Page 57 of Unrivaled
I reached for a map.“Show me the location, please.”
They reached out their hand, revealing short nails and a fat golden ring with a siren that arched over their knuckles.I tore my eyes away from the hungry curve of her back and followed Elnyta’s fingertip to a dip in the shoreline on the map what looked like at least a few days’ hard ride away.
I made note of the location carefully.“How long would it take you to get back there?”I asked them.
“Four to six days, depending on the wind.”
I looked at the distance, the terrain, but it was to the west.I knew the east of my province like the back of my hand, every road and hidey-hole mapped out for the escape I’d never need.
If Chay was there, I’d send him.Bliksem would make that journey effortlessly.He’d defend children.
The thought made the old horror claw its way up my throat, but at least I wasn’t stuck sighing over the knight.
Thomas I’d trust with children too, of course, and Kaelson.The only other person on my very short list was Isolde.
Shewasan excellent rider, could travel light, and was highly resourceful.
“Can I let you know in a few hours if that’s needed?”I asked.She’d want to review the maps.I could find something with greater detail of the area, one I could mark up for her.Or whomever I sent.
“We’re stuck until the tide turns,” they told me.“After moonrise tonight.And if it isn’t clear, tomorrow morning.So take your time.”They patted the brown bag.“I thought you’d be glad to see this.”
“I am.”It was half the size of our bags, but I didn’t comment on that.There was time later to split hairs.“I am,” I repeated, slowing down, meeting their eyes.“Very much so.Thanking you, Captain.”
“You’re well come, princess,” they said.There was a sparkle in their eye.“You ought to come down to the docks, do a tour of the Ally, let me show you on my map where these children are.”
Their maps were possibly more detailed than mine, at least along the coastline.“I’ll certainly be down later to ask for your assistance, if that’s a possibility.”
“All things are possible with me, m’lady,” they told me, the words low and full of promise.“I’ll let the crew know to keep a weather eye for you, then.”
“Thanking you.”I tried to gather my thoughts, but they kept slipping away.I moved forward to shake their hand and bumped the desk.The grains shifted in the bag and it slid drunkenly to the side.“What do I owe you for the wheat?Or—millet?Barley?”
“You wanted wheat, princess.I got you wheat.”They gave me a nod, a smile tugging at their mouth.“This time, you can call it a gift.”
There was no way I wouldn’t embarrass myself if I ended up on their ship.I didn’t know what a captain’s quarters might look like, but the temptation to find out was huge.And I wouldn’t be looking for the horizonora slice of pie there.
Elnyta left.I should’ve been worrying about my utter lack of progress with the sword, the march of time that brought my father ever closer, or the hundreds of little tasks required for the day to day running of the city.Instead, I wondered about the siren ring that arched over their fingers and what atourof their ship would entail.
Isolde walked in, basket on her arm.Her brisk step let me know she was aware of who’d been and gone.
“I have wheat,” I told her.“And a village of children.”
“A village of children.”She set the basket down and started laying out breakfast.“That’s a new one.”
“How do you feel about going and rescuing them?”
She shot me a look.“Me?That’s a hero’s quest.I’m just the maid.”She didn’t see the unimpressed look I leveled at her.“Send a group from the watch, and a few women too.”
“I can’t trust them.”
“Well, that’s sad, because they’reyourwatch, in charge ofyourcity.”She ripped into some bread.“If you’re trying to get rid of me so you can try your hand at seducing a pirate, I think you’ll find it’s not so complex a task.I’ll make myself scarce tonight.”
“Isolde, there’s a group of children in a village, avoiding adults.”
She shrugged.“I’m sure.Orphans are a renewable resource.My place is with you.”
She hadn’t just said that.I shook my head.“Isolde?—”
“No.”She straightened, sweeping past me and heading up the stairs.For the first time since the conversation began, I saw how fixed her expression was.
