‘Alright,’ said Kelsey. ‘See if you can find another wild boar.’
‘I shall. We all need to eat, especially our mother-to-be.’ She glanced at the demigod.
Aila rolled her eyes. ‘Thank you, Frostback.’
Chapter 19
Cabin Fever
C ape Armour, Western Khatanax – 29th Luddinch 5252
Corthie sat down, sweat pouring from his forehead. For two hours he had been training, using exercises he had learned at Gadena’s camp to improve his strength and fitness, as well as to pass the time until the others returned. The cabin was small, and he had been unable to carry out several of the exercises due to lack of space, but he had managed to train each day of the voyage from Capston, and he was in better shape than he had been since Yoneath.
He peered out of the grubby porthole window, the thick glass coated in salt and grime. Outside, the large harbour of Cape Armour was busy with ships, from huge grain carriers to tiny fishing boats, and he wished he could take a walk along the waterfront. They had arrived in the port the previous day, but Corthie had remained onboard, keeping out of sight. It was frustrating, but the others had insisted, and at least the enforced solitude had given him an opportunity to train more.
He swigged from a jug of water, and wiped the sweat from his face. The others were probably out enjoying themselves, visiting taverns and shops, and getting some fresh air, while he was stuck below deck in a cramped cabin. He knew it was a sensible precaution, but his boredom levels were rising, and if there had been alcohol in the room, he knew he would have succumbed to temptation.
The sun was low on the left of where he could see out of the window, which made it, in his estimation, late-afternoon. His stomach rumbled, and he longed for one of his travelling companions to return. Even Naxor would do, though preferably it would be Van with a huge basket of food and a bottle of raki. His thoughts veered to Aila, and he felt the sense of helpless frustration rise within him as he went over possible scenarios. Amalia might have taken her back to the City of Pella, or she could be imprisoned somewhere along the Forted Shore. He refused to contemplate the possibility that she might be dead, even though he knew Amalia loathed her. Kelsey was needed by the former God-Queen; she would probably be fine, but Aila had nothing to offer Amalia. And what about the baby? He knew that Aila might have decided to end the pregnancy; if her situation was hopeless, then she might have had no choice, but he desperately hoped that wasn’t the case.
The cabin door opened, and Silva walked in carrying a woven shopping bag.
‘Good afternoon, Corthie,’ she said.
He sighed in relief. ‘Thank Pyre someone else is here. I hate being shut up in this cabin.’
‘I know,’ she said, sitting. ‘We all have our burdens to bear.’
Corthie raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
‘I enquired about the shipping timetables while I was in the harbour,’ Silva said, laying her bag on a little table next to her. ‘The ship we are on is due to return to Capston in two days, but there’s a merchant vessel leaving Cape Armour early tomorrow. I’ve reserved cabins on it for us and paid a deposit. It departs a few hours before dawn to catch the tide.’
‘Is it going to the Forted Shore?’
‘Yes, but it stops at Alea Tanton on the way. Her Majesty is due to contact me this evening; what should I tell her, Corthie? Have you decided?’
‘I don’t know. I can’t see how I could abandon Aila.’
‘Would Aila wish to see her world destroyed by Ascendants? Would she thank you if you rescued her, but allowed her world to burn?’
‘She’s pregnant, Silva.’
‘Yes, I know. I also know that she is a demigod, like myself. I once made the mistake of carrying a mortal’s child, so I believe I am in a better position than you to judge her state of mind.’
‘Do you regret it?’
‘Yes, hence the reason I used the word “mistake.” But also no. It’s complicated. Distant descendents of that union still live in the Southern Cape, but so many generations have passed that I no longer look upon them as family. The child brought me great joy, but would I do it again? No. The pain it brought outweighed the joy.’
Corthie shrugged. ‘Everyone bar Aila and I thinks our relationship is a mistake.’
‘Then perhaps you should heed what everyone is saying.’
‘But I love her; I can’t just ignore that. I have to find her.’
‘Put yourself in her position and ask yourself what she would wish you to do, were she to know the choices that lie before you. You can still look for her, after you have helped the Queen. You know, when I first met you, Corthie, I took you for a boorish oaf, all muscle and no brain. I was wrong, but you are still very young.’
‘I’m nearly twenty.’
‘Exactly. A child. Of course, you are more than that, much more. Queen Belinda holds you in the highest regard; of all the companions she left behind when I took her to Shawe Myre, you were the only one whose parting caused her sadness. Her Majesty loves you dearly; she told me you were like a brother to her. I implore you, go to her aid as she has requested. If you wish me to get on my knees and beg, then I will do so.’
Corthie shook his head. ‘You don’t have to do that.’
‘Then you’ll go to Alea Tanton?’
‘I’ll think about it.’
Silva gave him an exasperated glance. ‘You’ve been thinking about it for days.’
‘And I intend to think about it some more.’
‘What are you afraid of?’
Corthie glanced away. ‘Dying.’
Silva blinked. ‘What? The mighty Corthie Holdfast? The warrior who destroyed the Banner of the Golden Fist and the Banner of the Black Crown? The
