of smallclothes, and some thick socks. The socks might not help her navigate the deck of the Mizar while it was under sail, but she was still chilled from being in the water.

  Once dressed, she opened the door. The narrow hallway was quiet; a few lamps lit the way, swinging gently on hooks. She took the short set of stairs up to the galley.

  The galley was empty at this time of night but it was ready for breakfast. She hadn’t had enough to eat or drink in days and now, after almost drowning, she was hungry and thirsty.<
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  She poured some water into a mug. It took her three mugs before she’d drunk her fill, and she turned her attention to food. A bundle that sat beside a crock of butter—once unwrapped—turned out to be journey bread.

  She had just finished slathering butter on a second piece of bread when the door opened. A familiar head of white blond braids poked in.

  “Chal! Are you hungry too?”

  “Yes.” Chal sat down, but he didn’t reach for the bread. Instead, he put his hands on the table, palms up. “I’m sorry. I almost cost you your life.”

  “What?” Kara almost dropped the pieced of bread she held. “You did not. That was my fault. I’m the one who can’t swim. And I didn’t tell you.”

  “You could have died,” he said. “Because I wasn’t paying attention.”

  “You weren’t,” Kara agreed. “But who said you had to? Who made you my keeper?” She could guess. “Reo blames you.” Chal nodded.

  “He shouldn’t,” she continued. “Nor should you blame yourself.” She eyed him. “Unless you think I’m not capable of making my own decisions? Or my own mistakes?”

  “That’s a trick question,” Chal said, but he seemed to have relaxed.

  “Of course, it is. You can’t be responsible for me and my mistakes unless you take away my independence.” She raised her slice of bread. “Which I will not allow.” She shoved the rest of the bread into her mouth and chewed while Chal stared at his hands.

  “I’m not sure Reo will see it that way,” he said finally.

  “Yes, I know,” Kara said. “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try to make him see that he’s wrong.” She pushed the half-loaf of bread towards him. “Have something to eat. And tell me where this ship is headed.”

  It was late by the time she returned to her cabin. She paused outside the door to Reo’s cabin: she needed to talk to him about his treatment of Chal, but not tonight.

  She entered her cabin and sat down on her bunk. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to sleep, not after sleeping most of the day and night. Besides, she was excited. Yeend! They were going to Yeend, the capital of Seyoya. She wasn’t sure how long they’d be there—just until they could get a ship back to Tregella she supposed—but surely there would be some time to explore the city.

  And who would be going home? She and Reo, of course, but would Dario Todaro want to leave or would he decide to stay in Seyoya? She’d need to ask him in the morning. After she’d spoken to Reo about what had happened on the beach.

  She’d thank him, of course, for saving her life. And then she’d make sure he didn’t blame Chal.

  She lay down, expecting to stare at the ceiling until dawn came.

  Instead, she woke up to the bed swaying violently. She managed to get her feet on the floor without falling, but then the ship rolled and her sock-covered feet slid out from under her. Gripping the bunk, she lowered herself to the floor. She pulled her socks off before she stood up again. The room was small enough that she could reach the door with one hand still on the swinging bunk.

  She yanked the door open and stepped out into the passageway.

  There was no answer when she pounded on Reo’s door—no answer from any of the doors she knocked on along the hallway. She stared at the end of the passageway and the stairs that led up to the deck, where everyone else must be.

  Now she understood the presence of the rope railing that lined every single wall on the ship. She clung to it as she passed wildly swinging lamps and climbed the stairs to the next level.

  She stood in the doorway to the galley. Far from the calm setting she’d shared with Chal last night, it was busy—but not with meal preparations. The cook—a burly sailor who was missing three fingers on one hand—shooed her away, explaining in Seyoyan that he was tying everything down.

  She made her way up the second set of stairs to the deck. Wind whipped at the sails as men scrambled among them. Captain Arends was on an upper deck, shouting orders. The sky was angry, and dark clouds roiled above the shuddering sails.

  It was dry, but Kara thought the rain would hit at any minute. And despite their southern destination and its warmer climate, it was cold. A wave hit, and the ship rolled as seawater sprayed over the gunwales.

  Someone gripped her arm from behind, and she looked back and met Reo’s eyes.

  “You should be downstairs,” he said. “Come on.” He steered her towards the stairs she’d just emerged from, following her to the second landing.

  “There’s a cabin,” he said. “Where we can wait it out.”

  He led the way along the corridor, and she hurried after him. She was damp from the spray and her feet were cold, and she would be no help on deck.

