Page 146 of Grave Situation

A pang of regret runs through me as I realize that leaving Caimae will meanleaving Caimae. This city has felt very welcoming for me, even in its abandoned state. I wonder if Master will remember to look into the idea that gods can leave residual energy in places, or if he’ll forget in his urgency to find information on the godsborn.

“How far is the nearest good-sized village?” I ask Peiris, who considers the question carefully.

“With the current in our favor, perhaps three hours away?”

“Let’s add another hour to get to your boat and ready to sail,” I muse, even though I have absolutely zero idea of what’s involved in readying a boat to sail. The boat can’t be too big, because Peiris sailed it on their own, but it’s not small if it has three cabins and enough deck space for six horses. “And some time to get settled and find what we need when we get there. Westill don’t need to go for another few hours. Arimen, will that be enough time for you to say goodbye?”

At first I think he’s going to burst into tears, but then he squares his shoulders and lifts his chin. “It’s not goodbye,” he declares. “I’ll be back. You’ll come with me, won’t you? When all this is over?”

Me? He wantsmeto come with him? I’m absurdly touched. “Of course. I like it here too. But how about we sail here on a comfortable pleasure yacht we can sleep on? And come a lot better prepared.”

He nods fervently. “I know priests are supposed to live a simple life, but this might be too simple even for me.”

Peiris coughs, and when I glance over, laughter is dancing in their eyes.

“Living a simple life is a lot more complicated than people tell you,” I say dryly. “Are we all good with the plan, then? We leave in three hours?”

There’s a chorus of general agreement, and as our morning huddle around the fire breaks up, Coryn sidles up to me.

“Talon?” he murmurs, and I really hope he’s going to ask for a hug. “Is Jaimin okay?”

Damn. I’m not prepared for this question, even though I should have been. “Yes.”

He eyes me, gaze full of doubt.

“He didn’t sleep well,” I add. It’s true. “The whole godsborn thing took him off guard.” Also true.

Coryn nods slowly but still seems worried. “Do you think he needs a hug?”

“Probably. I know I could use one.” The me of a few months ago wouldn’t believe I could ever say such a thing.

My big blond friend opens his arms, and I decide that past me was an idiot for a lot of reasons. Hugs are amazing. A genuinehug from a friend has the kind of power no mage will ever be able to harness.

Over Coryn’s shoulder, my gaze tracks Jaimin. He’s methodically packing his things, but his face is drawn and his gaze distant.

I hope Master finds something really soon.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

“This would be a good place,”Peiris announces, turning the… steering thing. The boat responds, changing direction toward the village on the west bank of the river.

I study it as we approach. They’re right—this one is bigger than the two we’ve passed since leaving Caimae, with busy docks and what looks like a good-sized market. We’ll be able to resupply here, and usually towns like this have a few decent inns. I clap them on the shoulder. “Good choice.”

They steer toward what looks like an open space down one end. “We’ll need to leave someone aboard to guard,” they warn. “Even small towns like this have their fair share of troublemakers, and strangers are the best people to rob, since you don’t have to see them in the town square every day.”

The more I get to know Peiris, the more I like them.

“That’s not a good outlook to have,” Arimen protests from behind us. “Most people are good!”

You’d think, after everything he’s heard and seen since joining us, that his starry-eyed naivete would have dimmed a little.

“Most people are,” Peiris agrees patiently—more patiently than I could manage. “But it won’t hurt to leave a guard, just in case one of them isn’t.”

I’m saved from having to hear Arimen’s response when we bump gently against the dock. Peiris leaps gracefully to the pier, rope in hand, and loops it around the cleat there for that purpose. Coryn throws another rope, and they fasten that one to a different cleat. It’s really very efficient.

By the time Coryn and I are on the dock—we told Jaimin to wait with Arimen and the horses while we arranged berthing for the night—the dockmaster has come to talk to Peiris.

“…one night, but tomorrow we’re expecting several merchant ships and we’ll need the space.”

---