I opened the pouch and showed her the two silver coins. “These will pay for one transaction with theterra indigene. The Others will help us get away from Starr and his men.”
For a moment it seemed like nobody breathed.
“How?” Lucy asked again.
“You—all of you—need to get to the longboat, get it down to the water. Get into the boat and lower it down or cut the lines so it falls into the sea. It won’t capsize. You’ll be all right. And you’ll be rescued quick enough.” That much I sensed.
Lucy stared at me. “You meanwe’llbe rescued quick enough.”
“Yes, of course,” I lied, “but I need to set up the distraction that will make it possible for you to get away. Then I’ll join you.” I looked at the hold stairs and sighed. “But you have to get up on deck, and we’re locked in.”
The second boy smiled, fiddled with a seam in his trousers, and held up a thin piece of metal. “I can pick a lock.”
We reviewed the plan and waited. Restless and bored, the children ate most of the food and water while we waited. While I waited. Then...
Orders shouted in anger. Responses shouted in fear.
I had a feeling the dark ship had appeared on the horizon and was bearing down on Starr’s ship. If the stories had any truth, soon the fog would roll in, hopefully shrouding the deck enough to hide Lucy’s and the children’s movements as they made their way to the longboat.
The fog would roll in. The ship with its black sails and Sanguinati captain would attack. And the diversion I was about to purchase would ensure freedom for some of us.
I held out my folding knife to the boy who had freed Lucy and me. “It’s time.”
As soon as the last child slipped out of the hold, I placed the two silver coins in the palm of my hand and held it out. “Corvo Sanguinati said these coins would buy one transaction with theterra indigene. I want to make that transaction now—with Fire.”
I wasn’t sure how this worked. If it took too long for the message to reach the Elemental I’d requested, then Lucy and the children would be caught and this would be for nothing.
One moment I was alone. The next...
The female who appeared in front of me would never be mistaken for human, with her long red hair tipped in yellow and blue. She looked around, then looked at me.
“There are children making their way to the longboat to escape from these very bad men,” I said. “We need a distraction,something the men will have to pay attention to instead of the children.”
She studied me. “What do you want me to do?”
I took a breath and let it out slowly. “Burn this ship. Set the sails on fire and fill the cargo holds. This ship has weapons and supplies that will explode if touched by fire.”
“You will not reach the small boat and escape.”
“I know.” But neither would Captain Starr. I’d make sure of that much.
I took a step forward, set the coins on the floor between us, then stepped back.
Fire pressed her hand against a wooden crate. The wood smoked. Then it began to burn.
She looked at me and said, “Run.”
I scrambled out of the hold just as the sails burst into flames, as the masts ignited.
I hadn’t paid attention to the location of the longboat. I hoped one of the boys had and could lead the rest to safety.
Fog blinded me. Smoke choked me. I felt a bitter satisfaction at hearing men shouting, scrambling.
The sea calmed. The wind died. Flames consumed the ship.
I reached the railing and clung to it, uncertain what to do. Then I looked toward the stern—and saw Starr and his first mate rushing toward the longboat that the boys were trying to lower into the sea.
I ran toward them, consumed by anger for Starr and men like him.
