“Oh, you say that like the Scorch was somethin’ to be proudfor.”
“Shut your hole, blackguard.”
“I was raised in Valrynn, captain.I lived through most the siege.You know what your nation did to mine?”
Vance glared at her, baleful and tense.
Zaria looked around the cabin, like the books on the shelveshad suddenly closed in around her.Her ears were flat.She was failing tocontrol her breath.
“Isaac,” the otter said.“This contract’s for you, and youalone.The feline queen’s become aware of your little bounty with the Dietwizards.Fortunately for you, she don’t give a hair of her cunt what thembusybodies want of her.She’s threatening to revoke her membership in the wholeaffair.And after seeing your work here, she’s willing to offer a pardon.You’ll have royal protection.Sign that contract, and you won’t be hunted nomore.”
The wine in their cups swayed with the sea.The air smelledof salt and meat.
“You hearin’ me, sir mage?”
Isaac blinked.“A royal pardon?”
“Aye,” Vance said.“Signed and proper.Not a bearded cunt inyour magic towers who’d think of crossing that.That’d mean direct violation ofher sovereignty, and you best believe she’d use it as pretext for war, if theworst comes to pass.You can go home again, with nary a target on your back.”
His head was swimming.His mouth was sour with wine.
“Oi,” Vance said.“You gonna put your magic hands down, oryou gonna say something?”
“I—” Hewas drunk.Hewished, very strongly, that he could be sober.He lost his balance as the deckswayed, stumbling back into Zaria.He smelled her fur beneath the leather coat,and she steadied him against her chest, grabbing his shoulder in hand.It wasenough for his mind to pierce the haze.“Why me?Why not her, too?”
The otter shrugged.“You’re more important.You’re the onenaming these creatures.You’re the one blasting ships off our tail.”Vancelooked above Isaac’s head, resting her gaze on Zaria.Her expression hardened.“You’re hard to replace.She’s not.I can find a dozen hands on any dock.She’scommon, and she’ll just be a stain on this crew, once it’s all history.”
The ocean hissed around them.
“She is not common,” Isaac said.
“Oh, aye, she is.There’s no doubt there.”
“She isnotcommon,” Isaac repeated, seething.
Vance paused, confused by both the remark and his tone.“What you mean?Course she is.She’s as lowborn as they come.Compared to you—”
Isaac leaned hard on the table, rattling the plates.“She isnot some—”
“Isaac.”Zaria grabbed his shoulder, pulling him back.“Shutup a moment.”
“You don’t deserve—”
“Shut your fucking gob, Isaac.”
He made to speak.She silenced him with a glare.After amoment, he stepped back, almost losing his balance.
“Captain,” Zaria said, her words coming slow and careful.“Thanks for goin’ out your way for me.It’s—” Shecleared her throat, refocused her gaze.“It’s appreciated.”
“Aye,” Vance said.“Least I could do.You’ve served me well,and that deserves payment in kind.”She straightened her coat, looking the hyena up and down.“As of now, you’re relievedof duty.I’m not thinking that confining you is necessary, is it?”
“No, capt.Prim and proper, as always.”
Vance made a noise in her throat.“Talk to Thorne.She’sbeen ‘round the island before.Can give you some direction.Sure Percy here’sgot a map or two of his own.You’ll have enough to get yourself going, that Ipromise.”
Percival nodded, his hand still at his scabbard.
Zaria leaned over the table, staring into the spreadingstain of wine.“Don’t suppose I’m talking you out of this?”
