We killed them.”

Rhiana shook her head. “Their psychic stink clings to this craft. I do not like it here.”

“You could always have sailed on the Sea Dragon.”

“And missed your cheerful company? Why would I do that?”

She gazed out to sea, looking for the Sea Dragon’s running lights. They had vanished when the storm caught them in its clutches. Perhaps the other ship was already on the sea-bottom.

He smiled at her. She was a beautiful woman and a confident one, and she was not quite human. “Do you always flirt when death is close,” he asked.

“If this was my ship, I would be where Zamara is, up on the command deck shouting orders,” she said. “But since I have time on my hands, why not? How about you? Do you always play so hard to get?”

“I find struggling with terror takes away the magic of the moment.”

“I can see how it would do that,” she said. The boat rocked from another wave impact. Salt spray smashed into them. A man screamed as he plummeted from the mast and disappeared into the storm-tossed sea.

“I hate this,” Kormak said.

“That’s not very flattering,” Rhiana said.

“I hate feeling so powerless.”

“The sea makes everyone feel that way. It is always there to remind you that, whatever you think, you have no real control over your life. Everything can be taken away from you at any minute.”

The wind gusted. The storm-lanterns swung. Kormak thought he saw something on the horizon. He pointed. “What’s that?”

“Where?” Rhiana gazed into the distance.

“I saw a light.” Kormak squinted into the flying spray. Rhiana leaned against the guard rail and peered out into the darkness. Another lightning flash revealed that they were atop a towering wave. Cresting it, he looked down into the long dark valley between the huge rollers.

Over on the distant horizon, just for a moment, he thought he saw a point of light. “There!” he said.

“I see it,” Rhiana said.

“What is it?”

“I pray it the Beacon of Trefal.” At night, the sorcerous sunstone illuminated the capital of Siderea. Perhaps that was what he had seen .

The light disappeared into the gloom of the storm. He glanced up but saw no one in the crowsnest to confirm the sighting.

The light appeared again. He raced back along the slippery deck towards the sterncastle. Captain Zamara saw him coming and shouted, “What is it, Sir Kormak?”

“The lights of Trefal,” Kormak replied.

“You sure?” The rain plastered Zamara’s copper-blonde hair to his skin. His eyes held a wild look. The short lifeline tied to the ship’s railing made him seem like a mad dog on a leash.

Kormak wasn’t sure, but they were as good as lost anyway. “Yes.”

“You have keen eyes. It’s a pity you cannot guide me. I can see nothing from here.”

A thought struck Kormak.