LAND AND DELPHI STARED AT EACH OTHER.

“I can’t say whether or not a drogue is real,” said Bream. “The most I can say is that I’ve seen strange things. Inexplicable things.”

“Like what?” said Oland.

“Movement,” said Bream. “Shadows.”

“But… have you been on the island?” said Oland.

Bream shook his head. “Apart from the prisoners, anyone who has to go there goes no further than the shore.”

“Can you please take us there?” said Oland.

Bream shook his head slowly. “Travellers have gone to Curfew Peak,” he continued, “and never returned, and for that reason I won’t be taking you there,” he said. “You’re too young and I couldn’t have it on my conscience were you not to make it back alive.”

“But we will make it back alive,” said Oland.

Bream shook his head. “There is something terribly wrong with Curfew Peak,” he said. “There is a dark secrecy that seems to come from the earth itself. It’s as though an illness is rotting the island from the inside out.” Bream pointed to the sky. “Not to mention The Great Rains are coming… the weather is too fraught.”

“What?” said Oland. “The Great Rains?”

“Yes,” said Bream.

“When?” said Oland.

“It won’t be long. Days…”

“Days?” said Oland. They had travelled for so long that even if they took a more direct route back to Decresian it would be too late.

“Why don’t you join us for supper?” said Bream. “There’s nothing more for you to do here.”

“Thank you,” said Oland. “But we won’t stay here for much longer.”

Bream paused, then nodded and left them behind to join his crew.

Oland turned to Delphi.

“So are you coming to Curfew Peak with me?” he said.

“To the drogues?” said Delphi.

“Movement and shadows are not drogues,” said Oland.

Delphi shook her head. “This is where my journey ends.”

“No,” said Oland. “It can’t… we are right there.” He pointed across at the island. “We can’t give up now after everything we’ve done.”

“Curfew Peak is not a stinking marsh or a scryer’s cave, Oland. It’s much worse,” said Delphi. “I have the worst feeling in the world about Curfew Peak and I think Bream is right. I don’t think we will make it out alive. Please, please, Oland, don’t go. Because I won’t be coming with you, and I don’t want you to go alone.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to go, whether you come with me or not,” said Oland. “This feels like my last chance to find the Crest. I won’t give up.”

“Please,” said Delphi. “I have never begged for anything in my life, but I am begging you now. Do not go.”

“I have to,” said Oland.

Delphi gripped his arms. “You are making a huge mistake.”

Oland pulled gently away from her. “Will you wait for me?”

Delphi paused. “But what if you don’t come back?”

“I will come back,” said Oland.

“But how are you even going to get there?” said Delphi. “Bream will never take you.”

Oland lowered his voice. “I’m going to find another boat…”

“But… do you even know how to sail?” said Delphi.

“A rowing boat,” said Oland.

“But what if there are drogues?” said Delphi.

Oland shook his head. “That’s just to deter people from going there. I can’t understand why there are no boats here. There would have to be boats on a pier like this.”

“You’re not listening to me,” said Delphi. And she knew he hadn’t even heard that.

Oland and Delphi sat on the edge of the pier. Minutes passed in tense silence.

“Surely people deliver supplies to Curfew Peak,’ said Oland. “Or… people sail from here to other places.” He paused, then he shifted backward and lay on his stomach so he could look under the pier. “I knew it!” he said. There were five rowing boats sheltered underneath. He reached down and started pulling at one of the ropes.

“Please, Oland,” said Delphi, “we can’t do this.”

“I have to,” said Oland. “I have to continue on my quest.”

“Yes – your quest,” said Delphi. “Not mine. I just helped you.”

“And have stopped helping me when it mattered most,” snapped Oland.

“It mattered most every step of the way,” said Delphi. “It always matters when someone’s life is at stake. And yours is at stake now.” She stabbed a finger at the sea. “And mine too, Oland. Mine. You want me to travel across water for you, in a boat you have never helmed. On a strange, strange sea.” She turned and walked away.

“I’m sorry, Delphi,” said Oland. “I can’t come this far, be within reach like this, and just walk away…”

She could hear his footsteps on the timber behind her and the sound of them landing in the boat below. She turned back and watched as it pulled away from the pier. The oars looked huge in Oland’s hands.

Delphi took a deep breath… and ran as fast as she could the length of the pier, jumping high and landing behind him.