They drew alongside The Maiden’s hull, and Mo’s deep voice bellowed down from the deck above: “Hi ho!” The wind tousled Dain’s hair as he gazed up to see six broadly smiling faces; Mo, Lydia, Old Toff, Casper, Dev, and Trait all hung over the port side rail waving enthusiastically. To Dain’s surprise, Tars actually chuckled beside him. “I’d say they’re happy to see you, sir.”
“And you.” Dain clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You’re a part of this family too, whether you want to be or not.”
Alis Alloway cleared her throat.
Reluctantly, Dain turned over his shoulder to stare at the woman who’d forcefully joined them. She’d insisted on a meeting to determine their next steps, but Dain figured she was just planning to tell everyone what they would do. Sitting awkwardly beside her was Jord, and beside him, unnervingly still, even on the bobbing boat, was the albino child. Neither were officers aboard The Wildflower, which made Dain wonder why his mother had even brought them. He followed Alis’s gaze as she called up to the crew above, “Captain Alis Alloway requesting permission to board The Maiden.”
Old Toff beat Mo to the punch, yelling down in a raspy voice, “Permission granted.”
The first mate gave the lesser officer a reprimanding glare.
Toff responded with a semi-toothless grin as he pushed up his spectacles in triumph.
Oh, how Dain had missed them.
He jumped fast for the rope ladder, and when he’d neared the lip edge, an enormous hand clasped his wrist, lifting him, with ease, into the air and up on deck. Seconds later, Dain could barely breathe as he was sandwiched between Mo and Lydia, the first mate patting him on the back repeatedly while his former nurse murmured, “My boy—my boy.”
Dain blinked back tears.
Toff shoved at the crushing arms. “For Orthane’s sake, let the Captain breathe.”
Mo’s velvet laughter rang out, but he gave Dain one more hard pat before letting him go. Lydia swatted Toff away, continuing to cling, fiercely burying her wet face into Dain’s chest. He tightened his embrace, letting his gaze flicker over the family that now surrounded him. The old merrow had been right—he’d allowed his own grief and desires to lead him astray. They’d all lost Sable, and then they’d all been separated, Dain wasn’t the only one who’d suffered. He gave a dry swallow before he leaned to whisper in Lydia’s ear, “I’m home now.”
Her head whipped up, beryl eyes harshly ringed in red. It was obvious that this wasn’t her first cry since leaving Aalta. Dain stumbled back a step, pulling Lydia with him—she’d set sail! His hands flew to his former nurse’s face, cupping her pretty round cheeks. “Why aren’t you in Aalta? Who’s taking care of Alloway Manor?”
Lydia wrapped her fingers over his. “How could I leave you after what happened? Glory has it in hand, I’ve been training her for months.”
Dain looked up at Mo.
The first mate gave him a helpless shrug. “She has a will of her own, lad.”
Lydia pulled away from Dain, wiping the last of her tears on the sleeve of her frock before planting both hands on her generous hips. “With the trouble you lot get into, I’d say you need some watching.” She swiveled, tipping her chin defiantly up at Mo. “And admit it, Morgan Crouse, you’ve never trained a better sailor in your life.”
Mo’s smile was warmer than usual, which was saying a lot, and Dain thought the man just might reach out to embrace the feisty redhead, but instead he chuckled. “Aye, lass, I’ve never trained better than ye.”
She nodded like she’d expected nothing less, but her eyes narrowed fast when Toff said, “I beg to differ—”
Dain quickly intervened, smacking the old sailor hard on the back. “I’ve missed The Ghost of Aalta.” He added a loud flourish to Toff’s former title, and the man completely lost interest in Lydia. Toff gave Dain a single-armed hug as several large crocodile tears squeezed themselves from the corners of his wrinkled eyes. “I’ve missed you too, boy—er—Captain.”
Until this moment, Casper had been busy introducing Dev and Trait to Tars. Now, the three sailors made their way toward Dain. Mo, Toff, and Lydia stepped toward Alis and her companions while Dain grasped each of his old crewmates individually by the wrist.
