eyes widened. “Yes, I would like to know this, too!”
“But you crossed the ocean.”
“I don’t know how, though. The leaders never told us. Very big secret.”
I waved it away as if it were unimportant. “And when you find the Seven-Year Ship—well, then what?”
The Eculan shrugged. “Depends on what we find. But hopefully it will lead us to the Seventh Kenning. Or even be anchored next to it.”
“Since I am new to Zanata Sedam, could you explain the Seventh Kenning to me? Saviič could not.”
“It’s powerful. More powerful than the other kennings.”
“Yes, it must be, of course. But what is it?”
“Power.”
“Fine, but how does it work? What can one blessed by the Seventh Kenning do?”
“Do you think I don’t know?”
“I’m starting to wonder, since you do not answer.” The translated (yet incomplete) text of Zanata Sedam had not provided me any clarity on the subject, so it was little wonder this soldier had no answers. It only said the Seventh Kenning was greater than the others, or beyond them, or a blessing past the power of speech. But on such a vague promise they had crossed the ocean.
“I do not think I should tell you. You say you follow Zanata Sedam, but you are not one of us.” He pointedly summoned some phlegm from his lungs and spat in our direction.
“Fine. And what if you don’t find the Seven-Year Ship?”
He shrugged. “Then next year we look in the other countries.”
I cocked my head, alarm swelling in my head like a balloon. “What other countries?”
The Bone Giant waved dismissively in the direction of Kauria. “Farther south. The ones on the other map.” He must have meant the southeastern regional map. So Kauria was next, along with the east coast of Forn. “But I am not worried,” the Bone Giant continued. “We will find the Seven-Year Ship here somewhere. It has to be in the north.”
“Why must it be?”
“The vojskovodja is sure, and so is the kraljic, so we are all sure.”
Their king! “Has the kraljic joined you here?”
A derisive snort. “No, of course not!”
“Of course not,” I said, grinning at him. “Thank you for your time. I’m glad that you and I could speak peaceably.”
He jerked his head around as if suddenly remembering that his companions were still unconscious. I found it reassuring. He was not the quickest gust in the storm, and that meant he was less likely to try fooling me with misdirection. Ponder had done well to keep him conscious instead of the leader, but it was time to make an exit before his suspicions triggered a renewal of violence.
“I wish you and your companions well,” I said. “They will awaken soon, so there is no need to worry. Please tell them I am sorry I had to put them to sleep. I wish we all could have spoken in friendship as you and I did.”
“Where are you going?”
“Up the road to the next city. We have news to spread, after all, that some of the faithful still survive! Is there any message you wish to send along?”
“No,” the Eculan said, his tone making it clear that he was unsure if that was the correct answer. “Why are you going that way? I thought you said you needed to speak to my vojskovodja.”
Oh. I supposed I had said that. Shrugging, I said, “Any will do. There’s another one leading the army to the north, isn’t there?”
“Yes, but—”
“I will tell him of Saviič also.” I waved at him and began to backpedal. “Farewell.” Ponder waved and walked backward, too, and we took perhaps ten steps that way before turning our backs. A stolen glance over my shoulder showed the Eculan bending to his leader, trying to wake him up.
“We will have to take turns sleeping and hide somewhere off the road tonight,” Ponder said.
“That is well. We are all still alive and breathe Reinei’s peace.”
“Should we not be walking to Hillegöm, where the army is? I thought we were supposed to speak to some military officer of theirs.”
“There’s no need. I have found out what we needed to know. Kauria is a possible target, but not until next year. We can find our ambassador in Setyrön and send word via ship to Mistral Kira. And if we can find this Seven-Year Ship they want so badly or, better yet, the source of the Seventh Kenning, Kauria will never be invaded at all. That must be our new goal.”
“That was quick work, Scholar.”
“Only made possible by your keeping the peace. Thank