“How long have you known him?” I ask, wanting to know more about her relationship with Jasce’s younger brother.
“Ten summers. Jude discovered his love for fishing during one of his visits to Narhavva. It’s a rare spot in crimson territory where you can reliably catch a decent haul.”
As I listen to Arian, I find it difficult to picture Jude waiting for a fish to take interest in the bait dangling from his line. The image seems at odds with what I know about Jasce and his brothers. They’re all warriors. All fierce. All capable of leading armies of thousands.
“Do you have any hobbies, Annora?” Arian asks, drawing my attention back to her.
“I enjoy collecting seashells.”
Her eyes widen. “Have you ever seen the ocean?”
“Once, when I was a child.” The bittersweet memories rear up in my thoughts, painting images of that day with my father and Asha. He had been so caring, so loving, then he had just disappeared, leaving us without any trace.
Grandfather had called his son weak and cowardly. My mother never spoke my father’s name again. But I did in my bedchamber with Asha. We talked about him a lot, though our hearts never quite mended.
“Oh, that’s fabulous. I have only ever seen drawings,” Arian says. “Though, I have heard how lovely it is. I should go there soon.”
“The ocean is wonderful,” I say, a wistful smile tugging at my lips. “The way the waves crash against the shore, the salty breeze tangling your hair, the endless expanse of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s like standing on the edge of the world.”
Curiosity sparkles in Arian’s eyes as she leans forward, as if anticipating my next word. “It sounds like a place where possibilities are endless.”
“Precisely.” My hand tightens around my shell necklace. “There’s something about the ocean that makes you feel small, yet somehow connected to something greater.”
Jude laughs. “Connected to something greater, huh? Like the time eight summers ago when I got tangled in my fishing net and nearly became one with the fish?”
“I remember that.” Jasce smiles. “You were thrashing around, screaming for help.”
Merriment twinkles in Jude’s eyes as he speaks. “Those hooks are sharp. I could’ve been seriously injured.”
My brow lifts. “Aren’t you supposed to avoid becoming the catch of the day?”
He clutches his chest in mock offense. “You wound me, Ani. I’ll have you know that I’m an excellent fisherman. That was just a minor setback.”
Arian giggles and covers her mouth with her hand. “A minor setback that had you screaming like a banshee.”
“I did not scream like a banshee,” Jude argues. “I merely expressed my displeasure at the situation in a vocal manner.”
“Of course,” Arian says. “How foolish of us to misinterpret your vocal expressions of displeasure.”
“Maybe next time you should consider using your vocal expressions to lure the fish. They might be so startled by the noise that they’ll jump right into your boat,” I say.
Jasce laughs, and it does something to me—hearing him, seeing the levity on his face.
Jude wags a finger at me. “Careful, Ani. I might just take your advice and then I’ll be known as the fisherman who sings to his catch.”
“Singing fisherman?” Arian giggles. “I’d pay to see that.”
“As would I,” Jasce adds, his voice rich with amusement. “Imagine the looks on the other fishermen’s faces when they hear Jude’s off-key singing echoing across the water.”
“You mock me now, but just wait until I have the most bountiful catches in all of Narhavva.” Jude puffs out his chest in an exaggerated display of confidence. “Then, you’ll be begging to know my secret.”
The image of Jude serenading a school of fish is too absurd to ignore. “I’m sure the fish will be lining up to be caught by the famous singing fisherman of Narhavva.”
“Exactly.” A grin pulls at Jude’s mouth as he snaps his fingers. “I’ll be a legend in no time.”
Torchlight catches on Arian’s chestnut hair as she shakes her head. “I think the only thing you’ll be legendary for is your ability to spin tales, Jude.”
“Storytelling is an art, my dear Arian.” Jude leans back against his chair and fastens her with a long, playful look. “One that I happen to excel at.”
