by Stina Leicht
Kask said, “The conditions under which you’re permitted to return have not altered.”
“I know,” Dylan said.
“Why did you come back?”
“It’s been a long time,” Dylan said. “Too long. I miss my family. I miss—”
“That’s not worth risking your life. Your mother won’t be happy about this.”
“It’s time to—to sort things out.”
“I see,” Kask said. “Well, I have done what I could to keep your return as … quiet as possible.”
“What about Darius? Is he—”
“He’s fine. Hasn’t stopped working toward reconciliation from the first day you left.”
“Sounds like him,” Dylan said, searching the crowd. “Where is he?”
“He’ll arrive tonight with the Laughing Sea Horse.”
“Isn’t that Isak Whitewave’s ship?”
“It is,” Kask said. “They’re ship brothers now.”
“Really?”
“Before you get upset, I want you to know that I made it very clear that should anything unusual happen, Isak would be held responsible. It was Darius’s choice,” Kask said. “I was against it, but he insisted.”
“I understand,” Dylan said. “Darius was always stubborn.”
“Not unlike other persons I could name,” Kask said.
Dylan sighed. “I’m sorry. Everything is—is … I wish—”
“I know,” Kask said. “I do too. In any case, I thought you and Darius would like to reunite with one another privately. Arrangements were made. Unfortunately, I was only able to force Isak to delay the duel until tomorrow night.”
“I appreciate that,” Dylan said.
Kask asked, “Have you come prepared?”
“I have,” Dylan said.
Kask appeared to scan the rest of the Eledorean contingent. “If you have no second, one will be provided.”
I hadn’t thought of that. Suvi wondered if any of the marines might help Dylan. Then she realized she didn’t know what the qualifications for a Waterborne second would be, let alone what would be required of one. What little she knew of dueling she’d learned secondhand from Nels. I don’t even know if a Waterborne duel bears any resemblance to an Eledorean one.
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Dylan said.
Kask asked, “Who, then—”
“I will enter the circle without one,” Dylan said.
Kask said. “I can’t allow—”
“Yet it is my wish,” Dylan said.
“Is it your wish to commit suicide?” Kask asked, frowning.
“No, Father.” Dylan held his father’s gaze.
The two of them locked wills in silence until Kask finally looked away. “We will discuss this later and in private. There is time yet. And your friends are probably thirsty after such a long walk.” Kask signaled to the wall.
A loud whistle sounded, and the iron portcullis lifted. It took Suvi the distance of the courtyard to register that the place wasn’t used as a long-term residence. Other than the group who met them at the gate, there were no townspeople. She didn’t see evidence of market stalls, and above all, no children. It occurred to her that the entire island might be intended as a place where outsiders were met. Each building was decorated with intricate carvings of swirls and waves and sea creatures—dolphins, whales, fish, and sharks. She recognized some, having visited the port city of Mehrinna’s beaches when she was younger, but there were a few animals that she didn’t. In particular, a giant creature with multiple arms shaped like slender tree branches or snakes. Its head was bulbous and pointed, the eyes round and flat. The monster was huge in proportion to the stylized ship it clutched. The image gave Suvi a shiver.
They were led up wide, blue-carpeted stairs, and didn’t stop until the fifth, topmost floor. There, they entered through a set of tall double doors fashioned from teak. They appeared to have been salvaged from an old ship. Suvi could see where the barnacles had been scraped off.
Kask turned to her. “Lake Marshal Hännenen, you will leave your escort here.”
Jami began to protest, but Suvi hushed her with a motion of her hand. “They will remain as you wish.” She gave Jami a hard look. Then Suvi followed Kask and Dylan through another set of doors and into a private study. Rows of books lined the walls, yet the room managed to give off a shipboard quality. That was when she understood some of the ships from which the decor had originated weren’t all Waterborne.
