Legacy of the Blood (The Threshold Trilogy) (12 page)

“Thank you,” she said sincerely. “It means so much to me that you
would offer.”

“Now,” Deasa grinned, “tell us more about magic and your
homeland.”

Adesina watched through narrowed eyes as Kendan hurried out the
door of The Black Cat, with Maizah following close behind. He continued to
avoid her, and the others, spending most of his time in his room or visiting
old friends. The Tracker seemed to follow him out of habit.

Adesina was still intent on finding out what he knew about Basha’s
plans, but Ravi had finally advised her to be patient for now. Kendan’s mood
was still defiant, and it seemed unlikely that he would be forthcoming at the
moment. Also, Ravi had pointed out that the former Shimat couldn’t very well
hide from Adesina while on a boat.

Surprisingly, she found that she could control herself rather
well. If she dwelled on it, she felt the familiar urge to force the information
out of her former Shar. Now that she had found her High City friends, though,
she had something to distract her mind.

Deasa and the others felt ill at ease coming to the inn, so
Adesina would walk to their complex each day. Than’os and Mar’sal had started
joining her in her visits, and she had introduced Ravi as well. The former
citizens of the High City were amazed to have acquaintances that were
magic-users, although some of the refugees still held on to their prejudices.
Faryl declined coming with them, choosing instead to wander the marketplace or
to listen to the tales of Jahan Lirit. She felt that there would be too many
questions if she suddenly showed up after all this time.

Adesina was pleased to find that she quickly became comfortable
with them again. They still called her Adrie, and she didn’t mind hearing it.
They accepted what she had told them about her past, but it was their way of
showing her that they cared for her now as they did then.

The L’avan helped out where they could, using their skills to
improve the lives of Adesina’s friends. They did some minor repairs and they
helped to heal the more serious illnesses and injuries. They explained their
belief of not abusing their power, and the refugees respected them for it.

There were times when Adesina wished that they would let her help
them, but they firmly refused.

Hass had lost his leg in a quarry accident six months after they
had settled in Emerald Harbor. He was no longer able to work, leaving the
responsibility of providing for the family to Jelana and Fia. Adesina had
offered to give them some money—a repayment for their kindness—but Jelana had
simply declined.

“Hass has very little pride left,” she stated. “I cannot take away
what remains by accepting charity.”

Adesina frowned. “It is not wrong to allow others to help you.”

The older woman smiled briefly, but would not change her mind.

Later, Adesina discovered that Deasa was married to Nordin. She
chuckled when she thought of how Gainor, one of their other friends from the
High City, had been determined to catch his eye.

“Do you have any children?” asked the L’avan woman.

Deasa blushed, but not from pleasure. “No,” she answered in a
hushed tone. “I…I do not think I am able to…”

It was clearly a painful subject, and Adesina mentally reprimanded
herself for being so thoughtless. After a moment, and idea came to her.

“Would you like me to use my magic to examine you? I might even be
able to heal you if there is something wrong.”

There was a flash of hope across Deasa’s face, but it instantly
disappeared. “No, Adrie, I could not do that. If the gods do not wish me to
bear a child, then I should accept that as their will.”

Adesina knew that the citizens of the High City, like most
Seharans, worshipped a general group of deities; unlike the L’avan, who focused
on one.

“I think that the gods would want you to be happy,” she said
gently, giving her friend’s hand a squeeze.

Deasa smiled, but there was still sadness in her expression. “I
agree, but that does not mean that I should presume to know what will make me
happiest in the end.”

The L’avan queen couldn’t argue with such a statement. She had
seen in her own life that painful paths had led to unexpected joy.

“Besides,” added Deasa after a moment, “it is probably a blessing
in disguise. I would not wish to bring a child into this kind of life.”

Adesina looked around at the dirty, hungry faces of the children
who were too young to work, and she couldn’t help but agree. Still, it was
difficult for her to see her friend’s heartache and to do nothing about it. She
wanted to take action, but deep down she knew that she needed to respect
Deasa’s wishes.

The L’avan travelers had been in Emerald Harbor for five days when
news of an incoming ship reached their ears. Adesina decided to postpone her
visit to her friends and to walk down to the docks. She was not certain that
this was the ship they had been waiting to arrive, but she was anxious to find
out.

The vessel was well past the mouth of the inlet, but it had not
yet landed. It approached at a leisurely pace, trimming the sails and allowing
the momentum to carry the vessel the rest of the way.

The word
Zephyr
was painted in yellow on the side of the
black stained wood, and Adesina felt her heart leap in her chest. This was they
ship for which they had been waiting.

It had two masts with triangular sails, and a third mast with a
square sail. It had a gently sloping bow with a small tower, and two towers
built on the stern. It was a different style than Adesina was accustomed to
seeing, even after years of watching supply ships approach the Shimat fortress.

Kendan appeared at her side, his eyes on
Zephyr
. “It is
quite a sight,” he said in a casual voice.

“Yes,” replied Adesina, hiding her irritation at his behavior over
the past several days.

Ravi simply ignored the presence of the former Shimat. He
addressed Adesina alone. “They will expect at least two days for trade before
setting sail again, but we should speak to the captain as soon as possible to
secure passage.”

She nodded, but her heart sank at the thought of waiting two more
days. It was true that the ship had arrived two or three days sooner than
expected, but she was anxious to be off again.

Zephyr
was pulling into the docks, and Adesina could see the figures of
the crew as they prepared the ship for landing. There was one member of the
crew that stood out to the L’avan queen.

