Cousin let go of her power, and Haven settled back into the ocean. She staggered, and multiple hands steadied her. The deck under foot swayed with the waves. Kraken barked orders, and Gabb manned the helm. Cousin steadied herself, moving with the rhythm of the ship.
“Cousin.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“Get yourself to the galley. Eat and come back strong.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“Kor. Make sure she gets there.”
“Aye, Captain,” Kor said, his voice gruff. “Come on, missy. Jak’s waiting.”
The galley echoed with the activity of the ship. The smell of roasted meat met Cousin in the hall. Kor saw her to a table by Jak then went back to his duties. Jak put a plate of meat in front of Cousin with a glass of water. “Eat up.”
“Thanks, Jak.” She looked at the plate for a silent moment.
“No good?” Jak asked.
“Always good. I was just thinking this is too much.”
Jak laughed. “I shot a wild pig yesterday. Kor and Gabb each got one while Monk drew his maps. Don’t you worry about it. That island was a good one. Stores are over full. Eat.”
Cousin smiled and tucked in. The plate was half empty when she noticed Jak watching her. She met his quiet gaze, and raised an eyebrow.
Jak shook his head. “No one likes my food the way you do. Sailors can eat. You put them all to shame.”
“And that’s good?”
“The best.” Jak rubbed his chin, scrubbing at the stubble growing out. “Can I ask you something?”
“Whatever you like.”
“How powerful are you?”
Cousin took a drink. “I don’t know. My Depth was never tested. I don’t use power by any particular formula or technique. My training was different.” Cousin waved at hand in front of her, fingers up. A tiny girl of flame danced over her index finger. A tiny flame man joined the dance over her middle finger.
Jak leaned close to see the elemental forms. The dancing fire reflected orange off of his tattoos in the shifting light.
“It isn’t creating fire. It’s inviting the fire already here to coalesce and dance. I can do this with all the elements.” Tiny air, water, and earth figures danced in turn.
“Amazing,” Jak said.
“Sorry, I didn’t have a better answer.”
Jak smiled and rubbed her head. “No worries.”
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