“I can’t look weak in front of them,” she whispered, motioning to the other warriors who had opted to sleep on deck.  

Max shivered and pulled Britt in tighter, “You would have to do a lot to make these men believe you’re weak. Many became fugitives and outcasts for you, and now the rest of the Islanders are following in your footsteps. These people don’t need reminding that you’re in charge.”  

“That doesn’t reflect the popular vote,” Britt said. “You know, you were there on the beach when they decided to elect Red as Chief.”  

“What I saw that night was a group of old men deciding to go with the past leader’s son because he was a fierce warrior. Now that this political station is becoming more difficult to navigate and the different nations of the world are having to work with one another, your people need a leader who can adapt.”  

“I wish they all thought like you,” she whispered. 

“I think they already do. Especially now,” Max said and fiddled with the crystal necklace around his neck.  

“How well do you know how to use that?” Britt asked.  

“The crystal? Or,” he nodded down. “Because if I need to remind you of that, I’m not as good as I thought,” Max said, holding back his laughter. 

“Yes, I'm talking about the crystal,” Britt said, poking him in the side. Max laughed and Britt added, “You weirdo. I wouldn’t ask you that, I already know.” 

“That’s right. You wouldn’t ask, you’re more of a take-action and find-out-for-yourself type.” Britt jabbed him hard in the ribs and he winced, “Ouch. Hey, you know it’s truth. I was happy to sleep on that couch.”  

Britt shook her head, “Yeah, but when you say it like that, it makes me sound bad.”  

“I’m pretty lucky that none of these other warriors hadn’t already swept you off your feet.”  

Britt laughed, “You’re joking, right?” 

“No, I’m serious. You’re a catch,” Max said. 

“I’m too much of a tomboy for these men. They like soft women who stay at home. A warrior can’t be with a woman who will beat him in a fight. They’re too afraid of me.”  

“Their loss. You know, that’s what I like about you,” Max said. 

“That I can kick your butt?” Britt asked. 

“Yeah, but now that I have crystals...” he trailed off. 

“You still couldn’t beat me.”  

“I’m just saying, I can use their magical energy to say, stop you in your tracks. Then I could take the sword right out of your hands.”  

“You’ve done that before?” she asked. 

“In training, yes,” Max said.  

“Impressive. I wonder what other things you could use those skills for?” she asked, snuggling into him.  

Max leaned his head back against the ship and said, “I just hope I'm able to use the crystal’s power when it counts. It’s all practice until the real fighting goes down. If I have to face a real magician, I mean sorcerer, then I’ll be in trouble.” 

“I’m glad you came with us, Max.” Britt said. 

“You are?”  

“Yes, I didn’t want to see you go with the foot soldiers. After you left last night, I was sad. I haven’t ever felt sad about someone unless it was one of my fellow warriors who fell in battle and passed on to the Great Hall. Even when I’m sad that they’re gone, I’m happy for their ascension. I didn’t think it would happen to me, but you have changed me, Max.”  

“What’s this? A tough girl like you, getting all emotional about a boy like me?” 

He felt her head nod and she said, “Even the toughest warriors can fall for the right person.”  

Max raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t been in a relationship before where they both felt this strongly about each other. “I feel the same way,” he said. “I use jokes to hide my emotions, but with you, I genuinely feel happy.” He kissed the top of her head and said, “I hope we make it through this mess.”  

“Me, too. And if we don’t, I’m glad you’re here so we can go together,” Britt said. 

Max settled into the rocking of the ship as he thought about what the coming days held for them. In two more days, they would confront their fate. Either Merglan’s forces would beat them to the Plains and their flotilla would be destroyed, or they would have another day or two together before the storm hit.  

Over the next couple of days, Max and Britt spent more time together than they had since returning to Brookside. She put a stern face on for her crew, only letting down her guard occasionally to let Max know she was happy he was there. Three days into their voyage, the Rollo Navy reached the mouth of the Bareback River that divided the Plains. Their crew worked especially hard to make sure Red’s ship didn’t out-pace them to the river. If Britt wanted the Rolloan people to truly see her as their leader, she had to be bold and lead them into Aquina.  

Max put his hardening muscles to use, manning an oar with Sanka while Britt called out their rowing cadence. Theirs was the first ship up the Bareback River, but the long line of the Rollo fleet was close behind them. Watching the ships come up river, Max wondered which one held the Chief and his advisors. He’d learned from those who had traveled to Ramhorn that Red had been going through advisors by the dozens, never able to hold onto one for more than a week at a time.  

After long hours spent pulling against the wide river’s slight current, Max’s body ached. Several times he considered attempting to tap into his crystals’ powers. He wore one around his neck and had two more in a pouch he kept tied to his sword belt. The only thing that held him back was his lack of success in recharging the crystals during training. None of them had been able to do what Anders had done the last day of their training. 

By afternoon, a strong wind began to blow from the south. Britt ordered the sail dropped and the sustained wind carried them upriver. 

 If this wind holds, we’ll make faster time than Anders had planned, Max thought. He planned to meet the Navy on the fourth day.  

Though the wind carried them quickly, the city of Aquina was nowhere in sight. As the sun set, the wind died and Britt ordered the oars out again. They continued upstream slowly, rowing and sailing through the night.  

As the sun rose, Max awoke to some of the crew speaking in their native language. He sat up and saw other members of the crew standing. From the corner of his eye he saw Britt walk into view. She stooped at his side, looking ahead. She reached down and said, “Max, get up.” 

Max took her hand and stood, asking, “What do they see?” 

She pointed off the bow, “Smoke columns.”  

Max could then see several columns of smoke rising just above the horizon. The smoke flattened out as it drifted east. His heart sank at the sight and he gripped Britt’s hand firmly. “Looks like the fight has begun without us,” Max said. 

“We don’t know that for sure. Maybe the citizens are using grass fires to prevent burning if there is an attack?” Britt said. 

Max could see from spaced out plumes that this was not likely. The fires he had seen on the Plains typically involved one large column at the head of the fire. Here he saw multiple columns with space in between. The dark smoke gave him further cause to accept that this was an attack. “I hope it’s not dragons,” Max muttered to himself. 

“Anders and Maija are able to fly out ahead of the Army. They would see this smoke, wouldn’t they?” Britt asked. 

Max nodded, “We’ll find out soon enough.”  

Letting go of Max’s hand, Britt shouted to her crew, “Prepare for a fight! This could be hostile territory we’re sailing into. Slow down your cadence and allow the other ships to catch up. We don’t want to be caught in an ambush without the others there to help.”  

She gave Max a worried look; he nodded in response and joined the others in rowing. If it came down to it, he would do whatever it took to save their ship, to save Britt. The only thing that mattered to him in that moment was their future. He would fight to the end for her life.  

The crew slowed its cadence and allowed other ships to come alongside. Only wide enough for three abreast, Britt’s ship fell in with Red’s and Cricket’s ships to their right and left.  

Max heard Red shouting at Britt’s and Cricket’s warriors, “Ready your weapons; we could be in for a nasty brawl!”