“She is,” the man said, emerging from the hold, his pistol reclaimed, the babe in his arms.
Aiwi wished she had killed him and the child when she had the chance.
CHAPTER 25
25th Day of Kheraya’s Descent, Year 634
The Arrokad appeared just as Tobias remembered her: beautiful, alluring, terrifying. Her skin was pale aqua and as smooth as a seatumbled stone. Blue-black hair hung to the small of her back, and shining, slitted eyes raked over the deck of the Dove. As Captain Larr and her sailors joined Tobias on the deck, he heard gasps and exclamations of alarm from those behind him. He heard sighs as well, from several of the men and a number of the women.
“You called an Arrokad to my ship?” Larr asked from behind him. “You thought this wise?”
“I thought it necessary.” His eyes didn’t stray from Ujie. “No harm will come to your ship. I promise. Ujie and I have… engaged in commerce before. She has reasons to want me alive.”
“Walker,” Ujie said. “You summoned me to settle a dispute with this Tirribin?”
“I summoned you to save us from her, which you’ve already done. She tried to take the years of this child.”
Ujie regarded the Tirribin, and then Sofya, appraisal in the gaze. “The one you told me of before.”
“That’s right.”
“I was simply hunting, Most Ancient One,” the Tirribin said, wringing her hands. “I didn’t realize that the human was your friend. I would never have–”
“Hunting on a ship filled with other humans? This early in the night?”
The Tirribin didn’t answer, but glanced at Tobias, a plea in her pale eyes.
“Why do I smell Belvora blood?” Ujie asked. She glanced around. “The city is rank with it.”
“We killed two here,” Larr said.
Tobias tucked his chin. “And another in the lanes.”
“Allies of yours?” Ujie asked the Tirribin.
The Tirribin stared, mouth open in a small “o.”
Footsteps on the wharf below drew Tobias’s attention. Bramm guided Mara toward the ship, one hand holding the elbow of her wounded arm, the other on her good shoulder. They reached the plank. Sailors from the ship headed down to help them.
“Tell me why, cousin?” Ujie said.
Tobias faced the demons again.
The Tirribin peered at her feet, her lips pressed thin.
“Tell me!” Ujie’s words crashed like breakers in a storm, making the Tirribin jump.
The Tirribin pointed at Sofya. “You have to ask? Look at her!”
Tobias gripped the princess more tightly. Sofya gave a small cry and tried to break free of his grasp.
“Her years are… Even marred by a misfuture, they’re so sweet. I can smell them from here.”
Mara gained the deck. Tobias went to her, but she steered him back to the demons, intent on the Tirribin. Blood glistened on her shoulder and seeped from a ragged gash on her cheek. She was bruised, limping. She didn’t seem to care.
“Who sent you?” she demanded, halting in front of the time demon. She glanced at Ujie. An instant later, her gaze snapped back to the Arrokad.
Ujie smirked. “You will answer her, cousin.”
“The Belvora,” the Tirribin said, pale eyes flicking between Mara and the Arrokad. “I entered a bargain with them. Freely and fairly. They promised me the child. In return I was to deliver the Walkers.”
Ujie considered Mara again, eyes narrowing. “You are a Walker, and yet your magicks are confused. I sense more in you.”
“I Span as well.” To the Tirribin, Mara said, “Who sent the Belvora? Why did they want us?”
“That I don’t know.”
“I don’t believe you.”
The Tirribin bared her needle teeth. “Careful, human.” A rasp coarsened her voice. “I will not be called liar by one such as you.”
“They told you nothing?” Tobias asked.
“That’s right. And I didn’t ask. They promised me her years.” She dropped a covetous glance to Sofya. “I cared for nothing else.”
“Well, it can’t be just happenstance that three Belvora would attack us here, so far from northern waters.”
“I agree,” the Tirribin said. The corners of her mouth twitched. “Perhaps you shouldn’t have been so quick to kill them.”
“Did they say what drew them here?”
“No.”
