The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani (story reading .TXT) 📕

with his resplendent mustache comes out to meet Garrin. I step down to join the conversation, glancing around once for any sign of Bren. I sent his page with a second message for him, letting him know we were going to the docks. Given his last interaction with Matsin, I told him not to join us, that I was only informing him of my movement because I didn’t want a lecture. Although, truthfully, I want him to know where to search for Kirrana as well, in case he can do something the guards cannot.

Thankfully, though, there’s no sign of Bren just now. The head warden bows to me, recognition flashing in his eyes, but he focuses his conversation on Garrin. Within a few minutes, we know which of the three Berenworth galleys docked will leave next.

“Verin,” Matsin calls. We turn to find him approaching in company with nearly a dozen river guards. “Allow me to introduce Captain Diara. She has received Verin Melkior’s orders and will lead the soldiers performing the search.”

The captain at his side proffers us a bow, a polite smile on her lips and the gleam of intelligence in her eyes. “We are honored to be of service.”

“Very good,” Garrin says, his expression warming.

I smile, delighted to find a woman in command. I’ve seen only a few among the guards.

“I understand you wish to search The Silver Star. We’ll make quick work of it.”

“Excellent.” Garrin nods to me. “Kelari, if you’ll wait on the docks, I’ll rejoin you once we’ve gained access to the holds.”

I dip my head. I promised not to interfere, and I’ll adhere to that for the time being.

Diara has brought a pair of quads with her. They follow behind as she and Garrin walk up the dock to where The Silver Star is moored. Matsin orders his quad to stay with me, and continues on after the others.

I station myself a few paces from the gangplank, aware of the quad arrayed silently around me, as if I were at immediate risk of attack. Their weapons are sheathed, but there’s no way anyone would think of bothering me regardless.

I turn my attention to the ship. It’s a wide-bottomed river galley. From the boys Bren stole free from the brickmaker, I know the single-level hold is where the snatched will be hidden. Will Kirrana be there? Or am I wrong, every coincidence of proof I’ve attempted to gather lined up incorrectly, so that we will be searching the wrong boat? There are a dozen here; if we search the wrong one, then the true criminals will have the chance to escape, taking Kirrana with them. But I don’t have anything else to go on.

I stare at the slim mast with its sails tied up, the green-and-white pennants flapping in the light spring breeze. There are a few men on deck, busy with whatever work it is a boat such as this needs. It hardly seems possible that people might be held captive beneath their feet.

As I watch, Garrin strides forward to meet the captain of the galley, nodding to the man’s bow. They speak for a few minutes, the captain frowning and then nodding and gesturing to the lower level where the rowers would sit. No doubt the hatch to the hold is there.

They move forward together, the soldiers first and then the captains and lord, disappearing from view. I wait what feels like an eternity, my eyes going from The Silver Star to the other galleys, the warehouses behind the docks, the houses built out along the edge of the opposite bank.

One of the soldiers beside me clears his throat. I glance back quickly to see that the party has emerged from the hold. My breath catches as I scan them, but Kirrana isn’t among their number. There’s no one new there at all.

No.

I step forward without realizing I’m moving.

“Kelari?” one of the soldiers asks.

“We’re going on deck,” I say tightly. “I intend to look as well.”

The soldiers don’t argue, though I sense the look they exchange among themselves. It’s not their place to stop me, though.

I pause before the gangplank, remembering how easily Diara traversed it, how Matsin stepped right across it. The boat bobs at its moorings. It’s steady enough for someone who is used to such things, but I’m not—either steady myself, or used to these things.

But if Kirrana is hidden on that boat, I’m not going to let this stop me. I step onto it, limping my way across. I have only one moment, when the boat dips just as I take another step with my turned foot, and the plank isn’t where I expect it. I throw out my arms, wavering, and then my feet take my weight again and I continue on, aware of the guards tensed behind me, watching.

By the time I step on deck, Garrin and the captains have all come up to it, as if waiting patiently for me to finish crossing. I raise my chin, aware of the faint warmth of my cheeks.

“Kelari,” Diara says as they shift toward me. “Allow me to introduce Captain Grefan.”

The captain of The Silver Star is tall and graying with a sinewy, ropy look to him, all lean strength and hard living. I murmur a greeting and, because my ankle is still not quite steady after that dip, attempt a bow in the manner of Diara herself. It feels a hundred times more graceful than the best of my curtsies. Why did I never think of this myself?

Grefan inclines himself slightly in return, the movement almost an insult. “I am sorry, kelari, to hear of your friend’s disappearance.”

I don’t think him sorry in the least. I turn to Garrin. “Verin, did you find any sign of her?”

“I’m afraid not, kelari. I’m sorry.”

“I would like to take a look below myself, as we discussed.”

“I don’t think you can,” Grefan interrupts with amusement. “Not with that foot of yours.”

Oh, the gall of the man! I’m not letting this go without