Chapter 27

27

Do not underestimate the lone tree. It provides shade from the merciless desert sun.

~ Abayar, Founder Sandsteader Press

Though Kaylina still gripped the bars, she accepted that her power wouldn't do anything to them. Desperate now that Vlerion—the beast —was in the area, she tried to reach out with her mind to find some plant or animal near the docks that she could bestir to help. Whether druids had the power to do that, she didn't know, and she lamented that her green-haired father hadn't stuck around to teach her.

A presence beneath the ship made her pause. Some fish or sea animal swimming under the hull? No, it felt like an altered plant, something with magic inherent in it, something the druids had long ago used their power to create.

Confused, Kaylina envisioned a tree or bush growing underwater and tried to understand how that could have come about. Then she felt foolish as she realized it must be kelp or seaweed or some other aquatic plant that grew in the harbor. She hadn't heard of such fauna being altered, but some certainly could be.

But was whatever was down there capable of helping her on the ship? Kelp wouldn't be able to ooze up the hull, across the deck, and deliver a key to her.

Another roar came from land. The beast sounded irritated. Because the assassins had presumed to capture Kaylina again? And his mother too? Or because he knew it was a trap, and he had to be careful?

Kaylina hoped it was the latter. In the past, the beast had proven himself clever. She crossed her fingers that he would be too smart to walk into whatever the assassin planned.

"I heard him that time," Isla whispered, joining Kaylina at the door. "I haven't seen Vlerion change in years, not since his brother's death, but the beasts have a distinctive roar."

"Yeah."

Eyes closed, Kaylina focused on that plant she sensed, willing it to reach up to them and— And what? It was seaweed, not a kraken. It couldn't fling tentacles onto the deck, ensnare pirates, and hurl them into the harbor. Sadly.

Isla, unaware of her attempt to use her magic, rested a hand on her shoulder. "Kaylina, no matter what happens, I apologize. I don't think I was wrong to try to protect Vlerion—by the moon gods, I hope he can outsmart those assassins tonight—but I'm sorry for hiring people to kidnap you. It wasn't… You don't deserve…"

The faintest of noises sounded, not in Kaylina's ears but in her mind. At least, that was how it seemed to her. Short bleeps repeated.

They reminded her of the flowers that had shrieked in the druid ruins, though those had made noise that she'd heard with her ears. Sharply. This was different, but it also seemed like an alarm. Could the plant she'd touched with her mind be sending out a warning to other aquatic vegetation in the harbor?

Something rocked the ship, and Isla's grip on Kaylina's shoulder tightened.

Had that been her seaweed? Bumping against the hull? Maybe the altered aquatic plant was more substantial than seaweed. Though she could sense its magic, Kaylina had no idea what it looked like.

"Was that a wave?" Isla asked. "The harbor waters are usually quiet, even in storms, and it's not stormy."

No, it was foggy. Kaylina hoped the beast could use that to his advantage.

Thank you for your help, she thought to the plant—or, more likely, mass of plants—below. If you could do more like that, it might assist us. At the least, it might help Vlerion if the ship was rocking about as the assassins fired at him, or whatever they planned.

She almost asked if the plant could break through the hull and reach up to their cabin. Visions of swimming out through a hole came to mind, but Kaylina doubted even a substantial aquatic plant could do that.

The ship rocked again. A few raised voices sounded on the deck above.

"What in all the altered orchards is going on?" someone demanded.

Altered sea orchards maybe, Kaylina thought, feeling a little smug. Though maybe she shouldn't have since she was still trapped.

A few bangs and thumps floated down from the deck. She imagined men running around, trying to figure out what kept nudging the ship. It rocked again, as if another wave had swept in from the Strait.

A squeak came from the ship's ladder, and the muskrat bounded into view. It had something in its mouth. Kaylina sucked in a breath, hoping for a key, but the creature might have caught a mouse.

Her reaction must have made Isla curious, because she leaned her shoulder against Kaylina's so she could look out.

Whatever the muskrat gripped in its mouth clinked as it ran, hitting the floor.

"Maybe it does have a key," Kaylina mused, trying not to get her hopes up, but when the animal bounded up crates tied to the wall near the door, she couldn't help but believe it was working with them.

Even with that thought in mind, the muskrat startled her when it jumped toward the window.

Isla shrieked and scurried back. Kaylina managed not to cry out, but she did leap out of the way. Only as the muskrat sailed through, clipping one of the bars and dropping what it held, did she realize it might hurt itself if it landed hard. It wasn't a cat .

She lunged out and caught the animal. Its long tail slapped her arm, and its startled squeak was almost as loud as Isla's shriek.

Kaylina hurried to set it down when its claws scratched her through her shirt. Once down, the muskrat ran around the cabin. It didn't help that the ship rocked again, hard enough to tilt the deck.

"Check on the prisoners," someone near the ship's ladder barked. "They're making a lot of noise."

"They're scared by the ship rocking. There aren't any waves. What's hitting us? Whales?"

"There aren't any whales in the harbor. Water's too shallow, you idiot."

