Haven sailed two weeks to Cape Simling. They followed wind and current and did nothing to speed the journey. They saw no sign of another ship.
Cousin spent most of her time in the crow and avoided the galley. The crew came to her one by one, questioning, arguing, cajoling, asking to help. She said she was fine. She only needed time to think.
Kraken and Gabb talked about Haven and the crew and the enemy. They spoke of Cousin only in how she related to those things. Neither of them spoke their frustration. Neither spoke of their anger.
A day out of port Kraken called Gabb, Cousin, and Kor to his cabin. They sat around the table, and talked about what they wanted to accomplish at Cape Simling.
“We still need to off load most of the haul we intended to trade before,” Gabb said.
“We might want to consider getting rid of some of those more difficult enchanted weapons, too,” Kor said. “I know a smuggler who might be able to take them.”
“No,” Cousin said. “We still need to go through them. I don’t want to loose something that could be used against us later. Not when we might be able to use it ourselves. We never did get a straight answer from the trader out of Laver’s Gull.”
“Ain’t none of us wielders, except you three. You going to use them all?” Kor asked in clipped tones.
“I agree with Couisn,” Kraken said. “We just need to look them over. I haven’t made the time. They’re better sitting idle than plunged into our backs.”
“What about Matty’s request?” Gabb asked. “Maybe we could use some new things around the ship. I know my blacks are showing the wear. Kor’s are more gray than black. The crew could use some new colors.”
“Morale has been low,” Kraken said, “you really think new clothes will fix it?”
“It’s my fault,” Cousin said. “I’ve pulled away from everyone while I worked out stuff in my own head. I guess I need to talk to everybody.”
“It’s not just you,” Kor said, looking at Kraken. “It’s also your fault. No disrespect meant, Captain. We still don’t know what the relationship is between you two. The men are out of sorts by it. It’s splitting loyalties.”
Cousin blinked. She looked between Kraken and Kor. Kor glared and Kraken was stone faced. She looked at Gabb. He sat with his head down and eyes closed.
“I don’t understand,” Cousin said. “Why would the crew’s loyalties be split? Didn’t we settle this in the galley that night?”
Everyone looked at her. Her large eyes were wide and her brow furrowed. She met each gaze one by one. The confusion was clear in her open face.
“See, it’s just that the men, each of them feel like you are their Cousin. You belong to . . . Well, you know,” Kor stumbled when Cousin’s eyes changed. “We all, you know.”
Kraken reached out and squeezed her hand. “Belong, not own. You belong here. It goes both ways. The men belong to you the same way. Belonging is family.”
“Just like I taught you,” Gabb said to Kraken. He looked at Cousin. “Belonging is home.”
Cousin leaned back. “I understand. “Sorry,” she said to Kor. “That’s part of what I’ve been working through. Curtis Lee, Protector, only wants me as weapon, or a conduit, or slave, or something like that. I’m almost sure the Masters are after the same, to use me or eliminate me. It’s made me touchy.”
Gabb stood up and started pacing. “We’re all touchy. Every time I think about being blocked from you on the trip to that ship, I get angry. It shouldn’t have been so easy for – whoever it was. My powers are ocean powers. I am of the Deep Ocean. I should have been stronger in the water than anyone on that ship.” Gabb stopped behind his chair. Webbed hands gripped the chair back. He took several deep breaths and the webbing left his fingers.
“They were cheating,” Cousin said. “Using the spirit essence of the slaves.”
Kraken didn’t react. Gabb cursed. Kor set up straight and glared.
“I’m sorry, missy. Sorry you had to deal with that. Damn, girl, you should have let someone go over there with you.” Kor slammed his fist on the table.
Kraken cleared his throat. “I know I am feared for my power. I like being feared. I don’t think Cousin wants to be feared. Especially, by us.”
“Ain’t no one here afraid of Cousin,” Kor said.
“No one here has seen what I have,” Gabb said. “I was on Drake’s ship.”
Cousin sighed. “It is easy for me to kill. Even a ship full of Al’Ri wielders using others for a power boast was easy. Will life come to mean nothing to me?”
“You freed the slaves, and gave them the ship. If life didn’t matter to you, you would have destroyed everyone and the ship.” Kraken got up and went to fill his tankard. He leaned against the buffet and drained the ale. He poured another, and came back to the table. “Kor ready the cargo that will be unloaded. Gabb get a list of need and wants from the men. I’ll give up my share this time, so there will be plenty.” Kraken drained the tankard. “Cousin, you should talk to the men. After, I talk to them. Gabb get everyone on deck.”
Gabb and Kor stood to leave and Cousin rose to follow. Kraken took her wrist and waved the other two on. “We’ll be out in a bit.”
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