They waited until the early hours of dawn. Petran slipped from the cabin, returning a short time later with a hunk of cheese and slightly stale bread. “Here, eat. You never know when you might get the chance again.”
While Arkenn ate on the edge of the bunk, Petran continued talking. “Most of the crew went ashore after unloading the hold yesterday. Two crewmen stand guard, and Smutje is sound asleep on deck, staying here to watch the wounded. I’ve already told the others that I intend to take the last boat ashore to be ready when the markets open.”
He got down on his hands and knees, lifted the box he kept by the bed, pulled up a loose board, and removed a leather bag. Back to Arkenn, he said, “You’ll need something to tide you over.” Turning, he handed Arkenn several coins.
Arkenn hadn’t seen many coins in his life. The villagers bartered for necessities, and Gran had kept any money safely hidden. Had someone raided their house before setting the fire? The villagers wouldn’t use Arkenn’s crops, but a single man or woman might slip into the house unseen. No, he’d not think of losses now.
“These are all E’Skaara deanuits. The small ones should buy a good dinner. This one“—Petran tapped a larger coin made of some bronze material— “should cover lodging for a sevenday. This one“—he offered a shiny golden coin— “will buy a small house. Use it wisely.”
Arkenn stared at his palm where Petran deposited the coins, mostly smaller ones, a few large ones, and one of the golden ones. “I can’t take your money. This is a fortune.” Certainly, enough to buy his whole village.
“You can and you will.” Petran curled Arkenn’s fingers around the offering. “I have more than enough to share with you. Now, get ready to leave. Keep the money tucked inside your shirt. There’s a pocket sewn in. E’Skaara is home to some of the most gifted pickpockets in the land.”
Petran made one more dash abovedeck and returned. “Come, let’s go.” He snuffed out the candle.
Holding his breath, Arkenn climbed the ladder after Petran. The steady sway and creak he’d grown used to now abraded his nerves.
The full moon shone over the water in this time before the dawn, and for a moment, he stopped. How beautiful. He could understand why Petran’s father loved the sea, with its clean winds and adventure. Petran tugged on his hand and led him to the ship’s side.
Footsteps approached.
Petran shoved Arkenn so hard that he nearly fell overboard. Oh. A small boat hung from the ship’s side. Arkenn crawled in, scrambling under a burlap bag.
“So, ye be leavin’ us, Petran?” The pirate’s speech came out slurred.
“For a while. I promise to bring back something special for the crew.”
The pirate dropped his voice, his words implying so, so much. “You can be my something special.”
What? Arkenn nearly jumped from the boat, ready to defend his friend.
Petran gave a practiced laugh. “And have me da cut off your body parts? Not too special, I be thinking.” Funny how Petran sounded less educated talking to this man.
A chuckle sounded above Arkenn’s hiding place. “That he would. Well, then, safe travels. And if ya find a comely wench with big tits, bring her back for me.”
“I’ll tell her you look like me. If I told her you look like the ass-end of a mule, she’d run to the temple and declare herself a novice.”
Again, the pirate chuckled. “It only happened the once. Now, get on with ya.”
Petran climbed into the boat. Arkenn peeked from underneath his cover as, hand over hand, Petran worked the pulley, lowering the boat into the water. Once he’d rowed halfway to shore, he hissed, “You can come out now.”
Arkenn sat across from Petran. He might find the time romantic in other circumstances, with moonlight shimmering on the water, air crisp with a salty tang.
The sea could be lovely but oh so deadly. Arkenn shuddered, recalling the battle and nearly losing Petran. Why, oh, why, couldn’t his newfound friend come with him?
Once more, the queasiness shook Arkenn’s insides. This couldn’t be over. It really couldn’t.
“Come here,” Petran said, patting the spot beside him.
Stooping low and clinging to the side to avoid flipping into the water, Arkenn made his way across the rocking boat. Yes, a land lover through and through. He started to sit a bit apart to allow rowing room.
Petran wrapped an arm around Arkenn and pulled him hip to hip. “You’ll be okay. I wish I could go with you, but I can’t.” He stared into Arkenn’s eyes. “But I’ll never forget you.”
Arkenn rested his head on Petran’s shoulder. The captain said they’d be together one day. Though deep down Arkenn had doubts, he’d cling to any measure of hope.
They remained together, Petran awkwardly rowing around Arkenn’s body. The city’s gaslights grew closer by the minute. Arkenn swallowed and swallowed again, but the lump in his throat remained. Without thinking, he sought more comfort in Petran’s embrace.
When they finally came ashore, pink tinged the horizon, heralding a new day. Arkenn wished he could return to yesterday, relive last night over again.
