“I don’t understand miartha,” Atelo said. “You would think that one paying customer would be the same as another.”

“Not when they’re trirecs,” Raulin responded. “It’s only fair. We spread rumors of our abilities. We make people fear us. It’s only natural that a captain would have second thoughts about taking us aboard. I recommend we be as cordial as possible…master.”

The honorific was almost unnecessary. Atelo had admitted quite quickly that he was in awe of Raulin’s ability to complete a full docket. Since the trivren was still untrained, he hadn’t acquired that meddling, pretentious air he’d notice most trivrens he’d spoken to had in various flavors. They were almost equals, but Raulin still deferred to him and threw in a “master” every once in a while, just so he couldn’t be accused of insubordination.

“Perhaps you are right,” Atelo said, limping as they slowly walked towards their ship. “It would be in our best interest to remain aloof, yet approachable during our voyage.”

Raulin smiled. At least he wouldn’t be lonely during the trip. “I took the same approach on my journey here. If I hadn’t, I likely would have drowned in my cabin when the ship capsized.”

“Yes, I heard something of that. I believe you lost a great deal of paperwork.”

“It was regrettable. All I had left were the clothes I wore, my knives, my beads, and my mask when I arrived in port.”

“I think I would like to hear more about your tragedy when we have a moment.”

The two walked up the plank to a double-master carrack called The Tempest Free. Raulin appreciated the name; he would prefer this trip to encounter the least amount of tempests possible. At the top a bearded man stood smoking a pipe, speaking cordially to a well-dressed older couple. The two trirecs waited until the couple had moved away before moving aboard themselves.

“Oh, hello!” the man said, addressing them. He held out his hand to shake, which they both did with some surprise. “I’m Captain Mayard of The Tempest Free. I’d like to welcome you aboard. If you need anything, please ask either myself or the crew. If you have any issues with the crew, take it up with my first mate, Abri Veront. He’s the squirrely little man with the curly, brown hair. And if you have an issue with my first mate, take it up with me.” He puffed on his pipe. “That’s a little nautical humor.”

Raulin chuckled and quickly translated it to Atelo, who let out one solitary “heh”. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’m sure our voyage will be a quiet and uneventful one.”

“I doubt it,” he said, smiling to himself. “Your fare was translated from one shared cabin to two smaller cabins. I hope this is all right.”

“Preferable,” Raulin said.

“Excellent. You’re in 2 and 4, under the forecastle,” he said, pointing to the bow of the ship. “I’m sure it won’t take long to investigate where everything is, but if you have questions, feel free to ask the crew.”

Raulin led Atelo to the forecastle and found their rooms easily. Making sure that his charge was comfortable, he went to his own and unpacked. Besides his clothing, coin, and a few leftover crumbs, he had nothing to spread out. He’d left everything of value behind.

He laid on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was comfortable, just long enough for his height, with a mattress of cotton that surprised him. The pillow was down and the blanket felt thick and unworn.

He sighed. After a few moments of thought, he reminded himself that he hated brooding, then told himself to shut up. His mind had gotten what it wanted, it was time for his heart to grieve. And he knew this was, by far, the worst departure he was ever going to have.

And so, he let the emotions cleave him in two. He let the ache and despair wash over him and drown him. He relived every happy memory he’d had in Gheny. He imagined every happy future he had conceived play in his mind.

The ship lurched and he felt the rocking shift. He looked out his porthole and saw the land shift, the people grow smaller. He smiled, weakly, sadly. He was gone. They were gone. They were safe.

* * *

There were actually a few times Raulin was grateful to be wearing a mask. Obviously, if he was spotted during his contracts, he would feel relieved, even emboldened by his anonymity. During times of low light, it was very helpful. And, for two days aboard The Tempest Free, he didn’t have to smile at everyone he passed. He didn’t have to meet people’s eyes, nod, and contour his face into a hollow, false expression he wondered if he would ever want to use again.

It also was great at hiding alarm, at least partly.

He walked from his cabin and slowly took in the day as he sauntered to the stern on the main deck, where the larger cabins, the lounge, and the mess hall were.

“Storm!” a sailor yelled from above.

Raulin quickly scanned the horizon, turning around frantically, not seeing anything. “Where?”

“Off the…bow stern!”

“Ilden! If you piss off the rat lines again, the boatswain will have your hide!” another sailor said, grabbing a barrel near Raulin. To him, he said, “Sorry, sir. Ilden’s a bit of a pranksy fellow, on a good day. You likely make him a bit nervous.”

“Trirecs don’t scare me,” Ilden said, dropping down to the forecastle and leaning over the railing. “Not on a ship they don’t. If I were walking around on land, minding my business, then I’d be a tad nervous. They might be out for me there. Here, though, they’re just traveling and no one murders the men sailing them. Safest people in the world are carriage drivers and sailors.”

“I’ve killed a coachman before, though you’re right about me not killing sailors. Bad business when you have to step in for the help because you’ve accidentally stabbed them a few times. I might be willing to make an exception for you, though.”

