* * *

The storm raged, soaking Valek’s hair and clothes. The fishing boats banged and screeched against the wooden pilings as they pitched in their docks. Flags flapped in the strong wind, adding to the noise. Waves raced under the planks, sending up salty sprays when they collided with the support beams.

Annika waited at the end of the pier. She watched for the Storm Thieves’ ship’s light. According to the teens in custody, the ship would appear during the height of the storm. It would tie up to the dock, lower the gangplank and the scamp and his crew would lead five stolen steers onto the ship. Then they’d raise the gangplank and cast off, with no one the wiser until morning.

Valek acknowledged the beauty and simplicity of the Storm Thieves’ plan. He looked forward to interrogating their leader. Perhaps Valek would learn a couple new tricks.

Two quick flashes of light pierced the darkness—Annika’s signal.

“Get ready,” Valek said, and his order was relayed to the others.

The four other teams of two pulled on their disguises. Valek and Endre draped the black cloth the seamstress had sewn around them.

Annika appeared. “They’re close.” She wore Sadzi’s clothes and had styled her hair the same way as the girl. “Where’s the rope?”

“Here.” Valek handed her the end. The lead was tied around the steer’s head. Or rather, the mask of a steer’s head that he wore. Not quite an exact replica. He’d done his best to make all five look lifelike, using bones from the butcher shop and the quick wood. Between the darkness and the storm, he hoped no one would spot the deception until it was too late.

“Let’s go,” Annika said.

Valek and Endre crouched over. Endre grasped Valek’s waist and they moved forward. Behind them, the other four teams should be doing the same. The “steers” were each led by a handler who wore one of the captured Storm Thieves’ clothes.

Halfway down the pier, Valek spotted the ship. Lanterns blazed from its upper deck. Unlike the other boats rocking on the heavy seas, the Storm Thieves’ ship remained steady as if traveling over calm waters. A large commercial vessel, it was under full sail. An impressive sight.

The white fabric of the sails caught a wind that wasn’t as strong as the storm’s. The magician not only controlled the sea, but the storm, as well. Talented.

Annika slowed, keeping the small “herd” away from the lanterns’ bubble of light until the gangplank was lowered. The storm stopped, reducing the noise. The ship approached and four figures jumped onto the pier. Ropes flew over the gap and were secured to the pylons. Voices shouted an all clear and the gangplank eased toward the dock.

“Sadzi, come on! Hurry!” a man called from the top of the gangplank.

Annika kept her pace. When the thud of the plank hitting the pier sounded, she sped up. Two others joined the man. Valek drew his blowpipe. Behind him, Endre pulled his sword.

Stepping into the light, Valek tensed as he encountered thick magic. He scanned the rigging and decks, counting opponents. The magician stood on the bow with her arms stretched to each side.

Laughter reached them. “That has to be the ugliest-looking steer I’ve ever seen,” a man said. “Did you feel sorry for him, Sadzi?”

Annika kept quiet.

“Looks like he’s limping, as well,” another voice said. “Jibben isn’t gonna be pleased.”

“They’re all walking weird. Did you hobble them, Sadzi?”

“Hey, they’re not—”

The jig was up. “Now,” Valek yelled, throwing off the fabric and yanking off his mask.

The three men standing at the top of the gangplank stared at him in shock for a few seconds. Long enough for Valek to reach the gangplank. Behind him, he knew the others tossed off their disguises and pulled their swords. He couldn’t see it, but by the way the men in front of him blanched, gasped and finally cried an alarm, it must have been quite the sight. Valek grinned. He loved a good surprise.

“Ambush!” one of the Storm Thieves yelled, drawing his sword.

The magician dropped her arms and turned. Valek loaded his blowpipe and aimed at the closest man. Then he shot the other two in rapid succession. He yanked his sword, then rushed them, exchanging a few parries before they wobbled as the sleeping potion took effect.

Yells sounded from the dock. Valek turned. Huge waves of water crashed over the pier, swamping his backup. Annika, Endre and two others had reached the gangplank, but the rest clung to the rope rails as whitecaps slammed into them. Valek had to neutralize the magician and stop the water attack.

Boots pounded on the deck. Four armed Storm Thieves rushed toward him and more poured from the wheelhouse. Valek gestured for Endre, Annika and the two with them to engage the four. He sheathed his sword and raced to the bow.

Two young men dropped from the rigging. Brandishing daggers, they blocked his path to the magician. Valek tucked the blowpipe into his pocket and drew a knife with a flourish to distract them while he palmed a couple darts. They hesitated for a second, glancing at each other.

“Come on, boys, let’s see what you can do,” Valek said, sliding his feet into a fighting stance.

The bigger of the two advanced. He held his weapon in his lead hand. Rookie. Valek used a roundhouse kick to knock the weapon from his opponent’s grasp, then he shuffled in closer, punched the teen in the solar plexus and pricked him with a dart. The boy fell back on his butt with an oomph.

Not waiting for his friend to gain his feet, the second teen charged Valek. The boy’s speed made up for his lack of finesse. They exchanged a few jabs and parries and Valek would have liked to test the extent of his opponent’s skills, but the sounds of fighting grew louder and, after a quick peek at the ruckus, he saw that Endre and the others were outnumbered.