Sea Spiders
Chapter twenty-seven
Lucianna had never shared a room with anyone before.
Now she was not only sharing one, but with strangers, in a space that could scarcely be called a room at all.
She wrapped her coat more tightly around her middle, staring out at the endless moonlit waters from the head of the ship.
Eventually, she would need to rest, but it would not be tonight.
It appeared that her fellow crewmates felt similarly, as they all lingered about various portions of the deck.
Aside from Castien and Wren, who had disappeared into their private quarters shortly after they’d pushed off from the docks.
Though as light spilled under the door, perhaps they weren’t sleeping.
The sound of boots on wood made Lucianna look over her shoulder. Captain Kaiden held a lantern in one large hand while adjusting a sail’s tie with the other.
“I can hold that for you, if you’d like,” Lucianna offered.
She was wary of the man’s sharp gaze and gruff demeanor, but supposed if she was to be trapped aboard his ship, it was best to present herself as useful. And as her father was a well-traveled merchant, Lucianna had ample knowledge of ships and sailing.
The captain grunted in assent and swayed the lantern in her direction. She took it and held the light aloft. He made quick work of the knot, then jerked his head in the direction of another. Lucianna followed dutifully.
“You opposed to climbing?” He gestured to the foremast above them. “It’ll be tight quarters.”
“I don’t mind,” she answered, and felt eyes on her.
Lucianna glanced to her right and saw Finn observing her from the main deck. His hand was on the railing that would lead to the forecastle deck where she stood with Kaiden.
“Is there anything I can help with, Captain?” he called out.
There was something hidden in his tone that Lucianna couldn’t quite understand. As if he were challenging the captain, but about what?
“Not at the moment, unless you wish to take your wife’s place holding the lantern,” Kaiden replied.
Finn stared at the captain. The sails snapped and billowed in the wind. His blue eyes seemed to glow in the darkness as they shifted to Lucianna.
“No, that’s all right.” He released the banister. “Let me know if there’s any way I can be of assistance.”
The captain gave a sharp nod, then grabbed ahold of the shroud and jostled it.
“You go up first. I’ll take the lantern for now to make your climb easier.”
Lucianna didn’t tell the man that she had scaled buildings holding much more than a lantern.
She wasn’t sure if it would endear him to her or make him more suspicious than he already was.
Once she passed off the lantern, she grasped the interwoven ropes of the shroud, and began making the arduous climb to the crow’s nest.
Misty wind whipped at her face as she climbed. She was glad she had braided her hair, otherwise she’d be blinded by it covering her eyes. Her muscles warmed with the exertion, and she was glad for it. Moving her body with purpose aided in quieting her racing thoughts.
Lucianna threw her leg over the side of the wooden basket.
Once secure inside, she glanced down and saw the captain following her, the lantern clipped to his thick leather belt.
He quickly reached the top—no doubt having done this several times in his life—and Lucianna stepped back to give him space.
Her heart lurched as she tripped on something and swayed backward.
The captain grabbed her forearm and allowed her to regain her footing before letting go.
“Watch your step,” he grumbled.
She nodded, then glanced down to see what she had stumbled over. A burlap sack was nestled against the floor of the crow’s nest. Next to it was a bow of unique shape and a quiver of what looked to be metal arrows.
“Here.” Kaiden shoved the lantern toward her. She lifted it, casting the man’s grisled complexion in warm light.
The first thing Lucianna noticed was that streak of silver in his inky black beard.
It was unusual and would have perhaps softened his appearance if not for the abundance of scars on his tan skin.
And the immovable scowl he wore. Kaiden’s arms were mostly hidden by the linen shirt he wore, but Lucianna did not doubt the muscles beneath it.
“I get the feeling you’re a man who prefers silence while he works,” she commented.
The wind had died down, creating an atmosphere of calm in the suspended basket.
Kaiden shrugged.
“Well, I am usually the same, and in the future will seek to honor that desire. However, given I am about to be aboard this ship for some time, I have some questions.”
This elicited another grunt. Lucianna did not let the lack of verbal answers deter her.
“What made you agree to be our captain?” she inquired. “Castien said he had to convince you.”
The captain tightened one of the knots, then squinted at the corresponding sail.
“Raise that a little, would you?” he asked. She obeyed.
The shift in lighting allowed her to see a slight tear in the fabric. It wasn’t much, but it could grow worse in the ever-changing conditions of the Tides. Kaiden pulled a small pouch off his belt and out of it a needle and thread.
“The prince offered me something worth the risk,” he replied. “And no, I’m not telling you what it is.”
Lucianna supposed that was fair. She wouldn’t trust her either.
“All right, and what sort of captain are you that can abandon his work to sail to Grimhaven at a moment’s notice?”
“The kind that’s getting paid to do it,” he said, his words muffled by the needle in his teeth.
Lucianna let out a light laugh.
“I think I’m going to leave with more questions than answers.”
This earned her another shrug.
“Okay, how about these arrows? They are made of metal. My father is a weapon’s master, and though I’ve seen metal-tipped arrows, it’s not often I see this make.”
Kaiden began sewing the sail, fumbling only a little with his bulky fingers.
“Not arrows. Harpoons.” He pulled a knife off his belt and cut the end of the thread. “Can’t kill a sea beast with an arrow.”
Though Lucianna was familiar with both ships and weapons, she had not sailed since she was younger than thirteen. And as a child, her father had shielded her from the darker sides of the world. If they encountered a sea beast on their travels, she was sent to hide with her brother.
Lucianna recalled a particularly harrowing event in which she’d been rushed below deck.
All she could hear were the screams of men and a wet slapping sound against the hull.
Her father never told her what happened.
The following Eventide, her Gift manifested.
She hadn’t been on the water since. Duke Morrowe didn’t want to lose his daughter and best asset to the dangerous whims of the sea.
“Have you come across many beasts?” she asked.
The captain secured his tools, then held out his calloused hand for the lantern. Lucianna gave it to him. He clipped it to his belt, casting odd shadows about the small space.
“Yes, though some are more dangerous than others. Many are just pests.”
Lucianna frowned. “Pests . . . like a spider?”
The captain huffed and threw his leg over the basket.
“If a spider had tentacles the length of your body and teeth the size of your palm, sure.”
Lucianna blinked.
“Don’t worry, though, Kelwin is a good shot.”
He’s just a boy! Lucianna barely refrained from exclaiming.
“Captain!” a voice Lucianna did not recognize shouted from below. “Activity to the east!”
Kaiden paused his descent and surveyed the horizon. He sighed.
“I knew this journey would be unnecessarily difficult. Nothing good ever comes easy.” He met Lucianna’s gaze and raised a black brow. “Unless you want to try your hand at the harpoon, I suggest you climb down.”
Kelwin’s head popped over the side, and the boy scrambled into the small space.
“What’s happening?” Lucianna asked, her back pressed against the basket.
The captain threw his other leg over and started to climb down.
“Kelwin just spotted a spider.”