Free Sennar's Mission by Licia Troisi Page A

firmly.
    Sennar, clinging to the support beams down below as the ship jolted back and forth, cringed and forced himself to think harder. In the end, it was the ship’s movement that gave him the idea. It would be difficult to pull off, but it was the only way. Whatever it was they were up against must have been brought about by forbidden magic, so no matter his solution, he’d merely be putting nature back on its proper course. Sennar planned the exact steps he’d take once up on deck and then made for the ladder.
    The sails were fluttering maniacally. Sennar joined a group of pirates who were trying to reign them back in. Between roars of thunder he could half see the figure of Aires, standing at the helm, trying desperately to keep the ship on course. But there was no course left to keep. Sea and sky were one dark tangle, indistinguishable in the surrounding gloom. Even with Rool’s help, the wheel slipped from her hand and went spinning like a top.
    When the mainsail ripped, Sennar put both hands on the gunwale and began to pull himself up the ship’s length, water splashing over and soaking him from head to toe. After several lunges, he was able to reach Aires, still holding fast to the helm.
    “A rope,” Sennar yelled. But his words were swallowed in the wailing sea.
    “What?” Aires called back.
    “I need a rope.”
    Aires passed him one and Sennar tied it around his waist, making his way toward the mainmast. He lifted his gaze and watched as it swung dizzily from side to side.
I can do this. I have to.
    He began to climb, but his hands slipped on the soaked wood. So he pulled out Nihal’s dagger, the one he’d won from her in a duel on the day they first met. Lodging it deep into the wooden pole, he pressed his body tight to the mast and began to haul himself up with his free hand.
    With every moment, he felt himself closer to losing his grip and tumbling down. Blood trickled from his hands.
    As a child, he remembered, his friends had all been avid tree climbers. But not him. Not at all. Agility was not his strong suit.
Now look at me, hanging from a ship’s mast like an acrobat, right smack in the middle of the worst storm I’ve ever seen
. The thought nearly made him laugh.
    He forced himself not to look down.
I’m almost there, just a little more,
he repeated, urging himself on. But the crow’s nest seemed unreachable. When he finally pulled himself up and into the basket, he let out an ecstatic howl. Incredible—he’d made it.
    He tied himself to the mast and got to his feet. Up here, the ship’s rocking was unbearable. He felt his stomach turn and nearly retched.
Not now!
He closed his eyes, concentrating with all his might, then raised his bloody hands to the sky and recited a spell at the top of his lungs.
    From his ten fingers came ten rays of silver light, bending the clouds to form a dome overhead. A silver sphere issued from the dome and encircled the ship. It was a relatively basic defense enchantment, a simple shield, but the sheer size required, enough to shield the entire ship, made it a superhuman achievement.
    All was suddenly calm on deck. One by one the men got to their feet, glancing first at the force field, then up at the crow’s nest.
    Then came a torrent of joyous shouting.
    “Sorcerer! You’re extraordinary!” exclaimed Aires.

    At Rool’s orders, everyone returned to their places. Aires went back to steering, and Dodi, aided by several other pirates, hauled in the tattered mainsail. The rest of the crew took up the long oars attached to the ship’s side and began rowing with great force.
    The ship advanced slowly, like some creature just roused from a deep sleep.
    Beyond the force field, bolts of lightning continued cutting across the sky. The cracks of light flashed on the violent sea, awash with a grey foam. Breakers crashed furiously against the silver barrier.
    Sennar could sense the power of the ocean as it pressed against his defenses. He emptied his mind of