Every layman believes that there can, or does, exist a rune for every occasion. This cannot be further from the truth. As the power of a rune, whether elementary or secondary, is always obtained from the epperstrom, runes and the creation thereof are largely limited to the natural laws governing the epps itself. Anything that lies outside the capacity of the epperstrom therefore lies outside the capacity of a rune.

—Of Runes and its Crafte, by Remminsk

27

↝ WHEN HOME SUMMONS ↜

Biripor was just as windy as she had left it. Strange, but she had missed the smell of fish. It gave a taste to the air that made Isla think of freedom. And home.

'To the harbour,' she told Esmir.

She longed to see the ships, even if from afar. Their horses pushed through one dense street after another. Tam Mai cowered against Sanjha; it was surely more people than she had ever seen for a long time.

Isla reached across the distance and found her sister's arm. 'Have you ever seen the ocean, Tamma? It's the largest thing you could possibly imagine.' Tam Mai looked at her, saying nothing.

Isla had grown used to her silence over the six days they had travelled. Of all their company, she found only Sanjha could hold a decent conversation. Esmir was too frugal with his words. But Tam Mai was eating well, and that was important. She even managed to keep her food down. There was a bit of colour in her, too, though the constant rain made scarce of the sun.

'Look – we'll be going aboard one of those.' Just visible from where they sat upon their horses was a line of ships at berth. Isla could scarcely make out their names through the constant movement around them.

They rode through the harbour gates, Isla searching the wide court as they entered. Merchants, sailors, fishermen filled the trading bridge with wares and talk. Bartol's stall was not present when they passed, but then it was much too late in the day for fresh fish. Isla combed the port for The Water Lily – and sure enough found it far into the beach, where the stone court dulled into sand and the smaller vessels were docked.

'There.' She pointed, and Esmir lead their mounts down the strip. A child went chuckling through, running between their horses and snatching the smallest of Isla's satchels as he passed.

Tam Mai perked in her saddle, following the boy with her eyes until he disappeared between a group of drunken sailors.

'Never mind. It was nothing of value.' Indeed, the boy would be treated to a baker's dozen of pandan cakes, but Isla had a hunger for something fresh out of the sea.

'He ... took my cakes.'

Isla spun so fast in her seat, Esmir had to steady her. She waited, but Tam Mai did not say anything else. 'Our cakes,' she corrected, and instantly regretted. The first thing her sister said to her after so long – and she had to make a contest of it. 'But we'll be having something much nicer. You'll see.'

They had almost cleared the trading bridge when Tempestorm's giant figurehead came into view. Isla recognised the bird instantly, though in light of her time in Kathedra, its effect was somehow lost upon her. Its crown now looked less majestic, its flags inspired no awe. If anything, the ambassadorial vessel looked pompous. Repulsive. A man in gilded robes sitting fat amongst a throng of beggars.

Kiet should be recovering, now. He was one of the few good to have come out of that vessel. But even with the poison rooted from his body, there was no accounting for the venomous creatures that lurked around him, or how long he would withstand their contagion.

It's not my problem. Not any more. I've found Tamma. We'll return to Elingar and forget any of this ever happened. She smiled at the image of Noi, wide-eyed and spluttering for words.

So why did she feel so wretched? Why this feeling of unfinished business?

The next thing she knew, Esmir had jumped off and offered a hand for her to dismount. 'This is the place?'

The Water Lily was waiting just down the pier. Isla grasped Esmir's hand as he lowered her. She untied her sandals, relishing in the warm graze of sand beneath her bare feet. 'Come, Tamma. It's really quite soft.'

She helped her sister down, and Tam Mai tested the ground. Apprehensively, at first. She latched on to Isla as the sand sunk under her weight, but once she became accustomed to the grains around her ankles, Tam Mai giggled merrily.

'I'll show you how to make sandcastles when it isn't so hot.' Despite the breeze, the sun bore down upon them without relief of a single cloud. Where were the rains when you wanted them?

Isla dabbed her forehead with the handkerchief Rajini Chei had given her. Pepper's mark permanently scorched the cotton, embellishing the otherwise creamy-white surface with haphazard dark brown swirls. Damaged or no, it was the last and only thing she had of the salamander, and she intended to keep it.

'Come. I'd like you to meet someone.' She took Tam Mai by the hand and lead her towards the pier. Hopefully Bartol has something cold to serve.

The gangway was loaded, which meant there were people aboard. Isla reached out, combing through the small fishing ship with her mind. She could not be too careful. Not after Kathedra. Ever since they left the palace, Isla could not help but feel they were being followed. But every time she scoped the area with her theurgy, never once did she find an intruding human presence. Perhaps Kathedra had made a vigilant of her.

Satisfied they were not outnumbered in the event of any surprises, Isla climbed on with Tam Mai and the two guards at her heels.

The deck was empty, but Isla located a presence in the cabin. She pushed the door open, revealing Bartol stooped over his desk, his back towards them. 'Have you packed the sails already?' He asked and gave an audible sigh when he was met with silence. 'Well? We really haven't got all day, Eppi.'

His frown dropped open to a daze as he turned and saw Isla by the doorway. 'Hello, Bart.'

Bartol stumbled over himself as he rushed forwards to take Isla by the shoulders. 'Isla? Is it – what – when – how?'

'It's finished, Bart.' Isla smiled.

'It really is you.' He stepped back to marvel, as though studying his own work of art. 'You're in one piece.'

'Don't sound so surprised.'

'I'm just – this is –' He struggled to find his words. Luckily, a pair of voices interrupted from behind, one cry after another.

Tam Mai jumped back, shrinking into the corner as Eppi and Kusuma stormed in to embrace Isla. Even Zen rattled in its cage from the sudden disturbance, sending a gust of sylphan wind whistling through the cabin. Bartol's papers scattered from his desk, but he took no notice.

'I can't believe you're back!' Kusuma's eyes were as wide as her smile.

'We're leaving for Napoa in a few weeks, have you heard?' asked Eppi.

'We've all our papers ready. Tell me you'll be coming with us.'

'Who are those men on the deck? Did you bring us some suitors?'

Isla laughed and pried herself off the girls. 'No, but I did bring you a new sister.'

   
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Later, while Kusuma and Eppi packed the sails and Bartol locked his cabin, Isla took her sister to the deck. They had a clear view of the breakwater far in the distance – a high, rocky bed that cordoned off the great waves of the Ters Altum from the bay – and its twin watchtowers, standing as proud gatekeepers.

'See there?' Isla indicated the break in the seawall. 'Once we get past the wall, you'll see how the Great Ters Altum acquired its name. And once we get far enough, there'll be nothing but blue skies and blue waters as far as the eye can see.'

Tam Mai worried her lips and said nothing, though Isla knew it was not for lack of interest. Perhaps it was beyond comprehension for a girl who had seen little of anything beyond four walls and a chain.

'You need not worry,' continued Isla. 'We'll take it slow. Bart will take us fishing tomorrow – just to give you a taste of what the sea feels like. We'll go a little further every day. Once we board the ship to Elingar, it will be a long journey, and I want to make sure you're ready for that.'

Still Tam Mai said nothing, but Isla thought she saw a small nod. That was enough, for now.

'When Sir Edric arrives, we'll take you to meet Captain Stirling.' Isla nodded back towards the wharf upon which The Abundance lay at berth.

The merchant vessel was still unrigged, which made her reflect on how long she had spent in Surikhand. Several months, it must have been. Though it feels like years.

'We'll be taking his ship to Elingar,' she said with sigh. She could not wait to see Noi again. 'Together, this time. Like we were meant to.'
     

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