Chapter 1 #2
“Why do you do this?” Ivan asked, sounding almost incredulous. Erinna couldn’t blame his disbelief. This was an extremely risky business venture.
“Someone has to, and who better than Tarth’s premier shipbuilders?” Her attempt at levity fell flat, and her smile was far too toothy for comfort. Fortunately, the awkward grin was masked by night.
Ivan shook his head. “It’s dangerous—”
“Someone has to.” Erinna’s tone was final. This conversation wasn’t worth what little time they had left. And more importantly, she didn’t need the reminder of their precarious situation.
Ivan paused to search his pockets. Erinna readied another scolding, but the renowned witchstone crafter shoved a palm-sized, smooth stone gracelessly into her hands.
“As thanks.”
Erinna balked at the deep blue gem. The hum against her skin was unmistakable. A pure cut witchstone the size of her palm. She pushed it back towards the craftsman.
“This is too much. We don’t do this for the money.” A number of excuses rushed to her lips, but Ivan pushed it back to her.
“Please. It would be better in your or your father’s hands.” Witchstone itself was expensive, but this piece was perfectly crafted to hold, store, and focus arcanum. If she wanted, she could auction it to academy professors or sell it to the royal treasury for a hefty sum.
Another gong interrupted her thoughts.
Erinna tried again to return the stone, but Ivan had scurried below deck after his wife and daughter.
The sourness of guilt churned in her stomach. She’d been harsh with them. Worried not only for their safety but for the lives of her and her father. They were risky clients to take while the nation anxiously awaited the fate of its Chancellor.
It wouldn’t take long to notice the absence of Nama, esteemed Professor of Transmutation, and Ivan, the best witchstone lapidary west of the Tempest’s Seas.
Resigned, Erinna decided to keep it, promising to return it if they ever crossed paths again. Though deep down she knew she would use it if necessary.
The passengers were finally settled, cargo loaded, and the small vessel ready to sail. Rexin was the last to join. The smell of swind engulfed the remaining three on deck. Erinna coughed and waved the odorous smoke away.
“Calms my nerves,” he defended, once again, against her chilling stare.
Another gong. The Chancellor was closer to death each day.
“You’ll have to be quick tonight. They posted four more surveyors by the western bluffs,” Kenneth warned. He draped a tired arm across Erinna’s shoulders, pulling him closer to his side. Erinna took comfort in the familiar scent of wood and sand.
Rexin ran a hand through his beard in thought. “Figured I’d head through Talon Bay and sweep around Fort Solitude.”
Erinna opened her mouth to protest, but a strong squeeze from her father reminded her that this was Rexin’s decision to make–even if she wanted to beg him otherwise.
The sharp rocks and steep cliffs of the place were a graveyard for many ships whose captains thought they could outrun the Tarthan fleet. No matter the weather, the water was choppy and threatened to throw the largest of vessels against rough and jagged stones.
Even if a boat made it through those perils, the crew had to contend with an eyesore of a structure in the center.
Fort Solitude. A place built with dark stone and iron chains to keep old scrolls and grimoires secured from prying eyes.
Secrets that went as far back in time as an era where witchcraft was the predominant way to manipulate arcanum.
“Don’t worry, not the first time I’ve made the trip.” He took another long puff before continuing. “Always room for you, too, kid.”
The air grew heavy with more than just smoke.
Erinna had considered it before—escaping with the other aberrants.
Had lengthy conversations with her father about it, too.
But in the end, neither Yarrow could stop.
This operation, their role in helping aberrants escape the island, was started by her mother, and neither Yarrow had the heart to stop.
“I’ll be fine. My Talent may even be gone at this point.” Erinna shrugged, and the two men exchanged doubtful looks. They all knew better than to believe a Talent would simply disappear. Weaken with little use, sure, but not gone away. Not completely.
Anyone touched by the arcanum, who could pull on the threads of magic, held some innate inclination. A Talent determined how one could shape spells or interact with the world.
A summoner could call on animals to control, a conjuror was best known for their elemental prowess, an abjuror could protect and hold.
An aberrant, however, had Talents that aligned with the darker forces of nature.
Mind readers, manipulators, and death whisperers.
Erinna had only felt her Talent a handful of times, but that didn’t change the punishment that would befall her and everyone she cared for if anyone found out.
Kenneth sighed and turned to his friend. “You’re all set. Safe sailing, and may The Mother Goddess guide you true.”
The two clasped hands for a long moment before parting.
Erinna wrapped Rexin in her arms. The old man had been part of the business, both legal and not, for seven years since his release.
He was rough around the edges, sneered instead of smiled, and could handle the harshest part of Erinna’s personality with finesse.
Back on the docks, Erinna and Kenneth waved a final goodbye to their friend.
Another gong rang across the water.