And it was enough.
31
ISSA
As first, when I opened my eyes, I forgot where I was at. Not Hawthorne. Not Marek’s cabin onTidechaser. We’d fallen asleep on the deck, the ropes our pillows. And we were moving.
I jumped up.
Sure enough, though the sun hadn’t yet risen, the shore was nowhere to be seen.
“How did I sleep through our casting off?”
Marek was at the wheel, wearing the same clothing as the day before, like me.
“The water was calm, and I didn’t want to wake you.”
Only a Thalassari could accomplish such a feat undetected.
“I’ll be back.”
Scrambling below deck and making myself as presentable as possible, utilizing a bit of thornroot for my teeth and re-braiding my hair, I returned to the quarterdeck just in time to catch the sunrise.
Pulling me to his side, Marek said nothing as we watched it together.
We’d discussed our course last eve, but as we sailed away from the safety of our temporary haven, flashes of the Depths intruded happier thoughts.
“What if it doesn’t work?” I asked, unable to keep the question to myself despite having asked it more than once already last eve.
“If we continue due south, there is no chance we will come close to the Depths.”
Shuddering at the thought of being sucked into them again, I hoped he was right.
“By my calculations,” he said, repeating his words from last eve when Marek had shown me our route on the map, “we should reach Thalassarian shores in two days, three at most, if the weather cooperates.”
Provisions consisted of dried fish and hardtack, but at least water stores were plentiful.
Marek and I had agreed that returning to the Gyorian coast was neither wise, nor necessary. Avoiding any path near the Depths seemed prudent, and once in Thalassaria, we could send word to Adren of the altered plans. From there, we would restock supplies and sail to Valewood Bay.
“Warren and Edric probably believe I’ve abandoned them.”
“They know better than that,” Marek said, as he had before.
Last eve, we’d talked extensively not just about our route, but I shared my fears about Draven’s plans. We spoke of it, of our retrieval of the Crystal, of Mev and Kael and how surprised, and pleased, they would be to learn we’d retrieved it. We spoke of the next steps that would need to be taken to open the Gate, namely retrieving the Stone of Mor’Vallis, the final artifact.
We spoke of everything except us. Sitting with my back against the railing, sore all over and content to watch him sail, I pulled my knees to my chest.
“There is one thing we’re yet to discuss.”
By the look he gave me, I could tell Marek’s response would be anything but serious.
“How enjoyable yesterday was? There’s no need, sereia.I could tell from the way you called my name?—”
“Marek.”
“Issa.”
“We already did discuss that, if you recall.”
