All the Stars and Teeth(20)
“The king is a fool to not take Kaven seriously.” He spits Father’s title. “The Kers are done begging him for support he refuses to provide. They’ve turned instead to Kaven, a Zudian who’s had enough of the same thing. He’s been raising a rebellion of like-minded individuals, all who believe that learning multiple magics is a necessity for Visidia’s survival. But the issue with Kaven is that he doesn’t know when to stop. In building a name for himself and forming this rebellion, he destroyed Zudoh, helping support only those who sided with him while leaving anyone else to rot. Now he’s aligned himself with Kerost, where he’s doing the same thing.” Bastian’s voice tightens in anger. “I came here to warn your father that Kaven’s expanding his reach to the other islands, though I shouldn’t have wasted my time. I knew he’d never listen.”
Disbelief and worry war within my skull. We’ve had nothing to do with Zudoh since I was a child—so why now?
“What does this rebellion want, exactly?” I have to dig to find my voice. It’s raspy from the salty air, scratching my throat with each word.
Bastian doesn’t hesitate with his answer, though my world freezes when he says, “They want the end of the Montaras. They want to abolish the monarchy, and practice however many magics they’d like. Soul magic included.”
I nearly laugh as fear swells within me. There’s no telling whether the dampness of my skin is due to the ocean, or my own sweat. “They’re asking us to let them destroy Visidia!”
Bastian leans forward and says, “Aye, so let’s not let them win. Kaven’s the brains behind this rebellion. If we take him down, the rest of it will crumble. He doesn’t have the support he needs to wage a true war. Right now, the Kers are divided. Only half of them support Kaven, while the others are focused on rebuilding their island on their own. And the Zudians…” He takes a moment to consider his next words, face darkening. “Most of them want Kaven gone, too. But we have to get to him before the other islands join his cause.”
“And you expect us to do this on our own?” I press. “Two people, against a rebellion?” A thousand questions war in my mind. What are Kaven’s tactics? How long do we have? What are the numbers like? But this ship is moving fast, and there’s little time to make my choice—turn back and hope Father’s able to convince Visidia to give me another chance, or put fate in my own hands and earn my chance.
“I’m not looking to start a war,” he corrects me. “I’m looking to end one man, which will put a stop to all of this. You said you wanted a chance to help your kingdom, so here it is. Will you take it?”
My chest seizes. Not with defeat, but purpose. The ocean’s brine is a perfume that steadies me as I press my fists against my lap so that Bastian can’t tell how deeply his words resonate.
“And what role do you play in all this?” I ask, because I want to glean every bit of information I can before I let him know I’ve made my decision. “Am I to believe that a pirate has no ulterior motives and is doing this for the good of the kingdom?”
The ocean pounds into the ship, but Bastian doesn’t flinch. He watches me with the thoughtfulness of a particularly clever feline. “I want my home back. And so long as Kaven’s there, I’ll never have it. That’s my only motive, and with my ship and your magic, I believe we’ll make quite the pair. So how about you and I strike a—”
“For the honor of Arida, I will not stand for this!” The voice comes from behind.
I whip my head around and see Ferrick, soaked and dripping water onto the deck. His skin has taken on a greenish hue. He sways slightly, barely managing to hoist a rapier out in front of him.
“You have kidnapped Princess Amora,” Ferrick says, “and I’m prepared to sacrifice my life to save her. I hereby challenge you to a duel!”
He looks like he’s about to throw up.
“Ferrick,” I groan. “What are you doing here? This isn’t necessary.”
But Bastian’s already on his feet. “Code of conduct, Princess—if you don’t want stowaways, be sure to draw up the ladder once you’re done climbing it.” He sighs and crosses the deck, looking over Ferrick’s ill-fitting emerald garb with a grimace I fully understand. “I’m guessing you’re a Suntosan?”
Ferrick squares his shoulders and tries to stand proud despite the seasickness that colors his skin. “I knew there was something off about you. Thank the gods I trusted my gut and turned back; I saw what you did to the guards, pirate. Let Amora go.”
Bastian draws a sword from his belted sheath and taps Ferrick’s blade with it, as if in greeting. “Ferrick, was it? I suppose it has been long enough since I’ve had a proper duel.” There are stars in Bastian’s eyes and amusement brimming in his words.
Ferrick thrusts with his rapier, but Bastian parries it without looking. Show-off.
The clanging of steel bounces off the deck before the ocean devours the sound. The sea is less gentle than it was this morning. It’s angry at the ship disturbing it, rocking it fiercely as we venture out of the shallow waters.
Bastian wields his sword as though it’s an extension of his own body, unrivaled by a swaying, seasick Ferrick. He moves effortlessly, stepping with the to-and-fro sway of the waves. I’ve no doubt he’s a practiced pirate. His tongue and wit are as sharp as the blade in his hand. He’s been doing this for many years, but I’ve never heard any stories of a pirate who sailed the seas without a crew.