by Stina Leicht
A door slam signaled that they were no longer alone. The curtains to her right were shoved aside and a young Waterborne with short, Acrasian-styled, blond hair, dark skin, and tilted eyes entered the arena. He appeared to be in his twenties. His ears were pierced like all the Waterborne Suvi had met. He was wearing a long, tailored coat with minimalist decorative stitching that wouldn’t have looked out of place in one of Ytlain’s more fashionable cities. He also wore thick leather knee-high boots. Everything about him was tidy and refined. It was difficult to imagine him anywhere near a ship as anything but a passenger.
She checked an urge to frown.
He ignored her for the moment and gave Dylan a short bow. “Dylan Kask of the Sea Dragon, I presume?”
“I am no longer a member of that crew,” Dylan said. “And I haven’t been for some time. You know this, Kester. Get to the point.”
Kester turned away from Dylan, a sour expression on his face. He then spoke to Suvi, much to her surprise. “I understand you are to be his second?”
Suvi addressed Dylan but kept an eye on Kester. “Well? What do I tell him?”
Dylan gave her a quick nod and turned away.
“I am Lake Marshal Suvi Hännenen of Eledore, and I am Dylan Kask’s second.”
“And I am Kester Whitewave of Kask, Third Mate of The Laughing Sea Horse, First Frigate of the Fleet.” He bent at the waist in a quick bow. “Kask insisted that I meet you here. He stated that you may be unfamiliar with the Waterborne custom of Duello.”
“No need to concern yourself.” Suvi added an edge of command to her words—just enough power to be a threat. “I learn fast.”
Kester seemed unimpressed. “Tradition dictates that I must inquire whether or not an apology is on offer. That is normally your responsibility as the representative of the duel’s instigator. However—”
“Instigator?” Dylan asked. “You’ve got it backward. I didn’t ask for this. Isak did.”
Kester acted as if he didn’t hear. “I take it the answer is no?”
Again, Suvi turned to Dylan. “Are you willing to apologize?”
“I didn’t do anything to apologize for!”
Suvi nodded. “Dylan says—”
“It is of no consequence,” Kester said, holding up a hand. “I am here to inform you that the instigator’s offer is to be declined.”
“Then why go through the motions? This is stupid!” Dylan rushed to where Kester stood with clenched fists. “Isak is the one who—”
Kester blinked and placed a hand on the pistol strapped to his waist. Suvi found herself shoving in between them. In two heartbeats, she registered that she might have made a mistake.
Dylan bumped into her with the force of his anger. “Your brother is an oathbreaker and a liar!”
Kester said, “Are you attempting to add a second duel to the first?”
Suvi stopped Dylan’s reply with a hand over his mouth. She could feel him trembling under her palm. Forcing calm into her voice as much as possible, she used another boost of command energy to steer the conversation back on course. “Is this fight to be to the first strike or first—”
“For your information, the duel is to the death,” Kester said, and sniffed. He executed a third bow and then made for the exit.
Dylan muttered, “Well, that settles that question.”
“What question is that?” Suvi asked.
“Kester is still an ass.” He waited until the curtain dropped back into place and Kester slammed the door before speaking again. “I almost wish I’d stayed away.”
“I should never have told you about those messages.”
“If you hadn’t, my father would be at Isak’s mercy. And when Isak gets what he wants, Darius won’t live out the week.” Dylan turned his back to her and walked to the pool’s edge. “I had to come back. There really wasn’t another option. At least I’ll see Darius.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t know how I missed the bells. The Sea Horse must have arrived. I haven’t seen Darius in years.” He looked down at himself. His mood changed and he gave her an odd smile. “Do I look okay?”
Suvi tilted her head. This Darius is the one who stole your heart, then? Long having understood Dylan’s sexual preferences without being told, she’d wondered why Dylan hadn’t taken a lover in all the time she’d known him. Well … how would I know? Given the Eledorean general mind-set in such matters, would he really have chosen to confide in me? She watched him fuss with his hair and tried not to smile. “Of course. You look fine. If a bit rumpled.”
