The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [144]
‘What is it, Dray?’ Rosette asked, squatting beside him, stroking his neck.
They’re searching for us.
‘Who?’
I don’t know, but they search and I don’t like it.
‘Are they here in Morzone?’
Not yet. They’re on their way, riding fast.
Rosette looked to Jarrod. ‘We’ll have to keep moving.’
‘So much for the relaxing night in a soft bed we’ve been talking about.’ He kicked at the dust.
‘Judging by the stares we’re getting, it’s for the best anyway. The trick will be to book passage to the islands without anyone saying where we’ve gone.’
‘Quite a trick.’
‘I could weave a glamour for myself, but not all three of us.’
Jarrod was about to respond but closed his mouth instead. The three of them sat in a row against the barn sharing dried meat and fruit, the last of the rations from their packs. The sound of the blacksmith’s hammer rang clear in the background, pounding iron into shape.
‘How far is it across the straits to Rahana Iti?’ Jarrod asked as he took a drink from their water-skin.
‘Two days if the Emerald Seas are calm.’
‘And if they’re not?’
‘However long it takes for them to calm down. No ship will set sail to the west if there’s more than a ripple of waves.’
‘Rough crossing?’
‘You could say that.’
‘It’s quiet enough today. I’ll go organise it.’
‘Sounds grand,’ Rosette said, frowning.
‘You all right?’
‘I wanted a hot bath, is all.’ She reached into her coat pocket and fished out her purse, handing Jarrod eight gold coins.
‘That’s more than enough,’ he said.
‘You’ll need a few extra.’
‘For?’
‘Convincing the captain that we need privacy.’
‘Rosette, if these ships are anything like the clippers in Lividica, there’ll be dozens of people on deck, and below. We won’t be able to…’
‘Not that kind of privacy, Jarrod!’ she laughed, pulling him to her for a kiss. She released him, laughing again at the look on his face. ‘The coin is to buy their silence in case anyone asks questions.’
He stared at her.
‘It’s a bribe,’ she added.
He straightened, dusting off his pants. ‘I get it. I won’t be long.’
GAELA AND EARTH
CHAPTER 18
The ship beat against the storm, the backlash reverberating through the hull and up the masts. Waves crashed against the bow in relentless succession, each one threatening to knock the vessel to splinters. Rosette’s stomach hit her throat with every lift, her spine jarring as they slapped back down again. She dug her fingers into the railing. It’d been this way for three days and she didn’t think she could take much more.
‘Can’t you do anything?’ Jarrod begged before dryheaving over the edge.
Rosette joined him, her stomach now an empty sack.
She had never experienced such wretchedness. Her previous crossings of the straits had been like a day sail in Lister Bay: smooth, sweet and glassy. Now the swell was overhead, the water black with geyser-like whitecaps. The vessel tossed like a toy in a sloshing bucket and groaned under the force of the wind. Wet ropes hung in loops, whipping and slapping against the boom, making pinging sounds that kept time with the rocking. All but the jib was down as they rose and fell, rose and fell, hour after hour.
‘What would you like me to do?’ she screamed over the maelstrom.
‘You’re a witch. Talk to the sea,’ Jarrod shouted into her ear. ‘Coax it a little. Make it lie down and go to sleep!’
Rosette lifted an eyebrow. ‘Do you really think she’ll listen?’
‘Worth a try.’ He heaved over the side again.
‘I don’t know,’ she said. ‘It feels uncanny to me.’
Rosette swallowed against the bile in her throat and gripped the railing tight; her legs braced wide, her knees absorbing the plunge of each hammering drop. Closing her eyes, she raised her hand and slowly filled her body with a charge of energy. She called to the elements of Air and Water, imploring them to mellow. Light flew from her fingertips as she let go of the railing.
Thunder rumbled overhead. Lightning cracked in her direction.