Twelve
THE SHIP ROCKED gently in the center of the lagoon, and Charis shivered at the occasional thud of a basilisk brushing against the bottom.
The lagoon was approximately the same size as the small bay at Portsmith where she’d seen the Rakuuna queen’s armada several months ago. Craggy walls rose high on every side, and the ceiling was a lopsided dome with a long, jagged opening at the top, revealing the distant, star-flecked velvet of the night sky. Her chest squeezed painfully as she scanned her surroundings, but Reuben’s assessment was correct. The walls where the snakes might be coiled on ledges were too far from the ship and the light was too dim for the basilisks to threaten her people. There was a large shadow in the water off to her right—maybe a rocky outcropping or a small island?—but it was also far enough away that her crew wouldn’t risk meeting a basilisk’s gaze by looking at it.
Another thud echoed from the bottom of the ship, and she turned to Finn. “Order the crew to stay away from the sides of the ship. I don’t want anyone accidentally glancing at the water. Post guards at the bow and stern and on the port and starboard side, five paces in to protect them from looking into the water. I want them listening for anything trying to climb up the ship.”
Could a snake shimmy its way up the side of a ship even with fishing nets in place? She thought it likely they’d get tangled in the netting, but her understanding of the creatures was limited at best.
Her people were safe, for now, but they couldn’t hide in this lagoon indefinitely. They needed to fix the hull and make weapons capable of killing an entire ship full of Rakuuna, including any who jumped into the sea. The task seemed impossible, but a month ago finding a weapon capable of killing the Rakuuna had seemed impossible, too.
First, however, she had to deal with what was in front of her. They’d lost Joren and Uriah, and she could hardly bear to look at their bodies.
Entering the cave had been the right move, but she was so weary of feeling like every decision she made was paid for with someone’s blood. Forcing herself to crouch beside their bodies, she gently closed their eyes and whispered her thanks for their service. There was an ache deep inside, like the dull pain of a bone bruise. Was this how Mother had felt every time she’d read the casualty lists from the war?
They couldn’t keep the bodies aboard the ship. She was going to have to send two of her own into the cold, unforgiving arms of the sea, and nothing about that felt right. They should be buried in their family plots, nestled by loved ones in the soft, fertile ground of Calera. Seers should be reading blessings over them, and chimes should ring in their honor. Their loved ones should be able to bring flowers and fruit to their graves every birthday.
Instead, they’d be lost to the deep, and no one would have a way to visit them and remember. Her throat burned as the ache spread from her chest to her neck.
Her people deserved better.
Orayn crouched beside her, his large brown hands resting briefly on the shoulders of the fallen. “They were good lads, and they’ll be missed. I know Joren’s mother. When we’ve retaken Calera, I’ll be sure to tell her how bravely her son served his queen.”
It was difficult to breathe. Difficult to blink away the tears that stung her eyes.
“You made the right decision,” Orayn said quietly. “We lost two, aye. And it’s a hard loss. But we would have lost everyone aboard the ship and the poison we carry if you hadn’t sent us into this cave.”
“But how do I get us out of this cave alive?” she whispered, careful to keep her words from carrying to the nearby crew.
Orayn met her gaze. “I don’t know, but I have faith that between you, me, and the rest of our people, we’ll figure it out.”
She nodded, because what else could she do? They had to come up with a plan. The alternative was unthinkable.
Orayn stood as she did and said softly, “Your father would be proud of you. He always said you’d be the best queen Calera has ever known, and I haven’t seen anything yet that proves him wrong.”
His words slipped into the hollow of her chest, sharp as knives, precious as gems. She drew in a shaky breath and found she had the strength to lift her chin and wipe her face clear of the doubt that crouched in the corners of her thoughts.
“Have Ayve and Finn prepare these two honorable men for burial at sea.” Her voice caught on the last word, but she pushed through. “And then send several crew members down to patch the hull and bail out the water. Once those things are complete, we’ll rest for tonight and tackle the problem of making weapons in the morning.”
As Orayn moved to obey, Grim and Dec rushed to her side, Holland in their wake.
“Your Majesty.” Grim sketched a hasty bow. “You know that big shadow off to the side in the lagoon? We thought maybe it was a large rock or even an island?”
“Yes.”
“We looked at it through the telescope. It isn’t either one of those.”
She turned to face him “What is it?”
“A ship.”
