Rather than risk missing them, Ghost and I waited for Bereth and Isaiah at the shore. I wanted to get off this island and soon as possible. A couple of hours of quiet meditation was a small price to pay, and was good for me anyway. Ghost had no problem sitting for long hours in silence. Then again, he wasn’t able to speak until not all that long ago.
“Ahoy!” I heard a familiar voice shout.
“Ahoy!” I shouted back.
When they ran on shore, I immediately picked up my small bag of supplies and hopped on the boat.
“In a hurry?” Bereth asked.
“I’m always in a hurry,” I said.
“We don’t normally visit Redbank today, but we thought we’d stop by after Rockport’s delivery when the boat was empty. Just to see if you needed us,” Isaiah said.
Bereth waved for Isaiah to push off. “And good thing we did. I think the poor girl was ready to make the swim if we hadn’t shown up when we did.”
“I was considering it.”
Isaiah seemed to be holding in a laugh.
“Running toward Rockport, or running away from Redbank?” he asked with a grin as we swayed gently on the calm waters.
“Just getting this over with as soon as possible.”
Bereth gestured to the sword on my hip.
“Interesting weapon. You’ll see quite a few swords on Rockport, but I’m surprised someone from PanTech would choose to carry one.”
“I’m not really from PanTech. At least, not the same way Adversity Management is. I always try to blend in as much as possible. This sword was… a gift from a friend.”
The two men looked at one another, frowned, and nodded.
“She’s still alive,” I said, knowing both men were thinking the question but too polite to ask. “She’s running a camp for survivors of the destruction at PanTech HQ. I just miss her. Normally she’d accompany me for something like this, but we’re all spread thin and have our own responsibilities.”
“Few things in life hold greater value than a good friend. Or family,” Bereth said, nodding and smiling to his son.
“Or family,” I agreed. “I’m thankful I was able to visit mine again when… after everything fell apart.”
Isaiah pointed ahead, Rockport beginning to come into sight.
“You should be warned… Rockport has its own problems. However, if you’re looking for someone willing to fight, you’re a lot more likely to find it here. They’re likely to join a fight for little to no reason at all.”
“Ruffians, more like,” Isaiah added. “You should look out for your own safety amongst men like these. You look like you can handle yourself, but sleep light.”
“Please don’t feed into her paranoia. She’s abundantly cautious already,” Ghost said, causing both men to jump. He’d been silent so long they forgot he was able to speak.
Bereth clutched his chest, grinning. “I’m sorry, Ghost. It’s hard to wrap my mind around birds joining the conversation. No offense.”
“Why would I be offended?” Ghost asked. “That’s a human thing.”
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“I’m not…” I protested, or at least wanted to protest. “Okay, I’m paranoid, but warnings are also appreciated, Ghost. I’m not that fragile.”
“I never said you were fragile. I said you were paranoid.”
“Ghost, you implied it.”
He paused for a moment, thinking it over in a very Ghost-like, stoic sort of way.
“Apologies,” he finally said.
I was shocked. Another apology from the great Ghost? I could get used to this.
“You are forgiven, Ghost. I have found it in my heart to forgive you.”
He tilted his head. Bereth and Isaiah both laughed, causing him to turn toward them and narrow his eyes.
It was nice to have him with me.
As we ran on shore, two armed men approached, though at least not with weapons drawn. They weren’t lying. Swords on the hip, looking sharp and ready, wearing very unwelcoming expressions on their bearded faces.
“Interesting cargo today, Bereth,” one man said, eyeing me up and down. “Doesn’t look like a fish to me.”
“Someone on that island finally come to their senses?” the other man asked. “Trying to get away from the nutcases over there?”
Bereth and Isaiah both looked at me, clearly not comfortable speaking for me as they’d been before.
“I’m not from any of these islands,” I said, taking a step off the boat.
The first man drew his sword, pointing it at me.
“Put that away,” I said. “Before you get hurt.”
The other man let out a sharp whistle.
“I think she’s telling the truth about not being from the Redbank. Nobody there would speak that way.”
“Troublemakers are troublemakers no matter where they’re from,” the first man said, still holding his sword. I placed my palm on Twisted Key.
“Lower your sword, or I’ll make you lower it,” I said. “Besides, I thought this was the best place for a troublemaker to be.”
Isaiah stepped off the boat, holding his hands high in the air.
“Wait! There’s no need to resort to duels on the beach. Surely you’ll hear the girl out, eh Resnir?”
Resnir kept his sword held steady.
“We’ve troubles enough without new ones spilling onto the shore from who knows where.”
“Your troubles are why I’m here,” I said. “If you’ve got the sense to listen instead of starting something you lack the ability to finish. So how about it? Put your sword away before you embarrass yourself in front of your friend here.”
A grin stretched across Resnir’s lips. It seemed unwise to provoke a man the moment you meet him, but right away I could see this was a place where strength was respected above most other things. And here I was, arriving on their shores, a woman with a small frame and soft voice.
Ghost seemed to sense my intentions, leaving my shoulder and perching on the edge of the boat.
“Alright. Let’s see you make me lower it,” he said, chuckling.
I activated my enhancer, kicking off my dominant foot and propelling myself straight at him. He only had time to widen his eyes, nearly stumbling back as I grabbed his wrist, twisted it, flung him over my shoulder and slammed him hard on the ground. A burst of air escaped his lungs, and he dropped his sword without meaning to. A tough man, for certain, but not a trained swordsman.
The other man drew his sword and took a step forward, stopping in his tracks when I turned toward him.
“How much better do you think you’ll do?” I asked.
“Gah, let go, witch!” Resnir growled. I kept his arm locked behind him, his face pressed into the sand.
Isaiah started to take another step forward, but Bereth placed a hand on his shoulder and slowly shook his head.
“I’m Gregory,” he said, putting his sword away. “Just where did you learn to fight like that?”
“PanTech. Well… and a few other places I suppose.”
“So, you’re part of their island?” he asked.
“Don’t listen to her,” Resnir growled, still struggling to free himself.
“No. I’m part of the reason PanTech went up in smoke. I’m not part of Adversity Management. I’m a scientist. Find yourself dealing with a lot of sickness lately?”
Resnir froze, suddenly giving up all resistance.
“Ah, I take it you have. I’m actually—well, was actually here to deal with that situation. Unfortunately, PanTech’s pirates stole my supplies. Redbank would rather die than fight for their own salvation. I thought I could find capable men here with both the will and the ability to help me. I guess that remains to be seen.”
Sensing the fight had left Resnir, I loosened my grip and took a step back. He stood slowly, rubbing his shoulder.
“I lost my brother only two days ago to the plague…”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“I don’t need your sorries,” he growled. “You’re here to see Jeremy?”
“I am,” I nodded.
Ghost returned to my shoulder.
“Interesting pet,” Gregory said.
“Oh, you have no idea. Please, take me to Jeremy. I’d really rather not waste any more time when people are dying as we speak.”
There was no more resistance from Resnir. He picked up his sword from the sand and sheathed it, turning and waiting for me to follow.
I nodded to Bereth and Isaiah.
“Good luck,” Bereth said, nodding to Isaiah, who pushed their boat off.
Gregory held up his hand.
“Before you go, you should be warned. Jeremy isn’t in the best of moods lately and he’s been… indulging a bit more than usual.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“This way,” he said.
I followed the two men in silence.