" Something is down there."

Kaylina willed the muskrat to calm down, trying to use the same magic that she'd drawn upon to soothe the beast, but she didn't reach out to touch the animal. Its claws had been bad enough. She didn't want to experience its bite.

Footsteps sounded in the corridor. The muskrat stopped squeaking and ran behind the bucket.

A shadow preceded one of the pirates stepping up to the door to peer in. Isla, who'd recovered from her surprise, lunged to step on something.

"What's going on in there?" one of the pirates who'd escorted them to the cell asked. "You girls are getting a mite feisty."

"We're afraid, you criminal ass," Isla snapped, angry for the first time Kaylina could remember. "What's happening to the ship?"

"We'll let you know when we figure it out, but the Osprey's sturdy. Don't you worry. Some waves aren't anything you need to worry about."

"What about whales?" Kaylina asked, adding concern to her voice. Whatever kept the pirates from thinking they were up to something. Thankfully, the muskrat remained out of sight behind the bucket. "Or sharks ?"

The man snorted. "Neither can bother the ship."

As if to deny his words, something bumped against the hull, and the vessel rocked again.

"There's something swimming out here," came a call from above decks.

"It is a whale!"

"You can't see that in the fog, you idiot. There's nothing?—"

The ship rocked again.

"One of the mooring lines snapped!"

"Look, there's another whale."

Kaylina spread her legs for balance. She had no idea what was happening. All she could think was that the altered plant had raised an alarm that other plants—and sea life—in the area could sense. And they were responding. Protecting the plant? Protecting her ?

The pirate squinted at her, and she attempted to mask her face.

"The assassin said to especially watch you," he growled. "He said you've got some power . I scoffed, but I wonder."

Kaylina spread her arms and attempted to look innocent. "Humans don't have power. I'm just a girl, and I'm as worried about whatever is happening as you are. More worried. It's not like we can run if there's a hole in the ship, and it starts sinking."

"Ship's not going to sink while docked." He eyed her chest.

Realizing she'd invited that with her spread arms, Kaylina crossed them over her chest.

"But if you're scared, I can come in there and comfort you."

"That's not necessary," Kaylina said, though she caught Isla raising her eyebrows. Thinking about the seduction plan they'd discussed?

If Isla had under her foot what Kaylina thought she had, she had no interest in kissing a pirate.

A roar sounded, closer this time. The beast had to still be on land, but he might be perched on a roof near the docks, looking in this direction.

"All hands on deck," came an order from above.

Their unwelcome visitor pulled his gaze from Kaylina's chest. "I'll be back to comfort your fears later." He winked before leaving.

"Won't that be a joyful time," she muttered.

Isla moved her foot and stared down at a bronze key on the deck. Her mouth parted, and she gazed at Kaylina. In wonder? Or like she was strange? Kaylina couldn't tell, but it reminded her of the looks Jankarr gave her these days.

The muskrat sniffed its way out from behind the pot and wove between Kaylina's legs, much like Isla's cat had done when Kaylina had first visited. She refused to pick it up and pet it, especially after it had clawed her arms.

"I understood and believed from the beginning that Captain Targon was right," Isla said softly, "that you are an anrokk and that animals are drawn to you. But I didn't…" Her gaze shifted to the brand. "Everything you said is true, isn't it?"

Uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Kaylina stepped past the muskrat and picked up the key. "Everything I told you is true as I experienced it. People—and plants—could have been lying to me about some things or might not have known for sure themselves, but, by now, I do believe that some ancestor of mine was a druid. Maybe my father."

Isla watched her take the key to the door and reach her arm through the window. Now, her gaze was almost reverent.

As Kaylina groped for the lock hole, her shoulder twisted awkwardly, she hoped she wouldn't prove herself a klutz by dropping the key. She didn't know if the muskrat would be willing to fling itself through the window a second time.

As she found the lock, the ship rocked again, pitching her against the door. She barely kept hold of her prize, and it took another moment to slide the key in. Finally, it turned, and she pushed the door open.

"Freedom," she whispered to Isla, then glanced left and right, making sure the corridor was empty.

The muskrat scurried out first, brushing past her leg and whacking her with its tail. Yes, she truly had the adoration of wildlife.

"I underestimated you," Isla said.

"It's all right."

"Maybe… maybe you can lift Vlerion's curse." For the first time, hope entered Isla's eyes.

Even though she didn't yet know how she would do it, Kaylina nodded firmly. "I will."

"Steady!" someone above ordered. "Wait until you're sure it's near."

It. The beast?

"He's a he," Kaylina whispered, stepping into the corridor and holding the door for Isla as the ship continued to rock. "We'll have to see if we can dive over the edge while they're distracted." Kaylina suspected the gangplank had been retracted, and if mooring lines were snapping, they might not be close to the dock anymore. "Can you swim?"

"Yes." Isla crept after her. "Will your power protect us from the whales?"

"I think the fact that humans don't taste good to whales will protect us." Kaylina ducked into the cabin with her weapons. Her sling and knife had fallen to the deck, but they were there.

