The Voyage of the Miscreation: Season 1

By Kristen S. Walker

A ship with a motley crew of monster hunters. A scholar mage searching for the secrets of Wyld Magic. Can they overcome their differences to capture dangerous monsters?

Captain Mynta and the crew of the Miscreation have fallen on hard times. To save her ship, she agrees to escort Mage Ameyron and his team of researchers to capture Seirenia’s deadliest monsters. They have to work together—but everyone on board has something to hide, and one has a secret that could doom them all.

When the mage insists on catching his subjects alive, the monster-killing crew is forced to go against years of experience. Tensions rise as the passengers clash with the captain. And the monsters hold their own surprises.

As the missions get more dangerous, the seafaring group can’t get distracted by personal relationships. But Mynta can’t hide her love for a certain woman forever, and the close quarters of the ship spark new romances between passengers and crew. The bonds they forge may be the thing that saves them—or tears them apart.

One mistake and the monsters win.

The Voyage of the Miscreation is an episodic novel in six parts, spinning off the main storyline from the Wyld Magic series. A character-driven epic fantasy adventure romance with an ensemble cast, featuring gay and straight relationships as well as gender nonconforming characters. If you like magic, monsters, and browncoat-wearing captains, then you’ll enjoy this tale on the high seas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristen S. Walker
• Release date: May 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311764775

Kristen S. Walker

Fantasy author Kristen S. Walker dreams of being a pirate mermaid who can talk to sharks, but she settles for writing stories for teens and adults. She's proudly bisexual, Wiccan, a liberal feminist, and lives in northern California with her family and two rescued pets. To find out more about her stories, please visit kristenwalker.net.

Book preview

The Voyage Begins

1

Crew Preparations

Mynta leaned against the ship’s railing and looked ahead at the crowded port, scanning for a glimpse of her very important client. The breeze ruffled through her short, dark hair. Easy does it, she called over the dock noise. Wouldn’t want to scrape the fresh paint off one of these big, fancy merchant ships.

Beside her, the ship’s pilot, Yuri, let out a smug laugh. Propping himself up against the custom brace set before the wheel, he steered the ship expertly. Under his touch, Miscreation maneuvered between the larger vessels to its assigned dock on the western side of the port.

Before today, Mynta had answered to no one but her crew, enjoying the freedom of the open seas. The retired mercenary made a living off killing monsters for whomever had the gold to pay for her services. But the person waiting in Kyratia City would end that. Although the ship barely made a sound as it nosed up against the wooden dock, to Mynta, it echoed like a judge’s gavel, sealing her sentence to serve another. However, she wouldn’t let her feelings show: she joked and smiled as if this were a job like any other.

When the ship slid into place, the other sailors sprang into action. Rei dropped the anchor, while Nikephoros hopped over to the dock and secured the ropes. Mynta watched them without a word. Each one of them knew what they were doing and carried out their task with long-practiced motions.

Once the ship was docked, Yuri took his crutch off its hook and hobbled across the deck to Rei. Very smoothly done, my dear, he said, looking up at her with a smile.

Rei landed barefoot on the deck next to the shorter man and ran her fingers through his curly blond hair. You, too. I barely felt a thing when you slipped in.

Yuri grabbed her around the waist with his free hand and pulled her closer, tipping his head back for a kiss. For a moment her free-flowing black hair swept forward like a curtain, hiding both of them from the rest of the world. Then he pulled back and looked over his shoulder. Captain, he called. Permission to go ashore with my wife.

Mynta, who had been averting her eyes from the happy couple, looked up and waved them away. Take a few hours off, but don’t be too long. I’ll sail at sunset without you if you don’t come back in time.

The pair hurried to leave, talking about their plans for the morning in low, excited tones. One more day of freedom before we sell out to the nobles, Rei muttered, and Mynta pretended not to hear.

Nikephoros popped his head back over the railing and looked at her hopefully, but Mynta shook her head. You, I’ve got a job for. Wait there for a bit.

