“His high ideals get him nowhere; they only allow others to manipulate him like a puppet.’ That’s what they said.”

  Yarolk released her, his hands trembling. “A puppet! A … puppet. So they … they even knew about me?”

  Nikrilda nodded. “The scryers see everything that passes. So, yes, they know about you. But their interpretation was wrong!”

  “I… see. I see all too well.” He stumbled to his feet and turned away. His mind was reeling.

  After a long silence, Nikrilda spoke. “Did you hear what I said, my love? They see events, yes, but their interpretation is wrong. I have met you in person, and I know you are an honorable man. A leader.”

  “I need to be alone,” Yarolk murmured. “Need to think.”

  Staggering out of the hut, he stepped into the dark night. He walked in the rain until his hair was soaking wet.

  When he finally returned to the hut, Nikrilda was waiting up for him. He went straight to her arms, and they kissed passionately.

  “I’m so glad you came here,” Yarolk said.

  “Me too … You don’t believe all those rumors, do you?”

  “Not at all. All will be well. I … I’m better now. Just had to walk it off. The Great Contest begins in two days; that will bring stability back to my people.

  “Lord Tex will return, I’m sure of it. But … even if he doesn’t, I will see his plan through!”

  Nikrilda hugged him. “I know you will.”

  Chapter forty-seven

  TEX STOOD ON a ledge of rock, trying not to look down. It was a long drop. He took a peek, despite himself.

  Damn, look at those rocks. If I fall, my brains are gonna be seagull food.

  Tex had been standing there forever. He was supposed to just jump and start flying. Like goddamn Superman.

  That was the idea, anyway.

  Shayla had assured him that Dirt Magic gave one the ability to fly. Even more incredible, she claimed it was the easiest place to start with learning the magic.

  So she’d left him there — with no explanation of how to fly. All he got was one simple instruction: Jump off the ledge.

  That was the best way to learn, Shayla insisted. Simply hurl yourself off a cliff.

  “That’s easy for you to say,” Tex had argued. “You seem to forget that I’m not immortal.”

  “I haven’t forgotten,” Shayla had answered. “Why don’t you trust me on this? Just jump and everything will fall into place.”

  But why couldn’t Shayla simply instruct Tex on how to fly?

  Because, she claimed, magic couldn’t be taught — at least, not Dirt Magic. It couldn’t be put into words, and any attempt to do so would most likely just make it harder to learn.

  The more you tried to “figure out” the magic, the further you got from understanding it. It was about going beyond reason, connecting with emotion, and accessing something primal and mystical.

  There was probably something in what she was saying, but Tex had doubts about the jumping-off-a-cliff part.

  So, rather than jump off the ledge, he tried to will himself to float. After a bout of unfruitful effort, Tex heard a step behind him.

  He almost started when he turned and saw Shayla come out of the darkness.

  “Jeez, you were so quiet … What’s wrong?”

  Shayla’s brow was creased with wrath. She turned away scornfully. “Come with me.”

  “Alright,” Tex said, following her into the cave.

  It was clear from her body language that she wasn’t playing games this time. This wasn’t another attempt to get his attention. She was genuinely furious.

  “You gonna tell me why you’re upset?”

  Shayla responded with an angry sigh and muttered something inaudible.

  “Pardon me?”

  “I said, I talked to my dad,” she said hotly.

  “Your dad? Solis?”

  “Yes,” she grumbled. “Solis.”

  Tex tried to get more information, but Shayla was apparently too livid to speak.

  She led him down a couple of stairways and then along a passageway until they came to an exit to the outside. It led out to sun-dappled fir trees, and Tex could hear the rolling tide not far away.

  “What’s this about?” he said.

  Shayla huffed. “As if you don’t know.”

  Tex frowned at her, puzzled. Was she letting him leave? Was there some change of circumstances that required him to go?

  Oh, please let that be the case!

  He swallowed. “I really don’t know Shayla. I could only guess.”

