“This one, if he’s willing, should be well cut out for the job. He’s more interested in his drink than in the girls. And he’s so slow, he wouldn’t be able to catch any of the women.”
“Sounds like a fine specimen. How could we turn down such an able-bodied man?”
I laugh. “I missed you, Niridia.”
“Missed you, too, Captain.”
“I need to go belowdecks, but I should be back shortly. Get us going, will you? I want to get to the checkpoint as quickly as possible.”
“Of course.”
It doesn’t seem right that the first place I should go once boarding my own ship, the Ava-lee, is the brig. I’ve spent so much time in cages, cells, and other forms of entrapment over the last month. It’s hardly the sight I want to be met with now.
But there is lots to do, and why waste time?
Besides, Draxen’s in my brig, and I want to gloat.
I tread belowdecks. The sound of my feet pounding on the wooden steps is much sweeter than when Riden was dragging me belowdecks on the Night Farer. Freedom is a sound unlike any other. And my ship is so much prettier. I doubt I could find its likeness anywhere.
The cells are all full. I like to keep the prisoners as separated as possible. Less chance of escaping that way. As it is, some have to share, two men to a cell. Not Draxen, though. He’s the one to be especially wary of. He’s all the way down on the end by himself.
I probably kept more of Draxen’s crew than I should have. There will be plenty of opportunities for getting rid of them. Ideally, before Trianne runs out of food to make in the kitchen. Men are more expensive to feed.
Wallov and Deros stand to attention once I enter the brig. Draxen looks pointedly away from me.
“Why so sullen, Draxen?” I ask. “You got the best cell.”
He ignores me. I smile as I look to my men.
“Good to see you, Captain,” Wallov says. “Roslyn’s been asking after you for quite some time.”
“How is she coming with her letters?”
“Quite well. Likes to read everything in sight.”
“Glad to hear it. It’s good to see you both again. Sadly, I must cut the chatting short. We will have plenty of time to celebrate finding the map and to catch up later tonight. Right now, would you kindly bring me out that one?” I ask, pointing at a cell in the middle.
“The large one, Captain?”
“Aye.”
“Sure thing.”
They both enter the cell, Deros standing near the door while Wallov goes in all the way. There are two pirates in this cell. The younger one stands up and tries to give Wallov some trouble, but Wallov shoves him backward, sending him to the ground and leaving a free trail to Kearan.
Kearan’s slumped on the floor, but he stands quickly. “No need for force, mate. I’ve got no reason not to come willingly.”
Wallov lets him walk back on his own, but he keeps an eye on Kearan. He’s got strong arms and sharp eyes, that Wallov.
Deros locks the cell back up while Wallov brings Kearan to me. I’m standing back over by the entryway to the brig. No need for all the pirates to hear what I’m about to offer him. Might give them all the wrong idea. For Kearan is one of only two men I intend to recruit.
“Kearan?”
“Yes?” he asks, not bothering to tack on any sort of civil title. Even in such a dire situation, he has his come-what-may attitude.
“One of my good women died in the skirmish. A spot’s opened up on my crew. I could use a navigator like yourself. Are you interested?”
“It’s been only a month since you tried to kill me. Now you want to hire me?” He doesn’t look confused or scared or even grateful. Just bored.
“I know. I’m questioning it myself.”
“What’ll happen if I say no?”
“You’ll stay down here until I either kill you or … well, killing you is probably the only option.” I don’t want to tell him I’d let him go. He can’t think he has too many options. Besides, once he spends some time on my ship, he won’t regret the decision.
“With such gracious options like those, how can I choose?”
I cross my arms. “I think I’m being more than fair. You’re lazy, and you wouldn’t need to contribute all that often.”
“In the meantime, will I stay down here?”
“No, you’ll be on probation, free to roam the ship with a guard trailing you. Once I feel I can trust you, I’ll remove that.”
Kearan scratches at the stubble on his face, thinking it over.
I add, “We have a rather large rum storage.”
“I’ll do it.”
“I thought you might say that. Now, report up top. Go introduce yourself to the helmsman.”
“Aye.” He starts to leave.
“Kearan.” I stop him.
“Yes?”
“You will address me as ‘Captain’ from now on.”
He looks down at the floor for a moment, as though this might change his mind. Finally, he says, “Aye, Captain.”
“Good.”
He leaves, and I grab Wallov’s attention again. “Now I need that one. The man with the pearls.”
Enwen is the only one in the cell. He comes strolling out as soon as it opens.
“Miss Alosa,” he says. “I see the bracelet brought you luck after all.”
“What?”
He points to my foot. I forgot completely that he’d tied his “siren charm” there. “Got you your freedom, didn’t it? And I know my pearls still work because I’m here safe and sound on your ship. Are yeh a believer yet?”
“I’m afraid I don’t believe in luck. Just skill.”
“Sometimes I think they’re the same thing.”
I’m not sure what he means by that, but I don’t really care at the moment. “It so happens I could use a good thief. Would you be willing to join my crew?”
He smiles. “Course. Don’t care much where I sail, so long as there is plenty of coin to be found.”
“Don’t worry. I promise that where we’re going, there will be more money than you can even fathom.”
Enwen licks his lips. “In that case, I promise to be the best thief you’ve ever seen.”
“Good. Report up top, then.”
“Aye-aye.”
As he disappears above deck, I realize I should have mentioned that he leave the thieving for when he’s off the ship. Best not forget next time I see him.
I survey the remaining prisoners before speaking up. “The rest of you will remain here until I decide what to do with you. You needn’t fear for your lives unless you try to escape.” I look at Draxen during the last bit. “Then you have great need to worry.”
Draxen stands. “What of my brother?”
“My best healer is seeing to his wounds.”
“If anything happens to him, I’ll kill you.”
“Draxen, empty threats are useless. Your brother is in my care, and whatever I decide to do with him will be done. There is nothing you can do to change it. Understand?”
I may have made it sound a bit worse than it is, but I don’t care. After so much time spent near Draxen, he should be glad I’m letting him keep his life.
I start for the surface, following after the two new members of my crew.