The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards

told Captain Assam or his two crewmen, Rakin and Hakeem, who they really were. To them, Zee and Rhidan were just two friends heading to Sabra, looking for a permanent job on a ship.
    Assam looked out at the river, his graying hair ruffled by the breeze. “Not everyone is cut out for a life on water, Zee. Some say it is no better than being a worm on a splinter of wood, but for me there’s nothing I love more.” He patted the rail of the boat affectionately. “She’s called the Triumph because owning her, all twelve arm spans of her, is the biggest triumph of my life.”
    Zardi nodded. Over the last couple of days she’d really become quite fond of the captain. He could talk for hours about sailing and the sea. She loved listening to his amazing tales of enormous ocean-dwelling beasts and mysterious islands.
    She smiled to herself. Two days ago, when she’d first stepped onto the boat with Rhidan, the captain hadn’t been quite so friendly, but once Zardi had willingly offered to scrub the deck he had become more friendly. Now, Assam readily showed her how to steer with the tiller.
    â€œWe’ll be approaching the marsh soon.” Assam pointed up ahead. “If you like, I’ll let you steer all by yourself.”
    â€œReally—” The pitch of her voice made her break off. It was way too high. Over the last three days she’d mastered her boy’s voice well enough but somehow always forgot to use it when she was excited. She gave a little cough to cover the awkwardness. “Will it be difficult?” she finally managed to ask in a much lower octave.
    â€œIt can be tricky,” the captain replied. “You don’t want to get too near to the bank or the rudder will get caught up in reeds, but at the same time you need to keep a lookout for pirates. The marshes are their favorite hunting ground. They know boats aren’t going anywhere fast.”
    They walked down the deck and Zardi took up the tiller. The captain’s last words niggled at her. More than once Assam had mentioned that pirates operated on the Tigress River, but she wondered if he might be exaggerating just a tiny bit. The river could be eerily quiet at points, but whenever they did come into contact with other sailors, they’d been friendly and as keen to exchange stories as goods.
    Up ahead, Zardi could see that the river was becoming murky. As the boat plunged into the brackish marsh water, it instantly slowed, almost as if they were sailing through rice pudding.
    â€œI feel abysmal,” Rhidan groaned as he staggered over to join Zardi and the captain at the tiller.
    â€œAt least you’re not throwing up anymore,” she replied, swatting a fly from her face.
    â€œThat’s because there is nothing left to throw up,” her friend grumbled. “Besides, people on the riverbank kept on waving at me. I felt like a real idiot.”
    â€œThose are the marsh people,” the captain explained. “They know these waters like the backs of their hands. They’re an extremely private race—you should be honored that they waved at you.”
    Rhidan dropped his shoulders wearily. “Right now, I’d be honored if I could stand upright for longer than ten seconds without feeling nauseous.”
    â€œWhy don’t you sit down and watch some of my expert steering,” Zardi suggested teasingly. “You might learn something.”
    Captain Assam chuckled. “That’s the spirit, my boy.
    Show your friend what you can do.”
    Rhidan’s dimples appeared. “Yes, my boy .” Zardi noticed that he dragged out the last word mischievously. “Let’s see what you’re capable of.”
    She took Rhidan at his word and began navigating the Triumph through the marsh. Her hands trembled on the tiller, but she made sure that her face remained composed and her voice steady as she instructed Assam’s crew to let the sail out a