As Kaz approached the stern, she considered the man she was about to risk sharing her identity with. She had been struck that morning by his leadership in the rapids. It seemed to Kaz as though the crew had hardly carried out one order when Otto was grinding out the next. 

The stocky, burly man had a face beaten into deep furrows by weather and use. It was remarkable how many combinations those wrinkles could arrange themselves into. One instant Otto would be glaring at one of his crew, demanding to know why they were taking so long, his face creased into a scowl Kaz had been sure was permanent. And then he would laugh and his face would refold itself into a smiling mask, like the images of joyous elements that lined the entrances to temples. It was like origami.

“Excuse me, Otto, could I talk to you for a minute?” Otto stood at the tiller, looking out over the river and the boat. They were alone. 

Otto looked her over. “Alright,” he said finally. “What have you got for me?”

Kaz took a deep breath and shuffled her feet. The clarity and resolve that Owen’s music and words had left her with had begun to fade. 

“Well, spit it out. I don’t have all day,” said Otto, gruffly. 

“I - well, we. That is to say, Owen and me. We haven’t been entirely honest with you.” 

“And for good reason,” said Otto, carefully turning the tiller in a subtle adjustment. “Considering how much you’ve been through, I’m surprised you came to me this quickly, ñust’a Kazreena.” 

Kaz gaped at him. “How did you know?” 

Otto looked up at her. “Shut your mouth, girl. A mosquito might fly into it. Meander heard your name from that messenger. Along with a description of you and your friend. Yes, I know you’re not cousins.”

“Did you know when we came to ask for passage?” 

“I wasn’t here when you got here. Found out after, when Meander rejoined me back at the market. The second we got back onto the ship, he was certain it was you.”

“Does anyone else know other than you and Meander? Why didn’t you say anything? Why did you let us come aboard?” 

Otto emitted a coughlike chuckle. “Why did we let you aboard? If you hadn’t showed up when you did, we woulda come looking. Like Meander said at dinner last night, we’ll not be supporting this mockery. We won’t go looking for a fight, but we had the chance to help you, to help support a way of life we have always known and that has always served us well. We’ve encountered the pirates, and they’re the worst this world has to offer. We’ll take the chance to protect order. Always. We didn’t say anything for the same reason you didn’t. We wanted to keep you safe. As to who knows: it’s just me and Meander for now. We might let the rest of the crew in on it eventually, but for now, the fewer people that know, the better. For you. Especially with two passengers we hardly know.” 

Kaz stood silently for a moment, digesting, as the man gestured to someone on the deck. “Otto, I -” 

Otto turned and clapped her on the shoulder. “Don’t mention it,” he said gruffly. His weathered face crinkled in a kind smile. “Welcome aboard, princess. We’ll take care of you. Not to worry.”

"Thank you. Actually, I came to ask for help. Chel and Ember. Owen and I have both received - I’m not sure - warnings? Clues? About them from our elements."

Otto held up a hand. "Hang on ñust’a. I want Meander to hear this. Meander!" he bellowed. "Get your useless ass up here! I need a word."

The two of them watched in silence as Meander approached. When he arrived, Kaz said, “Otto just told me that you know who I am. Thank you for helping me.”

Meander smiled back at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Ñust’a, I can’t imagine having done anything else. But why tell us? We had thought that you would hesitate to tell anyone.”

"That’s why I called you over," said Otto. "We may have a problem. Go on, girl. Tell us."

Kaz outlined the warnings she and Owen had received, leaving out the rest of the context. She didn’t want to scare off their new allies. 

"The thing is, none of them have been directly linked to Vidar. But it’s clear to us that there’s something those two are hiding. I didn’t know what to do, and Owen suggested talking to Otto," she finished.

Otto’s gnarled face had folded into a ferocious scowl. "It’s suspicious. I’ll give you that," he said. "But it’s not enough to confront them. For now, I think all any of us can do is keep an eye out. If we discover they’re a threat by the time we get to the next port, we can ask them kindly to find another vessel. Do you agree, Meander?"

Meander was looking more troubled than angry. "I do agree that is about as much as we can do. But I wish there was more. Let us know if you or Owen gets any more insight." 

Kaz nodded. "I’ll do that. Thank you both so much. It helps just to know that I have allies on the ship."

Otto nodded gruffly, then told Meander to take over the tiller and stumped off to confer with Oreeya, who was approaching. Kaz smiled at Meander. She rested a hand on his arm, unable to speak through the lump in her throat.

Next Chapter: Interlude: Vidar - Certainty