The epitome of dignity, Lery stood with his hands clasped behind his back and his feet spread. “Of course, that is unacceptable.”
The Captain raised an eyebrow. “Mister Wardof has paid us a good deal of money for the girl—with the understanding that the use of arms may be necessary.”
Joshen doubted any of his fellow sailors missed Arneth’s threat. He certainly hadn’t.
“Do you threaten us, good Captain?” Lery responded casually.
Arneth’s face darkened into a scowl. “I do.”
Lery pretended to look back at his crew while he searched Parknel’s face for an answer. From the corner of his eye, Joshen watched Parknel mull it over. He mouthed the word, “Armed?”
Lery turned back around. “Are you, at the moment, armed?”
Arneth straightened indignantly—only the lowliest of captains came to a parley armed. “Of course not!”
With a pleased grunt, Parknel stood. “Then I’ll tell you the man, Wardof, is a liar, murderer and paid mercenary of the Dark Witch—she who is the enemy of all free and seafaring men alike. We’re friends of the Keepers. If you align yourselves with Witch Hunters, declare yourselves now and we can dispense with the formalities and get to the fighting!”
“You!” Wardof stood and pointed a finger that shook with rage. “You left me for dead on that forsaken island! Hunting bats and seals for six months before anyone found me!”
Parknel’s amused gaze fell upon Joshen.
With a grin, Joshen rose to his feet.
“And you! The horseman’s son!” Wardof spat. “I know for a fact she’s on that ship, Captain Arneth.”
“Indeed, she is,” Parknel agreed. “So I’d have to be an idiot to allow you on board to search for her.”
Captain Arneth looked over the three men standing in Parknel’s boat. “Which one of you is really the Captain?”
Parknel nodded to Joshen and Lery. The two sat down.
“I’m Captain Parknel. What say you, Captain Arneth? Do you follow the Dark Witch or the Keepers?”
Arneth’s gaze never faltered. “My crew and I’ll discuss this and have your answer.” He nodded to his men and the two captains watched each other grow smaller as their sailors pulled at their oars. When the little boat bumped into the Sea Witch, Joshen scaled the rungs and jumped aboard.
“Man the cannons!” Parknel roared from behind him.
Senna jumped at the shout. Her face paled. “What’d they say?”
Joshen took a deep breath. “He said he’d think about it. Which really means, ‘Give us time to fire first!’” He pointed below decks. “There’s nothing you can do. Go now!”
Senna turned and rushed away. “But there is something I can do,” she murmured. She held a glinting topaz vial to the sun. “Something I should’ve done in the first place.”
“Fire at will,” Parknel cried.
“Run!” Joshen screamed after her.
Senna ran, but before she’d gone two steps, a deafening boom sounded from the Gallant Green. A series of answering reports rocked their ship. The balls whistled as they cut through the air and exploded into the sea. Acrid smoke seeped up from below, stinging her eyes and making her cough. Men shouted and ran. None of them paid her any mind as she rushed toward the bow instead of below decks.
Whining, Bruke tried to block her path, but Senna simply darted around him. The cannons roared again. She heard shouts and the cannons reloaded. The Sea Witch fired again. But this time, instead of a splash, the sound of wood shattering far away.
Senna sickened. Men from the Gallant Green had just died. And even though they were the enemy, it still hurt. The Gallant Green’s cannons roared in answer.
There was a massive crash. Senna covered her ears and stumbled as the deck lurched beneath. Bruke tangled up her feet.
Senna slammed into the deck. For a moment, she couldn’t think through the pain in her arm. Something slipped from her hand. Even with all the noise and chaos, she was aware of a clinking sound as the small vial landed on the deck and rolled away from her. She watched helplessly as it plunged over the side.
Using her uninjured arm, she dragged herself to peer over the edge. The vial bobbed on the waves. She had to hurry. Moving carefully, she pulled the sling from her arm. She felt a throbbing ache, but didn’t let it stop her from dropping her cloak and dress. She couldn’t bear to take off her shift—not when it might not work.
