"I had planned to leave first thing tomorrow morning. Where are you staying?"

"I suppose we'll have to spend another night at the White Coaster," she said.

"How about if I meet you there at first light? We can all walk down to the Swift together and be on our way?"

"An excellent suggestion," said Natalia.

"Yes," agreed Athgar, "it will allow us to bathe one last time."

Natalia blushed, but it escaped the notice of Brother Cyric. Either that or he chose to ignore it.

"Very well," said the Temple Knight, "until tomorrow morning then."

The Storm

Autumn 1103 SR

Athgar stood at the rail, watching the shore pass by slowly as the Swift made its way inexorably southwest. Rocky cliffs towered over them, dwarfing the ship, but the Therengian was more interested in the swarm of birds that appeared to favour the area. They nested on the cliffs, that much was quite evident, but occasionally they would sail out over the water, carried on currents of air invisible to the eye. He watched one coast overhead as it made a gentle arc, then returned shoreward, its head craning down as it watched the water below. Suddenly, it folded its wings, plunging down through the air to dive into the water, emerging a moment later with a fish in its mouth.

He felt a soft hand placed over his on the railing and turned his eyes to see Natalia. She smiled as their eyes met, sending a warmth through him.

"Enjoying the view?" she asked.

"I am now," he replied, smiling openly. Athgar leaned forward, kissing her tenderly.

"What was that for?" she asked.

"Luck," he responded.

"You think we'll need it?"

"One can always use luck," he said. "You never know when it might prove useful."

"How are you finding the sea?"

"I was a little unsteady at first," Athgar responded, "but once you get used to the gentle rolling, it's not so bad. It's quite a bit different from being on the river, though."

"I'd have to agree with you there," she said.

"I take it you've sailed before?"

"No, never," she confessed. "I spent all my time in training. Until we boarded the Marianne, I'd never set foot on a boat."

"Ship," he corrected. "I don't think Captain Runell would appreciate you calling the Swift a boat. He's particular about those things."

She moved closer to him, then took his hand, passing it around her back. "There," Natalia remarked, "that's better."

"You're trembling," he said. "Is that the effect I have on you?"

She leaned her head onto his shoulder. "It is," she said, "but that's not why I'm trembling. I'm quite nervous."

"Why?"

"I let the captain believe I was an experienced mage."

"You ARE quite powerful," he reminded her.

"Yes, but I've never done this sort of work before. I'm afraid he's going to discover how little I truly know."