“I hope my gifts were satisfactory,” she said. On Dylan’s recommendation, she’d sent a small shipment of ironwood and teak along with her request for council. Waterborne custom dictated such an exchange at the start of business negotiations. It was considered polite. Since all the ironwood forests in Eledore were owned by her family and most of them were managed by her uncle, she felt it was particularly fitting.
“Eledorean teak is quite valuable, but the ironwood is a rarity. It is much appreciated. Thank you.” Kask went to the sideboard and poured himself a drink. “Lake Marshal Hännenen, would you like something?”
“No, thank you,” Suvi said. She risked rudeness but wanted to keep her wits about her.
Turning to Dylan, Kask asked, “What will you have? Whiskey?”
“Yes,” Dylan said.
They then settled into comfortable antique Ytlainen wingback chairs arranged in the middle of the study—she recognized them from the vast amount of decorative scrollwork carved into the legs. It was a style her mother hated. Kask offered her a clay pipe and tobacco, which she refused. He filled one for himself and lit it. After a couple of puffs, he leaned back in his chair. The pleasant scent of good tobacco filled the room. He sipped the amber liquid in his crystal glass. Suvi could smell it from where she sat.
“Well, then. The niceties have been observed. We can get to business,” Kask said. “What is so urgent?”
Dylan gave her an encouraging look, and Suvi took a deep breath before taking the plunge. “We have reason to believe that an individual within Clan Kask is selling information about Eledorean troop movements and shipping routes to the Acrasians.”
Kask frowned and set down his glass. “That’s impossible.”
“I’m afraid we have proof,” Suvi said.
Blinking, Kask paused. “Were I to consider what you claim to be even a remote possibility … and I’m not saying that I do … what kind of proof?”
“Before we get into specifics,” Suvi said, taking control. “We will need to discuss compensation.”
She watched Kask’s frown deepen. “I see,” he said.
“Now you understand why I had to come home,” Dylan said.
Kask asked, “You bring your friend here to blackmail your clan?”
Dylan said, “That isn’t what this is about.”
“You’ve changed,” Kask said. “You’ve been too long among—”
Dylan got up from his chair. “Stop it! Listen to me, please!”
“Why should I? If you betrayed your clan once before—”
“I didn’t! I told the truth! Why won’t you listen to me?” Dylan stepped to his father’s side. The force of his stride thumped the wooden floor through the rug.
Suvi was abruptly reminded of certain confrontations between her father and her brother. The scene was so familiar that she almost laughed.
“Listen?” Kask asked. “Listen? You never gave an explanation. Never made a defense against the charges. You never even accepted Isak’s challenge. You never said a word. Instead, you fled like a coward.” He stood up. “What am I supposed to think? You just vanished!”
“I—You—I—” Dylan threw his hands up in the air in defeat and frustration. “I couldn’t!”
“You couldn’t what?” Kask asked.
“Why don’t you listen to Lake Marshal Hännenen? She has the proof that I didn’t have.” Dylan glanced her direction and then turned away from his father.
Kask’s question was quiet. “Who were you protecting?�
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Suvi saw the shock on Dylan’s face.
“How did you know?” Dylan asked.
“You’re my son,” Kask said. “You think I don’t know you?” He paused and then sat down again. “Well, I used to. Or I … thought I did. For the most part.”
“I was protecting you,” Dylan said. “As I am now.”
Kask’s eyes narrowed. “You have a funny way of showing it.”
“The shipment I was accused of smuggling,” Dylan said. “It belonged to Isak.”
“Darius said as much,” Kask said, “But neither of us understood how—”
“How doesn’t matter, Father. The past is the past,” Dylan said. “What matters now is, Isak hasn’t stopped stealing or dealing in bloodflower.”
“That’s strictly forbidden. He can’t—”
“He wants control of the clan. And he’ll do anything to get it. Including betraying the trust of certain Ytlainen clients by spying for the Acrasians and then laying the blame on you.”
“That’s a very serious charge,” Kask said.
“I know,” Dylan said. “And I knew I’d need proof. And the only way I could get it to you safely was to have Lake Marshal Hännenen bring it.”