She stood on the banister. Something jerked her shift. Her injured arm shot out to catch herself as she tumbled to the deck. She gasped as the stitches pulled against her soft flesh. Blood oozed from the wound. Tears welled in her eyes. Her shift in his mouth, Bruke whined, his eyes wide and frightened. She eased her fingers between his teeth. “I have to protect them, Bruke.”
He whined louder and set his jaw.
Senna knew she couldn’t waste more time. The vial could sink or be washed farther away and then it would be hopeless. Lunging to her feet, she jumped. Her shift caught in Bruke’s mouth before ripping. She exploded into the ocean as another blast sent shock waves around her. Pulling against the water, Senna gasped at the bone-numbing cold. Bits of debris from the Sea Witch pelted her.
Still holding the white cloth in his mouth, Bruke paced and whined above her.
Her head swiveled desperately from side to side as she searched and then she saw it. The vial. Kicking out, she pulled herself forward with her good arm. She wasn’t even sure the potion would work in the water, but she had to try. She opened the bottle and oiled her finger before stopping the cork. Forcing herself to relax, she floated on the rolling waves. Though it was awkward with her clinging shift, she dabbed the oil on her lips and body and drew a line between the spots.
Sea, I have chosen one of thy creatures,
I ask of thee, change my features.
At first, nothing happened. But then, the water didn’t feel quite as cold. Her skin rippled as the familiar pain gripped her, as though her flesh were being ripped from her body. Her bones broke and reset themselves.
And then it was over. She was glad seals swam with their tails and not their flippers, letting her rest her arm. And though the salty water stung her wound, it also staunched the bleeding.
Gripping the vial gently between her teeth, Senna searched for the familiar, high-pitched groaning.
Following the closest sound, she found it. An immense blue whale. Senna swam next to the creature’s eye and began grunting. The whale focused on her, but it was a look of annoyance, not understanding. When she persisted, the whale flicked his enormous tail and sped away.
Senna pushed through the water, trying to keep up. But the whale quickly distanced her. And worse, the water was beginning to feel cold. Surfacing, Senna took a deep gulp of air and turned toward the now-distant battle. The fog had miraculously cleared, but smoke clung to the ships as stubbornly as the vapors had. Both vessels were damaged, but the Sea Witch looked far worse.
Senna’s head swung back and forth between the whale and the battle. She was far enough away now that she could cover both of them with an outstretched flipper. If she didn’t start back soon, she’d change before she could return. I’ll stay, she thought. It’s all I can do for them now.
Fear clinging to her, she swam after the whale. She was going farther from safety, yet she didn’t slow. It wasn’t long before her limbs trembled and transformed. And then she was a young woman, treading the frigid water in nothing but her shift. She sang to the whale.
Help me!
I’m the last Keeper left!
Help me!
She knew many animals understood Witch song, for it was the language of the Creators. But most had no reason or desire to listen. Senna kept repeating her song, supplicating the whale to return. But she saw nothing. Resigned, she turned to face the ship, hoping her failure wouldn’t cost any of the sailors their lives.
A loud gush erupted behind her. Startled, she whirled see the enormous eye of the blue whale staring at her. It let ou
t a hungry call and Senna understood. Without the sun to feed the krills’ prey, the whales were growing hungry.
Sadly, Senna sang.
Witch of Black, purpose so foul,
Wishes the whole Earth to bow,
Takes the Keepers one by one, until—
At the end—all comes undone.
The whale blew angrily.
Her jaw chattered as she pointed to the offending ship.
Her Servants bent on destroying the last,
And setting her cast.
That was all it took for the whale flick its enormous tail. Unfortunately, that sent Senna reeling back. Now she was even farther away than before.
Racked with shivers, she unstopped the vial. Her whole body shuddered uncontrollably. The vial slipped from her grasp. The oil spread all around her. Senna immediately felt warmer, but her heart sank. Now she couldn’t change. She took stock of the far-away ships, wondering if she should even try.
Joshen.
