Asmara shook her head and didn’t respond.

  ‘Asmara!’

  When she still didn’t respond he sagged, drained. He headed back below and came back out with a blanket and draped it around her sopping wet shoulders.

  ‘Did they all make it?’ she croaked as he was leaving.

  ‘What?’

  ‘The children did they...’

  ‘I... They’re all still asleep. I don’t know.’

  Ukrit awoke first, followed later by Palmira and Amina.

  Bo tried to ask if he was ok, if he needed anything, but he wouldn’t speak until the two girls awoke.

  By then it was late evening and Dorian was awake and nibbling on some dried meat.

  Ukrit’s first words were, ‘I’m sorry, Bo.’

  ‘What are you sorry for?’ Bo asked. ‘Are you hungry?’

  He shook his head.

  ‘We were frightened, we didn’t mean to.’ Amina and Palmira said.

  ‘I know you used your magic, but that’s not exactly unusual.’

  ‘No.’ Ukrit looked down. ‘We tried to take you with us. We- we didn’t want you to be stuck here, in this scary place.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Dorian finally spoke. ‘You tried to take us with you?’

  ‘We tried to... to take you with us with our shadow magic. We tried to use shadow magic on you... it might have... if you hadn’t had candles... is Asmara... I don’t think we got Asmara. I don’t remember meeting her.’

  ‘You tried to use your shadow magic on Asmara?’ Dorian repeated, a note of anger in his voice. ‘No wonder she jumped off the ship!’

  ‘We’re sorry.’ Ukrit sniffed. ‘Is she... you all have candles?’

  ‘Julietta put hers back on.’ Bo sighed. ‘Asmara told her to. Ah. Well. I’m not the one you need to apologise too, Ukrit.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘We’re all ok.’ Bo said. ‘We all survived.’

  ‘No.’ Palmira said and looked towards Gabor. ‘We didn’t.’

  Dorian headed back on deck and found Asmara where Bo had left her. Her clothes had dried in salty crinkles. Her dark hair hung in sticky clumps around her face.

  ‘Asmara, are you... how are you?’

  She glanced up at him and then away. ‘I suppose I owe you a thank you.’ she said, her voice hoarse.

  ‘Have you had anything to drink?’ he asked in alarm. Had she been sitting out here all day?

  Asmara stood slowly. ‘A little. Bo brought me some. I haven’t had anything to eat yet.’

  ‘That’s about as smart as jumping into the ocean in a storm.’ he scowled. ‘And yes, a thank you would be great.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Don’t do it again.’ he relented. ‘Ukrit told us what they tried to do.’

  ‘Well, I’m still here.’ she walked slowly past him, heading towards the front of the boat and the cabin door. ‘And the children?’

  ‘Gabor... he didn’t make it.’

  ‘I suppose I was expecting that... you know I took their anchors away from them, the illusion that their keepers loved them. I’ve probably made things worse... at least for now...’ she looked down. When she looked up she had a sad smile. ‘Gabor’s the one who always goes first. He drags the others along with him. Those kids don’t have a chance while they’re together. As soon as we land we need to separate them... perhaps...’ her voice teared up, ‘perhaps they’ll last a little longer between excursions now.’

  Dorian followed her down to the cabin. She moved slowly, as if she were an old woman.

  ‘Ukrit. Palmira. Amina.’ Asmara said when she hopped off the ladder.

  The children looked up, their expressions hidden by their shadows.

  ‘Don’t do that again.’ she said firmly, but without anger. ‘If I need shadow magic, I have my own I can use. Don’t ever use your own power on me. Don’t ever try and save me again.’

  ‘We’re sorry.’ The three said in unison. With their flat voices, they did not sound sincere or regretful. It sounded like a mockery of an apology. They could not help it.

  She walked slowly over to Gabor and knelt down.

  ‘Where are you going to bury him?’ Palmira asked.

  ‘His body still lives.’

  ‘But he’s gone-’ the three said and were interrupted, by Asmara saying, ‘I know! But we’re not throwing a still breathing child over the side of the ship!’

  Nobody said anything for a while. Then Asmara asked, ‘Bo is there any water? I’m thirsty. And so is Gabor.’

