At dusk, the opening to the hold opened once more. Without warning, a mostly empty bucket was turned over. It was a rain of sinewy and fatty discarded pieces of meat, cheese rinds, and the crusty ends of
bread—half chewed.
“Enjoy,” Crow said cheerfully before replacing the hatch, the latch engaging. The woman didn’t immediately walk away this time. She leered from above as Eira propped herself up and rolled onto her side. Crow must have been waiting for Eira to protest at the quality of food, or beg for more. But when she didn’t, the deck creaked with Crow’s heavy footsteps. Eira could barely hear her speaking to someone else, but the words were lost.
Eira picked through the scraps, sorting by type. She’d eat the meat tonight, what little there was of it. It looked freshly cooked and wouldn’t keep. The cheese rinds could survive until the morning. The bread would keep the longest and that would be lunch. They hadn’t mentioned feeding her more than once a day so she had to be cautious and make the food last.
She picked up the first knob of meat, pleased to find that it had been cleanly cut—someone had used silverware rather than just digging in with their teeth. She wondered if these were actually table scraps, or if they were only meant to look like it and the pirates were taking better care of her than they might otherwise let on. If her theories about Adela possibly hiding her lineage were correct, then that would make sense…
Slowly working her way around the connective tissue and sinew, Eira ate every bit of meat and fat that was digestible. What little remained she pushed through one of the holes in the opening above her. She didn’t want
to share her tiny space with rotting food. Hopefully it would get knocked off into the water or a bird would eat it before the morning. She could already imagine Adela having something to say about her “daring to dirty the boat.”
The next piece of meat was marginally better than the first. The third far worse. There were only five morsels in total. By the time she was finished, she was far from full, but she refrained from eating her other provisions, instead pushing them as far to the side as she could. Out of sight and out of mind. Hopefully this way the pirates didn’t take them either.
Eira lay back down and stared up at the holes above her. Were her friends all right? Were Cullen and Lavette having a much-needed conversation after what had come to light? Even if there weren’t feelings of romance there, the situation was murky and Lavette deserved better than that from both Cullen and Eira.
She had to suppress a groan as she cringed inwardly. She hadn’t meant to spill everything like she had. Or at all… She’d been working so hard to move past Cullen and the memories they shared. She’d even been doing pretty well with it, all things considered.
Had she been doing well, or merely distracting herself?
Olivin’s stormy eyes flashed through her memories. Their night together, walking to the display the Twilight Kingdom had put on. He had been a distraction. But at least she felt like she had made the right decisions when it came to him. She had been more grounded in her approach and kept herself from rushing in with her heart, even if her body had other ideas…
As for Cullen, she was clearly still weak when it came to him.
Eira closed her eyes and sighed. There were so many more important things to worry about than her failed love life. Yet here she was, thinking about both of them. Feeling guilt, and shame…and longing.
 |
At some point, she’d managed to fall asleep. Stomping overhead jolted Eira awake and was followed by the hatch above her being pulled open, revealing Crow.
“Good morning, Adela impersonator,” she said with a bitter note. If Eira had any doubts on Crow’s feelings toward her, there were no questions now.
“The bane of the seas has asked to see you again. I hope you are appropriately honored.”
Eira got up without question or hesitation. But she clearly moved too slow for Crow’s liking. The woman hooked her arm with Eira’s and yanked her through the opening.
“Best not to keep Adela waiting; you’ve already offended her enough by taking her name.”
There was no point in protesting or trying to correct Crow. Her opinions, like much of the crew, seemed to paint Eira as amusement, insult, and a dangerous enemy. It wasn’t likely to change until Adela corrected them, if Adela ever did.
Crow led her to the cabin Eira had met with Adela in last time. The pirate queen was situated in her same chair, journals out, just as they were yesterday. Crow left without word, but did give a small shove in the center of Eira’s back.
“I trust you were comfortable with your accommodations.” Adela made it sound as though Eira was a real guest and not a prisoner.
“I have no complaints.” They would fall on deaf ears anyway.
Adela glanced up from the journal she was inspecting to study Eira with equal intent. Eira had never been more aware of someone’s gaze than she was as she crossed the room and sat opposite the pirate queen. “I’m surprised to hear it.”
“Really? I thought it would be obvious, given the extent of hospitality you go to for your guests. A balanced meal, my own private room, what more could I ask for?” Eira leaned back in the chair, making herself comfortable. Her back ached from sleeping on hard wood, again. But she wouldn’t show it.
