A shadow crossed Daland’s face, and his shoulders slumped. “By that time, it might be too late.”
Sienna’s face twisted in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“I didn’t want you to worry…didn’t think you had to know…”
Casper met Jem’s eyes from across the table. The whole conversation up to this point had felt like they were intruding on a private family moment, no matter what the fisherman had said, and it seemed like things were going to get even more intimate and personal.
Should we leave? I don’t know that we were meant to be here for this.
Jem, as if reading his thoughts, simply gave a small shrug and turned back to the drama unfolding with rapt attention.
“What’s going on, Papa? I know it might be a few weeks, but we’ll get by. You can go fishing more often; I’ll take care of thelighthouse. And Celesta did say that we would be paid the full amount after everything is over. It will be tight, but we can do it.”
Daland groaned and covered his face with his hands. “We’re in debt, Senta.”
She froze, and Casper watched as the color drained from her face. “What? But how?”
“The healers. There were so many of them, especially at the beginning.” Daland dropped his hands and let them lie limply on the table. “The damage was much more serious than we thought at first, and the kind of magic that was required to keep you alive wasn’t cheap.”
Tears escaped and trailed down Sienna’s face. “You never said anything.”
“Of course I didn’t. Why would I? There wasn’t a price I could put on your life; I would gladly have given my own if I thought it would help. But the fact is that I was just barely able to keep on top of payments before. But without the keeper salary and with my boat at the bottom of the sea…” His voice trailed off hopelessly.
“Oh.” Sienna’s voice was small and quiet, and she hugged her arms around her middle.
The heightened level of emotion in the room made Casper’s insides squirm, and he wished he could present some solution to their problem. Unfortunately, the business of chasing down and scaring away smugglers did not pay very well. He had nothing to offer but a week’s worth of time and battered ship.
Jem stretched out his long leg under the table and kicked the bottom of his boot. Once he had Casper’s attention, he mouthed, “The Petrel.”
Casper looked at him blankly.“What?”
“The Petrel. To fish.”
Understanding dawned, and Casper cleared his throat. “If it’s a ship you need, I happen to have one.”
Daland looked up sharply. “What?”
“I have a ship.”
“But you…you’re…it’s…”
Casper could see the unspoken words in his eyes “You’re the Flying Dutchman. It’s a cursed ship.”
“Not planning on using it this week, anyway,” Jem interrupted. “He’s here for the Festival, remember?”
“That’s still seven days away,” Sienna argued.
“Seven good days of fishing.”
Daland appeared conflicted. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m just a fisherman. I wouldn’t know the first thing about sailing a ship that size.”
“But I do.” Jem raised his hand. “And I’ve always wanted to learn more about the fishing trade. I would be happy to take you and however many of your crew you want to bring.”
“Oh, I don’t actually have a crew. We shared the boat and split the profits. But I will extend your offer to them.” The fisherman hesitated. “I do worry about leaving Sienna alone.”
His daughter put a hand on his arm. “I’ll be fine, Papa. It’s no different from all the other times you’ve been gone.”
“I didn’t know then that that swaggering, self-important bully was trying to force his way into our home,” Daland argued. “I know you have fire, Senta, but not even that is enough to keep him from overpowering you.”