Tobias wasn’t sure he believed her.
“She tells the truth,” Ujie said, perhaps sensing his mistrust. He thought it unwise to ask how she could be certain.
“The Tirribin bleeds from a wound to her shoulder. Did she take any years?”
“Mine.”
A man came forward, his steps stiff. It took Tobias a moment to recognize Ermond. He winced at what he saw. The man had aged years this one night, all because Tobias had entrusted him with Sofya’s safety.
“How many, cousin?” Ujie asked.
The Tirribin shrugged with infuriating equanimity. “Ten years, perhaps. Maybe a few more.”
Captain Larr took a single stride in the Tirribin’s direction, her hand falling to the hilt of her sword.
Ujie stepped in front of the time demon. “Do not!”
“This is a valued member of my crew. And your friend took years off his life.”
“My ‘friend’ is a hunter. You are prey. It is as simple as that.”
“Are prey never allowed to fight back?”
Ujie’s smile was even more frightening than the Tirribin’s. “Do you honestly believe you can prevail in a fight with a Tirribin? Even wounded, she will kill you with ease.”
“Then why do you protect her?”
“Because I will not allow a mob of humans to harm her.” To Tobias, Ujie said, “You summoned me, which, as you know, carries a cost. We bargained in good faith some turns ago – boons promised at some future date. I have fulfilled my side of our bargain. You will fulfill yours.”
Apprehension shaded Mara’s hazel eyes. “What is she talking about?”
“I speak of an arrangement the Walker and I made some time back,” Ujie said, before Tobias could answer. “You were not there and are not a part of this conversation.”
“She’s my wife,” Tobias said. “So she is part of it.”
The Arrokad made a sharp, dismissive gesture, one Tobias had seen from her before. “I care nothing for human unions. We have a bargain, freely entered and fairly sworn. I will take you now to the sea. If you survive our encounter, you may return to her.” She bared her teeth again. “I assure you, though, after being with me, she will not satisfy you. No human female will.”
“Wait,” Captain Larr said, slanting a glance at Tobias. “Are you telling me that you’re going to take him for… for…”
“For sport, yes. Do not be concerned. He will enjoy the experience as much as I will. More perhaps.”
“Isn’t there some other boon–”
Ujie cut Tobias off with that same hand motion. “We have spoken of this before, you and I. I require no wealth as humans count it. I have more knowledge than you ever will. But I do find your kind most… entertaining.” She regarded Mara. “Perhaps you would offer your mate in your stead?”
“No,” Mara and Tobias said in unison. They shared a glance. “I’ll go.”
All of them looked at Ermond.
Ujie considered him. “You are too old, I think.”
He pointed at the Tirribin. “Only because of her.”
The Arrokad answered with a slow nod. “You speak true. I might reverse what she has done. That power lies within my grasp. You would come with me to the sea freely?”
His cheeks colored. “I would.”
Her smile this time was hungrier, less menacing. As devoted as Tobias was to Mara, he couldn’t deny that her expression stirred him in ways that made him blush.
“A new bargain, then,” Ujie said. “I will restore your years, and you will entertain me for a time. Yes?”
Ermond straightened. “All right, then.”
“Freely entered and fairly sworn?”
“Ermond–”
“It’s all right, captain. I know what I’m doing. Freely entered and fairly sworn,” the sailor repeated.
Ujie eyed Tobias. “You still owe me a boon, Walker. And rest assured: I will collect.”
Tobias could only nod his agreement. “Thank you,” he said to Ermond.
“If she gives me back the years I lost, I’ll count myself fortunate.”
“What about the Tirribin?” Mara asked.
Ujie appeared to ponder the question. “She will leave here, whole, unpunished beyond the wound she already bears. And she will swear not to hunt you again. Agreed?”
“All of us,” Tobias said, knowing from his experiences with Droë, and also Teelo and Maeli, that he needed to be as specific as possible. “Mara, Sofya, and me, and everyone else on this ship.”
“Just so.”