Casper was the first to speak. The handsome, copper-skinned sailor was grinning like he’d just won an entire round of Rack. “Welcome back, Captain.” He shot a side-eyed glance at Dev and Trait. “I managed to lure these two old barnacles back onto The Maiden before we escaped Aalta, and I’d say I deserve a commendation for my efforts.”
Dain laughed, meeting each of the other brown-eyed gazes in turn. With their tanned, weather-worn skin and broad shoulders, the two middle-aged men could’ve been brothers. “The question is—are they happy to be back?”
Dev slung an arm over Trait’s shoulder. “This lout only came for the rum, sir.”
Toff had rejoined them again, the old man patting Dev on the back with a raspy, contagious laugh. “There’s never been a truer word spoken.”
Trait denied nothing as he suffered, in good humor, through the rest of the jokes that followed.
After properly welcoming the others, Mo returned to their merry group. The giant man’s voice rumbling from his chest. “There’ll be no rum for any of ye unless some work gets done. Anchor’s been weighed nigh on an hour, and the three of ye should’ve been in port long ago.” Mo turned to Toff. “I’d like ye there as well—make sure the lads get everything we need, and keep that sniffer high. I’ll expect a fast warning if anything shows up.”
All four sailors nodded obediently before trotting for the ship’s edge, but Casper managed one more quick wink of welcome to Dain before he disappeared over the lip.
It was good to be back.
Mo’s next words, however, dimmed some of the light that’d returned to Dain’s soul. “Captain Alis wishes a meeting now.”
Scrubbing his fingers through his loose tangles, Dain turned to see Alis standing by, lips pursed. The woman was relentless. The wind interpreted his hand scrubbing as a signal to play, whipping all the strands he’d just cleared, pushing them right back into his face. He sent an internal reprimand, but the element only took it for an invitation to play more. When it came to his relationship with the wind, it seemed no wooing was required; it took everything as encouragement. His blond hair flew wild again. Honestly. Mo slung a huge arm across Dain’s shoulders, dragging his blinded captain toward those waiting as he whispered, “The Lion of the Sea returns. Welcome back to The Maiden, lad.”
His knuckles grew white as he squeezed the corners of the table in the small dining room off his office. Dain had been right—Alis Alloway hadn’t come to discuss anything, she’d simply come to tell them what to do. His knuckles whitened further. When in Orthane’s name would she stop talking?
“We shouldn’t require any more stops before we reach southern Iandior. We’re not entirely sure where the coven of adept are hiding, but with the wildflower compass, we can locate them quickly. If we can’t, then we’ll sail back to the bay, take port in Trace, and search for others. After that we can discuss what measures need to be taken with regard to the northern threat. I—”
Dain’s patience ran out. He interrupted his mother with a sharpness that surprised even himself. “The Maiden isn’t going with you.” Every face in the room turned, but Dain kept his eyes trained firmly on Alis. “We’re going north.”
The Wildflower captain stiffened. “I’ve told you before, this isn’t about saving one girl, it’s—”
Dain cut her off again, fingers aching now. “No, it’s about saving everyone, including Sable.”
Before Alis could speak again, Lydia interrupted. “I think you’ve had your say, ma’am. It’s time we heard from our captain.”
A warmth spread through Dain’s chest as his old nurse turned to give him a small wink. Maybe one day he’d be immune to Alis Alloway, but that would require a discussion he still wasn’t willing to have. Pulling the Dernamn from a
round his neck, he held it up for everyone to see. “I have learned there’s a chance we can stop this war by returning this pendant to its rightful bearer.” He watched the room shift their gaze toward the medallion.
Alis’s tone sharpened. “And who told you that? A god?”
Lydia sucked in a quick breath, lifting her hands up to swipe one over top of the other in a superstitious sign. Dain couldn’t help noting the other responses in the room as well; neither Tars nor Leara An were affected, but Mo was shooting sympathetic glances at Lydia while Jord—well, the man looked visibly singed by his captain’s words. Apparently Alis didn’t realize how devout her sailor was; otherwise, she would’ve refrained from such an insensitive remark—at least Dain hoped she would’ve. He couldn’t keep his response level. “No, not a god, Captain, just someone as old as time itself.”
