CHAPTER 29
The Ship
Elaina slid carefully up onto the dock, letting her wonderful boat dissipate. Unlike a normal ship, which would have required rowers to pull it closer to the pier, Elaina felt someone nearby push the ship gently to its berth with Air and currents of Water. She searched the rails for Monren, but only the suntanned faces of the Seviade Cotar peered down at her.
There was a great deal of activity on the deck—shouting and orders given as a rope ladder was tossed over the side. It was long enough to gather in a tangled pile at the bottom.
"Should I go up?" she asked Cade nervously. "How do we know who it is?"
"It is the Seviade Cotar. They would die before speaking a false word—say it’s against the stars or some such. If they mean to capture or kill you, they'll tell you to your face." Cade informed her. Elaina gave a little shrug and called out,
"Who comes, and what is your purpose?"
"The East Wind, whose Sailmaster is the Admiralda Zanhia of the Eastern Shores, at my command." A woman's voice called back, even as the speaker leaned over the rail. Elaina worried for her blouse. "I am Starmistress Rigil, in the service of the Sisters and the Dawnstar." She finished grandly.
"And your purpose?" Cade asked.
"To serve the stars. Come aboard and we will take you where you wish. The price of passage is paid." She informed them. Elaina looked to Cade, who nodded hesitantly. When Elaina put one hand on the ladder, Cade caught her arm.
"Admiraldas answer only to the Admir-Cotar, Elaina. Act like you're meeting a king, do what I do, and you won't offend anyone—they're a touchy people." He said.
Nodding, she began the climb. It wasn't easy, even with Cade holding the bottom to keep it from twisting around. Once she was up, he followed in a quarter of the time; Elaina tried to hide her consternation.
That was easy enough when she turned to find the entire crew of the ship waited on their knees, hands clasped behind their backs, all watching her with solemn faces. In their midst were three people still on their feet. One man studied her intently, arms crossed over his bare chest. He had bands of gold just above the elbow, like Sailmaster Hamal in Hennelea, only there were two on each arm, which made him Admiralda Zanhia. Beside him stood the woman who had called to her in the peculiar, colorful clothing of the women of the Seviade Cotar, Starmistress Rigil. A step apart from them, a man in charcoal grey waited impatiently. Elaina blinked. His face was severe and reserved, but he was not Lord Monren.
"Where's Monren?" she blurted, stepping back into Cade's solid chest. His hands found her shoulders protectively, as if he would yank her out of the man's view if necessary.
"He has gone to the Empress in Asemal, to hear her wishes now that the Brothers are divided. I am Dracen, I will take you to Vinyam." Elaina watched as those cold grey eyes flicked over her shoulder to Cade, who was very, very still.
"I heard rumors that two of my . . . shall we say, less enlightened Brothers were sent to the heavens by a certain Watcher. It seems the rumors were not far off." He said. Cade remained silent as a stone.
"I'm here to safeguard the Wielder. Let's put our histories behind us in that interest, shall we Watcher?" Dracen continued.
"Agreed." Cade replied flatly.
"Enough of this." The Starmistress broke in, "The Dawnstar is aboard our decks, who will lead us through the storm." Beaming at Elaina, she kissed her fingertips and touched them to her forehead. The whole of the crew did the same, and Rigil turned to the Admiralda Zanhia expectantly. Clearly displeased, he imitated the gesture.
Elaina heard Cade's sharp intake of breath. She looked back at him to see what she should do to greet these people. Since he just stood there, eyebrows up, she did what they had done. Rigil's eyes filled with happy tears while she beamed at Elaina.
"You honor us," she whispered feelingly. Elaina had the uneasy suspicion she was in way over her head. If only Cade would snap out of it and show me what to do! These people are exceedingly odd. Even stranger than the last set, save for the woman. Hatysa, was it? She was plenty strange.
"Come, I will show you to your cabin." Rigil offered. Elaina and Cade followed her across the deck under the silent stares of the still-kneeling crew. Only once she stepped off the deck did the muted sound of bare feet running on boards begin, with the Admiralda shouting and Dracen casting Air to steer them back out of the harbor with all haste.
"Here it is." Rigil said, opening the narrow door. "Zanhia and I have moved everything we need for the day-to-day. If anything else is in your way, we'll gladly move it. Shall we send someone for your things on shore?" She offered.
