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It goes on like this as twenty pirate captains list their most valuable collections for the trip. The other thirty or so captains are all rushing to the keep to make it in time for the voyage, and some of them will end up staying behind anyway to defend our stronghold while the rest of us sail for treasure.
“Captain Alosa,” my father says expectantly.
I swallow my uneasiness and push the image of sirens being harpooned like whales from my mind, vowing that nothing will keep me from traveling to the island. This is too important. And Father has already had to remind me recently that they’re inhuman beasts. I know this. I’ve experienced for myself what happens when I’m submerged underwater.
“I have a crew consisting of twenty-eight women,” I say simply.
Adderan snorts. “Women. Good. The men will have company during the voyage.” A few others in the room dare to snicker at the comment.
The men may recognize my talents and purpose, even if they don’t like them. But other female pirates receive no such esteem.
Father doesn’t defend my crew. Nor would I want him to. I can do it all on my own.
The pirate captains and the dungeon master are the onlyones who know about my abilities at the keep, so I don’t have to hide them in this room.
I sing a booming note, something that won’t go unnoticed by anyone in the vicinity. Adderan rises from his chair and runs face first into the nearest wall. The contact splits open a thin line on his head, but it doesn’t render him unconscious. I want him fully awake when I humiliate him.
“While the sirens enchant you all to take your own lives,” I say, “my talentedfemalecrew will be unaffected. We will be the ones who actually reach the treasure and make the journey back home.”
The room goes silent. Kalligan’s men need to remember these are no ordinary women defending the Isla de Canta.
“Very impressive, Captain Alosa,” Tylon says, and I jerk my head in his direction, “but there is a simple remedy to such a problem. I believe you experienced this one while you were Vordan’s prisoner.”
He pulls something from his pocket, breaks it in two, and molds it into his ears. Wax.
I turn to the man on Tylon’s right. “Captain Lormos, kindly prove a point for me and smack Tylon up the side of the head.”
Tylon must assume my moving mouth is expelling enchanting notes. He grins condescendingly at his invincibility. But then Lormos, who is especially prone to violence, says, “Gladly,” and carries out my request. No singing required.
Tylon grunts and turns to his right, cocking his fist back in retaliation. My father holds out his hands, a simple motioncommanding all to stay their violence. Tylon grudgingly complies and pulls the wax from his ears.
“Song is not the only thing you have to worry about,” I say. “You will also be unable to communicate with one another, and the sirens can easily get the drop on you then.”
“We can have men looking in all directions. Everyone’s backs will be covered,” Tylon says defensively.
I laugh without humor. “You’re being naive. That will cost you lives.” If we’re lucky,his.
“My men will be fine. Don’t presume to captain any crew other than your own.”
“Don’t belittle my crew by insinuating we’re only good for breeding!”
“That was Adderan! You’re—”
“That’s enough.” The pirate king’s voice cuts across the room. Powerful. Final. I take my eyes from Tylon’s enraged face and note that all the captains in the room are staring between the two of us.
“Just get it over with and bed the lass!” Captain Sordil shouts from the back of the room. I slice him in half with my glare. Before I can do more than that, Father continues, commanding everyone’s attention once more.
“Captain Alosa has more than made her point,” he says, “which is why she and theAva-leewill sail second only to theDragon’s Skullon the voyage to the Isla de Canta.”
Second?
Because my father’s ship will carry a secret weapon that willcontrol the sirens? Or because he needs to keep his place at the head of his fleet?
Silence hits the room at the pronouncement. Then Adderan speaks up. “Are we sure that’s wise? Surely theDeadman’s Bladewould be a better choice to have at your back?” His own ship. “It’s larger and more—”
“Are you questioning my decision?” Father asks, his voice like a whip.
Adderan immediately recants his words. “Wise choice, sire. TheAva-leeshould go second.”
