Page 64 of Ship of Smoke and Steel

I bow my head respectfully. “Again, thank you.”

“One more thing. Next week, the Council of Officers will meet in public session. My colleagues have asked me to say that they would be very pleased if you were to present yourself.”

I’m sure the Butcher will be thrilled. But there’s no use trying to duck her. If I’m going to use my new position to get to the Captain, getting close to the officers is the next step. I give a quick nod.

Zarun steps forward, unexpectedly, and takes my hand. I have to work not to snatch it away. “The public sessions are … somewhat formal occasions. You’ll need an appropriate costume.” He grins again, mischievously. “I would be honored if you’d let me assist you in finding something suitable.”

I manage another nod. He stays close a bit too long, watches me a little too close for comfort. Then he pulls away, bows again, and turns to leave.

“We’ll be back in a few hours,” Thora says, and she and Jack move to follow him. “Just need to collect some stuff.”

“Various and sundry treasures,” Jack says, “looted by Clever Jack. Also more underwear.”

I wait a few moments after the curtain closes behind them, until the footsteps fade into the distance. Then I look at Meroe.

“Why am I feeling like I’ve stepped in something vile?” I ask her.

“Zarun wants something from you,” she says.

“I think he’s made that clear.”

“Something other than just wanting to rut you, I mean,” she says, without a hint of embarrassment. “It must be something to do with the Council.”

“I know.” I lean back in the chair with a sigh. “I need time. How am I supposed to play the game without even knowing what the sides are?” Back in Kahnzoka, I’d had years to learn the lay of the land, which boss controlled which streets, who was safe to cross and who to avoid at all costs. I’d been aboard Soliton most of a week, at best, and all I knew was that one officer wanted to kill me and another wanted me in bed.

“Leave it to me,” Meroe says.

I look up at her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you focus on keeping us alive and I’ll make sure you know where to stand when it comes to the Council.” Her smile is broad and genuine. “I’m not going to just let you carry me everywhere.”

“But…” I wave a hand weakly. “You don’t know anything more about it than I do.”

“No. But I will.” Some of my skepticism must have showed, because she rolls her eyes. “Isoka, you grew up on the street, and you know about gangs and brawls. I grew up in a palace, and I know about people smiling and being courteous while trying to stick a knife in your back. I had my own food taster since I was six years old.”

“Oh.” She hadn’t talked much about herself, down in the Deeps. “I had no idea.”

“Trust me. However nasty things are on Soliton, they’re not worse than the Royal Palace in Nimar.” She cocks her head. “Fewer pastries, though.”

I laugh, and she smiles wider.

“You don’t have to get me out of here,” Meroe says. “We will get us out of here. I don’t know what your plan is, but just tell me what you need.”

“It’s not much of a plan,” I admit. “Not yet. But first of all, I need to get close to the Captain.”

Meroe nods. “Then that’s where we start.”

15

I feel a chill, and threads of black magic shiver across my vision. Then Jack is standing beside me, arms crossed.

“Our prey is there,” she says, “all unsuspecting.”

“Good,” I say. “You’re sure you can keep its attention long enough for Thora and Berun to hold it?”

“Of course. But also unsuspected. There are two of them.” She flutters her eyebrows. “Lovebirds, perhaps? But what shall we do, fearless leader?”

Two shaggies, where we’d expected to find only one. That’s certainly a complication.