Kaz could swim. He hated the ocean and avoided it whenever possible, but right now was a trauma resurgence he'd compartmentalize and deal with later. Much like Kaz having moments where he could wrap his arms around a loved one and carry them despite his touch-aversion, the adrenaline pumping right now propelled him to survive first and suffer later. It wasn't rational, but what phobia was? At his very core and heart Kaz was a survivor. He might move more clumsily right now, with less precision than normal, but there was a sharp target that drove him onward.

His family was at risk.

Nothing made Kaz act swifter than that - not even his own survival.

Reaching Kate, he gave her a silent question in his gaze. 'Good enough?' None of them were great right now, but he was asking if she was good enough to do what was needed. To move as was needed. Kaz's second point of assessment was Jesper, followed by Wylan and then Nina. An order that he'd say was for practical reasons, but also held some personal ones.

"Land." That was the plan. Kaz's raspy voice remained calm, if tight. "We need to say on the left side of the range. That's Ravkan territory. Getting from here to there, Jesper and Kate, we need long-range cover. Wylan, make sure any raft's motor still works along with Lantsov."

Nina gave Kaz a look. "Let me guess, you and I are drawing attention?"

"You make anyone who gets close love us, Nina Dear," Kaz said with a smirk. "And I'll drive a blade or a bullet between their ribs for it."

"You're one sick bastard, Kaz." Nina shook her head as Nikolai prepared the emergency raft for them.

At the moment, she didn't sound unhappy about it.