“I will,” said Flojer.His eyes were on Halvar and King Arik.Fell was approaching them, the smoking, roiling city alive behind them as Fell’s face erupted into the grin that only Halvar earned from him.
I couldn’t make out Fell’s words over the chaos of twenty ships preparing to leave, but I knew by his gestures and expression he was speaking to Halvar, saying something sweet like, “Hello again!Yes, I have seen the ship.It is all ready for you.You will like it, I think.There is a drummer.I know you like drummers…” Before he took Halvar from the king’s arms, Fell leaned on Arik’s shoulder, and Arik, in turn, set his head against Fell’s.They stood there, embracing until Arik murmured something, and Fell burst into laughter.Arik cupped a hand to the back of Fell’s head lovingly, before pushing him away.
Fell took Halvar in his arms and started down the dock, Flojer and I following.I glanced back at Jorn—Hehemdi—and found him watching me, looking just as sad as when I’d first laid eyes on him.
Though the day was hot, my skin grew cold as we reachedThe Fearsome Beast, a large rowing vessel, big enough to carry forty raiders and their spoils and supplies.She had two square sails, one much larger than the other, with a small box-room between them rising from the deck.Oil-sleek oars glinted at her sides.
“You are uneasy?”Flojer said.
I was, but it took me several moments to understand the sensation.“I have only been on a ship a few times before,” I said.“The first time when I was taken captive—it was in error, but unnerving all the same—and most recently, when I was opening the door for Halvar.”
Flojer’s eyes shone with warmth.“Ha.I wager this journey will be more pleasant.”
I took a deep breath in through my nose as Fara had taught me, but it wasn’t until Flojer looked at me and nodded—one sharp, encouraging motion filled with half a dozen unspoken promises—that I found my courage and stepped onto the ramp leading to the ship’s gleaming deck.
Forty-Seven
“We will have guests with us on this voyage.I would suggest you all keep in mind these are the treasured friends of our dear King Arik.”Though Flojer wasn’t yelling, his voice carried as if he were.
A ripple of laughter spread throughout the crew—forty rowers, half sitting at their benches, oars in hand, the other half lounging in three or four smaller groups wherever the ship had space.All fearsome to behold in their own tattooed, braided ways.
“Let us not be the last ship there,” Flojer said with a feral grin.
He needed to say nothing else.The drummer began to play, and the rowers heaved their oars.A steady rhythm of drums and sea splash and grunting began.
As the ship lurched beneath us and clouds rushed overhead, Flojer pointed at Fell.“You can row?”
“I can.”Fell grinned.
“And you have a young son so are not sleeping at normal times—you can join the evening rowers.”
Fell lifted his chin, revealing his thick throat.“Yes, Kaker.”
Oh dear.Why was he so beautiful?How are we going to last without bedding one another for nine whole days?King Arik had told me the voyage could be accomplished in three to four days, but there would be frequent stops as other ships joined with us.
“And you—” Flojer pointed at Rowan.“You would like to learn?”
“Yes, Kaker,” Rowan said, his hands clasped in front of him.It was how sworn swords stood before grainkeepers in our country.
“I would learn as well,” Fara said.“If you would have me.”
Flojer pressed his lips together and squinted.“Ah, but you are a friend to the herbs, no?”
She looked utterly wicked as she smirked.“I am.”
“And you read?”
“Yes, Kaker.Feathers are what come easiest.But stones and palms and stars…” She tucked her hands behind her back.“Most things, if given enough time with them.”
“I would offer you a half-row?I expect our healer would like to speak with you.And… a few others might be interested as well, for personal reasons.”
“Of course, Kaker.”
Flojer didn’t address me in the way he had the others.He simply looked at me, his eyes crinkling in the corners with mirth.“There is space to sit and enjoy the sea.”He pointed to the nose of the ship.
Everyone else had said, “Yes, Kaker,” so it was what I said as well, and there was some ease in obedience being the correct course, as it had been for so long in my youth, but there was unease in being treated differently than the others.
As I took careful steps toward the place he had suggested, Flojer nodded at Fara.“Stay with her until I know voyaging agrees with the child’s stomach.”