“Eledoreans aren’t known for their generosity,” Kask said. “In exchange for what?”
“I told her you’d be willing to grant a favorable shipping contract as well as safe passage for Eledorean troop transports through Clan Kask waters.”
Kask gaped. “Are you mad? I can’t do that!”
“You can,” Dylan said. “More importantly, you’ll want to. The Sea Mother will want the proof. Father, this is bigger than Clan Kask. Isak Whitewave isn’t acting alone.”
“You think a rival clan is involved?” Kask asked.
“I do,” Dylan said.
“All right,” Kask said and turned to her. “Let me see what you have, then.”
Suvi reached for the case Dylan had been carrying. “I have copies of several intercepted messages.” Opening the case, she brought out the twenty messages that she’d gotten from Jami and handed them to Kask.
As she watched, Kask flipped through the messages and read each one twice before setting them aside. Then he finished his drink in one gulp, clamped his pipestem between his teeth, and went to the sideboard. There, he poured himself another. “How many of your people know of this, Lake Marshal Hännenen?”
“This information isn’t widely known,” Suvi said. “I’m afraid my uncle knows. And he’s told my father. My father won’t do anything until Uncle clears it first. My uncle is set to discuss the matter with King Edvard of Ytlain. However, Uncle agreed to wait until I’d spoken with you first.”
“I see,” Kask said, and then swallowed the contents of his second glass.
“She wanted you to know before this became public,” Dylan said.
“And why would she want that?” Kask asked. “Tell me, what is it specifically that you want from us, Hännenen?”
At least he gets to the point quickly, Suvi thought. “Only what your son has mentioned—a closer relationship between Clan Kask and Eledore.” She needed to be specific. Dylan had told her that she could only negotiate with one clan at a time. The clans existed as a loose confederacy under a regent who commanded only in times of emergency. Unlike Eledore, leadership of the Waterborne Nations wasn’t hereditary. The Sea Mother served for a lifetime and then was replaced with a suitable candidate from among the clans. Also unlike Eledore, only women could rule.
Kask raised an eyebrow. “And you have the authority to speak for all of Eledore, Lake Marshal Hännenen?”
“I speak specifically for the Eledorean Royal Navy,” Suvi said, inwardly cursing her mistake. “I’m also authorized to offer you a modest ironwood supply, a great deal of teak, as well as several tons of hemp.”
“Interesting.” Kask paused. “Continue.”
Suvi said, “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up the proposed quantities, delivery dates, and other details.” She accepted the second leather folio from Dylan and gave it to Kask.
Kask didn’t move to accept the folio. “Do you have access to Eledorean water steel?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Would you be willing to add a small quantity of water steel to your offer?”
Suvi paused.
Eledore had once been famous for its sword-making, but that had been a hundred years before. Now the blades were treasured, passed from one generation of soldiers to the next, and were almost never seen outside of the country. There were reasons for that. Most were rumored to be haunted by their former bearers. All bore some form of magical mark from their makers—some more than others. Newer blades had been forged since, but none were referred to as water steel, and none were as valued. She wasn’t familiar enough with the process of sword-making to understand why. Perhaps he doesn’t understand the difference?
“You’re asking a great deal for someone in your position,” Suvi said. She hadn’t intended to sound quite so offended, but the question had caught her off guard.
Kask held up a hand. “Don’t misunderstand. There is a very good reason why I’ve asked. A reason that should concern both our interests.”
“And?” Suvi did her best not to show unease. She didn’t know what her uncle would’ve done, but her father would’ve been extremely insulted by Kask’s request. It alone would’ve ended the meeting then and there. We need Kask. Don’t botch this. Panic emptied her mind until suddenly another, simpler option occurred to her. “If there is a problem the Royal Navy can assist you with, I am willing to consider the matter.” Maybe I won’t give you water steel, but I might loan you a few marines armed with it. She didn’t think she could give the Waterborne much in the way of military support—Eledore was at war, after all, but it was an option within her power. The swords weren’t.
