by Rebecca Rode
“Oh? Tell me where you got those coins in your own pocket.” He laughed at my glare and plunged on before I could reply. “You’d best make your preparations. The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll get to Ellegran.” He headed for the stairs and gripped the rail, stepping up carefully like beginners always did.
I did have work to do, but it certainly wouldn’t be on his order. I gritted my teeth, glaring at his backside. Aye, lordling. And the sooner we get to Ellegran, the sooner we can leave you behind.
Four hours later, I kicked a rock and glared at a wide office door. Decades of humidity had caused the wood to soften and curl at the corners, a stark contrast to the whitewashed sign with CITY PLANNER painted in bold black strokes. I considered testing the knob again but dismissed the thought. The door was just as locked as it had been an hour ago, and I didn’t want a passerby to accuse me of trying to break in.
If the planner didn’t return soon, though, my plan was doomed. I’d already approached my father’s usual customers and gotten nothing but shoulders as cold as winter. Either Hughen had a sudden lack of desire to transport cargo, or the rumors of Belza really had spooked everyone.
“Of all days to feign ill and stay home,” I snapped at the city planner sign.
“No feigning necessary,” a voice muttered, and I jumped to find a stooped man with a narrow, pinched face climbing the steps toward me. His foot hovered with each step, as if making contact with the ground was painful. “Wish I could. King Eurion intends to work me till I’m a skeleton in the ground.”
“Beg pardon, sir,” I said. “I’m just in a hurry.”
“Been forty years since I saw a sailor who wasn’t. And that one was dead.” He shoved the door open in a manner that made me wonder whether it really had been locked, then he stepped inside. A second’s pause as I waited for him to invite me in, but it was clear the still-open door was all the invitation I’d get. When I followed, a heavy smell of mildew hung in the air. The lower decks of the Majesty after two months at sea smelled better. Oblivious, the old man plopped into a chair and busied himself with a stack of parchment on a table. City grid maps covered the walls in a haphazard manner, hanging askew and seeming long forgotten. This had to be the only man alive who owned more maps than Father.
He leaned back with a groan and looked me up and down. I hunched my shoulders out of instinct. If Aden had seen through my disguise, someone else could. Couldn’t they? Too bad there wasn’t time for another trip to the shops district. I had enough money now for a trunkful of trousers and bindings and anything else I needed.
Later, I promised myself, and straightened up. There would be plenty of time once I convinced Father I belonged. Besides, Aden had only discovered my secret by watching us argue at the harbor this morning. He must have overheard somehow.
I cleared my throat. “I—er, my captain heard that you have cargo bound for Ellegran. You’re fortunate that we’ve just enough space left.”
The man belted out a laugh. “Just enough space? You’re clever, boy, but I know Garrow’s ship is emptier than his pockets. Besides, I don’t want my cargo stolen by no angry pirate, even if it is simply broken cobble from our streets. I’ve already signed with Captain Mass. He’s far slower and has space only for the premium barrels, but at least they’ll arrive.”
It was the reaction I’d come to expect. Half the town was convinced we’d be attacked within the week, even though nobody actually knew where Belza was. But something between the old man’s words stopped me. “What of the non-premium pieces, sir?”
The planner waved a dismissive hand. “Ellegran doesn’t want those. Nobody does. Nothing but pebbles left over, utterly useless.”
An idea struck me. “Are those in barrels?”
“Nearly all. King Eurion wanted them dumped into the ocean, but the port master threw a fit. Meanwhile, they’re taking up valuable space out back.”
I tried to hide my excitement. “And if we took them?”
There must have been something in my voice, because he clasped his hands and grew all businesslike once again. “Hughen doesn’t pay for waste disposal. If Garrow wants barrels full a’ pebbles, he’ll have to buy them.”
I thought fast. “We’ve no use for them. Just seeking to fill what’s left of the cargo space. If you like storing barrels full of useless pebbles, why, then I don’t see that there’s anything left to discuss.” I spun and walked briskly to the door.
“Wait.”