  She glanced at him. “My dad ordered me to let you build a boat to … go back.”

  Tex stared in amazement. “He … did?”

  Shayla let out a bitter laugh. “Hm! You’re very surprised, I’m sure!”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Shayla turned away, hiding her face. “Nothing. Just go. You got what you wanted,” she said.

  “Shayla, it wasn’t like that.”

  She turned towards him, lifting her hand in a peculiar gesture, and for a second, Tex expected the wrath of a goddess scorned to rain down on him.

  Instead, there was a clatter behind him. Turning, he saw axes, saws, and other tools on the ground.

  “There,” Shalya said. “You can cut down a tree and build a boat.”

  Tex frowned at the tools. Why had Solis suddenly ordered her to send him away? He was almost afraid to ask; this might be his only opportunity of escape.

  Sure, he was nowhere near ready to face Kdar Tol. Perhaps the Necromancer would vaporize him within seconds.

  But he didn’t like the idea of waiting 200 years or even 50. There was too much uncertainty about what might happen to him during that long span of time.

  There was no guarantee Shayla would really let him go after that time was over. She had likely intended to keep him there forever, if she could get away with it.

  With those considerations in mind, Tex was wise enough to know that he couldn’t pick and choose. This was a chance to get off the island. He had to take it.

  But …

  He looked at Shalya. “What about Emi?”

  Anger and hurt flashed in the goddess’s eyes. “You don’t care about me,” she said in an accusatory tone. “You couldn’t wait to get away from here.”

  “Shayla, that’s not true.”

  Tex walked towards her, holding out his arms, but she screamed, “Get away,” and shoved him. This sent Tex soaring out of the cave.

  He landed on the sloping ground, lying among pine needles and sunlight.

  “Shalya, wait!” he called, getting to his feet.

  But the cave had already closed up; the entrance was gone, and Shayla had disappeared.

  His heart sank. What about Emi? It would all be worthless if he couldn’t bring her away with him. He cast his eyes around the trees.

  Fine. He’d search for her. I’ll try to steal her away, if it comes to that.

  But could he really expect to smuggle Emi away from a goddess? Surely it would only succeed if Shayla allowed it.

  He clenched his fists. What else could he do?

  The sun shone down rather brightly, making Tex squint. He felt its warmth on his cheek.

  Solis! He’s the reason she’s letting me go. Maybe I should try praying to him…

  Tex was about to drop to his knees and pray to the sun god, when a small voice called in the distance.

  “Tex! Tex!”

  “Emi!”

  “Tex!”

  He ran downhill through the forest and came onto a beach. Emi stood on the sand with her fists bunched against her chin. Tex ran to her, and she fell into his arms.

  “She let you go?” he whispered. “It’s for sure?”

  Emi beamed up at him. “Yup, it’s for sure. The nymphs told me Shayla’s father made her let us go. And guess what? Ugh, you won’t believe this!”

  “What?”

  “She didn’t really have to keep me here 200 winters. What she said about The Fates — how they required her to keep me here… it wasn’t true.”

  Tex rolled his eyes. “Unbelievable.” He examined her face. “How do you feel?”

  Emi grinned. “I’m still cured, don’t worry. The nymphs told me; it can’t be undone.”

  “Thank god.” Tex hugged her. “Hm. Hopefully, the same is true for my magic.”

  “Magic?”

  “Yeah. Shayla gave me Dirt Magic.

  Emi sucked in a breath. “Wow! That’s great. Hmm… Dirt Magic. Sorcerers with Dirt Magic were feared in the old days. But they say it’s hard to master.”

  Tex sighed. “And I’ve got no one to teach me now. Assuming I still have it.”

  He gazed around the beach, and then out at the ocean. “Hey, this is the same beach we landed on.”

  The fog had already mostly dissipated, but the sun was disappearing behind Shayla’s mountain.

  “I’d better make the craft. Night is coming.”

