by Jon Skovron
In a very short time, the sound of gunfire faded and only one of Drem’s men was alive and conscious. Hope had him pinned down on the stairs at the waist, his arms windmilling as she held the upper half of his body over the edge.
“Please…,” he whimpered.
“Tell me where to find Drem,” she said.
“He’s at the Three Cups! He’s always there. Everybody knows that!”
“Where at the Three Cups?”
“Th-third floor. He has it all to himself and his best wags.”
“Thank you.” Then she slammed the pommel of her sword into his forehead, knocking him out. She pulled him away from the edge, then stood up and surveyed the carnage, her expression unreadable.
“Well, that went well,” said Red. “Thanks for leaving a few for the rest of us.”
A slight smile curled up around the corners of her mouth. “I knew you’d catch up. Eventually.”
“Was that a joke from the great and serious Vinchen warrior?” he asked.
Her eyes grew wide, her smile vanished, and he knew he’d said exactly the wrong thing.
“Taking life is never a joking matter,” she said as she wiped the blood off her sword and sheathed it.
“Uh, right, of course,” he said.
“It won’t take long for Drem to guess this didn’t turn out his way,” said Nettles. “We should get Sadie out of here as soon as she’s ready to move. Then we should all disappear until this blows over.”
“Good idea,” said Hope. “You should all stay hidden until this is done. I think it’ll get worse before it gets better.”
“Sounds like you don’t plan to join us,” said Nettles.
“She’s going after Drem,” said Red.
“Ain’t nobody that crazy,” said Filler.
“He had Captain Carmichael murdered in cold blood,” said Hope. “A man I had sworn to protect with my life. A man who was as much mentor as he was captain. I cannot allow this to stand.”
“I hope you don’t expect us to come on this death party with you,” said Nettles.
“Of course not. None of you took an oath.”
“All the same, I’ll come along,” said Red.
“Don’t be bludgeon,” said Nettles. “Why in hells would you do that?”
“I got many reasons,” said Red. “The most obvious of which is that without my help, Hope hasn’t got a chance. And I’d rather the woman who saved Sadie’s life have at least a shot of living a bit longer.”
“Red, I appreciate your courage, and your offer,” said Hope. “But I don’t think I will be doomed without it.”
“You sure about that?” asked Red. “You heard what that boot just said about where to find Drem. That it’s not some secret. We all know where to look. So why do you suppose nobody’s ever taken a shot at him?”
“He must be heavily guarded,” said Hope.
“He’s got a pissing army,” said Nettles.
“Exactly,” said Red. “Now, your skill is just about the most pat I’ve ever seen. But even still, there’s no way you’re getting through a hundred or more well-armed boots on your own.”
“And you think you would turn the tide?” asked Hope.
“Not by myself, no. But I could help you get an army of your own.”
“Such balls and pricks,” said Nettles. “Where are you going to get an army?”
“Hammer Point. Big Sig has had a grind with Drem since way back.”
“No,” said Nettles. “That’s…You can’t…” She shook her head, her mouth open.
“You’re taking it outside the Circle,” said Filler.
It was more a statement than a question, but it hung in the air all the same. Nettles and Filler stared at him. Waiting for him to say it. Maybe they didn’t believe he could. And until that moment, he wasn’t sure he could either. The Circle had taken a lot of things away from him, it was true. But it had also given him so much. He was known. He was respected. If he wanted, he could have become one of Drem’s lieutenants. Maybe even become as powerful as Drem someday. He felt in his bones that could happen for him. Which was why he could not let it.
Maybe Filler was right. Maybe it was his uptown blood that put crazy thoughts in his head. But being the leader of a garbage heap didn’t change the fact that he and everybody else still lived in a garbage heap. He wanted better. He wasn’t sure why Hope seemed like “better” to him. Her education, her principles, the fact that she’d seen the world outside New Laven. Take your pick. And when she was around, he didn’t feel so crazy talking about wanting better. The idea of uniting the neighborhoods seemed like more than just tavern talk. It seemed possible. And that was all he needed.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m taking it outside the Circle.”
