Page 37 of Virelai's Hoard
“Very well,” Calla said, drawing their gaze.
Eryx’s lips parted in surprise. They expected the captain to question them again, ask for some kind of proof, but instead she signaled Sable, Gadrielle, and Thorian and consulted quietly with them to the side, just outside of hearing. The crew on deck this morning gave them curious glances.
Perhaps Eryx wasn’t the only one who felt responsible for Maren’s death. The only one who had regrets about that night. Maybe that was why the captain seemed unlike herself today–why she didn’t question them.
As the brief conversation ended, Sable was clenching her fists at her sides, Thorian had his arms crossed, and Gadrielle took a few steps away to stare at the water, her jaw locked in a hard line.
The stone peaks were getting closer. And the song louder.
Calla walked past Eryx and made her way to the helm, the others following her quietly. None of them had to beckon the crew to leave their current tasks and gather around. The somber looks on their leaders’ faces were much too obvious. The shift in the air rippled like a wave across the deck.
While Calla and Sable consulted with Merrow, each of them in turn pointing at the approaching rocks, Gadrielle stepped forward.
“Listen up!” she said, lifting her chin. “Riley, looks like all that rope you hauled yesterday’s gonna come in handy after all. You’ll check the hold for any coils in good shape that you might’ve missed. Draven and Venn will help you. I want you back one bell ago.” The three of them stood around, looking confused. Gadrielle pinched the bridge of her nose and spelled out, “It meansmoveyour fucking asses right now.Go.”
Once they scrambled off, Gadrielle moved her sights on Pip. “You’re going torunand send up anyone who’s not already here. And bring anything you can find on the way that you can stuff your ears with. Wax, cotton, I don’t care, just bring it.”
Pip snapped to attention, bringing his fingers to his brow in a sharp salute. “Yes, ma’am!” In a blink, he was off.
“The others will split into two teams. One will grab the rope, measure it, and cut it into four-span long strips. The other will clear out the space around the masts and any other objects that won’t budge if you pull on it with all of your strength. Understood?”
“Uh…” Kittredge raised her voice over the confused murmurs. “Why?”
Gadrielle blinked at her. It seemed she’d gone straight into problem-solving mode, failing to explain first what was the problem she was firing off the solution to. After just a breath, her expression shifted into something determined. “Sirens ahead.”
After that, the crew needed no more prodding. The deck settled into a grim silence as everyone did what was asked of them.
Eryx waited until Calla and Sable were done with Merrow, then they settled at his elbow.
Awkwardly, they cleared their throat, unsure of how to word the question. “Do you need…”
“Yes, please,” Merrow said tightly. “What do you see?”
The old man gripped the helm, adjusting the wheel in small increments as Eryx described the number, shape, and position of the peaks ahead of them. They kept their voice quiet and hands still, careful to hold up appearances.
Eryx wasn’t sure how many on board knew Merrow’s sight was going. Merrow didn’t need his eyes to guide them, but Eryx knew some in the crew might feel differently about that. And the old man himself hadn’t made peace with it yet, tensing up every time they brushed against the subject.
“Thank you,” Merrow said under his breath, once the course was adjusted.
Eryx wished it didn’t pain him so much to have them be his eyes. They truly did not mind it.
A bell later, everyone on the ship was as ready as could be.
They dedicated the mainmast to Thorian, and used several coils of rope to individually tie up all of his limbs and trunk, unsure of how the sirens’ songs might affect his already impressive strength and unwilling to leave anything to chance.
Sailors of similar height and build were tied up together, and everyone had either cotton or wax shoved in their ears.
Pip was already tied up to the railing in front of Eryx–by Eryx themselves–the smallest of the crew and with his own length of rope. He smiled encouragingly at Eryx as Calla tied them up.
“What do you think they look like?” Pip asked. Pirates around gave him hard looks at his upbeat attitude, but the boy was oblivious. “Do you think they’re as pretty as they say? Or downright hideous? Or something else?”
“I don’t think this is necessary,” Eryx told Calla, ignoring their friend’s yammering.
Calla’s movements didn’t even falter. “I’m not taking any chances.”
“I could stay at the helm,” they insisted. “There might be more rocks just under the surface. I can help steer us. Or-”
“Eryx,” Calla cut them off sharply. “This is not up for discussion. I’m not losing anyone today.”
