Chapter 41: Fightful Weather
The Heirs gathered against the railing to inspect the horizon. It looked like a normal storm to Nathan. One that towered high into the sky, sure, but nothing about it screamed magic. But he wasn’t the expert. That was Eolinne, and he’d trust her when she said that the dark clouds were a sign of their enemies.
“Do we flee?” Khachi asked, eyes on the distant blotch of the storm.
Their captain’s expression was troubled. “No. I cannot play such a symphony of speed. Look at how quickly the cloud grows.”
All of the Heirs turned their attention back to the horizon, and it didn’t take long for them to spot what Eolinne had seen. The storm was getting bigger by the moment. With the distances involved that meant it was moving ridiculously fast.
“What do we do?” Nathan asked. “Try to lose the trail, or fight?”
Eolinne gave him her full attention. “I will cloak us in mists to enhance my evasion skills. But they have tracked us across the oceans already. This is a prophecy of conflict.” Her mouth twisted in grim humor. “I had not intended such a trial, but it will prove your power better than the sea cutters.” She strode back towards the throne she commanded the ship from, her arm flicking out to deposit the flute in her hand.
Nathan walked after her, the Heirs trailing behind. “Can you tell us more about them? If we’re probably going to end up fighting the Maelstrom it would be good to know what they can do. They control the storm, what else? How many ships are in there?”
Eolinne took her seat but didn’t raise her flute to her lips. She gave the Heirs a tight-lipped nod. “The captains of the Maelstrom are all and one powerful storm mages. One would be enough to summon that storm, though there could be any number hidden inside. It would be a deadly surprise for there to be more than two, and I expect only one. The captains of the Maelstrom are expensive hunters, for each one is tutored by the Maestro.”
She tapped a finger against her lips thoughtfully. “Their officers will be apprentices and heirs, each on the path of a similar power to the captain but not yet given the crucial Insights. The crew will be small, but each is said to be a different mélange of skills and Talents from across Davrar. All will be deadly.” She waved a hand idly as if to dismiss what she’d just said. “Their true power is the storm. They will batter us with the weather, and if we survive will emerge from the storm at a time and place of their choosing. On the seas they control the flow of battle.”