  “You think we’ll have time to leave tonight?” Emi said, gazing out at the sea.

  “We should be able to,” Tex said. “As long as I can still use the crafting magic Lorelei gave me.”

  He walked back through the forest and grabbed an axe, then he chopped down a tree near the beach.

  After cutting out a canoe-length log, he could already see the shape of the craft in his mind. He tossed the axe aside and raised his hands. They began to glow green.

  “Still got it,” he said. “I wonder why this magic comes so easily, but not the Dirt Magic.”

  “You were already a craftsman, right?”

  “You could say that, sure. I’ve always liked taking things apart and building things as long as I can remember.”

  “Well, that’s why you learned crafting magic more easily.”

  Tex smiled. “You say that like it’s obvious, but I guess there is a logic to it.”

  “Dirt Magic, on the other hand, requires you to access something you probably haven’t been in touch with before.”

  Tex raised an eyebrow. “And what would that be, exactly.”

  Emi shrugged. “Well, crafting magic is very logical. But other kinds of magic aren’t like that. They’re more … intuitive.”

  Tex made a face. “So I have to get in touch with my feminine side, is that what you’re telling me?”

  Emi grinned. “Maybe.”

  Tex turned back to the log, raising his hands again. The log floated into the air. Flakes began to fly, and within minutes, a finely crafted canoe had taken shape.

  Tex then made a few spears, put them into the boat, and then dragged the craft over the beach towards the water. The tide was on its way in, so he didn’t have too far to go.

  Emi followed him into the water. When it was up to her shins, Tex stopped.

  “Climb in,” he said. “Let’s get outta here. We’ve still got plenty of time to—”

  Suddenly, the island rumbled. Rocks tumbled down the mountain’s cliff face.

  It stopped after a moment, but Emi went pale. “That’s not good,” she said, gazing at the mountain. “Was Shayla angry when you left?”

  “She was a little peeved, yes,” Tex said, ushering Emi into the boat.

  “Oh, no!” the elf said, stepping into the craft and taking her seat. “The nymphs said she would be. Did you beg her forgiveness?”

  Tex pulled the canoe deeper into the water. “Uh … no, not exactly.”

  Suddenly, a great thrashing arose from the woods, followed by a ferocious growl. Before Tex could blink, three enormous cats — bigger than lions — came charging out of the trees.

  Tex let out a chuckle. “Looks like we’re leaving just in time.

  He noticed Emi’s face had lost its color. But she wasn’t looking at the animals; she was gazing in the opposite direction, towards the sea.

  Glancing in that direction, Tex saw a mass of dripping tentacles rising out of the water.

  Great.

  The kraken was back. Tex hadn’t realized, the first time he’d seen it, just how gigantic it was. Those tentacles were long enough to touch the sky.

  Some of them rose high into the air, glistening and dripping. Others stretched into the shallows, sloshing around in the water nearby.

  Tex instinctively started pulling the craft back towards the beach. A growl made him look back towards the shore. The ferocious cats waited near the water.

  “Shit!”

  “TEX!” Emi screamed.

  A shadow passed over them. Tex saw drops of rain dimpling the surrounding water.

  But this time, Tex knew … it wasn’t rain.

  He lunged for Emi, picking her up in his arms, and splashed through the water just as a giant tentacle smashed onto the craft, coiling around it and lifting it into the air.

  Tex splashed towards the shallows, but the three cats tracked him. A fourth appeared from the trees and bounded down the sand to join the others.

  Behind him, the kraken’s tentacles writhed hungrily in the air. Tex half-expected it to drag itself ashore in pursuit of him.

  Tex remained shin-deep in the water, hoping that the cats would be too fussy to get their paws wet.

  That hope was shattered when one cat charged into the foamy tide, bounding towards him. The others followed.

  There was nowhere to run. Inescapable tentacles on one side. Four sets of monster fangs and claws on the other.

  Tex’s heart threatened to explode from his chest. He was almost blind with rage, terror, and alarm.

