11. Aboard the Sea Rose

"Are you headed out again?" Jorgin asks as Lukas and I emerge from the galley, our packs restocked.

"We are, yes," Lukas tells the young man.

"Brantley and I will come with you."

"We're searching for the voltaic dragon." Lukas clasps Jorgin's shoulder as he passes. "It's too dangerous."

"I turn seventeen next month," Jorgin argues, following us up the stairs and onto the main deck. "Same age as Dax."

"Dax is a mercenary," Lukas points out. "He's had formal weapons training."

"I can wield a sword," the ship boy argues.

"Sorry, Jorgin. Not this time."

We walk across the deck, and the young man follows. "At least let us row the dinghy for you."

Lukas pauses, studying him like he's thinking about it. "Fine," he finally says. "But you'll stay with the boat—you understand?"

"Yes, captain!" Jorgin stands straighter, and it doesn't escape my notice that he uses the title quite purposely.

"Quartermaster is fine." Lukas chuckles, rolling his eyes. "Hurry up—go tell Brantley."

The young man practically glows as he hurries away to find his friend.

I watch him go, shaking my head. "I hope the dragon won't eat them."

Lukas looks back at me, his face grim. "I hope the dragon won't eat any of us."

Before we can searchfor the dragon, we must share the news of Lord D'vain's death with his crew. Loric is on the Sea Rose, though whatever for, I can't imagine.

The men call out surprised greetings when they recognize us. They must not have seen us arrive at the Serpent last night—likely because we made the last bit of the trip by the light of the moon so as not to draw in another skurmidge. One of the officers drops a rope ladder off the side before we even reach them.

"Stay here," Lukas says to Jorgin and Brantley. "We shouldn't be long."

When I reach the top, an officer offers his hand and assists me over the rail. "Welcome aboard the Sea Rose, Miss Eldemyer. I'm glad to see you're well."

"Such a relief," the man beside him adds, sidling up next to me—looking like he doesn't want to be left out of the conversation.

Both men have traditional Milindrian features, with dark hair and a warm, medium shade of skin. But the first man's hair is a touch lighter, and he's a few years older. He's shorter than his companion, and his expression is far more pleasant. The insignia on his jacket shows he's the senior officer.

The second man is tall and lean, with dark eyes and prettier features. They're both good-looking, I suppose, though neither measures up to the Greybrow brothers. But perhaps I'm biased.

I nod to acknowledge them, watching as Lukas climbs over the ledge and joins me.

Once he's at my side, the senior officer begins the introductions. "I'm Tiago de Lemos, first lieutenant of the Sea Rose. This is Carlos Avila, second lieutenant."

Lukas shakes the men's hands. "I'm Lukas Greybrow, quartermaster of the Greybrow Serpent."

Tiago nods, already aware. He moves his eyes to me, smiling as he bows his head. "And you're Miss Soleil Eldemyer, our dragon slayer."

"Yes." The title feels like a lie without Garret by my side, but there's no reason to get into details with the man.

"It's a pleasure to officially make your acquaintances," Carlos adds.

"I'm afraid we have somber news," Lukas says. "Lord D'vain fell victim to the cave creatures."

I watch the two Milindrian officers, studying their reactions. Tiago's expression tightens, his mood somber, though he doesn't appear terribly aggrieved by the news. But Carlos almost looks pleased.

Although I didn't like the man, I cannot imagine finding joy in anyone's death. When he catches me frowning at him, I look away.

Tiago says, "From the reports we received from our men when they returned from the camp, we thought you were all lost. Though the news of Captain D'vain's passing is upsetting, I'm relieved to hear some of you made it."

"Your men are still alive and well in the cavern, or at least they were when we left them," Lukas says. "We've made camp in what the scholars are calling a bluewood."

"A bluewood?" Carlos asks, his brow knitting as he tries to place the term.

"An underground forest, deep in the heart of the cavern system," Lukas explains.

"Have you located the treasure?"

Lukas reaches into his jacket pocket, produces the tolbits, and tosses them to Tiago. "This is what we've found so far. They won't buy much."

The senior officer studies the coins, turning them in his palm, as surprised as we were when Felicity discovered the first coin in the pit. Carlos takes a tolbit from him and stares at it greedily. "Katsacale's treasure exists."

"Well, those two tolbits do, at least," Lukas answers. "But now it seems more likely the journal does as well. We're afraid the mole trolls have pilfered it."

Tiago frowns. "Mole trolls?"

"The cave monsters," I say. "We don't know what they are."

The man nods, thinking it over. Then he turns his attention back to Lukas. "We were planning to return to Shalada with our tail between our legs, but it appears the expedition isn't over. What assistance can we offer?"

The man is already far more agreeable than Lord D'vain.