Adela wore a thin smile. “Indeed.”
“But I’m sure you didn’t call me here to discuss how I slept.”
“Not in the slightest.” Adela patted the stack of journals. “You never told me how you came across these. I can only assume my old hideaway was finally discovered?”
“Yes.”
Eira didn’t need further proof of Adela’s astute reasoning, but the pirate queen put it on display anyway. “And since these journals fell into the hands of a young woman, rather than being confiscated by the Solaris
crown, it leads me to believe that you did not share its existence with the current leadership of the Tower.”
“I didn’t.”
“Who else knows of its existence?”
“Only one other person,” Eira dodged slightly.
“And that is?” Adela continuing to press the matter told Eira that the answer was important for reasons she could only speculate.
“No one important.” Eira shrugged. She wasn’t about to tell Adela that one of her friends, and one of Adela’s other captives, knew of the secret room. It would be too easy for Adela to just kill off Alyss if she wanted to ensure the secret workroom remained hidden.
Adela shifted, putting her right ankle on top of her left knee. “Come now, Eira, we’re friends. Are we not? Clearly you’re not one to keep secrets from friends.”
Friends. Eira resisted snorting. Adela had been as friendly as a viper.
“It was another Waterrunner,” Eira lied with ease. “They were killed in the trials before I came to Meru.”
“Pity.” There was nothing about Adela that made Eira think she found it a pity at all. The pirate queen was blasé about it at best. “How did you find it?”
“I can—could”—the correction was painful—“hear echoes in objects.” “I’ve heard of this power of yours.” Adela continued to expand on just
how many details Ducot had reported about her. “Tell me more.”
Eira wondered if the fact that Adela was asking meant that she could not sense and hear echoes. If that was true, then Eira had knowledge of a skill the pirate queen would no doubt deem valuable. “I’ll tell you. But first, are my friends all right?”
Adela chuckled. “So predictable. Yes, I’ve kept to my word, so far, and they are well.”
The “so far” had Eira less confident than she might have otherwise hoped, but there wasn’t much more that she could do in her current circumstances. So she kept her word as well, hoping that any favor she could earn with Adela would pay off when it came to her friends.
“The echoes, as I call them, are a kind of unintentional vessel. I believe they’re made when someone with significant power possesses a strong emotion while having a conversation, activating their power. Or, perhaps,
uses their magic when speaking. Either way, the key is that the words are tied in with the magic.”
“Much like creating a vessel to capture words intentionally…” Adela mused, stroking her chin. Eira nodded. The practical theory was all there. “And you heard one of these unintentional vessels that led you to my old hideaway?”
“Yes.”
“What was it that you heard?”
Eira hesitated, not because she’d forgotten—she could never forget those words—but because she wasn’t sure how Adela would take to the truth. What if it had been a secret? Adela’s icy eyes continued to stare, breaking down all of Eira’s walls.
“I heard you talking about killing the sovereign.”
Adela narrowed her eyes slightly. Nerves pulled on the muscles around Eira’s spine, making her sit a little taller. Without warning, the pirate queen burst out laughing. She roared so hard with amusement that it nearly rattled the rigging. By the time she managed to calm herself, she was wheezing and wiping tears from her eyes.
Eira sat patiently, waiting for Adela to compose herself. The pirate queen was no doubt someone who didn’t appreciate being interrupted. Especially not when she was putting on quite the display.
“I wondered when it would finally come out. But after all these years, I was beginning to think it never would. And if the truth were to come to light, my bet was on his son Aldrik. I heard he was a real chip off the block. Took after his father with all his anger, and lust for power.” There was a dreamy quality to her words as her gaze softened and Adela stared at a time long since passed. Eira had heard many things about the emperor. But at worst the critiques seemed lukewarm. Most people liked Emperor Aldrik and regarded him as a just ruler. Though she doubted that Adela would want to hear such an assessment. “But to think, what did me in after all these years was a mere girl. Not that it matters now.”
“Did you actually do it?” Eira asked softly. “Were you behind the Mad King? Did you kill Emperor Tiberus Solaris?” She’d heard Tiberus was killed by the Mad King, but Adela seemed to have a hand in everything. Eira would hardly be surprised at this point if history had been told wrong.
“Tiberus?” Adela laughed once more and Eira was waiting yet again for her to compose herself. “No, the sovereign I killed was his father, your
current Emperor Aldrik’s grandfather, the final Solaris king, King Romulin.”
