Waterborne (Wanderlust 3)

Chapter Nine

"I don't know what the demand would be, but we should try to sell it all off, I think," Ivern said, giving one of the crates a pat. "It feels like we've had them forever."

Soren held a ledger up to the light. "Those are the crates of wool from Tallen Tiya?"

"Yes."

"And we still have a few crates of spices from Morcea?"

"Hmm... yes, here," Ivern called back. "Five, six... seven crates left."

"Perfect, and—"

"Soren!" Tanden limped down the stairs, balancing himself with a hand on the low roof. "You had to be all the way down here."

"You could have sent someone," Soren pointed out. "How did it go?"

"Oh. Good. Rico's off looking for a bank so we can exchange some siyas. But Elorie's here, and she's offered to be our guide."

"Where did she come from? She just found us?"

Tanden shrugged. "Our Lady Wanderlust is pretty distinct around here. If Elorie was watching for us we wouldn't be hard to find. So, I'm going to make some plans with her. Things to see in Xaoto, ask about anything on the mainland. But before all that, later this evening, we're going to go visit the bank and you're coming. Rico seemed worried about pirates so I'd like you along. Not that I couldn't fight a pirate, mind you."

Soren shook his head. "When was the last time you touched a sword?"

"Oh, I don't know." His flippant answer didn't quite match the stiffness Soren heard in his voice. "The point is, I'm limping around looking like a target, but you're taller and strong and people might be less likely to try to attack you. Actually, Ivern? You and the other two can come along as well. The six of us should look formidable enough to avoid being ambushed."

"Yes, Captain, we'd be happy to come along," Ivern said.

"Good. I'll send someone for you when Rico returns," Tanden said. "Soren, join us when you're done here so we can talk about plans."

"Aye," Soren agreed, although he really didn't need to be there. Tanden would decide what they were going to do, and Soren was happy to follow along. "Shouldn't be too much longer."

Tanden grinned. "Excellent. See you soon, then." He slowly disappeared back up the stairs. Soren watched, carefully observing the way Tanden was using his broken foot.

"It looks better," Ivern said quietly, stepping up beside him. "You don't need to hover over him."

Soren groaned, not annoyed to have been called out, but annoyed because he knew Ivern was right. "He doesn't always take the best care of himself."

"Maybe not, but he did this for six years without you."

"No, he didn't. Deorun, Navire and the islands aren't the same as travelling this far," Soren said. "He knew those places. He doesn't know Alvara."

Ivern leaned against the wooden beam beside them, fixing Soren with a knowing look. "Are you hovering because he doesn't know Alvara, or because of his foot?" He smiled when Soren shot him a glare. "Ah, maybe figure that out. You can go join the meeting. I can handle the rest of the inventory on my own." He slipped the list from Soren's hand. "And I'll give this to you tonight. Go ahead."

Soren tried to put Ivern's words out of mind and turned, raking his eyes over the stacks upon stacks of crates. "There's a lot left to do, mate," he said doubtfully.

Ivern shrugged, already looking over the list. "All right. Send someone down to help me out. Ara, maybe? The boy has wonderful handwriting."

"Aye, all right," Soren agreed. "Thanks, mate. And don't forget that you're coming to the bank with us."