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“If they have, I suspect Captain Blakemore will make good on his threat to return us to Port Karenin. We’ll disembark and book passage back to the Royal Sector. But that’s assuming those ships were sent by Harristan and that they mean us no harm.”
“Do you think he sent them?”
“No. I truly don’t.” He goes still, his eyes fixed on mine. “Harristan would have no reason to send them. He’s good for his word, Tessa.”
“What did you see in the spyglass?”
“They do fly under the flag of Kandala. That meanssomeonesent them—and it’s someone with funding, because outfitting two brigantines as fast as we set sail would have beenverycostly. So that indicates one of the consuls.”
“Allisander?”
He winces. “Maybe? I’m actually wondering if Laurel Pepperleaf begged her father to allow her to follow us. She wanted to come along.”
“So she just … forced her way here?”
“Are you surprised?”
I sigh, thinking of how earnest the young woman seemed. “Well, maybe a little. But could you explain that to Rian?”
“I could, but he’s too nervous about those ships—and I’d have no way to prove it. I’m not sure it would matter, anyway. I thinkthere’s more at play than just worries about us leading forces to Ostriary.”
“Why else would he worry?”
“I think he’s worried about whatever is hidden on board this ship.” Corrick runs a hand through his hair. “If itisLaurel, she’s doing it in defiance of Harristan, and we already have a rocky relationship with all the consuls. I’m worried about whoever else might be working against him. Whoever might behelpingher.” He draws a heavy breath. “I just want to get to Ostriary safely so we can negotiate for steel and Moonflower. I don’t want to worry about threats to my brother. I don’t want to worry about warships that might mean to interfere with this—”
He breaks off.
“What?” I say. “What happened?”
Corrick sits up in bed and runs a hand across his face. “Before we left, there were rumors about the guards. Rocco chose Kilbourne and Silas for this trip because he said Captain Huxley wasn’t trustworthy. But Rocco also said that Harristan was suspicious of me formonthsbefore he discovered what you and I were doing.” He looks at me. “Did my brother do the same thing to me that he did to Lochlan? Was he gettingmeout of the way?” Before I can even answer, he rakes a hand back through his hair. “But then … was Rocco a part of it? Why would he—”
“Corrick. Corrick,stop.” I sit up, putting a hand on his wrist. “Harristan wasnotgetting you out of the way.”
“I wish I knew who sent those ships. Maybe my brother wasn’t getting me out of the way, but it’s not a secret that I’m alone in the middle of the ocean. Someone else could.” He glances at me, then at the door. “I wish I knew what Rian was keeping in that room.”He sighs. “I’m reluctant to believe it’s more weapons. He’s too worried about those ships for him to have a full arsenal.” He makes a scoffing sound. “There’s a part of me that wants to take a hammer to the lock.”
“If that’s what it will take to satisfy you, then do it.”
His eyes flare in surprise, and he smiles ruefully. “Weston Lark might have been able to get away with it, but I don’t need our dear Captain Blakemore arriving in Ostriary with stories of how the king’s brother can’t be trusted.”
I frown. He’s right. I don’t have any doubt that Rian would portray the prince exactly as he is, reputation and all.
“I could feel the tension on deck,” Corrick continues. “Even if I wanted to break in, I have no doubt my every move is watched. On our first night, Rocco mentioned that it’s easy to defend our rooms here—but it’s also easy for them to note when we leave.”
“What do you think he could be hiding?” I say.
“Barrels of gunpowder for the cannons?” he says. “Bricks of gold? His father’s corpse? I truly have no idea.” He sighs. “And with the other ships following us, I’m left to wonder if they know something I don’t. Did Harristan discover something after we left? Are the ships a means torescueme? But if they are … why would they keep their distance? Those are brigantines, with coal-fired engines to support the sails. They’re too big to be nimble, but theyarefast.”
“Do you think they’re a threat to you?” I say quietly.
“I don’t want to think so,” he says. “But if they’re not a threat to me, then they’re a threat to Rian and his crew—and we’re on the boat. It’s clear that their presence makes him very anxious.”
And there’s no way to figure out anything about those ships. Not from here.
I turn my thoughts back to the secret room. On what Corrick just said.
Weston Lark might have been able to get away with it.
But maybe not. Weston Lark may have been an outlaw, but he wasn’t a thief. Not really. He knew where to find Moonflower petals by virtue of his position—or he’d buy them outright and bring them to our workshop.