She was so calm about admitting to committing regicide, so matter-of- fact, that Eira stared without any kind of reaction for at least a minute. “The final Solaris king before Emperor Tiberus died of illness.”
“I heard that was the official statement from the Solaris crown.” Adela shifted and placed both feet on the floor. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned her cane, placing it between her knees and leaning forward. “It would have looked very bad for the royal family to admit that their only heir had fallen helplessly in love with the Pirate Queen Adela, and she’d used that love to slip right under his nose and murder his father.”
Eira slowly pieced together a probable story in her mind—what she knew of history, and what Adela was telling her. Emperor Tiberus Solaris was the first Emperor Solaris. He had declared himself such upon ascending the throne following his father’s—the last Solaris king, Romulin’s—sudden death. Tiberus didn’t marry for years following, an oddity for a ruler. But if he was nursing a wounded heart, a betrayal from a former lover who killed his father…
“I grew close to Tiberus. Close enough for him to show me all the hidden passages of the castle—including one that connected his royal wing with the Tower of Sorcerers. Close enough for him to tell me where they kept the royal jewels. Do you have any idea the kind of ship Solaris gold could buy over seventy years ago?”
“One like the Stormfrost, I would imagine,” Eira said softly.
“Not quite; a little early for my Stormfrost. But you’re thinking along the right lines.” Adela smirked. “Now, tell me more of these echoes.”
“What is it that you want to know?” Eira remained cautious about giving any more information than she absolutely had to.
“Everything,” Adela said with a smile.
So much for trying to be coy. But Eira relented without a fuss. In part because she wanted to stay in the good graces of the pirate queen. But also because, in a way, it seemed fair. Adela’s journals had helped her survive with magics Eira would’ve never even considered on her own. Eira had never thought about awarding Adela a repayment as a result of her accidental help, but Eira supposed Adela was owed one, in a way.
By the time she left the cabin, any supposed debt was undeniably paid. Eira had shared everything she could think of about the echoes and
answered all of Adela’s many questions. For her part, the pirate queen seemed pleased enough to allow her to live another day. Saying, as Eira was escorted away by Crow, “I look forward to speaking with you tomorrow, so I think I shall keep you alive, for now.”
|
The next day was back to the journals. There wasn’t even the slightest mention of the echoes. Eira thought about asking if Adela had already tried to listen for unintentional echoes but ultimately decided against it. There was no world in which Adela would tell her. And Eira could assume that the pirate queen would figure out and use that skill soon enough. Eira had to be cautious, and warn her friends to watch their tongues at the first opportunity.
Though, the thought of her friends made her unable to think of anything but them. “My friends, are—”
“They are fine.” Adela rested her chin in her palm with a look of amusement. “As they have been the entire time. I hear your Groundbreaker is particularly useful with her skills. Many Groundbreakers struggle with rope—all the little fibers, man-manipulated materials…but I hear she can manage them with little trouble.”
“Alyss is very talented.” Eira couldn’t stop the slight softening of her voice.
“No harm will befall them…yet.”
“Such an ominous, lingering ‘yet’ that you keep reminding me of,” Eira muttered.
“I am a rather ominous person.” Adela had a wicked smile but it didn’t strike the fear in Eira that it might have at one time. On the whole of their interactions, the pirate queen had been more of an aloof or prickly scholar than pirate…or queen.
So long as Eira ignored the kidnapping and captivity that left her stomach roaring and back aching.
“Now, show me something else you studied and how you utilized the magic…”
Eira did as she was told yet again. Their conversations had begun to focus on the subtle ways Eira had used the magic differently than Adela.
She had begun to feel like she was a sounding board for new sorcery ideas and applications.
As the final journal closed for the day, Adela tapped her cane on the floor. “Good work. For your diligent assistance today I will let you live until tomorrow night.”
“Your generosity knows no bounds.” Eira stood as the door opened.
Crow was waiting, as usual.
“Don’t forget it.” Adela smirked and Eira was brought back to the hold that was now painfully familiar.
That night, as she gnawed on her rations—which had improved somewhat in quality—and stared up at the stars, Eira decided that Adela was a lesser evil than the Pillars. The food was consistent, though still not great, there was the whisper of fresh air when the breezes were strong, and she could see the sun and stars.
A vast improvement over the pit.
