Everyone leaving was on board ship.
I felt awful that there was nothing we could do to help the natives suffering from the plague, but I was so glad, so anxious, so full of gleeful anticipation at seeing Will and my other friends again, I could barely feel the swaying of the Heron under my feet.
Kari was toddling about, saying "hi" and jabbering to anyone who would listen. Jenny was whispering to Gilan at the bow, and Hal was organizing the crew to leave.
We had three extra passengers: Dason, Millika, and a Mawag-Iberion girl-probably about fourteen years old-named Natalia.
"Alyss," Natalia asked me, her brown eyes deeper even than Kari's, "Dason and I are to say goodbye to our friends. Karia would like to come with us." Karia was what the girl called Kari, because it felt more natural to her.
I looked to Dason. He was responsible, and Kari really liked Natalia's company . "Of course."
The biggest mistake I ever made.
Minutes after the trio disappeared into the woods where the Mawags stood to say goodbye, cries and shouts began to echo towards where I stood, leaning on the bulwark.
"Fire! Fire! The Iberians are setting fire!"
"No," I breathed. I could see the smoke rising from the evergreen trees, and could hear now the crackling as the pine needles exploded. Nine Iberians with blazing torches ran out onto the beach, towards the ship.
"We have to leave," Hal said. "If the ship catches, we're all doomed."
"But Kari!" I shouted. "She and Dason and Natalia are all on shore!" If Hal left now, I would never forgive him. Never.
"Alyss. You need to trust that Dason can get her back in time."
"But what if he doesn't?" I shouted. The idea that I could be going home to Will without our daughter, him having never met her? No. It was unimaginable.
Hal gave orders, and the ship began cruising out of the harbor. No, I thought. No, no, no.
"Sail!" Hal shouted.
Nonononono.
Dason appeared on shore, Kari in his arms. I screamed, tears flooding freely down my cheeks. He yelled something I couldn't hear over the fire, then I made out his last few words. "I'll take care of her, I promise!"
No.
She was gone.
Gone.
My heart felt hollow. If someone had dropped a stone into it right then, I felt sure it would have echoed like a cave. No.
He stood on the shore.
I could see the curve of his longbow and I relished the sight of his mottled cloak in the wind. When we unboarded, I stood on the shore for a second. Two seconds. Three.
Then we both rushed forward at the same time. I collapsed in his strong arms, sobbing.
For delight.
For confusion.
For grief.
He didn't say anything. Except one word. "Alyss." Like it was the key to everything in the universe.
And I said something too. I said "Will." Because right then, that was all I had.
Kari was gone.
Wow. I can't believe I just did that. I like killed off a character. At least, for now.
Bye! God Bless!