Page 40 of Lightningborn

“However,” the captain went on, turning to Gem, “that means that once we start the distraction, we’ll be on a timetable. The two of you will have a limited time to find Bartello and the dragon and get out again. We can only harass theWindsharkfor so long before it shoots us out of the sky. Once the chaos starts, you’ll have to move fast. Can you do this?”

Before Gem could answer, the boy suddenly raised his head. “How are we going to get aboard theWindshark?” he asked. “I know we’re flying over with a dragon, but there’s going to be guards and watches. How will we keep them from seeing us?”

Gem hadn’t really thought of that. Her midnight infiltration of the college library was the only sneaky thing she had ever done. It had worked because she was already so familiar with the library, but the boy probably knew more about breaking into places. She hadn’t even thought about guards on a pirate ship.

Fortunately, Remy wasn’t the only criminally minded person at the table. The captain smiled and picked up one of the tiny ship models.

“You know what a crow’s nest is, don’t you, boy?” she asked, and the street boy nodded.

“The basket at the very top of the mast,” he replied. “It’s used to keep watch for storms or other ships.”

“That is correct. Well, many ships also have something called a bilge hole,” the captain went on, tapping the bottom of the model. “It’s much like the crow’s nest, only this one is located below the ship hull, and its purpose is to keep an eye on the Maelstrom to see how close it’s getting. Or, in the case of a pirate or warship, to watch for attacks from below. But if we’re providing a distraction, the bilge hole should be empty. You should be able to get into the ship from the bilge hole platform and leave the same way. The bilge hole will likely lead into the cargo hold, or very close. If your Sir Bartello is on the ship, he’ll probably be in the brig, which will also be on the lowest deck. So,” she said with a clap, “now that you know the ship layout, you know what you’re doing, right?” She looked at Gem. “You have a plan?”

Gem nodded. “Find Sir Bartello and the dragon and get out in the confusion. Shouldn’t be too difficult.” Her stomach clenched as she said this. The thought of sneaking into an enemy ship filled with dangerous pirates was terrifying. If they were seen…She pushed that thought away. They would just have to not be seen.

“Everyone else understand the mission?” the captain continued, gazing around the table. They all muttered an affirmative, even Lysander, though he didn’t look happy about it. “Good. I’ll let the crew know what’s going on. Any questions?”

“Just one, Captain.” Mr. Tuhga raised his head, looking serious. “How are we going to find theWindsharkwithout knowing where Jhaeros is headed?” he asked. “He could be anywhere in the Fringe right now.”

“Well, that’s going to be up to this boy here,” Captain Cutlass said, glancing at the street kid. “He claims to have a connection with the stolen dragon, that he canfeelwhere the dragon is, and which direction he’s headed.”

The disbelief and skepticism around the table was palpable. It was a testament to the crew’s faith in their captain that no one immediately said how bizarre that plan sounded. Not even Lysander, though he raised an extremely dubious eyebrow in Remy’s direction.

“So what is going to happen,” the captain went on, looking at Remy, “is that the boy is going to check in with the navigator every hour to make sure we are still going the right way. Do you hear that, boy?” she asked. “Every hour, even through the night. So if you are asleep belowdecks, someone is going to wake you and bring you to the helm to point the ship in the right direction. Is that understood?”

He nodded. “I understand. I want to find Storm. I’ll stay up all night if I have to.”

“Probably no need to go that far. Jack,” the captain said, glancing at the lanky man half nodding off against the bookshelf. “I’m putting you in charge of the kid. Show him where he’ll be sleeping, and what he’ll be doing while he’s aboard the ship.”

“Sure thing, Captain.” Jack pushed himself off the way and tapped Remy’s arm. “You’re with me, then, boy.”

“And for goodness’ sake, get him some better clothes,” Cutlass added. “My quarters are going to smell like mud for a week. The rest of you are dismissed. Oh, and Miss Featherbottom,” she said as the mage and the first mate turned away. “A word, if you don’t mind.”

Gem watched the rest of the crew file out of the room, then turned to the captain.

Beckoning to Gem, Cutlass strode over to her desk and seated herself in the chair, putting her boots on the surface again. She picked up a decanter on the corner, poured herself a glass of amber liquid, and tossed it back before gazing up at Gem.

“You know this is going to be very dangerous,” she said, twirling the cup in her fingers. “We’re about as far from the reach of the capital as anyone can get, and there are no guards or sky knights to help us out here. Jhaeros is a terrifying person to have as an enemy. If you’re caught, there’s no telling what he’ll do with the princess of Gallecia. You’re taking an enormous risk boarding his ship. I just want you to be aware of that.”

“I am,” Gem replied.

“And you still want to do this.”

“Yes,” Gem said firmly. “I must speak with Sir Bartello. I can’t reveal why, but it’s safe to say that the fate of the kingdom depends on it.”

“Well, it sounds very important,” Cutlass said sarcastically. The captain didn’t seem terribly impressed with Gem’s statement. She poured herself another glass from the decanter, but instead of drinking, she gazed at the sparkling liquid within, seemingly deep in thought. “What do you think of that boy?” she wondered out loud. “You have a dragon. You said you’ve been surrounded by them your whole life. Are you sure you’ve never heard of this connection with a dragon before?”

Gem pursed her lips. “No,” she said. “I never have. I’m not sure something like that even exists.” If it did, she was certain she and Cloud would already have one. “Do you think he’s lying?” Gem asked. “Just to get on theQueen’s Bladeand off Cutthroat Wedge?”

“Hmm, no. I don’t think the boy is lying.” Cutlass’s green eyes flicked to Gem. “I’ve seen my share of thieves and con artists, and I know when someone is trying to pull the wool over my eyes. The boy is not doing that. He definitelybelieveshe has a connection to this dragon; whether or not that is actually true remains to be seen. But I don’t see another way of tracking Jhaeros and theWindsharkthrough open sky, do you?”

“No,” Gem muttered. “I don’t.”

“Well, I suppose we’re going to have to trust him, then,” Cutlass said, and casually downed her drink. “And hope that he knows where theWindsharkis actually going.” Gem clenched her jaw, and the captain raised a brow at her. “If you’re worried about it, you could always go talk to the boy,” she suggested. “You both have dragons; you know more about them than most people.”

“Talk to him.” Gem wrinkled her nose. “He’s a thief.”

“And we are all pirates,” Cutlass countered. “I think the ship has sailed on that one, Princess.”

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