Yes, are you?Vi silently said back.
Yes. There was no hesitation on Jayme’s face.
Pride and admiration for her friend filled her. No matter what, Jayme was on Vi’s side. The further they ventured, the more Vi realized the depth of her friend’s loyalty.
With that not-insignificant comfort, Vi closed her eyes and worked to push all doubt from her mind. They had passed the point of no return.
All she could do for the moment was sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Up with you, ladies!”Banging on the door woke them all. “We’re casting off!”
“We didn’t have nearly enough time for this turn-around,” a Western woman grumbled in a thick accent. Vi blinked down at her sleepily. Jayme was already stirring in the bunk above.
“Greed of lords,” the woman in the bunk below Vi rasped. She was the first to stand, pulling a loose-fitting shirt over golden curls. She turned to face Vi, piercing her with her icy blue Southern eyes. “You, new girl, you’re from the Le’Dan manor, right?”
“Yes.” Vi pushed herself into a seated position—or rather hunched, as there wasn’t much room for her to sit fully upright on the top bunk.
“You hear why we’re being sent off again so fast?”
“No,” Vi lied and shook her head.
“You?” The blonde turned her attention to Jayme. “You were the one coming around and asking if we were all ready to shove off at a moment’s notice.”
“I had a suspicion… But nothing more concrete.” Jayme was beginning to dress, so Vi followed her lead.
“Of course neither of them knows anything.” The Western woman stood, tying an apron around her waist. “You think Erion Le’Dan would tell that to the help?” Her dark eyes shifted to Vi, then Jayme. “I’m Mare, by the way.”
“Oh, right, I’m Kora.” The Southerner strapped a rectangular pouch to her thigh, belting it also around her waist. It had a sleek sheen to it, almost like oil.
“Holly,” Vi said.
“Arwyn.”
“Speaking of help,” Vi slid off her bed, landing somewhat ungracefully. She regretted it near instantly; the floor was cramped with three people. “I heard one of you is the navigator?”
“That’d be me.” Kora was craning her neck to look up to Vi, who was a good hand taller even though she was also likely a few years younger.
“I’d like to offer my services to you.”
“You?”
“I’m good with maps and I’ve been studying the tides.”
“Navigating is more than maps.” Kora gave a bemused huff. “And it’s cute you think that studying tides and being out on them are comparable experience.”
“Well, I’d like to learn.”
“I’m not here to babysit.”
“Well, you have fun with that, Kora.” Vi didn’t like the snicker at the end of Mare’s statement as she quickly departed the room.
“Wait.” Jayme hopped off her bunk, hurrying after Mare. “I’m to help you…”
“I’m not asking to be babysat,” Vi insisted, focusing on Kora and leaving Jayme to her own struggles with Mare. “I can help, I promise. I’m sure I can be of some use.”
“Have you ever charted a course before?”
