Chapter Nineteen
Claw Mahdred joined us to speak with the survivors.
Throughout the carriage ride, Jucai glared at Diaya, Diaya ignored him, and I tried to breathe through the testosterone soaking the air.
I had sat next to Jucai to alleviate some of the tension, but it did little good.
The Sea King spent the ride with his hand gripping my thigh and his stare locked on the Claw.
Diaya exclaimed, “Ah, here we are!”
The carriage stopped before a tall building in a residential neighborhood near the wharf.
People eyed us as we exited the carriage, their stares going round when they spotted the Sea King (wearing his crown) and his entourage.
Yeah, that whole waiting in the carriage thing wasn't happening. Not with Diaya present.
A glance up gave me a view of multiple balconies with railings used as clotheslines, and faces jerking out of sight.
We went inside, and the heat of Erimbar abated.
The Sea Dragons sighed. Even Jucai's annoyance eased, and his grip on my hand softened.
A stairway waited at the end of the hallway.
Sounds of people going about their days filtered out to us through closed doors.
Diaya led us upstairs, glancing back to grin at me. “I guess they're not acclimated yet.”
“It's warm in Kansu, but not like this,” I said.
“I keep my city at a moderate temperature, and the air is moist.” Jucai met Diaya's gaze as if in challenge.
Diaya shuddered and turned around to continue up the stairs. “I hate that word.”
Chuckling, I asked, “Which word? Moderate?”
Diaya laughed. “You know which word.”
“I don't know which word,” Jucai said in a tone of demand.
“Moist,” I whispered to him.
Daiya shuddered again. “Eww.”
“What's wrong with moist?” Jucai asked.
“Please, Your Majesty, stop saying that word!” Daiya wailed dramatically.
I laughed at Daiya's theatrics and Jucai's confusion. To Jucai, I said, “It calls to mind disturbing imagery for some people.”
“Does it?” Jucai looked at his guards.
They shrugged.
“I think the term is humid,” I said.
“It's not humid.” Jucai waved his hand. “Humid implies wet heat and discomfort. Our air is fresh, with a hint of water that keeps our skin soft. Do you not agree?”
“I do. You're right, but I still think it's the wrong word. Perhaps you could try cool. The air is cool.”
“I suppose hearing the M-word wouldn't affect people who live underwater.” Diaya stopped before a door and knocked.
A few moments later, a human man with dark eyes that darted over all of us answered the door. “What do you want?”
“Hello, Mr. Hadren.” Diaya motioned to us. “This is Lord Nadar of His Majesty's court, King Jucai of Ilshi, and the King's guards. They'd like to ask you a few questions about the attack on the Blue Heron.”
Those darting eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“There was magic residue found onboard,” I said. “The men you saw were not Sea Dragons.” I motioned to the King. “And these Sea Dragons mean you no harm; you have my word. We are just trying to find out why someone would impersonate them.”
Mr. Hadren frowned, his hand coming up to scratch his chest. “Not Sea Dragons? But they looked like these guys.”
“It was an illusion,” Claw Mahdred said. “May we come in?”
Mr. Hadren grimaced, looked over his shoulder, and then out at the hallway. “I guess there's a little more room in here.” He stepped back.
We passed a tiny kitchen that opened onto a living room. Beyond it was a balcony. A chair propped the balcony door open, letting in the breeze. Through another open door, I caught sight of an unmade bed and a half-empty bottle on the floor beside it.
“Have a seat.” Mr. Hadren waved at a ragged couch and sat on the chair that held the balcony door open.
Jucai settled on the couch as if it were a throne, one leg cocked out to the side and an arm propped on his knee. I sat beside him, closest to the sailor. Meanwhile, Jucai's guards spread out as much as they could, one going out onto the balcony.
Mr. Hadren watched them with amusement and then looked at me. “Well, what do you want to know?”
“Do you remember what the ship that attacked you looked like?” I asked.
“Already told him.” He motioned to Diaya.
“Yes, and I read the report, but it was a general description. What I'm wondering is if it's difficult to remember specifics?”
Mr. Hadren leaned back and lifted his gaze in thought. “Yes, it is. I remember vague things like the number of masts it had, but that's it. It's all a little fuzzy.” He blinked. “Wait! I see it now! There was a figurehead at the forepeak. It was . . .” He frowned.
