Bran nodded thoughtfully. "I think that's a good plan, hopefully it can give us a lead towards something that could be useful. Plus if anything pops up worth investigating, we can always pivot."
"Then we're all in agreement?" Kairen asked, his golden eyes shining with hope and excitement. “The crew we hired wrote today, so everything is settled for the journey.”
A chorus of murmured acknowledgment passed among the four of us and I felt my nerves finally begin to flutter to life.
The quest would soon begin.
Chapter Twenty
Salt clung to me like a second skin, the breeze cool and gentle as the burning sun shone down, bright and all-consuming. All around me there was nothing but the crystalline blue of the ocean, the ebb and flow carrying us on our journey and I basked in it.
It was a feeling unlike any other I had ever felt.
And it would have been peaceful, if it wasn't for the woman practically half-overboard, green in the face. We had left port nearly a week ago now and Rena had yet to find her sea legs.
"Goddess, this is miserable," she groaned as I rubbed slow circles upon her back. "Iloathesailing." I stifled the laugh that threatened to spill as she once again leaned over the wooden edge of the ship that prevented her from falling into the sea below.
We had all needed a few days to adjust, however, Rena had it the worst out of everyone. All except Roan, who took to a life at sea like a cat basking in sunshine. The rocking and swaying beneath our feet like a balm to his starved soul.
"Still feeling sick, ReRe?" Bran called from across the vessel, a teasing note in his voice. He was tying a knot in a rope for one of the hired crewwe had chartered to sail the small ship. There were four, though they mostly kept to themselves, occasionally joining in for conversations, but only really speaking when giving out directions.
Rena gagged as we rolled over another wave, a motion I was now accustomed to and one I found I rather enjoyed. It was almost like weightlessness, as my body moved in time with the sea beneath, a calling that sang deep in my bones and had me reacting as if on instinct.
"Tell him that if he keeps calling me that I'm going to cut out his tongue and feed it to the sharks," she groaned, too weak to snap back, as she laid her head upon her forearms and screwed her eyes shut.
Lips quirking, I shot Bran a look. “Keep talking and you’re going to lose a precious organ, cousin.”
I didn't feel the need to clarifywhichorgan it was, and the paling of Bran's face had a laugh falling from my lips.
"Only two more days and we'll be on solid land again," I soothed, my hand still moving in comforting circles. "I'm sorry I didn't think to pack anything for sea sickness."
Various potions were stored away in my carrier bag, numerous common ingredients, as well as a small travel-sized potion set that Merle had purchased for me years ago as a gift. Yet space had been slim and I had been so focused on potions that would aid in the travel, that sea sickness hadn't even been a thought that crossed my mind. The most I’d been able to provide Rena was a bit of peppermint to chew.
"It's not your fault, I had no idea it would be this bad," Rena sighed, turning so her back rested against the siding as she slid to slump down upon the deck. “Just leave me here to rot for the next two days, I'll survive."
Grinning, I smoothed back her tangle of golden curls and pressed a fresh peppermint leaf into her palm before stepping back.
My eyes roamed over the deck, spotting that head of white standing at the hull speaking animatedly with Antoni—the Luanthian with amber eyes.
The crew consisted of three Solerians, two men and a woman, and one Luanthian. They only really seemed to speak comfortably around Roan. I couldn't help but wonder if it was because he, like their crewmate, was Luanthian born. Even with the golden tattoos of a Solerian soldier, there was an air of familiarityand understanding between them. I envied it.
My braided hair swung in the warm breeze as I approached the pair. The weather had grown significantly hotter the further south we travelled, and the heat warmed me to my very soul. After such a long, cold winter in Amori City, it felt revitalizing.
"I've never met a Luanthian who was water-blessed," Antoni mused."That kind of blessed magic is incomparable for a life at sea."
"I would say being air-blessed is just as valuable," Roan responded, his eyes searching the endless horizon.
Antoni shook his head, a grimace twisting his mouth. “It's useful to turn the winds to our favor, but in a storm it is as useless as not being blessed by any Goddess."
Antoni noticed my approach first, his amber eyes narrowing distrustfully. I had been attempting for nearly the entire week we had been aboard this small ship to build some favor with the crew, but it was slow going. They at least liked me better than Prince Kairen, who they wouldn't even speak to unless directly asked a question. Even then it was merely curtresponses.
My lips tilted in a playful smile, fingers drumming against my leg. “Are you attempting to poach Captain Delmar from us, sir?”
Roan turned at the sound of my voice, his eyes finding mine. He looked almost radiant, a sheen of saltwater coating his skin, his white hair wind tousled, but the most breathtaking thing was the smile that seemed to shine brighter than the sun could ever dream of.
Suddenly I felt too off-kilter, as if the waves rolling beneath were stealing my balance. Roan's steadying arm slid over my shoulders as I stumbled towards the two men and I felt a flush creep up my neck as I cleared my throat. “Sorry, I'm still getting used to the feeling."
Antoni gave a disdainful look before shrugging. “Aye, not everyone is made for a life at sea."
