“My name is Captain Sorinda Veshtas. I was sent by Queen Alosa Kalligan to find what became of the crew of the Wanderer and bring any survivors home.”
One man steps in front of the others, coming as close as he can to me before reaching the wall of undead bodies. He’s older than the others, perhaps in his forties. A stern chin sits beneath chapped lips. “I am Toras Warran, captain of the Wanderer. Neither I nor my crew have any need of being saved by pirate filth.” He spits on the ground before stepping back toward the rest of the survivors.
The rest of the crew exchange looks between themselves.
“Speak for yourself!” Nydus says. He’s about the same height and build as Shura, and he rubs his hands together before blowing warmth into them. “I would very much like to be saved, and I’ll kiss the pirate queen’s boots if that’s what it takes. I’ve had it with this stars-forsaken place.”
Another man asks, “Why should the pirate queen take an interest in the crew of one of the land king’s ships?”
I meet the eyes of Shura, and she winks at me.
“Do not trust any offer made by pirates,” Captain Warran says. “If they offer food with one hand, the other is sure to hold something sharp. Obviously the Kalligan girl means for us to serve her or die. That is always the way things go.”
I manage to withhold an eye roll. “I’m to drop you off at the Seventeen Isles. What you choose to do after that is up to you. The only thing I expect in return is more sea hands for the return trip.”
“Sounds pretty good to me,” Nydus says. “I’m an excellent sea hand.”
“Count me in,” Shura says. The rest of the girls nod or voice their assent.
In fact, the only person not in agreement appears to be the captain himself. The rest of the crew is perfectly happy to be saved, by pirates or not. He stands behind the others, arms crossed and face turned away.
“This is the best crew His Royal Majesty could bequeath me with? Defiant arselings is what you all are. You think you know best, gallivanting off with pirates?” He zeroes in on me with his hateful gaze. “Do you have an army behind you in those woods somewhere?”
“No, my crew lies to the south. We will rendezvous with them.”
Warran looks victorious. “Then how, pray tell, are you supposed to free us from these cursed individuals?”
Threydan said it was a present, but I can’t believe he wouldn’t want to be here to witness this. To see my gratitude—not that I would give him the satisfaction. But I note with horror that every single pair of blue eyes is pointed right at me.
He is watching my reaction.
I say, “Release them.”
At first, I think nothing will happen and I will look the fool. Then the undead drop their arms and cross into the woods without a sound, leaving only me and the crew of the Wanderer behind.
“Neat trick!” Nydus says.
“You fool,” Warran says. “She’s obviously controlling them! This is no pirate, but some scheming enchantress sent to put us under the same spell that lot is clearly under.”
“Warran, for just once will you shut the hell up?” Shura says.
The captain looks mortified by her words. “It’ll be prison for you when we return. I’ll have you—”
“Surely even you have heard of Sorinda Veshtas, the pirate queen’s assassin? She’s notorious, if not recognizable, given she wouldn’t be a very good assassin if everyone knew what she looked like.”
“I don’t know what you—”
Oh, but Shura loves cutting him off. “You need more convincing? Fine. I serve Alosa Kalligan, and I have for months before I ever stepped foot on your ship.”
At that, Nydus’s gaze cuts to her so quickly his neck cracks.
“Pirate filth!” Warran says, pointing to her.
“You’re unbelievable,” Shura says, stepping up to my side. “Thank you for the rescue, Captain. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She extends her hand, and I take it.
When done, Shura turns back around. “Have my eyes changed color? No? Can we please get the hell out of here, then?”
The rest of the girls step to my side of the clearing.
“Not you lot, too?” the captain asks.
“We were sent to keep eyes on the land king’s endeavors,” Shura says, “and you should be grateful for it. I don’t see King Ladell sending forces to rescue you lot, do you? You ought to praise Alosa’s name for extending an invitation of rescue to you as well, even though you don’t serve her. And don’t deserve it, in my opinion. Where to, Captain?” The last sentence is directed to me.
“This way.” The girls fall into step with me.
Nydus is the first to join us, stepping up to Shura’s side and taking side glances at her when he thinks she’s not looking. More men quickly follow, until it is only Captain Warran and another man left behind, likely his first mate.
But soon, even they follow. Just at a distance.
“So …，” Nydus says after a minute, “am I really the only person who wants answers about the folks with the creepy blue eyes? What do you know about it, Captain Veshtas?”
“That is a question without a simple answer.”
“Well, Nydus isn’t about to understand it, then,” Shura says.
Nydus glares at her.
“I will say this,” I say. “There is a being on this island with the power to control the dead. He is not on our side, and we should be wary of him and his army.”
“If he isn’t friendly to us, then why did the Blue-Eyes listen to you?” Nydus asks.
Shura smacks him. “If the captain wants you to know something, she’ll let you know. Stop asking questions about the natives.”
I silently thank her for that.
“Apologies, Captain,” Nydus says. “You have our deepest thanks for the rescue. Tell us about your ship. Is she large? Enough room for us all?”
“If not, we can always put Nydus in the brig,” Shura offers.
I say, “There will be room for everyone when we leave. No one is getting left behind, though surely the most annoying among you will be the first on my list for staying should that change.”
That finally shuts up the lad.
I AM CONFLICTED WHEN I find that my crew has remained in the same location since Threydan carried me off. On the one hand, I should be furious they did not seek a new hiding spot when this one had clearly been compromised. On the other, I am touched that they would remain so I could easily find them again. As though they didn’t doubt for a second that I would find a way back to them. I don’t know that I deserve such faith after the turns this journey has taken.
Once we’re spotted, a shout goes up from the treetops. I hate that this is becoming far too familiar. Me being gone and then showing up unexpectedly when some of the crew must surely expect I’m already dead.
Dimella is there first. She sees me, shakes her head in astonishment, then grabs me gently by the bicep. She looks me up and down, as though barely daring to assume I’m alive.
“How?” she asks.
“Believe it or not, I talked my way out of this one.”
“Impressive. And am I correct in assuming this is the missing crew of the Wanderer?”