by Elise Kova
Vi backed away slowly, turned, and walked without any haste, hoping to catch more of their conversation. But she couldn’t; their voices were too low.
Just before Vi could disappear below deck, the ship began to move. It crept forward so slowly away from the dock that Vi thought they were merely adrift. However, the distinct thrum of magic told her differently.
She looked back up at the quarterdeck, Marcus stood at the back end, radiating power. He’s using magic to push the boat, Vi realized. Vi rushed over to the side of the vessel where the dock had been. Other Waterrunners were there, using their own powers to protect the pylons of the dock from Marcus’s currents.
Vi stared in wonder at the sight. There was always a new, clever application for magic. Every sorcerer wore a bored look on their face, but performed tasks Vi assumed would require extreme focus. It was just a testament to their training and experience.
As soon as the vessel was maneuvered far enough away from the docks and other boats, a pop filled the air, and the sails snapped open to capture the wind.
They began to pick up real momentum then and the port of Norin, greatest port in the world, was swiftly being left behind her in a trail of white foam. Vi watched as her view was limited to nearby ships, and a few buildings, slowly expanding as more and more distance was gained. Just like that, she was off, out to sea… doing what had seemed impossible.
“What did you feel, Father?” Vi whispered softly to herself, a hand reaching up to hold the watch around her neck. Her father had sailed away from Norin; he had watched this same sight as he left behind the world he knew and loved in a last-ditch effort to save it. Was he afraid? Did he look back and think of her mother, their family? Or did he only press forward?
“Watch yourself.” A sailor carrying a length of rope over his shoulder grumbled as he passed.
It snapped Vi back to reality and she turned for the opening below the quarterdeck. There would be no fanfare, no one waving after her from the docks. There would not be an Imperial farewell party as she was certain there had been for her father. Yet something about the quiet departure sat low in her stomach, making her uneasy. Without so much as a word of goodbye, she’d left her home—her continent, with no immediate plans to return.
Vi swallowed down the ill feelings and headed below to find Mare and Jayme. Her father hadn’t aborted his mission; neither would she.
The women weren’t in their cabin, so Vi explored the lowest deck of the Dawn Skipper. Descending the narrow flight of stairs, Vi’s head almost scraped the ceiling—which was also the underside of the main deck. A few of the portholes were opened, allowing in just enough light to see by and more than enough for salt mist to dampen the room. At the very back of the boat were Mare, Jayme, and two other sailors, fighting to tie off crates.
“Can I help you?” Vi asked aloud, not wanting to startle anyone. They hadn’t seemed to hear her approaching.
Mare wheeled in place, hands on her hips. “Kora’s trying to saddle me with both the green gills now?”
Vi didn’t know what “green gills” meant, exactly, but she could assume it wasn’t a term of endearment. “Kora said I could help here.”
“Go back and tell her you’re her responsibility.”
“She’s going to say no.”
“Don’t let her get under your skin,” Mare said with a shake of her head. “She’s hard on new sailors. Especially ones who she thinks are encroaching on her job. She’s fairly new herself, and we put her through a pretty bad gauntlet. She’s likely just over-eager to put someone else through it.”
“I don’t want her job and I can put up with whatever tests she wants to throw my way,” Vi insisted, barely stopping herself from saying that even if she did, it wouldn’t matter because she’d be off the ship in a few days or weeks—however long it took. “I just want to be of use.”
“All right, help us tie these in place. Your friend is good at knots—she can help if you need.”
“She’s my sister,” Jayme corrected, and Vi realized she hadn’t done the same for Mare earlier.
“I don’t care if she’s your lover’s cousin once removed. All I care about is that these crates don’t go sliding into our friends if we hit rough water in the night.”
Doing as she was told, Vi began to slide rope through rings bolted to the floors and walls, wrapping them around the boxes. Her knot skills were quickly identified as sub-par, but the group didn’t immediately send her away, especially thanks to Jayme’s help—which was now a small victory. So she remained, clinging with every lurch of the ship to the same ropes she was securing, and trying to learn the knots Mare showed her.
