“How much longer?” the man with long, black hair asked.
The other man pulled a watch from the pocket of his loose-fitting trousers. “Should be any minute now.” He glanced up. “Ah, that must be them.”
A small rowboat drifted into the cavern. Eira pressed closer to the wall. Cullen stayed next to her. His familiar warmth reassuring her that, together, they could accomplish anything they needed.
In the rowboat was a single woman, who didn’t even bother disembarking. Her tone was sharp, to the point. “There isn’t much time.”
There was a soft lilt to her words—an accent that Eira had never heard before, impossible to place. The woman had long, brown hair, woven into a thick ropelike braid. Bracelets likewhat Lavette and Varren wore covered her left wrist. She wore heavily tailored clothing of stiff silk and satin. A high collar, sleeveless.
The most curious thing about her was a rod of metal across her lap. It had a wooden handle on one end, slightly curved. Almost like a cane. But judging from the etched runes at its base…there was more to the object.
“We were wondering if you would come, given that theStormfrostis in.” The black-haired man reached into the rowboat, grabbing one of the heavy-looking sacks with a grunt.
“Adela knows the rules of Black Flag Bay; she won’t attack us.”
“We heard she took down one of your other boats.” The other man pocketed his watch and began to help unload the bags.
“We drew first blood. One of my compatriots became a little too bold—a little too arrogant that he could take down the pirate queen with a pathetic little skiff and some emblazoned runes. If it had been one of our main fleet, it would’ve been a different story,” the woman said confidently.
We…the way she spoke…this woman was from Carsovia. A horrible realization dawned on Eira, making her whole body feel clammy despite being mostly submerged in the temperate waters of the bay.
“Bold of the empress to begin attacking Adela.”
“Empress Hannika has no reason to fear a pirate.”
“Fear? No, no.” The men agreed. Eira wondered if they really thought that, or were merely trying to avoid offense. “But Adela can pose an annoying problem.”
“Leave our waters to us. And, as promised, we will leave Meru’s to its own.” There was forced politeness in her words, but the men didn’t seem to notice. Or didn’t care. Because they smiled and nodded, continuing to unload their sacks from the woman’s rowboat until there were ten piled up on the narrowstrip of beach. “I believe your lord has requested two more shipments.”
They nodded.
“Very well. We shall meet again here in two months’ time.” With a spin of her bracelets, the water shifted around the rowboat, as though grabbing it and pulling it back. The woman took to the oars once more.
“Wait!” One of the men stopped her. She gave him a withering stare. “The wayward flock of Meru is putting up more resistance than we had hoped.” Eira’s heart continued to soar at any mention of the fight on Meru carrying on. “We might need more, faster.”
“The mines can only move so quickly.” The woman had a dangerous tone to her voice, one the men heard, given how they shifted their stances nervously. She tilted her head to one side with a sigh. “But I suppose I could see if there is a way to speed up production. There are always means to motivate the unmotivated.”
“Perhaps the flashfires…” The Pillar eyed the metal rod in the woman’s lap.Was that what that metal rod was?
She was silent for a long moment and then said, “You would do well to remember that Carsovia is aiding your cause out of our own generosity…it isn’t good to test such kindness.”
“His Holiness appreciates the continued support of your empress.” The two Pillars bowed and the woman left. Black Hair turned to his companion. “We should get this to the ship.”
They each flung a bag over their shoulder, starting out of the cavern. Eira waited a breath before easing away from the wall. Cullen grabbed her shoulder.
“They could be back any second,” he whispered.
“I’ll only be a moment.” She reached up and squeezed his fingers. “I just want to confirm my suspicion, then we’re leaving. You can go on ahead.”
“I’mnotleaving without you.”
“Cullen, go. Warn the others. I’ll be right behind you.” He still looked unsure. Not that she could blame him, given her track record. Eira turned, propelling herself through the water to close the small gap between them, kissing him fiercely. “I know why you’re worried. But I’m not that woman anymore. I’m not going to run off when you turn your back. So, go. Warn the others because I think we’re going to have to move quickly.”
The reservations left his eyes, replaced by steely resolve. Cullen nodded and dipped below the surface of the water, a bubble of air surrounding his head. Eira quickly glided through the water, propelled by magic. The wave she’d made lifted her up and deposited her onto the beach by the bags. Eira ran her hand over the one on top. She didn’t need any more confirmation, but wriggled a finger into the opening at one end of the sack anyway.
The pad of her pointer finger rolled over a smooth, perfectly round ball. She’d been right.Flash beads.
The Pillars weren’t working with a rogue operator to get their supply of the deadly material. They were working with the Empress of Carsovia herself.