Hours later, with Joren and Uriah respectfully sent to their final resting place and the hull firmly patched, Charis stood on the deck as some of the crew manned the galley oars while Orayn and Finn carefully navigated their way to the ship that rested in the southwestern quarter of the lagoon. It was much easier to see it now that faint scraps of daylight filtered in from above, but still, it wasn’t until they were close that Charis could truly make out the spiky mast timbers, the spacious deck, and the limp flag that hung above the crow’s nest.
“Ahoy!” Orayn called, his voice booming across the space between the two vessels. “We come in peace.”
That was a relative term. If the ship was a pirate vessel—and Orayn had assured Charis there was no other type of ship that might take refuge here—and if its crew thought they were going to rob Charis’s people, then she had no intention of being anything close to peaceful.
“Ahoy!” Orayn called again.
No one replied.
Finn yelled instructions to the rowers, and Orayn brought the ship alongside the other. Still, there was no reply. No activity on the deck as far as Charis could tell. Were they asleep?
“Cease rowing and weigh anchor!” Finn called.
Her crew stood silently waiting while she watched the other ship. Nothing. No sounds, no movement. She turned to find that Orayn, Reuben, and Holland had all joined her at the bow.
“Is it abandoned?” Reuben asked.
“No one abandons a ship,” Orayn said. “Too valuable. If you don’t want it anymore, you sell it.”
“Maybe they anchored overnight like we did, and the basilisks climbed the sides of their boat and killed them.” Holland leaned over the railing as if by peering closer he could determine whether there were any bodies on the ship.
“Snakes can’t climb ships like this one.” Orayn gestured toward the sides of the vessel, where silvery spikes gleamed in the faint daylight. “Those spikes will be all along the bottom as well. Pirate ship, for sure.”
Orayn cursed and spat three times over his left shoulder, while the others shifted uneasily. All but Holland, who looked as if he’d been given an early birthday present.
“Do you think they left any of their loot inside?” Holland rubbed his hands together. “I’ve heard pirates collect the best weapons the sea kingdoms have to offer.”
“We should not steal weapons from pirates,” Orayn said firmly. “That’s a good way to get ourselves killed.”
“What’s a bad way to get ourselves killed?” Holland sounded genuinely curious.
“Lord Farragin, pirates hunt down those who steal from them and make examples of them. The stories are enough to chase the sleep from your eyes for a month. We should leave this ship alone, don’t you think, Your Majesty?” Orayn looked at Charis.
Orayn was correct. Pirates were rarely seen in the southern waters—the vigilance of the Caleran and Solvanish navies had seen to that—but they were a danger in the northern seas, especially to the west, where they had hideouts far from civilization.
However, pirates weren’t the most ferocious predator on Charis’s trail. And they’d first have to return to the cave to realize they’d been robbed. At that point, it was unlikely they could ever track down who did it.
Maybe she didn’t have to figure out how to make weapons powerful enough to obliterate an entire Rakuuna crew. Maybe all that was needed was a simple bait and switch.
The idea took hold, and as her mind raced through the strategy, hunting for weaknesses, she arrived at one simple, stark truth.
There was only one person in this lagoon who could act as bait.
It would be worth it if it meant her crew and the poison were safe. They could sail for Verace without issue, which meant the invaders could still be driven from Calera, and her people could still be saved.
Pushing aside the sickening dread that filled her, she latched onto that hopeful thought and turned to the group surrounding her.
“Your Majesty.” Orayn sounded strained. “Please tell Lord Farragin that we are not stealing weapons from pirates.”
“We aren’t stealing weapons from pirates.” Before Orayn could sigh in relief, Charis continued. “We’re stealing their entire ship.”
There was a beat of silence, and then chaos erupted. Orayn spat until his mouth ran dry. Reuben shouted objections that were drowned out by Holland’s enthusiastic celebration.
Charis interrupted them. “We have to work fast. Orayn, stop trying to ward off a pirate’s curse. We’re their curse now. Put together a system that will allow us to haul our supplies safely on board and do it fast. I want every speck of food, weaponry, clothing, first aid supplies, tools, ropes, and poison on that ship by noon. Faster, if you can manage it.
“Holland, make sure our weapons are transported securely. Put Rithni in charge of the food and first aid supplies. Ayve can put together a small team to get everyone’s clothing and hygiene supplies. I want Finn in charge of moving the poison.”
