Nathan is a skilled mage with control over the air, powering ships over a world covered in water. However, under the control of the powerful Lord Ruthen, a mage of fire, he is insignificant, and he is cowed by the memory of Ruthen killing his childhood friend Tom.
But his friend is not dead, and has nurtured his power over water, which is feared by Fire mages. Nathan is swept up not only into Tom’s idea of revenge against Ruthen, but into love with the outcast mage.
There were few people out now, most still shaken from Tom’s attempt on the ship. Nathan was glad for that, as he did not want to deal with another angry guard like Craig. This mission wasn’t supposed to be difficult until they actually caught up with the enemy, and Tom had changed that.
Yet Nathan was still happy that Tom lived. He knew it was selfish, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care. Tom’s supposed death had marked a general spiral downward in Nathan’s social life as his entire purpose turned towards fighting for Ruthen, a lord who was really a killer. Perhaps Tom’s reappearance would turn that around.
The sun beamed down on the deck, all traces of Tom’s summoned storm vanished. Nathan wondered what the Air mages on the ship they were following would think had they bothered to scout this ship during Tom’s attack.
He smiled briefly at the thought, staring over the railing, and cast his senses outward, scouting ahead. He wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but it was something to do rather than focus on bad memories and the anxieties that Tom’s presence presented.
Without being able to visit him and talk to him, Nathan would never believe that his friend could be a monster. No one else had seen the friendly boy Tom had been, or understood what he had gone through. Not even Nathan did, though he intended to find out.
He should be loyal to Ruthen, he knew, but after seeing what Tom had become after Ruthen’s attempted murder of the boy, Nathan simply couldn’t pretend anymore. He wanted to help Tom.
And, Nathan thought last as he slumped against the railing, he himself had been the one to suggest that Tom be tested for magic. He had even been present at Tom’s initiation. He had only known that something had gone wrong when Tom had fallen ill.
Nathan considered asking him, but that was assuming Tom remembered the ritual. It had been five years, and Nathan could barely believe his friend was even alive. He knew he was getting his hopes up, even considering asking Tom all these questions, but he could not help himself. As soon as he saw the captain again, he would request permission to see him.
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