Chapter 21 #2
“If the knights are distracted, then it’s totally doable.”
“Let’s ignore the horse dilemma for a moment. What makes you think the captain of the ship will agree to grant us passage to Verlora?”
“If he refuses, we’ll ask him to take us to Saarpira.”
“The isle of pirates?” Josslyn squeaked.
“Yes. Most likely the vessel is from there so it shouldn’t be too difficult to convince the captain to bring us along when they set sail.
And before you tell me I’m crazy, keep in mind, Saarpira would place us out of Benoit’s reach.
Plus, my understanding is the pirate isle has many ships coming and going.
Surely, one of them will give us passage to Verlora. ”
“You do realize we don’t have the funds to pay for any of this.”
“I’ll think of something.” Avera hoped. Josslyn did have a point, not only did they lack resources, but she had nothing to trade.
A pardon for their pirating from a queen in disgrace?
Promises of payment from a treasury she couldn’t access?
Was there anything she could offer to convince someone to go?
She thought of the Verlorian sailor she’d seen in the tavern.
Perhaps she could convince a former citizen by implying she could help with whatever issue plagued Verlora, even as she had no clue if anything could be done.
No one seemed to know for sure what happened.
She’d heard variations from the plague to the island sinking, to it being covered in fire.
The wildest stories claimed monsters now roamed and killed all living things that dared trespass.
“I wonder where Gustav is spying from,” Josslyn murmured. “I didn’t spot him during my sojourn in the taproom.”
“Knowing Gustav, no one will see him, not even us. While we wait for his return, we should pack our belongings and his, so we’re ready to move.”
“Which raises another dilemma. There’s only a single set of stairs. We’ll be seen the moment we descend with our bags.”
“Are the soldiers planning to spend the night at the inn?”
Josslyn nodded. “Yes. They’ve got the floor above us. I overheard Korr assigning their rooms. He also told them they could stable their mounts.”
“With ours.” Avera’s lips flattened. “They’ll be wondering who they belong to.
” Not to mention, Luna remained rather distinctive given Volaqu steeds weren’t exactly common.
“I’d hoped to wait until they went to bed to relocate, but the horses might give us away.
” She glanced at the window. Too visible to climb out of.
“We might have to tie some sheets again to exit.”
Josslyn grimaced. “Because that went so well last time.”
“Would you rather possibly fight our way out?”
“There’s four of them. Decent odds.”
“Killing soldiers is problematic for a few reasons. For one, these are royal knights, people who serve the crown. They’re just obeying orders.”
“From a traitor?”
“They don’t know that,” Avera reminded. “Secondly, attacking them will bring trouble to the people here.”
A tap at the door had them eyeing each other in panic. Avera wouldn’t have responded but Josslyn trilled, “Who is it?”
“Korr.”
The owner? What did he want? Had he come to blackmail or trick them into giving themselves to the soldiers?
Seemingly unconcerned, Josslyn strode to the door and opened it. “Hello, good sir. Was there something amiss?”
Korr glanced sideways before leaning close to whisper, “I know them knights are after ye.”
Avera stiffened.
“Whyever would they be interested in us?” Josslyn said with a laugh.
“Because they think you lot conspired against the late queen.” Korr’s gaze went past Josslyn to Avera. “Fear not, Majesty, I ain’t going to rat you out. I knew your mother, a good woman, unlike her consort.”
“You knew them?” Avera asked keeping her voice low so as to not be overheard. Unlikely given the noise emanating from the main floor.
“Aye. The former queen visited a few times and was always kind. As for her consort…” Korr’s expression twisted into a grimace of distaste. “I had the misfortune of hosting him solo a few times in the past.”
“What did he do to create such a poor impression?” Josslyn queried.
“Let’s just say he had sadistic tendencies when it came to women. It led to the more free-spirited ones making themselves scarce when he visited. Even without that, he’s not a likable man.”
“With all the amenities Benoit had in the capital, I have to wonder why he would come here?” Josslyn tilted her head in curiosity.
Korr rolled his shoulders. “Other than indulging in his depravity out of the public eye? Not sure.”
