Gabb jumped from his bunk, sword in hand. The swing meant to decapitate missed by a hair’s breath. The second swing stopped in mid-arc when Gabb saw Kraken’s stone hard face.
“She remembers.” Kraken turned and walked away.
Gabb stood long moments before he understood. He grabbed his boots, and ran after. A quick glance told him that no one was in the cabins.
The deck was still. The watch was solemn in their duty. A great weight had descended with the news of the Al’Ri flag. Lancer, at mid-ship’s watch, pointed to the gangway to the tunnel. The reflected moon light caught in his blond hair.
Gabb ran soft footed to follow.
The island breeze lifted his hair. Cousin and Kraken stood at the cliff edge, their heads together. Gabb took a deep breath and joined them.
Kraken held his hand up, and motioned to Cousin.
They rose into the air, and floated over the island to an isolated beach. The half moon lit a path over the ocean. The sand was soft under their feet.
Gabb held his breath.
Cousin sat down and looked up at the sky. The stars were innumerable. She could stay there forever just to see the sky. She sighed deep. “I remember the name I was given before. Cousin is the name I choose to keep. I remember where I came from. I choose to be here, apart of this crew. I remember Curtis Lee. He is not my father, and Curtis Lee is not his name. He wanted to be addressed as Protector.”
Cousin tilted her head forward, and closed her eyes. “I am of Al’Ri. A Child of the Myst.” Cousin opened her eyes and looked between Kraken and Gabb. “I am an Aberration.”
Gabb sat hard, his legs pinned beneath his body weight. All breath left his body, and his mind floated, suspended in a murky fog.
Kraken stared at the face of the girl who seemed so young only hours before. Now a woman of unlimited power? “What does that mean? I’ve heard of Aberrations. I was never clear on what it means. People whisper of unlimited power, uncontrolled power. A monster feared like a child’s night terror, or some ancient superstition.”
Gabb wheezed.
Cousin smiled a sad smile. “Feared. Yes. I can understand that. An Aberration is the most powerful wielder the Al’Ri produces. Most are conditioned beginning at birth. We are programmed. Our powers are limited or stunted through spell, ward, and abuse. I am not conditioned by the Masters of the Al’Ri. The man I had remembered as my father stole and hid me before the Masters knew of me. I spent thirty years in hiding before they learned of me. Then ten years on the run before coming to Y’Ahno, where you found me.”
Cousin gazed at the slow sky. “I had taken the form of a child to mask our passage. The Hunters were near. Protector believed they were tracking us through his power signature. He used a spell, drawing on my power, to cloak my presence, and left on a pirate ship to draw off the Hunters.
“He never knew that the spell damaged my memory. There are still dark places in what I can remember. I can’t really say what happened on Y’Ahno before Protector left.”
The island night sounded loud in the absence of voice. Cousin watched Kraken. He stood with his back to her. Gabb’s breathing was a quiet breeze beside her. She waited for them to decide. A distant splash of an ocean creature carried to the island.
Gabb’s voice cracked, “How powerful are you?”
“I don’t know. The training I received before leaving the Myst was slow and careful. I wasn’t marked by the Masters, nor was my Depth ever tested.”
“Depth?” Kraken’s voice was steady.
“I’m not sure how to explain it,” Cousin said. “Limit isn’t correct. Neither is height or size or measurement. Breath is closer, but makes less sense. It’s the amount of power combined with will and fortitude. It is power and ability to use it. Depth grows with knowledge and experience.”
“What really matters is who you are,” Gabb said.
“Yes,” Cousin said.
Gabb let out a long breath. He leaned his head back and looked the sky.
“Who you are,” Kraken repeated. He turned and sat in front of Cousin. “Are you different from this morning?”
“Only in what I remember, and the ability to express myself. I’d still chase Kor through the rigging, and split the profits when he gets away from me.”
Gabb barked a laugh. “You little sneak!”
Cousin laughed softly. Then she frowned. “Whether I stay or go, I need to tell them. They are my family. The only family I’ve ever had. They deserve to know the truth. Even if it means they will no longer trust me.”
“Do you trust us?” Kraken asked. “Trust us not to abuse your power for our own gain?”
Cousin smiled. The stars shone in limitless eyes. “My feelings haven’t changed. I am your Cousin.”
Kraken looked at Gabb. “You’ve heard her words. Ideas?”
Gabb snapped to. “If it please the Captain, I agree that the full crew be notified. I would that Cousin remain with the crew. However, this Al’Ri ship must be addressed. If they are looking, they wont give up so easy. We’re in for a blow no matter our heading.”
“Aye,” Kraken said. He looked long at Cousin. “What about the Hunters?”
Cousin met his hard stare with openness. “They found me years ago.”
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