"That would be wonderful, but we can't possibly turn you out of the room you share with your husband—ah, I mean, the Sailmaster, er, Admiralda" Elaina replied.
"It doesn't suit? You are used to finer," she guessed unhappily. "I apologize, but this is one of the finest cabins on the water, there is no better." Rigil said morosely. Elaina's incredulous stare took in the silk bedclothes, the Varen rugs hung on the walls, and the fine gold-edged porcelain that sat on the shelf. She had never seen finer in her life. She answered faintly,
"I assure you, that is not it, Starmistress. This is the finest place I have ever seen—I'm used to sleeping on the ground, really. I just don't want to deprive you of your own room. Perhaps a different cabin?" Elaina suggested.
"Ah, you have been living a soldier's life, Elaina Tristarine. That is well. The Dawnstar should not be weak, for all its beauty." Rigil observed.
Elaina didn't understand at all, but nodded anyway.
"There is the Sailman's cabin, but the bed is small for two and it is farther below decks . . ." Rigil continued with a shrug. Elaina jerked her eyes away with a blush. How do they wear those things? She’s in danger of coming right out!
"That will not trouble us, Starmistress. I will sleep at the door." Cade informed her. Rigil's eyes flicked between them curiously.
"It would not be right, you having only the second best," she protested.
"We're not kicking you out of your own room, Starmistress Rigil." Elaina said stoutly, "So it is either the Sailman's cabin or I'll sleep on the deck." The woman blanched at the thought.
"Very well, follow me." She acquiesced, leading them down more steep stairs into the belly of the ship. Before they entered the narrow door, Cade gave quick directions to a man who went off for what few possessions they had. Fortunately, the palace of the Gidedrians was quite easy to find.
Once the man was on his way, Rigil showed them the Sailman's cabin. Neat and tidy, it looked no different than a decent room at an inn, though everything was far more compact. Elaina smiled.
"Perfect, thank you. It's so clean!" She noted to the Starmistress gratefully.
"Of course! The Sailman was prepared for us to sleep in here—he is with the crew. I will leave you to be settled," Rigil touched her forehead deferentially and stepped out.
Elaina did not even get the chance to speak before angry voices erupted in the hallway. Bewildered, she looked to Cade, who yanked the narrow door open to see Rigil and Dracen glaring daggers at each other.
"—to ask before we sail," Dracen was growling, but Rigil broke in,
"They've just set foot on our decks, and we wait for their belongings to be retrieved from the shore. You can give them two minutes, peace, Dracen of the Brethren," she hissed.
"What is the trouble?" Elaina stepped into the narrow hall, barely wide enough for Dracen's shoulders.
"We're sailing to Matriem, my Lady Wielder. There is no way to get you past the blockade on Vinyam without them knowing exactly where you are, which does us little good. We can blend in at Matriem then join the others by land." Dracen explained stiffly. To her left, Rigil scowled.
"We will sail wherever you direct, Dawnstar. His plans are nothing if they are not yours."
Dracen glowered at her defiance, then both turned to her expectantly. Elaina blinked. Who are these people? Hatred is one thing, and fear, but inexplicable
loyalty makes me nervous. Why are they all so eager to please?
Baffled, she managed to stammer, "Ah, give us a few minutes to discuss this, please." Then she retreated out of the middle of the argument to shut the door in their faces. Back to the door as if to hold them out, Elaina looked to Cade with wide eyes, swaying with the rocking of the ship.
"What on Arith is happening? Why does she keep calling me Dawnstar? Truth, this is ridiculous! Who are these people?" she whispered to him. Cade watched her with a crooked smile.
"They follow the stars, using them to navigating from port to port so they don't have to hug the shores like most other ships. Some of the stars they link with prophecy, and apparently you are this Dawnstar. I guess you're supposed to lead them into the storm that she mentioned." Cade replied evenly.
"What storm? I don't know how to lead anyone, and I don't want to be at sea if there's a storm coming!"
"I believe it is figurative—the division of the Brethren and whatnot. You'll be fine, don't worry." He assured her with a smile.
"Well, what do I tell them? There's a blockade on Vinyam. I could always blast a way through, but I would rather not have a Drethlord army descend on me immediately."
"So we try Matriem?" Cade offered. Sighing, Elaina turned and pulled open the door once more.
