The boat finally lurched into motion. She scanned the deck and noted a total of three people on board and capable of sailing.Kane, Asher, and herself. It would be enough for a ship that size, but did he really plan on manning it with two people before she joined?
She turned back to stare at her home, where her sleeping father resided. A hand moved absentmindedly to the ring that now hung around her neck. She would find a way to get him out of this, get them both out of whatever mess they were in. The anger would have to wait.
Asher approached, breaking Erinna from her racing thoughts. “Just do as we say, and you’ll be fine. We’ll need you once we hit choppy water.” Her voice was low, but the demand was clear. She would work or pay her way every moment in their company.
In the distance, lights from shoreside houses blazed to life, and soon a pillar of smoke rose above the roofs and steeples. Whatever chaos had descended on the kingdom, she prayed to any god that would listen to keep her father out of it.
Kane cleared his throat behind her, clearly an effort to keep from startling her. “Yarrow, try to get some rest. It’ll be the last time you can before we hit Talon Bay.”
Erinna nodded. He was right. She would need to restore some energy before they hit the rough sea. One misstep could send them all to the depths below.
Chapter
Thirteen
Only fools willingly sail through Talon Bay, and Erinna found herself among those who lacked enough sense to avoid its tumultuous waters. First Rexin, now Kane, who thought they could outmaneuver the force of nature.
Desperation could make one do crazy things. Now Erinna understood why the risk was worth it.
Talon Bay wasn’t a bay at all—at least not technically. It was a distinct feature, just off the east coast of Tarth, where rough ocean currents forced ships against sharp, jutting rocks and sent sailors to their watery graves. In the center was Fort Solitude and the library it guarded.
Erinna paced the length of the small room below deck, gnawing on her thumb in worry. The boat was small, too small for Erinna’s liking if they wanted to maneuver as safely as possible through the tumultuous sea. Even the room she was in now could barely fit her and Inez comfortably.
She paused her nervous gait long enough to eye Inez, who was clutching the edge of a bench for dear life. The ship swayed with every wave, causing her features to contort in worsening nausea. Erinna knew the look of seasickness and rushed to place an empty bucket into her hands.
“You okay?” Erinna asked.
Inez clutched the bucket, fingers digging into the wood. “No,” she answered through clenched teeth, squeezing her eyes shut as the boat gently rocked from side to side. Erinna settled herself beside Inez and lightly tapped her wrist. “May I?”
The diviner managed a small nod, clearly desperate for a way to ease the seasickness.
Erinna gently took her wrist and applied a soft pressure with her thumb; a trick her father taught her on one of their first missions smuggling an aberrant off Tarth.
The pallor of queasiness seemed to subside from Inez’s features, and her vice grip on the bucket eased. “That’s a bit of a relief, thank you,” she breathed, slumping against Erinna for support.
The moment of peace was short-lived as the boat lurched violently to one side. An indication they were approaching the rough currents of Talon Bay. Inez let out another groan as the vessel swayed aggressively on the water. Erinna’s small trick was no match for the movement. Even her own stomach flipped—not with seasickness, but rather with a mixture of fear and trepidation as they neared the most dangerous part of the voyage.
Thundering footsteps made their way down the cramped hall outside, followed by furious banging on the door.
“Yarrow, we’re approaching Talon Bay!” Kane called before his footsteps receded above deck. It was time to get to work.
Erinna shot a worried glance at Inez, who looked even worse than before. “Go,” she grumbled and weakly waved Erinna away. “We’ll drown if you don’t.”
That was all the encouragement Erinna needed. It was always best to heed the advice of a diviner. Erinna would do everything she could to make sure that didn’t happen.
Sea spray coated the wood as rough ocean water crashed against the side of the vessel. Harsh winds stung Erinna’s eyes and cheeks as she steadied herself against the rough sway of the ship. She didn’t have much time to catch her bearings as the boat lurched roughly to the side, threatening to buck everyone into the water.
One moment of hesitation could mean the difference between life and death. Instinct pulled Erinna forward. She could hear the rough snapping of rope as the sails fought against the wind. The lines would sever from the force with no one tending to them. If that happened, the sail would be useless, and the ship would be at nature’s mercy.
“Yarrow, at the mainsail, you need to mind the lines!” Kane called from his position at the helm.
Erinna was already running to her station. “I know!”
She passed Asher, positioned at the main mast, commanding wind and water. Her arms cut through the air, guiding the zephyrs into the sail with steady movements. A cresting wave splashed on deck. Asher shifted her stance, directing the frothy liquid back into the depths. The beauty of it had Erinna falter. It was the most intricate use of arcanum she’d ever seen.
No wonder Kane’s crew was so fearsome on the sea. He had a stormsinger among his ranks.
“Yarrow, the rigging!” Kane bellowed, knocking Erinna back to perilous reality. The corners of Asher’s mouth ticked upward, and Erinna darted to the bow. Inez’s warning filtered into the forefront of her thoughts.
