The Balance of Power (Godsland Series: Books Four, Five, and Six) (46 page)

"If they've abandoned the assault on the Greatland, why attack us?" Sinjin asked despite the fact that everyone else was rushing around, trying to get the ship ready for departure. The crew moved with speed and grace, and in a short time, the ship was making a wide turn and heading back out to sea. Benjin aimed straight for the ships.

"They need more ships," Kendra said, "and it's far easier to steal a ship than it is to build one." Both fell silent as Gwen moved to the back of the ship where two large wooden tubes had been erected. Sinjin was still trying to figure out what they were when fire and lightning leaped around Gwen's hands.

"Get us out of here," Benjin growled, and Pelivor raised his arms, his right fist clenched and leaking red light.

Sinjin could almost feel the energy radiating from the man, and the air around him shimmered.

Kendra grabbed on to Sinjin when Gwen laid her hands on the wooden tubes and a deep moaning emerged, growing in pitch as the ship lurched forward. Kendra's grip grew tighter, hurting Sinjin's arm, but he could find no words as the ship left the water and turned sharply. Though he'd heard the tales, Sinjin had never thought to see a ship fly, especially not without his mother aboard; the cruel irony of that did not escape him. His mother had been persecuted, and in the end killed because of her power, and yet there were clearly others in the world with similar abilities. How was that fair? He'd learned not to ask why things weren't fair a long time before, but he couldn't help it. Only having Benjin, Fasha, and Gwen back in his life kept his chin up. He couldn't help but smile when he heard Millie cursing from within the galley. "Why can't they tell me when they are going to do things like that?" she grumbled.

Sinjin looked in the galley and saw Morif trying to help Millie clean up the mess. The old soldier gave him a brief wave and a smile that softened his otherwise stone-hard face.

"Is it safe for a person to try to feed the crew now?" Millie asked.

Looking down, Sinjin saw the black ships fading into the distance. Any danger presented from those ships was past, for a time at least. Sinjin knew his world might never again truly be safe. How foolish they had been to have believed the world wouldn't change, that war would not someday come. With a bit of bitterness, he looked back to how his mother had been treated when she'd tried to tell them. And what of Nat Dersinger? Had he not also tried to warn them? Looking back, it was easy to place blame, but he also remembered how he'd felt about it, and it shamed him. He'd been so certain she was wrong, that there would never come a time so terrible that people would have to live underground, yet that time had already come. The world had seemed so permanent as it was; now nothing seemed quite as solid or indestructible. Life was fragile, Sinjin had learned, and so was everything else. All things were just one disaster away from ceasing to exist.

"Come in and sit," Millie said. "Those fools should be done tossing us about now."

"Do you know where my grandfather is?" Sinjin asked.

Millie smiled. "He was his usual stubborn self the last I saw him," she answered, "but he and your great-uncle decided to stay in Endland, just in case Lord Kyte's message was actually a trap. I can't argue that they could have been correct, but they just seemed to enjoy the idea of sneaking around the harbor too much. They were like a couple of children. Kenward and his crew also stayed behind, looking for mischief as well, I'd wager."

"They're good men who risked themselves to make sure Sinjin could be brought home safely," Morif said.

"Home," Sinjin said. Despite having known of Trinda's conquest for some time, Sinjin had still not gotten over it. He'd tried to be her friend, and this was how she returned the favor? She took away the only home he'd ever known.

Millie looked over at him and shook her head, but for once said nothing.

"You've suffered a great loss, lad; that's for certain," Morif said, his voice serious and low. "I know how badly one can hurt, and I want you to know that it's all right. What's over your head isn't what matters. When you're among friends, you're home."

The words didn't make Sinjin feel much better, though he appreciated the sentiment.

"We'll go back for your grandfather and great-uncle," Millie said. "Hopefully they won't be too difficult to find. The black ships are keeping a pretty close watch on all the ports and harbors. We'll need to get in and out as quickly as possible. This ship can do amazing things with those aboard, but she isn't indestructible, something I've been trying to make sure Benjin and Fasha remember. With Gwen and Pelivor aboard, they've gotten cocky, and because of that, they've gotten sloppy. It's going to catch up to all of us eventually."

Morif rolled his eye.