"Hold your fire," a voice called from farther away than the others. Someone on the dock? It wasn't Vlerion, but it sounded familiar. "I'm coming aboard to speak with Venegarth and assist in this matter."

"That's Spymaster Sabor," Isla said.

Kaylina grimaced, but she was right. If not for the distance muffling his voice, Kaylina would have identified him sooner. "Was he really supposed to meet you—us—down here?"

"No. I lied. He did call me to the royal castle with a message saying he wanted to discuss Vlerion, but it didn't mention you."

"That sounds right. He barely acknowledged my existence, even when he was offering me as a reward—a bribe —if Vlerion did what he wanted."

Before heading up the steps, Kaylina glanced around, hoping to spot another way out, but the only other exit from the corridor was a ladder descending to a lower level.

She crept up the steps, sling in hand, intending to brain anyone who attacked the beast. If she got a chance, she would brain Sabor twice. The bastard.

At the top, the door was secured open, the fog denser than ever. Good. That would make it easier to sneak overboard. Except… Kaylina wanted to stay and help Vlerion if she could. Maybe she could direct Isla overboard and find a nook from which she could hurl rounds without drawing attention.

Someone jogged past, but she could barely make out the face. A pirate? An assassin? It seemed everyone was preparing to attack the beast.

"It is rare that he who hires an assassin comes to assist with the kill," a cool accented voice came from a railing nearby. That speaker was also familiar. The leader, Venegarth.

"Is it?" Sabor responded. He sounded like he was on the dock near the ship. "I wish to ensure you're successful."

"Do you? You told me little of this aristocrat, of the power that he possesses. Of what he can become."

Kaylina winced, wondering how many witnesses were onboard to hear this. Vlerion's secret was well on its way to becoming common knowledge.

"I assumed you would believe you'd been brought to deal with someone powerful," Sabor said, "else why wouldn't I have drawn from my own troops?"

"I've lost several of my men, several of my well-trained, skilled, and enhanced men. Even veteran assassins who consume the special roots from the desert may not be enough to battle one who can turn into a monster. But I think perhaps you knew that."

"I just hired you to do a job," Sabor said. "From your reputation, I assumed you'd be able to handle it, especially when you showed up with ten men."

"Did you?" Venegarth asked softly. "Or do you have some vendetta against the tribes? Did you lure us here, hoping to see many of our strongest warriors killed?"

"Nothing of the sort." Sabor scoffed. "The tribes are insignificant to the kingdom. Your squabbles with the sandsteaders keep you perennially busy, and your people are no threat to Zaldor. I brought you to do this job, nothing more. And tonight, I've come to see you complete it. Assuming you can."

In the silence that followed, Kaylina shifted, aware of Isla crouching behind her on the steps—and that they would be caught if any of the crew ran belowdecks.

But all movement on the ship had stopped. The pirates seemed to be listening and watching the exchange between Venegarth and Sabor.

"Is it a test?" Isla breathed.

Kaylina looked back.

"Sabor has made it clear he wants to use my son—the beast—to get rid of the Virts and other threats," Isla whispered, "but I don't think he's ever seen the beast fight. Maybe he set this all up with the assassins to see if the beast is as deadly as he's heard."

Kaylina hadn't considered that, but she had been confused about Sabor wanting Vlerion dead.

"I don't know," she whispered.

"If that assassin succeeds, I'll kill Sabor myself," Isla said.

"The whales are still circling," someone said from the bow of the ship. "And I saw a shark fin."

"Is he capable of calling wildlife too?" Venegarth asked. "How many other powers does that man possess? How did he gain them?"

"He doesn't have any power except shifting." After a pause, Sabor added, "You said you have the girl?"

"In a cell."

Sabor's voice turned dry. "You might want to check if she's still there."

Kaylina cursed to herself and drew back, bumping Isla. They might have to hide on that lower level and hope for the best.

In case it helped, she tried to reach toward the altered aquatic plant below, willing it to sound that alarm even more loudly, whatever might prompt the whales to bump against the ship again and distract the men. The last few minutes had been quiet and still.

"You didn't mention her powers either," Venegarth said. "You didn't mention her at all. We underestimated her."

"Until recently, I wasn't aware that she had any power of significance. Or what she is."

"What is she?"

"Part Daygarii, we believe. Check to see if she's still in your cell."

"You're paying me to kill a man, not take orders about other matters."

Footsteps sounded, someone heading toward Kaylina and Isla.

Help , she whispered in her thoughts, trying to rouse the plant.

The alarm that had been bleeping in her mind earlier grew audible again, and thumps sounded as creatures bumped the ship. It rocked enough for people to curse and grab railings. Kaylina planted a hand on the wall, and Isla gripped her shoulder for balance.

Splashes sounded as the vessel rolled back and forth. Another thump came from the hull directly beneath Kaylina.

Thank you, she thought to the plants. Keep it up, please.

"Let's sneak you over the railing," Kaylina whispered to Isla.

But even as she rose, an angry roar echoed across the foggy harbor. This time, it came not from the city but from the dock. The beast had arrived.