“Does she answer you with nose-whistle words?”
Fell was looking at me, both of us knowing that they weren’t aware I could understand them.To share a secret with him, even one so inconsequential, was magic to me.He wasn’t one to smile wryly often, but he did then.I still remember that moment so very clearly.His lazy stance, one arm left around the man who’d embraced him, the corners of his mouth turned, the bob in his throat moving as he held in his laughter.
Was I sinking?Floating?Drowning?Colliding?Yes.Yes.Yes.There was a grumpy child tugging on my skirt and a gaggle of rowers jesting at my expense, and my best friend was on the verge of tears, but Fell was standing before me, and I was overcome with knowing.Rightness.Sameness.Realness.
“Should I say something scary to them?”I said in Norsern, unable to let whatever was in the wind between us build.
“Ouuu.”
“She speaks!”
“Fell you thirsty bastard!”
“Did I not say to unload?We are on land, but I am still your captain until she is fully docked!”The man kicked at the crew, and they scattered back to their ship.
“Would you like to come aboard?”Fell said.“A Norsern ship is a great art.The Tornado,especially.”
I didn’t want to because the sea seemed to be growling beneath the creaking, swaying machine, but Fell was too eager for me to refuse.I followed Fell.Layf clung to one of my legs, forcing me to hobble as the boy shuffled along with us.We climbed atop another dock, and when I bent to help Layf over the edge, the moment echoed within me.The reality of a child in my arms.
Fell took him once we’d walked the full length of the greying wood planks and were far out in the open water, and it came time to climb the ship’s ladder.The Tornadowas monstrous compared to the boat that had taken me to the Land of the Northernmost Star, with room for thirty rowers on its benches.It had three sails, a closed room atop its deck, and a cache flung open on the floor, revealing barrels and chests and linen sacks which rowers were heaving out of the floor.
Fell set Layf on the deck, and the child sped off, giggling as if he’d not felt his world was ending only moments before.He clamoured over rowers to see what they were pulling out of the ship’s belly, making each person’s task harder.The crew received him with gentleness—thick hands brushing him back and away patiently and repeatedly.
“Who was in my seat?”Fell shouted.
Heads turned.
“Orvir.Kjrn beside him,” someone said back.
There was something known by all except me, and perhaps Dania’s children.Some of the rowers were taking an extra breath—the kind of breath you take when you don’t know what to say, but there’s a ship on the mountain.
“Be useful or get off,” the captain said.
“Ah, Kaker, I have missed you,” Fell said, joining the flow of leather-clad rowers hefting supplies from the ship’s stomach.
I watched him work because his arms straining was a sight to see.
I listened to their teasing.They called Fell lazy and comfortable.They called him copper-less and dry.But there was love in each word.One woman even said, “We will have you back for next season?”
“I think it is possible.”
“What is the news in Aalt, then?”
“Ah, the same.Early winter expected.Raiding will be strange next season.”
“It was strange this season, we were paired withOwl’s Ghost; they are coming in just behind us.”
“How was that?”That was Fell’s voice.
“Safer with two ships, so less impressive to the gods, but more plunder so still very good?”
“Any other news?”
“I am going to Vaneurim’s temple soon,” Fell said.
There was a distinct silence.
The energy of the group rebounded almost instantly.
