"Here to beat us?" Miro said, kicking with his legs until he was in a sitting position.
"Now that we've found your islands, I'm not needed for some time," the helmsman said. "Carver's going to have you both killed as soon as the ship has water and whatever food we can find. As we speak the sailors are all fishing, so it's complete chaos out there. Divers are scraping the hull clean, and workmen are patching up the hole your wife here put in our hold."
Werner paused, and Miro wondered what would come.
"So, overall, Carver's keeping the men busy, but what you may not know is he's only just holding onto power. He made up some improbable story about you attacking the captain after he made a drunken pass at your wife, but no one believes him."
"Can you help us?" Miro said.
"That depends on you," the helmsman said.
"What do you mean?" asked Amber.
"We can nominate a new first and second mate, but without me, the men know they'll never make it back home. The captain and I were the ones who got us most of the way here, and the crew know they need me. Most of the men didn't sign up for a mutiny, and they just want to go back home. Yet no one wants to go home to the noose. We can deal with Carver, Beck, Ulrich and Ros, but there'll still be a hell of a story to tell to the council back in Castlemere. Those with me don't want any loose ends confusing the picture, if you know what I mean."
"I don't understand," Amber said.
"He's saying he'll help us, but he doesn't want us returning with him," said Miro. "That's right, isn't it?"
"But then how will we get home?"
Miro looked at the helmsman. "We don't."
Werner nodded. "We'll put you ashore and give you food and water, but you won't be returning with us."
"We'll never make it back!" Amber cried.
The helmsman shrugged. "It's the only option you've got. I suggest you take it."
"We'll take it," Miro said. "What do you want us to do?"
"When one of the men comes to give you your food tonight, he'll leave your cell door unlocked. He'll also leave a knife inside your gruel. I'm sure you can figure the rest out."
"Not much risk for you, is it?" Amber said. "We risk our lives taking out Carver and his men, meanwhile your hands aren't bloodied and if we fail, no one can trace anything back to you."
The helmsman shrugged. "It's life, and I'm a practical man."
"How do I know I can trust you?" Miro asked.
"You'll have to take my word on it," Werner said. "Kill Carver, Beck and Ulrich, and I'll see you set ashore. It's where you wanted to go, after all." He turned to go, leaving them with his parting words. "You do your part, and we'll do ours."
11
"HERE'S food," a voice said, as two sailors approached the brig. The first man held a lantern in one hand and a hooked marlinspike in the other, while the second held two bowls of steaming gruel.
Miro's heart skipped a beat. Werner had said there would be only one man. Had something gone wrong?
He and Amber both sat on the floor with their hands held behind their backs, although in the time since Werner left Miro had freed his hands. Miro had replaced the gag over Amber's mouth. To all outward appearances they were tied and defenceless, with only Miro able to speak.
The first man put down the lantern, keeping his marlinspike raised. "Back against the wall, both of you."
Miro met Amber's eyes as they both shuffled backwards until they were leaning against the wall. Her eyes widened slightly, the only way she could communicate.
The man with the marlinspike then inserted a key into the lock, and the cell door groaned as he opened it. He then made way for the second man to place the two steaming bowls on the floor, just inside the door, while keeping an eye on the two prisoners the entire time.
"You can eat like dogs," the man with the marlinspike said. The cell door closed, the key once more jangled in the lock, and he bent to pick up the lantern. The two men left the prisoners in darkness.
Miro waited for the space of ten heartbeats and when his eyes had re-adjusted to the darkness he pushed at the cell door. He didn't want to make it swing open wide, just to check if it was open. He held his breath.
The cell door had been left unlocked. It opened with a creaking moan, both Miro and Amber cringing at the noise. Miro sighed in relief.
He pulled the door tightly closed again so it would survive a cursory check. He didn't want to strike during the evening meal; they would wait until the middle of the night.
Miro took the gag from Amber's mouth and kissed her gently on the side of the mouth, avoiding her puffed lips and the big ugly bruise above her jaw line, discernible even in the low light.
"Look in the gruel," Amber said.
Miro went over to the two bowls and brought them to where Amber still huddled against the wall. He handed one to Amber and dipped his finger in the other. A feeling of disappointment sank into his stomach when he felt nothing but gruel.
Then Amber held up a sharp knife, little more than a paring knife, but a weapon nonetheless.