“Baba’s mark,” he told me as he patted his pocket. “It’s a branch and flower of the rose bush surrounded by its thorns.”
“Is there anything important about those?”
“She likes roses, and they’re also known for their medicinal uses.”
“Then she’s not a bad witch?”
He grinned at me. “A witch is only as bad as her poisons. Baba’s helped people for all her life. That’s why Varga and the others like her so much.”
“You’ve known Baba a long time, haven’t you?” I guessed
His good humor faltered, and he stared ahead. “Very long.”
I leaned forward to catch his eye. “She raised you, didn’t she?”
A faint, crooked smile slipped onto his lips. “Yes.”
“She must have had her hands full with you.”
“I kept her life full.”
I looped an arm around his and smiled up at him. “I think I’d like to see her again soon.”
He looked down at my arm and patted it. “I think I’d like to do just that.”
Ramaro wrinkled his nose as he trotted along beside us. “Humans and their connections.”
Chapter 24
We soon reached the wharf where the two sailors joined us. Torvus grinned and patted his pocket. “Get ready for some lugging, men.”
They looked both happy and glum as we passed through and over to the behemoth that was Varga. Even among the burly men, he was easy to spot. He turned at the sound of our shoes on the boards and looked us over. “Well?”
Torvus drew the paper out of his pocket and held it out to Varga. “Is this proof enough?”
Varga studied the design on the parchment, a simple flower with a halo of thorns around its petals. He nodded after a moment. “That’ll do. I already have the supplies ready.”
“That’s very generous of you,” Torvus mused as he tucked the paper back into his pocket.
Varga grinned. “Not at all. I knew the old girl would forgive you. She couldn’t be mad at anyone forever, not even a scoundrel like you.” He jerked his chin at Torvus’ two sailors. “I’ll give everything to them, what they can hold in that dingy. It’ll take a couple of trips.”
“They won’t need to take it too far,” Torvus replied as he turned his head toward our right and the dry docks. “I need to dock the Tempest in one of those docks. The hull needs to be checked. I think it may have a few weak boards. The ocean has been tough on them.”
Varga scoffed. “I’d wager you’ve been treating her as rough as you treat your drink.”
“How long would it take you to make the repairs?”
Varga folded his arms over his chest and shrugged. “I don’t give out that information until I’ve seen the damage.”
Torvus grinned and patted his shoulder. “That means a few hours. Thanks for the help.” He took my hand and led me away. “Come on, Rose. Let me show you the shoreline. Ramaro, you stay with the men and help out.”
“How can I help out?”
“Use your crooked tail to open the boxes on the ship!” Torvus called to him.
“You stupid human!” Ramaro snapped at our retreating figures.
Varga’s loud voice joined his. “And I’m not promising anything to a scoundrel!”