  No! It can’t end like this!

  And then something inexplicable happened.

  Chapter forty-eight

  TEX FELT THE wind rushing over him as the ground rapidly got farther away.

  A glance down revealed the cats splashing in the shallows. Looking out to sea, he saw the massive arrowhead-shape of the kraken under the water, its impossibly long arms reaching into the shallows.

  He clutched Emi tight against his chest.

  “You’re doing it, Tex!” she screamed with excitement. “You’re flying!”

  “Holy shit! I am!”

  Soaring over the length of the beach, they came over a grassy hill, which got closer to them as it rose higher.

  Tex was operating on instinct. He couldn’t even remember launching into the air.

  He didn’t even know how he was flying. But it felt right.

  The top of the hill would have been hard to reach by foot, at least from the beach. It rose at an increasingly steep angle, until it finally came to a sandstone formation that jutted upwards.

  Clearing that sandstone rockface, they flew above the sandstone bluffs that overlooked a rocky shore far below.

  The ground came to within about five yards of Tex’s feet. They were slowly descending. But Tex was aware of a springy sensation under his feet — as if an invisible trampoline was layered atop the hill’s surface and intrinsically connected with it.

  Without even thinking about it, he pushed himself off it.

  “Wooooh!” Emi squealed as they sprang upwards, and the hill got farther and farther away.

  Tex felt Emi’s arms gripping him tightly, her nails digging into his neck. But she wasn’t altogether afraid. He could tell she was enjoying the thrill.

  “Oh, it’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, looking down at the glistening ocean. “Look! You can see Fimm!”

  Indeed, Tex looked across the expanse of water, over the mist that still hung on the surface like fluffy cotton, and he saw the main island stretching into the hazy horizon.

  Scanning the coast, he spotted Lorelei’s forest surrounding the cute little huts and longhouse. It looked like a model village for a table-top RPG.

  “It seems so close that I could just reach over and touch it!” Tex said.

  Or jump across the water …

  Was it possible? Could he fly across the sea?

  He looked down at the frothy blue water. He could see hundreds of fish, some of them gargantuan. The blue deepened quickly as he looked farther out.

  What if his magic failed? They’d be screwed.

  Remember what happened to Kdar Tol. Nerilock might take it as an insult if I hop across his ocean like it’s a mere puddle. Better not push my luck.

  Besides, I doubt I can fly that far just yet.

  He floated over the bluff, letting them drop, following the natural pull of gravity. As the ground came closer, so did that sensation of resistance — the springy, trampoline-like feeling.

  But it was, perhaps, not quite right to call it a resistance, because it did not automatically resist Tex’s descent. It was only if Tex got a grip on it, so to speak, and then deliberately pushed against it.

  He also quickly realized that he could push with varying degrees of strength to get different results. Presently, he pushed very lightly, so that it merely slowed their descent instead of launching them skywards again.

  They came to a soft landing on the bluff.

  Emi let go of Tex and jumped up and down. “That was amazing. You fly so well!”

  “Yeah,” he said in surprise. “I guess I do! But… I’m not really sure I could keep doing it. I mean, it sort of just happened. Like when you fly in a dream.”

  Emi nodded thoughtfully. “Well, how did you do it just now?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know … My instincts took over. And then it just felt right, like I’d always known how to do it.”

  “It’s because you were in danger,” Emi said. “It connected you with the Mystical. It’s probably a good thing you didn’t try to think about how you were doing it.”

  Tex frowned. “Why?”

  Emi laughed. “Because you might have suddenly remembered it’s impossible to fly.”

  Tex stared at her with a strange look in his eye. Then he looked out at the sea. “That’s … weird.”

  “What’s weird?”

  “What you just said. It reminded me of something. But I can’t quite … Oh! Wait a minute …”

  A memory resurfaced from his high school days: another stanza of poetry. It was from that same strange poem — the one he’d thought about before, when they were on the way to the island.