I pull my coat around me more tightly. The night air is brisk, as is typical during the fall. Some of Maneria’s more southern isles experience warm
temperatures year-round, but here in the northeast, the winds and waters are always cold, save when it is the heart of summer.
I travel farther inland, trying to get a sense of where I am. I know that when I
was taken, I was over a two days’ ride from the south side of Naula. We’ve been
on the sea for only about seven days. We could have just gone around to the other side of the isle. Clever, that. Most would assume that after a kidnapping, the perpetrators would want to get as far away as possible from where the crime
took place.
Word must have gotten around to my father that I succeeded in getting aboard
the Night Farer. I’m sure he’ll want a report soon. I might as well write him now since I’m on land. Who knows when I’ll have such an opportunity again?
Besides, it’s best to wait awhile before I let the pirates catch me attempting to
“escape.” Can’t make it seem like I got away too easily.
I didn’t want to let Theris turn me in. I know the whole point of this little side venture is getting caught, but letting Theris do it would feel like using his help.
And I won’t be doing that.
I continue heading inland. There will be someone working for my father in the pirate quarter of town. There always is. Father has a man in each major port
city in all the Seventeen Isles. The trick will be figuring out who he is. I can use the signal that men in my father’s employ exchange. But how I’ll be able to signal my father’s man without getting caught by all the pirates from Draxen’s
crew, who are also likely to be there, first will be the tricky bit.
As I walk the city streets, I start to feel a tingling at the back of my neck.
I’m being followed.
Is it a member of Draxen’s crew? I would hate to be caught already. But it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if Father didn’t receive a letter from me.
So long as it’s not Theris trying to keep an eye out for me. I will start retaliating with violence if he becomes too meddlesome.
I look behind me casually, as if I’m only observing the night sky or something else that’s caught my fancy. There is definitely a figure in the shadows. Maybe more than one.
We’re stopped between two town homes. I’m not on the street, just a grassy
area that separates the two houses. The grass is wet, softened by the rainfall over the last several days. I’ve no weapons on me, save the dagger in my boot.
There can’t be too many of them, otherwise I would have spotted them
earlier. It’s likely that I can take them. Might as well risk it.
I pat my pockets, as though I realize I’ve just forgotten something. I spin
around in the wet grass, making a light squeaking noise with my boots. This emphasizes my casualness. I’m not trying to be quiet. My followers won’t think
I’ve found them out.
I start walking back in the direction I came from. When I reach the corners of
both homes, I leap forward into the shadows on the left. Right where the sparse
moonlight is blocked by the roof of the home there.
“Ah!” a woman’s voice calls out. I put my hands to her mouth, stopping the
cry. We can’t have everyone in this part of town waking and spotting us.
“Mandsy, is that you?” I ask.
“Hello, Captain.”
I sigh and look heavenward, though no one can see the motion. “All right.
Come out. All of you.”
There are three of them—the three members from my crew who I saw not long ago: Mandsy, Zimah, and Sorinda. I’m relieved they made it safely to land,
but I don’t let it show.
“I told you she was going to see you,” Zimah says to Mandsy. “You’re terrible at staying hidden. And quiet.” She meets my gaze for only a moment before looking at the ground, ashamed to have been caught on land when they’re
supposed to be on the ship.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“We’ve been following you,” Mandsy says, smiling widely. Her teeth shine now that she’s stepped into the moonlight. “Zimah has been tracking you. We were worried, Captain. Just wanted to make sure you’re all right. I hate the thought of you being stuck on board with that lot.”
“As you can see,” I say, “I’m fine. Really, this was reckless of you. What if
you were seen by Draxen’s men? You could have blown my cover.”