In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens (best business books of all time txt) 📗

The young man’s gaze darted between Tal and Garrett, his brow furrowed.

Garrett sighed and scrubbed a hand over his short hair. “What’s your name, boy?” He said it in the way he talked to their younger sister when she was upset, the way he used to talk to Tal when he was frightened.

The boy tilted his head to the side. “Athlen.”

“Athlen,” Garrett said, testing out the unusual name on his tongue. “Do you need anything?”

Athlen looked to Tal again and back to Garrett, face scrunched in confusion. “Excuse me?”

“Water? Food? Bandages? Obviously, a shirt—”

“Are you being nice to me?”

That was an odd question. “Were they,” Garrett said, gesturing to the cabin, “nice to you?”

Athlen tugged on the chain. “Not particularly, no.”

“We won’t hurt you,” Tal blurted. He prickled at the unfairness of it all. The fetter looked painful; bruises dotted the top of Athlen’s foot, and the chain wasn’t long, trapping him inside the cabin. Eyeing him like he was a danger, Garrett remained silent, pensive, studying the situation with a military eye, but Tal persisted. “We won’t! I promise.”

“And can you make that promise?” Athlen asked. “Or”—he pointed to Garrett—“are those his decisions to make?”

Tal blushed, embarrassed and indignant, and the tightly bound control he held over himself snapped. “I promise.” A gust of hot wind swept across the small cabin, swirling debris and thickening the air like the pressure change before the rumble of an incoming storm, giving weight to Tal’s words. Sparks flitted between Tal’s fingertips, and he hurriedly balled his hands into fists. But the damage had been done.

Athlen whipped his head to stare at Tal, mouth stretching into a small, pleased grin. His cheeks dimpled. “Magic,” he said softly.

Horrified at his slip, Tal froze.

In wonder, Athlen lifted his arm and studied the fine hairs that stood on end, a product of the crackle of Tal’s magic. He took a step toward Tal, awed and unafraid, the chain slithering along the floor behind him. “You’re magic.” He said it with such certainty there was little use in denying it, though Tal tried.

“No.” Tal licked his lips. “I’m not—”

“You’re not?” Athlen squinted. “Are you sure?” Head cocked to the side, he took another step, undeterred.

At a loss, Tal looked to Garrett for assistance.

“That’s close enough.” Garrett’s commanding voice stopped Athlen’s advance but didn’t release Tal from his scrutiny. In fact, Athlen stared, eyebrows drawn, more curious than scared.

Garrett pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“My brother is correct. We will not hurt you, but we’re not releasing you until we know what happened to this ship and where,” Garrett said, holding up the coin and refocusing the conversation, “this came from.”

Athlen turned away from Tal and strode toward Garrett, stopping when the chain jerked tight. “Hey! That’s mine. I found it.”

Garrett raised his eyebrows, his blue eyes glittering. “You found it?”

“I did, and you have no right to take it. It’s shiny and it’s mine.”

“Shiny?” Garrett mouthed, brow furrowed. “Where? A shipwreck? Or was it the captain’s, and you tossed him overboard and claimed it for your own?”

Athlen scoffed. “I didn’t hurt anyone. And I found that chest in the bay, and that makes it mine.”

“I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that when it comes to chests of royally marked gold. Why are you bound?”

“Of course,” he muttered. He crossed his arms and turned away, refusing to respond.

Despite Garrett’s continued questions, they didn’t learn anything else from Athlen. Minutes dragged by until Shay returned with a shirt and an ax. She tossed the shirt to Athlen, and he stared at it before pulling it over his head.

“Get him free, Shay. Then bring him aboard the War Bird. Tally, come along.”

Tal didn’t have the heart to argue. He’d sealed a promise with magic in front of a prisoner. He’d given himself away. He’d made the mistake his mother had warned him about within the first day of his journey.

Shay hefted the ax, and Tal scurried after Garrett, his head down, and tripped out the door. Garrett put his hand on Tal’s shoulder again as they navigated back to the plank. The ship deck rolled ominously.

Garrett pointed at a skinny sailor with long hair. “Make sure that chest gets over to our ship before this one goes under. Once everyone is back on board, we’ll cut her loose.”

“Aye, Commander.”

“He’ll be your charge,” Garrett said, once back on the War Bird. Tal opened his mouth to protest, but Garrett cut him off. “He’s scared. He needs to be around someone he will see as a peer and not a threat. There’s something off about him. Maybe you can figure that out as well.”

“Wouldn’t Shay be a better choice?”

“No, I trust you can do it.”

Tal swallowed. He dropped his voice. “Sorry, about the magic.”

“It’s all right, Tally. Mother warned me it might be unpredictable, but”—he lifted his gaze and looked around the deck—“keep it a secret. You know what could happen if you don’t.”

Tal nodded. “I know.” He ran a hand through his hair and tugged on the ends. “There are already rumors among the crew. They look at me.”

“There are rumors all over the kingdoms. That doesn’t mean truth, especially if you don’t give them any proof. Understand?”

Cowed, Tal nodded and looked down at his feet. “Yes.”

“I’m sorry your coming-of-age tour has started out unexpectedly. We’ll make up for it once we reach port. And when we get back to the castle for Isa’s wedding, we’ll have a plethora of bawdy stories to share with Kest.”

Tal mustered a smile, which earned him a hearty clap to the back. His stomach churned as he walked to the railing and watched Shay lead the young man across the plank and into the hold, carrying the length of chain still attached to his ankle fetter in her hands. They cut the derelict free and pushed it away from their side, guiding it out of the channel. Garrett’s crew unfurled their ship’s sails, and the War Bird lurched forward, leaving the smoldering