Once Kaz reemerged on deck, she paused to take in the scene before her. Cascade, Meander, Fin, and a woman Kaz didn’t know clustered at the prow. Meander and the woman were both manipulating ropes, and all four were laughing about something. 

Reef and Owen were making their way back to the hammocks from one side, while Chel and Ember stood chatting on the other. Kaz looked away from them quickly, though she wasn’t sure why. Probably just nerves, she thought, since she didn’t know them at all. And Chel’s appearance in her dream hadn’t helped matters. At the stern of the boat, Otto held the tiller, his gaze somehow taking in everything on the boat as well as the magnificent peaks on either side of the river. 

A soft exclamation brought her attention back to Owen and Reef. Owen had tripped, and the big man had caught him. Kaz looked over in time to see Reef pulling Owen upright, as Devlin, tail wagging madly, wove underfoot. Reef was a huge, dark-skinned man. He would have been imposing except for the careful way he had of moving and speaking. It was like he knew how powerful he was and went through the world trying not to scare people. 

Kaz strode towards them. “Probably best to sit down again,” she called. 

Owen smiled. “Yes please,” he said. “Was your mission successful?” 

Kaz grinned back. “I triumphed most gloriously,” she said. She sat on the hammock next to Owen’s, and Reef leaned against the mast. “How about you?” she asked, grinning. “I think your mission was a bit more challenging than mine.” 

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Owen. “I had help with mine. But yes, I did prevail. And we’re trying to come up with a system so I don’t need help every time.” 

Reef grinned. “That’s one of the best parts of life on the river,” he said. “Problem solving.” 

Owen laughed, and Kaz joined him. 

“You two seem in much better spirits than last night,” said Ember. She and Chel had wandered back to the hammock platform, drawn by the laughter. 

“Oh, it’s been a long trip,” said Owen. “We were tired. It feels amazing to get some rest. That’s all.” 

Kaz was grateful that Owen had such a quick lie ready. In fact, she realized it wasn’t even a lie. He was much better at this than she was. She had been so distracted by Ember and Chel’s reappearance that she hadn’t even begun to formulate an answer. 

“Really?” asked Chel. “Where did you travel from?” 

“A small village deep in the mountains,” said Owen. “It only took us a couple of days, but we were moving fast.”

“And why the rush?” asked Chel. Kaz looked at her sharply, but her face was neutral as she gazed at Owen. 

“Alaya’s brother is in Alanas, and my father is one of the only people their mother trusts to heal him. Father couldn’t travel there in time, so he sent me. But we have to get the medicine to him within two weeks or it’ll lose its potency.” 

Chel and Ember nodded as Owen told their carefully concocted tale, sitting uncomfortably in his hammock. He wobbled every time the deck rocked, but he kept his voice steady, and Kaz found that she half-believed his story. If only they were actually cousins, she thought wryly. Right now she would rather be anyone in the world other than herself. Maybe she could lose herself in Alaya’s story for a while. Avoid thinking about-

“What’s wrong with your brother?” asked Ember, jerking Kaz out of her reverie. Her brother. Not Blaze, who might be dead. Her fictional brother, she reminded herself. What had they decided?

“He caught a fever and a terrible cough. The local medicine men and shamans tried everything, but nothing worked. Mother isn’t sure howhe got so sick, but Owen’s father was able to consult the elements and figure out what he needs.” 

“You poor dear,” said Ember. “You must be worried sick.” She reached out a hand and brushed it against Kaz’s cheek. She hurriedly averted her eyes, staring at her feet. Her skin flushed where Ember’s fingers had touched it. 

“Yes,” she said, “Very worried.” 

“What about you, Ember?” asked Owen. “Can you tell us anything about your contract in Ticlanac?” 

“A lady never kisses and tells,” said Ember, grinning at Owen. “All I can say is that she’s always a treat to work with.” 

“She?” said Kaz, before she could help herself. 

“Oh yes,” said Ember, winking at her. “So much is possible between two women.” Her gaze was as direct as it had been before, and something smoldered in her eyes. Kaz felt hypnotized, and found she couldn’t look away. 

“I,” she stuttered, “I didn’t realize that was an option.” 

Ember sighed and looked away, much to Kaz’s flustered relief. “Many don’t. I’m honestly not sure why. It’s not like the elements condemn such things. I guess most people are so used to the age old game of men and women that they never saw a reason to question it. A shame.” And now Ember was smiling at Kaz again. “Because it can be absolutely electric.” 

Kaz swallowed, and realized that her heart was racing. This new information was definitely something to think about. When she had time. And wasn’t running for her life. She looked away. “I see,” she said, suddenly unable to think of anything else. 

“Chel,” said Owen. “How do you and Ember know one another?” Once again, Kaz was relieved at his easy change of subject. 

“Oh, we’re friends,” said Chel. “We’ve known one another for years.” 

“We know a lot of the same people,” said Ember. “And occasionally our work coincides and we travel together.”

“So you’ve done this trip before,” said Owen. 

“Many times,” said Chel. “And we’ve seen many wonders.” 

“Will you tell me about them?” asked Owen. “I’ve barely even left my village. I can hardly imagine where we are now.” 

“Do you want me to describe our surroundings to you?” asked Ember. 

“I’d love that!” said Owen. “Colors don’t mean much to me, since I was born blind. But it would be great to know what’s around us, and even what the boat is like.” 

“Well,” said Ember, with obvious relish. “We are traveling along a wide part of the river. The mountains are high on both sides, though it looks like the gap narrows up ahead. The slopes on one side are covered in trees, while the other side is bare and has a building high up. Maybe a messenger house. Let’s see, what else? The sun is shining and there aren’t any clouds today, at least not yet. Oh yes, the boat. We’re sitting in the center. There’s an awning above, providing shade, with hammocks and cubbies in two rows on either side. In the middle of the hammocks is the mast.” 

“What’s that?” asked Owen. 

“It’s a thick length of wood, cylindrical, like the trunk of a tree only more regular. That’s where the sails are.”

“The sails?”

“Huge lengths of fabric that catch the wind and help move us forward. This boat has three masts. The largest is in the center.” 

“Can I touch it?” 

“I’m sure you can. Would you like a tour?”

“I’d love that!” 

Kaz watched thoughtfully as Owen stood, wobbled, and stabilized. Ember handed him Devlin’s leash. She had never seen him so happy, and suddenly felt guilty and selfish. It had never occurred to her that Owen might want things described to him, unless he was about to run into them. She had thought that he didn’t know what he was missing. But the simple, naked joy on his face said otherwise, and she had never even thought to offer it. 

“You don’t know your cousin very well, do you?” asked Chel. 

Kaz bristled. “Why do you say that?” 

“Just an observation. You hadn’t thought to describe things to him, had you?” 

“No,” admitted Kaz. “I suppose not. It’s the first time I met him, really. You know,” she added hurriedly, “because we grew up in different places.” 

“Of course,” said Chel. “It’s alright. It takes some getting used to, relating to someone who’s blind. Ember has had experience. She’s got a few friends, even a client, I think, who are blind. And so she already knows some of the best strategies. Honestly, wouldn’t worry about it. Owen obviously cares about you. I bet he won’t mind the learning curve.” 

Kaz smiled at Chel, touched despite herself. “Thanks,” she said. 

Chel nodded. “Of course,” she said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the privy now that you’re done.” 

“Absolutely,” said Kaz. “Do you already know where it is?” 

“Yes,” said Chel. “I’ll see you later.” 

And she left Kaz alone with her thoughts. 

Next Chapter: 34: Owen - The Tour