Page 147 of Grave Situation

“We only plan to stay one night,” Peiris assures him. “We leave at dawn.”

“Or slightly after,” I add. Dawn is so early, after all, and it’s been a while since I’ve been able to enjoy a bed and a meal that I didn’t have to either forage or watch someone skin first. “But definitely we’ll be gone before the merchants get here.”

“Very well. The berthing fee?—”

“Mage Silverbright!”

My head snaps in the direction of the voice, my magic racing through my body and rising to?—

Oh.

It’s a face I never expected to see again, but one I’ll never forget. How can I? He literally changed my life.

“Wat? Wat Shien?”

“You know him?” Coryn murmurs, his hand still on his sword as the farmer hurries over, dragging another man with him.

“Yes. It’s fine.” I don’t have time to say more.

“Mage Silverbright! What a happy surprise! Did you come to visit? My wife and I would be thrilled to have you at the farm. It’s only a few hours’ ride that way.” He points away from the river.

Uh… “That’s very kind of you, but we’re just passing through and need to leave in the morning,” I manage, wishing Jaimin wasn’t on the boat still. He’s much better in these situations than I am. “It’s good to see you, though.” I glance at Coryn and Peiris. “This is Wat Shien. He delivered a message to my master a few months ago.”

Peiris’s eyes widen and flash to my chest, where the stone is tucked safely under my shirt. It takes Coryn a second longer, but then he takes his hand off his sword and offers it to Wat. “I’m Coryn. It’s very good to meet you.”

While they exchange pleasantries, I check in with the stone.Is this supposed to happen? Is it significant?

The noncommittal pulse tells me it’s likely a very strange coincidence that in the whole of southern Camblin, we’ve come to the place where the stone was found.

“Mage Silverbright, meet my brother-in-law, Virk,” Wat says, gesturing to the man with him. “He sailed me all the way up to Lenle and saved me so much time.”

I remember him saying that, and offer my hand to the thin-faced man. “We’re grateful for your assistance. The message was important.”

“I knew I had to help,” Virk says gravely, then squints. “Can’t remember why, though.” He looks past me to Peiris’s boat. “This yours?”

“Yes,” Peiris confirms.

“And you’re only here for one night?” He turns to the dockmaster. “They can berth at my docks. I have the space, and it’ll save you the paperwork in the morning.”

The dockmaster looks a lot happier. “That would be wonderful.” He glances at us. “If it suits you?”

“Where are your docks?” Peiris asks, and Virk points down to the other end of the village, where the docks are backed by big barnlike buildings.

“Down there. I own a freight shipping business and transport crops and other farm goods from this area down to Josanin and even to other cities along the coast. I have guards patrolling the docks all night, so your vessel will be safe there.”

This can’t truly be a coincidence.Did you really have nothing to do with this?

The stone remains stubbornly silent.

Peiris glances inquiringly at me, then smiles at Virk. “That’s a very kind offer, and we’d be most grateful.”

“No trouble at all. Happy to do a favor for a friend of Wat’s. We’ll meet you down there and get you settled,” Virk assures us, and the manners my dear departed nanny drilled into me rear their head.

“You’ll join us for a drink too, I hope? We need to visit the market, but then we’d like to buy a drink for you both.”

Wat grins broadly. “A drink with a mage? That’ll be something to tell my wife when I get home tonight.”

“This is all I need,”I murmur, sinking neck-deep into the water and letting my eyes close. “Just have someone bring my supper. I’m staying here until we have to leave.”

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