“What should I do?” Reuben asked as the others left to do their jobs.
Calling on the fury in her heart, Charis turned to face him. A queen did what was necessary to protect her people. Even if it meant sacrificing a few lives to save the many.
Even if it meant sacrificing herself.
With enough steel in her voice to meet Mother’s exacting standards, Charis said, “You are going to help me figure out how to sail our original ship out of the cave with as few crew members as it is possible to have.”
There was a moment of silence. She met Reuben’s hard brown eyes and waited.
Finally, he said, “This ship is a decoy to lure the Rakuuna into attacking, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
He stared her down for a long moment, his jaw flexing, his eyes burning with the violence that lurked just beneath his surface. Then he said, “As you wish.”
She nodded as though she’d never expected an argument, though it was rare for Reuben to simply accept her bold ideas. “Good. The crew who stays behind to row must be given the choice if at all possible. I don’t want to condemn anyone else to be either kidnapped or killed by the Rakuuna.”
She ought to feel bad forcing Reuben to join her, but despite the fierce loyalty he’d shown once she became queen, he was still the same man who’d ruthlessly murdered her handmaiden Milla and her nighttime guards on orders from Charis’s mother. She’d never forgive him for that.
He could pay the life debt he owed by helping her save Calera.
“How many crew do you think it will take to get the ship out of the cave?” Charis asked, turning away to run some calculations. “I can manage the helm. Orayn’s been teaching me. You can have Finn explain the depth finder—”
“No, Your Majesty.” His voice was as cold as hers.
She pivoted to face him, anger flickering. “I don’t think I heard you, Reuben, because surely you know better than to tell your queen no.”
“I will sail the ship, Your Majesty.” He sounded resolute. “I’ll assign crew to the oars and the depth finder. We’ll leave the cave first and lure the Rakuuna into sinking the ship. But you are getting onto the pirate ship and sailing safely out of here.”
“No, I’m not.”
He matched her glare with one of his own. “The queen of Calera is not going to send herself out of this cave as bait.”
She gritted her teeth. It was hard enough to take this step without having to argue with Reuben, of all people, that she was making the right choice—the only choice—for Calera.
“I’m the one with a bounty on my head. I’m the one the Rakuuna are hunting. If they drag me back to Calera, they’ll stop hunting. They won’t be looking for more Caleran threats, and that gives our people time to gather an armada and use the poison to destroy the Rakuuna. This plan doesn’t work if I’m not the bait.”
A small sound behind her had her turning on her heel. Holland stood there, looking for all the world as though she’d just run him through with her sword. For a long moment, they stared at each other, and then he squared his shoulders and said, “When do we leave?”
“Give us half a day’s head start to make sure the Rakuuna take the bait, and then sail for Verace. Once you’ve delivered half the poison to them, set sail for Calera’s northernmost port and arrange to meet King Alaric and his army.” Her words were full of calm certainty, at odds with the way her heart ached.
Holland raised one brow. “No, I meant when do we”—he waved a hand to encompass Charis, Reuben, and himself—“set sail as bait?”
She sucked in an unsteady breath and locked eyes with him. “You’re not coming with me.”
He smiled. “Indeed I am.”
“Holland, I forbid you to go. That’s a direct command from your queen.”
His smile disappeared. “Then kill me.”
She recoiled. “What kind of nonsense are you—”
“I’m about to commit treason by disobeying my queen.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “So either give me a traitor’s reward or stop trying to convince me not to follow you every step of this journey, no matter the cost.”
She shook her head, momentarily speechless. He was using the same tone of voice that always sent Nalani into fits of despair because it meant nothing would change his mind. Still, she had to try.
“I appreciate your loyalty, and you know I love you. But everyone on board this ship is going to an almost certain death—”
“And how dare you try to leave me out of such a grand adventure.” He leaned closer, a rare move for him, and said softly, “I’m going. Now, let’s figure out how to do this right.”
She could force him to leave with the other ship. Have him tied up in a cabin until she was too far away for him to fight the fate she’d chosen for him. And maybe she should. Maybe that was the right choice for Calera.
But it would crush Holland. He would forever feel responsible for not fighting for her to his last breath.
And if she was honest, the despair that lurked within her lost some of its bite when she considered facing capture with her cousin by her side.
“Fine. You can come. Now, let’s start planning. I want us sailing out of here by the end of the day.”