"We'll sail to Matriem, as Lord Dracen advises." She announced. Rigil nodded contentedly, as if she had not been upbraiding Dracen for suggesting the same thing.
"As you say, Dawnstar. Here are your belongings, honor to serve." She said, handing Elaina their bags and touching her forehead in the unavoidable salute. Elaina quickly reciprocated. Dracen merely nodded and spun around to march back up the stairs. As soon as she ducked back into the cabin, Elaina's shoulders slumped.
"Relax, at least no one is trying to kill us today." Cade offered. Elaina snorted.
"Yes they are, they just aren't on this boat." She said, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at her hands in her lap.
"An improvement from our past." He noted, sitting next to her. "In less than three days we will be in Matriem."
"The only thing I know about Matriem is that Darin liked it." Elaina noted dryly. Cade's lips flattened into a grim line.
"Well, he was a cowardly vermin, but he had good taste—he liked you, too." He pointed out, making her smile again. "It isn't so bad really, just hot and humid."
Elaina shrugged. "I suppose it is harder to die of heat," She admitted, remembering the blizzard during her time as his captive. There were some advantages to that, though, in the end. Her thoughts made her blush, and she changed the subject quickly,
“So what is there to do on a ship?"
"If you're not on the crew, very little. Come, I'll show you the bow. The fleetfins will be with us for sure with you on board. They absolutely adore casters." He promised, leading the way up to the deck.
The East Wind was well out of the harbor already, aided by Dracen's maneuvering and a favorable wind. On deck the crew scurried about like ants on a flooded anthill, tightening ropes here loosing them there, coiling them up, and securing the anchor. Elaina gaped at the little figures that were climbing far above, clinging to the masts and crossbeams and the dizzying spider-web of ropes.
The Admiralda was barking orders, standing with feet apart and hands clasped behind his back, totally immune to the shifting of the deck under his feet. He certainly looked like a King, standing there. Seeing Elaina and Cade, he spared them the barest nod.
When they reached the front of the ship, Cade leaned over the rail, which made Elaina's stomach take a sickening swoop. Swallowing hard, she hesitated.
"They're here." He said over his shoulder. Reluctantly, she joined him at the rail, clutching the polished wood. "Put your hand on the bowsprit, here, and lean out." Cade instructed, putting one arm around her waist to steady her. She immediately relaxed.
"Oh!" Elaina cried in delight. The sleek silver-blue forms of a hand of fleetfins darted through the water beside the ship. Spinning and leaping, water droplets gleamed like glass in the sunlight, streaming off their fins and long rounded noses.
"They're happy to see you." Cade said, a small smile on his face answering hers. "The old sailors tell stories of fleetfins fighting off sharks and saving shipwrecked men from drowning, which is probably why sailors like casters too, superstitious as they are: a friend of my friend is my friend . . ."
"Will they follow us the whole way to Matriem?" Elaina asked.
"I doubt these can keep up for that long, but others will replace them." Cade assured her. "You like them?" Elaina nodded.
"You see, no need to worry about the water. Even if you cannot cast your little boat, or I can't help you, the fleetfins will look out for you." He said confidently, standing at her shoulder. Elaina smiled. Perhaps she would be able to sleep on this journey, after all.
Cade knocked softly on the door to their cabin, not wanting to intrude on her privacy. The sun had long since slid below the horizon, and it was dark in the hall. There was no response. Frowning, he focused through the Link on where she was. His stare moved from the door up and to the right. Still on deck? Redoing the buttons on his coat, Cade took the steep stairs two at a time.
"Elaina?" he called as he moved toward the bow. The wind was chilly, but not strong. Most of it was from the speed of the vessel, not the wind. The swells were not large.
"Here," came her voice from an enormous coil of rope. Cade peered over the braided-fiber wall. Between the two wide planks that stuck up from the deck around which the rope was coiled there was a space a span across and half as wide. Among the extra canvas for patching the sails sat Elaina, back to the board and arms around her knees. Cade tilted his head to study her.
"Your bed doesn't suit?" he asked at last.
"No, its fine," was her unhelpful reply. In one motion, Cade vaulted over the rope into the nest of canvas and settled down beside her. It was close, but they fit.
"What are you doing?" he asked; she could hear him though he spoke quietly, the noise of the wind and surf were partly blocked by the rope walls.
