Thane sighs. “So we’ve all had shitty childhoods, then?”
“Seems so. But that’s life in Thelanor, isn’t it?” Algar says.
We huddle closer together, so our voices blend in with the quiet snores of the crew. “There is no safety here,” Algar continues. “No security. So we do what we must to survive. I started stealing and tricking people to keep me fed. Eventually, I started doing it in Junsho and Ruvain.”
“And landed your ass in jail,” Thane butts in.
Rynthea and I snicker quietly.
“I tried to make an honest living, but that shit was hard.” Algar wipes the wrinkles from his forehead. “An honest living doesn’t provide as well as an immoral one.”
We digest that, sitting in silence for a second.
“Well,” Thane says, sighing. “Nothing can be worse than your own father selling you off for a pouch of coins.”
Rynthea and Algar stare at Thane, shocked by his sudden confession. He blinks at the tinkling bells on the ceiling with his jaw flexing.
“Is that what happened to you?” Algar whispers, sitting up on his elbows. “Is that why I never saw you again until all those years later?”
Thane nods. Hearing it again out loud is no less painful than when he told me the first time.
“He sold you to The Divine?” Algar prods.
“He sold me to some tradesmen whothensold me for twice as much to The Divine.” Thane scratches the area of his shirt where his tattoo is. The tattoo that is now branded in exile.
Rynthea points at him. “Sothat’swhy you’re such an asshole. Sorcerer with daddy issues.”
I’m surprised to see Thane’s mouth twitch as he tries to suppress a laugh.
“Look, can we all just make a promise tonight?” I request, eyeing each of them. “Can we promise that when we reach The Shallows, we’ll have one another’s backs no matter what? That no matter what happens or what we face, we’ll do everything we can to make sure we all get out of that place alive?”
Rynthea gives me a warm smile. “I can’t guarantee we’ll make it out alive, but I’ve got your back, Zaira. I promise you that.”
“As do I.” Algar squeezes my hand. “I have all your backs.”
“Same,” whispers Rynthea.
We turn our attention to Thane, but he’s staring at the wall on the other side of the cabin.
“Thane?” I call in a hushed voice.
Sitting up, he pulls his legs to his chest and rests his arms on his knees. “I’ve had all your backs thus far. What’s stopping me from continuing that in The Shallows?”
I smile as it feels like a weight has fallen off my shoulders. It feels nice to not bicker for once. We’re of one accord, all willing to protect one another…sort of like family would.
Thane holds my attention as Rynthea murmurs, “You’d better. I hate admitting this, but you’re the most skilled of all of us. And this is coming from someone who has trained for combat her whole life.”
“Wow. Is that a compliment from the otherwise hostile minotaur?” Thane smirks.
“All right. Don’t milk it, sorcerer.” Rynthea slides under her sheets again. “I’m getting some rest. Want to be prepared for whatever that place throws at us.”
“Yeah.” Algar yawns as he lies back down. “Same.”
I climb into my bed again as Thane lounges back on his cot. For a moment, I watch his chest rise and fall as he breathes. It’s hard for menotto ask more about his childhood.
He once had a brother.
He trained with The Divine.
