A Meddle of Wizards by Alexandra Rushe

Author:Alexandra Rushe [Rushe, Alexandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-07-20T14:50:25+00:00

Chapter 26

Troubled Waters

Gripping the frozen wheel, Raven fought to keep the ship on course. The storm had hammered them for days, striking as soon as the Storm sailed past Gambollia, with no sign of letting up. The wind moaned like a thousand dying souls and the sea slammed into the ship with the force of a titan’s fist. The men swore they heard voices in the gale, dark voices that whispered ill tidings. The way ahead is barred, the voices warned. A watery death awaits should you continue to sail north.

“A trick of the mind,” Raven assured his crew. “The wind and nothing more.”

The men kept to their tasks, but they were a superstitious lot, and Raven knew they were afraid.

Glory glided up to the helm. “Turn back, nephew. You are meant for Gambollia.”

Sleet blinded Raven. Cursing, he wiped his eyes with the back of one arm. The wheel jerked free of his grasp and he made a grab for it, the friction of the madly spinning wood burning his palms through his leather gloves. A giant wave crashed against the bow, soaking him with icy spray. The masts creaked and groaned, protesting the fury of the storm.

“Tro, take it,” he shouted. “I don’t understand. It’s too early in the season for a storm like this.”

“Nature herself rises against you,” Glory said. “Turn back, before it is too late.”

As she spoke, a sail split in two with a sharp shriek.

“Looks like I don’t have a choice,” Raven said through his teeth. “We’ve lost a sail. We’ll have to limp back to Gambollia for repairs.”

“That is as it is meant to be.”

“So help me, Glory—if this is your doing . . .”

“Controlling the weather is extremely difficult and not one of my talents. My gift is the sight.”

Divination, again. Seething with frustration, he wrested the wheel, turning the ship south toward Gambollia. The ship came about and the tempest dissipated, as if by magic.

Magic; Raven felt a trickle of unease. Some things, it seemed, were meant to be.

Raine reached the top of the galley steps and was greeted by a blast of cool air. Ah, sweet blessed relief. The heat below deck was stifling. Hot as it was in the galley, she preferred the heat to the scrutiny of the sailors.

She’d confided as much to Mauric a few nights earlier. “I swear, sometimes I feel like a steak in a butcher shop window.”

“It’s to be expected. They’re men, cooped up on a boat with an attractive woman.”

Raine had laughed. “Attractive? Hello. I’m wearing a tunic that hangs down to my knees.” She plucked at her castoff trousers. “Breeches that are four sizes too big, and I’m clomping around in thick, ugly boots.”

Mauric stroked his jaw, considering her. “You’re right. You’re an absolute goggin. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

He’d ducked to avoid her playful swipe, and the subject had changed. Still, his comments had made her curious, and one morning she’d worked up the courage to look over the rail into the river in hopes of catching her reflection.

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