Not much is going according to plan today, but the mortal children are out and many ships’ worth of innocent people will be sailing from here. That is no small victory.
We rush toward the Silver Mage, Jarek shouting, “Move!” Mortals huddle out of the way.
“No pushing! There’s room for all of ya!” Pan calls out over the noise, trying to manage the crowd as Gesine and Zorya guide people along the boarding plank. Seamus and his people usher them downstairs.
“I wouldn’t say that.” Jarek regards the lengthy line and then the other ships. They’re filling up, too, their decks swarmed with clusters of people as crews unfasten lines in a rush, preparing to sail.
At the Silver Mage’s helm are Horik and Kaders. “Why is Horik holding a sword to him?”
“Because he deserves it, but let’s find out the reason.” Jarek pats Zorya’s shoulder once on his way past, hopping on the deck.
“Your Highness.” Gesine dips her head in greeting as I follow Jarek, earning a few curious glances.
“Have you seen Wendeline?” I ask.
She shakes her head and my worry grows. Wendeline is the one marking all the mortals. She’ll be a target for revenge.
I move past Gesine and grab Seamus’s arm to get his attention.
He grins and clasps my hand. “The south wind blows tonight.”
I return the smile despite everything. “And the north wind answers. You delivered on your promise.”
“And you delivered on yours. The seamen were eager to leave, and when the bells started tolling, even more so. Only one was in too much of a rush to wait for gold and passengers. The Tempest.” He nods toward a ship halfway out of the bay. “That surprised me. Aron’ll do just about anything for a payday.”
“Then Aron better hope he never meets me.”
“He may be foolish enough to show up at Northmost, but knowin’ him, he’ll sail all the way to Westport.”
At least it’s only one ship out of more than a dozen. “Have you seen the priestess?”
“Not since the ruckus at the castle started and the captain dragged her back with him.”
I curse. But maybe Boaz can keep her safe. I fetch an emerald I brought from Ulysede’s vault and place it into Seamus’s palm. “For your help leading them from Northmost to Ulysede. There’s another to match when you deliver them.”
His eyes widen. He quickly tucks it into his satchel with a nod and glances around. “I will do my best.”
I offer another thanks and then rush up the stairs to the navigation deck where Kaders looks ready to piss his pants.
“He tried to sail off,” Jarek explains.
“Aye, ya didn’t say you’d be slaughtering half the king’s guard!” Kaders scowls at the legionary.
My anger flares. “We paid you to take a hull full of mortals.”
“An’ the Silver Mage will never be welcome back after this.” Kaders points to the castle, where an orange glow grows. “You didn’t pay me enough.”
I’m not about to be shaken down by this guy. “We made a deal, and you are going to honor it.”
“This is still my ship!”
“And Her Highness thanks you so much for your service that one of her legionaries will accompany you, to ensure you have no challenges.” Jarek drops a heavy hand on the captain’s shoulder as he nods at Horik.
Horik dips his chin. “It would be my honor.”
Kaders’s face fills with confusion. “Her Highness?”
I slip my mask free for a moment, just long enough to watch the sailor’s mouth drop. “You.” He may not recognize Princess Romeria, but he recognizes when he’s been duped.
Horik clasps hands with his commander. “Until next time.”
“And there will be one,” Jarek answers before we’re moving again, rushing down the stairs. “The ship is almost full. They’ll be sailing soon.”
“Is it safe to have Horik so close to the sirens?”
“Kaders knows those waters and he will not risk his ship or himself. He’ll sail along the shore and cut in before they reach the real danger.” Jarek hops back onto the dock. “We’ve done what we can here. Seamus and his men will take care of the rest.”
The others follow and, together with Pan, we rush down the dock toward the street.
“We need to find Wendeline! We can’t leave her here.” Gracen made me promise to bring her back. “And Dagny’s husband is somewhere. And Annika—”