Page 84 of The Sea Witch
Alys jerked her chin toward the companionway. “My quarters.” She grabbed the chain between Ben’s manacles and tugged. “You, too, Sailing Master.”
He walked between Alys and Stasia, careful not to step too loudly upon the upper deck lest he wake the sleeping women.
Once they were back in her cabin, Alys slumped in a chair, seemingly weary beyond imagining.
“This was a good night,” the quartermaster said, pouring herself and Alys a mug of ale.
Ben went to decant himself a mug. The second-in-command didn’t stop him, her gaze impassive, so he filled his cup, and then drank.
“It doesn’t seem like enough,” Alys exhaled.
“It is not,” Stasia agreed.
“But perhaps, it’s a beginning,” Alys said.
“Where will you find a ship for them?” Ben asked.
“Concern yourself with yourself.” Alys said this without heat. Unlike Olachi, she couldn’t smother a large yawn. After draining her mug, she got to her feet. “Stasia, find your own berth and rest. That’s an order.”
“Aye, Captain.” Stasia slipped from the cabin, but not before giving Ben a meaningful glance. Then she was gone.
Alys pulled off her boots and threw them to the floor. Then she reached for the fastenings that ran up the front of her breeches.
Ben turned away. He strode to his hammock and clambered in. Last night, sleep was impossible. He ought to try it now.
“My magic’s too exhausted for me to shutter the windows,” she grumbled.
He rose and pulled the shutters closed. The sounds of the ship came as a low murmur, along with the lapping of the waves against the hull. Dawn settled around the ship.
Later in the day, two bowls of hasty pudding were brought to the captain’s quarters. They were redolent with the smoky scent of maple syrup, and sunset-hued slices of mango fanned over the tops. Ben eagerly took a seat at the table to break his fast.
He was careful not to look up from his bowl when Alys sat at the table, too. They silently ate together, spoons scraping against wood as they consumed their breakfasts. It was almost peaceful.
“Did you sleep well?” Inwardly, Ben grimaced at the inane question.
She shrugged. “Well as anyone can hope.”
At the least, they hadn’t been in each other’s dreams. God knew what other secrets about him she might learn. But then, he could discover more about her.
Dreams or no, he could still delve deeper when it came to the enigma that was Captain Alys Tanner.
“It’s a heavy burden you carry,” he said. “Seeing to the welfare of the women you rescued.”
“I didn’t rescue them. We only gave them a ride after they freed themselves.”
He took a drink of small beer. “The women you gave a ride to. Finding a ship for their leader.” Cautiously, he added, “Locating the fail-safe.”
She said nothing.
“If you’re still looking for it,” he amended.
“Never left my mind.” She took a final bite of hasty pudding. “We’ll reach Domingo later today.”
He straightened. “Where the parish record is. It will tell us more about Sir Fenfield’s family.”
She raised her eyebrow. “I’llbe tracking that down, yes.”
“Not alone,” he said at once. “You’ll have me as escort.”
