But I feared the war inside me was just beginning.
19. Devilish Bargains
Hours later, we left the Silence, completely entering the Hall of Sheets. The Sheets collapsed more quickly than the Silence, and the rain that lashed down was hard. But the wind had picked up as well, and Worley was right. We were making good time. Still, with theEndorathildogging our tail, there was no rest for our spinners, and both crews were exhausted. I helped Echo and Nan with food and drink and oilskins as needed, for while the rain was warm, it inevitably brought the chills.
That evening, Thanavar called us into his quarters. Worley had set up the large table, and I was proud to have a chair alongside Fahr, Echo, Smoke, Buck, Ben, and Broom. There was no wine or rum tonight. Not tonight, when plans would be made and laid.
“I do not like being chased,” said Thanavar. “Tonight, we change that.”
Smoke grunted but said nothing.
“Mr. Buck, when we’re half a league from open water, we will pitch one of your rafts into the gap. We will equip it with lanterns so it will be visible to theEndorathil, while we stormveil and tack starboard. We will come around during the night and rake her hard by morning.”
“In the Hall of Sheets?” asked Fahr.
“In the Hall of Sheets, yes,” he said. “If it were the Silence, I would hesitate, but we have navigated the Sheets before.”
“And we’ve almost lost the ship in the Sheets before,” said Smoke. “Just because we’ve done it doesn’t mean we should.”
“Understood, Mr. Oakum,” said Thanavar. “And do not think I am dismissing the danger of taking on a larger ship in a collapsing corridor, but I have no faith that we will be clear once we hit open seas. No, I know Ilvalour. TheEndorathilis up to something, and I have no desire to let her play us because we arecoy.”
“The crew is tired, sir,” said Echo. “TheEndorathil’s pursuit is pushing them to exhaustion.”
“And that will not change, for theEndorathilwill be chasing still once we hit open seas,” said Thanavar. “No, we must take the fight to her. She will not be expecting it, and both surprise and the weather gauge will be with us.”
“You’re right,” said Fahr. “We need to control the engagement.”
The captain looked around the table.
“We are agreed, then,” said Thanavar. “Gentlemen, prepare your sta—”
The ship thundered with impact, and we all staggered to our feet. The sounds of shouting carried down from the main, and a terrified Worley appeared at the door.
“Another ship, sir,” he gasped.
“Rhi’Ahr?”
“No, sir. From the corridor ahead of us.”
Thanavar slammed his palm on the table.
“Iknewhe was up to something,” he growled. “Beat to quarters. All hands on deck.”
“Beat to quarters! All hands on deck!”
I followed him above decks as a second cannon roared over the drums and the rain.
“Down!” cried Fahr.
I hit the deck as a ball tore across the main, shattering the bulwark as she went. Lines snapped, whipping above our heads, and the foremast creaked as she leaned into her stays.
“Back to stations, lads!” cried Smoke. “To your posts!”
“Chase guns, return fire!”
And they did, booming shot across the choppy seas toward the dark shape pitching toward us. I was glad Thanavar had left the guns there, else we’d be hard pressed to round cannons or swivelguns in time.
“She’s Navy, sir!” shouted Neale from the wheel. “I think it’s theTemplemore!”