“Did he have meetings with the pirates?” Avera wondered if that’s how he’d managed to hire the assassins.
“If he did, I didn’t see it happen. Some folk seen him spending time at the old chapel.”
“The one at the end of the pier?” Avera had seen the old building but had not explored it.
“Ayuh. Used to be they held ceremonies there for the sea faring. Blessings on their catch and sailing and whatnot. But once we lost Preacher Jonah, it fell into disuse.”
What would Benoit want with an abandoned church? Religion was a rare thing in Daerva. While some believed in gods and otherworldly powers, most just lived their lives by the laws of the land and their own morality.
“Odd,” Avera mused.
“All that to say, I don’t believe a word that foul bastard is saying about you, hence why I won’t be handing you over. No one will. We owe much to the late queen. She’d been keeping us afloat, sending us supplies to ensure we didn’t starve in the lean months.”
His claim confirmed what Avera had seen in her mother’s ledgers but even better, that kindness now helped Avera. “I appreciate you keeping quiet about our presence, although I fear our horses might give us away.”
“Already had them moved,” Korr announced. “The knights never seen them. And I helped your guard find a spot to observe where he wouldn’t be seen.”
“Your kindness is appreciated, but I have to ask, aren’t you worried the knights will find out you lied? I can’t see them being gentle if they discover you’ve helped hide us.” Avera couldn’t help but worry.
Korr’s craggy face split into a smile. “I got enough friends they wouldn’t dare. It wouldn’t be the first time some soldiers didn’t leave the Bay, although when asked, we always tell the capital they went on their merry way.”
Avera’s mouth rounded. “You’ve had problems with soldiers?”
“Not often, but some seem to think because we’re so far from everything, and no longer as fortunate in income, that they can act as they please. Our daughters aren’t their playthings.” Korr’s face darkened.
“You let Benoit live despite his actions,” Josslyn pointed out.
“It’s one thing to rid ourselves of rapists and pedophile soldiers, another to make the consort disappear.”
Having Korr on their side alleviated some of Avera’s concerns. “If I retake my throne—”
“When,” Josslyn corrected.
“I will endeavor to bring back commerce to your bay.”
“I appreciate the offer, but how will you do so? Verlora was our main trafficker,” Korr pointed out.
“I don’t know yet, but I will find a solution. Until that happens, I will continue what my mother started. You are still people of Daerva, and loyal ones too. That deserves consideration and reward.”
“Much appreciated, Majesty.” Korr bobbed his head.
“Speaking of Verlora, that ship that just docked, is it a merchant?” It seemed unlikely given what she knew from the ledgers, still she had to ask.
Korr’s lips twisted. “Of sorts.”
“It’s a pirate vessel,” Avera stated.
“Ayuh, but before you worry, they’re not the murdering, thieving kind. Yes, they come from Saarpira, and some of their goods are not exactly legally acquired, but they come here to trade.”
“Trade for what?”
“Grain, as well as preserved fruits and vegetables. Their isle ain’t good for planting.
They also like meat that isn’t pulled from the ocean.
Even the most ardent pescatarian sometimes gets a craving for something different.
We have a few farmers that drop their extras off so we have something on hand when they show. ”
“Would this captain be interested in taking passengers?”
Korr shrugged. “Dunno. Never had to ask him before.”
“Could you arrange a meeting with him?”
“Maybe. He ain’t planning to stay long.”
“If you could request a meeting, I would be in your debt.”
“I’ll do my best, although, I reckon it will be a few hours before I can make it happen. Gonna get those soldiers right drunk, so they pass out in their rooms and don’t bother ye.”
Korr left and Josslyn arched a brow. “It would seem you might have more support than suspected.”
“He really didn’t like Benoit. I wonder how we never heard a hint of his proclivities.”
“Because men don’t speak of such things around ladies and Benoit is a sly one. Look at how he weaseled his way onto the throne.”
And how he’d fooled a good many into thinking him harmless.
“I wonder what was so interesting about that chapel,” Avera mused aloud.
She got a chance to find out a few hours later because Korr succeeded in securing an appointment with the captain. To ensure their privacy, he’d chosen the old church.