Eventually, she seemed to convince herself that he was asleep, despite his wide eyes staring toward the ceiling-but seeing only nightmares.
Rienne awoke with the first rays of sunlight creeping into the room. She stretched, rolled over to check on Gaven-and then leaped to her feet. Gaven was gone. The blanket she had draped over him the night before lay smoothed on his bed, and the pillow was fluffed. That, at least, told her that Gaven had gotten up and left the room in a more or less sound state of mind. She started for the door, stopped, and went back to lift Maelstrom from its place beside her bed. Then she went out to look for Gaven.
She was down the stairs and starting out the inn’s door when a voice stopped her. “Good, you’re up.” She whirled and saw Gaven sitting by a fireplace in the front room. She laughed.
“Sorry to be such a slugabed. Sleeping ‘til dawn-I ought to be ashamed of myself.”
“Are you ready to go?” Gaven said, standing up and walking over to join her. He didn’t smile.
“Well, almost. I left my things upstairs and-”
“Grab them and let’s go.”
Rienne started to say more, but decided against it. Gaven waited by the door as she ran back up the stairs to collect her pack. She hurried back down, and Gaven held the door open for her. He led her at a brisk pace toward the docks.
After a moment she hurried to catch up and walk beside him. “Gaven, are you all right?”
“Of course. Why?”
“Did you sleep at all?”
“No. But I dreamed a great deal.”
She waited a moment for more explanation, but quickly realized he wasn’t going to volunteer it. “Why the dawn rush this morning?”
“I’m anxious to get home.”
Rienne pulled Maelstrom, still in its scabbard, from the sash at her waist and swung it at his stomach. “Stop.”
He obliged her, scowling.
She stepped in front of him and looked up into his face. He didn’t meet her eyes. “Listen to me. You promised to explain everything. I didn’t take that to mean everything up to that point. You haven’t fulfilled that obligation-you can’t start the curt and cryptic act again. Because I can unsave your life, you know.” She pointed the tip of her scabbard into his throat, gently, to emphasize her point.
He met her eyes, still scowling. She saw the muscles in his neck and shoulders tensing, and for an instant she feared he might actually attack her. Then, slowly, his frown dissolved, and he almost smiled. “I’ll explain everything on the ship.”
“What ship?”
He smiled broadly at that. “You’ll see. If you start walking, that is. Come on!” He circled around her, laughing as he hustled toward the docks again.
Rienne made herself draw a calming breath. She could smell the sea air off Scions Sound, and she managed to catch some of Gaven’s enthusiasm for the journey ahead. She hurried to catch him, slapped her scabbard against his rear, and laughed at the expression of outraged surprise on his face. He joined her laughter, even as he drew the greatsword from his back.
“Careful with your little sword, there, Lady Alastra,” he said. “Don’t make me use this.”
“I’ll put Maelstrom up against your great big hunk of scrap metal for any wager,” Rienne shot back. “That’s an orc’s weapon-just swing it wildly back and forth and hope you hit something.” She noticed as she spoke that Gaven still carried the black wooden staff he’d had when she found him outside the Mournland. He had attached it to his scabbard with some care. She started to ask him about it, but he cut her off.
“There she is,” Gaven said, pointing with his sword.
He was pointing to a ship-and not just any ship. She was a great galleon, with two masts and an elegant aftcabin. Circling her, behind the mainmast, was a circle of elemental water, arcing high above the aftcabin and disappearing into the water on either side, reminiscent of the fiery ring around an airship. The water was in constant motion, churning in great rippling waves. She flew the kraken banner of House Lyrandar.
“Holy Host,” Rienne breathed.
Gaven laughed. “Now do you understand?”
“Who’s her captain?”
“Ah, that’s the rest of the surprise.” He sheathed his great-sword beside the ash staff, took her hand, and dragged her to the gangplank.
“Gaven! And the lovely Lady Alastra!” The man perched at the top of the gangplank was lean and weathered, his skin almost as dark as Rienne’s from exposure to the sun. His blue eyes gleamed behind an aquiline nose, and deep wrinkles etched his face, accentuating his warm smile. His hair was a close-cropped sprinkling of black and gray, revealing the tracings of a dragonmark that started at one temple and extended behind his ear, making one more appearance on the side of his neck before disappearing. Half a dozen gold rings glittered along the edge of one gently pointed ear. He threw his arms wide as Gaven started up to meet him.
“Jordhan!” Rienne cried. She dashed up the gangplank behind Gaven, gripped Gaven’s arm and swung past him, nearly sending him toppling off the side. She leaped into the grinning captain’s arms, making him stumble backward onto the deck as he returned her enthusiastic embrace.
“Now do you see why I was so anxious to get here?” Gaven asked, laughing.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” Rienne didn’t relinquish her hold on Jordhan, but spun him around so she could see Gaven over his shoulder. “How long have you known he was here?”
“I came out for a walk very early this morning and spotted the Sea Tiger here. I had barely settled in my seat at the inn when you came downstairs.”
Finally Rienne released her tight hold on the captain, though she kept her hands on his shoulders as she looked at his face. “Look at you! You haven’t changed a bit.”
Jordhan winked. “And you’re as lovely as ever, Rienne.”
“Are you sure about this, Jordhan?” Gaven asked, clapping the captain’s shoulder. “It’s an enormous risk you’re taking.”
Jordhan kept his eyes on Rienne as he spoke. “I’ve been playing it safe for far too long.”
“What have you been doing?” Rienne asked, finally relinquishing her grip on him. “I haven’t seen you in-”
“Twenty-six years?” Gaven interjected.
Jordhan looked down at the deck. “Give or take.” He brightened. “Come on, I’ve got your old cabin ready for you.”
“It’s just like old times, isn’t it?” Gaven said. “Coming back from someplace desolate and dangerous, a load of Khyber shards in the hold-you did load the dragonshards, didn’t you, Jordhan?”
They all laughed. Rienne’s thoughts went to the Heart of Khyber, the one dragonshard they did carry on this journey-the cause of all their trouble. She squeezed Jordhan’s arm. “It’s wonderful to see you,” she said. “And we’re so grateful.”
“It’s nothing. I owe you two my life many times over.”
“We wouldn’t have had to save your life if we hadn’t dragged you into such trouble,” Gaven said. “Thank you, old friend.”
Rienne looked back over her shoulder as she and Gaven started down the stairs to the little aft cabin they had shared on so many journeys, so long ago. Jordhan watched them go, a little smile on his lips and sadness in his eyes.
CHAPTER 38
I always figured Jordhan would be at your door courting you as soon as I was off the scene,” Gaven said. He couldn’t look at her; he busied himself with his hammock while she rummaged in her pack. Even as he said it, he wasn’t sure what he wanted her to say in response.
