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“Speaking of Verlora, that ship that just docked, is it a merchant?” It seemed unlikely given what she knew from the ledgers, still she had to ask.

Korr’s lips twisted. “Of sorts.”

“It’s a pirate vessel,” Avera stated.

“Ayuh, but before you worry, they’re not the murdering, thieving kind. Yes, they come from Saarpira, and some of their goods are not exactly legally acquired, but they come here to trade.”

“Trade for what?”

“Grain, as well as preserved fruits and vegetables. Their isle ain’t good for planting. They also like meat that isn’t pulled from the ocean. Even the most ardent pescatarian sometimes gets a craving for something different. We have a few farmers that drop their extras off so we have something on hand when they show.”

“Would this captain be interested in taking passengers?”

Korr shrugged. “Dunno. Never had to ask him before.”

“Could you arrange a meeting with him?”

“Maybe. He ain’t planning to stay long.”

“If you could request a meeting, I would be in your debt.”

“I’ll do my best, although, I reckon it will be a few hours before I can make it happen. Gonna get those soldiers right drunk, so they pass out in their rooms and don’t bother ye.”

Korr left and Josslyn arched a brow. “It would seem you might have more support than suspected.”

“He really didn’t like Benoit. I wonder how we never heard a hint of his proclivities.”

“Because men don’t speak of such things around ladies and Benoit is a sly one. Look at how he weaseled his way onto the throne.”

And how he’d fooled a good many into thinking him harmless.

“I wonder what was so interesting about that chapel,” Avera mused aloud.

She got a chance to find out a few hours later because Korr succeeded in securing an appointment with the captain. To ensure their privacy, he’d chosen the old church.

Chapter 22

Along with newsof the arranged meeting with the ship’s captain, Korr managed to bring them some dinner without drawing notice, not that Avera had much appetite. She picked at the fish and vegetables, unlike Josslyn who ate heartily.

“You really should fill your belly. Who knows when we’ll get another meal if things go wrong,” her friend remarked in between mouthfuls.

“All I’ve done since our arrival in between talking to people is eat and rest,” Avera grumbled. “I’m worried this captain will refuse to take us.”

“Then sweeten your offer.”

“Offer what, though?” Avera exclaimed. “I have nothing. No jewels to bribe. No authority. Nothing.”

“I’d say the future goodwill of a queen would be tempting.”

“Assuming I can regain my throne. Assuming I can succeed in Verlora in finding the stones and return to Daerva when no one else has been able to. Assuming I can stop Zhos. Otherwise, none of the rest even matters.”

“If this Opal can truly get hints of the future, then this quest she’s sending you on should succeed.”

“She also mentioned a world of death and darkness if I failed,” was Avera’s grumbled reply.

“In which case any promises you make won’t matter. You have to go into this thinking you will make it to Verlora and find the stones and figure out how to return to Daerva. Which in turn will let us once more lock away Benoit’s master. And then we tackle that miscreant. There will be others like Korr who either don’t like Benoit, or don’t approve of what he’s done.”

“But are there enough? The knights he sent seem to have no issue trying to arrest or possibly even kill me.”