Page 78 of A Flash of Golden Fire

“That’s Squid,” I said, loudly, so the person in question could hear me. “He’ll be an asset to theArrow.”

I met Captain Martin’s surprised but pleased gaze across the deck, and he smiled and nodded.

“Yes, indeed. Squid is a member of this crew now and is to be treated as such,” he said.

Squid scowled and shook his head as if embarrassed to be talked of. But he raised his chin. “I’ll prove myself. Don’t worry.”

Martinéz snorted. “It’s you should worry, if you don’t.”

Lahiri put a hand on Martinéz’s arm. “Leave him alone. We were all strays at one point.”

This was probably true and a good reminder to the crew.

Lahiri stepped forward and offered his hand to Squid.

“Welcome aboard. We’re glad to have you.”

Squid looked surprised, but he took Lahiri’s hand.

“Thank you.”

“I’m Lahiri. And this miserable bugger is Martinéz.”

Lahiri beckoned to Martinez. Martinéz rolled his eyes and came forward and welcomed Squid, as well.

I exchanged a look with the captain, as the rest of the crew all came forward to welcome the new crew member.

“Hillier, how much did we get? Anything of real value?” Captain Martin asked.

“Aye, Captain. Quite a bit, actually. The rascal wasn’t being entirely honest about his hold being empty, it turns out.”

“Mmm. I suspected as much.” The captain gazed over the rail at theLantern, which was limping away on the wind, its tattered sails barely affording the vessel enough push to proceed.

I wondered what would become of it.

“Put Squid in charge of the livestock, Hillier. We’ll see how he does with that.”

I looked at Squid, who appeared even more perplexed as the last of the crew shook his hand and went back to their tasks.

“Actually, Rooster, why don’t you take Squid down to where they’re kept. You can introduce him to the chooks by name, in fact.” Captain Martin frowned. “Hold on. Did you name the goats too?”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course, I did. How wouldtheyfeel if I only named the chooks?”

Honestly, sometimes I despaired of Captain Martin’s basic levels of decency.

He smiled at me as if I were his personal source of amusement. Which I suppose I was when it came down to the matter. I winked at the captain, making a lewd gesture with my tongue, before striding over to the strange-looking, tattooed man.

“Oy, then. Come on. I’ll take you to the menagerie.”

I wondered if minding the livestock was the default job for any new crew member.

“Rooster?” Squid asked with raised eyebrows.

I realized the captain had used his nickname for me. I gestured at my mop of red hair.

“You know. The hair?”

“Ah.” If Squid had any questions as to why Captain Martin would use such a casual and affectionate name for me, he didn’t voice them.