The Black That Surrounds Us by Hood Emily E

Author:Hood, Emily E.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: KDP
Published: 2023-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

eleven

The stolen voyage this far had been uneventful after the Captain’s unexpected outburst. Lyridaani had taken to the belly of the ship, no communication save a glare here and there. Gil had given up attempting to follow Astor’s orders to ensure I was resting; I’d already proven my resilience – though some may have called it stubbornness – when I’d brought up pails of water for the working crew. I was meticulous, though, sneaky; whenever Astor was sailing the boat, I never completed a job. At one point, when I’d tried aiding Greta by carrying goods, he’d chased me back below deck with one hand on the hilt of his sword.

I was yet to understand him. The Captain. Astor Phoenix. I stood, gazing up at him from my position by the main mast, as his eyes cast out to sea.

“He likes you, y’know.” Greta’s voice rose from beside me. Silent as a mouse, I’d realised - the probable reason they kept her on the crew. I shook my head, giving her a wary smile.

“The Captain don’t risk his life for no one but Master Kaige,” she continued, “and his crew, ‘course, but that’s only ‘cause his life’s at risk too.”

Despises me. I wrote, showing her briefly while my eyes remained on the man in charge.

“Nah. He’d have left you with the Kyrioko guards and be happy havin’ no one after him if that were true.”

I didn’t reply, then. What she didn’t know was that it was the one thing I’d questioned ever since he’d Bound me away.

“Greta!” Gil’s voice boomed across the deck as he made his way past us both. Greta and I jumped from the sudden intrusion.

“Yes, Master Gil?” Greta had straightened from her slouched position to greet him.

“Come and steer, I need to discuss something with the Captain.” He ordered. Giving me an apologetic look, she followed like her life depended on it. Allowing her to steer must have been something major to the girl. I shrugged, noticing the look Gil gave me before they both disappeared up the stairway to where Astor was stood. I frowned as they pottered towards the wheel. Gil whispered to his Captain, whose jaw clenched and fists tightened. Bright eyes darted my way before storming down the stairs and into his quarters. With a shocked Greta now behind the wheel, the Quartermaster followed in a similar fashion, and paraded behind the disgruntled Captain.

What was that about? Was it about.. me? What a narcissistic thought to have, though entirely understandable considering Gil never spoke to me, let alone regarded me, and Astor made unreasonable eye contact before storming off like a Vadorian Youngling on their first day of schooling. Before I’d even finished thinking, my feet had whisked me and firmly planted themselves besides the Captain’s quarters, the doors mere inches away from my face. I could just about make out the muffled voices within.

“There must be a reason—”

“I don’t know!” Something slammed down against what I could only assume was his desk.

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