Blood of the King - Khirro's Journey Book 1 Page 0,107

the prow making them all grasp for safety as the boat rocked violently. When it steadied, Ghaul and Khirro wrestled the oars from the bottom of the boat and took a few minutes to get the rhythm of rowing in unison. Soon they skimmed across the surface of the water leaving both rocky shore and pursuing giants behind.

As he pulled on the oar, Khirro wondered again how this boat appeared at the moment they needed it, at the moment he wished for one. Should they trust something unexplainable?

Only time would tell.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

They had been rowing for less than an hour when the mist descended upon them like a blanket thrown over their heads. They could see each other, but everything beyond the gunnels disappeared in the eddying fog. The shore, the lake ahead and behind, the sky above—all swallowed by the pale white curtain that left everything it touched damp.

At least the lake is calm.

“We should stop before we get turned around.”

“Athryn’s right,” Shyn agreed. “Without seeing where we’re going, we may end up where we started. Or worse.”

“Afraid of a little fog,” Ghaul muttered but pulled his oar from the water without argument. Thankful for the rest, Khirro did the same.

Waves lapped the boat as they floated in silence. Khirro faced Athryn, their knees touching, the magician’s black mask unreadable as he stared passed Khirro, attempting to penetrate the mist, or lost in memory, or grief, or plans. Shyn shifted in the front of the boat, setting it wobbling, and Ghaul grabbed the edge for support.

The fog grew more dense. Khirro looked over the side of the boat at the green water hiding the depths of the lake, every bit as impenetrable as the fog enveloping the world above the water.

“Why don’t you make yourself useful and see where we are,” Ghaul said over his shoulder.

“It wouldn’t do any good in this fog,” Shyn replied, then laughed. “Besides, you know I have to unclothe to change. Did you want my bare ass pressed against the back of your head?”

Elyea put her hand over her mouth, hiding her smile. Sitting across from her, Ghaul’s eyes smoldered.

“None of us need that, Shyn,” Khirro said before Ghaul spoke. “You can keep your breeches on, thanks.”

Shyn laughed and slapped Khirro on the back. As they settled back, a wave rolled out of the fog, buffeting the boat, sending them reaching for a safe hold.

“What was that?” Elyea asked, her smile gone.

They gazed into the fog, searching for the source of the swell, but the swirling mist disguised all. A minute passed and the ripples subsided, then they heard a splash in the distance to Khirro’s right.

“A fish jumping,” Ghaul said, his voice lacking surety.

“We haven’t seen any wildlife since we reached Lakesh.” Shyn stared toward the sound. “Why would there be fish if there’s nothing else?”

Khirro leaned out over the water, straining to see something through the dense cloud, listening for something, anything. No more sounds came, no more waves. He settled back into his seat, glancing down at the surface of the lake as a shadow slid by beneath its glassy surface, disappearing under the boat.

“There’s something in the water!”

The words had barely left his lips when something nudged the bottom of the boat. Elyea let out a startled yelp and Ghaul lifted his feet unconsciously.

“What is it?” Shyn called stretching to see over Khirro.

“There.” Athryn pointed over Ghaul’s shoulder.

They all twisted, rocking the boat again as they tried to glimpse what Athryn saw. A yard from the boat, at the edge of their limited vision, dark green skin marked with gray patches and flecked with black bulged the surface of the water, cutting through it like a knife through lard. The slick skin flashed in the mist-choked light, then it disappeared.

“What in the name of all four Gods?” Elyea’s green eyes flickered with the same fear tightening the muscles in Khirro’s thighs.

“I don’t know, but it’s time to put paddle to water again, Khirro.”

Ghaul pulled his oar from the bottom of the boat and Khirro did the same, falling into rhythm with Ghaul more easily this time. The boat cut across the water, though what direction they headed, none of them knew. The water by Khirro’s oar contorted as the creature’s back broke the surface again, keeping pace.

“It follows us,” Elyea said, her voice quiet.

Khirro craned his neck to see, ceasing rowing and leaving the blade of his oar in the water. A thick green loop coiled around the oar, jerking