“She’s to stay away from us, as well. And she shouldn’t speak of us to anyone.”
The Tirribin didn’t hesitate for long. “Agreed,” she said.
“Go then, cousin. I trust I will have no further cause to treat with you.”
“Yes, cousin.” The demon blurred to the plank, descended at Tirribin speed, and sped into the city.
Ujie sauntered to where Ermond stood, passing within two hands of Tobias. He caught her scent – rain, sweet lightning, brine, seaweed. It made his head spin, like the finest Brenthian wine. She walked a slow circle around Ermond. The sailor’s face shaded bright red, and his breathing deepened. Some among his fellow sailors regarded the Arrokad with fear, but as many eyed the demon with desire, and their friend with envy.
Ujie took his hand and led him to the larboard rail.
“We’ll wait for you here,” Captain Larr said.
“There is no need. I do not wish to rush our time together.” She lifted her tapered chin in Tobias’s direction. “I am linked to the Walker. I can bring him to you no matter where you are.”
She didn’t wait for a reply, but lifted Ermond into her arms like he was a mere child, and leapt over the rail. The rest of the crew, as well as Tobias and Mara, rushed to that side of the ship. Aside from a slight ripple in the moonlit surface of the harbor, Tobias saw no sign of them.
“Do you believe we’ll see him again?” Larr asked.
“I do. Arrokad may not think much of humans, but they do care about commerce and bargains, and they keep their promises.”
“Very well. I’d suggest then that we leave these waters with first light. It’s too dangerous to remain.”
“I agree. Must we wait for morning?”
She took a breath and scanned the ship. “No.”
She pivoted away from him and barked orders at the rest of her crew. Sailors readied the ship for departure.
Tobias took Mara below with old Yadreg, who was as near to a healer as the Dove had. Together, they cleaned her injuries. Yadreg prepared a poultice for her shoulder, and Tobias tore strips of cloth for a bandage. Mara held Sofya on her lap. The princess chattered happily, oblivious to all they had been through this night. She did point to the gash on Mara’s cheek, but even that seemed to amuse her.
After helping Tobias wrap her wound, Yadreg left them. Tobias led Mara to their pallet and had her lie down. Sofya remained wide awake; he sensed she was hungry. Mara, in contrast, could barely keep her eyes open.
“You survived a fight with a Belvora,” he whispered. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Apparently I can’t please you the way an Arrokad would.”
He laughed, his cheeks warming. “I’m not sure I believe that.” He kissed her brow. “How are you feeling?”
“I hurt everywhere.” She exhaled the words, her eyes closing.
“Sleep. You’ll feel better come morning.”
“I’ll feel terrible in the morning and you know it.”
Tobias kissed her again. “I didn’t say which morning.”
By the time he took Sofya above, the Dove’s crew were rowing the vessel into the harbor. Tobias joined the captain on the quarterdeck.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know you didn’t wish to leave the Knot so soon.”
She shook her head, her expression grim. “You didn’t wish to leave the waters near Chayde. And since sailing southward, we’ve encountered storms and demons. I should have listened to you.”
He wondered if she intended to pilot them back to the northern islands.
“I have in mind to sail to the Ring Isles,” she went on after a brief silence, dashing his hopes. “You and Mara have spoken again and again of finding Bound devices. I believe it’s time we did that.”
“Despite the dangers” he said.
“Yes. You have talents – both of you. The ship will profit if you can use them. And you’ll feel safer if you can go back in time or if Mara can Span.”
He heard the logic in what she said. But he saw no good choices before them, no safe harbors. If Orzili knew enough to send Belvora to the Knot, they weren’t safe anywhere. Either the assassin was bearing down on them already, or he had dispatched the winged demons to every corner of Islevale. Either way, tonight’s events were likely harbingers of greater perils to come.
“You have another idea?”
“I wish to return to Chayde,” he said, unable to stop himself. “Maybe Mara and I can make a life for ourselves somewhere on the isle. The people who are after us might not think to look there.”