“… we’re headed out again so quickly?”
The conversation continued around Vi as she worked.
“Maybe she heard?”
“Holly? That’s her name, right?”
Vi struggled with her current knot, trying to get it to hold as Mare’s could.
“She doesn’t know either.” It was Jayme’s voice that finally broke her from her thoughts. “And she’s not deaf or mute.”
“What, sorry?”
“They were saying your name, scatterbrain.” Mare gave her a thump on the head with her fist. Vi was certain that it was intended to be playful, but Mare had arms like tree limbs and she was left rubbing the crown of her head. “They’re asking about why we’re leaving so soon. Your sister and I already said you don’t know.”
“Oh, yes, who knows why we’re off so soon.” Vi gave another tug on her ropes, looking at the other crates. They all seemed secure—and not a moment too soon, as the ship lurched again.
“We? You just got here.” One of the Western men scoffed. “Don’t go talking like you’re one of the crew.”
Vi pursed her lips to keep herself from objecting. She didn’t need to be one of the crew. It didn’t matter if they counted her among them or not. In fact, the less they liked her, the less they’d be inclined to even think about her when she disappeared. It was better this way.
“All I know is we’re headed to a place called Beauty’s Bend.” She’d never seen such a place marked on a map before.
“Beauty’s Bend?” One of the Western men said a hasty string of words in the old language of Mashan. “Out of all the spots… we’re headed there?”
“You’re sure?” Mare grabbed her shoulder.
“It’s what I heard Kora and Marcus talking about on deck. But I don’t know anything more.”
“They’re going to get us killed.”
“Cargo must be important,” Mare reasoned.
“Get us killed for cargo, even worse.” The two men walked ahead, griping, Mare just behind them.
Vi and Jayme brought up the rear. She stared at Mare’s back, debating asking why Beauty’s Bend was so important. She’d find out soon enough, she supposed.
“Beauty’s Bend is in a dangerous spot,” Jayme whispered, slowing her feet. The rest of the crew ascended the stairs, leaving them to themselves.
“Why?”
“Imagine the Main Continent here.” Jayme held up her right hand. “And the Crescent continent is here.” Holding up her left hand and making a C shape with it, she angled it slightly to the left of her right.
“Yes, I know the layout without the hand symbols.” Vi looked at her friend dumbly.
“Well, they help me so please indulge me.” Jayme rolled her eyes. “The barrier islands arc around the Crescent Continent.”
“Is Beauty’s Bend here?” Vi asked, pointing at the center of the arc between the two continents.
“No… Beauty’s Bend is up here.” She pointed to the top of the arc. “It’s the curve around the barrier islands.”
“Up by Blue Lagoon? Or Teeter Island?”
“I guess, if that’s what their names are.” Jayme shrugged. “I’ve only heard it called Beauty’s Bend. But sailors have their own codes and ways. Many times they don’t want the names they call things to be on maps. Especially if they’re dealing in
more… illicit goods.”
“Then how do you know it?” Vi was forced to ask.
“That’s part of why I was out talking to people.” Jayme gave her a friendly nudge, starting for the stairs. “You collect all the book knowledge, and I collect the information on the streets.”
“Well, thank you for that, because my book knowledge is doing little for us right now.” Vi caught up in a few wide steps. “Why do you think we’re going all the way up to Beauty’s Bend? That’s beyond the end of the Main Continent, isn’t it?”
Mare emerged from the cabin right as they were rounding the landing. “Because there are storms and worse between the barrier islands,” Mare said, answering even if she hadn’t been asked. “At the top of Beauty’s Bend is the Blue Lagoon, perfect for trading.”
“So it is Blue Lagoon.” Vi glanced at Jayme with a smug smile.
“Whatever it is we’re delivering must be important,” Mare mused aloud as they started up the stairs.
“Why’s that?” Jayme asked.
