It’s #bookqw and Fern has an ‘immediate’ gut reaction to someone.
More from Chapter 15:
Automatically, Fern slipped on the puffy vest on under her cape and zipped it. Heck, what am I doing? Motoring out on the ocean with a girl she didn’t know? Ratna or no ratna, this was getting in over her head. She blocked Duffy, holding on to a dock post so they wouldn’t float away. “Where is your great-grandmother’s land? Ireland?”
Laughing, Duffy pointed. “Far closer, a little island less than two kilometers west. Don’t worry, I drive our boat—just like this one—along the coast, but I’m not about to attempt farther over the open sea.”
Fern peered in the direction she pointed, seeing only dark waves. Two kilometers was about a mile, and the horizon was clear despite the storm clouds blowing overhead. “Shouldn’t I be able to see this island?”
“Even I can’t see it.” Duffy snorted. “Great-Gran keeps her land shielded even from Windborne. You have to know where to fly or, in this case, point the boat, until you bump into her protected space. Here, I’ll show you how we do it.”
Duffy threw the rope into the boat and darted to the small covered area over two seats. On a dashboard that was less complicated than a car’s, she tapped a dial. “From this dock, I keep the compass needle pointed at two hundred and seventy-five degrees, nearly straight west. It’s simple.” She took a key from her pocket and held it up. “All right? You don’t seem so sure you want to do this.”
You’re not kidding. And here she was being offered an out. But I have to. I need those seeds. “I’m going. I’m doing this.” Fern let go of the post.
Duffy flashed another of her excited grins and slid the key into the ignition.
The descriptor manic came to mind, but Fern immediately squashed the thought. She was just comparing Duffy to Willow, with whom she’d spent more time and felt more comfortable around because…why? Both girls had helped her. Just, Duffy didn’t seem as sincere, like some people at school who looked out for their own interests first—which Duffy had even admitted.
The engine roared to life. “Store your plants between the seats so they don’t spill,” Duffy shouted. Fern did and sat in the seat next to Duffy as she skillfully steered them across the incoming waves. With frequent glances to the compass, she set their course. Ahead lay brighter water, lit by rays of sunlight streaming from the far side of the bank of clouds.
Duffy looked so confident, Fern couldn’t help saying, “You like boating, don’t you?”
“Yep. Maybe another time I can borrow the Seas’ boat again and tour you around the isle. An overall look will give you a better feel for the island, since you can’t fly.”
Okaaay, nice offer, and Duffy had remembered to protect her bagged plants. When they’d ridden out of the rain and her flapping cape dried in the breeze, Fern relaxed. “Sir Humus mentioned you and your brother visit Giuthas. Where do you live?”
“Bonterra in England, where I attend academy. I expect you wouldn’t find it too different than a smaller human city, except there are hardly any cars, and everything is fueled with wind and solar power.”
That explained why she didn’t use old-time phrases.
“My family is from an enclave as backwards as the Isle of Giuthas when it comes to ridiculously outdated policies,” Duffy went on, “but it’s not nearly as interesting botanically.” That excited look came into her eyes again. “My plan now is to combine a strong, rugged portion with my education that will eventually give me modern comforts.”
Huh? A strong, rugged portion of what? Fern had to be missing something in this conversation, but felt just awkward enough compared to this older, sleeker and more magically knowledgeable girl that she didn’t want to ask.
Duffy slowed the boat. “It’s another half kilometer, but I’ll play it safe.”
Fern peered ahead, looking for any sign of land. “How do humans randomly traveling this area avoid hitting the island?”
“Actually, it’s an islet it’s so small. At only a quarter mile across, it’d be hard to hit, plus Great-Gran has a disorienting charm on it. It’s mild, since humans are innocent of trying to find it. But if a wizard tries to pereport there, they get blasted. Same with flying, swimming or boating without the charm passwords. It left a couple of teen pranksters powerless for a week.”
Duffy didn’t smile at this, which made Fern swallow.
“I should probably start chanting the passwords to get us through.” Duffy mouthed something over and over, slowing the boat more and more. Nothing, then… The islet popped into view, a tiny hunk of land compared to the surrounding ocean.
~~~
Read a free holiday short story featuring Fern and Beri, coming in my Winter Solstice newsletter on December 21st.
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