She sighed. “Well, at least I don’t ache anymore.” Barely managing to grab the vial before it sank, Senna skimmed some of the oil off the top of the water, recorked the vial and held it in her mouth. With her injured arm tacked to her side, she started kicking.
18. IOA
Joshen watched in wonder as an enormous blue whale speed toward Arneth’s boat. He’d never seen one move so fast. From the other ship, shouts turned to cries of panic as the enormous whale increased its speed. A massive crunch sounded. The stern of the ship crumpled as though made of spun sugar.
In stunned silence, Joshen watched as the Gallant Green’s bow lifted out of the water, revealing scattered barnacles. Sailors scrambled to cut the ropes that held the boats in place. A few crashed to the water, some tipped over. Within a minute, the Gallant Green heaved a great sigh and disappeared underwater, dragging some of her crew with her.
Those who remained hauled themselves into the boats or tried to flip the swamped ones.
“Whales don’t attack boats,” one sailor said with fear.
“That one did,” another sailor replied.
Joshen struggled to control his panic. Senna had done this, he was sure of it. Taking off at a run, he pounded below decks where Parknel bent over an injured sailor. “Is Senna here?”
Startled, Parknel looked up. “She was supposed to help with the injured. Good thing I remembered which was the itnot and which was the tabber.”
Joshen wasn’t listening; he was already halfway up the stairs. He shoved open the cabin door. The room was empty. “Bruke!”
The dog came from behind. He laid a piece of familiar white cloth at Joshen’s feet.
As Joshen grasped the cloth, cold dread shot through him. “Senna.” His mind was lost in the enormity of his fear. Something tugged at his clothes. He looked down at Bruke pulling him toward the door. Mechanically, Joshen’s legs moved after her dog. At the bow, Bruke looked into the water with a whine.
Joshen halted in front of Senna’s abandoned sling and clothes. Bending down, he picked up her necklace. It glinted, catching the light. Unwillingly, his gaze stretched over the ocean. “What has she done?” Though he knew she wouldn’t be there, he couldn’t help but peer over the side of the ship. “She changed to a seal and brought the whale back, didn’t she?” How long had she been gone? That potion of hers only lasted a short time and the whale had come long ago. “Man a boat!” Joshen screamed as he ran toward the crafts. “Bring arms!”
His hands bloody, Parknel appeared from below decks and shot him a questioning look. “Joshen?”
Joshen tugged the ropes. “Senna’s in the water somewhere!”
Sailors sprinted to his side. Joshen jumped in the boat as others began to lower them. “Bruke! Come!” Joshen shouted.
The enormous dog jumped over the rail as the boat slammed into the water. The men loosened the ropes and hauled out the oars. Bruke pointed southwest and barked. Joshen grabbed his oar. “Pull!”
It was amazing how fast and far Senna had swum as a seal. Her inadequate arms flailed and tugged at the water, but for all her efforts, she wasn’t much closer to the ship and her muscles were stiff and slow to respond. Shivering uncontrollably, she stopped swimming long enough to pour the remnants of the oil over her head. For a brief moment, she felt better.
She gazed forlornly at the Sea Witch. After all she had been through, it wasn’t Espen who would defeat her but her own folly. “I’m sorry, Joshen. I failed you.” She looked past her treading feet and searched the depths of the water—her grave. “Mother,” she whispered. “Forgive me, Mother.”
Bruke stayed at the front of the boat, sniffing the air. Whenever the animal shifted, the sailors righted their course. Joshen wasn’t used to the heat or the strength of the sun anymore. Sweat rolled from the sides of his face. His shirt clung to him. He squinted into the brightness, willing himself to see something.
Bruke barked.
Shielding his eyes, Joshen leaned forward. He thought he saw something white floating in the distance. He hauled at his oar with renewed desperation. “Pull!” he growled to the others.
He kept glancing over his shoulder as the figure came closer. It was Senna. She was face down and still. Reaching over, he and Parknel gripped her under the arms and heaved her aboard. She lay still on the floor, her face as white as the remnants of her shift. “Senna!” Joshen screamed. The sailors moved aside as he maneuvered to her side. He pressed his ear to her chest.