Ilden’s neck slowly straightened while the other man laughed. “I told you your antics will be the death of you!” With he left arm wrapped around his barrel, the man put out his right arm and shook. “Encran, sir. Feel free to tweak his nose a bit with my blessing.”

He nodded and made his way to the mess hall. While he hadn’t laughed nor smiled at the exchange, he had felt something a little closer to happiness. Maybe by the end of the trip he’d actually be fine. He doubted it, but he could hope.

Raulin sat alone at dinner, which was a half-hour of picking at his food before leaving for his room. He had to try, he thought. Maybe tomorrow.

* * *

She knocked on the door to cabin 2 and heard a startled “Trivren?” a few moments later. She said nothing. When there was no sound, she knocked again. “Chari?” he asked, his footsteps soft but loud enough to hear. He smoothly unhooked the latch to the door and opened it wide enough to look outside.

“Hello?” he asked, trying Ghenian. “Can I help you?”

Taking him off guard, she pushed against the door. Raulin stumbled back as she walked in and pushed the door closed behind her. He stood alert, ready to spring, his knives in his hands.

She stood facing him, then pushed back the cowl of her wool cloak. He dropped his knives and ripped the mask off his face. “Anla?” he whispered, staggering back a step.

With him standing there, the tongue-lashing she had prepared in her cabin died. She had been furious with him for making him choose, for leaving her, for never saying goodbye. But…stronger than that was her love and her need. She had missed him so terribly, and had never realized how much until that moment.

She closed the space between them and he wrapped his arms around her, gently so as to not hurt her still healing wounds. Still kissing her, he sat on his bed and she straddled his lap. They didn’t stop. Finally, breathing hard with their heads on each others shoulders, they were still, and for a moment, everything was sound and wonderful and peace. Then, he shoved her off him and turned away, leaning his elbows on his knees and the heels of his hands into his eyes.

Anla was so shocked by this action that she was silent as she tried to figure out why he had been so tender in one moment, and so forcefully rejecting in the next. She watched him. She was again shocked to see his shoulders shake and him sniff. This was a first for her. Never had she seen him cry.

“I can’t do this,” he whispered.

“Do what?”

“Be with you, leave you. I am torn apart.”

“Tell me, please. Why did you leave me?”

He pinched his eyes with his finger and thumb to clear his tears, then turned back towards her. “I was a fool to think that I could escape Arvarikor and have a happy life with you. They found us as they will always find us. There is no safe space in this world where you and I can be a family, have children, a home. I am a trirec. I must be a trirec, or else they will remove any and all obstacles from that path. The next time they will slice your throat in front of me, like they did with Belisant, and they will beat submission back into me.”

“You didn’t even give me a chance. We made a mistake. In the future we will be careful, secretive, more prepared for them than ever. We can make this work-”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “No, we can’t, Anla.”

“We’re married, Raulin. We promised each other we’d love and cherish each other until we die.”

“It’s not that promise that’s the problem,” he said. “It’s the one involving being with you and protecting you. I can’t do both. At least if I’m away from you, you’ll be alive and I can be at peace knowing that. So, I’m going to go talk to the captain and have him turn the ship around and drop you off at the nearest port. Al?”

“…is in our cabin,” she said.

“Tel? How’d you hide Tel from me?”

“He’s in the captain’s cabin.”

“Why would he hide Tel in his cabin?”

“Because the captain is the same first mate that brought Tel over from Ervaskin. They’re good friends and Tel has using his kiluid magic to help the journey go faster and without issue.”

Raulin looked at her then swore.

“Yes, so the four of us are on this ship until we reach Kitstuar, whether or not you like or appreciate it,” she said, folding her arms.

“Atelo can’t know about us,” he said. “If he finds out…I don’t even want to think about it. I have no idea what Curvorn told him before we left, but I wouldn’t put him killing you out of the question.”

“I can handle myself,” she said.

“Have you already?”

“No, and I won’t if I don’t have to. I have no qualms using my magic if he comes for me, but I won’t ensorcel him and rob him of his free will. And I’m sorry I did that to you in Cataya.”

“I understood why you did it. Please never do it again, but I couldn’t really be upset with you over it. Now, as much as I hate to say this, you need to leave. And be careful of who sees you leaving.”

She put her cloak back on and drew a letter from her pocket. “This is from Al. He took precautions to make sure only you could read it.” He took he letter and she cupped her hands around his face. “You’ve forgotten that we, all of us, said we would lean on each other if we ever needed help. I’m still upset with you. But, I still love you.” She kissed him.

“I still love you, too,” he said as she left the room.

He opened the letter. In Raulin’s code, Al had written in his shaky hand. “Raulin. I know a way to get you out legally. I found the loophole. Please talk to me when you get a moment. -Al.”

He sighed and laid down to think about it, tapping the paper against his cheek. He didn’t know the details, but he could see the pathway and the assurance he’d have to make in order for this to work. No, no, a thousand times no, he thought. That’s my answer. He was sticking to his course, though he couldn’t help but smile for the first time in days. She was here, she was in danger, but she was here.