Chapter 76: Spinsters

The bell of the Princess rang, waking Serenica up.

"Mother of WORMS!" she screamed.

There was simply nothing more frustrating than to have a hope like hers crushed with such a mundane event.

Still, there were things to do. She ran to the deck.

Apparently the ship had already been repaired. The captain was eating chicken with his fingers, a big scarf laid out on his lap to prevent any nasty grease stains.

"Want some?" he asked. "You look like you've been sleeping without your obsidian."

"How can you tell?" Serenica asked, accepting a piece of chicken.

"You glow." Spade tore into the chicken and after chewing on it for a while took out a breadroll. "Did he reveal anything about Kinley?"

"He would have, if it weren't for the bell." Serenica shrugged. She had so many things to look forward to. She couldn't fixate on the prince. She had to stay sharp and focused.

The chicken was just as tasty as it had been yesterday, if not better. All the fats in it came to the surface, oiling it up and making it easy to swallow.

"Give me some of that bread," she pleaded.

"You hungry? Have the whole basket."

The captain pulled said basket out of nowhere. It was still half full.

They ate in silence until Myorka came and told them the exact amount they had saved with their visit.

"Of course this will be largely offset by our recent losses," she said, all business and no play, the golden glimmer of greed in her irises.

"We must be going, then," Spade said. "Up goes the anchor, boys! Is everyone aboard?"

Names were called. None were missing.

They began their voyage towards the route of the corna smuggler.

It felt good to have wind on one's face after eating a small fortune in pork, butter and chicken. The men were so empowered that they could nearly compensate for Gadfly's death by working hard. The rigging was in a condition that could only be called optimal. The winds of the jar were still at their back, filling up the sails of the Princess.

"We'll soon be there," Spade said.

"What do you reckon will come after we find them?" Serenica asked. "Another fight?"

"I'm afraid so," the captain said. "I could claim we're not looking for fox bollockwort, but you know how valued corna leaves are. It would be a lie."

"It's very near, killing Kinley, I mean," Serenica said, biting her lip. "I sort of want to rub it in for her. That I'm being courted by her man. It's delicious."

"Never considered you much of a hunter in that regard, but I guess you'll always get what you want," Spade laughed.

Serenica glanced at him. "Do you think I'm some spinster who has no heart?"

"Aye," he said, patting her shoulder. "You should go now and meet my wife. She has something for you. Or she wants to tell you something, how should I know?"

The bookkeeper was looking serious, staring towards the sea, red silky scarf tied loosely around her hair.

"You're going to have to put me down under for that thing you're about to do, aren't you?" she asked. "I do not much like that."

"I wouldn't worry about that yet," Serenica said, trying to soothe Myorka's anxiety. "First I have to find out what the stuff is. The stuff they put inside you, I mean."

"I don't like it, and that means you may have to subdue me violently," the bookkeeper said.

Serenica felt uneasy. She hated the thought of using force against her friend. "You really hate those memories, do you not?"

"You wouldn't like to fall asleep on someone's command, would you?" Myorka asked.

"I guess not," Serenica said. "Kind of would make me feel powerless. Controlled."

"Exactly."

"I'm going to do it anyway. I want to be a doctor. Maybe..." Serenica shook her head, trying to get rid of all the memories of people dying in her arms. "I would be better at healing people if I had enough medical knowledge."

Serenica had to prepare her men for the fight. She gave them invigorating herbs like the devil's bush and several others that were sure to at least provide a little more manly courage.

She popped a fruit of the devil's bush into her own mouth and proceeded to give the Admiral a quick back massage. He fought with his agility and his long arms. His muscles had to be in a good condition.

"You'll stay in the background as we attack, no buts," the first mate said. "No, up my neck, there's a sore spot that is really hurting me."

"Like this?" Serenica moved her hands upwards. "Do you mean corna or Kinley?"

"Both, actually. The captain and I were talking about splitting up and leaving a little group of us behind to simultaneously attack the Blue Girl. As we discussed before, you remember? Yes. Like that." The Admiral moved his hair out of the way.

Serenica was glad he had decided to keep his shirt on.

"Which way do you want to go?" he asked. "Apparently you're not willing to stay behind with Myorka."

There had been many conversations about either bringing Serenica where the most of the brutal action was going to happen or leaving her in the Blue Girl, where she would be relatively safe.

Now that Kinley was so near, Serenica didn't feel all that enthusiastic about meeting her again.

"I will go to the Blue Girl," she said. "It will look less suspicious to the lady of the house if I am there, too."

"All right. I will tell Spade." The first mate got up. Before reaching the door, he turned back towards her.

"Mm?" She tilted her head.

"Fancy a pipeful?" he asked.

"There's never been a better moment for that." Serenica smiled.

They dipped into the vast bag that the Admiral always carried with him. They still had to talk about strategy, but for now, their priority was to cut off Kinley's corna supply and live to tell about it. A pipeful eased Serenica's nerves just enough that she didn't constantly think about death and killing.

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