“I got my orders.Nothing’s changin’ that.”Her short furbristled.“And to tell the truth, I’m of little mind to argue them.I’ve losttoo many of my mates to pirates.There’s acres of bone down below thedrink—good sailors—all dead ‘cause of your kind.I don’t care if you’ve madeamends.I’ll not abide your presence.Not on my ship.”
Zaria straightened herself.She looked back at Isaac.For along moment, her eye blinked, and her ears bent back, and there was somethingshe was just on the edge of speaking.It never came.She closed her mouth,seemed to steel herself, and said: “Aye, then.Thanks for dinner, capt.I’llleave you three.”
“No!”Isaac stepped forward.“You’re not going.This isnot—”
“She is going,” Vance said.“We still need to discuss yourterms.”
“There is nothing to discuss!”
Both captain and first mate flinched at his shout.Theireyes went wide, watching his hands.
“I’m not signing that contract,” Isaac said.“If she doesn’tstay, then you can consider this my resignation.”
Vance’s whiskers curled down.
“I see,” Isaac replied.“It seems we’re finished here.”Hegrabbed the bottle of wine.“I’ll be taking this, as well.Payment for savingyour ship.”
Percival’s hand rested on the hilt of his cutlass.
“Isaac.”Zaria reached for the bottle.“That’s enough.I’mnot raisin’ a fuss.”
He pulled the wine away, nearly falling onto the table.“What were you doing, captain?You’ve been sitting there all through the meal,smiling at us, knowing you’re about torip us apart.Was this your ideaof a jest?Did you think I’d begratefulthat you’re about to leave herstranded?”
“I was being gracious,” Vance said, her voice measured.“Would you rather I’d hauled her to the brig in front of you?”
Isaac pointed at her.“You’re not half the person she is.She’s worth ten of you combined.”
Percival took a step towards the table, his burned ear flatto his skull.
“Isaac,” Vance said.“I don’t appreciate your tone.I’ll notput up with it much longer.”
“That feeling’s mutual, captain.”
She leaned over the table, candlelight reflecting off hernavy coat.“Sleep this off.That’s an order.You’re upset, and three sheets tothe wind, besides, so I’ll let you take leave.Push your luck, and I’ll haveyou caned.”
Isaac felt a moment of utter, raging fury.
Vance pushed the contract across the table.“Read it.Thinkit over.We’ll be heading back to the mainland after this last mooring, andI’ll take your answer anytime ‘tween now and then.”
“There is nothing to think over,” Isaac said.“The answer isno.”
“Cunts to collars, Isaac, it’s a royal pardon.It’s thequeen’s bloody wishes.You’ll never get another chance—”
He picked up the scroll, rolled it together, and stuck theend into the flame of a candle.When the fire had fully caught, he threw theparchment at Vance’s feet.
“Fuck your contract,” Isaac said, “and fuck you, too.”
He made to leave.He tripped on the leg of a chair as hedid, nearly throwing the bottle of wine.The cabin door seemed to rush at him.He fell into it without reaching for the knob, and the lock shattered off thewood as he plummeted through the doorway.Outside, the top deck of theArmsof Hornwas dark, wet, and wreathed in the light of lanterns.The sigiledsail was bright against the stars, and the cold spray of the sea felt wonderfulon his clammy skin.He washed the salty water down with a generous gulp ofwine.One of the leopards was standing watch at the back mast, reflective eyeswatching him in surprise.
“Wanna drink?”Isaac shouted.
The leopard did not respond.Isaac laughed, took anotherswig, and stumbled down the deck.
Zaria grabbed him.She was forced to grapple with him tokeep the hold.“Quit your fuckin’—”
He yanked on the fore-rigging, reaching up to the sail.
“Isaac!”