A silent tension filled the room. And when Mo’s deep, gentle voice reverberated off the mahogany panels around them, everyone jerked. Dain even saw Leara An’s attention veer toward his first mate. “I’ve always believed a small amount of conflict in any discussion is healthy. It can serve to push us toward answers, but sometimes we need to temper it or conflict can run its mouth off like a gossip at the well. And once words are spoken, there’s no taking ‘em back.” Every posture in the room, even Alis Alloway’s, waned a little contrite. Then Mo turned his attention to Dain. “It seems ye have a tale to tell, Captain. Let’s hear it.”
Clearing his throat, Dain avoided his mother’s gaze as he dove into the story. He shared the tale the same way he had with Tars, skirting over the unnecessary details and giving only vague references to the other gods. Dain ended the story with the old mer-woman’s instructions: “Return the Dernamn to its rightful bearer, and find the keys. Only then will salvation come.” Then he quickly added how she’d advised him to follow his dreams.
Alis Alloway responded first—she seemed to have forgotten Mo’s wisdom, because her tone was razor-sharp again. “You’re telling us that we should take the unfounded, cryptic advice of an old siren?”
Linking his hands behind his neck to stretch his elbows wide, Dain ignored her and spoke to everyone else in the room instead. “The Dernamn summoned her, and if I could tell you the whole tale without excluding some details, then you might understand better. For now, you’ll just have to trust me.”
His mother snorted derisively, her eyes beading. What was wrong with her? The woman was always abrupt, but today she was downright prickly. Dain tried to stay calm, holding his tongue as he lowered his arms.
“Yer dreams are leading ye north then, Captain?” Mo rubbed at his chin thoughtfully.
“Yes, for months I’ve been dreaming of Elden Grayspire, Ileana’s huntsman, the man who was turned to stone. And, as far as I know, he’s in the north.”
Mo nodded, giving a massive shrug. “Yer dreams have been true in the past.” Then the first mate stood, maneuvering his giant frame toward the map hanging on the back wall of the dining room. “The Maiden is four times faster than The Wildflower, so what if we compromise? What if we navigate under the southern tip of Iandior and then up the eastern shoreline? It wouldn’t be much longer than backtracking up to Zaal because the East coast is a straight shot. Granted, we’re less familiar with those waters, but it’ll give us a chance to do a quick scout for the adept coven. Then we’ll send word back to The Wildflower, and if no one’s there, Captain Alis can head to Trace while we head north.” Mo addressed Dain’s mother, “I’ve heard ye have messenger birds, Captain?”
Alis seemed to thaw a little under Mo’s attention. She nodded. “Anira has birds.”
Mo beamed with satisfaction at Dain. “What say you, Captain Alloway?”
Out of the corner of his eye, Dain saw Lydia give him an instructive nod to agree. Was he ever going to make another decision as captain himself? Mo and Lydia had been running The Maiden for some time without him—perhaps he’d need to reestablish his authority? The thought made him unexpectedly grin. Maybe he didn’t want to reestablish anything. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.
Dain had never really wanted to be captain. In fact, he remembered a time when the very thought had gutted him. Despite these thoughts, his next words came out with authority. “I agree to those terms, but if we find the coven, we simply make sure they’re safe and send word of their location to The Wildflower. After that, we head north.”
Mo and Lydia gave a decisive nod in agreement. Alis, on the other hand, fired her next words out like lightning. “And after you’ve finished your fool’s errand in the north, we’ll meet at Eandor Vid to discuss what should be done about our enemy.”
Dain stiffened, but bit his tongue. At this point, he didn’t want any more arguments. He just wanted the woman off his ship.
Alis continued, “Before I take my leave, Jord and Leara An have expressed an interest in joining The Maiden’s crew.”
At the mention of his name, Jord jumped to his feet and began wringing his cap awkwardly between his hands.
Dain blinked. Why—
“Captain Alloway?” Alis was tapping her fingernails on the tabletop as she stared at him.
“Doesn’t—the child—have parents or people who care for her on The Wildflower?” Dain fumbled over his words.
For a moment Alis looked uncomfortable, but the look quickly dissolved with her no-nonsense tone. “Her family is lost. Of course we all care for her on The Wildflower, but she’s old enough to choose and I cannot keep her against her wishes.”