Perfectly still and so cold to the touch.
Roughly, Parknel lifted her so her stomach rested on the edge of the boat. He thumped her hard on the back. No response.
Joshen’s hands covered his mouth. She couldn’t be dead. He wouldn’t allow her to be dead. He rolled her back to the floor, determined to shake it out of her. As she fell back, water came free. A weak cough. Joshen grasped her shoulder and turned her to her side. She coughed harder. More water. She wheezed a shaky breath. Her golden eyes peered up at him.
“Senna?”
She moaned. “I’m so … cold.”
Not bothering with the buttons, Joshen ripped off his shirt and draped it over her shoulders before scooping her into his arms. At first, she simply lay there, but then she started shivering and Joshen knew she’d be alright. He rubbed her arm to bring back some of the warmth. She cried out and he remembered her injury.
“Don’t you ever do anything like that again,” he growled.
“Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I lost the potion.”
The sorrow in her voice startled him. “I can’t say I’m sorry.”
She moaned. “It took someone years to create that potion and I spilled it.”
What could he say? She’d been shot, chased by a shark and nearly drowned. If she had not lost it, he would have dumped it out himself.
Senna didn’t complain as Joshen carried her toward his cabin. Parknel started calling out orders. “Sharpshooters on all sides. Sailors, man the sails and get us out of here. You, take over the wheel for me until Lery or I relieve you. And speaking of Lery, where is he?”
Joshen eased her onto the bed. “Bruke.” He patted the bed next to Senna. The dog obliged and Joshen covered them both with a blanket and sat down beside her. He vigorously rubbed her hand between his. “Are you warm yet?”
Senna’s whole body felt as though it were made of lead. She felt too weak to even lift her head off the pillow. She managed a frail smile. “I’m not sure I ever will be.”
“Why Senna? Why did you do it?”
Senna heard the hurt in his voice and didn’t understand. “I couldn’t bear just sitting back while others risked their lives—died—to protect me. I might have risked my life, but no more than any other man on this ship!”
Joshen rubbed his temples between his fingers and thumb. “You still don’t understand. You still don’t think you’re worth it.” He seemed to be concentrating on keeping his breathing even. “You can’t keep taking risks like this! If you die, it’s over! Can’t you see th
at?”
Senna swallowed and looked away. Didn’t Joshen understand that if he died, it would all be over for her? She couldn’t allow that, at any cost. She lifted tear-rimmed eyes. “And when she defeats me, what then? Will you go back to your horses?”
Joshen slowly stood. “For over a year, I waited for you and now you question my loyalty?”
Senna shut her eyes. Tears traced her temples before disappearing into her damp hair. “Not your loyalty.”
“What then?” he said in exasperation.
“I can’t, I can’t … lose you. And I’m going to. Just like I lost my mother, father and sister. Everyone I ever care about is taken from me. Everyone.”
She looked outside, reveling in the heat pouring in from the window.
“I didn’t know you had a sister,” Joshen fumbled.
Senna’s jaw tightened. She remembered the vague drawing of a beautiful girl with brown curls in the arms of her father. “She died before I was born.”
Joshen strode to the window and looked at the sunshine. Without turning, he said, “I can promise you this—I’ll never willingly leave you, Senna.”
“None of them willingly leave,” she said. “But they leave all the same.”
He turned back to her. “You have to stop worrying about all of this and focus on what you have to do.”
Her voice barely broke a whisper, “What do I have to do, Joshen?”
He kneeled beside her bed and took her hand in his own. “You have to stop her.”
A knock at the door sounded. Joshen didn’t let go of her hand. “Enter.”
Parknel came in. He was soaked in blood from his fingertips to his knees. In his hands, he had her pots, all of the plants stripped of their leaves. “We need more.”
“She can’t, Captain,” Joshen said.
She pushed herself up. “I can.”
“Senna, you almost died.”