I look over my shoulder, narrowing my eyes. “Why would I?”

“I would have thought it would be easier for you. Is it not?”

Just what does he know or think he knows about me? How much did Father tell him?

“I thought you were distracting the men for me.”

“And I thought you didn’t need my help.”

I ignore him once I hear the light splash of the boat connecting with the sea. His footsteps finally recede as I lower myself down with another rope. Putting Theris out of my mind, I start rowing. ’Tis not my favorite activity. When going ashore with my crew, I always make someone else do it.

Such are the privileges of being captain.

Can’t be more than a few minutes when I reach shore. It’s night, and no one is patrolling the dock. Good thing, because I haven’t any money on me.

Not that I can’t just procure some. But that takes time and a little planning.

I pull my coat around me more tightly. The night air is brisk, as is typical during the fall. Some of Maneria’s more southern isles experience warm temperatures year-round, but here in the northeast, the winds and waters are always cold, save when it is the heart of summer.

I travel farther inland, trying to get a sense of where I am. I know that when I was taken, I was over a two days’ ride from the south side of Naula. We’ve been on the sea for only about seven days. We could have just gone around to the other side of the isle. Clever, that. Most would assume that after a kidnapping, the perpetrators would want to get as far away as possible from where the crime took place.

Word must have gotten around to my father that I succeeded in getting aboard the Night Farer. I’m sure he’ll want a report soon. I might as well write him now since I’m on land. Who knows when I’ll have such an opportunity again? Besides, it’s best to wait awhile before I let the pirates catch me attempting to “escape.” Can’t make it seem like I got away too easily.

I didn’t want to let Theris turn me in. I know the whole point of this little side venture is getting caught, but letting Theris do it would feel like using his help. And I won’t be doing that.

I continue heading inland. There will be someone working for my father in the pirate quarter of town. There always is. Father has a man in each major port city in all the Seventeen Isles. The trick will be figuring out who he is. I can use the signal that men in my father’s employ exchange. But how I’ll be able to signal my father’s man without getting caught by all the pirates from Draxen’s crew, who are also likely to be there, first will be the tricky bit.

As I walk the city streets, I start to feel a tingling at the back of my neck.

I’m being followed.

Is it a member of Draxen’s crew? I would hate to be caught already. But it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if Father didn’t receive a letter from me.

So long as it’s not Theris trying to keep an eye out for me. I will start retaliating with violence if he becomes too meddlesome.

I look behind me casually, as if I’m only observing the night sky or something else that’s caught my fancy. There is definitely a figure in the shadows. Maybe more than one.

We’re stopped between two town homes. I’m not on the street, just a grassy area that separates the two houses. The grass is wet, softened by the rainfall over the last several days. I’ve no weapons on me, save the dagger in my boot.

There can’t be too many of them, otherwise I would have spotted them earlier. It’s likely that I can take them. Might as well risk it.

I pat my pockets, as though I realize I’ve just forgotten something. I spin around in the wet grass, making a light squeaking noise with my boots. This emphasizes my casualness. I’m not trying to be quiet. My followers won’t think I’ve found them out.

I start walking back in the direction I came from. When I reach the corners of both homes, I leap forward into the shadows on the left. Right where the sparse moonlight is blocked by the roof of the home there.

“Ah!” a woman’s voice calls out. I put my hands to her mouth, stopping the cry. We can’t have everyone in this part of town waking and spotting us.

“Mandsy, is that you?” I ask.

“Hello, Captain.”

I sigh and look heavenward, though no one can see the motion. “All right. Come out. All of you.”

There are three of them—the three members from my crew who I saw not long ago: Mandsy, Zimah, and Sorinda. I’m relieved they made it safely to land, but I don’t let it show.

“I told you she was going to see you,” Zimah says to Mandsy. “You’re terrible at staying hidden. And quiet.” She meets my gaze for only a moment before looking at the ground, ashamed to have been caught on land when they’re supposed to be on the ship.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“We’ve been following you,” Mandsy says, smiling widely. Her teeth shine now that she’s stepped into the moonlight. “Zimah has been tracking you. We were worried, Captain. Just wanted to make sure you’re all right. I hate the thought of you being stuck on board with that lot.”

“As you can see,” I say, “I’m fine. Really, this was reckless of you. What if you were seen by Draxen’s men? You could have blown my cover.”

“We were careful. No one spotted us, what with Zimah here.”

“I spotted you.”

“That’s because we weren’t trying too hard to hide from you,” Zimah says defensively, as though her skills are being brought into question. “We wanted to talk with you. Ship’s lonely without you, Captain.”

I can’t help but smile. “I suppose I should have expected this from you two. But, Sorinda, what in all the seas of Maneria are you doing here?”

Quiet as death, Sorinda finally speaks. “Niridia ordered me to come with them.”

Sorinda is the best swordswoman on my crew. She’s an excellent killer. And since she’s been in my crew, an excellent protector as well.

“Which means that Niridia’s with the ship nearby?” Niridia is my first mate and trusted confidant. I made her temporary captain of my ship while I went on my mission aboard the Night Farer.

“Aye.”

I put my head in my hands. “I’m perfectly fine. You’re all being careless.”

“What’s it like, Captain?” Mandsy asks. “Being on that pirate lord’s ship? Are they treating you well? No one’s laid hands on you, have they?”