He nodded. It was clear he was too nervous for humor. “I’ll see you tomorrow. We’ll review the rules of Duello then.”
“All right. Good night.”
Reaching the exit, he stopped and turned. “Thanks for being my second. I would’ve asked Darius, but he’s never been very good at holding his temper. And Isak knows it. He’d kill Darius just to punish me.” Dylan stared at the ground. “It was one of the last threats he made before I went away.”
“I don’t understand what is going on,” Suvi said.
“Isak gave me a choice. I could admit to breaking a contract, accept exile, bring shame on my clan and my father as sea lord, or he could kill me and Darius and dump us overboard. I’d still be blamed, and my clan’s name tarnished. I wanted Darius safe. I chose exile.”
“But you didn’t break the contract?”
“It’s not that simple,” Dylan said. “Isak betrayed the clan.”
Suvi raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t have thought that a problem. The Nations traffic in stink weed, every variety of dream tea, and Acrasian wormwood cordials. In the name of the Goddess, Clan Kask has been known to sell poisons. Why is bloodflower such a problem?”
Dylan wouldn’t meet her gaze. “The reasons have nothing to do with the substance itself. It’s how the bloodflower is produced. They use slaves.”
“I thought the Seven Kingdoms agreed to outlaw the practice?” Not that Eledore in any way strictly enforces the intent, Suvi thought.
“Oh, they did. Technically,” Dylan said. “By law, they employ debt-criminals and indentured servants. Only, the contracts are never actually paid off.”
“Oh.”
“What Massilia publicly claims isn’t always what Massilian nobility does.”
“That sounds familiar,” Suvi said, disgusted. “All right, then. Isak Whitewave is dealing in bloodflower.”
“And using those funds to buy more ships and become more powerful in the clan.”
“What does that have to do with you?”
“I knew of his plan before he started. However, I thought I could bring charges against him myself. I hated Isak, and I wanted to hurt him. I was stupid. I should’ve gone to Father at once. I didn’t. I thought to gain Isak’s trust. I let him involve me in something I shouldn’t have. As a result, I gave Isak everything he needed to lay the blame on me.”
“So, you were caught with the bloodflower.”
Dylan nodded. “Isak said he would take away everything and everyone I ever cared about if I breathed a word of the truth to Father. That was why I broke off from my family like I did. It’s why I walked away from Darius, too.”
“Oh.”
“Tomorrow will see an end to it, at least.”
FOUR
Time passed far too fast for Suvi’s comfort. She spent most of the next morning exchanging urgent messages with the Otter’s captain, Elliiya Hansen. Dylan took charge of her afternoon, instructing her in her duties as second. Piritta arrived at dinner along with Suvi’s baggage from the Otter. When the duel was officially announced, Piritta had fled the table and cried herself into a frenzy. Jami, for her part, hadn’t said a word. She’d merely given Suvi a look that would’ve put one of her father’s glares to shame. From then on, Suvi focused on memorizing the rules of the contest.
Suvi listened while Dylan droned on at the dueling circle, bare feet dabbling in the seawater and watching the sky darken. There was so much to learn, and yet
she found it difficult to focus. Before she knew it, a clock struck the quarter before midnight. Her stomach fluttered. Only a quarter of an hour before the fight begins. The rules were long and complicated. She hoped she’d remember enough of them to keep from making a mistake that would cost Dylan his life. Jami had stayed close. In fact, she was there now, leaning against one of the pillars as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Suvi wondered what Jami would do if she, Suvi, were killed? Would she live among the Waterborne? Jami wouldn’t be the first Eledorean to do so. Or would she travel to Ytlain? That, probably. She has family in Ytlain, even if she doesn’t care for them much, Suvi thought. And then she’ll never set foot in Eledore again.
First to arrive were Dylan’s mother and several of his siblings—three of his brothers and two of his sisters. All were older than Dylan. Apparently, he had a total of eleven siblings. The rest were away, tending to unavoidable clan business. Each shared Dylan’s broad smile and had inherited either Sea Lord Kask’s light green eyes or Dylan’s mother’s warm brown eyes. Hugs and nervous laughter were exchanged while Suvi stood aside—watching while her chest tightened. Dylan’s family was loving and easy with one another. Suvi compared them with her own family, and the tightness of breath gave way to a dull ache. Soon it became too much, and she had to look away.