“Close your eyes,” I suggested. “Take your time. Just relax and let it come. Don't push it.”
Mr. Hadren closed his eyes. We waited, watching his eyes move beneath their lids. His lips parted. His hands spread on his thighs. Then his eyes popped open. “A dog! It was a dog. No, a wolf! The figurehead was a wolf leaping, jaws open.”
“A wolf?” I looked at Diaya. “That's uncommon.”
Diaya grinned. “It’s probably why they hid the ship with magic.”
“I don't think they hid it. If they had, Mr. Hadren wouldn't remember anything.
I think they cast a blurring spell or maybe one that diverts attention.
But the mind holds images long after spells wear off.
That's why I advised him not to force the images to come.
It's easier to remember when you don't try to.”
“How do we find this wolf ship?” Jucai asked.
“Try the docks,” Mr. Hadren said. “There must be sailors who have seen it.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hadren.” I stood up and shook his hand, then handed him a silver coin. “For your time and honesty.”
He took the coin. “I'm only taking this because I'm out of work.”
“That is for your service to your kingdom, sir. You don't need to justify taking it.”
He nodded and waited to the side as we left. He started to shut the door and then paused. “You know, one of them Sea Dragons that wasn't a Sea Dragon looked like you.” He nodded toward Jucai's guards.
Claw Mahdred and I jerked and then shot back toward Mr. Hadren. “Which one?” We demanded in unison.
Hadren's eyes went wide, and then he pointed at one of Jucai's guards. “Him. I remember his face. It was the last one I saw before someone knocked me unconscious.”
“You're certain?” I asked.
“Yes, sir. It was he.”
“Thank you again, Mr. Hadren.”
He grinned. “You're welcome. Hey, will you tell the King about me? You know, my service to the kingdom?”
“I will, Mr. Hadren. King Saric will know your name.”
“Wait till I tell my friends.” He laughed and shut the door. Through the thin wood, I heard him say, “The King will know my name. How about that?”
“What does this mean?” Jucai demanded.
“Shh! Your Majesty, please.” Diaya motioned to the stairs. “Not here. The walls are thin.”
I nodded and motioned the men downstairs.
The man who Hadren had pointed out looked confused, but he said nothing. Not until we reached the street. Then he approached the Sea King. “I was not a part of this, Your Majesty. I swear it.”
“I know, Sir Matei. There was magic used, remember.” Jucai patted the man's arm. “Don't worry. If I didn't trust you, you wouldn't be one of my guards.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Sir Matei bowed.
“We need to leave.” I motioned to the carriages. “Hurry.”
As the guards got into the carriages behind us, I ushered the Sea King into our carriage. Diaya climbed in with graceful flair and tapped the roof. We rolled away from the sidewalk seconds later.
“Are we going to the wharf?” Jucai asked.
“No, I'll send men out of uniform to ask around. You two will scare people.” Diaya grinned. “It's been a while since I've been a part of such an interesting case.”
“Are we going to question the other survivors?” I asked.
“I think we should.” Diaya motioned behind us. “We need to know if they all remember the same thing.”
I nodded. “Because if someone remembers anything besides a wolf figurehead, we'll know someone tampered with their minds.”
“Can that be done?” Jucai asked.
I shrugged. “Whoever this sorcerer is, they're talented.”
“There's always the possibility that they're lying,” Diaya said.
“No,” Jucai and I said together.
Diaya looked to Jucai and then to me. “You're both certain?”
I glanced at Jucai. “Not certain, but there are signs of deception, including a change in smell that Hadren didn't exhibit.”
“Fascinating,” Diaya drawled. “If only we had Dragons in the Talons.”
“You know, that's an interesting thought. I'll suggest it to the King.”
“Really? A Dragon would be helpful.”
“There may be reasons against it, but I'll ask.”
The carriage stopped.
“Are we here already?” Jucai asked.
“Sailors tend to live near the docks, Your Majesty.” Diaya got out of the carriage, and we followed.
I glanced toward the bay, wondering how daring the pirates were. Could the ship be moored there, full of stolen cargo, at that very moment? I doubted it. Whoever was behind this was too smart to take such risks, even if they trusted their magic.