It was the petite figure of a teenage girl, probably around
fifteen years old, with white-blonde hair that blew freely in the breeze. She
wore the rough clothing of a seafarer—coarse brown pants, a tan blouse, and a
length of brown material tied around her waist—and she climbed the rigging with
ease.

Adesina marveled that one so young could seem so comfortable doing
an adult’s work on a transoceanic vessel. The deep waters of the ocean were
fraught with peril. If the temperamental weather and violent tides weren’t
enough to deter passage, there were also the tales of enormous sea monsters
that could attack a ship at any moment. Only recent generations had begun to
brave the dangers found beyond the coasts, and it was still considered a fool’s
dream to be a sailor.

What had driven a teenage girl to live such a life?

“There is the captain,” commented Kendan, nodding towards a burly
man in the latter end of his middle years. He had skin the color of rich earth,
and the length of material around his waist was bright red.

Adesina watched him as he issued orders in a firm but elegant
tone. He did not shout unnecessarily or curse his workers. He willingly lent a
hand where it was needed, as if they were all equals. When the
Zephyr
was safely docked, the captain ordered the gangplank lowered, and he walked
down to be greeted by the Dock Keeper.

Together the man and woman walked towards the hut that overlooked
the harbor, conversing amicably as they went. Kendan, Adesina and Ravi watched
them go, but made no movement to follow. They knew that the captain would be
too busy with the business of trade to worry about potential passengers at the
moment.

Adesina turned her eyes back to the vessel, and she saw that the
blonde girl was watching her. At first the girl looked embarrassed to be caught
staring, but then she gave a jaunty grin and returned to her work.

A man began walking down the gangplank, and he fixed his gaze on
them. Adesina had never seen a man so small before. He was shorter than Ravi
when standing. He had tanned, weathered skin and wild brown hair. His eyes were
also brown, and they were filled with the wisdom of experience and the dignity
that came with authority.

He nodded to them in a friendly manner, looking up at their faces
with no hint of self-consciousness. “Traders?”

“Pardon?”

“Are you traders?” clarified the little man.

“No,” admitted Kendan, “but we are looking for passage.”

The man grunted thoughtfully. “Passage is not cheap. Captain
Zulimar does not like taking passengers.”

“Do you have any idea how much it would be?” asked Adesina. She
was concerned that they wouldn’t have enough coin, as their funds were running
low.

“How many people in your party?”

“Seven, counting the Rashad,” gestured the young woman.

The little man barely blinked as he appraised the enormous feline.
“I would estimate no less than a gold coin apiece.”

Adesina felt her chest tighten, and she looked at Kendan in panic.
They did not have enough currency to pay for all of them to sail to Zonne.

Kendan didn’t seem surprised. “May we speak to a crew member
authorized to conduct trade?”

“I thought you said you were not traders.”

“We are not, but we may have something of value in exchange for
passage.”

The man shrugged. “Well, you may speak to me of your proposal. I
am Satosh, first mate of the
Zephyr
.”

“Three of our party are magic-users and one is an apothecary. We
would be quite willing to offer our services as payment.”

Satosh was clearly interested. He folded his arms and pursed his
lips as he considered the offer. “What would be included in your services?”

Kendan looked to Adesina for a reply. She carefully reviewed
L’avan laws in her mind, deciding what would be most ethical.

“We could do some repairs and any healing that the crew might
need. We can keep your supplies fresh during the journey. We can help you to
avoid storms or other forms of danger. We can also provide some entertainment
for the crew.”

Satosh gave a broad grin, quite pleased with the arrangement.
“Done. But be warned: the captain will get every ounce of value from this deal
that he can.”

Adesina smiled in return. “We will keep that in mind.”

The little man started off, returning to his tasks. “We set sail
in two days,” he called over his shoulder.

They turned and walked up to the street from the dock. Adesina
felt her heart lighten considerably. They would be on their way in two days.
With any luck,
Fair Tides
had been delayed enough so they would be only
a handful of days behind Basha and L’iam.

Kendan studied the expression on her face and it was evident that
he envied her for feeling so much hope for the future. Adesina knew that his
own future looked bleak at best. After all, there was nowhere he could go that
the vengeance of the Shimat couldn’t follow.

“What will you do to pass your last two days in Emerald Harbor?”
he asked her.

“I will continue to visit my friends from the High City,” she
replied. “I have not seen them in quite some time, and I have missed them.”

“It will be difficult to leave them behind, knowing the lives they
are forced to live here,” he observed, without appearing to give it much
thought.

The satisfaction drained from Adesina’s face as she considered his
words. “Yes, it will.”

Kendan’s face was immediately filled with regret at his hasty words.
“I am sorry, Adesina. I did not mean to bring up a painful subject.”

She didn’t reply, lost in her thoughts.

What would they do when she left? Would they simply continue
slaving away in order to survive? Would they go on starving themselves in order
to feed their children? Would they resort to taking the jobs that no one else
wanted, because they were too dangerous or too degrading?

She didn’t want that life for her friends.

Hass was a talented carpenter. He deserved to be able to work with
wood and create beautiful things. He deserved to be able to support his family.
After all, his lost leg would not be a problem in that line of trade.

Deasa was too young to have such burdens on her shoulders. She
should be dreaming of babies and tending to her home, as she had always wanted.
Instead, she was working as a washwoman because Nordin’s pay from the quarry
was not enough to support them and Deasa’s younger siblings.

Adesina felt that she had to do something, but she wasn’t sure
what that was. Her friends wouldn’t accept money from her, and even if they
would, she didn’t have much to give. Once she was gone from Emerald Harbor, she
wouldn’t even be able to help in the little ways they had allowed.