Page 47

Chapter 47

Kaneko

T he ship rocked as a massive swell raced toward the shore. I bolted upright, slamming my head against wood yet again. I rubbed the spot, thankful my fingers came away dry.

The ship bobbed again.

Something had changed.

The water never fully ceased its churning, but there had been a peacefulness to the motion while the ship remained docked.

There was no peace to its movement now.

I stood slowly, bracing myself against the bed, then fell back onto the mattress. It had taken most of the voyage from Tooi before my stomach settled and feet learned to keep me upright. Months on land had erased those lessons, and standing now felt like a monumental task.

So, I lay back and listened.

I no longer heard the call of the flocks who nested near the pier.

There was only the sound of men barking orders and water slamming into the hull of the ship.