Page 43 of Hymn of Breath and Bone

“Your friend?” Zephyr asked, appearing next to me so suddenly I startled.

“Seas, how long have you been there?”

“Only a minute,” she said, grinning at my surprise. “You were very engrossed. So is that your friend? It’s been following us since we left the cliffs.”

“It has?” I asked, frowning back down at the water to see if I could find the sea dragon again. Its tail flicked above the water in greeting as I prodded it with my mind, and I blinked in surprise.

You’re the sea dragon that gifted me the scale. Why are you following us?

It took a moment for the sea dragon’s reply to filter in past the salt spray and churning waves of the ocean.

The kelpie told me to guard you, little goddess.

Rannoch?I asked in surprise.Why? Is he with you?

He is readying his herd,the sea dragon replied, shaking his head so violently, sea water splashed me.He seemed to think you were likely to get into trouble.

Readying hisherd for what?

The sea dragon shifted its form in what I interpreted to be a shrug.That’s his business.

I sighed, knowing what Caspian would think of Ran’s meddling, not to mention his tendency to be cryptic.

Do you have a name?I asked.

Phyllopetryx,it replied with a hiss.But you may call me Phyll.

I smiled, glad that at least some magical creatures understood the point of nicknames.

“Yes, it’s the same sea dragon,” I said aloud, finally withdrawing my mind from the sea. “Why didn’t you alert me?”

“We just spotted him last night,” Zephyr replied, giving me a sidelong glance. “So far it’s just been keeping pace with us, nothing more.”

“Interesting.”

“Tea, Marina.” Caspian appeared on my other side, and I jumped. I swore these sirens could materialize out of nothing. Zephyr laughed, steadying me lest I fall overboard. “What’s got you so jumpy, Urchin?”

“She’s just spotted the sea dragon,” Zephyr supplied as I carefully took the cup of tea and blew on it to cool it. “Are your lungs well, Marina?”

“Just a hard day,” I replied before Caspian could exaggerate my difficulties with his coddling. “Caspian made us stop training.”

“And I will never hear the end of it, I’m sure,” he said, giving me a fond smile. He patted his shoulder. “Did the sea dragon say anything about this scale?”

“No.” I took another sip. “He did say that Ran is readying his herd”

“Skies, I shudder to imagine,” Caspian groaned. “If you’ve finished your tea, Urchin, I have an alternative activity for us you might enjoy.”

“Oh?” I asked, blushing and glancing hesitantly at Zephyr, who was watching Caspian with interest.

“Disgusting,” Zephyr groaned, turning away. “I’m going back to work.” She shot me a wink from her good eye as she barked orders at someone to mind the rigging.

Caspian barked a laugh. “Not that, Urchin, although I appreciate where your filthy mind likes to go. Are you feeling up to using some magic?”

“Magic?”

“I have a theory,” Caspian replied with a shrug that was a bit too nonchalant to be casual. “I think you may have some control over the wind.”

I coughed, choking on my tea. “You what?”