"I wonder if I might try something?" she asked, instead of answering. Cade only nodded, willing to follow, but determined to know what kept her awake whether she tried to distract him or no.
"It's a web," she began, but Cade interrupted,
"Elaina, you know it doesn't work—"
"The Link does! I only want to build on that." her stubborn protest made him shake his head.
"Try what you like, then."
"It's similar to the Link, I think I found a way to mimic it, but it may hurt as that did." Her warning didn't alter his expression. Hesitating another moment, the faraway look she got when she was casting told him to prepare for whatever she was doing.
Cade retreated behind the blank mask he had worn most of his life. If this was as excruciating as the Linking, he didn't want her to know it—she'd only feel guilty, even if she hurt herself just as badly. I won’t even . . . He blinked.
Curiosity, surprise, and genuine happiness flooded through his mind—but they weren't his emotions. Staring at her, Cade wondered what precisely of his mind was clear to her, if hers was so open to him. As abruptly as it began, Elaina's presence in his head cut off.
"Oh." She whispered, "I didn't think it would really work." She paused, then blurted, "What are you so determined about?"
Cade could think of no response that wouldn't annoy her—she wouldn’t like to hear that he was trying to hide it if she hurt him. Before he had to try and say something, she cleared her throat and looked away.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to pry." she muttered. For a time they sat in silence, but it was a comfortable silence in the sea breeze, not the sort that noiselessly screams to be filled. At last, Cade broke it.
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
"I was watching the stars and wondering how the Starmistresses remember them all." His dark eyes followed hers up to the bright heavens, wondering why she was still
diverting him.
"We always remember the brightest ones as part of a song. Do you see those three? Just there, the triangle?" He asked, pointing. "It's called Malakail's Shield." Elaina smiled, no doubt remembering childhood stories of the great Malakail Hontari.
"Those there? Right of the moon and down a bit?" she asked, pointing too.
"Yes, them."
"I suppose that would make it easier." She admitted, "but nonetheless . . .”
"You're not up here trying to learn all the stars, Elaina." Cade said after she trailed off, turning his face to her again. She sighed and looked down.
"When a ship sinks," she began, "Things float up, right?" Cade nodded, still unable to see where she was going. "But the doors, they'd be pinned shut by all the water," she went on. Then Cade thought he understood, thinking of that terrifying day she almost drowned. She is afraid of the ship sinking, of being stuck inside.
"You could blast your way out from under a mountain, Elaina, you could get out of something as flimsy as a ship," Cade reminded her, "and if there was nothing big enough left to float with, you could make a boat of Air, like you did in Ashira. The fleetfins will keep you company—"
"But what about you?" she interrupted his assurances in a whisper, face still. Cade could see she hadn't fully intended to say it, and it brought him to a full stop. He looked at her for a long moment.
Is it possible that she could be as happy with me as I am with her? Things did not work out that way, he knew from experience, so what was this about? Before he could think of another explanation, she went on,
"You couldn't get out—and even if you could, what if I can’t find you? I can't cast a boat of Air for you, but I could freeze the water into ice and hold it stable. But that’s only if you get out and I find you." He studied her silently, waiting until she snuck a glance at him. She didn't look away.
"You can't swim, but you can't sleep on the water because you're worried about me?" He asked, "Elaina, even if the ship sank, which Seviade Cotar ships seldom do, and even if I were trapped or tired, I'd survive. I swore to protect you and I'll find a way to keep doing that no matter what." Despite himself, Cade got lost in the worried grey eyes that flickered back and forth between his, searching for an answer to her fears.
"I just don't know what I'd do, all alone again." She explained, looking away. Cade wasn’t convinced. That wasn’t selfishness I saw in her face. She isn’t afraid for herself, she’s afraid for me.
He studied her face in the moonlight. How can her eyes shine like that in the middle of the night? The thought flitted absently across his mind. Suddenly, Cade wanted to kiss her.
It might have been because her full lips were parted, or the smoothness of her skin, or those intoxicating eyes. It could have been the warmth of her, so close in the small space, or the way her breath seemed to come faster. Cade didn't care what it was. He didn't care if it turned out to be the most foolish thing he had ever done, though he didn't think it was. Slowly, he bent his head and she didn't move away.