“More than,” Ducot said, speaking for the entire crew.
Eira shifted, facing Lavette and Varren. Their shoulders were bare, arms free of supplies. “I’d ask if you’re sure you want to stay, but I’ve no doubt you are.”
A tired smile crossed Varren’s lips. “If I ever leave Qwint again, I think it will be too soon.”
“What will you do now?” Alyss asked, sounding genuinely curious.
“I actually enjoyed helping Lavette in the Hall of Ministers.” Varren looked fondly in the other woman’s direction. “I think, if I’m lucky, she’ll take me on as her aide when she becomes a minister herself.”
“That is far off,” Lavette said, though Eira expected she didn’t actually believe as much.
Her suspicions seemed further confirmed when Varren added, “Elections will be held again in a year and I am sure if you ran, you would win.”
“There is never such certainty.”
“Spoken like a true politician.” Varren’s tone was nothing but admiration. Lavette rolled her eyes, which was contrasted by the affectionate nudge she gave him. “Well, whenever you decide to run, I will be here.”
Eira had no doubt he was going to make good on that claim. She could already imagine him living out his days in the comfort and safety of the impressive walls that surrounded the city. Probably on the balcony that she’d first admired Qwint from, if his future with Lavette unfolded as she suspected it might.
“And I would be honored.” Lavette adjusted the sleeves on her checkered coat. Even though she wasn’t yet a minister, she was already dressing for the job, practically a walking flag. On just about anyone else, it would come off as insincere. Pandering to the masses whose support she needed to consolidate power. But on Lavette, after all Eira had learned about the woman, the garb looked natural.Thatwas who she was meant to be, what she was meant to do. “We should get you down to the docks before any of the ministers change their mind about what to do with you.”
“Lead the way.” Eira nodded.
Lavette escorted them down the many flights of stairs. They were much easier descending this morning than ascending last night following her inking. Eira was immediately behindLavette, then Varren, then the rest trailing behind. When they emerged onto the street, everyone had a little more breathing room and fanned out a bit.
But Lavette stayed at Eira’s side. It didn’t take long for her to speak again. “I trust you will not forget the kindness Qwint has showed you.”
“Threatening to kill me or use me as leverage, sending me into hostile territory to do their dirty work for them, plotting to maneuver me into a situation where I cannot win… The kindness will linger.” Even though the words were a bit harsh, Eira flashed Lavette a smug grin.
Lavette shook her head and muttered under her breath, “Bloody pirates.”
Eira couldn’t stop a laugh. “Listen, I know why your people did as they did. Honestly, I can’t much blame them for it. And they’re letting me leave without further issue, so I think I’ll let it slide this time.”
“You’re going to be unbearable, aren’t you?”
“Going to be?” Eira thought she was already fairly unbearable.
“When you inherit her ship.” Even though there was no one immediately around them, they were on an occupied street, and Lavette knew better than to say Adela’s name, orStormfrost, outright.
“Probably,” Eira agreed. “Though we’ve some time until that happens.”
“But it will come.” Lavette’s focus dropped to the box tucked under Eira’s arm. Eira took it as a good sign that there wasn’t any shift to her chest, assuming it to mean that the rune couldn’t be sensed. “I think we all have gotten what we want out of this arrangement.”
“This wasn’t exactly a gift from Qwint.”
“Not confiscating it was.”
“Does anyone know but you?” Eira arched her brows and phrased her question carefully. She wasn’t entirely certain whether Lavette knew what she was carrying or just could make a good guess, given what Allun’s skills were and Eira’s absence the night before.
“Not as of yet.” Lavette’s smile bordered on smug. “And they won’t so long as you keep goodwill toward us.”
“Seems like a steep price for such a small thing.” Eira kept her tone light, but allowed a weight to sneak into her words. The life ahead of her was hopefully still long. And, if it was anything like her life so far, would be filled with unexpected twists. The last thing Eira wanted to do was narrow down her options. She saw how well that was working out with Adela promising to leave Meru alone.
“Well, perhaps there could be more ‘small things’ in the future to keep garnering your favor.” Lavette shrugged. “I hear Qwint recently became the residence of an exceptionally talented runesmith. I’d imagine we soon will have many things that could assist you on your…adventures.”
So this was how it was going to be… Lavette was ready to provide weapons to the Pirate Queen Adela for the sake of sparing her people from having another enemy on the seas. Well knowing that those same weapons would be turned against the people that she’d claim to have alliances with. If there was one thing Eira could say she had confidently learned during her time in Qwint, it was that they were so worried about Carsovia they would do whatever it took to avoid having enemies on two fronts. Useful knowledge to tuck away.
“Then I think we should see how this friendship of ours continues to unfold, wouldn’t you say?” Lavette said with a slight smile.
