Viper's Kiss - Lisa Smedman [27]
Arvin climbed aboard and turned to help Karrell, but the sailor was there first, handing her a woolen blanket. She took it but ignored his urgings that she wrap it around her shoulders. Arvin, whose clothes were also still sodden, wasn't offered a blanket.
"Will we be continuing to Ormpetarr?" Arvin asked.
The sailor-a man with calloused hands and uncombed hair-shook his head. "Nope. Back to Riverboat Landing to finish loading." His eyes lingered appreciatively on Karrell.
Arvin fought down his uneasiness. "But I need to get to Ormpetarr quickly," he protested. "I have important business there that mustn't be delayed."
The sailor grunted. "Where we go next depends on how much coin you've got. Speak to the captain." He jerked his head in the direction of the man on the bow. Then, together with the second sailor, he crossed the gangplank to the island and surveyed the five bodies Karrell and Arvin had recovered from the river. Karrell had laid them out in a neat row, arranging their arms at their sides and closing their eyes before the bodies stiffened.
Arvin approached the captain. The eagle had settled down, allowing him to slacken the reins. Arvin repeated his plea to journey directly to Ormpetarr, but the captain shook his head.
"She's only half loaded," he said, nodding at the deck beneath his feet. He glanced at the two sailors, who were carrying the first of the bodies to the ship. "It's not worth my while, unless…"
Arvin took the hint. He dug his coin pouch out of his boot and jingled it. "How much?"
The captain gave the pouch a brief glance then shook his head. "More than that can hold, even if every coin in it is a plume."
Arvin lowered his pouch. Normally, he'd have manifested a charm to help things along, but he'd expended every bit of energy his muladhara could provide. Not until after tomorrow morning's meditations and asanas would he be able to manifest his powers. "When we reach Ormpetarr, I'll be meeting with Dmetrio Extaminos, prince of Hlondeth and ambassador to Sespech. He will reimburse you for your losses."
The captain thought about this. "I'd need some sort of security. Something of value. Do you have any magical devices?"
Arvin hesitated. He'd no sooner give up his glove, bracelet, or knife than he would another fingertip, and while he did have magical ropes, he didn't want word of them reaching Zelia's ears. If she was still at Riverboat Landing when this crew returned in a few days' time, she'd quickly realize who "Vin" was.
The captain grew impatient. He glanced at the sailors, who were struggling to lift the last of the bodies on board-that of the husband. The headless corpse was as stiff as a beam of wood. They angled it down through a hatch and into the hold, on top of the other bodies, then closed the hatch and hauled up the rope ladder.
"Bodies stowed," one of the sailors reported. "We're ready to go."
"Right," the captain said, gathering up his reins. "Back to Riverboat Landing, then."
Arvin decided to take the chance. "I do have a magical device," he said, shrugging the pack from his shoulders. The captain of a riverboat would surely recognize the value of the trollgut rope. "It's a valuable one. Here, let me show you."
"Sure you do," the captain scoffed.
Karrell touched Arvin's arm, startling him-she'd come quietly up behind him during the conversation. "Allow me," she murmured. She said something in her own language then turned to the captain, making a pleading gesture. "I, too, must reach Ormpetarr quickly," she told him. "My mother is ill, and I have magic that can cure her. If I am delayed even I o day…"
Arvin was impressed with the quaver she managed to inject into her voice.
The captain gave a hesitant frown. "I don't know. I-"
"I can compensate you for your losses," Karrell said. She reached into the pouch at her belt and pulled from it a grape-sized, multifaceted gem the color of new grass. Normally, Arvin wouldn't have had the first idea of what it was-or its value. But a little of the knowledge he'd gleaned from Zelia's mind seed remained-enough