That was enough to make Sinjin smile. Some things would never change.

"Who taught Pelivor and Gwen to fly the ship?"

"Pelivor figured it out on his own but just barely," Millie said. "Or so I've heard--over and over again."

"Kenward?" Sinjin asked.

Millie just snorted and nodded. "You guessed it. Always complains that Pelivor tried to drop them from the sky. The young man seems quite competent to me," she said, and she even blushed a little.

Morif leaned back and laughed. "He hasn't dropped us from the sky yet," he said. "And with Gwen, he can make time like nothing you've ever seen. We're just cruising at the moment. When she's got a mind to, that little girl can send this ship so fast, the wind tries to tear her apart."

"Here," Millie said to Morif. "Put some of this in your mouth and be quiet. You're just going to scare these poor children needlessly."

Despite the humor, Kendra didn't like being referred to as a child any more than Sinjin did. Both let it go since Millie brought more food for them, including thick broth and crusty bread that had little, star-shaped seeds in it.

"It would've had more substance if those fools had given me a little warning."

No one said anything since they had food in their mouths. Sinjin considered this the appropriate response. Millie seemed to as well, and for a brief time was content to watch them all eat. While he picked at his food, his mind wandered, and he tried to understand all that had taken place. It was impossible. He didn't know the source of this evil that attacked the Godfist and the Greatland and now was retreating, if slowly.

"From where do these invaders come?" he asked without meaning to, but no one answered.

Chapter 3

Kindness is one thing of which we should never run out.

--Missa Banks, healer

* * *

Bits of straw clung to Allette's face when she pushed herself up from the crude bench on which she had slept. Running a hand over her cheek, she could feel the indents left by the rough surface on the unsanded wood. Hoping she didn't have any splinters, she ran a hand over her aching head. When her vision finally focused, she drew a sharp breath. She wasn't alone.

A hard-eyed and bearded old man sat across the room, looking at her in a way that made her very uncomfortable. Another man snored on a similar bench and smelled of whiskey. She was trapped in a cell with these men, and she nearly climbed the walls in fear. The reinforced door showed signs of previous escape attempts, its surface pocked and scarred, splinters of wood still hanging. The place had the smell of creosote, and she would bet the door was soaked in it, making the wood caustic to the touch.

"Think you can get out of here,
boy?
" the hard-eyed man said, his calloused hands clenched. And the way he said "boy" gave Allette another start. Did he know she was a girl? The old man looked over at the other, who'd stopped snoring. Allette took the opportunity to check her hair. Some of it had come loose in her sleep, and it must have made her gender obvious to this man. Quickly she tucked it back under her collar. The man turned back to her, aware that the other was still sleeping. He said nothing and instead only grinned at her.

When a loud clang sounded from the heavy cell door, Allette jumped. The door swung inward, and a broad, bald head peeked in. "You there, come with me," he said, pointing to Allette. Then he turned his eyes to the bearded man. "You stay where you are."

Standing slowly and not turning her back on the bearded man, who watched her intently, Allette made her way to the door. The bearded man lunged at her then, and she squealed as she leaped away. The bald man at the door had sweat running down his face from just standing there, and he reacted slowly. Allette was already past him and into the dark hallway before he moved. From within, she heard the bearded man cursing and the sound of the drunken man waking.

The bald man pulled the door shut as quickly as he could and lowered the heavy bar back into place. Afterward, he wiped the sweat from his face and regarded Allette. She hadn't moved. Once she had gained her freedom from the cell and was safely away from that lecherous man, she waited quietly. This man did not look dangerous to her. He was pale and soft, and he jiggled when he moved.

"I am Sensi," he said. "I will represent you. Do you understand?"

Despite being uncertain of exactly what he meant, Allette nodded, her tongue unwilling to speak. This man would know she was a girl, this man who would defend her; at least, that was what she hoped he had meant.

"Follow me. We must speak in private," Sensi said before leading the way through narrow halls.

Natural light did not reach this far into the hold, not that Allette knew just how far in she'd been. The trip into the stone fortress had been a blur, and she remembered little of it. From the bruises she felt, she was almost glad she didn't remember it. Now though, it seemed they were impossibly deep within the hold, and only the light of Sensi's lantern let them see. Deep, cold fear crept into Allette's psyche and shaded her every thought. Waves and storms and darkness at sea she could handle, but to be trapped within cold stone, bereft of light and wind, was too much for her and she trembled.