  CHAPTER 106

  9 Aoust, 1353

  ‘Is it my fault?’ Julietta asked, after she awoke and the events of the previous day were explained to her. ‘If I’d protected the boat sooner-’

  ‘You couldn’t know they’d react like that, Julietta.’ Bo said quietly. ‘And even if that hadn’t happened...’

  Julietta sat out on deck, wrapped in a blanket. Bo had helped her up, she’d been too weak to walk on her own. She ached all over. Dorian wasn’t doing much better, and was resting inside the cabin.

  ‘He’s the youngest. He’s so little.’

  ‘Asmara’s looking after him, but...’

  They didn’t say anymore.

  Later, Dorian tottered up to daylight.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ Bo asked.

  ‘Tired. The water was so cold I didn’t think I’d be able to last through the storm.’

  ‘If you hadn’t jumped into the water.’ Julietta replied primly, the effect somewhat ruined by her weak voice. ‘Once I’m feeling better I’ll show you how-’

  ‘You rescue her next time she goes swimming!’ Dorian shot back, clearly not too tired to be grumpy.

  ‘If she falls in again Bo will have to rescue her.’

  ‘When do you think you two will be up to sailing again?’ Bo asked.

  Julietta was pale, her face small and thin amongst her thick hair. Dorian stood by the rail. He was standing, but his shoulders were stooped and his weariness was clear.

  ‘I’ll give it a go tomorrow.’ Dorian said. ‘Julietta?’

  ‘I’m not sure.’ she said with a frown. ‘I ruined my gloves and shattered my wand.’

  ‘Wand? What wand?’

  ‘I have a backup wand. I haven’t used it since the Collegium, though it’s lucky I still had it with me. There’s nothing left of my gloves at all.’ She paused and rubbed at her throat.

  Bo handed her some water and she took a sip.

  ‘I suppose it’s lucky the sea dragon didn’t attack us... I’ve never heard of that sort of behaviour. What on earth was it doing?’ she said, with a tone as if she was personally offended that the dragon had behaved in a non-standard way.

  ‘Maybe your sphere was comfy.’ Bo replied, trying to coax a smile from the two mages.

  Julietta’s only response was a frown.

  ‘How’s Asmara?’ Julietta asked after awhile.

  ‘How would I know?’ Dorian snapped. He walked away from the rail and to the stern, out of their sight.

  ‘She’s still down with the children.’ Bo said.

  ‘It must be difficult for them, with Gabor still down there..’

  ‘It’s hard to tell. If they’re upset they don’t show it, but I don’t think his body means much to them. I know they must be upset though. Gabor never spoke to us, but they knew him.’

  ‘Yes...it seems terribly unfair. Asmara could at least be polite to Dorian.’

  Surprised flashed across Bo’s face at the sudden change in conversation.

  ‘I don’t think fairness has much to do with it. It will be easier on both of them once we land and they can go their separate ways.’

  CHAPTER 107

  10 Aoust, 1353

  Jacques eyes roved over the assembled personages filling the Lord of Dartham’s sitting room near to bursting. The atmosphere of the room was complex, to say the least. The Lord of Dartham was wiping sweat from his brow. How could he have expected to entertain such eminent personages in his small domain? His residence had not been built to host princes. Relief and happiness bloomed on the faces of others. Jacques glanced at Prince Alexandre and then to the Emperor of Lakasha’s emissary, one of the Imperial Princes. They were tense, sharing thin, polite smiles that spoke of the true nature of this ceasefire.

  It is not peace, most definitely not peace.

  The ceremony was conducted with all the solemnity it required.

  To think, that I would be in a dungeon at the turning point of the war, and not truly needed... His lips quirked up in a smile, it was always hard to be reminded of how important you truly were.

  He remembered when he and Alexandre had finally been freed, five days after King Theuder had begun the peace talks. Silvain had been unsuccessful in convincing the King to free either one of them, and they’d had to await Guy. Alexandre was cool, at best towards his father. Jacques remembered his words to Silvain. If the King bypassed him for his younger son, there would be war. Silvain was giving his elder brother nothing but support. I think Silvain will support his brother, even if Theuder chooses him over Alexandre. Alexandre would likely never forgive the King for keeping him in that dungeon for so long.