When I turned back, the old man had stood. He looked about the room as if making sure we were alone, then sighed heavily. “You can’t dispose of them in Hughen waters.”
“Aye, sir. Of course.”
“I can pay you five pieces per barrel. That’s it.”
I pretended to consider that. I’d planned to pay for cargo, but this was even better. “Done. Have your men deliver the barrels to the docks tonight.”
I returned from town just after my father did. I didn’t ask whether he’d gotten the loan. His scowl and the cage of fluttering hens in his arms were answer enough.
Still breathing hard—I’d run all the way from the city planner’s office—I hurried up the gangplank after him. “We’ve cargo, Father. It will be delivered tonight.”
His eyebrows shot upward at the news. “Did Dennis arrange this?”
“Nay, sir. I accepted the commission on your behalf. It’s a… small shipment of bad copper shavings to be returned to Ellegran. We’ve already received payment.” His eyes narrowed with each word, and I plunged on. “I spent some of it on corn and flour and that new line you wanted. If you wish it, we’ll be ready to leave by morning tide.”
“If I wish it.” The words burst from tight lips. “How kind of you to give me permission, Lane Garrow.”
I frowned at him. “You wanted to leave tomorrow. I made that possible.”
“You were ordered to keep hidden. Instead, you wandered about the town so you’d be seen by hundreds of people, any of whom could have seen through your disguise and complicated our departure. Now everyone with half a wit will discern we’re leaving tomorrow instead of next week.” He sighed. “This pattern of disobedience is worsening by the day.”
As are your lies, I wanted to shoot back. Surely he could be bothered to explain why a notorious pirate sought him, at the very least. Yet he hadn’t said a word.
The caged hens fluttered again, sending white feathers into the breeze between us. He shoved the cage roughly into my arms. “You’re certain the commission said Ellegran? Most copper mines are in Messau.”
It was too late to change my story now. “I’m sure. There’s a buyer waiting. I put the commission and payment in the chest.” He hid his most valuable objects in a small chest in his cabin. The men were usually trustworthy, but they had their vices. Father didn’t even know why I’d been avoiding Kempton for the past year. It had been the one secret I’d kept from him. Until now.
“Then we’ll load the cargo under cover of darkness. Lands grant that Barrie can gather the crew in time.” Father clenched his jaw. “You’ll help secure the cargo in the hold tonight, but I don’t want to see you again until then. This kind of behavior is exactly why it isn’t safe for you here anymore.”
A biting retort leaped to my tongue, but I kept my mouth firmly closed. I’d done more than sneak ashore today, but in the end, we would all get what we wanted.
By late evening when the cargo arrived, I had to admit that Aden was right. Nearly a dozen contracted sailors still hadn’t returned and probably never would. Kemp was one of them, which was just fine with me. Those who arrived went to work loading the barrels, grumbling to one another in not-so-low voices about their leave being shortened. I obeyed my father’s command, relieved to take the task of securing the barrels upon myself and careful to check each seal for signs of cracking. The last thing I needed was for Father to discover my deception before we’d even left. There would be time for explanations later—and I intended to hear the full story of Belza from my father
’s own lips.
By the dawn watch bell, my back felt like it was breaking into pieces. Even shorthanded, we’d accomplished in one night what normally took a loading crew two days. But we weren’t finished yet. Every hand would be needed to get the ship out of port. Even Aden’s, assuming he was still around. He’d disappeared before the night’s work had begun. Probably sleeping somewhere. Or, if I was lucky, he’d lost his nerve and run.
I climbed the ladder and then the stairs, watching for my father. He was nowhere in sight. I allowed myself a victorious smile as I emerged onto the deck, greeted by a brilliant pink sunrise. We had cargo, supplies, a destination, and nearly a year’s salary hidden in the cabin. We’d be long gone before the pirate arrived. Now there was the not-so-simple matter of keeping Aden’s secret from the crew.