Old enough to choose—she didn’t look a day over ten. Dain forced himself to look at the girl. “There are no children to play with here.” Not that he could imagine her playing with anyone. “The quarters aboard our ship are confining, and you realize that we are sailing toward more stalkers? You’re sure you want to leave The Wildflower? ”
The child didn’t even flinch. “I am.”
Lydia cut in. “If you approve, Captain, I’ll see to the girl’s care. She can be my charge.”
Dain’s shoulder’s slumped. So much for his next argument.
Leara An continued to stare at him. So ancient… He suppressed a shiver. “Are you willing to submit to the tutelage, direction, and care of my former nurse? By submission, I mean that you will do everything she asks.”
Alis looked like she might say something, but Leara An spoke up fast, with conviction. “I will.”
The other captain’s brows rose, and Dain knew, right then and there, that the child had never submitted herself to anyone before this—ever. And that could only mean that the girl was very determined to be on board The Maiden. He pursed his lips.
“I really must be going. What say you, Captain Alloway?” Alis tapped her fingernails over the tabletop again.
With a nod to Jord, and a reluctant glance at Leara An, Dain said, “Welcome aboard.”
20
A strong gust of sea air buffeted the sails. Dain was encouraging the wind to give The Maiden a solid push through the waves. The element eagerly obeyed his call, and Dain watched the port behind them fade into the distance as he said, “The child is just—creepy.”
Mo stood at the helm, giant hands engulfing the spindles as his dark chin tipped up toward the billowing sails. “With yer help, lad, we might end up being ten times faster than The Wildflower.” Mo adjusted his heading before adding, “The child is different, to be sure, but different ain’t always bad.”
Dain crossed his arms over his chest. “I know, but don’t you remember what she did during the attack? She can control someone with one touch—and have you seen her eyes? It’s like something lurks there…” Dain’s skin crawled.
Mo hollered orders to several hands on deck before replying. “She freed us during that attack, lad, so I’d say we ought to be grateful for her skills. And souls are apt to grow old fast when faced with too much sorrow. Captain Alis said her family was lost. Who knows how long the child’s been alone—or how much she’s suffered?” Mo pulled a compass from his tunic pocket,
flipping it once in his left palm while his right continued to easily handle the wheel. “Besides, there ain’t a thing ye can do about it now—she’s set on staying, and so far Lydia says she’s an angel.” Mo flipped the compass again. “And yer mother seemed confident that Leara An could make up her own mind.”
Dain wasn’t convinced. “I barely trust Alis Alloway’s opinion on anything. Especially regarding children, and after her prickly behavior yesterday, I’m even less inclined.”
“Ye need to go a little easier on yer mother, lad.”
“Why in all the four kingdoms should I? She was a shark yesterday.”
“Aye, she was, but for good reason. She’d been bruised by the love and affection ye gave and received aboard The Maiden. She witnessed firsthand what she’s been missing.”
Dain had wondered at her extra-odd behavior, and Mo’s observations (if the woman had a heart) seemed logical, but he still squeezed his arms tighter. “She made her choice years ago.”
“Aye—aye.” The first mate rolled his shoulders, then nudged Dain with one hulking arm as he changed the subject. “So tell me, lad, is it true that sirens have a lure?”
Dain’s face burst into flames. “I—well—”
Mo barely held onto the wheel as he doubled over in laughter. The sound was so rich that Dain’s embarrassment waned under the velvet joy of it. He couldn’t help smiling as Mo gasped for air. “Take heart, lad, I already know the answer. Yer face was as salmon as the skies when ye told yer tale.” Then he winked. “I met a merrow once, decades ago, when I was only a lad myself.”
Dain raised his brows. “You never told me that.”
Another chuckle. “There’s plenty I haven’t told ye.”
It was true—despite spending half his childhood with Mo on The Maiden, Dain had only heard a handful of stories from the first mate’s past. While Toff was generously vocal about the good ol’ days, Mo was private. Besides knowing that the giant was a Zaalish fisherman’s son who later pursued a career with the Alloway trading company, Dain really knew little else. “Well, let’s hear it, Mr. Crouse, unless you’ve got better things to do while you navigate?”
The Lion of the Sea (The Maiden Ship Book 2) Page 12
