“No one of import was harmed,” Nalu piped up.
No one of import.River bristled, anger surpassing the heavy gloom of Nalu’s magic.To them, to all of them, mundane people like River were nothing.
“They don’t see it that way,” he ground out.“You’ve just ruined countless lives.”
Kai slid down from the balustrade.“The Moths have been careful to direct their bloodshed towards us and our shrines, but after today, the mundane folk – ”
“And there are a lot of them,” River supplied.
“ – will seeusas the problem.”
Nalu scoffed.“And we’ll handle that, as well, while you hole up here in Oseidos.”
“To protect it while you and Etan get into fights and paint extra targets onto us,” Kai bit back.He started forward, his eyes on Nalu.Get out, River sensed in his body language, the silent threat in his stance:Leave this place.“But aye, handle that like you handle everything, and once the bloodbath is over neither side will have limbs to fight with anymore.”
Etan shot Kai a stern look.“Stand down, Cadet.”
Kai’s eyes boggled.“Cadet,” he echoed, laughing mirthlessly.“Oh, Etan, you’ve forgotten what I am now.What my purpose is: to protect my territory from all threats.”Something about his energy darkened, turned electric, as he stared his brothers down.“And Etan, Nalu, if you reveal yourselves to be a threat by bringing ruin here, then I’ll remove you as I would any Moth.”
Nalu stood, the air temperature dropping several degrees and leaving them exhaling puffs of vapour.Undaunted, Kai advanced another step, whipping his arm away when River cast for it.
Saros lurched, his face mottled with anger and panic.“Standdown, Kai,” he commanded, sputtering.“Both of you –allof you, stand down.”
At once Kai stilled.Fell back one step, two, until he stood beside River again, his face ashen and fists trembling.Etan clamped a heavy hand over Nalu’s shoulder, all but forcing him to sit.
“Etan,” Saros said, “I had prepared to pay Hilo handsomely for Caelos’s restoration.I had prepared to house and feed those who have remained on Oseidos.”A dense pause.“I had not prepared to pay for these damages.”
“On behalf of the Mahina clan,” Etan said smoothly, bowing, “I apologise.”
“It’s not an apology I’m asking for,” Saros snapped.“I offer you a choice, Captain.You pay reparations to Lodestone out of your own coffers, or you are to swear yourselves and your services to me.”He lifted his chin.“At no cost.”
Kai vibrated with pent-up rage, and at the table, even Nalu started.Saros disregarded them both.
“The Mahina clan has long been a friend to Oseidos,” Saros went on, “but its newest generation has put a price on that friendship.In these trying times, I would ask you to serve out of faith and loyalty, rather than for coin.”
An icy pit formed in River’s stomach.Are you blind?,he wanted to scream.After they had caused such needless, wanton destruction – because they couldn’t lay low and stay out of a confrontation – Saros wanted to employ them of all things?
Send them away, he willed into his adoptive father.Sever ties.The longer you keep them near us, the more trouble they’ll bring.
Nalu found his voice first.“We can’t just donate our ships and men,” he said.“Not during summer when trade is high.”
Kai swallowed, looking dazed.“With me here,” he murmured, “Oseidos has no need for their help.”
Saros heaved out a sigh, turning towards Kai like a frustrated parent.“For gods’ sakes, son, your place here is more than secure.All I need from you is to keep minding the ward – and more importantly, keep minding Ione.”
Kai jolted at that, frowning quizzically.
“Yes,” Saros said, a hint of vindication in his voice.“Don’t think I don’t know what you want.I will grant it to you, Kai, but do not argue with me when you have far more pressing things to concern yourself with.”
Flushing, Kai lowered his head; he glanced briefly at River and then away again, guilty.“Copy,” he murmured.“Thank you, Your Beatitude.”
River stared at him, his stomach dropping when Kai wouldn’t meet his gaze.
It was true, then: Kai really was intending to marry Ione.
With a swift nod, Saros returned his focus to Etan and Nalu.“Pay reparations to Lodestone, or swear fealty to the priesthood, but choose now because war is coming and I haven’t the time nor patience to be dealing with petty squabbles.”
Nalu opened his mouth to argue, but Etan silenced him with a look.Whatever passed between the brothers had Nalu nodding sullenly, his mouth a thin line.