“Perhaps we should discuss the problem in detail after dinner,” Kask said. His expression changed, and he looked weighed down with concern and worry. “It would be ill luck to speak of such matters at the start of a relationship.” He finished a third glass of whiskey, and Suvi thought she detected a slight tremor in the hand that lifted the glass.
He’s terrified. His reactions took on newer meaning, and she attempted to hide her surprise. She had a bad feeling. How much did the Waterborne know about water steel? What kind of a problem would force him to take a chance with such a request? Glancing at Dylan, she could see he was equally tense and distracted—although no one who didn’t know him would be able to see it. She assumed it was the impending duel. Or is it?
Damn it, she thought. I really need to talk to him in private.
“Forgive my manners. The rest of your party is waiting,” Kask said. “You are no doubt hungry, and would like to prepare for dinner. I’ll have someone show you to your rooms. We should resume this discussion after we eat. Then I’ve something I must show you.”
TWO
Located on the first floor, the dining area was an open room with a high ceiling, and was flanked with rows of tall, glass-paned windows. All the sashes had been thrown open. Thin, white floor-length curtains danced in the sea breeze blowing in from the shore. Suvi had a wonderful view of the sunset over the crowded bay. There were no chairs. The colorful silk cushion she was sitting on felt slick and soft beneath her, and the dinner had been laid out on a fifteen-foot-long teak table. Stroking the worn but polished surface with a fingertip, it was obvious that it too had once been part of a ship. The room was lit with a series of mismatched hanging lamps. Upon entering, she’d examined the brass label on one of them. It listed a ship’s name, its country of origin, and the date the ship was taken.
Suvi was seated across from Sea Lord Kask and was impressed with the lavish multicourse meal. Fresh oranges, grapes, lemons, and limes were rarely seen in Eledore, even at her father’s table. She had to discipline herself not to gorge on Acrasian blood oranges. A clanswoman acting the role of table servant poured the wine.
Suvi waved away the marine stationed at her side who reached for her glass. The red wine tasted fruity and full with a hint of cherry on her tongue. It smelled ever so slightly peppery and the color was a distinctive shade of blood red with a purple tint in the candlelight. She swallowed and smiled as she recognized it.
“The wine is very good,” she said. “Better than any of my uncle’s vintages by far.” Of course, it would be impolite to point out that she knew it as originating from her uncle’s vineyard. How did Kask get it? Through Ytlain? There were only two vineyards in all of Eledore, her father’s and her uncle’s. Both were maintained magically because Eledore’s climate wasn’t suitable for grapes. It was possible her uncle had traded the wine at some point. However, it was highly unlikely that he’d done so with the Waterborne. What is Kask hinting at? Is this a display of power? An insult?
Kask nodded, accepting her compliment. “I’ll have a cask sent back with you when you go. A gift.”
“That’s most generous of you,” Suvi said.
The second course consisted primarily of meats, fish, sauces, and a few vegetables. Groups of Waterborne bearing trays entered and left the room. The scent of fresh-roasted meat filled the air. Other trays of fish, oysters, and assorted sea creatures arrived. Suvi sampled as much as she could manage. The sauces were heavily spiced and as varied in cultural roots as the surrounding architecture. She tasted dishes she’d never encountered before from lands she’d never heard of, while Kask recited stories of his encounters on the seas—huge storms and waves more vast than buildings, giant sharks capable of sinking ships, and lightning that danced in the rigging. Dylan remained silent, and those serving didn’t treat him any differently from the marines. He refused wine, drinking only spice-laced water. Although she’d been careful of the wine, by the end of the meal she was ever so slightly dizzy. She watched as the table was cleared and most of the serving Waterborne left.
Afternoon faded into evening. Hundreds of scented candles and oil lamps were lit. Suvi fought to remain alert. If Kask were anything like her father, he’d choose this moment to solidify the contract—the moment when she was most relaxed.
