Page 87 of Ship of Smoke and Steel

“That’s…” I shake my head. “That’s impossible. Nothing survives the Rot, not even Soliton. If the Captain took the ship in there, he wouldn’t be around to take it out again.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone aboard died. But the ship?” He taps the deck with his cane. “Steel doesn’t rot.”

“What would be the point?”

“To clean us out, maybe? Like washing out a teapot in hot water. Clean the ship in the Rot and start over.”

“Then why gather us in the first place? That makes no sense.”

“Unless our deaths are the point.” He leans closer. “If our souls power the ship. It picks up fuel, and then it burns it like firewood.” He straightens up. “Or maybe the Captain has his own reasons.”

“Why don’t you ask him?”

“He’s not inclined to share his thoughts with us,” the Scholar says, with a slight smile.

I look down at the map again, and fight down a chill. “Anomaly … coming…,” Hagan had said. “Find Garden. Or die.”

Is this what he meant?

“I’ve heard enough,” I say out loud. “They warned me you were a little mad, but I have to say this is worse than I expected.”

There’s a long pause.

“I didn’t think you’d believe me,” he says, surprisingly calm.

“I don’t. And I’m leaving.”

“You haven’t heard my offer.”

I snort. “I’m not interested in more crazy theories.”

“Nothing so complicated. I know what you want, and I can get it for you.”

“Oh, really?” I glare at him. “What do I want?”

“I can get you into the Captain’s tower.”

I stare for a moment. “Why should I believe you?”

“The crew guards the main entrance, but I can show you another route.”

“It can’t be that simple.”

“It’s not.” He grins. “There’s an angel on the bottom floor. But the Council has a key that will get us past it. I’ll lend you mine.”

“And then … what?”

“That’s up to you.” He spreads his arms. “You and your princess have been asking about getting to the Captain for weeks. I assume you have some plan for what you want to say to him.”

I wish I did. But …

“And what’s in this for you? I assume that if the rest of the Council found out, they wouldn’t be pleased.”

“You assume correctly.” The Scholar raises his eyebrows. “I want you to bring me the dredwurm’s eye.”

That’s not what I expected to hear. “I thought the Council already had a bounty on that.”

“They do. Let’s say that we disagree on what should be done with it.”