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“Charlie, this is—” Corayne’s voice failed her as she eyed the papers in his hands, and the precious seals on top.Ibal. Tyriot.One of the seals winked golden, showing the engraved image of a lion.Even Galland. Marks of passage.“This is brilliant.”
But Charlie ignored her, staring at Meliz instead. “These shouldget you through any blockades or toll fleets. Erida’s navy will be on the prowl soon, if it isn’t already.” He held out the papers again, his round, kind face looking stern for once. “Take them.”
Both captain and crew knew the weight of such things. The seals alone were greater treasure than most of their bounties. Meliz took them with a deep bow.
“Thank you,” she said. “Truly.”
“Might as well help where I have the opportunity. Rare as it may be,” Charlie sighed, waving her off. But his cheeks turned pink with pride.
Corayne caught his gaze, her own eyes stinging again.Thank you,she echoed, mouthing the words over her mother’s shoulder.
He could only nod.
“The Ibalet fleets will join you, once things are in motion,” Corayne said, urging her mother across the deck again.
The sun glinted red in her hair, warming Meliz’s bronze skin. Her eyes were the same as always, sharp as a falcon’s, a rich chestnut that went gold in the right light, ringed by thick, dark lashes. Corayne had always envied her mother’s eyes.At least one thing hasn’t changed,she thought.
Meliz watched her, perplexed. “The King of Ibal has declared war on Galland?”
“Not yet, but he will,” Corayne said, still walking. She stopped only when she reached Dom and Sorasa, slipping between her two stalwart guardians. Andry was there too, a comfort and a crutch. “Lasreen willing.”
“When did you find religion? Oh, never mind,” Meliz replied.She could not hide her tears anymore, not in broad daylight. They gleamed for both crews to see.
Her voice softened. “Let me come with you, my love.”
I asked you that once.Corayne saw the same memory in her mother’s face. It poisoned them both, an echo that would never fade.
It would be easy to respond in kind.You stay,Meliz had said once, leaving Corayne on the dock, alone and forgotten.
But Corayne would not forget.
“How fare the winds?” she said, trembling. It was the only farewell she had the strength to give.
Meliz’s smile split her face, brilliant as the sun.
“Fine,” she answered, “for they bring me home.”
12
The Jade Snake
Sorasa
Corayne barricaded herself in the captain’s little cabin after theTempestbornfaded into the horizon. Though hours passed, Andry stood watch outside the forecastle, a mug of cold tea in his hand, as if that were of any use to anyone.
Dom kept a watch of his own, his back braced against the mast of the galley. It was the steadiest place on the ship and therefore the best spot for his weak stomach. He hulked in his cloak and stared at his boots, leveling his gaze on something still. But for the occasional blink, he could’ve been a pale statue fixed to the deck.
There was little to do on board, and nowhere to go. The below decks were taken up by oarsmen and horses. Sorasa debated the merit of a nap but decided against it. Naps only left her groggy and off balance, not to mention vulnerable. The Ibalet sailors were no different from the other guards. They hated her, her Amharatattoos as good as a brand to them. She’d already run through her daily exercises twice, her muscles loose and strong. And if she cleaned her blades again, they might wear to nothing. Charlie would only shoo her off his papers, and she could not blame him. It was Sorasa’s fault he was even here, tied up in the ending of the world. And Valtik was worse than a storm or a sea serpent. Sorasa avoided her more than anyone else, lest the old witch call her Forsaken again. Sorasa didn’t even have Sigil to strategize with. The bounty hunter was below in the hold, tending the horses with her own Temur rituals.
Sighing, Sorasa reluctantly took a place next to Dom.I have been long from the citadel,she thought.Boredom has never seemed so difficult before.
Dom glanced down at her, too nauseous to scowl.
She pointed her chin at Andry. “He looks like a puppy waiting at the door.”
“I don’t expect an assassin to know what friendship looks like,” Dom muttered, tipping his head back against the mast. He drew in a long breath through his nose before blowing out through his mouth, in a steady rhythm to soothe his body.
“If you think that’s friendship, Elder...,” Sorasa chuckled, trailing off with meaning.
