conjured a spell with hand gestures and a short bout of chanting.
‘It’s ready,’ he said, holding up the cube between thumb and forefinger.
‘You’ve lodged the message?’ Darrok asked.
‘Of course.’ Phoenix looked slightly offended. ‘Just as you dictated it.’
‘Then let’s get it done, shall we?’
Phoenix went to the edge of the quay. The others followed, Darrok gliding in on his silver dish.
‘Ready?’ The wizard said.
‘Do it,’ Caldason told him.
Phoenix tossed the cube into the grey water lapping the dock. There was an eruption of bubbles, and colours flashed beneath the waves. Slowly, a bulk rose out of the water.
It proved to be the upper part of a marine creature. Blue-black and sleek, it had whiskers and an elongated snout, while its hands were paddle-shaped, and its eyes large and dark as coal. It vaguely resembled a cross between a seal, a dolphin and an otter. The pseudo animal stared at them.
‘Go!’ Phoenix ordered.
The beast sank and turned at the same time, flowing gracefully. It circled once, moving like a knife through the water, then swerved and headed out to sea. They watched until it dived and disappeared.
‘Gods speed,’ the sorcerer muttered.
Darrok floated his dish away from the water’s edge. ‘That’s that. It’ll either get there or it won’t. We may never know either way.’
‘That’s a cheery thought,’ Serrah said.
‘Just the truth. I suggest you forget about it. You’ve got plenty to occupy you this morning.’
Caldason glanced at the ships. ‘How’s the loading going?’
‘Let’s ask Cheross, shall we?’ Darrok directed his disc towards the crowd of stevedores. The others tramped along behind.
As they walked, Phoenix fell in beside Caldason. ‘I’ve been meaning to ask,’ he confided in an undertone, ‘how are the visions?’
‘I’m still getting them.’
‘Are they of the same nature?’
‘They seem more to the point, whatever the point might be, and they’re usually shorter. Why?’
‘I can offer you a draught that could alleviate their effect. Something that might put you in a deep, non-dream state.’
‘Could. Might. What am I, Phoenix, a rat for testing your potions on?’
‘I only make the reservations because we’re talking about you. An ordinary man would succumb to the draught. With you, there’s no telling, but it’s worth trying. It wouldn’t harm you whether it blocks the visions or not.’
‘Whatever I get isn’t dreams, so I can’t see how the depth of my sleep would make any difference. Besides, I don’t want them blocked.’
‘You don’t? After all you’ve done to be rid of them?’
‘Since they started changing in character they’ve become more interesting than vexing to me.’
‘And there speaks the man who loathes magic so much.’
‘Of course I’d rather be without them. But it seems there’s some kind of meaning in what I see.’
‘I thought you couldn’t understand the visions,’ said Phoenix.
‘I’m not saying I can, only that they’re trying to convey something. And they have an incredible vividness, as real as being awake.’
‘You know, there’s an old sorcerers’ adage that goes, “Who’s to know which is real, our waking lives or our so-called dreams?” The Craft has always believed that the realms of the unconscious communicate with us. So maybe these visions are telling you something.’
‘You make it sound as though I’m causing this to happen myself.’
‘Are you saying you aren’t worth listening to? That you’d turn a deaf ear to your innermost fears and hopes?’
‘None of it’s coming from me, Phoenix. This is from outside.’
‘Then I won’t try to persuade you about the draught. If you’re sure.’
‘I’m sure.’ Kutch and Serrah were walking well ahead, with Darrok in the lead, Pallidea at his side. ‘Right now,’ Caldason said, keeping his voice down, ‘I’m more concerned about the boy. Do you think he’ll be able to handle this voyage?’
‘Kutch’s young and inexperienced. He can be rash. But you of all people should know that he has heart and spirit. Above all, he has a natural affinity with the Craft. I think he’ll cope.’
‘It’s putting a lot on his shoulders.’
‘Weren’t you even younger when you had to face the world on your own account? Nevertheless I take your point, and to be on the safe side I’ve had glamoured detection devices installed on board. Kutch’s aware of this, and knows how to interpret them.’
‘What do these things detect, exactly?’
‘In essence they’re a crude form of the ability Kutch has naturally. They detect magical activity. That could prove useful in your search.’
They arrived at the crowded end of the quay at that point, ending any further questions Caldason might have. When he saw them, the packet’s skipper, Rad Cheross, hurried over.
‘How’s it going?’ Darrok asked him.
‘We’re not far short of being ready, which is a relief as I’d like to use this mist for cover while it lasts.’
‘When do we leave?’ Caldason said.
‘An hour, maybe two,’ Cheross reckoned.
‘Think we’ll have any problem slipping by Vance’s ships?’
‘It’s a big ocean. They can’t be everywhere. Fortunately the packet’s fast, should we run into trouble, and having a couple of decoys helps.’
‘How much do we have in the way of provisions?’ Serrah wondered.
‘Enough for a month. A bit more if we ration. But that’s it, unless you like fish. There’s nothing else in the parts we’re going to.’
‘I’d hope to be nowhere near as long as that,’ Caldason told them.
‘Suits me.’ Cheross glanced at the loading work. ‘Excuse me, will you? I want to keep on top of this.’ He turned away.
‘Well, it seems to be going to schedule,’ Darrok said. ‘Anything we’ve overlooked, anybody? Speak now or it’s too late.’
‘My only worry’s leaving Kinsel so soon after his rescue,’ Serrah admitted, ‘particularly given the state he’s in.’
‘He’ll be fine with us,’ Phoenix promised. ‘The care he’ll get will be just as good whether you’re here or not.’
‘We’ll all be keeping an eye on him,’ Pallidea added.
‘Put it out of your mind, Serrah,’ Darrok chipped in. ‘Concentrate on getting the job done and yourselves back here.’
‘Thanks, Zahgadiah. We will.’
‘Right, I’m going to see if I can hurry things up.’
‘Anything we can do?’
‘Just don’t go away.’ He tilted his disc and stretched a gloved hand. ‘Pallidea.’
His lover deftly climbed aboard. The saucer rocked gently, then shot off.
Sensing that Caldason and Serrah could use a moment alone, Phoenix took Kutch aside for a last-minute pep talk.
‘What’s the cut-off point for this trip, Reeth?’ Serrah said.
‘What do you mean?’
‘We’ve never discussed how long it’s going to go on for.’
‘You heard Cheross. There’s only enough food and water for a month.’
