“All hands,Adamanthus Tempestet!”
“Adamanthus Tempestet!”The cry rose across the decks.
“Hard to starboard, Mr. Neale! Take us into the Sheets.”
“Hard to starboard, aye.”
Another blast from theTemplemore, this one thudding into our gundeck. I could only imagine the chaos below.
“Doctor, spin to run dark,” said Fahr.
Run dark, crew, if you will.
And the cries fell silent as seconds rushed to the main and assembled into diamonds, and rune sprang up literally from allhands. Lights, lanterns, and candles were snuffed, and the ship tacked hard into the Sheets before rippling into darkness.
Thanavar turned and stepped toward me, looming over me like a shadow or a wraith.
“Never undermine me in front of the crew,” he growled. “I will not abide sedition.”
Another shot from theTemplemore, but we were gone, disappearing into the stormy seas like a ghost, and her ball struck the water at our stern.
“I won’t be the reason a Navy ship sinks,” I said quietly, keeping my voice steady and my eyes focused on the hawk pendant glistening with rain. “You asked me to stay Navy. That was your choice.”
“I would not choose for you,” he said finally. “But one day, youwillbe forced by the moons to make that choice between the Navy and the Ship of Spells. Pray choose wisely. For all our sakes.”
I swallowed, glanced over the aft rail to see theTemplemoreroll hard at the sight of theRhi’Ahrcruiser behind us. I hoped they’d take each other out before being crushed, in turn, by the Sheets. I avoided the accusing glares of the crew as they silently steered the ship into the storm.
Thanavar released a breath and stepped back as Fahr bounded up to the pup. He looked up at the captain, wiped the rain off his face.
“Looks like you’ll get to Bilgetown after all.”
Thanavar grunted.
“It is not the cut I would have chosen,” he said. “But I will take it. Continue the veil until we have well and truly lost them. And once we have, send the chaser over the side.”
He spun on his heel and disappeared down the steps. I didn’t watch him go, but gazed over the rail into the savage, snarling seas. Fahr peered over my shoulder.
“You may need more rum for that,” he said.
I nodded bleakly. Days ago, I had been proud that Thanavar had called itmychimeric, but I knew now that it was only a matter of time before either pride, chimeric, or this crew killed me.
Two days later, we came upon Bilgetown.
20. Bilgetown
The sea had grown decreasingly fierce, and I knew we were nearing the edge of the Sheets, where Bilgetown was rumored to roam. A collection of thousands of ships, lashed together and built upon, too hulking to maneuver cleanly in open water. They clung to the edge of the Sheets instead, slipping into her storms when they needed cover. At least that’s what Worley had told the swabs one night over grog. I’d swung in my hammock and listened to him speak. The crew hung on his every word, but truthfully, so did I, though I’d never tell.
Chasing in the Sheets was taking its toll. I was exhausted, weariness etched into my very bones, and runes now stretched up to my shoulders and down my ribs. I was in the surgeon’s pit, working by candlelight on the shading of Echo’s sketch. I was using an ink wash, and I needed to study the curve of his horns to get them right. He indulged me, and so we sat, me drawing, him reading a small pocket novel, when he lifted his head, eyes glazed.
“We’re here,” he said.
“Here?”
Sister, said the Touchstone.Graveyard of ships, playground of crabs and carrion and men.
And the drums beat to quarters. I glanced at Echo.
“I have to go.” And without waiting for an answer, I snatched my oilskin and made my way to the deck.
