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“We will light candles for them tonight,” I say.
“Already sent the order to Roslyn.”
“Good.” As captain, I have to push aside losses and focus on what’s best for the crew. I hate that part, too. “We’ll need a new navigator. Someone who can track and knows the lands and waters well.”
Niridia nods.
A crazy thought comes to me. “I know just the man.”
“Man?” Niridia asks. “Didn’t you swear after Ralin that you’d never take on another man for the crew so long as we already had one?”
“Oh, don’t remind me about Ralin. Couldn’t keep his hands off the crew, that one. Despicable creature.”
“He was a bit more bearable once you cut them off.”
“Yes, shame he decided to leave our employ after that. Can’t imagine what that was about.”
Niridia smiles. “Some men don’t have the stomach for being pirates.”
“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, theAva-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 theNight 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?”
