Chapter 21

The idea that she'll leave me finally became real when I saw her transform from my delicate Rimi to a big, tall trolless, one who would easily fit in anywhere in Kalishagg, anywhere in trollkin lands. Now there should be no problem with getting her aboard the ship.

I was desperate to keep her, but she is not a thing to be kept. She deserves her home in the stars.

When we wake up the next morning, it's time to go.

"Thank you, friend." I clap Graz on the back, but I don't feel the words. I almost wish that he'd failed, even though I know a gifted mind like his would never be outsmarted, even by magic. "I'm sorry for being a pain in your ass."

Graz shrugs. "Yeah, you were. But I'm going to make good use of that stuff you brought me." He wags a finger. "You're going with her, aren't you?"

"Just until Eyra Cove," I say.

He sighs. "Then draw me a map, at least, of where you found that stuff."

"You don't need one. You already found it. It's on that map in your shop."

Graz's eyes widen. "Why didn't you say anything? So I was right. Those books I found..." He trails off. "Well, if you're headed to the cove, you should know that the necklace will work on you, too." He eyes me. "In case you need to pass as human for a while."

Me, looking like a human? Blegh.

He hands me a copy of the boat schedule, then gives a little wave at Rimi. "She's actually not so bad," he admits as he steps out the door. "I think I can tell what you see in her, Lo'zar." Graz looks uncertain, and his voice drops low. "Are you sure you want to send her home if she is who you think she is? What will happen to you?"

I knows what he means: the torture of being separated. But I don't have a choice. "There's no life for her here," I say.

"What about a neutral city?" he asks. "Go to the desert. Gusak would never follow you there."

I shake my head. "She wants to return to her family. Besides," I shrug, "like you said, she's human. It would never work."

Graz nods in understanding, though there's a shred of pity in his eyes.

"Sorry it turned out this way," he says. "Maybe I'll see you again someday."

And then he's gone.

Rimi doesn't have any things to pack, so I fill up a couple bags of food to bring along on the trip. I'll be taking her as far as I can since she doesn't know the way. We'll ride a trollkin boat to Eyra Cove, a neutral city in an island chain, where she'll take off her necklace and transfer to a human ship, one that should be able to get her home—or most of the way, at least.

Our plan is to wait until the last moment, before the ship is set to take sail, and get aboard before any of Gusak's goons have the opportunity to catch us. When we're ready to go, Rimi slips on the necklace and changes right in front of me.

Her troll form is almost as tall as I am, with a shock of purple hair and pale blue skin. The only hint that she isn't truly troll is her eyes, which remain the same human shape and color as her own.

Then we're off. We keep to shadows, side roads and alleyways as we move through Kalishagg toward the dock. I tie a bandana around my head to cover my hair, and switch into some of Graz's dirty machinist clothes to blend in. I even smudge grease on my face hoping we can make it onto the boat before anyone recognizes me.

Finally, in the distance I can make out the tall masts of ships at the dock. We'll have to be out in the open to reach the boarding ramp, but if we can make it quick, our chances seem as good as when we entered the city a week ago. I have the coin ready to go—Graz went and sold one of my gold chain necklaces for it. I'd picked it right off an old trolless's neck. Now I'm down to two rings and one necklace, the last of my coin without the chest I left under my bunk. I only started collecting them as a reminder of where I came from, and a promise that I'd never end up there again.

But none of that matters now. It's enough to get Rimi where she's going, and then take me somewhere I don't have to keep looking over my shoulder for Gusak's men.

As the time approaches, I take Rimi's hand in mine. She's quivering, her eyes following every trollkin passerby like she's expecting someone to sniff her out. Squeezing her fingers in mine, I'm reminded of when she was trapped inside her cage and I passed her food through the bars, then held her hand like this.

I'm sorry I keep putting you in danger, Rimi says, as if she can read my mind. First you saved me, and now you're helping me get home, all at your own expense.

I shake my head furiously. Freeing you was the best decision I've ever made.

At last, an orc at the top of the ship ramp shouts, "Final boarding call!" That's our cue. Tugging Rimi's hand, we step out of the shadows together, just two trolls getting on a boat out of here. We make our way across the busy platform, dodging other trollkin as we go. The ramp is just ahead—only a few more feet to go before we're home free.

A heavy hand lands on my shoulder, and I freeze.

"I have to give you props." It's Kugara's voice. When I turn to look over my shoulder, she and two of Gusak's other goons have already started to circle us, their weapons drawn. "Clever move, coming back here."

Shit. I let go of Rimi's hand. You need to run.

Run?! Her eyes flick to Kugara and then back. I'm not leaving you, Lo'zar.

You have to. Please.

But she doesn't listen. No, she stands by my side, as if she's ready to fight with me. Damn it, my brave princess. She'll get herself killed before she can go back home.

The first of Kugara's blows lands on my cheekbone, sending me reeling back. The other smashes into my gut, but she's not strong enough to knock me too far off balance. My reflexes are lightning quick, too, and soon I've got my gun out in one hand, my sword in the other. One of the goons, a guy who's face I recognize but name I don't remember, joins the fray. I slash him with the sword, twisting my body around to keep Rimi behind me, and the grunt cries out as I drag the blade across his front.

Once more Kugara tries to hit me, but I duck under her hand. "You shouldn't have left your little hideout," she says. "Some of Gusak's eyes saw you. We've been waiting a while for you to show up."

While she's busy talking, I jam the butt of my gun into her chest. She stumbles back. "Three-to-one?" I ask, sneering, as the third goon approaches armed with a gun of his own.

Rimi, please, I tell her, as I swing my sword and it smashes into the barrel of the gun. Please run.

I won't! Suddenly, she leaps out from behind me, tackling the second goon, who was apparently coming in hot with an axe in one hand. Though she doesn't knock him over, she takes him enough by surprise that he stumbles backward. I would've been cleaved right through the brain if she hadn't saved me just then.

Kugara recovers quickly, but I'm already crouching low to the ground, swinging one leg out wide to slam into hers. Her knees give and she falls down, and suddenly I have my gun to her head. The other two grunts freeze.

"Let us go," I say calmly, "or I blow her brains out."

"Fine," one of them says, and he raises his own gun. "Do it." But I'm much faster, and I turn the barrel from Kugara's temple to his face, where I press the trigger. The shot goes right through his head, and I hear Rimi gasp in surprise as blood splatters all of us. Before anyone can react, I lunge at the other grunt with my sword, burying it deep in his chest.

Kugara is still on her knees, covered in the blood of her two compatriots. She holds up both hands in surrender.

"Lo'zar," she says quietly. "Please don't kill me. I was just obeying Gusak's orders."

Guards are already starting to push their way through the crowd that's gathered around our fight. "I won't kill you," I tell her. "This time." I holster my gun, then my sword. "Oh, and tell Gusak not to bother. He'll never find me." With that, I grab Rimi's hand.

Now we run, I say, and we take off at a sprint toward the boat. They're starting to wind up the ramp, so I pick her up under my arm and leap, landing just on the edge of it. My balance sways, so I toss her forward, and the motion sends me sprawling onto the ship's deck. Down below, guards are shouting and waving their weapons.

The orc in charge of boarding has his arms crossed as he examines us.

"You'd better have the coin for all this ruckus," he tells me as the boat starts to move. Guards are streaming down the dock, but it's too late. "I can stop the ship and hand you over."

"Don't worry." I pull out my bag and drop twice as much as our fare into his hands. I'll still have plenty for the rest of our trip. "Thanks."

He sighs and gestures for us to enter the cabin.

We made it. The time has come.