Page 74 of A Flash of Golden Fire

I expected to hear some alarming noise—musket fire, a scream of pain, perhaps a voice pleading for mercy. But all was relatively quiet.

Captain Martin kept apprised of what was happening with his spyglass, but he barely needed to use the tool. We were that close. Hillier must have given a signal because he lowered the glass with a smile and a nod.

“To the skiff, Rooster. But keep your guard about you,” the captain said.

“Who’s coming?” I asked. “Not just us two…”

“Guthrie will join us.”

I nodded, but then frowned. “The ship’scook?”

“Yes.”

“Are we having a picnic? On the other ship?”

Captain Martin turned, his eyebrows lifted in amusement.

“No, Mr White. Mr Guthrie presents a calm and wise demeanor when in a situation like this. He may be theArrow’scook—a fact we shall not disclose to the other party—but he used to be a general in the King’s Navy. He has…diplomatic skills.” Captain Martin shrugged.

I blinked in surprise at this unexpected piece of news.

“Blimey. You’re not having me on?” I asked with some incredulity.

“No. Not at all.”

In fact, here came Mr Guthrie now, dressed as fine as the captain and carrying himself with a sense of import I normally didn’t associate him with. As he approached, he gave me a smile and a wink, and I recalled our daily meetings at the water closet. His stately appearance showed how one’s perception of a person could change in an instant.

“Hello, Mr Guthrie,” I said.

“Officer White.” He gave me a nod, then turned to Captain Martin. “Captain.”

“Guthrie,” Captain Martin said. “Ready?”

“Aye. I’ve got the beef marinating for later. Let’s go.”

The three of us descended the rope ladder to the waiting skiff. Guthrie first, then the captain, and then me. I misjudged the distance from the last rung and tumbled into the boat, almost going over the side. But the captain grabbed the sleeve of my jacket and pulled me in.

“Watch yourself, White,” he said, in a gruff voice that betrayed his affection for me in the way he struggled to keep the sentiment hidden.

“Yes, Captain,” I said, reassured by his presence and his quick actions.

My gut was a coil of nerves as we rowed toward the other ship. But then Hillier’s face appeared at the rail.

“Nice lot here, Captain. They’re being wonderfully agreeable,” he said, dropping a rope ladder that unrolled against the hull until the bottom touched the water near our skiff.

“I’m glad to hear it, Hillier,” Captain Marin said. “Up you go, White. After Guthrie and before me, if you please.”

I struggled to climb the ladder—which proved more difficult than I’d imagined.

“Everything all right?” Captain Martin asked from his agile purchase below.

“I’m fine. I’ll manage.”

“Wonderful. I’d like to be aboard by sundown, if you please.”

I didn’t risk taking my gaze off of what I was doing to send him a disdainful glare. Instead, I gritted my teeth and tried to move a bit faster. He’d be lucky if I didn’t slip and fall, taking him into the drink with me.

Finally, we gained the deck, and Hillier helped me aboard.

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