“Un-pissing-believable,” said Nettles. “Come on, Filler. Let’s slide.” Without waiting, she started down the steps. “Guess I shouldn’t be surprised, since you weren’t actually born in the Circle,” she said over her shoulder, just loud enough to make sure Red heard it.
Filler continued to stare at Red. Good old Filler, game for any crazy adventure that Red could think up. But apparently not this time. After another moment, he shook his head and followed Nettles.
“Red…,” said Hope. “Are you sure—”
“Of course I am. Now let’s get Sadie and find somewhere safe for her to lay low.”
He started back up the stairs, and Hope followed quietly behind. When they got to the top, he gently shook Sadie awake.
“Where’s Filler and Nettles?” she asked. “They didn’t get hurt, did they?”
“No, they’re fine,” said Red as he stoked the fire to get the water boiling again.
“Then why do you look about like you’re going to get the weeps?”
“I, uh…” He stopped messing with the fire and turned to face her. “I’m leaving the Circle.”
“Hm.” Sadie tilted her head toward Hope. “With her?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
Red gave her a startled look.
“You should get out of this slimy cunt of a place while you can,” she said. “And this Southie of yours has a better head on than the rest of your wags.”
“But I thought you’d want me to—”
“Be a proper man of the Circle? Piss on that. Proper man of the Circle never got nobody nothing except dead early or old before their time. Rixidenteron, you were made for more and better. And I would take it as a personal insult if you didn’t follow on that, after all those years I spent making sure you didn’t starve or get knifed. Keen?”
“Sadie…”
“Don’t ‘Sadie’ me, you needle-pricked salthead. Do you keen?”
“Yes, Captain.”
And that was the end of it. They cooked up one more batch of medicine. After a solid minute of breathing, she spit out phlegm with only the faintest tint of orange.
“You’re out of danger,” said Hope. “But you’ll still need to take it twice a day for the next few days to make sure it doesn’t come back.”
“I’m good enough to travel, though?” asked Sadie.
“Yes. If you feel up to it.”
“Let’s move, then. Can’t imagine it will take Drem long to hear how you diced up his boots with that fancy blade of yours. And next time, he’ll send a lot more.”
* * *
Sadie was breathing in harsh gasps by the time they got down to the docks. Red had offered to carry her part of the way, but she only glared at him and kept walking. She said she knew a wag near the boatyards who would put her up for a while.
“Missing Finn?” asked Red. “I’m surprised you’ve kept a line on him.” Since the ship burned down, he’d stayed by the docks, taking honest jobs repairing ships and working the fishing boats.
“I’ve kept with all of that crew,” said Sadie. “Happiest time of my life, so anyone who reminds me of it, I like to keep close.”
Missing Finn lived in a little shack along the wharf. He was s
itting in front of it, threading a fishing pole with new line when they arrived. He looked about as worn and grizzled as Sadie. But when he saw them heading toward him, his one eye lit up and his ragged face folded up into a smile that showed the rot on his few remaining teeth.
“Is that the crown jewel of the Circle I see before me?” he asked, slowly standing up.
“Listen, you old sweet talker.” Sadie scowled at his smile. “You’ve been begging me to move down wharf-side for years. I need a place to lay low. Maybe for a long time. You sunny with that, or have I got too old and ugly for your interest?”
“I don’t know who’s been tellin’ you lies,” said Finn. “But you ain’t old or ugly. Me neither, truth be told. And lucky for you to have such a handsome wag to look at every day while you stay down here hiding from whatever serious badness that’s deservedly caught up with you.”
Sadie turned to Red. “Well, he’s still a bit bludgeon, but he’s got a way with words. And more important, he’s safe.”
“You’re sure?”
“Course I am. Stop being stupid.”