The captain studied him, her lips pursed. “We can take you there, but I thought that you intend eventually to place Nava on the Daerjen throne.”
“We do.”
“Forgive me for saying so, but that’s not something you can do on a whim, when you decide she’s ready. It will take planning, foresight. You’ll need allies, not just in Hayncalde, but also in Daerjen’s other cities. You might need help from Aiyanth and other kingdoms. You can’t arrange all of that from a place of hiding. Yes, you can spirit her away to some remote village. That may well be your safest course. Or you can prepare to install her as the ruler of Daerjen, which would be more perilous. I don’t believe you can do both.”
Tobias held the princess to him, as if beset by Belvora, and he stared at reflections on the water from the ship’s torches. He feared he might weep at the truths he heard in what the captain said. In many respects, he and Mara were children still themselves. The masters and mistresses of Windhome had taught them well to be diplomats, ministers to royal courts. But planning and executing an insurgency was beyond them, or at least beyond him.
“I’m sorry,” the captain said. “We’ve all had a difficult enough day without…”
He shook his head, and she trailed off.
“You’ve done nothing wrong, captain. I needed to hear that.”
Sofya struggled in his arms. He set her on the deck and stared after her as she walked away, her steps sure despite the motion of the vessel.
“How old are you, Tobias?”
He went still, afraid to reveal anything with a change in his expression. Others had asked this of him, and he had put them off with evasions, lies, even pleas that they not press him. Captain Larr was different. He and Mara owed her everything. More, after sailing with the woman for so many turns, he trusted her completely.
This, though – he and Mara had held to this secret even as others had been stripped away.
“I know a bit about Walking,” she said. “I know the cost it exacts. You’ve come back very far, haven’t you?”
“Very,” he said in a whisper.
“I’ve suspected as much. You don’t have to tell me. I ask mostly because I want to assure you that no matter how daunting your task, my crew and I won’t allow you to do it alone.” She stared after Sofya. “I didn’t want her on the ship. I didn’t want any of you. You know that.” She faced him, ferocity in her dark eyes. “Now, I’d kill for all of you. And I’d die for you as well.”
&n
bsp; Tobias could think of no worthy reply, except one.
“I’m nearly sixteen,” he said, his voice still low. “Mara is a bit older – nearly seventeen.”
Larr stared, shock and sympathy in her gaze.
“Most of the time, I don’t think of us as being that young.” He gestured at himself. “I don’t think of us as being this old, either. We’re caught in between.”
“I would think. Why did you Walk so far?”
This secret had long since been robbed of its value. The future from which he had come was lost, and so too was the new history he and Mearlan had hoped to create.
“I came back at the request of Daerjen’s sovereign. We hoped to prevent a war. Instead I precipitated his assassination.”
“Mara came back with you?”
“She came back later, for me, to help rebuild the future we’d lost.” He thought of her sleeping in the hold, shuddered at how close he’d come to losing her this night. “I gave up all those years because the sovereign asked me to, and I believe I was right to do so. Mara – she came back out of love, or rather her belief in the possibility of love.”
Larr frowned, turning the ship’s wheel a few degrees. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s… complicated.” He exhaled, heard Sofya give a whoop of laughter. “That first night, when you granted us passage on your ship, you mentioned a Binder in Aiyanth, and a peddler who traffics in Bound devices.”
“I remember. She can be found on Aiyanth as well. In Belsan.” “Then that’s where we should head next.”
“You’re certain?”
“No,” he said. They both smiled. “I’m tired of running. Of hiding and being afraid. Even if we retreat to the hills of Chayde, Orzili will find us.” He indicated the princess with a lift of his chin. “He won’t give up his search for her, and his reach is long. He tried to have me killed in my own time, and somehow he followed me into this past. If he can do that, he can track us anywhere. So maybe our choice isn’t between hiding in safety on the one hand, and planning for the restoration of the Hayncalde line on the other. Maybe our choice is between being killed while standing still and dying while fighting back. In which case, it’s an easy decision to make.”
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