“What the hels?” muttered Dev.
Suddenly, a line appeared in the towering waters of the Dreadwall. To the north and to the south, the dam began to split, the raging tide drawing to each side like a curtain. It went on and on and on to the north, through the Silence and through the Sheets, and I knew it would finally open onto Oversea, welcoming any ship foolish enough to enter the gap.
“The Cloudgate Channel,” I breathed. “That’s no coincidence.”
“No,” said Dev, and he laid a hand on the rail. “TheTouchstoneis home.”
40. The Captain’s Cabin
I didn’t go down to his cabin, choosing to give him some time and to set my own bones. We had sent most of the crew to theMarelethan, keeping only a small post of boatwrights and riggers on theTouchstoneto begin repairs. Smoke had rounded up the few survivors, bound them with the thickest of rope, and locked them in one of theMarelethan’ssmaller holds. Of Kinrath Ilvalour, there was no sign.
“I can’t believe we did that,” said Dev, and he raised his glass. “Fog, we just sank the most lethal bird in the sea.”
“A right mafficking melee,” said Smoke. “Thanavar might be a wily dodger, but once in a while, his plans just smack.”
I smiled into my cup. Sometimes I didn’t understand a word that came out of his mouth.
“I’m sorry about your ear,” I said.
“That was clever,” he said. “Painful but clever. Besides, I won’t be needing it. I’m m’own captain, now. I’ll think of a new way to disfigure my crew.”
I studied him a long moment. Suns, this man was complicated, but damnations if he didn’t have the sharpest mind and the biggest heart on the ship. He’d played the role of traitor and sold it like a crate of spiced rum, running the gauntlet, risking his life and saving us all in the process.
“I’m a proper captain, now,” he said. “And methinks I need an eye patch. All the most dreadfullest captains have one.”
“Then I shall endeavor to make you one,” said Echo, not looking up from his cards.
Quartermaster, coxon, and Magister of Magiks,indeed. Smoke Oakum was all that and more.
“What did you make of the swifts?” I asked. “He said they were from Bracebridge, but could they have been from Worley?”
“I haven’t the foggiest. I was making everything up as I go.” He lifted his cup. “Wouldn’t surprise me, though. Bracey’s a lick-spittle pincock.”
“Able and Whack.”
Echo laid down his cards, and Smoke cursed under his breath.
I sat back and looked around. The wardroom was a wardroom once again, with Smoke’s kit moved to theMarelethanand the ironmages recovering in Echo’s pit. TheMarelethanherself was hauled close, given that theTouchstonehad no anchor and was adrift in the moonslit waters of the bay. This night was last for many things, and we all felt it, sharp and dull, bitter and sweet.
“I’ve told Neale he’s promoted to coxon,” said Smoke. “With Dik on theMarelethanand Bergy in the Old Sand, he’ll need someone to bully. Ain’t fit for quartermaster yet. TheTouchstonewill need one, sure enough.”
“TheTouchstonewon’t need anyone after tomorrow,” said Dev. He downed his rum and reached for the bottle. “She’s not leaving the Cloudgate.”
She will live forever in the form of a ship.
“What’s that you say?” asked Smoke.
“He’s going to run her aground, careen her on the shore,” he said. “At least she’ll be home.”
Home.
My heart twisted inside me, and my throat tightened once again.
“Well, I can’t say that would be sad,” said Smoke. “The old girl’s been through enough. I can take everyone on theMarelethan, if needed.”
“What the hels was that spell?” I looked up over my cup. “AluciatusandMendacium. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We would have,” said Echo, and he flicked an ear. “Had you stayed in the hold.”
