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They’d make his final hours hurt.
When Oriel and Roth returned, they said it was done. The people who killed Taggert had made it last longer, but the families of the enslaved had grown too violent after a few hours. Still, Aspen was satisfied that Taven was dead.
Things still weren’t quite over just yet.
They had claimed a set of guestrooms as their own to sleep in, and Aspen sat on the couch while Roth claimed an armchair. Oriel paced in front of the fire.
“The splintered part of her army will return before us,” said Oriel. “They haven’t seen Aspen, and she might imagine he’s dead somewhere, or maybe he was never able to leave the Windswept Isles. Even with that, she’ll still know that I know what happened. She might run, and we won’t get there soon enough.”
“She barely has an army now compared to us,” said Roth.
“The only thing we can do is go there,” said Oriel. “Kalen and Rhys said they’ll come with us, and Kalani will too. If Asara tries to fight us, we’ll kick her ass. If she runs, I’ll take control of the Windswept Isles, let her treachery be known, and have her hunted down.”
More time on the ship. Aspen’s stomach still tightened at the thought, and his face must have shown something since Oriel sat on the couch.
“Do you want to stay here? This is another long trip, and we’ll be coming back this way for good.”
Aspen shook his head. “I’d rather stay with you. What the fuck am I supposed to do here by myself? I’ll end up in a bottle again. I’d rather see this through to the end with you.”
Repair on the ships that could be fixed in a decent amount of time didn’t stop as the men worked in shifts. Taven’s fleets had been decent, but many had been destroyed. They had fewer men now too, but extra had to bunk together when they finally left since they’d lost so many ships.
When they were about three days from their location, it was nighttime when Roth tried to pry Aspen out of the cabin.
“You haven’t been outside much this week.”
“I don’t see a problem with that. Besides, it’s chillier now.”
“Come on.”
“No. Stop being a bad kitty.”
Roth narrowed his eyes. “I’ll drag you out and up to the crow’s nest.”
Aspen raised an eyebrow. “Why would we go up there?”
“The view would be pretty good.”
“Or kitty just feels like climbing something.” Aspen sat up on the bed. “Fine.”
Oriel came in. “Hey, Kalen and Rhys are going to the Raindrop. One of his Commanders was acting like he can clean us out at cards. Rhys wants to prove him wrong. Aspen, I know you’d probably rather not, but you are welcome, and you too, Roth.”
Aspen had felt the ships slow a little and the grappling hooks a few minutes ago, so he knew someone had wanted to talk. “Thanks, but I’m not going over there.”
“I’m taking Aspen up to the crow’s nest,” said Roth. “Don’t come back stupid if you drink.”
Oriel smirked. “I’m not letting whiskey dull my brains. Those East Forest fairies play a mean game of cards, and they’d kick my ass if I get stupid. Kalen and Rhys aren’t big drinkers either.”
Oriel left, and Aspen and Roth went on the deck with their cloaks on since it would be cooler up in the crow’s nest with the wind.
“Won’t someone be up there on their watch?” asked Aspen.
“I chased him off already,” said Roth. “He can go elsewhere. Besides, the rest of the ships have men on watch, and I doubt we're about to crash into anything out in the open water.”
They had a ladder to use to go up, but the sailors said that was the landlubber’s way, and no self-respecting sailor would use it. Aspen didn’t like being so high and was glad he’d never tried to be a sailor in his youth. He couldn’t imagine climbing around the rigging.
He felt better once he was in the crow’s nest with Roth. It was sort of like being in a big wooden wash tub minus the water. With the fleets spread out and in neat, even intervals to keep order while they sailed at night, it was rather pretty. Little lights twinkled here and there, and he could faintly make out the froth in the wake with the moon out. Occasionally, he could make out little figures or someone holding a lantern on farther ships.
“How do they climb the rigging in the dark like that? A ladder’s bad enough.” Aspen knew sails had to be managed whether it was day or night as the wind shifted.