  THE DOOR OPENED, and the Assassin—Dario had a hard time calling such an intimidating man by his name—entered, followed by Kara.

  “Kara, come join us.” He ignored the Assassin’s glare and helped her to a seat. He pulled the blanket off his chair and handed it to her. “I think they want us all out of the way.” He sat back down. The Assassin narrowed his eyes, but he pretended to not see it. He was not giving up his chair—next to Kara—for Reo Medina.

  “I looked in on you earlier,” Chal said. “But you were sleeping. I didn’t want to wake you if you could sleep through the whole thing.”

  “Was the captain expecting bad weather?” Kara asked.

  “No.” The Assassin made his way to the other side of the table—a feat Dario was in awe of considering the ship was pitching and rolling violently—and sat across from Kara. “He said it was very unusual for this time of year.”

  “Unusual,” Kara repeated softly, and Dario stared at her. What did that mean? Did she think someone from Mage Guild had sent a storm their way?

  The wooden ship creaked and groaned as the angry sea tossed it; every few moments a wave crashed against the nearby hull. The wind must have snatched away any voices because Dario couldn’t hear any shouts from on deck. The four of them seemed to be the only ones on the ship not actively sailing it.

  “Have you been to Seyoya before, Kara?” he asked, partly because he wanted a distraction from the storm.

  “No,” she replied. “I’m looking forward to it though. And you, are you planning on staying or will you return to Rillidi?”

  “I . . .” He didn’t have an answer. “I’m not sure it’s safe for me to go back to Rillidi.” He had been cursed by the Mage Guild Secundus, who was now dead, but that didn’t mean he would be safe. “But can I truly leave Mage Guild?” He’d been reconciled with a life outside of Mage Guild when he was told he was being exiled but that had been a punishment. Could he hope for something better?

  Kara reached over and patted his hand. “You’ll be unguilded, like me.” She looked at Reo. “And Reo, and all of us on Old Rillidi. You could join us there if you wish.”

  “Or stay on Yeend,” Chal said. “You can make mage lights and I’ll help you sell them.”

  Dario looked at the Seyoyan to see if he was joking, but he didn’t seem to be. “Is that something that would have value?” Mage lights were so simple that it took the most basic of talents. Which was why even he could create them.

  “Yes,” Chal said. The ship listed to one side, and they all hung onto the table until the ship rolled back straight.

  “Take this ship,” Chal continued. “It’s filled with oil lamps. On a day like this, those lamps pose a danger. Every captain with enough funds would replace them with mage lights, if they could.”

  “Mage Guild won’t like it,” he said, but he was already grinning. “But it might be years before they know. And I would like more days in the sun.” He could do it—he could make mage lights—he could always make mage lights. And even if Mage Guild realized that someone was creating them, would they really bother sending a Mage to investigate? He was actually starting to believe that he could really live a life free from the guilds.

  “And what about Kara?” the Assassin said. “I heard that you plan on staying in Seyoya too.
”

  KARA STARED AT Reo. “It had crossed my mind,” she said. She looked over at Chal, who was staring at the table. This wasn’t how she wanted to discuss any of this, but if Reo thought she would back down, he was mistaken. “I have a life I will return to, but I thought some time away might be good for me.”

  “I see,” Reo said. He looked away, and she saw him swallow. “You should do what’s best for you. I can tell Santos and the others.”

  She stared at him, aware of Dario and Chal watching and listening, but not caring. “Will you stop it?” she said. “Will you for once tell me what you want? Tell me I can’t stay away because it would invalidate the contract with Warrior Guild. Tell me that would send you back to them and you’d hate being an Assassin again. Tell me what you want.” Tell me you want me, she thought, tell me you want me!

  “I . . .” Reo stopped and closed his eyes, and she hoped he would actually say something she wanted to hear.

  “Kara Fonti!” someone called from outside. “Kara Fonti!” The door was flung open, and a soaked and dishevelled Javan Losi stood in the doorway. “You’re needed on deck, right away. There’s magic fuelling this storm, and Captain Arends thinks we’re lost unless you can defeat it.”

  Chapter Nine

  KARA LET HIM lead her to the deck: her fight with Reo would have to wait. She greeted Captain Arends and stared out into the storm, trying to see the magic, but all she saw was spinning clouds and . . . there! She pointed over the gunwale to a spinning mass of light blue. The mage mist was whipping the sea into angry, spiralling waves. One of the waves hit the ship, and seawater gushed across the deck, almost sweeping a sailor off his feet.

  “That’s it,” Javan said over the sound of the wind. “We’ve tried to outrun it but it’s following us. I think someone sent it after us.”