Gradually Arkenn crawled out from under the bunk and peeked out the porthole. No brilliant flashes. No booms. No impacts. No shouting.
The danger was past.
He placed his hand on Petran’s brow. Too hot.
Maybe the danger hadn’t passed completely. Weariness pulled at Arkenn. He’d given so much of himself. Like his accidental self-defense on the mountain, he’d thrown every bit of energy into his magic. However, he’d made no conscious decision to do so then.
Petran still needed him.
Arkenn curled around the still figure on the bunk, giving in to sleep.
He awoke to the sun high in the sky and a blanket tucked over them both. A quiet “A-hem” made him jump. Oh no! One of the crew!
A man sat on Petran’s clothes chest. He shared Petran’s square jaw, brown hair, and dark eyes. So this must be the captain! Petran’s father. “I don’t know who you are or how you came aboard my ship, but I knowwhatyou are.”
Arkenn shoved back away from Petran, whipping his head right and left. No chance of escape.
“Do I look like a religious fanatic to you?” The captain sighed and stretched his long legs as far as the cramped room allowed. He wore his hair and beard neatly cut, but no denying the likeness between father and son, though the older version sported a few gray hairs. “I saw my son when we brought him here after the battle. That was no small wound. You healed him.”
“I… I…”
The captain pulled the blanket down far enough to reveal a shiny pink scar on Petran’s shoulder.
Oh. Arkenn stared with wide eyes. He’d done that? His father had been able to speed healing but not cure such a grievous wound overnight. Then again, doing so would have made the villagers suspicious.
The intimidating pirate captain, slightly hooked nose so like Petran’s, continued, “You have my thanks. However, I’d also like to ask a favor.”
A favor? Arkenn owed the man a lot for not kicking him overboard. “Sir?”
“One day soon, I’m going to have to let my son go for his own good, so he can make his place in the world. His mother was mage-born from another place. Petran inherited her power, and she would have trained him had she survived. Since her death, I’ve found no mages to teach him. It is my hope that he can find his purpose in life. If possible, when that time comes, will you seek him out? Help him?”
Mage-born? Petran and his mother were mage-born? “How can I find him?”
“You’ll find him.” The captain smiled. “I sense a bond between you. Perhaps it’s friendship, perhaps it’s… more. But sooner or later, fate will reunite you.”
“I’ll help if I can.”
The captain let out a sigh, the stiff set of his body relaxing. “That’s all I can ask. I’d like to keep him with me for a few more seasons, for I’m too selfish to let him go just yet. I ask that you not let him know we talked. If he thinks I put you up to something, he might not believe you like him for himself. You do, don’t you?” Brown eyes skewered Arkenn clear down to his soul, daring him to lie.
“Ye… yes, sir.”
“Good. Let us pretend I still don’t know you’re on board. He can sneak you off theSeabirdand be the hero, for I imagine wherever he procured you, he had rescue in mind.” The captain winked. “Did he not have plans to put you ashore at E’Skaara?”
“Yes, sir. That doesn’t bother you? The people in my village—”
“Were fools,” the captain spat. “My Rosemary told me the strongest mage couples in her homeland were two men or two women. On winter nights, she’d tell me stories of their deeds. They were revered.”
Arkenn grew relaxed enough in this man’s company to ask, “What happened last night?”
The captain’s mood darkened. “Pirate hunters. Somehow, they crept up on us. I fear sooner or later they’ll catch me. Which is another reason to let Petran go. He’s no pirate. Was never meant to be.”
“How did you know what I am?”
The man grinned, nodding at Petran. “I have a bit of power on my own. Nothing beyond predicting the weather, mind you, but enough to feel a kinship.” His smile fell. “I must warn you. Be careful what magic you do in E’Skaara. The Lady’s temple is there, along with her zealots. You’ve seen Petran’s amulet?”
“Yes?”
“It hides what he is. If you can’t learn to hide your strength, you will be in danger.”
