Two sea serpents emerged from the water at the back end of the boat—one coiling around the rudder—but Neely dispatched both with well-aimedstabs.
“Do you want me to use my magic?” Angelique asked as salt water stung her eyes. “The sea serpents, at least, I couldsubdue.”
“Nah.” Neely shook her head and leaned into the freed rudder, re-positioning the bobbing boat. “We’re already deep in Zancara’s waters. This close to shore, we’ll risk catching theirattention.”
A sea serpent slithered up the prow and tried to launch itself inside the boat, but Angelique snatched up the pole Farriage had used to push off the rock and jabbed the sea serpent in the chest, knocking it overboard. “Exactly how close arewe?”
“Not far now.” Neely wiped water off her forehead, then yanked hard on the rudder as her sister shot another sea serpent. “Whenever we hit serpent territory, it means we’re getting close. If the sea wasn’t so rough, you’d be able to see the shorenow.”
Farriage swiped a silver spyglass from her cubby. “For your viewing pleasure,” shesaid.
“I’d rather beat off these sea serpents first,” Angeliquesaid.
“We’re heading into a big wave. Hold on!” Neely cheerfullycalled.
Angelique lunged to grab the ship’s mast just as a massive wave crested directly abovethem.
Icy cold water pummeled them, and for a moment, Angelique thought the ship might sink or split in half from the way it groaned andshook.
But after a moment, the powerful spells woven deep into the skiff engaged, and the ship abruptly stabilized on thewater.
Farriage pushed her wet hair out of her face and started bailing out the boat with a bucket. “We have almost reached your destination,” she announced. “Do you require any beverages or sustenance before youleave?”
“No!” Angelique smashed the head of a sea serpent with her wooden pole and nudged its limp body over the side of theboat.
Farriage diligently worked at bailing out the ankle-deep water. “Do you have any possessions you would like to retrieve for yourtravels?”
Angelique swiped Farriage’s crossbow and leaned over the side of the ship to shoot a sea serpent lurking there. “You’re dropping me in openwater.”
“Perhaps, but one must never make assumptions about a client’s travel itinerary,” Farriagesaid.
“The sea serpents are starting to retreat. We’re entering the safe zone,” Neelysaid.
Farriage cleared her throat. “Very well, then. Thank you, Lady Enchantress Angelique, for joining us on today’s voyage. We wish you luck in your ventures in Zancara and sincerely hope you are here for pick up two weeks fromtoday.”
The ocean grew calm, then eventually stilled like glass, and Farriage dropped her bucket. “Otherwise, you may choose to use an alternative method to leave Zancara, in which case we must say ourfarewells.”
“We’re here.” Neely tossed an anchor over the side of the boat. She collapsed the sail, then used the pole Angelique had abandoned to drag what looked like floating parcels closer to theship.
Farriage scrambled to loosen the parcels’ ties and hoist them into the skiff with a rather heavy-soundingclank.
Neely nodded at the rocky shore. “There’s your destination. According to old maps from before Zancara’s isolation, there’s a small village a mile or two inland. I wish you luck—I hope you find Lord EnchanterEvariste.”
Angelique nodded and felt for the two waterproof pouches tied to her belt. “Thank you—and thank you for bringing mehere.”
Farriage stopped poking the parcels long enough to gravely bow her head. “It was ourhonor.”
Angelique hopped onto the railing and pulled off her boots. She tied them together with a string and slung them over her shoulder. She peered down at the ocean—which though quiet was still dark and angry-looking. She grimaced, took a deep breath, then dropped into thewater.
It was shockingly cold and made her gasp. Her magic swamped her, driven by the shock, and Angelique hastily shoved it backdown.
I can’t getcaught.
She started paddling her way to shore, noting that Neely and Farriage must have exchanged the goods quickly, for they were already throwing the parcels back into the sea. She paused as her thoughts lingered on something Farriage had said, and she turned around—treading water—as Neely started pulling up theanchor.
“You said I could use another method to exit Zancara?” Angeliqueasked.
“Of course,” Farriage blinked. “Easiest way I know is to scale the wall. A few pieces in the southern-most bit are low enough to climb over.” She shook her head in pity. “Best not use magic to achieve it, though. I saw a mage once knock himself silly trying to doso.”
