The Left-Handed Fate by Kate Milford

Author:Kate Milford
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781627796569
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

They turned another corner and found themselves staring at an edifice that was a bit like a lighthouse, a bell tower, and a topmast with a crow’s nest all rolled into one soaring structure of weathered gray teak and pine-green planks. A short flight of stairs led to a stoop and a rounded green door. As they ascended these stairs, bells began to ring across Nagspeake to announce the half hour. When the Quartermaster’s bell sounded, it rang out with five deep bongs. Half past six in the morning: five bells in the morning watch, Max thought, pleased with himself for coming up with the right phrase.

Lucy tugged the bellpull. The front door opened and a man in a white cotton uniform with a seaman’s long braid leaned out. “Our best respects,” Lucy said, “and Melusine and Liao Bluecrowne and Maxwell Ault for Miss Levinflash, and Lieutenant Oliver Dexter to wait upon the Quartermaster, if convenient.”

The man at the door nodded. “Miss and Master Bluecrowne, Master Ault, and Lieutenant Dexter it is. Come right in.”

Whippett took a seat in the entryway, and the rest of them followed the doorman into a parlor. “Wait here.” The seaman disappeared through a paneled door at the back of the room and returned a moment later with a tray in one hand. “Mr. Dexter, the Quartermaster will be glad to see you, if you do not mind waiting ten minutes. Miss Levinflash ain’t in, Miss Bluecrowne, but she left these for you.” He held out the tray. Two letters sat upon it, one sealed, the other not. Max read over Lucy’s shoulder as she unfolded the unsealed page. The compliments of the Office of the Quartermaster, and the Honorable Jonquil Levinflash wishes to introduce—and then a long space—to the Honorable Alistair Yeowarder, Port Admiral of the Sovereign City of Nagspeake.

“Which it’s blank for you to write in a name,” the doorman explained. “I’ve got ink and the seal in my pocket. The other one has your name already in it, miss.”

“Capital!” Lucy smoothed the letter out and wrote Maxwell Ault in the space. The footman produced blotting paper, sand, and sealing-wax, then closed the letter up neatly. “Pass our thanks to Miss Levinflash and our compliments to the Quartermaster,” Lucy said as she tucked her own introduction into her ditty bag and handed Max’s to him. “And here’s for your trouble.” She handed the doorman a shilling. “Good morning, Mr. Dexter.”

“What good is a shilling here?” Max asked as they returned to the street.

“They’re good luck. Or sometimes sailors use them for offerings,” Liao explained.

“Offerings?” Max asked, thinking of the two churches Lucy and Whippett had scurried into.

“Offerings,” Lucy said breezily. “Come on, step lively, will you? And try to watch your step. The ferry dock’s still a good long pull away.”

* * *

Oliver knew it was good manners to call upon the fellow in charge when one brought a ship into port. It seemed especially important now, since the Fate had been treated

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