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“Kearan, could you please pass me the water jug?” Enwen asks during the midday meal.

Kearan does so, and Enwen says, “Thank you. You’re a good friend.”

Kearan picks up his tray and switches tables.

I eye Enwen. “Why do you do that? Goad him so?”

“One of these days, I’ll get him to admit it, Captain.”

“What’s his deal?” Dimella asks from where she sits next to me.

“With me? “Enwen asks. “I’m not sure. But in general? There’s definitely something he’s hiding. A trauma, most likely. And the only way to deal with trauma is to address it. Over and over again until it doesn’t hurt you anymore.”

“How would you know about trauma?” My question exactly.

“Everyone assumes I’ve led such a happy life because I’m such a happy bloke. Do you think I’m a good thief because I had all this free time on my hands? No, I had a keeper on the streets, and if I didn’t bring him enough valuables to satisfy his greed, I didn’t get a proper place to sleep or food in my belly. Nor did I get to keep my skin free of his beatings. My friends who weren’t as good at thieving didn’t make it.”

“I hope you killed the bastard,” Dimella says.

“As soon as I was big enough to take him on.”

“Good.”

“Point is, I don’t let my humble beginnings get to me. Neither should Kearan.”

“Not all traumas are created equal,” I say.

“Of course not, but that doesn’t mean anyone should have to continue to be hurt by them.”

I finish my drink before also switching tables.

Chapter 7

IT TAKES USFIVEweeks to reach the Seventeen Isles, and when I catch sight of Darmont, my mood picks up considerably. After this, things are going to get dangerous. After this, I might get to do some killing.

We sail within a quarter league of land before dropping anchor. Then the little lass is lowered in a rowboat.

Roslyn looks up at me with worry. “What if my rowboat capsizes before I make it to shore?”

“Then you’ll have to swim it,” I say. “Good thing your papa taught you how.”

“What if some unfavorable folk grab me once I make it to shore?” She’s overdoing her tone immensely. She’ll have to work on her acting if she expects anyone to believe her.

“Alosa’s contact is already on the dock waiting for you. She has her spyglass on you now. I can see her from here.”

Roslyn growls. “Sorinda, I need this! I’m so close to getting you a juicy secret. Please, you can’t—”

An explosion sounds in the distance, and I turn my gaze toward the shore, where several buildings are now going up in flames.

“Spyglass!” I shout, and Dimella places one in my hands immediately.

The dock is pandemonium: people running to carry water toward the fire, others simply trying to get out of range of the danger. I see the land king’s soldiers fighting against a group of heavily armed men. I don’t recognize them, and last I heard, the land king wasn’t dealing with any sort of rebellion.

Catching movement on a nearby rooftop, I center the spyglass there. Women crouch on the tops of buildings, observing the damage and watching the fight take place below. I recognize one figure.

Niridia.

Those men fighting against the land king’s must be Draxen’s. Alosa said she’d sent Niridia and Mandsy after him. Their travels must have taken them here. But did they cause the explosion, or did Draxen?