“Red.” Hope frowned as she scanned the docks, looking for something. “Do you know where Pier Twelve is from here?”
“Sure. Why?”
“I should talk to the crew of the Lady’s Gambit. They might not even know Captain Carmichael’s dead. Those men have fought at my side. I should at least tell them what’s happened.”
“Captainless ship, you say?” asked Finn.
“Gunned down by Drem’s boots in the Drowned Rat yesterday,” said Red.
“Well, actually shot by Ranking, his first mate,” said Hope.
Sadie’s eyes narrowed with interest. “And what happened to the mate?”
“I’m not sure,” said Hope. “The last time I saw him, he was bleeding all over the floor after I’d cut off half his arm.”
“You don’t think the crew just elected a new captain and slipped away?” asked Finn.
“It needs a lot of repairs,” said Hope. “I’m not even sure it’s seaworthy.”
“Well, now,” said Finn, and gave Sadie a significant look.
“Why don’t you show us this ship of yours,” said Sadie. “I’m guessing you might, at some point, have a need to leave this place swiftlike. Good to have a functional ship on hand for that.”
“Perhaps,” said Hope, her eyes narrowing. She looked questioningly at Red, but he shrugged. He had no idea what Sadie’s scheme was.
“Now, listen, it’s not like what you’re thinking,” said Sadie. “Long as you’re running with Red, you and I are old pots. What I’m thinkin’ is this. Finn is good with ships. Got the Savage Wind up and seaworthy, and he’s been workin’ on them ever since. You kids do what you need to do. In the meantime, Finn and I will fix up your ship.”
“It’s not my ship, though,” said Hope.
“Whose is it?” asked Sadie.
“No one’s, really.”
“Then it’s yours to take.”
“So what’s the trade?” asked Red.
“Simple as sideways,” said Sadie. “When you slide, you take us with you on the crew.”
Red was surprised. “Really? That’s what you want?”
“I only got so many years left, despite your best efforts. I surely wouldn’t mind spending them at sea in the fresh air and sunshine. See a bit of the world before I go.”
“I’d as soon slip mooring as anything else,” said Missing Finn.
Red turned to Hope. “What do you think? If we do somehow manage to pull this off, a boat might be a smart idea.”
“Let’s see what’s waiting for us before we make any decisions,” said Hope. “The rest of the crew might have some objections to this plan.”
* * *
There were no objections to the plan. Because there was no crew. The Lady’s Gambit had been emptied of both people and all supplies. Anything not locked or bolted down had been taken.
“As I thought,” said Finn. “People got to eat. They ran out of provisions and patience, saw other ships around looking for crews, offering a meal and a bit of money. What would you do?”
“So we just…leave it here?” asked Hope.
“Well…” Finn turned toward the other end of the dock. A large man with a black beard was coming toward them. “There’s the dockmaster to deal with.”
“You! Southie!” the man yelled as he continued toward them. “I don’t know what happened to Carmichael and the rest of your crew, but someone owes me two days’ docking fees. And if you don’t pay me or get it off this dock by sundown, I’ll have it sunk. Don’t think I won’t!”
“Now, now, my good wag,” said Red cheerfully. “Let’s leave off this talk of sinking ships. How much did you say it was per day to dock here?”
“A fiveyard,” said the man warily.
“Okay, then. So my maths aren’t the greatest, but I think this”—he flashed two gold coins—“ought to get us, what, a week?”
The man stopped short, eyeing the coins. Red made sure to turn them slightly so they gleamed in the sunlight.
“About,” admitted the dockmaster.
Red turned to Finn. “That be long enough to get it shipshape?”
“Probably. Although judging by the lean of that foremast, might be more like two.”
“Well, then,” said Red. “Better add two more, just to be safe.” He pulled out two more coins and placed all four in the dockmaster’s hand. Then he held up a fifth. “And this one is yours if no one other than us four goes near it without our leave. I come back in two weeks and find it still here and all of a piece, you can have it. Keen?”
