Assassin’s Fate

I spoke what we all knew to be true. ‘You owe us nothing. This was a bargain struck between your ship and Amber. I do not expect you to risk your lives or crew for us.’ Dread filled my heart as I offered what was right. ‘We will all disembark when we reach Clerres. Whatever trouble we bring down, we will bring down only upon ourselves. Should anyone ask, we will say that we paid for our passage here, and that we hardly know you.’ I steeled myself. ‘If you judge you must flee before we return, well, then you must.’ And I would be in my worst possible situation. Saddled with all of my companions, and I hoped, Bee. With no swift means of escape.

Brashen scowled. ‘We do not intend to maroon you. One of the ship’s boats will remain at the dock, crewed by Queen Etta’s bravos. Should you have to flee for your lives, they will be there, waiting for you. We hope they can swiftly convey you to Paragon and we can flee together.’

A twisted smile crawled across Althea’s face. ‘Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Given that we know so little of what you intend, it is difficult for us to make specific plans.’

‘It’s more than what I expected,’ I said quietly. ‘Thank you.’

She looked me up and down. ‘You do what I think any parent would do for a child. I wish that rescuing her had not meant the end of Paragon as ship. Even so, I wish you luck. We will all need a sizeable measure of it to survive this.’

Brashen spoke. ‘Per and Spark are young for what you say you will do. Must you take them?’

‘I would leave them behind if I could.’ Per took a step forward and Spark made a strangled sound. I lifted a hand and my voice. ‘But we may need them.’

‘Then you have a plan?’ Althea pressed.

‘Of sorts.’ It was pathetic and I knew it. ‘We will disguise ourselves as folk seeking a fortune-telling from the Servants. Once we have crossed the causeway and entered the castle, we will attempt to search for Bee. Amber believes she knows where they will be holding her. If necessary, we will conceal ourselves within the stronghold and emerge by night to search for her.’

‘And if you find her?’ Brashen asked.

‘Somehow, we will rescue her. And bring her back to this ship.’

‘And then?’

‘Bee’s safety is my first concern. I would hope that we would immediately leave Clerres.’ That part of the plan belonged solely to me. Vengeance could wait until Bee was far beyond the reach of her captors. I had dwelt long on that decision, and had not told Amber of it. I suspected she would agree, but I refused to take the chance that she would not. I glanced at her. Her lips were folded tight and her arms crossed. I reminded them all, ‘Tintaglia intends to destroy Clerres. Perhaps we will be content with letting the dragons take our vengeance for us.’

If they had not already.

‘How will you get Bee away from them?’ Brashen asked.

I had to shrug. ‘I hope I will know that when the time comes.’

Althea’s face betrayed her shock. ‘You’ve come all this way and that is your strategy? It seems very … vague.’

‘It is.’

Her smile was strained. ‘It’s not really a plan at all.’

Brashen put his hand over hers where it rested on Paragon’s railing. ‘This we can offer you,’ he said. ‘And it’s as thin a plan as your own. The Divvytown sailors know how to fight.’ Althea started to object, but he held up a finger. ‘As Althea has said, we’ll have them wait for you at the dock, and they’ll be well armed. If your luck goes sour, get to them, and have them bring you back to the ship. Even if Althea and I are not aboard, Clef will order the ship to pull anchor and set sail.’

Lant’s mouth was hanging ajar. I shook my head, ‘And leave you in the hornets’ nest? I can’t ask that!’

‘Of course you can’t. And that’s why we’re offering it.’ A strange glint, almost merry, had come into his eyes. ‘It wouldn’t be the first time we have had to hide, or fight our way out of something. If it comes to that, save your little girl, and we’ll look after ourselves.’ He put his arm around her and said with a touch of pride, ‘We’re rather good at that.’

‘I don’t like that plan,’ Althea announced. ‘But I admit that I dislike it less than the idea that you might be fleeing with a child and have nowhere to go.’ She lifted her hand to cover Brashen’s. ‘If my ship and my crew can get clear, I’ll go along with it. Don’t worry about us.’

Those inadequate words. ‘Thank you.’

Amber spoke. ‘So. Our day is upon us. Time to rehearse. The sea is calm, the wind favourable. Can you spare all of us from deck duties for a time? I think we need to retire to my cabin, assess our supplies and wardrobe and practise our roles.’

Brashen glanced around the deck and gave a curt nod. ‘You’re free to go.’ He tucked Althea’s hand into his arm and led her away from us. Her gait matched the motion of her ship perfectly. I tried to imagine her living on land, walking through a market with a basket on her arm. I could not.

‘Roles?’ Per asked.

A gleam had come into Spark’s eyes. ‘Yes!’

‘I’m not sure that I need to rehearse,’ I said to Amber.