Looking over at her, Sensi gave a sad but kind smile. "It's not so bad," he said. "Throwing fruit at someone is not the most heinous crime, and dropping a bit of peel is forgivable the first time. And if I wasn't so fat, I'd probably run from Heinlin too. The man is a brute."

Allette said nothing, not wanting to incriminate herself. That didn't seem to dampen Sensi's enthusiasm or optimism. "If you must know," Sensi said, despite the fact that Allette had not asked, "it is quite refreshing to work with a young person; so many of those who end up here know better. But you
 . . . well . . . I don't know."

Silence was her only response. How could she trust this man? Trust, her father had always told her, must be earned. Still, Sensi had gotten her out of that terrible cell; that counted for something. "I just want to go home."

Sensi stopped for a moment and looked at her. "So you
do
speak. I was beginning to wonder if you were mute. Come inside and we'll talk about 'home.' All right?"

It was only then that Allette saw the doorway. The door was neither plain nor elaborate. It was well made but not pretentious. The rich-grained wood bore no markings or decoration. Sensi opened it and beckoned her inside. At that moment Allette considered running, if only she'd known a way out. They were still deep enough within the mountain that she would need the lantern to light her way, and that would be more difficult than slipping away from the slow-moving man. There was a difference between being slow and being weak, and Allette wasn't certain she'd be able to wrest the lantern away from the man. If she failed, she would have alienated the one person who seemed willing to help her. Sensi watched her, seemingly aware of the battle that raged within Allette and content to see what she decided. Finally, with a resigned sigh, Allette entered.

The room was better appointed than Allette would have guessed. She'd seen poorer trappings in rooms reserved for honored guests aboard tall ships. The desk was carved of rich, golden wood. Fruits and leaves adorned the legs, and the work surface was polished to a smooth sheen. A leather writing pad covered the center, and there rested quills, ink, and parchment. The clutter was organized, but still Allette couldn't help but wonder how the man kept all those papers straight; just keeping a ship's log had seemed a daunting task to her.

Behind the desk rested a wide chair that looked as if it had been on the wrong end of a pitched battle. The cushion might once have portrayed a scene at court, but now it was faded and stretched. Sensi flopped into the chair with such force that Allette half expected it to collapse, yet it held.

"Sit," Sensi said.

Looking about, Allette saw a smaller chair in the corner. This chair was in far better condition. The scene on its cushion, however, portrayed a man being thrown from a cliff, which was not the most encouraging image. Still, Allette settled herself into the uncomfortable chair.

"Come closer," Sensi said. "We must talk and I do not wish to shout."

Allette leaned forward.

"What's your name, boy?"

"Allette," she said using her natural voice.

Sensi looked up with surprise in his eyes. "Have my eyes grown so old as that?"

"You saw what you expected to see," Allette said before she thought better of it.

"Perhaps I did," Sensi said, eyeing her anew. "From where do you hail?"

"My home is aboard the
Maker's Mark,
and she rests at Maiden Harbor."

A low whistle escaped Sensi's lips. "I suspected you were of Midland birth, but I wasn't expecting it to be the farthest reaches, and aboard a ship at that. How am I to know if even the ship is still there? Ships have been known to sail, you know."

His words caused Allette to flush. The
Maker's Mark
would only sail if her father were aboard or if there had been a mutiny. Her father would not leave the Heights without her, and his crew would never turn on him. The
Maker's Mark
was a ship of reputation and she would remain where she was docked; of that Allette was certain. If her father were dead, though, then what? Gritting her teeth, Allette kept the tears from coming. Show no weakness, her father had taught her.

"Where's your mother?"

"Dead," Allette answered, her voice flat.

Sensi looked apologetic and seemed to wish he'd framed his question differently. "Is your father alive?"

"I don't know," Allette said, a catch in her voice despite her best effort to suppress it. She couldn't help it, though. The thought of her father's being gone was too much for her, and she wanted to cry, wanted to wrap her arms around him and have him sing to her as he'd always done.

