“Twenty, sir.” She looked like she could be twenty, right? The longer Vi was alive, the harder it was to feel any age.
“You were a toddler when this city fell, then.”
“But I grew up with the stories. They were vivid enough that, even as a girl, I felt like I had been in those battles.”
“You remind me of a woman I knew, then,” he said, his voice going soft with memory. Vi smiled innocently. He’d said as much in Oparium.
“Who?”Let’s see if you can remember this time.
“I can’t recall.” Twintle shook his head. Couldn’t? Or didn’t want to? Vi didn’t ask. “But more importantly, I have a proposition for you.”
“Oh?” This was the most Twintle had spoken to her in the past year. They’d otherwise had only brief, polite interactions.
“I’m going to expand the business ventures of this vessel. We’ll need anadaptablecrew. One that is loyal above all else. Dower only has good things to say about you and your work ethic. I’ve never seen you fraternizing with the wrong crowd.”
“I’m flattered you’ve taken such an interest in me.”
“It’s one of my duties to see that the young men and women of the West are both protected and raised with our ideals. You do share our ideals, don’t you?” Vi nodded. “Good. Then perhaps I could put in a word with Dower and you will remain one of the crew.”
“I’d be honored.” Vi didn’t like the idea that she was at risk of getting kicked off the ship. It would make returning to Oparium difficult, at the very least. She watched Twintle start up the gangplank once more. Vi stepped forward before she could think better of it, stopping him with a soft, “Sir?”
“Yes?” He turned, his expression one of surprise.
“In the stories of the old West my parents told me… red-hooded knights were always the saviors.” Vi motioned to the cape he now wore. “This made me remember those words.”
“I see.” He had a knowing smile.
“If such knights existed, it would be my life’s goal to serve them.” Vi stopped herself there. If she said too much, she’d risk suspicion.
“That is most good to know.” Luke bowed his head and Vi mirrored the motion. He disappeared up the gangplank and onto the ship.
The next morning, the whole crew was brought on deck. Dower walked the line of them, looking each up and down.
“For many of you, this is your last day of service to Lord Twintle and theLady Black.” Murmurs rippled through the assembled crew. “Many of you have been top-notch sailors the likes of which any captain would be lucky to have. I’ve communicated this to the Lord and he will be offering you a generous severance and a glowing recommendation for any future captains you wish to sail under.”
“If we’re such good sailors, why is he letting us go?” one of them asked.
“Because Lord Twintle is having theLady Blacktake on a new directive that requires a specialized crew,” Dower answered lightly.Nothing to worry about here; don’t read too closely into this, Vi mentally filled in the blanks for him. “Now, please step forward if I call your name…”
“Louis.” That was Cole’s first mate. Expected.
“Joyce.” The woman was a Western Waterrunner, but that was all Vi knew about her.
“Violet.” Vi stepped forward, relieved to be included. If she stood with Louis, she stood with the group that was staying.
“You three will remain. The rest of you can go.”
“A-All of us, cap?” the man from earlier stuttered in shock.
“Yes, you’re dismissed.” At Cole’s final command, the crew of theLady Blacktrudged belowdecks to gather their things. Vi stood a little straighter as he addressed them once more. She was still the newest of the lot and the one with the weakest relationship with Cole. “Louis, wait for me in my cabin; we need to go over what we’ll be looking for in our new hires. Joyce, see to the crew below and escort them off if need be.”
“Make sure there’s no trouble, you mean.” She had a wicked glint in her eye.
“Behave,” Cole cautioned her before turning to Vi. “You, join me on the quarterdeck.”
Vi did as she was told. Anticipation built with each step toward the back of the vessel. Cole went straight to the railing, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was around. When he spoke, he didn’t look at her.
“You’re here on the direct order of Twintle. If it were up to me, you’d be leaving with the rest of them.”
