Brian Rathbone - The Dawning of Power

Bending her will to the task, Catrin opened herself to more power, and she expanded the size of her wing. As she applied her will, she could almost see her diaphanous formation of energy take shape. The ship rose higher in the water, and the crew stood in shock as the ship moved faster than ever before, but there was a sudden lurch when Catrin lost her concentration.

I'm sorry I surprised you.

Prios's voice in her mind and the energy he lent her gave Catrin the power to test larger wing formations and even multiple wings on each side. When she used two large wings, level with the deck, and a pair of wings from the top of every mast, everything changed. The ship moved at unbelievable speed.

"May the gods have mercy!" Nora said. "We're flying!"

The greatest gifts are those not expected. -Missa Banks, healer and mother

The wind blowing in her face, Catrin let the salt air refresh her and keep her alert. With Prios to bolster her, she kept the ship sailing on the winds. Others had tried to help-those who had heard Prios in their minds-but Catrin was unable to connect with them. Their energy was inaccessible to her, and she decided it would be best if it remained that way.

Only during storms and times when Kenward thought there might be fish did she and Prios rest. Although, some of Kenward's recent requests for time to fish seemed contrived, and Catrin suspected Benjin convinced him to lie for the sake of getting her to rest. In truth, she scolded herself for abusing Prios. How she used her own energy was her choice, but she had no right to choose for Prios. Seeking him out, she sat beside him and apologized.

You have not coerced me. What I've done, I've done of my own free will. I am free, and no one will ever enslave me again. For now, I must rest, and so should you.

Though she left feeling silly, it made Catrin feel better to know that she was not misusing her relationship with Prios. His dedication to her cause bolstered her will, and she went to her hammock smiling. Soon she would be home.

"She's coming," Master Jarvis said as he tucked away the message.

"Yes," Humbry said. "I heard. Wendel has not always been my favorite person, but he always seemed to have good sense. It would be good to see him reunited with his daughter. You had Catrin as a student. Didn't you?"

"I did. She was an average student. If I remember correctly, she was easily bored, but she was a good girl overall. I don't think she would hurt any of us. Well, except for maybe Edling."

Humbry chuckled. "Has Beron been at you to side with Edling again?"

"He never stops."

"I thought he might follow me here," Humbry said. "I don't care what they say, Jarvis. I think we should try to make peace with Wendel and his followers."

"They disobeyed a council edict," Master Jarvis said. "Though it was an edict I was tempted to go against myself. I just don't see how we can convince Beron or Baker Hollis."

"I'll do what I can," Humbry said. "A day doesn't go by that one of them doesn't show up at the farm and talk until my ears hurt. Maybe, this time, I'll do all the talking."

"No one's ever going to believe this," Kenward said as the Slippery Eel skimmed across the water.

"Perhaps it's a tale best not told," Nora said.

"The best ones always are."

"On that we agree," Nora said.

"I worry about them, though," Kenward said. "They've been at this for weeks, and Catrin is becoming more and more reluctant to take time for rest. It will do no good to reach the Godfist in time if she has no energy left. The physical exhaustion alone would be enough to put most men abed."

"Women are tougher than men," Fasha said.

"Prios doesn't seem to be faring poorly," Kenward countered, but Fasha just rolled her eyes and walked away. "Hopefully he'll not have to endure much longer. It's impossible to say how much time we've saved, but I think we should be getting close."

"I agree," Nora said.

Walking to where Catrin and Prios stood, in what looked like a deep meditative state, Kenward cleared his throat and spoke softly, hoping not to startle Catrin. The thought of his ship suddenly dropping from the air made his stomach hurt. "Can I talk to you while you work?"

"Yes," Catrin responded, her eyes still closed. "It's more difficult when I divide my attention, but I can do it for a short time."

"We should be nearing the Godfist," Kenward said, and he would have sworn the ship surged ahead with his words. "Normally we would only dock at the cove or along the southern coast, but I can't say what things are like on the Godfist these days, and I want your opinion."

"It would take too long for us to travel around the desert, but I also agree that we should probably avoid the harbor."

"Besides going to the harbor," Benjin said as he approached, "landing on the northern tip of the Godfist, where the Zjhon built their lift system, may be the shortest and safest route."

"I agree," Catrin said.

"It's settled, then," Kenward said.

With their destination set, Catrin felt a renewed sense of urgency. The duration of their voyage and the additional burden of propelling the ship had dulled her panic, despite knowing her father was in no less danger. There was simply no more she could do, and she made herself accept it.

Beside her, Prios made no complaint, but she could sense his exhaustion as poignantly as her own. Cold weather made their task even more difficult. Still, Catrin could not relent-not yet. Every moment brought her closer to the Godfist, closer to her father and her home, and she doubted she could sleep even if she tried.

"Sails to port, sir!"

The lookout's call sent a thrill through Catrin as she realized they must be getting very close. The vessel on the horizon had the look of a fishing boat, and it seemed unlikely that they would be more than a day from shore.

"Catrin," Kenward said. "I don't think we should let anyone see us sailing like this; it might cause a panic. We should make the rest of the trip under sail alone."

Though she agreed with his sentiment, Catrin was loath to release the energy that flowed through her, and when she did, her exhaustion became acute. Still, she refused to leave the deck, despite the icy winds that drove in heavy cloud cover. She didn't want to miss the first sighting of the Godfist, and she remained at the prow, straining her tired eyes. Prios showed that he had better sense and went to his cabin to rest.

"You can't be thinking of going?" Jensen asked. Wendel unrolled the message and read it once again. Wendel, The people have suffered enough. Let us put an end to this struggle. Come to the Masterhouse immediately so that we might settle this matter peacefully. This letter will serve as notice to all guards. Wendel Volker is to be assisted on his journey to the Masterhouse, and he is to be treated with respect. I will await you. Master Edling

"It's obviously a trap," Jensen said.

"We must at least make an attempt at peace," Wendel said. "I owe that much to Catrin."

Jensen looked angry and frustrated. "You'll go alone? Into the hands of those who've already tried to have you killed?"

"I know who we're dealing with," Wendel said. "Edling is not all powerful. There are others who remain that have good sense. I'm sure if I could talk to Jarvis or Humbry, I could convince them to truly make peace."

"This entire meeting is on their terms. I don't like it. We should request neutral ground."

"I don't like it either, but I'm saving my energy to fight for peace instead of territory."

"I suppose you have a point, but I still don't like it," Jensen said.