  Guy, eventually, had awoken and revealed their innocence.

  ‘What on earth were you doing, Guy? I was in jail for nearly a month!’

  Guy frowned, hard to see on his deeply shadowed face. ‘Were you? I thought I mentioned it...’

  ‘Yes, eventually!’

  ’I thought I said it a few times...’

  ’What?’

  ‘Oh well. I thought I told people it was the Lakashan spymaster, but perhaps I didn’t.’

  ’You did, eventually. No, never mind. I am out now.’ It was galling to think Guy had been trying to tell people he had been innocent. No one had listened or they hadn’t understood his ramblings.

  ‘What were you doing, Guy? And do you want to tell me who the Lakashan spymaster is?’

  ’No...’

  ‘That would be very helpful to us, Guy-’

  ‘No, we are not helping anymore. Be quiet now.’

  ‘Are you alright?’

  Of course he hadn’t been alright. Jacques had an idea what he’d been using his shadow magic on and he was not surprised at Guy’s state. At least... at least he had recovered... for the moment.

  He looked back towards the Princes of Mance-Jolune and Lakasha. He frowned, ever so slightly. It is over, for now. But not for long. His jaw clenched. How long? Cadel Vayles had not been found, and if the King had some plot regarding Lady Emerré and the shadow mage he’d found... the war could begin again in less than half a year... though perhaps dealing with Dashiell will take longer... Perhaps no one in Mance-Jolune will have a say in when the war starts again. Perhaps the Emperor won’t allow the truce to last six months, not after losing so many of his family...

  He’d spoken to Emerré briefly at the Western Dartham Fortress. She would be coming here, to Dartham Town, soon. Her tightly controlled anger was palpable. Cadel Vayles was still missing, and she would continue her search. Jacques dearly hoped she found him, wherever he was. I hope my suspicions about the King are unfounded and she finds him soon. If she doesn’t I am sure she will tell the Duke of Belcanon of the King’s involvement in recent events... whatever Theuder and Dashiell spoke of at the Drosgl pass...the renewed accord between them will not survive another insult from the King. Accord was perhaps too strong a word. Theuder had been forced to some sort of compromise, and the King would not soon forget that.

  But for now, the war is over.

  CHAPTER 108

  11 Aoust, 1353

  Of all the burials Julietta had participated in, she found Gabor’s the hardest. They wrapped him in sacks which had once held food, while Dorian chanted spells over his body to make him heavier.

  Julietta found herself wondering about all the things she could have done differently. If I’d protected the ship sooner... If I’d kept his body alive longer maybe... no, I’m too weak, if only I’d kept the boat away from the storm to begin with...

  The children sat and watched, but appeared unmoved. Asmara openly wept, trembling.

  Dorian and Bo lifted the tiny, shrouded body up over the railing. Dorian murmured enchantments under his breath, so Gabor floated down softly to the ocean. Then he was gone, disappearing beneath the waves.

  ‘Don’t strain yourself.’ Julietta said.

  Dorian glanced over at Julietta. Though normally pale, the sorcerer looked washed-out and exhausted. Dark smudges under his eyes stood out starkly in his strained face.

  ‘I rested for two full days, Julietta. We can’t just stay out here forever.’

  ‘You did not. You tried yesterday.’

  ‘I barely unfurled the sail-’

  ‘Yes, and that was only yesterday. We fished enough before the storm that we still have enough supplies to wait another few days-’

  ‘I’m not going to argue with you, Julietta.’

  He turned away and closed his eyes.

  Julietta sighed and rested her head against the cabin doorframe. At least the sky was clear and up on deck in the sun it was mildly less chilly.

  ‘Are you upset because Bo’s cooking?’ Ukrit asked.

  Julietta was startled by the question. ‘Bo’s cooking? Why would I-’

  ‘Because Dorian isn’t cooking anymore and Bo said Dorian is a good cook.’ Palmira and Amina said. ‘Is Bo not a good cook?’

  ‘I’m not a good cook!’ Dorian answered, clearly unable to resist. ‘Bo and Asmara are just lazy and don’t like cooking!’