"But you came here together?" Sensi asked, his voice betraying annoyance at having to pull the information from her, but he also appeared to empathize with her, and that tempered the heat of his words.

"Yes."

Sensi just looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"There were men," Allette said. "They hit him. They made him get into a pull cart. I don't know what happened after that."

"That's terrible!" Sensi cried. "No wonder you were lost and frightened."

There were more questions about her father and her past, and Allette did what she could to answer them. Sensi really did seem to have her best interests at heart, and a small glimmer of hope ignited within her. Sensi would help find her father, and everything would go back to normal. She'd had hopes dashed before, and she knew better than to assume things would work out as she hoped. Would this time be different?

"You wait here and I'll go talk to the lord chancellor. I'll get these charges settled, and then we can talk about how to get you home."

Left alone, Allette wondered again if she should run. Sensi came across as well intentioned, but what of the rest? Sensi was, after all, not the lord chancellor. Just the sound of that name invoked visions of haughty disdain. Allette had seen no kindness from those with titles such as that. That was why she and her father preferred to be free people of the seas with no lord but the winds. Her father had given all that up for this trip.
Why?
she asked herself again, but still she could make no sense of his decision. Now he was gone.

When Sensi returned, Allette was searching the back of his chambers for another lamp; there was none to be found, but her guilt was difficult to hide when he entered. He was not alone. Behind him came a meaty guard, not so unlike the one she'd faced the day before. His eyes held no kindness, and Sensi looked somewhat downcast. Allette knew then that she should have run while she'd had the chance.

"Do not worry, child. Everything will be fine. There is just the matter of a small formality," Sensi said, and his words left Allette chilled. "The lord chancellor does not want to give the appearance of leniency toward Midlanders at a time when he needs the support of the council more than ever. You understand, of course."

Allette did not understand, but she did not give her questions voice. She doubted her words would do anything to improve her circumstances.

"The lord chancellor and I have already agreed that you are innocent of the charges, and we will convey this to the thrower. There is really nothing for you to worry about."

The thrower
 . . . Allette shuddered. She'd heard the tales of the Heights' justice and how the thrower made the final determination between innocent and guilty. The guilty were thrown from the Heights, and the innocent, allowed to stay. Visions of falling to her death filled Allette's mind and would not relent, making any other thought almost impossible.

"Don't worry," Sensi said as he put a hand on her shoulder and guided her back to the hall. "No one has been thrown from the Heights in decades. You're no Thundegar Rheams, I'll tell you that. That fool left the thrower no other choice."

Again, Allette didn't fully understand what Sensi was talking about, but she understood enough. Still, the way the guard looked at her did anything but bring comfort. Rather than going upward, as Allette had expected, Sensi took them downward. No more was said as they walked, and even the men's gaits became more formal. The guard stood rigid, and his eyes remained straight ahead. At least he no longer glared at her, Allette thought.

After one more turn, natural light shone ahead. Allette had never been so happy to see real sunlight. It felt to her as if she had been imprisoned in stone for weeks. She could not imagine spending the rest of her life in such a place. A small crowd was gathered on an elaborately carved dais; beyond waited a spectacular view. Mists blanketed the forest below, giving them their name: the Cloud Forest. Allette had seen it on their flight in, but this view was like nothing she'd ever witnessed. Wind caressed her face, and she greeted it like an old friend. The sun sent beams of light through fluffy white clouds at much higher elevation. Allette half expected to see dragons in the air, but the skies were otherwise clear. It would have made no difference. Her fate was about to be sealed.

Somehow the cheerful day made it seem as if nothing could go wrong, but Allette had seen that feeling proven false too many times. She could not let down her guard, or it might be the end of her. She wasn't ready for the great beyond; she'd barely figured out what she wanted to be in this life.

The lord chancellor was easy to spot. He was the most finely dressed, and a crowd of lessers hovered around him, waiting on an opportunity to gain his attention. The thrower, too, was easy to pick out. He was perhaps the tallest man Allette had ever seen, and even garbed in heavy robes, the muscles of his shoulders and chest were easily seen. His face was hidden in shadow, and none claimed to know who the thrower really was, but Allette doubted such an enormous man could remain clandestine. It did not matter, neither his name nor his house; all that mattered was that Allette had to face him that day.