Half the crew shoved past me to the stairs. There would be no true meal this morning. Port meals were always sparse anyway, but the men would fill their stomachs quickly before they were ordered aloft. I wouldn’t be needed again until it came time to weigh anchor. I blinked away my exhaustion. Father had ordered me to stay out of sight until we left the harbor, and the nest was my favorite place to watch the shore shrink behind us.
I set my foot on the ratlines and scampered up, unable to hide the grin on my face. Soon we’d be free again—like a horse released to pasture—sails flapping, filling with ocean air. The gentle rocking and creaking as the ship cut through mighty ocean waves.
See, mapmakers put land as the center of their maps, like a picture surrounded by a frame of ocean. That was backward. Each sea had its own personality, something that made it different, whether it be temperature, color, salt, depth, or even roughness. The water supported the land. It was worthy of respect.
When I reached the nest, I gave the horizon another contented grin, grabbed the edge of the box, and leaped inside.
Someone was already there.
I twisted in midair, but it was too late. Aden released a heavy grunt as I fell on top of him, my elbow connecting with his gut. I was suddenly very aware of our bodies tangled together, legs and all.
“Thanks a lot,” he muttered.
“Lands!” I peeled myself off and scrambled to my feet, feeling heat rush to my face all the way from my toes. “You aren’t supposed to be here.”
“And you are?” He sat up, rubbing his stomach with a grimace.
Of all the idiotic places for him to be. “You can’t sleep up here,” I snapped, looking over the edge to the deck below. A figure had just emerged from the cabin, scanning the docks. If Father looked up and saw me speaking with a strange boy…
Aden rose to his feet now, staring me down. “I’m not sleeping, and I don’t have to defend my actions to you.” The clasps on his shirt were half undone. He’d been practicing after all.
I told myself I didn’t wish the morning light were brighter so I could see the chest beneath. It was harder than it should have been to tear my gaze away and peer down at Father again. He’d begun to pace in front of his cabin, still watching the dwindling crowd ashore. Waiting for crew members, or a pirate?
“You abandoned your work last night,” I told Aden. “We don’t take kindly to that.”
His face was still shadowed, but I swear he was smiling. “Nah. I just wanted to see the view.”
I scowled at his teasing. Worse, my stomach flip-flopped like a schoolgirl’s. “Well, next time you decide to sprawl yourself out like that, give me some notice first. I won’t try so hard not to step on you.”
“And why are you here?” he asked, too casually. “I figured you’d be getting in some rest before we left. Or perhaps as my guardian, you grew worried about my disappearance and came to ensure my safety and comfort.” There was that grin again.
I swore under my breath and sat myself down where he’d just been. I’d come to see the sunrise, and see it I would. “You should thank me for discovering you before someone heavier did.”
He ignored my comment and plopped down across from me, next to my feet. “How do you get a ship this size out of port? Must be quite the undertaking.”
I looked sharply at him, wondering at his change of subject. “It can be. Your harbor is positioned well, so trade winds and the tide should pull us out. If they fail, there’s always kedging.”
“That’s where you take the boats out and pull the ship, right?”
“The Majesty weighs over a thousand tons. No rowboats are strong enough to pull her. Nay, they bring out an anchor attached to a line, then drop it. Here on the ship, we reel in the line to pull us free. Meanwhile, another boat goes out farther to do the same thing until the winds catch.”
“Fascinating. I’ve always wondered about that.” He settled himself with his ridiculous boots pointed skyward and turned toward the sunrise again.
The boots. I’d completely forgotten. “Remove your shoes.”
“Pardon?”
“Just do it.”
He stared at me for a moment, then slid off the first, revealing a brilliant white stocking. I tore the boot from his hands and launched it far over the rail.
“Wha—” he sputtered as the splash came, scrambling to the side and peering over as if he could call it back. “Why did you do that?”
“They’re obviously expensive, so it’s your secret or your boots.” I motioned to the other one. “If getting to Ellegran is so important, it should be an easy choice.” I shrugged. “Or I suppose you can take a little swim and think it over.”
