“Keeps the docks afloat. See?” She pointed to the silver metal discpeeking between the planks as they walked across. “I bet it’s underneath all of them. But why is this dock empty?”
“They must have cleared it out for our arrival,” Elena said, her voice low.
But Samson saw no scratches or footmarks on the planks, no scuffs from boots or stalls or shipment unloaded from vessels. The wood panels glistened, as if brand-new. It was as if they had arrived in a ghost port devoid of history, of memory. He wondered if this port ever saw trade, and remembered the Ayoni rarely fraternized with the other nations. Was that why they had resigned themselves to black-market sensors? Where had they even gotten them from?
“Here we are,” the Yumi said as they arrived at a low building built on the edge of the pier.
“Are we not going into the city?” Elena asked.
“No time. The bounders will be here soon,” the Yumi said. The short man stood aside to let them in. Was it Samson’s imagination, or did his eyes linger on him and Chandi?
“What a peculiar little man,” Jaya mumbled.
“Quiet now,” the Yumi warned. “They may be cold, but they have good ears. Don’t disgrace our host.”
She opened the door, and they ducked inside. Three Yumi dressed in battle gear stood around a gamepanel, a mock-up battle already unfolding across the table. Samson spotted the two Jantari killdoms sailing from Rysanti and into the open sea while two smaller ships snuck along the far edge of Seshar.
“General Daz,” Elena said.
A tall Yumi man turned from the projection and looked between her and Samson. “Little queen. I see you’ve finally taken my advice.”
Elena tensed, color warming her cheeks. “The Prophet and I are one. You’ve taught me that, Daz.”
A thrill ran through Samson, quick and electric. His Agni pulsed, and he felt the shiver of hers.We are connected, he thought with satisfaction. How long had he yearned for such a companion? Elena turned to him and offered a quick smile before she approached the panel. “Afira. Rhumia.”
The two other Yumi nodded courteously.
The Ayoni muttered something to Daz, which made the Yumi look upand scrutinize him and Chandi. Gooseflesh prickled down Samson’s neck as the Ayoni continued speaking. Continued watching. Was the dockmaster noticing them simply because they were newcomers, or because they were Sesharians? He was used to such stares, though it had been a long time since someone so small could make him nervous. Daz made a noncommittal noise and shook his head. The Ayoni’s scowl deepened, but he sat back.
Carefully, Samson ignored his glare and turned to the panel as Jaya examined the design.
“This is your gameplan?” she scoffed.
“It is incomplete,” Rhumia said.
“It’s total shit, that’s what it is. You’ll never catch up to the killdoms at this rate.”
Over the table, he and Elena shared a look. She arched a brow.See?
“Ignore her,” Chandi said.
“Not if you want to actually win this fight and stick one up Farin’s ass.”
Daz chuckled as Rhumia scowled, her long hair rippling behind her. “And what does a clipped foreigner know about Yumi warships?”
For a moment, Jaya stilled, and Samson saw something hurt and raw cross her face before her lips curled into a sneer. “Thisclipped foreignerknows that your ships will deplete their fuel before they even set sight on Sesharian harbors. You’ll lose the game before you begin the fight.”
Afira clucked her tongue. “She’s right. And she’s rude. I like the little one. She could be good for you, Rhumia.”
Rhumia snorted. “Your calculations are incorrect, gamemaster. Our bounders are lighter and face less resistance. We’ll still have plenty of fuel by the time we reach the Jantari killdoms.”
“So you intend to sail through the Black Pit?” Jaya tapped the middle of the sea, the cursed area where sensors jammed and ships infamously disappeared. “That’s the only way you can conserve fuel.”
“Sheisright. You didn’t account for the pit, Rhumia,” Daz said softly.
“I’m sorry, General.” Rhumia glared at Jaya. “I’ll rectify the mistake.”
Daz slowly rose from his chair and regarded the small gamemaster with amusement. He then turned to Samson, and his expression withered into something more solemn.
