“Gentlemen, Ensign, join me on the bridge.”
Chairs squeaked, the table was vacated, and I was swept alongwith them. Soon, we were back on deck. It was noon now, and pale Ember was high in the sky, with massive Forge dragging slowly behind. Clouds littered the horizon, and for once, the sea was calm.
The crew parted as we strode to the rail, each one knuckling their forehead at the captain in salute.
I grumbled under my breath.
“Honestly, Ensign Renn,” sighed Echo. “You really must learn to control your thoughts, if only for the sake of my poor heart.”
I rolled my eyes. I liked Echo, and, despite his gruff persona, I found myself even liking Smoke. Fahr was a puzzle with his bold yet easy manner, but the captain? He was a story in a forbidden book I couldn’t seem to put down.
Thanavar slowed as he approached the bulwark.
“Tell me,” he said to no one in particular. “Here? No. Here?”
He walked in slow, measured steps along the gunwale, hands gliding just above the smooth wood of the rail. Finally, he stopped, closed his eyes, and just stood. It was as if the very ocean held its breath.
“Here,” he said.
I glanced at Fahr. I glanced at Smoke. I glanced at Echo, wringing his long fingers, a victim of everyone’s innermost thoughts. I glanced at Buck, standing behind us, arms crossed over his massive chest. I glanced up to see the harpy watching us from the nest. Finally, I glanced back at the captain, who turned to face me, the hint of a smile on his lips.
“Over you go,” he said.
Buck stepped up, followed by Smoke.
“Go?” I asked.
“Where do you think vain, insignificant Blues go?” he asked. “Over the side, Ensign Renn. Time to go over the side.”
I gaped at him.
“Over you go, Blue,” said Fahr.
“Why?” I cried out.
“You must touch the water,” said the captain.
“But why?”
“You’ve been given the map,” he said. “The chimeric will show us the way.”
Thanavar reached down, patted the rail.
“Trust her,” he said, his words soft yet firm. “And take the first step.”
“Take the first step,” I repeated, trying to assemble the bones of my spine. “Over the side.”
I looked behind me at Fahr.
“Obey the captain,” he said. “Trust the ship.”
He’s not my captain. I’m not his crew. I am a wretched girl from a lost frigate, yet somehow entirely too proud for the Ship of Spells.
All the things I should have said, along with my resistance, melted like a snowflake on my tongue.
TheTouchstonerocked gently as I gripped the rail and peered over. There was nothing, no foothold, no knots, just several flights to the cold, black waters below. I’d already spent days with only a water-logged plank to keep me adrift, and the thought of going back filled me with dread.
Aro’el, said that voice again.
