Excerpt: Wayfaring Tale

“She can get you a boat,” Kieran said, just as Jenny’s hand touched the doorknob. Jenny froze. Behind them, Captain Mary rose from her chair, but still did not say anything. Jenny slowly looked over at Kieran.

“A boat?” Jenny asked him.

Kieran nodded. “I hear you’ve been poking around dock yards. It’s been getting around really, stories about some girl coming in with absurd requests about two-manned deep ocean vessels, tricking apprentices into helping her work out the very elaborate pulley systems that would require, asking about the best way to turn an entire ship red.”

Bess shot Jenny a look. Turning the ship red had been one of Jenny’s first suggestions, even before arguing which of them should be captain. Bess had never agreed. Bess shook her head sharply, reminding Jenny that she never would. Jenny turned away sheepishly.

“It’ll cost a lot more money than you’re ever likely to see,” Kieran said.

“And a lot more than the Captain is offering,” Bess reminded him.

He faced Bess with a smile. “You need money. Captain Mary only needs to call in a few favors.”

She paused. She’d done the math before. At the rate of income she and Jenny were earning, jumping from one job to another, they wouldn’t be able to afford a ship until they were two-hundred years old. Jenny had grinned when she announced her findings and declared that the two of them would just have to live forever or die trying. But the next day Jenny had been quiet and they’d stayed at that job a little longer than usual. Jenny had started spending more and more time in ship yards after that. Bess wondered if she had been looking for an opportunity like this.

Jenny turned back toward Captain Mary. Her hand stayed on the doorknob. “You must hate it when he opens his mouth,” she said. “You might want to think about gagging him during these meetings. He’ll get you in trouble.”

Captain Mary shrugged. “Sometimes.” She ran her fingers along the top of the desk, watching Jenny’s face. “I can get you a boat. I know a few men who would think a fully functioning two-manned vessel would be an interesting challenge. I think it would be an interesting thing to have on our coast. It would technically be part of my fleet of course, but you—”

“No.” Jenny shook her head.

“Jenny,” Bess murmured. Bess wasn’t sure whether they ought to agree or not, the thought of venturing into the caves still made her spine crawl, but she couldn’t believe how quickly Jenny had shot down the opportunity. It would be a ship of their own, even if they answered to someone else. She couldn’t see them getting much more than that.

“No,” Jenny repeated, now half addressing Bess. “I do a job and then I get paid for it. I don’t do you a favor and then end up owing you more than that I did before.”
Bess’ hands tightened at her sides.

Captain Mary went still for a long moment. “Done,” she said finally.

Bess stared at her in shock. Jenny grinned. After glancing at Bess to make sure it was alright, she stepped forward and shook Captain Mary’s hand firmly.

“I want a contract,” Jenny said. Captain Mary raised her eyebrows. “I want it all written out on pretty paper with your name and my name and ribbons, so that if you don’t pull through for me I have the right to steal your house, your ships and possibly your dog.”

“Do you want to sign it in blood?” Captain Mary asked, amused.

Jenny blinked. “No. That really makes the contract stink after a while.”

Captain Mary laughed. She grasped Jenny’s hand more tightly when she tried to draw away. “And I want a contract from you as well.”

Bess caught her fists tightening again, but Jenny didn’t move.

“When you find my gem, you won’t use it,” Captain Mary said. “You put in a bag, you seal it up and you deliver to back to me. I know people like you. You’ll use it, you’ll love it, and you won’t finish the job.”

Jenny thought for a moment, then nodded.