Darius was the biggest surprise. Tall and handsome, and a little taller than Dylan, Darius had skin of a light brown. His spirit knots were short, only a few inches long, giving him a surprised look that would’ve seemed comical on anyone else. His eyes were a deep blue so intense that she’d originally thought they’d changed color from black to violet. But the Waterborne don’t have that ability, do they? she thought. Only the royal houses of Eledore and Ytlain do. She thought again about how often kainen from all over the Seven Kingdoms were known to seek asylum among the kainen of the Waterborne Nations. It didn’t take much imagination to think a royal bastard or two might have done the same. The inability to practice one’s magical talents didn’t garner shame among the Waterborne. Thus, it would be a small price to pay for a safe haven.
Dylan’s family moved back, allowing space for Darius to greet Dylan. Darius slowly stepped forward, his arms folded across his chest. His arched brows and full mouth were set in a hard line.
“Hello, Dar,” Dylan said, shy.
“So,” Darius said. “You’re back.”
“I am.”
“What am I supposed to say to you?” Darius asked. His tone was filled with quiet rage.
Dylan blinked. “Well, I was hoping for—”
Darius launched into a tirade. “You paper-skulled, totty-headed, selfish—”
“Don’t forget mule-headed,” Dylan said.
“Mule-headed ass!” Furious, Darius’s shout echoed off the hills. “You left me!”
“I’m sorry,” Dylan said. Disappointment welled up in his eyes.
“Nowhere near sorry enough! You broke your promise.”
“I thought we worked this out. You said in your letter—”
“You didn’t even tell me you were going! Not one word!”
“I couldn’t, Dar. Not without—”
“Not a letter!”
“That’s not true! I wrote to you! I know you got them. You answered!”
“Months later!”
“I wrote as soon as I could!”
“Shut up! Shut up! I don’t want to hear your stupid excuses! I’m so angry with you! I could—I-I could just—” Dar brought up clenched fists. “I hate you! You swiving insufferable barnacle! You left me alone! Alone!”
“But Dar—”
Suvi flinched as Dar flew at Dylan, grabbed him in a tight hug, and cut off his reply with a violent kiss. Dylan staggered under the force of it, almost falling into the pool.
Standing among Dylan’s family, Suvi watched their reaction for some sign of how to behave. Dylan’s siblings talked quietly among themselves. His mother seemed to be struggling to hide amused approval.
“He deserved that,” Dylan’s mother whispered. “Every word. And a few more.”
Sea Lord Kask cleared his throat. “I told Darius he was welcome to see Dylan earlier. But he refused. He said he couldn’t trust himself if there were no witnesses.”
“I can’t blame him,” Dylan’s mother said.
“I hate you!” Dar had apparently come up for air.
“No, you don’t,” Dylan said.
“I do!”
“I said I was sorry.”
“Say it some more!”
This time, Dylan kissed Dar.
Suvi looked away.
“All in all, Darius seems to have handled the situation rather well,” Dylan’s mother said, keeping her voice low.
“Oh, really?” Kask whispered.
“If you’d done the same to me, you wouldn’t be walking right now,” Dylan’s mother said.
“It’s early yet,” Kask said. “Maybe we should give them some privacy?”
“And miss the fun?” Dylan’s younger sister asked. She wore her hair pushed back from her face with a long blue silk scarf tied in a band. She didn’t have spirit knots but had her hair styled in a longish mane that caught the lamplight like a soft, curly halo. She spoke to her shorter brother. “Owan, pay up.”
“It’s not over yet, Joanie,” Owan said.
“He’s not going to punch him,” Joanie said, and held out her hand. “You lose.”
“Oh, fine,” Owan said.
Joanie pocketed the silver coin.
Dylan’s other sister turned to introduce herself. “Hello, Suvi. I’m Moira.”
“And I’m Joan.”
“Hello,” Suvi said.
