The Slanntramór collapsed back into the water, creating a humongous wave that swept over the ship. Barclay’s boots and pants were instantly soaked, and empty crates bobbed like apples across the deck.

Worse, another crack of thunder boomed amid the clouds. It was as though the sky split open, because rain began to pour, dumping buckets.

“We’re going to need more light,” Ulick said, and Viola stretched her arms out in either direction. Light burst from her palms, flooding the ship like a lighthouse’s beacon.

Barclay gaped. How had Viola mastered her assignment so quickly?

“Time for more wind,” Ulick told him. But when Barclay tried, the result was no different from before. Though the Bewlah gained a little speed, it heeled so hard to the side that it took in more water from an oncoming wave. Tadg used his Lore to cast some of it out, but if the storm carried on like this, they would surely sink.

“I’m s-sorry,” Barclay stammered, his teeth chattering from the cold. “I’m trying to do better! I don’t know why—”

“Never mind that. Just keep trying.” Then Ulick nodded to Edwyn behind him, still asleep on the bench. “Is he dead?”

“He’s just asleep,” Yasha answered, standing at the foot of the stairs below them. He clutched his bucket with both hands. “It’s his healing Lore. He got hurt earlier with the Sleábeaks. He’ll be out for hours.”

“Lot of use that does,” Runa muttered.

“Let me help. My fire Lore can make it as bright as Viola’s, or maybe I can—”

“Don’t just talk, then!” Ulick said. “Come up to the poop deck!”

Yasha clambered up the stairs. When he saw Barclay shivering, Yasha shrugged off his fur coat. “Here. Take this. It’s waterproof.”

“Won’t you be cold?” asked Barclay, who wasn’t used to accepting favors. Especially from someone who had spent the entire voyage seasick.

“I’m never cold.” He thrust his coat into Barclay’s hands. While Barclay pulled it on, grateful for clothing that wasn’t drenched, Yasha lit a fire that hovered over his palm. It might’ve been weak from the rain, but it still was warm. “Now listen to me. To control your Lore, you need to be in control of yourself. Just think about whatever makes you relax. Then—”

“Oi! Don’t just stand around!” Ulick told Yasha. “If you can’t make us go faster, then use that bucket of yours to help Frown clear some water off the deck.”

Yasha nodded at Barclay seriously, as if he had full faith that Barclay could do this. Then Yasha trudged through the water to the stern, where he began scooping as much of it as he could and dumping it over the rail. He mustn’t have been feeling much better, though, because he stopped midway through his third scoop to hurl into the bucket.