The Seer by Rowan McAllister (reading comprehension books .TXT) 📕

exactly what he needed. He needed Ravi angry and focused, not dazed and afraid, because he was only a few seconds short of pissing himself.

“I think I know what your Vision means now, and it’s not good,” Daks said breathlessly.

“What?” Ravi spat, still obviously hurt and fuming.

“Flash flood. Warm wet spring, plus a sudden storm with heavy rain upriver means a wall of water coming our way. That has to be it.”

He paused to give Ravi a chance to contradict him, but when he only swallowed visibly and nodded, Daks’s stomach sank. He’d kind of been hoping Ravi would argue, but he took his disappointment manfully on the chin.

When he was sure Ravi could stand on his own, Daks took his hands away and gripped the rail of the ferry instead so Ravi couldn’t see them shake. After a couple of deep breaths, he started shucking his clothes.

“Take off your bag, your cloak, your jerkin, and your boots, now,” he ordered. “You don’t want anything weighing you down.”

“We’re going to swim?”

Ravi’s voice cracked on the last word, but he pulled the strap of his bag over his head, then undid the clasp of his cloak and let it fall.

“If your Vision is right, I don’t think we’re going to have much choice. We’re not even halfway across yet.”

Daks stopped talking and closed his eyes as a wave of nausea swept over him. His worst nightmare was about to come true, and there was nothing he could do about it but try and survive. He was not a superstitious or religious man, but he was really beginning to think there was something to this curse thing Ravi had moaned about to his friend back in Rassat. Or maybe some of the tales Shura’s people told of their vengeful gods were true. Maybe there was some water god out there Daks had cheated all those years ago, and they were going to keep trying to drown him until they succeeded.

Pull yourself together.

He was seriously losing it.

“Oy, what you two doin’?” the ferryman called from his perch behind them.

When Daks turned to look, he found every person on the ferry watching them in curiosity or dismay.

“You need to get yourselves ready,” his conscience made him yell back. “There’s a flood coming. Unhitch the horse, and do what you can to remove any excess clothing or weight that might pull you under.”

He was proud to say his voice only shook a little bit as the people stared at him with various expressions of disbelief.

“You’re barmy,” the ferryman called, even as he shot a fearful glance upriver.

“I’m telling you it’s coming. I’ve seen it,” Ravi piped in, lifting his head and meeting the gazes of the entire group of strangers, one by one.

Daks was actually quite proud of him. He didn’t flinch once as each person who met his gaze jerked their eyes away and took a step back. Still, Daks grew irritated with their reactions pretty quickly and growled, “What have you got to lose other than a few minutes on the other side putting your things back on and hitching up the horse again?” When they all just continued to stare at him in silence, Daks threw up his hands. “Fine. We warned you. If you choose not to listen, it’s on your heads.”

A sudden gust of wind smacked into Daks and the deck heaved beneath them, making him lunge for the railing again, Ravi right beside him. Dismissing the other fools, he looked to Ravi. “We’ll go to the very front. When you see it coming, dive as far away from this thing as possible so you don’t get hit by any debris or taken down with it.”

“You really believe me?”

Daks frowned. “Of course I believe you. I’ve seen what you can do, Ravi. Your gift is strong.”

“Not strong enough.”

Emotions chased each other across Ravi’s lovely face, as easy to read as those books he was so fond of—fear, pain, guilt. Daks forgot his own very real terror long enough to cup Ravi’s cheek in one palm and meet his startled gaze.

“You’ve had no training, no chance to explore and learn about what you can do. Even the Seers in the tower at the Scholomagi can’t always decipher what they’re given, and never right away. Don’t blame yourself for that. The future is ever-changing. I refuse to believe we have no choice in it, and that it’s already planned out for us. You’ve given us enough warning to stand a chance. Be proud of that.”

Ravi swallowed and nodded before his gaze strayed to his bag, lying discarded on the deck, and Daks’s throat tightened in pity.

“I’m sorry you have to leave it behind. I can tell whatever’s in there is important to you.”

After a moment, Ravi sighed and shook his head. “It’s just an old book. I know it by heart by now. It’s a reminder of the life I used to have. I think this is a sign it’s time to let it go. It’s not worth my life.”

“Still, I’m sorry.”

Ravi’s expression opened a little as he returned his gaze to Daks’s face. “You’re not as bad as you want people to think,” he said. “I’m sorry I called you so many unflattering names.”

Daks couldn’t help a smile. “Did you?”

“Well—” Ravi’s lips curved ruefully. “—I guess most of them were just in my head.”

He might have laughed if another gust of wind hadn’t hit him. The storm was getting closer. The people on the boat had apparently also noticed this because they had begun peppering the ferryman with worried questions.

Good. He’d done what he could for them. They’d listen or they wouldn’t. Not his problem.

He grabbed Ravi’s elbow and led him toward the very front of the ferry, leaving most of their belongings behind. While the others were distracted, he took the opportunity to surreptitiously undo the buckles on the carthorse’s harness straps, yoke, and collar, ignoring any indignant protests from the merchant. It was no guarantee the poor thing wouldn’t