A Muddle of Magic. Alexandra Rushe

      Raine shifted in discomfort. Why hadn’t she kept her big mouth shut? “Oh, you know. Stuff.”

      Glonoff had been exultant to have Raine in his clutches, and he’d seemed to relish the opportunity to brag about what he’d done. How he’d killed Raine’s parents, and Trudy and Kipp. The plans he’d made for Raine and set aside once he’d learned she’d be his undoing, and his decision to kill her instead.

      He’d had a lot to say about Brefreton, too—startling things.

      Brefreton’s gray eyes narrowed. “Raine? I’m waiting.”

      Raine flushed. Bree would not thank her for airing his family linen in front of others, particularly Glory. She was trying to think of a way to change the subject when Gertie clomped over. The troll wore a shapeless robe and boots with the toes cut out to accommodate her claws. Her red fur was mussed and stood on end.

      “What are you on about, Bree?” she asked in her growling voice. “A troll can’t take a nap with you bellowing.”

      “Glory says the High Seer has been selling prophecies.”

      “Humph,” Gertie said. “Can’t say I’m surprised. Never cared much for Zared. Pack of conceited windbags, the Circle of Seers.”

      Glory stiffened. “Need I remind you, until a few months ago, I was a member of the Circle?”

      “No need atall, not when you’re forever running on about it.”

      Glory’s green eyes flashed. Turning, she left without another word.

      “Good. That’s chafed her,” Gertie said. “Now, Bree, what’s got you fussed?”

      “It seems the gal and Glonoff had quite the coze the day she ran away.”

      “I didn’t run away,” Raine protested. “I went into the woods after Chaz.”

      The boy was her responsibility. Magog was a bloodthirsty god, and children brought a premium price in the markets of Zorbash. If she and Tiny the giant hadn’t intervened, Chaz and the other children would have been altar fodder.

      “Whatever.” Brefreton waved his hand. “Remember how we thought the Dark Wizard was trying to kill Raine out of malice?”

      “Aye. Glonoff’s always been spiteful. If he can’t have her, no one will.”

      “Raine says that’s not the case,” Brefreton said. “She says Glonoff wants her dead because she’s his doom.”

      “His doom?” Gertie’s craggy face creased in a delighted smile. “Why so glum? This is excellent news.”

      “No, it ain’t,” Brefreton said. “I’ve waited a long time to kill that bastard, and I’ll not be cheated. What’s more, I’ve a notion that ain’t all the chit ain’t told us.”

      “Hmm.” Gertie rolled an appraising eye at Raine. “I’m sure she’ll tell us everything, in time. You two been at your lessons?”

      “Aye, transfiguration,” Brefreton said. “A mouse, to be precise. The girl’s having trouble with the legs and tail.”

      The troll’s bushy brows shot up. “A mouse? Is that wise with a snake on board?”

      Brefreton rubbed his jaw. “You’ve got a point. Where is Flame, by the by? Haven’t seen him in days.”

      “I don’t know,” Raine said. “He’s molting, and it makes him irritable.”

      “Something the two of you have in common,” Gertie said, widening her eyes at Raine. “He’s found himself a burrow, of some sort, I take it?”

      “If he has, it’s in my bunk.” Gurnst, the Storm’s burly helmsman, stomped up. “I keep shooing the scaly varmint away, but he comes back. I don’t like it, I tell you. Don’t like it atall.”

      “My goodness,” Raine said. “What a fuss you make over a little snake.”

      “Little?” Gurnst’s eyes bulged. “Your ‘little snake’ is three fathoms long and still growing. What’s more, he sheds like a troll.”

      “Hey,” Gertie said with a glower. “No troll bashing.”

      Raven, the ship’s captain, heard the commotion and strolled over. “Is something amiss?”

      Mauric Lindar, Raven’s cousin, was with him. Big and tall and hard muscled, both warriors moved with the easy grace of the supremely fit. Mauric, like the rest of the Finlaran crew, was blond and blue eyed, whereas Raven had black hair and green eyes.

      Raven’s coloring wasn’t the only thing that set him apart. He’d been raised by a troll. Gertie, to be precise.

      “Son.” Gertie gave Raven an affectionate cuff on the head. “Gurnst is in a pucker ʼcause Raine can’t find her snake.”

      Gurnst reddened. “No such thing. Don’t want his nasty droppings in my bunk, is all.”

      “He’s shedding,” Raine said. “And it’s skin, not droppings. Flame can’t help it that he’s growing. I should think you’d be grateful. He’s eaten all the mice and rats.”

      “Oh, aye, he’s scoured the ship of vermin,” Gurnst said, “and once the rats were gone, he started in on the birds. Sang a flock of ʼem right outa the sky. Swallowed ʼem whole, beaks and feathers. A good thing we’ve enough rations on board, for neither fish nor fowl will come near us now.” The big man shuddered. “Thank the Bear, it was petrels he ate and not gulls. Souls of the dead, gulls. The gods know we’ve bad luck enough with a load of wizards on board.”

      “Keep flapping your gums, and your luck will worsen.,” Brefreton warned.

      “I’m a Finlar, and Finlars don’t hold with magic. You can’t fault a man for being what he is.”

      “I can fault him for being an idiot. No good ever came of insulting a wizard, and you’re perilously close to the mark.”

      “Gurnst, take the helm from Odd,” Raven said, “before Bree loses his temper and does something you’ll regret.”

      Muttering to himself, Gurnst obeyed.

      Raven turned to Gertie. “The creature grows, and at an alarming rate. Is that normal, Mor?”

      “Depends.” Gertie stroked her whiskered chin. “Flame could be a Great Mountain Worm. That would explain his rapid change in size.”

      “A mountain worm?” Raven shook his head. “He’ll have to be set free, in that case. Full grown, a mountain worm is bigger than this ship.”

      Raine gasped. “You can’t set Flame free. He’s a baby.”

      “Your ‘baby’ is enormous,” Raven said. “What’s more, I mislike the hungry gleam in his eye. I’ll purchase a few head of sheep at the next fishing village.”

      “Do me a favor, cuz,” Mauric said. “Buy a herd of the woolly darlings. Better the sheep than me, I say.” He grinned. “Course, it’s not my bunk Flame favors. Do you think Gurnst should be warned he’s first on the menu?”

      “You stir the pot, cuz, and you’ll swim the rest of the way to the Citadel,” Raven said. “After the sea monster attack, the men are uneasy, and it doesn’t help that the ship is bursting at the seams with wizards.”

      Gertie made a noise of disgust. “Never known such a bunch of skitterbrooks as you’ve got manning this ship.”

      “They’ve been sorely tried, Mor.” He turned to Raine. “I’m sorry, but, given his change in size and appetite, from now on, Flame is confined to your cabin.”

      “But—”

      “The snake is here at my sufferance,” Raven said. “Do not make me regret my tolerance.”