I shake my head, and my breath stutters to a stop as the question sinks in. I didn‘t know that there’d be a questioning. I thought they would vote and get it over with. I try to remember, but where the memory should be, there is just a hollow, aching blank space. I cannot answer any of their questions. I don’t remember how I ended up on this ship, nor do I remember what I wanted here.
“I don’t know.” My words are nothing more than a whisper. It does not go down well with the crew.
“And what were your intentions in boarding this ship?”
“I don‘t remember, but—“
“This is ridiculous,” someone spits and steps into the circle, breaking the tension. That thick-necked man. Rat. “She didn’t wander aboard. She came for us. To kill us. And you know what bloody sirens bring!”
Others nod in agreement, and murmurs become shouts. Again, Sable raises his voice.
“Silence, you unruly whelps! You forget the bloody sea we’re in. She was on deck yesterday. The sea took from her. I saw it with my own eyes. She boarded the ship because she was running away from siren hunters.”
“Are you defending the wench?” Rat spits and takes another step toward the captain.
“I am making this a fair process, as the code demands it.” Unspoken words pass between the men as they stare at each other. “Now,” he starts, dragging every word. “Get back in your place.” Silence follows, but in the end, Rat obeys and returns to his place.
I let go of the breath I’ve been holding.
“It’s true,” I manage to say. “I don‘t remember why I’m on this ship. The sea took it from me. I had a wound that was mended, and we all know the price we pay for that. I can assure you of one thing, and that is I don’t mean any harm.”
Tears sting my eyes. One of them slips out of the corner of my eye and wets my cheek.
“I am more human than I am a siren.” It’s more a confession than a statement. “I compelled Lark to survive. That‘s it.”
“She’s right.”
My head snaps toward the young pirate, and a smile tugs at my lips. Lark is speaking in my favor.
“I would’ve done the same in her situation. And yesterday, I was scared of the maelstroms. She could’ve used her tricks on me, but she didn’t.” Lark says quietly, avoiding eye contact andshifting his weight from one foot to the other. His father puts a hand on his shoulder and squeezes it to encourage him to continue. He swallows and does so in an unsteady voice.
“She was nice to me.” He pauses, his face lighting up as though he’s just been struck with a sudden spark of confidence. “And then she went on deck and saved your asses from drowning!”
“Aye!” Multiple men shout in agreement.
Another pirate steps forward, one I haven't seen before. Seeing as he’s covered in tar and ash, it’s safe to assume him to be a man working at the gunports.
“It’s the Glim that showed us the route, not her.”
Now Nightglass moves forward and pushes his son behind him protectively.
“But the Glim has only appeared whenever she is on deck. And it was the night that she boarded the ship when the Glim first appeared to us. It’s why we left Aurelith.”
At that, a gasp escapes my mouth. If what he is saying is true, the Glim could actually be connected to me. I don‘t even know what the meaning behind the Glim is. One thing I know for certain, though, is that it is a creation of sea magic. It has to be.
Twenty pairs of eyes stare at me in anticipation. An invisible string pulls my attention toward the captain. He tilts his head as though trying to read me, his eyes silently questioning if I am behind the Glim. But I don’t have an answer to his question, so I press my lips together and shake my head ever so slightly. It’s a movement subtle enough so the others don’t catch it, but he does.
Sable takes a deep breath before he raises his voice. “Based on the fact that she claims not to remember, I announce the questioning closed. We will cast our votes now. I urge you to think your answer over fully before locking in your decision. Her life is in our hands.” Swallowing, he moves to stand next to me, then looks at every man in his crew.
“The possible options you have chosen in yesterday‘s pre-tribunal vote are the following…” I turn my head to glance in his direction. My whole body goes rigid as he announces the paths my life can possibly take.
Walking the plank.
The Markets.
Captivity.
I must admit that even for my miserable life, my future has looked brighter before. My freedom is not even considered. I let my head fall forward in resignation. There’s nothing left that I could do or say now. It’s up to them. I have no control over my fate. Not that I ever have.
