On the Deep Waters

Chapter Nine

They rowed on through the rest of the night. Kit felt bad, because he knew everyone must be tired. He even took over for one person, someone who looked very young, so they could sleep. But he also knew this was the only way they could get away and avoid a fight.

It was a terrible situation. But the faster they rowed, the faster it would be over.

It didn't seem like they were being followed. That made Kit more nervous than if they knew they were being followed. It was like knowing you were in the woods with a predator but not being able to see it. You could only get out of the area as quickly as possible, hope they hadn't seen you, but know deep down that they had probably had and were stalking you at that very moment. He'd felt that a few times before. It was terrible, every time.

It was especially terrible now, though, because he wasn't as adept in the ocean as he was the woods. But he focused on rowing, and tried not to think about that.

Eventually, they caught a strong enough wind and current that everyone could stop rowing. Almost immediately, the rowers slumped off of their benches and curled up in various corners to sleep. Kit followed Solomon and Kasib up to the deck so they could all breathe fresh air. Solomon hadn't spoken much, aside from relaying instructions from above and keeping everyone on a regular rhythm. Kit hadn't had time to worry about it before, but now he worried.

"Are you going to sleep?" Kit asked. He didn't ask if Solomon was okay, because he knew the answer. But sleeping might help with things.

Solomon shrugged and rubbed his eyes. "Worried I won't be able to," he'd admitted. His voice was a quiet rumble. He was sitting on the deck with Kasib, who had fallen asleep within a few seconds of them sitting down. "Too much happening..." He tapped his forehead. "Up here."

"I'll stay with you," Kit offered. He emphasized the offer by moving closer to Solomon. "I'm not very tired."

Kit was just as surprised as Solomon looked by that fact. He thought for sure that he would've wanted to sleep by now. Maybe his heart made him need less sleep; now that he thought about it, he couldn't remember being so tired he could pass out immediately ever since he got out of the mountains, even after long days of work. He went to bed at the same times as he always did, and slept fine, but being very tired hadn't happened in a long time. It wasn't something he'd thought to test.

Guess I'll find out now.

Despite his surprise, Solomon did relent, smiling briefly and closing his eyes. "Wake me if anything happens."

KIt would; he would've said so, but Solomon couldn't hear him with his eyes closed like that. So, instead, Kit started checking on his bow. He needed it to be working properly if they were being chased. His quiver was only so waterproof, and he didn't want to risk all the swimming they'd done had damaged it.

He hoped he wouldn't need it. But that wasn't exactly realistic.

Nimah walked over and sat down next to Kit. "He asleep?" she whispered, pointing to Solomon.

"Not asleep yet," Solomon grumbled quietly. "Treat me as if I am."

"All right, fair enough." Nimah kept her voice lowered as she turned her attention back to Kit. "Are you doing all right?"

Kit nodded. The situation was dangerous, true, but mostly he was worried about Solomon. He expressed this by pointing at Solomon and making a concerned face. Nimah must have understood, because she grimaced and nodded in agreement. "I just wanted to be sure since there's so much going on. I didn't want you to feel overwhelmed."

"I'm okay. Thank you." He was surprised that he was as okay as he was. Maybe that would change later. Sometimes not being okay snuck up on him. "What about you?"