“Because Beauty’s Bend is one of the few places we dare to drop anchor, rather than trading on planks or tossing between vessels or on rowboats. It’s a hike to get to and we’re sitting ducks if anyone should catch us. Whatever it is better be worth it.”
Vi held her tongue, barely stopping herself from reassuring Mare that it was, indeed, worth it to find their Emperor.
“Aren’t you worried about pirates?” Jayme asked.
“The pirates have to catch us first.” Mare grinned. “And they haven’t yet.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Vi had wanted to make herself useful aboard the ship. Her body wanted to spill her guts over the deck railing.
Vi: zero. Body: one.
She spent the majority of the first two days trying to find her sea legs—they were determined to be elusive, and the consequences were an upset stomach unlike any Vi had ever endured. In turn, her suffering made her an object of ridicule to the majority of the crew, who seemed to think it was hilarious she was so affected by the rolling tides. Kora and Mare had kicked her out of their room, leaving Vi to curl up in a corner of the main deck to sleep.
Originally, Jayme had gone out to keep her company, but Vi sent her back below. She was a mess, and there was no reason for them both to suffer just because she couldn’t seem to manage the swaying of the boat. At least from time to time, Vi got to watch Jayme being helpful to the rest of the crew in her stead.
She watched the world drift by. The sails billowed with the wind, adjusting as the ship made its heading northward.
The Main Continent was little more than a distant blur on the horizon, but Vi watched as it transformed from the rocky flat Waste to shrub trees, and then the towering jungle giants that were the northern forests. She’d gone south, and west, to go north again, to ultimately go west. If she were drawing her own course to Meru on a map, it would be the most inefficient zigzag.
But making it was all that mattered.
A biscuit appeared in Vi’s field of vision.
“Hadn’t seen you turn over in a while,” Jayme said, chewing through her own ration. “Thought you may want to give this a go again.”
Vi looked at the food warily. She had tried some of the doughy bread last night only to have it throw her stomach in full revolt. But the near-constant heaving throughout the day left her exhausted; combined with the hollow feeling in her stomach, Vi felt weaker than she ever had before.
“I suppose it can’t hurt.” She took the food, taking a mouse-like nibble of its edge.
“As long as you don’t throw it up on me.”
Vi gave a small snort of laughter. “I’ll do my best.”
Vi had expected Jayme to leave, but she sat on the deck instead, stretching out her legs. Her hair had been done in a tight coif, identical to how Vi had seen Mare wearing hers. Vi’s own hair was a bit of a mess, slipping from its braids, but they were still tight enough to keep it out of her face—and safe from whatever projections her stomach offered.
She took another bite of biscuit, pleased to find it settling well in her stomach.
“Mare do the braid for you?” Jayme nodded, tearing a hunk of her food. “Glad they’re being nice to one of us.”
“They’re nice enough to you,” she said through her biscuit. “They’re risking their lives for you, after all.”
“Yeah, but not by conscious choice—they don’t know they are.” Vi shrugged.
“Does that make it less of a risk?” Jayme looked out over the deck and Vi’s attention followed.
Two men leaned against the opposite railing, talking. The sun was hanging low in the sky, casting the whole ocean ablaze behind them. A few more milled about the quarterdeck with Mare, Marcus, and Kora. Vi counted ten people in total, including her and Jayme, which meant the other three men were below getting sleep before the night’s watch.
“Don’t let them dig too deep into you.”
“Easy for you to say. You seem to be a natural at this whole seafaring thing.” Vi rested her head against the railing, watching the sea speeding by. The Dawn Skipper was a nimble vessel, fast as far as Vi was concerned, though she had little to compare it to. She took another bite of her biscuit, mentally willing her stomach to remain calm. She was already feeling stronger.
“Kind of glad I am, actually,” Jayme confessed.
“A lot easier than what I’m going through.”
“They say you should be through the worst of it.” Jayme gave her a pat on the back. “That it takes about two days.”
“Mother, I hope so.”
“I’m honestly surprised you made it this far.” The statement was stripped back and bare—a brutal honesty only Jayme could conjure.
