246 The Search
The search for Edmar became more intense as the day went on. The prevailing concern amongst those within the inner circle was that Edmar had received magical help, and was therefore in a far more dangerous position.
When it was discovered that a boat had indeed gone missing, it also brought into consideration the fact that part of the herb-treated fishing net had been taken before Edmar's release.
He had initially been cleared of suspicion because of his confinement, but now, with help, it could easily be in his possession.
Jimmy's theory was that if he was trying to find another world to relax in, the Void might be trying to escape its own world again, and not necessarily to this one.
If this world was not to be easily conquered, perhaps another would be simpler to subdue. While that initially seemed to be a relief (for what business was it of theirs what happened in other worlds?), Roland pointed out that Titania had been a deeply vengeful person towards those who crossed her.
Even if the Void's sights were currently set on gaining access to other worlds, he was confident it would eventually come back for revenge. With another world's occupants potentially under its thrall, it would be an even more dire threat than the last time.
Lysander's warning that the void 'wouldn't be trapped much longer' and would soon 'have what it needs', echoed in his mind.
The implications were far-reaching, and Roland struggled to think through them all as he sat in a boat with Haf and Caspian.
They were attempting to trace Edmar's likely path once he had stolen a convenient small sailboat from its storage place up on the cove. It was a vessel not meant for long-distance sailing, more for pleasure on nice days up and down the coast to travel between settlements.
Since Haf had not announced Edmar's condition to the other settlements, they guessed the Commodore's son was headed to a place where his enchantment was not known.
As the next in line for leadership, it would hardly be questioned if he carried verbal orders purporting to be from his father. This clearly grieved the Commodore, though he did not speak of it. The strain was easily visible on his face.
"What is the most likely place he would have gone?" Roland was relatively inexperienced on boats, so his primary task here was to scan the shore for signs that Edmar had gone to land.
He suspected he was being humored in even being given a task, since he wasn't terribly familiar with the signs of a boat's landing… aside from the actual presence of a boat.
"He hasn't exactly been predictable lately," Caspian said with a slight edge in his voice. "I wouldn't venture to guess exactly, other than somewhere he could acquire a ship. If this Void of yours is leading him, where would it take him?"
"I never was excellent at keeping up with Titania's twisted plots. It was all I could do to muddle through and survive being with her. Horribly clever and scheming. I'm not sure we'll know its plans until they are well in motion."
"Muddle through and survive? You managed to banish the creature!" Haf exclaimed.
"With a lot of help," Roland really didn't want any credit to fall on him, but to deny having a role would be disingenuous.
"Yes, the war. We heard of Captain Riley's heroism," The Commodore nodded, and Roland hid a smile. If he were honest, Riley had been legitimately heroic and deserved the praise he received… but he was sure the man's reputation wouldn't have spread quite so far if he were a little more humble.
Then again, after the war, the General had released the records of Ashmayne, great unsung hero of Klain. It buoyed the public's spirits to have the tale to discuss.
With Ashmayne's new fame, Riley's spread as well. As the eldest son of a great hero, and with his own exploits gaining renown, he embraced his dashing public appearance. He had even convinced his mother to stay in Klain, as she was entitled to the pension of a hero's widow. She used it primarily to help the poor, preferring to support herself and her children under her own power.
"He is different than I imagined an acclaimed war hero to be," Caspian squinted. "But, you are all different than I anticipated. Perhaps I should re-evaluate my expectations of Klain's people."
Roland chuckled. "Riley is only barely from the kingdom of Klain, having grown up in an outlying farming village next door to my wife. He never even visited the city until about two years ago… I suppose I don't qualify as being truly from Klain myself, given my heritage."
"That is indeed a strange thing," Haf stared at his nephew. "Three main kingdoms in this world, and you with a part of all of them in you."
Roland frowned. "I look forward to learning more about Cetoan culture with even more personal interest than I had originally intended."
"First on the list, learn to swim," Caspian sighed.
"Now, that, I do know how to do. Mind you, I've never been swimming in the ocean, but I do know the basics of staying afloat in water." Roland thought it better to undersell his skill, especially because his talent could easily fall well short of the lifelong swimmers here.
The boat was nearing another settlement. They were methodically stopping at each to ask about whether Edmar had been seen or spoken with anyone, with no luck yet. As Haf turned the rudder to bring them closer to shore, Caspian suddenly turned to Roland with a curious expression.
"All right, Cousin. You seem ready for a lesson in ocean-swimming now. Shall we race to shore?" He asked, stripping off his shirt in preparation for a brisk swim.
The air was chilly today, but the water had not turned as cold. Roland evaluated a good response. He looked at Haf, who shrugged. Perhaps his uncle was also eager to find out his skills, if any, in the water.
Finding no real reason to refuse, Roland stripped off his own shirt and kicked off his boots and socks. Caspian seemed willing to swim in his pants, so Roland would do the same. It was about 100 meters to shore, and the waves, mercifully, seemed mild.
Roland had learned to swim in a pond, and then practiced in the lake and river. Ocean swells might add a challenge he did not expect. He stretched his arms and legs, knowing he was almost certain to lose, but wanting to at least put up a decent show.
He'd been the best swimmer of his platoon, and it would be embarrassing on Klain's behalf for him to be humiliated here.
They took their positions side by side, and Haf called the beginning of the race.
Roland wondered if he were going to keep the boat behind them, ready to scoop Roland up should he flounder and go under.
Thankfully, as he performed a shallow dive into the water, his muscles took to the familiar task easily. It even seemed simpler to stay afloat here than in the river. The gentle waves were pushing towards shore, and he took advantage of them as he would the river's currents, pushing harder to work with them.
He tried to pay no heed to his seafaring cousin, who had likely been swimming from the time he could walk. It simply wouldn't be a fair comparison, and he didn't want to be discouraged before the race was finished.
Roland strained forward, working his muscles into the greatest effort he could manage. He kicked hard, and pulled the water with cupped hands as it occurred to him that there were creatures in the ocean that were unheard of in Klain's lake and ponds.
Creatures that could make him dinner if they so chose.
Turning his head again for a gasp of breath, he used the flash of fear to pump more adrenaline into the exercise. It felt oddly good after so much diplomacy and politics to engage in a fully physical pursuit.
He reached forward to pull another handful of water past him as a wave ebbed, and his hand scraped against sand.
Startled, he stopped and instinctively curled in on himself. His knees found the bottom, and suddenly he was kneeling in the shallow water.
He spluttered slightly, a bit shocked to have so quickly reached water this shallow, but didn't have long to sit in the feeling. Caspian was standing over him in the knee-deep water, laughing heartily.
"Well done, Cousin," He offered his hand, and Roland took it to stand. "I did not expect you to swim so far. You could have begun walking almost immediately."
Haf was also laughing as he walked, pulling their boat in on a rope behind him.
Though Roland normally didn't appreciate being on the receiving end of pranks, he had to admit it was an amusing and harmless one.
Perhaps this was their way of welcoming him into the family.
