“I understand.” For the first time, it seemed as though Cullen was making a decision for himself. Even though he was factoring in and heavily weighing others’ wants, perspectives, and opinions, the decision was still for himself and what he felt he needed to do.
“What about you, Eira?” Lavette asked. “Now that you know where we all stand.”
Eira shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the weight of their stares pressing down on her shoulders so heavy that it put pressure on her hips. She agreed with all their sentiments in different ways. They convinced her of different things, she agreed with some, and she objected to others. But, much like Cullen, after considering everyone else, she had to make the choice for herself.
“I will go back to Meru,” she said finally. “I swore to myself and Ulvarth that I would end this—I wouldn’t let him run free.” Eira’s attention landed back on Olivin and the knowing that filled his gaze. “Like you, I know I should let it go. I should go back to Solaris, or somewhere else, and keep safe. But I can’t. I will never know rest until I end him.”
21
Adela sat quietly as Eira gave her the summary of where everyone stood and what they wanted to do next.
The pirate queen hadn’t talked much this morning and Eira wondered if her relative silence was related to their conversation the night before. She wouldn’t be surprised if Adela felt a margin of shame for having been seen in a weakened state—not that sheshouldfeel shame. But such emotions were rarely logical.
When Eira finished speaking, Adela lifted the delicate teacup off the table next to them, taking a thoughtful sip. She stared out the windows at the churning blue and white waters the ship left in its wake.
“You think you will be able to defeat him as you are now?” Though fair, Adela’s skepticism was still a glancing blow.
“Perhaps not as I am now,” Eira admitted. Cullen’s words from the tournament cautioning her against killing Ulvarth—the risks that’d create of another taking his place, of turning him into a martyr—had lingered with her. “But I have an idea of how I might be able to use my magic to get the upper hand.”
“Which is?”
“The echoes.” It was a far-fetched idea and Eira knew it. “Though, I admit, it hinges on theories you sparked in me that I don’t yet know if they’re viable or not.”
Adela seemed to preen at that. But her expression turned serious once more. Whatever curiosity she held toward Eira’s plans, she kept it to herself, for now. “Regardless of if you have the means or not, I am the pirate queen, not a delivery service. Moreover, I will not be returning to Meru.”
“I understand.” Eira had expected Adela to say something of that variety and had been preparing her response. “None of us expect charity.”
“Then what is your barter?” Adela turned her cold stare to Eira. “Do not forget that you already owe me for the restoration of your magic.”
Eira refrained from pointing out that Adela hadn’t really done anything to return her magic. It had more or less returned on its own. Though, she didn’t have proof that what Adela’s actions over the days before hadn’t helped her. And…Adela had kept her word that her and her friends would stay safe. They were fed, sheltered, and still weren’t shackled. It wasn’t worth splitting hairs over the details.
“I will help you work on any magical techniques you desire, as well as show you my own…and I will open up your channel as I’m able.” Eira thought that was all she’d promised. Which felt like more than enough. But any deal with Adela was going to have to favor the pirate queen if it was to be successful. “We understand our help on the ship covers nothing more than our room and board, and your good will—if that much. So we will work hard to make ourselves useful and follow your and the crew’s orders. What we ask for is that you grant us a vessel of our own once we have earned it.”
“Excuse me?”
Eira couldn’t decide if the surprised expression that Adela wore was a good sign or not. She continued, “Ducot mentioned that it is easy for you to acquire boats when you need them. I’d imagine, as the pirate queen, you have many at your disposal. Or know of a few ways to get one. We would like to find a way to earn one. Then, you don’t have to ‘deliver us’ anywhere. We can sail ourselves to where we need to go and, in the process, remove ourselves from being a burden on you and your crew.”
“And you think that you have the capacity to sail yourselves?”
“With the right boat, yes.” Eira nodded. “I grew up in Oparium; I would work on ships in the summers when they were in port.”
“Coiling some rope or scrubbing the deck of a ship in a wharf and managing the sea are different beasts.”
“I realize. But we’ll have time to learn on your vessel—and we don’t need anyone to teach us; we’ll pick it up as we go. We also have the exceptional talents of a sorcerer of each affinity, two Lightspinners, and two runic sorcerers from Qwint. I think we can manage whatever comes our way.” Eira leaned back in her chair. “What happens to us wouldn’t be your concern. We’d be well out of your hair.”
Adela rested her elbows on the armrests of her chair and steepled her fingers in thought. She pressed the edges of her index fingers to her lips and hummed thoughtfully. “There is a vessel I could get for you. One that’s nimble, easily managed by a smaller crew.”
“And what do you want in return for this vessel?”
Dropping her hands, Adela smoothed her palms over her thighs. Eira noticed how her left hand massaged just above her knee—the leg that was missing and replaced by ice.
“The ship I will grant you is currently in Carsovia. And to get it, I want you to help me get something in return.”
“What is that?” Eira dared to ask, even though the malicious glint in Adela’s eyes already assured her that she wasn’t going to like what was said.
“The head of Salveus D’Astrov.”
“And he is?”
