Chapter 228 - Time [3] (1/2)
”A perfect memory,” Ju Feng said. ”Maybe Cerest's mind couldn't survive that kind of clarity. To have all the defects of your own psyche laid out for you in a ring of fire—not many people could face it and live.”
”So this,” Chang Chang said, touching the elf's smooth face, ”this is memory. His last memory.” She felt an overwhelming wave of sadness—for her parents, Chang Wei, and for Brant. So many lives destroyed.
”We should get out of here,” Ju Feng said. ”There's no telling how long the structure will hold.”
”The Ferryman's Haven is over,” Chang Chang said quietly. She turned away, leaving Cerest on the raft, staring peacefully up at the sky.
They swam out of the wreckage together, Chang Chang's bobbing light leading the way. Gray mist clung to the harbor's surface. In the distance she could smell the Hearth fire burning. The orange glow gave the impression of a false dawn.
Out of the darkness, Chang Chang saw the line of boats coming toward them. Lantern light swayed at each prow. Chang Chang could see there were at least two men in each boat.
”Think you can take ten of them?” she asked Ju Feng, who was treading water next to her. ”Leaves eight for me.”
”Only ten?” Ju Feng said. His face twisted with a gallows humor smile. ”Bring me a true challenge, lady.”
The lead boats drifted to a stop practically on top of them. Chang Chang squinted up into the face of a woman in robes. She wore a tense frown, but she seemed more interested in the wreckage than in the two figures in the water.
A tall man leaned down to Chang Chang. This man she recognized immediately, though she'd never expected the Watch Warden to come for her himself.
”Warden Tallmantle,” she said. ”I understand you've been looking for me.”
”Well met, Chang Chang Tearn,” Tallmantle said, inclining his head gravely. ”Would you care to come aboard?”
”I would, and if you've a spare blanket or two, I'd be weepingly grateful for those as well. But I've a problem. Three of my friends are trapped in the wreckage. We can't get to them.”
”'Ware!” shouted one of the men at the back of the group. ”We need more light over here.”
Tesleena spoke a word, and the surrounding harbor lit as if a miniature sun had risen.
A single small boat drifted toward the group. Her oarsman was hunched over, forcing the craft through the water.
The Watch officer nearest raised his crossbow. The oarsman lifted his head, and Chang Chang shouted, ”Stop! He's a friend.”
When Mut got close enough to Tallmantle's boat, Ju Feng grabbed an oar and hauled the boat in the rest of the way. There were two figures lying side by side in the bottom of the boat. Chang Chang recognized Zu Ruo and Fa, but she couldn't see if they yet breathed.
The deformed man slumped against the side of the boat, exhausted by whatever toil had brought them out of the wreckage. Tears streaked his face. Chang Chang could see him stroking Fa's robes. Her heart lurched painfully.
She swam to the boat, but Tallmantle was closer. He bent over the prone figures. ”The old man is dead,” he said. ”The dwarf lives.”
”The Art is around her,” Tesleena said. She put a hand on the dwarf's shoulder and rolled her onto her back. Clutched between her two hands was Fa's staff. It pulsed with pale, crimson radiance, but it was clear at Chang Chang's touch that the item had been drained. It was nowhere near as powerful as it once had been.
”Is he truly dead?” Chang Chang asked. She saw Tallmantle nod, but she was looking to the deformed man. He met her gaze and seemed to understand what she was asking. He nodded. The sorrow in his eyes pierced her.
”It was what he wanted,” Ju Feng said.