Uncharted by Alli Temple
Author:Alli Temple [Temple, Alli]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-31T16:00:00+00:00
Chapter 13
I swabbed the deck for three days. Every time I thought I was done, I was greeted with the reality that the task would need to be repeated the next morning. I was the most tired on the first night. I hurt the most on the third. Maroâs tip about the rags on my hands was somewhat helpful; blisters still formed, and they stung in the salt water when they cracked, but they didnât bleed.
No sign of an opportunity for escape. The men steered clear of me. Rosie had better luck making friends in the mess, but we were still in an empty ocean with no sign of land. Even if we launched a longboat as Iâd said, we couldnât float aimlessly hoping for rescue or row in whatever direction struck our fancy. Iâd have to ask Rosie if there was a way to sneak food from the kitchen. If it did come to a longboat, we would need provisions if we were going to survive.
On the fourth day, I nearly dropped the bucket and its rope overboard. Ender had to catch it, and he eyed me carefully. âAre you all right, princess?â
âIâm fine.â A knot had formed in the space between my shoulder blades, but my muscles didnât ache nearly as much as they had the day before. Iâd like to think I was growing stronger, but the possibility was strong that I was simply numb.
Ender set the bucket down and motioned me to follow him. I did, watching the way each crewman carefully looked away as we passed. Still spooked about the ghostly Kiril?
âApologies for the interruption,â he said as we approached Maro at the wheel. âIâd like to reassign the princessâs tasks.â
I stretched my shoulders and did my best to ignore how he talked about me like I wasnât there, as well as the desire to remind them once and for all that I wasnât a princess.
Maro eyed me. âHad enough?â
I dropped my arms and squared my posture. âNot at all.â
âChange of scenery might be nice,â Ender said. âThe fixtures are looking a bit dull.â
âThe fixtures.â Maroâs expression became pinched.
âYes. Would do the crew some good to bring a bit of sparkle, donât you think?â
Maro glanced between us. âWhat do you say, lady?â
âShow me what to do.â Iâd upset something among the crew with my question about Kiril, and I wouldnât win their favor back by playing the grand lady now.
A ship had a lot of brass, and I soon became very aware of it allâfrom the bell that hung at the bottom of the stairs, to the quarterdeck, to the fittings on the great winch for the anchor. All of it had a mottled, greenish tinge that could only be removed with thorough rubbing and a fragrant paste Ender said was made from flour, salt, and a sour fruit called a lemon. The work was less painful than scrubbing the decks but infinitely more tedious.
A pirate I didnât know approached as I was scrubbing at a lantern.
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