Page 52 of Queen's Griffon

Chapter 16

Griff

Griff’s shipstruggled to catch theEmperor’s Folly. The wind wouldn’t cooperate, meaning they kept turning on the engine to try to make up for the lack of full sails. Despite their efforts, they didn’t manage to catch up to the other ship until Verlora came in sight. Or rather, the wall of mist that hid it from view.

“There she is, Cap!” Kreed stated unnecessarily, pointing a thick finger at the vessel anchored a fair distance from the fog wreathing the continent.

A part of Griff had worried they’d sailed in the wrong direction, that Simhi might have been mistaken. But it turned out she’d heard right. Koonis had come to Verlora and, seeing as how its skiff appeared to be missing from its starboard side, someone had gone ashore.

“What’s our next move, Cap?” Kreed asked.

“We could try diplomacy.”

“You really think they’ll just hand back the queen?” Kreed sounded skeptical.

“No, but by making the demand, we reiterate our right to use force given they broke our laws.” Not that the emperor would care. Most likely, attacking a Merisuan ship would causetrouble, assuming anyone found out. After all, Koonis had sailed to Verlora—from which few ever returned.

A thought Kreed had as well. “Shame how people disappear visiting our country,” he murmured.

Griff slapped him on the back. “Indeed, it is. Let’s get within parlaying range.” Griff gave the command and his crew scurried to furl the sails, allowing the gentle roll of the ocean to carry them while his helmsman kept them steady.

The other ship must have noticed them because their crew gathered on the main deck, and he could see the bright red coat of Captain Koonis as he stood on the poop deck with a spyglass. Griff hoped Koonis could see the rude gesture he sent his way.

As they got close enough to shout back and forth, Koonis began the conversation. “I’m surprised to see you in these waters. I thought you pirates avoided this area.”

“I could say the same of you,” Griff yelled back. “But I’m not here to discuss your trespassing in Verlorian territory. You took something of mine. I’m here to take it back.”

“Ah yes, the deposed Queen of Daerva. Let’s be honest, she wasn’t really yours. And the lady did ask me to give her passage to the continent.”

“You knew full well she was in my care. Just like you know the rules of Saarpira. No stealing, which also includes abducting.”

“Ah yes, your pirate laws. I’m afraid those don’t apply to an envoy of the emperor. And in any case, you’re too late. The queen is no longer on board.”

“You sent her ashore!” More a hollered shock of a statement than a query.

“Well, yes. It is, after all, what she wanted.”

“You had no right.”

“According to who? I am following my emperor’s orders.”

Wait, the emperor had commanded Koonis to send Avera to Verlora? “How long since her departure?”

“Not long, actually. You just missed them. Quite the exciting trip too. A kraken managed to take one of the men sent with her before they entered the mist.”

A kraken?

“A thief and a liar. We both know these waters have been dead since the evacuation.” The volcano had boiled and poisoned the area. Nothing lived here. Or at least, that was what he’d been told.

Kreed sidled close enough to whisper, “I don’t think they’re lying. They’ve got their harpoon cranked.”

Rather than address his first mate, Griff inclined his head, the signal they should also be ready.

“I’m surprised you’re anchored if that’s true,” Griff continued the conversation.

“Some of us aren’t afraid of an overgrown squid,” mocked Koonis. “Besides, I did promise the queen passage when she returns.”

“Passage to where?”

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