“You know,” I said, trying to act casual, “in Earth Kingdom, I could’ve bought hundreds of those for what you paid.”
He shrugged, not seeming impressed. “Yet I would pay twice what I did for its healing properties.”
“Healing properties?”
“Yes. Haven’t you noticed that my seasickness is not nearly as bad as everyone else’s?”
“A lucky coincidence.”
“Is it?”
“You’ve got unnaturally good luck. I don’t know if you realize it or not.”
“I’ve also got unnaturally good looks. I don’t know if you realize that or not.”
Good grief. “Humble, aren’t we?”
He smiled. “Yes. And I am also honest. It’s the perfect combination of characteristics in a partner, don’t you think?”
“You are not humble. I was being sarcastic.”
Heidel entered the hall. Her hair was damp and stuck to her forehead, and she carried a wicked-looking mace with hooked barbs.
“Brother,” she said. “Come above deck. Quickly. We need your sword.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see. Olive, you should come as well.”
She led us down the hallway to the stairwell. I ascended the stairs behind Kull and his sister, holding tight to the handrails as the ship lurched. Seawater sloshed through the opening, causing me to gasp as the icy water touched my skin.
As we climbed onto the deck, I took in my surroundings, awed by a giant wave of turquoise water as it towered over us and then crashed with violence, only to be replaced by more waves.
The sky had cleared, making the sunlight reflect off the slick ship’s masts. A swift breeze whipped the sails, making them billow and flap with quick, jerky motions, and the air tasted of salt; I tasted its brine on my tongue. The ocean’s roar accompanied the crew’s shouts as they scrambled around the deck, some of them tying down lines, others holding to ropes leading up to the masts that seemed to spiral overhead.
I braced as another towering wave hit the ship. Cold water crashed over the deck, making the crew clamber to find anything to hold on to. I caught Kull’s hand, and we held tight until the wave passed.
As the ship righted itself, something caught my eye. A giant red-and-orange-banded serpent dove through the waves just off the ship’s bow. The creature’s scales glinted in the sun, and the ropy loops maneuvered through the sea with a graceful ease.
“It’s some sort of sea beast!” Heidel yelled over the roar. “It’s not attacked us yet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t. Be ready.”
I held my breath as another wave hit the boat. Sea spray stung my eyes.
The captain appeared from the wheelhouse. Pointing up at the sails, he yelled something at his men, though I couldn’t make out his words. After flailing his arms, he turned to us.
“Red-banded water dragon,” he said with a smile as he approached us. “Handsome creature, isn’t it? This beauty here is a good sign. We’re nearing land.”
“Is it dangerous?” Heidel asked.
“Not at all. I’ve heard tales of the black serpents—they’ll rip a ship apart in a matter of minutes—but these red serpents here are quite tame. ”
“Are you sure?” Heidel’s fist tightened around the cudgel.
“I’m certain. She’ll do us no harm as long as we don’t attack her. Relax, darling. You’re liable to hurt someone with a weapon like that.”
The captain ambled away.
“He’s in an unusually good mood,” Kull said.
“Did he call me darling?” Heidel said through clenched teeth.
“You don’t like the nickname?” Kull asked.
“How dare he! I am not a fragile female to be doted upon. I am a warrior! I should ram this cudgel through his skull.”
“You might want to rethink your decision,” Kull said. “Most crews don’t take their captain’s murder lightly. Unless they’d wish to mutiny—then, their captain’s death might be rather convenient.”
“Hold your tongue, Brother. I am not in a jesting mood.”
The serpent made a spectacular dive, splashing through the ocean and leaving rainbow droplets of water in its wake. Above us, a crewman perched on the crow’s nest pointed north.
“Land ho!” he shouted.
My heart leapt. I was so ready to get off this boat I didn’t care where we dropped anchor. We could have made landfall on Azkaban Island for all I cared.
A wave crashed over the ship. I grabbed onto a handrail and held tight as the cold water stole my breath and soaked my already-damp clothes. The bright turquoise wave sloshed over the deck until it rolled away and was sucked back into the ocean. As the water leveled out, I spotted the large island.
Lush green cliffs rose high over the ocean, and beyond the mountains soared a volcano that stood twice the height of the peaks. Ash erupted from its vent, making the sky above it look a hazy shade of grayish-orange. The wind brought us its sulfurous scent.
Keeping my bag under my arm, I felt the smooth glass through the canvas, and Uli’s words played through my head.
Over the sea of a thousand faces, let the silver light show the way. The bloom will only flourish under the stars of the mirror-white sand. Only there will it be safe. Only then can our world be saved.
We still had a long journey ahead of us. To get to Verutith, we’d have to man the longboats around this large island and through the treacherous ocean. Judging by the size of those waves, I felt certain we’d never make it alive.
Was it possible to find another way?
The ship continued toward shore. The sound of crashing waves filled the air, accompanied by the crewmen’s shouts. After an hour of navigating the rocky cliffs, we dropped anchor in a horseshoe-shaped cove.
The captain ordered his men to prepare to make landfall, so they threw tarps off the long boats that had been stored alongside the deck railings. When we were ordered to grab our necessary items and file inside one by one, King Herrick shoved through the crowd with Kull and Heidel following him. The three Wults wore their swords and breastplates, and they certainly looked intimidating with the sunlight
