AMBER also thought about Tomas. He'd only been burned on the backs of his legs. He could now be recovered on his own; it was possible, wasn't it?
She had the book that the alchemist, Tungawa, had given her, but she still wished she had the cure itself. He had said to give it to the most gifted loremaster.
Amber knew who she would depend on to decipher the wordy descriptions, strange symbols, and formulae. She only hoped Ella would be in Altura when they arrived home.
She was sad the old alchemist had been killed, and in such a senseless manner: in a struggle over an ox-drawn cart. He'd risked his life to rescue her from torment and death, and then risked it again to save her husband.
Amber thought about the refugees of Veldria they carried on these mighty vessels. First she would see to Tomas, but afterwards there would be a great task ahead to find them new homes in Altura. Amber decided she would apply herself to that task. They would be afraid and confronted by strange people, confusing customs, and alien items of lore. They would know nothing of nightlamps and heatplates, timepieces and drudges. Things that Amber found commonplace would fill them with trepidation, but hopefully with wonder as well. How would they react to the Crystal Palace cycling through its evening colours? Would they shy away from stepping onto the Runebridge? Amber promised herself that she would help them adjust, and show them that lore could do more than kill.
"Miro," Amber suddenly broke the silence, "did I do the right thing by coming? Do you think I should have gone back to Altura, to be by Tomas's side?"
Miro was a long time in responding. "I don't know, Amber. Only you could make the decision to come. There's something I do know, however."
"What?"
"You put the device in the hold of the Delphin, saving us from certain death at the hands of Carver's men. You found the map on the volcanic islands that told us there was a great land to the west. You found the caravel that Toro Marossa left behind. You saved our lives when our voyage took us into the path of the storm. You found the Alchemists' Guild. You rescued me from Sentar Scythran. If you hadn't come, we wouldn't be here now."
~
A WEEK later, Miro and Amber again stood at the rail when the lookout cried out. "Ship ahoy!"
Sailors and refugees soon joined them at the rail as everyone fought to get a glimpse of the vessel.
"Could it be the enemy?" Amber asked Miro.
"I doubt it. I expect Sentar Scythran is salvaging whatever ships we didn't destroy and building new ones. He'll be searching other towns — I'm sure that wasn't the only harbour on the coast of Veldria. No, I doubt they would have made chase this quickly."
Miro's words were proved true when a streamlined vessel came into view, rakish and built for speed. The sails glowed with a multitude of colours, shimmering as runes were activated and deactivated by the man who controlled the ship.
Miro broke out in a broad smile. "It's the Infinity! What are they doing out here? We're still in the deep zone!"
The Buchalanti ship sped through the water, tilting dangerously close to the water as it tacked across the lumbering warship's beam. The Seekrieger dwarfed the Infinity, but there was something inordinately beautiful about the magical glowing ship.
Miro turned as a newcomer joined him and Amber at the rail.
"Is this ship commanded by the Buchalanti?" Commodore Deniz asked.
"You know who they are?" Amber said.
"Legend says the Buchalanti saved us in the past, taking us on a great voyage away from a terrible war. Without our saviours, we would never have settled Veldria, nor any of the lands in the north."
"This is your people's first experience of lore, Commodore," Miro said. "I'm glad this is how you're seeing it."
Runes covered the ship, matrices of arcane symbols lit up with vivid colours flickering from hue to hue. Miro saw a broad-shouldered figure standing astride on the deck, his mouth opened wide as he chanted. The sonorous voice of Sailmaster Scherlic was carried over to them on the cool sea breeze.
"Reef sails!" Commodore Deniz turned and called, striding on the deck to take command of his vessel. "They're going to come alongside us!"
It took some time for the warship to slow. The Infinity tacked back and forth, each movement bringing her closer to the Seekrieger.
The sailors of Raj Buchalantas swarmed on the rigging and Miro could now make out their individual faces. Then Amber grabbed Miro's arm so hard he jumped. "Look," she pointed. "Look!"
A woman stood beside Sailmaster Scherlic on the bridge, one hand holding the mast, the other waving to grab their attention. She wore a green dress and her pale golden hair blew in the wind.
Ella smiled broadly, releasing the mast and waving with both arms. Miro and Amber exchanged glances, both grinning and waving in return.
Both vessels gradually slowed until they were alongside each other with twenty paces between them, decks rising and falling as they were tossed in the waves.
"We've been looking for you for a long time!" Ella called.