Wayfarer (Wanderlust 2)

Chapter Thirty-Four

For Tanden, the following days passed in a sort of blur. He trusted Soren and Ivern to handle the crew. With Jale's help as a translator, Soren and Ivern traded cargo, resupplied the Wanderlust, and paid for some minor repairs. Soren saw that Jale was paid what they owed her as a ranger, and wrote up the paperwork for her to become a sailor. Jale used the money to pay one of her siblings to watch over her house, and the fees for leaving the Wayfarer and kyloe at the caravan depot. She and Ara moved onto the Wanderlust once the rooms were prepared. Ara glued himself to Jale's side, and they were almost always seen together.

It was the evening of their fourth day back on the Wanderlust when Soren forced Tanden out onto the deck. He trailed after Soren despondently, and leaned against the bulwark beside him to face the ocean. He didn't see anything that immediately seemed interesting. Little boats were moving around as they always did, and far beyond them the sky was turning orange as the sun fell closer to the horizon.

Tanden sighed. "Why did you bring me out here?"

Soren gestured at one of the boats. A dainty little white cutter with one mast and triangular sails.

A Deoran cutter.

Tanden perked up. "Is that the Waterborne? She's beautiful." Given the news about Tandar, he had completely forgotten about the little sailboat. It didn't help that he hadn't been spending any time on deck, so he hadn't seen her.

Soren smiled. "I knew that would excite you. The lads took me out on her yesterday. She moves really well, for a Deoran ship."

Tanden laughed. "Of course, you would rather a Crelan cutter."

"We are the best shipbuilders." Soren smacked the bulwark. "There's a reason you commissioned the Wanderlust from Crele. But like I said, she's a good little ship. Ivern and Jerios picked well. And she tucks away nicely on the starboard side. Aye, she's replacing a few rowboats, but I'd say she's worth it."

"She's beautiful," Tanden repeated. He hadn't looked away. The little ship was weaving back and forth through the water. "Look at how sharply she can turn. Incredible. I want to take her out, call her back. Who is that, anyway?"

"Roan and Jerios." Soren waved at someone, and a moment later the Wanderlust's bell was ringing cheerfully. The Waterborne turned and glided smoothly towards them. She neatly came up beside them, and Soren tossed a rope down.

Tanden leaned over the bulwark. "That was nicely done, lads."

"Does most of the work herself, cap'n," Roan replied. "Glad you like her, though, 've been gettin' fond of her myself. Would've been a shame t' sell her off for some rowboats."

"Has she been useful?"

"Yes," Jerios replied. "There were a few times when Ivern sent me and Roan ahead to a port before bringing the Wanderlust in, so we could talk to the harbourmaster about where to moor her."

"Reckon she'd be good for rivers, too, if we head back into the Morcean lakes, cap'n," Roan added.

"I had the same thought. All right, lads, Soren and I are going to get acquainted with her." He swung a leg over the bulwark so he could climb down. Soren followed him a moment later, and Roan and Jerios climbed back onto the Wanderlust. Soon, Soren and Tanden were sailing away.

Tanden felt his spirits lift as the Waterborne flew across the waves. While Soren handled the sails, Tanden stood at the tiller and steered. The brisk wind whipped back his hair and made him feel awake for the first time in days. This was where he belonged, out on the water. The endless ocean spreading out in front of him.