“Of course I am!” Her tears came faster. “I don’t know what I’m doing, and people are dying because they followed alibrarianinto the rainforest.”
Garrett nodded, considering his words. “Do you know what separates real heroes from the ones in books?”
Vivienne shook her head, swiping at her splotchy cheeks.
“It’s not that they aren’t afraid,” he said, his sea-green eyes steady. “They feel the fear and choose to move forward despite it. There is no bravery without fear.”
She exhaled shakily. “I’m not ready for this.”
“No one ever is.”
“I havenoidea what I’m doing.”
Garrett turned to face her fully. “And you think there’s a handbookfor surviving a dangerous island, avoiding a crazed mercenary, and finding a mystical tribute? If there was, I’d bet it’s sitting in that library of yours.”
She almost smiled.What she wouldn’t give for this to be a story—a book she could close and return to the shelf.“You’re the experienced captain. Why defer tome?”
“I’ve been in tight spots before. I’ve fought, bribed, and thought my way out. You learn by doing.” He flicked a leaf from his boot. “You’ve already got the information—you just need the nerve to apply what you know.”
Vivienne frowned. “Apply ithow?”
“That, my girl,” Garrett said with a warm smile, “is up to you.”
He stood, patted her shoulder, and strode back toward camp, leaving her alone with her swirling thoughts.
She closed her eyes, searching her mind foranythinguseful. A soft buzzing sound interrupted her focus.Please don’t be some giant insect.She cracked one eye open. A hummingbird hovered above a flower curling from a vine. Emotion swelled in her chest.
Hummingbird.Her mother’s nickname for her. The small carving at the foot of her childhood bed. The engraving on her compact. The symbol on her library stamp. The way she’d flitted from place to place, never staying still. It reminded her of who she was.
I am Vivienne Banner, daughter of two of the greatest minds and explorers in Fendwyr. Apprentice at the Library of Metis, keeper of the world’s knowledge. I have traveled thousands of miles in my mind, studied strategy, survival, politics, astronomy, and hundreds of other topics.
Garrett’s words echoed: You just need the nerve to apply what you know.
Vivienne took a deep breath,gathered all the nerve she could muster, and walked back into the clearing.
* * *
Lewis’gaze lingered on Vivienne as she approached, assessing her behind his round spectacles.
“Miss Banner, the captain has informed us we are to take orders from you,” Commander Thorne stated.
Cirrus let out an exasperated sigh.
The commander’s sharp stare pinned him. “Something to add, Mr. Theodosia? You’re not questioning the captain’s ordersordisrespecting Miss Banner, correct?”
Cirrus scowled but said nothing. Instead, he turned to Vivienne. “So, Banns? Are we going after those bastards and finding the tribute first?—"
“Or regrouping to care for the wounded and secure ship transports?” Melodie interrupted.
Vivienne took a steadying breath. “We do both. Cirrus, lay out the map.”
Brows furrowed, Cirrus unrolled the map, and the group crouched around it.
“The next landmark is a tree,” Vivienne began. “Civilizations that carved stone usually started by painting or etching softer materials. The presence of stone relics suggests a long history.” She tapped the map. “On our scouting trip, we saw an enormous, dead tree, burned by fire.”
Cirrus frowned. “Right. We saw it from the ridge. But how does it connect to the tribute?”
Vivienne’s lips pressed into a thin line.What is his problem?She continued, “Carving stone is difficult, especially with rudimentary tools. Anything they took the time and effort to engrave into rock wasimportantto them. Since the same tree appeared in a carving at the ruins?—"