“Boys,” Moira said, rolling her eyes. “Do you have a brother?”
“I do. He’s my twin,” Suvi said.
“Is your twin as stubborn as Dylan is?” Moira asked.
Suvi said, “Worse.”
“Ah, I see,” Moira said. She leaned in closer. “Sorry about this. Dar is terrified and has a funny way of expressing it.”
“I’ll say,” Joan said.
“You’ve known Dar for a while?” Suvi asked.
“Since he was twelve,” Moira said. “We’re in the same crew now. I try to keep him out of trouble. Doesn’t always work.”
Finally, Dylan and Darius registered that others were waiting. Dylan finally broke free of the embrace.
Dar said, “I guess I can forgive you.”
“Thank you, Dar.”
“In a month or so.”
“Really?” Dylan asked. “You’re going to let me go into a duel thinking you hate me?” He whispered in Dar’s ear.
“The whole time?”
Dylan nodded. “I promise.”
“Oh, all right. You’re forgiven.”
Holding Darius’s hand, Dylan looked happier than she’d ever seen him. “Lake Marshal Suvi Hännenen of Eledore, I’d like you to meet Darius Teak.”
She held out a hand for Dar to shake. “Call me Suvi. Dylan does.”
“Dylan wrote to me about you,” Dar said with a wicked twinkle in his eye. “Is it true that you once lost a bet and had to dance across the main royal at midnight while stark—”
Dylan cut him off with a playful smack to the back of the head.
Suvi felt her jaw drop and her face heat. “You swore you’d never tell anyone!”
“Drown it, Dar,” Dylan said with a rueful smile. “I’m never telling you anything ever again.”
“Oh, sure, you are.” Darius leaned over and bit Dylan’s earlobe. “What did you say?”
Dylan’s breath caught. “Great Mother …”
“I thought so,” Dar said.
Grinning, Suvi said, “Oh, I like him already, Dylan. Really, I do.”
A low bell sounded and a short middle-aged woman waded alone and barefoot into the middle of the dueling pool. Her cool, confident, businesslike strides gave her a majestic air. As she was shorter than most, the pool’s water level hit her above the
knee. Dylan had mentioned that dueling judges weren’t allowed to preside over disagreements within their own clans. This prevented personal bias from affecting their rulings. Suvi didn’t know of which clan the judge was a member, but it was obvious even to Suvi that she wasn’t a local. The refined-looking judge wore loose, calf-length, brightly colored trousers and a red coat decorated with gold braid on the sleeves. She also carried a short, curved blade sheathed at her right side. Her features were more angular and her skin lighter than most within Clan Kask, and her right nostril was pierced with a delicate gold ring. The backs of her hands were tattooed in delicate, beautiful green ink lines. She held her head high and confident as she moved to the pool.
The moment the judge entered the water, the audience assumed their seats in silence. Isak and Kester took positions aligned with the cardinal points of the compass at the edge of the pool.
Darius kissed Dylan on the mouth and then said, “Good luck.”
Dylan said, “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Even if you did cheat me out of being your second,” Darius said. “Now don’t just stand there. Kill the worthless bag of shit.” Then Darius turned to her and put out a hand. “Watch his back for me.”
Taking his hand, Suvi said, “I will. I promise.”
Darius leaned in close and whispered, “Watch yourself, too. Kester is deaf in the left ear. Be sure you’ve got his attention when you use your magic.”
Oh, great, Suvi thought. Why didn’t Dylan tell me that before?
With one last look at Dylan, Darius headed to the benches with Dylan’s family.
Dylan took his assigned place at the north compass point, directly across from Isak, and Suvi stood at the western mark at Dylan’s right, opposite east and Kester. Taking a deep breath, she did her best to quell the tremor in her limbs. With her shoulders back, chin up, and chest out, she hoped no one would notice she was trembling.
The arena was well lit with rows of brightly burning lanterns strung along the outer walls. More lanterns were bolted to the columns. The viewing benches were packed with anxious clan members of varying ages. The late arrivals resorted to standing at the back. Gazing at the audience, she counted the number of Eledorean marines and came up one short. That’s odd.