The thought made me laugh, so I laughed and I laughed until I cried all over again.
A crab without a shell. So, so soft.
And so, I stood now on the prow of theMarelethan, waiting to be taken with a proposition for the king. I’d already said my goodbyes to Neale and to Dik, and while I was not a sentimental swab, I’d miss dear Buck’s sardonic humour and Nan’s culinary magik. No, the only ones left for goodbye were Echo and Smoke, who would see me off this new ship and onto another, though not a dory with untarred holes.
Bracebridge paced theTemplemore’s quarterdeck like a cockerel, and even across ships, I could see the three-taloned scar. He was waiting for his prize to come aboard, and while I know he longed to blow us out of the water, he had to weigh his priorities. Dev was the reward, the lure, the gift for an indulgent king. Bought and sold like a prized bull. I wondered if they’d let him keep the earring. I doubted it, but I had learned the power of a stubborn heart and an iron will. We both had them by the shipload.
I turned as Dev stepped through the hatch onto the main. He had a small kit over his shoulder, likely a blanket andRhi’Ahrtunic, perhaps a second pair of boots. His entire adult life had been on theTouchstone, so anything he took with him now would be from theMarelethan’s stores. Naturally, he would have no need of a purse or coin. By stepping onto the deck of theTemplemore, Devanhan Fahr became Devhanus Bonavanczek, the richest man in Oversea.
He clapped arms with Ben and Neale, slapped the backs ofTripp and Nan and Buck. My throat grew tight when he turned to Echo, and I could see the tears brimming as he tried to find the words. They hugged, and it was a very long moment before either moved to let go.
Then Smoke, the one he’d known longest of all.
“Are you sure you won’t come?” asked Dev.
“Are you sure you won’t stay?” asked Smoke.
“Your father will be thrilled to know you’re still alive,” said Dev.
“My father was never thrilled I was alive to begin with,” said Smoke. “Besides, I’m the captain of me own ship now. I don’t need to be paid to play with you anymore.”
“Maybe I’ll pay you in rum.”
“Maybe I’ll steal me own. Maybe I’ll steal yours one day, too.”
“I’ll leave the ports open,” said Fahr.
“Forge, just hug me and be done.”
I could barely contain the flood behind my lashes when he did.
“Captain,” said Dev, knuckling a salute.
“Highness,” said Smoke.
“Fog you.”
“Not today.”
Dev grinned, turned, and stepped onto the plank. But he threw a glance over his shoulder, sent me a swift nod. It was a summons, I suppose, like calling a dog to heel. Still, it was good form and a sound strategy. Giving me independence and time while making sure the crew of theTemplemoreknew I was more than a steward or a swab. I grabbed my kit and crossed the deck to follow him, but Smoke and Echo were waiting, so I stopped.
Oh suns, the tears threatened once again.
“Safe seas, Ensign Renn,” said Echo. “Be strong.”
I fell into his arms, sobbing like a child.
“Thank you,” I moaned through my ragged breaths. “For everything.”
“It was my delight,” he said. “I am so very proud of you.”
I wept and sobbed and clung to him like a life ring, but finally I pulled myself together and pushed out of his arms. He held me out for a moment and stepped back with a smile.
Forge, what a man.
I wiped my eyes with my sleeve, took a deep breath, and turned.
“I see that snot,” said Smoke. “I ain’t a-huggin you.”
