Chapter 201 - Bonds Of One [7] (1/2)

The guards opened the portal and Ju Feng ushered Chang Chang through.

Chang Chang's mouth fell open in shocked amazement.

She'd expected to enter another cramped cabin, but instead she beheld a tunnel through the seawater. It extended eight feet above their heads, reinforced by another magical shield. Water beaded and dripped on their heads in a steady drizzle. The air reeked of salt.

”They drain the water periodically,” the second guard said, ”so it doesn't flood the passage.”

”Don't look sturdy to me,” Ju Feng said.

”It isn't.” Chang Chang pointed to the stutters in the shield. The sensation of walking on water unnerved her. She kept her eyes off her feet. ”Was the shield here before the bloodplague?” she asked.

”Yes,” the guard said. ”The enchantments held. Most people who come to the Haven come from WaterWay, walking above water. Only the lucky souls who can't afford to be seen entering the Cradle use this entrance now.”

”Who?” Chang Chang asked.

The guard shrugged. ”Maybe a young noble. He wants a night of fun but doesn't want his face known in WaterWay. Long as he doesn't mind a swim, this is the way he comes.”

The tunnel began a gradual, upward slope. At the end loomed another water wall.

Ju Feng passed through the opening first. Chang Chang followed, bringing up the rear.

Behind the wall Chang Chang could tell they were in the belly of another ship. The hull had been reinforced several times over. No visible magical shield greeted them beyond the water wall. A ladder led up to the main deck, and Chang Chang could see a square of dull sunlight above. The breeze blowing down the ladder was cool and smelled strongly of rain. She couldn't see anything beyond the opening, but she heard muffled voices.

She turned around and noticed for the first time the pair of guards standing on their side of the wall. One of them, a young man not much older than Chang Chang, stepped forward to speak to Ju Feng.

”Saragui sends his greetings, and I bear a message. If you wish his protection, the cost will be one of you fighting in the Haven. Can I tell him you will fight in the Haven?”

”Yes,” Ju Feng said.

”No, he won't,” Chang Chang interrupted. ”Ju Feng, what is this? We're not here to fight. You told us you were taking us someplace safe.”

”Safety comes with a price, Chang” Ju Feng said. ”This is what you know. Fighting is Sarugai's business. So if we want to stay here, that's what we do. Tell your master that I'm in,” he told the guard. ”Expect his champion to fall tonight.”

”Bold words,” the guard said. His face split in an involuntary grin. ”Changa has no equal this past tenday.”

”Changa?” Sull said. He snorted. ”The champion is called Changa?”

”Death knells, that's why,” said the guard. ”They nicknamed her after she sent that poor bastard Tanshi into the pool. She hates it, but everyone likes a good nickname, you know.”

”We need time to rest,” Ju Feng said.

”Saragui says if you're committed to fighting, you can stay here in safety for the day,” said the guard. ”Fight's tonight, after gateclose.”

”Give him our gratitude,” Ju Feng said. The guard nodded and climbed the ladder. His partner followed, leaving them alone in the cabin, which reeked of mildew and the general stink of the harbor. Chang Chang found she was growing used to the smell. She wrinkled her nose. Likely because she was soaked in it, she thought.

”You've not been here before. So, how do you know much about this place?” Chang Chang asked Ju Feng when they'd arranged themselves on the floor near the back of the cabin.

”I only heard people talking about how they come here when they need protection,” Ju Feng said, ”when they desperate enough. We're safe here for the day, I guess. We should both sleep.” He looked at Chang Chang. ”We'll need whatever spells you can muster if things don't go well tonight. I see no way Cerest could track us here, but I want to be prepared.”

”You said one night, and then we'd renegotiate the price for your aid,” Chang Chang said. ”The cameo can't possibly cover all you're doing for us.”

Ju Feng laughed. ”That, my lady, is the most profound understatement I've yet heard from you.”