The dockmaster smiled warmly, all chum and larder now. “Yes, of course, Captain…”
Red pointed to Hope. “There is the captain of the Lady’s Gambit. Captain Bleak Hope.”
“At your service, Captain Hope,” said the dockmaster. “Let me know if there’s anything you need.”
“Thank you, Dockmaster, I will,” said Hope gravely. When the man had left, she turned to Red. “Where did you get that money?”
“Could be I liberated a few from that bag before we left it to Prin in the cellar,” said Red. “And aren’t you glad of it now?”
Hope shook her head, but she was fighting a smile. “Fine. It’s too late now.”
“Sunny,” said Red. “Now, shall we go find ourselves an army?”
“Before you head off on this slippy plan of yours,” said Sadie. “You might want to consider filling your bilge and shutting your eyes for a bit.”
“The wisdom of years,” said Red.
* * *
Red wasn’t sure how comfortable it would be for all four of them in Finn’s wharf-side shack. But it turns out that when you’ve been trying to avoid death, both yours and others’, for nearly two days without rest, you didn’t much mind where you laid your head. Especially after a nice bowl of thick, hot fish stew.
So it was that he and Hope found themselves drifting off to sleep only an hour later as they lay on the shack’s wood-planked floor. Sunlight streamed faintly through the wooden blinds over the one window. Sadie and Finn were outside, their conversation a lulling murmur in the background.
Red’s eyes were beginning to close when he heard Hope’s voice, soft and dreamy, say, “What did she mean about you not being born in the Circle? Nettles, I mean.”
“Because I wasn’t.”
“Where were you born?”
“Silverback. But that’s not really what she meant. My mother was from Hollow Falls.”
“I don’t know New Laven well enough to know what that means.”
“It means she was a lacy from uptown.”
“And that’s…bad?”
“Around here? Yeah.”
“She thinks that makes you privileged.”
“Right.”
She opened her eyes and turned to look at him. “Are you?”
“I could read by age five. Most wags in the Circle never learn. That alone gives me m
ore than an extra share of fortune.”
“So they resent you.”
“Nettles resents everybody. I don’t take that too personally. Not anymore. But as long as I’ve been here, I’ve had to compensate for it. Show ’em I wasn’t soft. That I could handle things. The only one who never doubted me was Filler.”
“And now…”
“Yeah. Seeing him walk away like that…I’d rather be punched in the bilge.”
“That’s the trouble with having people you care about,” said Hope. “When you lose them, it hurts more than anything.”
They were silent for a while, interrupted only by Sadie’s faint laughter outside.
“I feel I should warn you,” said Red. “I don’t know Hammer Point near as well as Paradise Circle. It’s never been my turf. So I won’t be able to come up with any clever escapes while we’re there, or call upon the help of local wags who owe a favor.”
“Then it’s a good thing,” said Hope, her voice sounding on the verge of sleep, “you have other useful qualities.”
“You mean my undeniable charm?”
“I meant your impeccable aim.”
“Ah. Well. Yeah.” He was quiet for a minute. Then he said, “You do think I’m charming, though, right? Hope?”
But she had drifted off to sleep.
19
They started out that night for Hammer Point. As Hope understood it, they were only going to the next neighborhood over. However, the gruff but heartfelt good-byes between Red and Sadie made it feel as if they were about to cross the ocean.
Now, as Hope and Red made their way through the streets lit with flickering gaslights, she noticed that he seemed on edge. His usual jaunty, carefree attitude felt forced. While Hope walked down the rough cobblestone streets with regular, even strides, he skipped, weaved back and forth, and at times even walked sideways, as if he couldn’t regulate his own pace.
“Is it really so different in Hammer Point?” she asked.
He shrugged, his eyes darting all over. “For you? Probably not. One urban Northern slum looks like any other. But for me, it’s very different. Different buildings, different people, different ways of doing things.”