The quarters were as quiet this day as any other. Dago and Sirth didn’t speak. Since they had first met, they had spoken no more than fifty words, and it had been more than fifteen days. Dago would not give in to Miss Puzzle’s demands. He would steer them wrong in Yarik, and they would all end up bloody refuse in the red sewers or as revenant slaves for the masters of the city.
There were a few rainstorms recently, pattering on the deck. Other times, Dago could hear the voices of the crew. It seemed that there were two groups: the Captain’s men, and Miss Puzzle’s. The mercenaries stuck to themselves, and it seemed that even the ship’s crew had no idea as to their ultimate destination and plan. By Dago’s calculations, they were well into Tempera Bay by now.
When it was time for their guards to bring in lunch for Dago and Sirth, Miss Puzzle entered instead. She was wearing her slick black leather outfit this day, and was armed with a proper short sword at her waist. She held a plate of food in each hand, while Avice and another mercenary kept weapons trained on Dago and his distraught roommate.
“Today,” Miss Puzzle said, “We will be harbouring in Elpan. A supply run, is all.” Her brown hair was bound in a knot behind her head.
“May I stretch my legs?” Dago asked. He still used his crutches, but his leg felt much better. His arm was still stiff, and he’d need to recover a great deal more to wield a weapon properly. I’ll need to retrain myself, he thought. Weeks of work.
“No,” replied his captor. “But Sirth will help us carry supplies.”
Sirth bowed her head.
Miss Puzzle grinned her perfect smile. “I trust her, you see.”
Dago spat toward Miss Puzzle, and grabbed one of the plates she had set on the table in the room. He had it half finished by the time they locked his door again. Now he was alone, for they had taken Sirth with them.
Through the small window, Dago could keep track of the time of day easily enough. Over the next two hours, the coast came into view, rolling forests of greenery, clumped mangroves, bayou where brackish rivers stunk the edge of the sea.
And smoke.
At first it was the telltale scent of cooking, Dago thought. Then he began to see a trail in the afternoon sky, and thought he might soon see a campfire on the edge of the forest.
The ship’s crew began to shout, but nothing that helped Dago understand what was going on. Soon the forest itself became obscured by a grey haze, and the smells became less appetizing. “What should we do?” asked the Captain, his loud voice coming from almost directly above Dago’s cabin.
“Put in to port anyway,” came a woman’s voice soon after. “Everyone be on your guard.”
And then, at last, buildings came into view. The Steadfast Star drifted between two burning towers and into the harbour of Elpan. Dago had been here three times before, but never like this. He could see a warehouse smouldering too, soon enough. And, in the distance, heard the screams of combat. This was a city in battle, he realized.
“What’s happened here?” shouted the Captain.
A distant voice came back in reply, but Dago thought he understood it: “Revolution!”
“Avice, you’re in charge.” Again, it sounded like Miss Puzzle and was standing directly above Dago.
Soon enough, a number of booted feet left the ship. The smell of smoke became so thick it was hard to breath, and Dago wondered how long the team would be. Will Sirth try to escape? he wondered. That would certainly be a mistake for her.
Before the group returned, Dago was fed another meal, this time by one of his usual guards. The man seemed a little anxious, his tan skin beading with sweat and his hands resting on the hilts at his waist. He wouldn’t reply to any of Dago’s questions, about what was going on in Elpan, or if their supply team had returned yet.
“I’m taking another group,” Miss Puzzle said, about half an hour after Dago finished his meal. The captured sellsword crossed the room to sit near the window once more. She was standing above him, on the deck, speaking to the Captain of the Steadfast Star. “We need those supplies.”
“I fear it is too dangerous,” the ship master replied. “We’ve seen the fighting from here.”
“Yes, but it is not a constant battle. We will navigate the streets easily.”
“Very well.”
“Captain,” Miss Puzzle said, “We cannot backtrack for supplies, not this close to Yarik. Certain parties may already be aware of my plans here. We get enough food to last us here, and we press on.”
“I said, ‘very well,’ Miss,” the Captain said, once more.
Miss Puzzle’s voice sounded a little tired. “Wait for me. That is your job.” And then her heeled boots scuffed the deck as she walked away from Dago’s cabin.
By the time that the sun set on Elpan, Dago was still lying by his window waiting for Miss Puzzle’s return. None of the mercenaries returned that day, and none of the crew spoke. About an hour after the sun set, the Captain shouted, “Keep a look out. You two, first shift.” Dago fell asleep wondering how long the Captain would follow the order to wait on Miss Puzzle. He feared how loyal the ship’s crew would be—with her, Dago did not need to fear for his life until they reached Yarik.
His dreams were haunted by nightmares of that dark city.