Chapter 38 #2
When they headed back to the main deck, Iris and Aeliana still hadn’t emerged from their quarters, but Sylmar and the others had gathered around Velden, demanding answers.
Even some of the sailors listened in, their knowledge of the hunt for starbridges always dependent on what they could glean from eavesdropping and gossip.
The poor half-Sayhleen still hugged his mother’s tail to his chest, his lips pressed together in a grim line and his eyes haunted by memories Gaeren didn’t want to access.
“We can share the details of what happened later,” Gaeren called out, drawing everyone’s attention away from Velden and onto him. “The important thing is that we have the starbridge. Right now we need to figure out a plan moving forward.”
“You all deliberately went behind our backs,” Sylmar said. “The events that transpired over the last few days might very well inform us on how to move forward.”
“Fine,” Gaeren said flatly, and he began rushing through the events like he was reciting the contents of his desk drawer.
“The plan to fool Dreyfus was terrible. He’s a black market trader, a conman, a swindler, and a murderer.
Our efforts to fool him would have been seen through before we were able to act on them.
Aeliana and I saw that, but we didn’t realize Velden concocted the plan in the first place as a distraction, both for you and Dreyfus. ”
Sylmar stiffened a bit but let Gaeren continue.
“We figured if word got back to Dreyfus that a trap lay in wait in Andel, he wouldn’t be looking for one in Melford.
So we caught him unaware, and we took the starbridge from him.
Now we can use it to get answers, and…” He paused, abandoning his emotionless tirade so he could give proper respect to his final words.
“And we’ll use it to take Velden’s mother home for a proper burial. ”
Cyrus and Holm dropped their eyes, as if finally aware of how their curiosity might have been painful for Velden, but several sailors grew more excited, making Gaeren want to string them all up with the sails.
“That should sum it up,” he said even louder, “and now we can move forward.”
Thallahan took the hint and elbowed a few men before sending Erech off on an errand.
Velden shot Gaeren a grateful glance, but Sylmar’s frown didn’t fade. He leaned on his staff, glancing back and forth between Velden and Gaeren. “Do we know where the starbridge will take us, or where it will return us?”
Gaeren shrugged. “I suppose we’re about to find out.”
Lukai and Kendalyhn bent their heads together, whispering, while Holm glanced back toward the women’s quarters, still waiting for Iris and Aeliana to come out. Thallahan frowned, rubbing at his eye patch.
Velden finally cleared his throat, his voice once again subdued, making Gaeren mourn the little progress they’d made with him during their escape.
“I suspect it will bring us back somewhere in the southern waters, most likely on the western coast. My mother would return home sometimes, and when she would come back to Andel, she always came from the west.”
Sylmar nodded, then turned back to Gaeren. “Didn’t you say you left friends in Rykarn?”
Gaeren and Riveran exchanged glances. “Breeve’s mother and Riveran’s…” Gaeren hesitated, no longer sure if he should refer to her as Riveran’s wife.
“My sister and her son,” Riveran finished.
Gaeren couldn’t keep his eyebrows from shooting up.
Riveran leaned in to mumble, “We agreed there was no reason for the marriage charade. When we last spoke, I still wanted Rox to be family, and this seemed the easiest way.”
“Was that before or after you knew my sister got married?” Gaeren hissed.
Pain flashed across Riveran’s face, and Gaeren regretted the question, even though he still wanted to know the answer. Had Riveran made that decision because he thought there was hope for him and Enla?
Sylmar’s staff thumped on the deck, breaking up their awkward impasse. “I say those of us who came from the Myndren Mountains cross the barrier and meet with Gaeren and his men in Rykarn.”
“I’m crossing the barrier,” Gaeren corrected. “Riveran too.”
Sylmar’s lips pursed, making them disappear beneath his mustache and beard. But he didn’t argue.
“I wouldn’t mind staying on the ship,” Brogdon admitted. “Maybe even after we return to the fortress. I’m not sure I can return to a soldier’s life.” The raw statement was directed at Gaeren as if asking permission.
“You’ll always be welcome aboard my boat,” Gaeren said, and he meant it even if he now saw the boat as a Recreants’ tool more than his toy.
Jasperus’ son had turned out to be a fine sailor, and he couldn’t blame the man for wanting a fresh start away from the reminders of his past. “Even if Larkos paints her and changes her name without my permission… again.” He waved to Larkos, who stood across the ship at the helm.
Larkos waved back, blissfully unaware of the slight directed his way.
Iris and Aeliana chose that moment to step out from their quarters, drawing everyone’s attention as they crossed the deck.
Aeliana’s hair had been freshly braided at her crown—so tight it looked painful.
It seemed like Iris had taken her fears from the last week out on the plaits, and he winced in empathy for Aeliana.
She stood next to Cyrus, practically leaning on the almost priest for support.
“Does anyone else want to stay behind?” Sylmar asked, his gaze lingering on Cyrus, who only seemed to raise his chin and stand a little taller in response.
“I know you already said I’d stay behind,” Thallahan said before turning to Gaeren, “but I’m just making it clear I’m not delaying my wedding again. And if you want to be welcomed in my home by my wife, you’ll make sure you’re back in time for it too—with that princely gift you promised.”
“I’m pretty sure you promised it on my behalf.” Gaeren chuckled.
Thallahan shrugged. “It’s still expected by the bride.”
“We still have a few moons. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
Thallahan squinted his good eye. “Do I have to remind you what happened last time?”
“We’ll take a few days to let the three of you recover,” Sylmar said, ignoring their side conversation. “Maybe stop for supplies we might need on Sayhla Island.”
Gaeren didn’t bother hiding his relief, and neither did Velden nor Aeliana.
Sylmar’s scars bunched together with his favorite overly dramatic grim face. “Who knows what we’ll find across that barrier?”
Over the next four days, they let their starlocks and blood recharge in the Sun’s light while Sylmar attempted to make plans for every possible circumstance.
Larkos continued heading toward Valorian, taking a slow and aimless pace, suspecting they’d get to Rykarn days, if not weeks, before those using the starbridge.
After Bartholem’s reverence for their use of the starbridge, it almost felt sacrilegious for the ten of them to stand on the deck and crowd around the silver fish under the moonlight. Velden’s grip tightened on his mother’s tail as if fearing it might not cross the barrier with him.
“I wish we were leaving during the day,” Cyrus said. “I want to see everything.”
“But we don’t want the Sayhleens to see us,” Sylmar pointed out. “At least not right away. Not until we know we’ll be welcome.”
“Is there a limit to how many can cross at one time?” Aeliana asked, her gaze on their linked hands.
“I guess we’re about to find out,” Gaeren said.
“Can I say it?” Cyrus eagerly held out his hand for the fish. His face reddened. “It’s the only thing I can really do.”
Aeliana gave Cyrus an encouraging grin as Sylmar grunted his reluctant assent and set the fish in the Lorvandan’s palm.
As they all linked arms, Cyrus reverently recited the foreign words that matched the script on both the arrow and the fish, and Gaeren let them sink into his memory, determined to be able to repeat them if he ever needed to follow through on his promise to the Recreants to take his family across the barrier.
Then Gaeren felt the deck of his ship disappear from beneath him.