"We need to find Loric," Lukas says.

"They're serving breakfast on the mess deck. I imagine you'll find him there. Shall I take you?"

Lukas nods, and we follow.

A few minutes later, we step into the crowded space. Even with a quarter of the crew in the cavern, the room is loud. We locate Loric at one of the long tables, surrounded by an avid group of crewmen, several wearing jackets like Tiago and Carlos's.

"I'm just saying I've never seen anything like them, and I doubt anyone else has either," I overhear the explorer say when we're close. "You could say it's our duty."

What's their duty?

His expression changes when he spots Lukas and me, his eyes widening with surprise. He stands, nearly tripping over the bench. "Master Greybrow."

Lukas's gaze sweeps over the explorer's companions. Like me, he's probably wondering why Loric is dining on the Sea Rose when he's receiving payment from our historical society.

"You're alive," the explorer adds dumbly. To his credit, he looks genuinely baffled.

"Yes." Lukas isn't happy, and he doesn't bother to hide it. "So are the rest of the men who went into the mine, excluding Lord D'vain. But I understand you told everyone we must have perished in the cave system?"

The man stammers, looking so horrified I almost feel bad for him. "We searched, Master Greybrow. I swear we did?—"

"That's fine," Lukas interrupts. "I need the voltaic dragon's location. You said you know which island he's claimed."

Our explorer looks confused by the abrupt turn in the conversation. "I can show you on a map if you like."

"Do you have a map of the Cursed Isles?" Lukas asks Tiago.

"In the captain's quarters, yes."

"May we see it?"

"Certainly."

Loric excuses himself from his new friends and follows us to Alvaro's cabin. It's dark in the space, the heavy curtains drawn. Tiago lifts his hand, summoning several magelights.

"He's a mage," Lukas whispers to me, a gentle warning.

Now that it's light enough to see, my eyes fall on a map on the desk. Tiago directs us toward it. Carlos steps right behind me, again acting like he's afraid he'll be left out. The man is practically breathing down my neck. I want to shove him back, and I would if I wasn't afraid it would cause a scene.

"Can you see the map all right, Soleil?" Lukas asks, directing me in front of him and then standing behind me—blocking me from Carlos.

"Yes, thank you." I shoot him a subtle look over my shoulder, for once grateful he's an empath.

Once we're in place, Loric clears his throat and points at the largest island in the archipelago. "As we all know, this is the Isle of Sorrows." He moves his finger to the northwest, ending up on an island that's a quarter of the size of the one we've spent time on. "And this is where the dragons have made their home."

"A network of shallow water encircles the islands," Tiago says. "The area is only accessible with a small vessel. You could sail the Serpent around the archipelago—but not through it."

"I don't want to leave the team stranded anyway," Lukas says. "So, we won't be taking the Serpent."

"Then I'm afraid your only choice is to navigate the inner archipelago by dinghy," Tiago says.

"It's a good thing we brought the ship boys," I say to Lukas. "We're going to need their help rowing."

I'm already tired just thinking about it.

"Do you believe the treasure is on a different island?" Carlos asks eagerly.

I glance at Lukas, realizing he's hesitant to explain our interest in the island, and for good reason. I have a feeling these Milindrian officers wouldn't care much for our rescue mission.

"No, but we have a situation," Lukas says vaguely. "And we're dealing with it."

Tiago studies us for a moment, chuckling. "May I inquire about this situation?"

Lukas flashes him a knowing look. "We'll get your king his journal."

"I have no doubt," Tiago answers. "But why don't I accompany you on this…detour?"

It's not a request.

Lukas eyes him. "We could use another man at the oars. Are you above rowing?"

"I'm not."

A wide grin dawns on Lukas's face. "Then you may come along."

Tiago gives us a curt nod, looking somewhat amused. "I'll prepare a few supplies, and then we can be on our way."

"Shall I accompany you as well?" Loric asks eagerly.

"No." Lukas doesn't even contemplate the offer.

The explorer presses his mouth into a thin line, looking properly chastised.

"You're in charge while I'm gone," Tiago tells Carlos.

"It's nothing I can't handle." The man puffs up his chest like a rooster, thrilled. I suppose a second lieutenant rarely gets the chance to command the ship.

"I trust you won't take off for Shalada in our absence?" Lukas says to Carlos, shooting Loric a dark look. "I don't want to find the ships missing when we return."

Tiago eyes the explorer as well. "Neither do I."

"Of course not," Carlos vows. "If you fail to return, we will perform a proper, thorough search."

"My apologies, Master Greybrow," Loric murmurs yet again, clasping his hands at his waist. "I'm truly sorry."

Lukas studies the explorer, his expression unyielding. He gives him a solitary nod and then turns to Tiago and me. "We're wasting daylight. Let's get moving."