  ‘I’m not upset about the cooking.’ Julietta rubbed at the bridge of her nose. We buried their friend this morning, surely they understand...? She reminded herself she was being unfair. She couldn’t read their faces, with their shadows. As far as the children were concerned they’d lost Gabor in the storm. Just because they’re not sad like Asmara doesn’t mean they don’t feel anything. She reminded herself. She felt a twinge of annoyance. Dorian was probably pushing himself for Asmara, or so he could get away from her. Asmara could try and be a bit more understanding.

  She realised she hadn’t said anything for several minutes. She was supposed to be taking care of the children while Asmara brooded up the other end of the ship and Bo tried to cheer her up. I’m being unfair. She tried to tell herself.

  ‘What were we talking about?’ she said with forced brightness.

  ‘You were telling us about how to rescue drowning people.’ The two girls answered.

  She glanced towards Dorian. Her unsubtle attempt at lecturing Dorian. Perhaps now wasn’t the time. ‘Let’s talk about spirit magic, specifically greater spirits and their observed behaviour.’

  Julietta launched into a lecture. The children listened passively.

  ‘What is she doing?’ Ukrit exclaimed.

  Julietta, annoyed at the interruption that had nothing to do with her lecture, looked up and saw Asmara walking on her hands along the deck.

  Julietta watched in surprise and no small amount of amazement. The deck was certainly not still, yet Asmara managed to maintain her balance.

  ‘Asmara, if you fall off I’m not rescuing you!’ Dorian replied from his position on the other side of the deck.

  Asmara walked past Julietta and up to the bow. Then slowly she began turning around-

  She hit the deck with a bang and let out a pained yelp which turned into a laugh.

  ‘I’m getting pretty good!’ she announced. ‘Halfway around the boat, Bo!’

  ‘Very good, Asmara.’ he replied. ‘Now just stay away from the water.’

  Julietta shaded her eyes to look up at Bo. ‘You know, you’re twice Asmara’s size. Why couldn’t you keep her from the water?’

  ‘Twice her size?’ Bo replied, as if offended.

  ‘Maybe not twice, but you’re much bigger than her.’

  ‘Asmara has sharp elbows and good aim.’ he replied mournfully.

  ‘I can show you, Etta.’ Asmara said, still lying on the deck. ‘It’s an important skill to know! Bo can demonstrate!’

  ‘I think not. I’m still recovering. Maybe Julietta can magic up a punching bag.’

  ‘Why would I need to know that? I have my magic.’

  ‘What about times like now, when you can’t use it?’

  ‘If I can’t draw in magic, like now, I’m too weak to hit anyone.’

  ‘Ah, your condition. Are you alright, Julietta?’ Bo asked, a frown of worry creasing his face.

  Julietta thought about that for a while. ‘Yes, I will be. I drew in magic yesterday. It... hurt a bit, but I could still do it. I’ll be fine in a few days. Until then though I’m afraid I’ll be quite weak.’

  ‘Suit yourself.’ Asmara replied and suddenly rolled into another handstand. ‘What do you think, Bo? All the way around the deck this time?’

  ‘There was something-’ Julietta began, not sure if she should ask.

  ‘What is it?’ Asmara asked, her legs swaying above her head as she somehow kept her balance on the rocking deck.

  ‘I...’

  ‘It’s about the children, isn’t?’ Asmara sighed. ‘Come on, get it out, Julietta.’

  ‘Well, how come they were afraid of storms if they’d been in storms before?’ she blurted out, knowing she was being selfish at the same time as she asked.

  Asmara tilted her balance onto her left hand before lifting her right and placing it in front of her. ‘Memories are not the same as living through something. Do you remember pain?’

  ‘I... well...’ Julietta frowned as she thought about that.

  ‘People forget things. Memories are unreliable, they aren’t the same as living through something and not knowing if you’re going to survive. So, that’s your answer. Using shadow magic on someone as they experience something isn’t the same as living through it yourself, a shadow mage can always leave the danger of their body.’

  ‘I see you’ve thought about it.’

  ‘Hard not to.’ she said with a short laugh. ‘Children, make sure you let the memories go, you can’t keep everything you see.’