And while Adela regularly threatened her life, it lacked the same bite of pure malice the Pillars had. If the pirate queen was to be believed, her friends were also still safe. Perhaps better than merely “safe” if Alyss was literally learning the ropes of the ship…or were they were being treated as servants? Or worse? But something about Adela, the crew, and the whole atmosphere didn’t give Eira that impression. Plus, there was no way Ducot would abide Noelle receiving such treatment.
Which brought Eira back to her theory that Adela’s kindness was not all simply by chance. Adela was taking pity on her and her friends far more than the pirate queen was known for. There had to be a reason, right?
Eira’s prior suspicions about her possible relationship to Adela returned to the forefront of her mind. She would get to the bottom of it, one way or another. She would find the truth without doubt. Whether that was what Adela had already told her, or something more.
|
The next morning, Eira walked into the cabin with purpose. There was no more shoving from Crow and no more side remarks. The pirate had grown tired of that game, or had been told to cease with the jests.
Eira went to her usual chair and sat, crossing her legs and folding her hands in her lap with an air of authority. Adela took notice of the shift in demeanor with a slight cock to her head and arch of her brows. But she said nothing, and Eira assumed that to mean that she was given the floor.
“This is the fifth day that we’ve done this,” Eira began, keeping her tone level and factual. “Judging from the speed we have been traveling, and the changing landscape, I suspect that we will be at Ofok within the next one or two days.”
The banks of the river were becoming sandier and there was the faint smell of salt in the air. The lands around them were becoming marshier and flat. It all heralded the sea, based on Eira’s knowledge of Meru.
A knowing smile crossed Adela’s lips. “An accurate assessment. I would expect no less from a young woman who grew up around the ships and docks of Oparium, and who took a keen interest in Meru. Your point is?”
Eira didn’t recall telling Adela where she had grown up, or about her nearly lifelong fascination with Meru. Now that she thought about it…Pine or Fen had commented on Oparium superstitions. Eira’s history had been well-known to even Adela’s crew.
Her heart tried to skip a beat at the idea that Adela was informing them all about her for the sake of protecting her. But, for now, she kept her focus. “Before we arrive in Ofok, I want you to help me restore my magic.”
Adela settled back into her chair. She rested both elbows on the armrests and pressed her fingertips together, bringing them to her lips in consideration. The air dropped in temperature and Eira fought a shiver. Every creak with the slight sway of the boat was suddenly deafening.
“Why would I do that?”
“Because I’m more valuable to you with my magic,” Eira dared to say. It was a bold assessment, but one she’d been thinking about between worrying for her friends night after night.
“You think so?”
“I do. Why else would you be asking me all these questions? You’ve been gathering ideas for new applications of your powers, or modifications to old techniques. I bet you’ve never taught anyone some of these skills. Or, if you did, they couldn’t master them as I already have.” Eira leaned forward slightly, resting her forearm on the table. Her skin prickled into gooseflesh. The chill radiating from Adela was a warning but she pressed
on anyway. “If you restore my magic, I can help you in more ways than just hypothetical discussions.”
“If I restore your magic, you will use it to try and kill me. Which you will undoubtedly fail in doing, but then I will be forced to kill you. You will be useful to no one dead.”
Eira noticed that Adela had yet to deny that she was useful alive. Hope warmed her. “Why would I try to kill you if it would mean my own death? Haven’t I shown I’m partial to living by working with you so far?”
“People do foolish things when they feel power is on their side.” “Then I suppose it’s a risk you’ll have to take.”
“‘Have to’?” Her tone was slightly amused, rather than offended.
“I will certainly exhaust my usefulness without magic sooner rather than later. At which point, I’m sure your choice will be to kill me then or restore my magic. At least the latter has the opportunity of more direct benefit to you.”
“I might release you.”
“We both know that’s not happening,” Eira said flatly. She met Adela’s gaze and held it—a silent challenge. “You have too many reasons not to allow me off your ship alive. As long as my friends disembark by Ofok, in one piece—well, and without shackles—I won’t fight whatever you deem my fate to be.”
After a long minute of studying her, Adela finally spoke. “You’re improving your negotiation skills.”
“I’m learning from the best. So, will you do it? Will you restore my magic?” Eira asked, heart hammering so loud that Adela surely must hear the crack in her calm veneer. Adela said nothing. “Unless…you don’t think you’re capable of it?”
Adela chuckled slowly. “Challenging my skill was not necessary. I do not have anything to prove.”
Eira bit the insides of her cheeks, worried she’d overplayed her hand.
But…
“Very well, Eira. I will see your magic returned to you. And then you will henceforth use it solely at my beck and call.”
