Page 114 of Seven Oars
Then there was Ucai, always ready to undercut him, and Massar with his knife…
The Striker could lose a fight. Nothing was a given.
And she couldn’t decide if she wanted him to.
Gradually, the distant fighting slowed, then stopped altogether. But the silence that fell didn’t bring relief to their senses. Instead, it felt ominous.
“I wonder what happened,” Rosamma said.
Eze scratched her head and shrugged.“Someone lost a scuffle. We’ll find out who. Eventually.”
“I wish they weren’t so rough all the time,” Fawn complained.“They always hurt each other. It’s terrible.”
“They fight because their minds are closed,” Anske supplied readily.“They need liberation.”
Alyesha rubbed her face.“I just can’t. I’m the one who needs liberation from this pious drivel.”
“Oh, you’re the one who needs it most.” Anske kept her cool, but her face reddened.“And it’s not drivel! It’s a tried-and-true philosophy.”
But Alyesha wasn’t up to arguing.
“Tell that to Galan,” she snapped.“I’m going out to see where things stand. See you later.”
She swept out of the Cargo Hold.
Anske blinked at the door.
“Where’s she going?”
“To the devil,” Gro said, shaking her head.
Chapter 16
In the days that followed, the Habitat remained silent after the unseen showdown between Fincros and Thilza. It was a breather, a pause that allowed the women to find their footing, mourn Sassa, and regroup.
And to brace for the next round.
They tidied up the Cargo Hold and rearranged things out of boredom and the need to stay active. They entertained Daphne. Anske sang hymns.
Sassa’s belongings were folded and tucked away. Every personal item was precious here, yet no one took anything of hers.
The heat was getting worse, passing the balmy category and jumping straight into sweltering.
Languid lethargy gripped their small underworld, and even the perpetually cold Rosamma had started to perspire.
The pirates had scattered and stayed hidden away in whatever quarters they’d claimed for themselves. Rosamma hadn’t ventured out personally, but Fawn shared the news when she came back from her fishing expedition.
“Phex’s still in the Habitat,” she informed them.“But the rest of them are gone. I only saw Galan in the passageway.”
“Galan?” Anske perked up.
“Yeah. He looks horrid. The Striker really turned his head inside out. Even his eyes look like they’re in the wrong place.” Fawn screwed up her face.
“Oh boy. That’s not good at all. Did he ask about the Holy Guide?” Anske wanted to know.
“Well, no. But he hinted he might want to get to knowmebetter.”Fawn tried—and failed—to hide smugness on her face.
“You’re incorrigible,” Gro sighed.
