Waterborne (Wanderlust 3)

Chapter Two

It was arranged very quickly. Soren and Jale packed a few extra sets of clothes. While Jale filled in Ivern and told Roan that he would be helping Jerios, Soren sought out Ara.

He found Ara on the quarterdeck, facing the jungles. A plank of wood was balanced across his knees, serving as a table for the tiny scrap of parchment he was drawing on in charcoal. He didn't react as Soren came up beside him.

Soren dropped to sit beside him. "What are you working on?"

Ara jumped at the sudden intrusion, but immediately relaxed when he registered who it was. He moved his arm, so Soren could see his drawing. It was the marsh and the trees, not very detailed but easy enough to make out.

"It's beautiful," Soren said, pleased that Ara was exploring the idea. While it wasn't a job, exactly, it would keep him busy.

"I just wanted to try," Ara said. "I thought if I could draw the places we visit, I'll be useful."

"You are useful."

"Not really. You and Tanden don't need me, and I'm not a sailor." His gaze darted up, towards the shrouds he hated. "I'm not good at any of this. Working like this."

Soren caught his hand and gave it a squeeze. "I already told you, we don't need you to earn your keep."

A sad smile flickered across Ara's face. "You want a pretty decoration. I can be that, and also be useful."

"That's not what we think," Soren said. He wished he had more time, and that Tanden was on the ship. Ara's feelings deserved a proper conversation. "I bought you something," he said instead, pulling the necklace from his pocket.

It was a delicate but simple piece. A gold chain and a gold pendant. The pendant was a flattened disk, decorated with circles made of dots and dashes a bit like the tattoos everyone in Attob seemed to have. The pattern had reminded him vaguely of Ara's henna designs.

Ara gingerly plucked it from his fingers. "You're sure you don't think I'm a decoration?"

Soren was relieved to hear warmth in the taunt. He watched quietly as Ara inspected the necklace. Then, abruptly, Ara dropped it back into his hand.

"Oh, did you... oh." Soren understood, as Ara gathered up his hair in one hand. Soren looped the necklace around Ara's neck, and did up the clasp. "It looks good," Soren said, as Ara dropped his hair and turned to him. "You're not a decoration."

"Hmm." Ara toyed with the pendant with his left hand. "But I'm the prettiest man on this ship."

"Aye, that's true," Soren agreed.

"If you were Tallenese, you could marry us both."

Soren nodded. "Reckon that's true, as well. Ara... Captain's waiting for me and Jale. But we'll talk about this when we get back in a few days, all right?"

"A few days?" Ara echoed. "Can I come?"

Soren hesitated thoughtfully. He knew Ara wouldn't be completely comfortable on the ship without him, Tanden or Jale around. So he made a quick decision. And if Tanden disagreed, Soren could talk him around.

He nodded. "Aye. You can."

***

Tanden was surprised to see Ara, but he wasn't angry. Even after months, Ara was still something they hadn't quite figured out how to manage within their relationship. But for the trip it didn't matter. Queb had offered to take them to the waterfall, and had already talked his cousin into accompanying them in a second boat. They started their trip upriver, Tanden and Jale in the first boat with Queb, Soren and Ara in the second with Naba.