Page 44 of Tempest

“Jade? A woman captain?” he snickered. “You expect us to believe some bitch with a rowboat is plundering the Lyrian Sea?”

Heat spread across Cat’s face, her vision edging red. “That bitch captains the Cygnet, the fastest brigantine in these waters.”

“What of the other ships?” Osprin said evenly, silencing Carley before he could say something more foul.

My head or theirs, Cat thought again, willing herself to answer. But somehow the words caught in her throat, refusing to rise. A ship was far easier to identify than a captain, their names boldly painted and proudly displayed.

Her eyes widened when another voice answered.

“The Red Truth. The Baleria. The Rag Prince,” Lieutenant Fell said, ticking off the names.

Despite the circumstances, it felt like a small reprieve.

But Osprin’s eyes never left Cat’s face. “Any other names?”

Ana, she thought, her throat going tight. A bead of sweat rolled down the back of her neck. But she held Osprin’s stare.

“I cannot be certain,” she said again.

The governor was silent for a long moment, until the only sound in the room was the clock ticking. And Cat’s thundering heart, pounding so loud she feared Osprin and his officers might hear.

“Where might Kane make his berth?” The governor looked down at his maps, breaking his hold. “No ship can sail forever,” he added with a cluck of his tongue. “Kane must have a safe harbor now that Archenport has been reclaimed.”

Cat nodded, grateful for the change in subject.

“There are dozens, if not hundreds, of uninhabited islands in these waters,” she said. Too many came to mind—Perdina, the Cold Keys, Drowning Key, Hookhead, Jasboa, True East. They were just a few of countless other pirate hideaways scattered through the Lyrian Sea, known or unknown to Cat Rose. “And there is Arcayo. They have no alliances with the Empire or any other kingdom. For a time, Kane made a home in Nera, on Arcayo.”

Her breath hitched, the swell of memory rising up again, threatening to drown her.

Luckily the governor did not seem to notice and pulled a sour face. Cat ventured he had never seen Crownless Arcayo or the city of Nera. To the island’s benefit, no doubt. Most good Meridians had never sailed within a mile of Arcayo’s capital, ignorant of its stone streets, gurgling fountains, and jade-tiled buildings. The fuchsia flowers bursting, misty rainbows cooling the air. The smell of citrus and cacao, sweet cigar smoke, countless spices. Song priests calling out from their towers while the markets overflowed, a thousand blue pennants streaming over a waterfall city.

It felt as far from Archenport as a place could be, and Cat hoped it stayed that way.

“They are a sovereign nation, and beyond the claim of the Empire. For now,” Osprin said. “But their time will come, certainly.”

Both Carley and Groust grinned at the prospect, looking like a pair of leering jackals. Cat could not help but glance at the jeweled map in the corner.

So much of the world already devoured, and not an inch of hunger slaked.

“I must say,” the governor added, his tone sharpening. “You have not given much, Lady Rose.”

Cat could only sputter. “I—certainly you have more to ask?”

“Sir, we don’t have time for the whimpering of this woman.” Carley took a step forwards, planting himself between Cat and the governor, effectively cutting her off from any lifeline she might grasp. “Time is of the essence. Commodore Percy has arrived from High Harbour with his ships, and is anchored in the port, awaiting orders.”

Behind Carley’s back she shot Fell a look of desperation, embarrassing as it felt. He was already staring at her, his lips set in a thin, unreadable line. Panic set in, her throat closing. She could feel the cold of the cells and the rough brush of rope around her neck.

Do something, she wanted to say. Help me, you bastard.

“How many vessels did he bring?” Osprin sighed, his face obscured by Captain Carley’s rude position.

“Seven left High Harbour,” Carley answered, standing proud and stiff at attention.

“Six, sir,” Groust cut in, his pencil raised. Then he lowered his eyes again, ashamed to have corrected his superior officer.

Carley’s mouth twitched. “Ah, yes. Six have arrived.”

“Has Commodore Percy lost a ship, or have you miscounted?” Fell said dryly, one black eyebrow raised into a perfect, imperious arch. It was a look Cat knew well indeed, and enough to shatter the haze of terror settling over Cat’s mind.