Page 59 of The Storm of the Empire

“Follow my lead,” he muttered as we stepped aboard.

The ship bustled with activity. The tide was about to change, and they would need to get the ship out soon or miss it.

“What is the plan?” I hissed, eyeing our surroundings to stay on my guard.

“I usually try to slip into the work unnoticed. Most times, acting like I belong in a place is enough to make everyone around me believe it.” He picked up some boxes and nodded for me to do the same.

“You just slip right in, don’t you?” a voice said from behind us, startling me.

Luka put on his best roguish smile before looking over his shoulder. “I’m no stranger to hard work.”

We both turned to face this male who was obviously the friend Luka was seeking. His scent hit me, and mine must have hit him at the same time because our eyes met in recognition.

Dragon.

He studied me for long moments, then returned his gaze to Luka. “I didn’t think we were gonna have a supervisor this shipment.”

“No watch duty this go around,” Luka said with ease. “Just taking the ride with the cargo if that’s okay with you?”

The dragon sized him up, then looked down at the papers he clutched. “I did offer it to you if you needed it…but how far are you going?”

“That depends on where you’re heading. I’m hoping you’ll at least get us part of the way to our destination.”

“We are hitting a few ports but eventually going to The Ice Kingdom.” Faolan replied, taking my question in stride despite having already told me his destination at the temple. I like this fae for that reason. Much like myself he rolled with the situation, understanding that at times you just had to assume everyone was being cagey and act accordingly. If I didn’t bring it up, neither would he.

“Is that where you’re taking our things?”

“Some of it.”

“Are you picking up in the Fifth?”

“Let me check.” The dragon licked his index finger and shuffled through the parchment papers while his gaze scanned over the neat writing. “We have a pick up there, actually.” He switched his attention to Luka. “How did you know?”

“I used to handle the shipments there. I’m heading back to check on them.” He gave him a knowing smile, and I was speechless at how easily it came to him.

The dragon mirrored his easy smile. “Something tells me you should be doing my job. I hope you’re not in the market to take it.”

Luka held up his hands. “I serve the Goddess. I go where She needs me.”

“Do you have a duty with the order?” He held Luka’s gaze, and I could sense he was testing him.

Luka didn’t waiver. “I am an observer. I go where She calls to make sure Her will is followed.”

“And you have a passenger with you?” He nodded, his attention returning to his parchment, pointedly not acknowledging that I was a fellow dragon. Neither of us needed passage on this ship when we could easily out fly it, so we both had other motives to be here.

“A passenger traveling with me in the Goddess’ service.”

“Does she have a name?” He didn’t look up.

I breathed out slowly not in a hurry to answer, running through all the reasons why it wouldn’t be a good idea to share my name. But no one in his world would know who I was. I was well-known among the training schools and in the palace, but on this ship, I was nobody. And it was always easier to answer to one’s real name. Before I could respond, Luka must have come to the same conclusion.

“She goes by Hazel.”

The dragon looked at me then and smiled. “Welcome aboard, I’m Faolan.”

The boat was as bustling as the dock, and we carried our crates into the flow of fae. We were shown below decks where we could store our cargo and then, to my surprise, we turned around to go and collect more. There I was thinking that carrying the crates was simply to get us on board, but apparently, we were doing the work.

I caught Luka’s eye in question, and he nodded once, telling me that, yes, this is how it’s done. We needed to work until the ship set sail or it would be obvious we didn’t belong.

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