“Really?”
“You’ve lived a life of luxury and safety. I wasn’t sure if you had it in you to cast that aside.”
Vi gave a soft laugh. “Thanks for that.” She took another large bite of her biscuit.
“You can’t blame me.”
“Maybe a little. I thought you knew me better than that.”
“Maybe we both still have a lot to learn about each other.” Jayme had a relaxed smile on her face as she looked out to sea. “A bit of salt and distance does us both good, I think.”
“It could certainly be worse.” Vi’s eyes swept across the deck once more, lingering on Kora and Marcus. They were talking eagerly over the map Kora held. A cartography tool drifted over the map, passed from hand to hand as they discussed. Vi had such tools once, when she was still safe and ignorant. “Except for her.”
“She’s not so bad when you get to know her.” Jayme saw what drew her attention. “I found out she’s from Oparium.” Southern port, closest to the capital; Vi visualized it on a map. “On a ship of mostly Western sailors, she has a lot to prove.”
“Shouldn’t someone from Oparium have as much salt in their blood as someone from Norin?”
“You know how the West can be when it comes to outsiders.” Jayme shrugged.
“How every region of the Empire can be…” Vi frowned.
“She says we have another day, maybe two until we’re there.”
“Soon enough.” Vi looked out across the ocean, leaning forward to press her forehead against the railing once more.
“You’re not going to puke again are you?”
“No, give me another biscuit.”
Jayme handed her another and Vi ate it, determined not to be bested by the sea.
It was the first crack of lightning that jarred Vi from sleep. She was upright in her bed in an instant, but still seemed to be the slowest of her group. The door was open, Mare and Kora a blur, Jayme behind them.
“Strike topmasts!” Marcus shouted as he ran out of his cabin behind them. “We’re running the storm!”
Sailors were quick, pouring out from below. Determined not to be the last on deck, Vi rushed out after them. The wind howled and carried the fresh smell of rain, but the storm had yet to reach the vessel. It w
as a swell blotting out the stars in the distance.
A brilliant flash raced across the sky, splintering an uncountable number of times and lighting up the darkness for a brief moment before thunder rushed in. Vi stared up at the sky, dazed. She did not see the ocean, or the boat, but the end of the world drawing ever closer.
Had the lightning been red? Had she imagined it?
Another bright flare of lightning. Vi stared, both eyes open, unblinking. The thunder boomed, rolling with her stomach.
“Red lightning?” one of the sailors shouted to no one in particular—confirming this was not a natural phenomenon to them either.
“I don’t care if it’s red, blue, green, or pink. We’re dead if we’re caught in it,” Marcus shouted.
It was red because Lord Raspian was gaining power—Vi was sure. What Taavin said was true. The dark god had been set free, and the world was slowly falling under his control as he gained strength.
“How can I help?” Vi pushed herself into motion. Gawking would do nothing.
“Out of the way, girl!”
Vi stepped back, heeding his warning. Other soldiers worked the ropes attached to the sail, wrestling with them in the wind.
Vi sprinted, narrowly dodging a rope snapping against the mast, to stand next to Jayme and Mare at the other end of the deck. Marcus had said to strike the sails. Doing so would drop the boom. Vi held out her arms.
“Vi—” Jayme didn’t have time to finish her thought.
The heavy weight of the already rain-slick sail and wooden rigging slammed into them, nearly taking them both out. Vi knew bruises coated her arms, but somehow she managed with Jayme’s help. But even her friend was struggling.
“Faster, crew!” Marcus shouted over the increase in wind. “If we don’t reef the sails, we’re not riding this!”
“I got you two.” Mare’s voice appeared over Vi’s shoulder. Her thick arms strained as she helped Vi and Jayme cast the topsail aside. It was just in time to ready a second one.
“Pull slack from the reef line!” One man shouted.
“Holly, help me secure this!” Mare dashed across the deck, not even looking over her shoulder to see if Vi was following. “Hold the line.”