To get the best speed possible and to, eventually, turn tightly and evade the inevitable shots, she needed to coordinate the ship’s rudder with her gift working on the currents. But her focus and strength would be split between the sea and the wheel—she needed a firm hand to assist. “Aedan,” she called, searching for him. “Aedan?”

“He’s belowdecks checking the supplies are properly stowed,” Knigh said, close behind her.

“Proper stowage?” She scoffed without warmth. “Thought that would be more your cup of tea.”

With a tight smile, she relieved Bricus at the helm. When she turned, Knigh was still there.

He raised his eyebrows. “How can I help?”

“Find Aedan,” she snapped, gripping the wheel’s handles and expanding her awareness.

“That’ll take too long. I’m here”—he lifted his hands and indicated himself—“I can help. I can do whatever you needed him for.”

“I thought you were only here to observe.”

“I can’t fight for you, no, but this is sailing. This I can do.” He gave a single, solid nod.

She huffed. “Fine. Hold her steady.” She stepped back, keeping one hand on the wheel. “I’ll be here, but I’ll also be …” Waving her hand to starboard, she gave a half shrug.

He took the helm, grip sure. “You need all my attention here.”

“And your strength—just follow my lead to ride the currents.”

Her awareness faded from the deck, away from her crewmates hurrying, passing along orders, away from her damp hair blowing in the breeze, from her chilly skin where she hadn’t had time to dry off …

It all faded away, leaving just her fingers on the polished handle.

Below, the sea already bent to her desire, channelling them north. Above, the wind was—ah, that could be better. She shifted its direction, a touch there, combined with a shift on the wheel, but—

She blinked and shook her head at Knigh. “No, too hard. Like this.” She put her hand on his, so he’d feel the subtleties in her shifting movement.

“Ah. Yes, I see,” he said, nodding and shifting his course to match her pressure and direction.

“Perfect.” She flashed him a smile before drifting away again.

The currents pushed them on and she spread further—open water around them, a little shallower ahead, behind …

Her fingers twitched, and Knigh’s hand under hers tensed in response.

Behind was …

Waves, natural currents and eddies, the tail end of the one she bent towards Inagua, but then—

A wall.

Her usual sensation of the ocean’s vastness, the constant movement, it all cut off abruptly. It felt like a cliff stood behind them, blocking the sea and her gift, except there was no surge of waves against rock, and …

She blinked, coming back to herself and looking to stern, part of her awareness still pushing them on. No, there was no cliff, only the sea and the gaining warships.