Wayfarer (Wanderlust 2)

Chapter Four

  When Tanden returned to the Wanderlust late the next morning, he wasn't surprised to see Soren up on deck. The sailors on deck were working slowly that morning, knowing that they had plenty of time to get their tasks done. Being docked was always like this. The first day or two, there was a lot to do with the cargo. Then came days when the crew on duty were really only there for show, and did odd jobs around the ship like cleaning or small repairs. That was the kind of work they were doing on their third day in Till.

Tanden walked up the gangway without announcing himself, but didn't catch Soren off guard. Soren was leaning against the bulwark nearby, his arms crossed, as he watched the crew work. He glanced over at the sound of Tanden's boots hitting the deck.

"Morning, Captain. Trading went well yesterday. Did you find us a guide?"

"I did." Tanden leaned against the bulwark beside him. "A woman, named Jale. She's supposed to stop by sometime today with more information. I learned a lot. The country is call—"

"Tallen Tiya," Soren interrupted. "And I think Till might be part of it."

Tanden's jaw dropped. "What? How did you figure that out?"

Soren smiled and shrugged one shoulder. "I was working all day. I picked up some information here and there."

"Yes, well, I also learned that," Tanden said. He was caught entirely off guard and had to take a moment to collect his thoughts. "Tiya is their main god," he continued. "They call him King Summer. That's why Edarius thought they worshiped the sun. Each province is named after a season. Till is... spring, I believe. Queen Spring. I don't remember the other two."

Soren nodded. "That makes sense. Have you eaten?"

"Are you going to be like this the whole time we're on our trip?"

"Aye, if I have to be."

"Yes, I did," Tanden said. He and Arastarow had shared a lovely breakfast at the Violet House. "Did you take the lads out last night?"

Soren nodded again. "I did. And we bought something for you. Well... I did, but they helped."

Tanden's interest was piqued. The last time Soren had bought him something, it was a lovely hand carved replica of the Wanderlust, in Co. "You did?"

Soren didn't move. "Are you going to tell me where you were last night?"

"When the time is right," Tanden replied. "Come on, mate. What did you buy me?"

"Come on." Soren started towards the captain's quarters. Once inside, he walked straight over to the map on the wall. Curiously, Tanden joined him, and stared up at it.

"I'll have to fix that, won't I? Sunland," he scoffed. "And I'll have to draw—" He realized that Soren was holding a piece of parchment towards him. Tanden took it and flipped it over. "What's..." he paused, his eyes wide, as he realized what he was looking at. "This is a huge country."

"I thought you would like a map to take with us," Soren explained. He was still looking at the large map on the wall. "And I thought if it was the right size, we could pin it up when we get back."

"It's perfect," Tanden agreed. His eyes roamed across the map, taking in the four different provinces he had learned about the day before. "Eventually I'll have to commission a new full-size map for the wall." He glanced up to see Soren shrug.

"I don't know. I sort of like the idea of just adding to this one."

Tanden smiled. "Actually, I sort of like that idea as well. Come here." He stepped closer to Soren for a kiss. Then another one. He put the map aside, and slipped one hand under Soren's tunic. Then—