“You could have just explained the situation like a proper person,” he growled, then slid his other boot off and gave it a toss. It seemed an eternity before the splash finally sounded.
“First lesson of the day,” I said. “I’m not proper, and neither are you. You’re a sailor now. You can keep the stockings, I suppose, since you’ll wear holes in them soon enough. I bet somebody has an extra pair of boots to trade. Hope you saved a coin or two.”
“How kind.”
I expected him to descend the ratlines then, to put more distance between us. But instead, he turned to watch the lightening horizon. There was sadness in his gaze. He may have been on the run, but he didn’t seem eager to leave.
“Will you ever come back?” I found myself asking.
“I hope so.” His eyes met mine. “I wouldn’t leave now, except… this is important.”
“Oh.” I wasn’t sure what to say to that.
He examined my face before turning back to the sunrise. Part of me was cross that he’d presumed to take my favorite lookout spot. The other part was humiliated that a stranger could make me so rattled. My arm tingled a bit where our skin had met, and the closeness of his face, feeling his breath on my cheek as he exhaled—
I clenched my jaw. What was wrong with me?
An urgent shout sounded from the docks.
I leaped to my feet as Aden peered down. Far below, an unfamiliar figure pulled up on a horse and swung down from the saddle, waving a piece of parchment. I could barely make out his words. “Halt! Do not weigh anchor!” He wore a blue uniform with a brown cap.
My knuckles turned white as my fingers gripped the box’s edge, tight and rigid so I couldn’t be torn away. I stared at the figure, wishing him away, but he was very real.
Another inspection. This couldn’t be happening. Not when we were so close.
I was trapped.
Aden was completely oblivious to my reaction. “Girard, the head inspector. I’d know that rat anywhere.”
Breathing required a monumental effort. Had someone seen through my disguise and reported me? Perhaps the inspector wouldn’t check up here, though that wasn’t likely. Or if he examined the lower decks first, I could sneak off—but I would surely be spotted by the crew, who would wonder.
Aden’s scowl faded. “You all right?”
Of course I wasn’t. One man threatened to unravel my entire plan. Then Aden’s words finally sank in. “The Inspector Girard who helped Varnen capture Elena the Conqueror?”
Aden snorted. “Don’t call her that.”
Anger flared in my chest. She’d almost united the four brother nations under the ancient Motherland flag before Varnen’s trap had ensnared her for good, and that deserved some degree of respect. I clamped my mouth shut just in time. It was dangerous enough that I was speaking to a Hughen lord, much less one who knew my secret. I could give Aden no more excuses to remember me when this was all over. Besides, Elena had killed his king’s first wife and nearly destroyed his country. I couldn’t blame him for his feelings on the subject.
“We can’t let Girard search the ship,” Aden said.
I rounded on him. That inspector would haul me straight to the gallows, and all Aden cared about was getting to Ellegran on schedule? But something in his expression stopped me. It almost looked like… guilt.
“He’s looking for you,” I said, finally understanding. I couldn’t hide the relief that flooded through me before a new wave of anger hit. “You knew they would come back, yet you didn’t say a word.”
“I suspected. I didn’t know for certain.” He avoided my gaze. “I’m sorry, Lane. I didn’t even think about what this could mean for you. Don’t worry—if they find us, I won’t let them take you.”
I imagined Aden revealing himself to defend me. Even if it worked, and if by some miracle the crew didn’t discover my lies, Father would never allow me to stay on the Majesty after that.
Nay. Our bargain still applied, whether we liked it or not. They couldn’t find Aden and they couldn’t discover me, and that was that. “I’ll fix this.”
“No, you won’t. I’m sure your father will sort it out.”
It was exactly what Father would say, which ramped my stubbornness up a notch or two. I’d done enough hiding.
“Stay here,” I muttered, planting my feet next to the edge.
“Wait!” Aden cried.
I leaped for the yard line. He cursed from behind me.
This route was faster and far more difficult than descending the ratlines. Father hated when I made the fifteen-foot jump, but he wasn’t watching me now. And I didn’t want to miss a single word of their conversation.