Mad Ship

"I've been looking for you," he a

"Have you?" Wintrow resolved to continue as he had begun. He squared his shoulders and met the older man's eyes. "Did you post those two men outside my father's room?" he demanded.

The wandering priest was unruffled. "I did. The man must be confined until he can be judged and justice done to him." The priest looked down on Wintrow from his superior height and years. "Do you dispute that?"

"I?" Wintrow appeared to consider the question. "Why would it worry you if I did? Were I you, I would not worry about what Wintrow Vestrit thought. I would worry about what Captain Ke

"Ke

"Slaves? Surely they are all free folk now." Wintrow smiled as he spoke, and pretended not to notice how closely the map-faces were following the conversation. The other former slaves loitering on the deck were also eavesdropping. Some drew closer.

"You know what I mean!" Sa'Adar exclaimed in a

"Generally, a man says what he means…" Wintrow let the observation hang a moment, then added smoothly, "You said you were seeking me earlier?"

"I was. Have you been to see Ke

"Why do you ask?" Wintrow countered quietly.

"Because I should like to know plainly what his intentions are." The priest had a trained voice and he now gave it a carrying quality. More than one tattooed face turned toward him as he spoke. "The tales told in Jamaillia City say that when Captain Ke

Wintrow regarded him levelly. "If you wish to ask that question of Captain Ke

Sa'Adar smiled sardonically. "Your truth is that the ship belongs to you, I suppose."

Wintrow shook his head, and returned the smile. "The ship belongs to herself. Vivacia is a free creature, with the right to determine her own life. Or would you, who have worn the heavy chains of slavery, presume to do to another what was done so cruelly to you?"

Ostensibly he addressed Sa'Adar. Wintrow did not look around to see how the question affected the others. Instead, he was silent, as if awaiting an answer. After a moment Sa'Adar gave a snort of disdainful laughter. "He ca

Only a few slaves muttered assent, for no sooner was the question uttered than a pirate confronted him. "Are you talking mutiny?" the grizzled tar demanded. "Cause if you are, you'll go over the side before you take another breath." The man smiled in a decidedly unfriendly way that bared the gaps in his teeth. To his left, a tall pirate laughed gutturally. He rolled his shoulders as if stretching, a subtle display of strength for Sa'Adar's map-faces. Both the tattooed men straightened, eyes narrowing.

Sa'Adar looked shocked. Obviously, he had not expected this. He stood straight and began indignantly, "Why should it be a concern of yours?"

The stocky pirate poked the tall priest in the chest. His jabbing finger stayed there as he pointed out, "Ke

Without a backward glance, the pirates went back to their work. Attention shifted to Sa'Adar. He did not mask the angry glint in his eyes, but his voice sounded thin and childish when he said, "Be assured I will speak to Ke

Wintrow lowered his eyes to the deck. Perhaps his father was right. Perhaps there was a way he could regain his family ship from both slaves and pirates. In any conflict, there is opportunity for someone. His heart beat strangely faster as he walked away, and he wondered where such thoughts had bred in him.

VIVACIA WAS PREOCCUPIED. ALTHOUGH HER EYES STARED AHEAD OVER THE water to the stern of the Marietta, her real attention was turned inward. The man on the wheel had a steady hand; the crew that sprang to her rigging were true sailors one and all. The crew was cleansing filth from her decks and holds, and repairing woodwork and polishing metal. For the first time in many months, she had no qualms as to the abilities of her captain. She could let her mind be completely occupied with her own concerns, trusting that those who ma

A quickened liveship, through her wizardwood bones, could be aware of all that happened aboard her. Much of it was mundane and scarcely worthy of attention. The mending of a line, the chopping of an onion in the galley, need not concern her. Those things could not change her course in life. Ke

Ke

"Hello, hello, what's this? Or who is this, perhaps I should say?"

The voice, Ke