Mynta went down into the hold, taking the steps two at a time, and paused just long enough for her eyes to adjust to the dim light of the lanterns. Long tables with benches stretched out on either side of the hold, and crew berths lined the walls, so there was only a narrow walkway in the middle, and she had to watch her step. She turned for the galley at the fore of the ship.

No meal was planned, but the heat of the cooking fires still hit her full on as she entered the brightly painted room. She blinked and looked around, seeing no one in the chaos of hanging pots, herbs, and food. Leina? she called.

A dark head in a flower-printed kerchief slammed into one of the pots, sending the dinged copper vessel clattering to the ground. Ow! Leina bent to pick up the pot and replaced it on its hook.

The brilliant crooked smile appeared as she came forward, dusting her hands on a faded pink apron. Is that you, cap’n? Have we docked already?

Yes, we’re here, Mynta grumbled. She reached out and touched the younger girl’s forehead, where a red bump was already swelling. You should be more careful, little sister. I’m not giving hazard pay for injuries you get while cooking.

Leina brushed the concerned touch away with a laugh. I’m tougher than that, cap’n. Did you need something? I was gonna skip dinner at noon, seeing as how the crew can eat ashore today.

Mynta reached into her pocket and pulled out a worn, creased piece of paper. Take this to the markets, she said, pressing it into Leina’s hand. It’s a line of credit toward provisions for this voyage. I’m sending Nik with you to help carry.

Leina’s face lit up again at the mention of buying food. Oh, great! What should I serve for supper tonight?

Mynta’s mouth twisted up in one corner. Anything but fish! We’re supposed to be taking on four passengers, so make enough for everyone. You know what these city types like to eat. We can give them one good meal before it’s salt meat and hard tack.

Leina hung her apron up and smoothed her dress out with her hands. I’ll do what I can. Her smile faded. You’ll tell Nik not to argue with me this time, right?

I’ve already warned him to be on his best behavior with you, Mynta murmured reassuringly. She kissed Leina on the cheek and watched her bounce off again.

One more person to check on. Mynta walked past the narrow hold to the enclosed room at the stern.

The door was closed, but not locked. Mynta strode inside.

Genara whirled at the sound of the opening door and crossed her arms over her chest. What did I tell you about coming in my cabin without knocking?

Mynta dragged a wooden chair across the floor, sat on it backwards, and leaned forward with her arms over the backrest. It was my cabin until a few days ago.

I pay you good money for a private cabin, and you made me move out of my old one. Genara indicated the cramped quarters with a sweep of her hand. There’s barely room in here for me and my instruments without you barging in.

Mynta shrugged. Had to make room for the new passengers. They’re very specific about their needs.

Genara sat delicately on the edge of the bunk and looked directly at the captain. Why are we even taking on new passengers? A stuffy scholar and his research team will just get in the way.

Mynta sighed. I can’t afford to keep this boat afloat on the occasional monster hunts anymore, she said slowly, picking at her fingernails. The scholar’s offering a steady contract for the whole season. We do this job for eight months and that could give us enough of a cushion to keep us going for another year, maybe two. I’m doing this to take care of my crew.

Genara’s face softened a little and she looked away. I didn’t know things were that bad.

Yeah, well, I kinda need all of us to be together on this for it to work. Mynta looked at the floor and took a deep breath, because what came next was hard to say. Will you help me make a good impression with this guy? You know how to talk to these educated types.

Genara cleared her throat and the edge came back into her voice. I think the first thing would be to get you into some nicer clothes. She gestured down at the captain’s bare feet, ragged trousers, and threadbare shirt.

Mynta scowled and ran a hand back through her hair. I was afraid you were going to say that.

2

Meet the Crew

Ameyron dug in the pockets of his violet mage robes until he found the scrap of paper he was looking for. He checked the name on his copy of the contract and scowled as he looked back at the bedraggled bucket floating before him. With two stumpy masts and not even forty meters long, he could hardly call Miscreation a ship. It’s smaller than I expected, he complained.

It’s more maneuverable, Omalia explained patiently. She pointed below the water line. The flat bottom design means that it can sail into shallow bays. You can go practically anywhere, instead of being limited to the major ports. Better for your research.

She turned to the line of dockhands who were carrying the mage’s many chests and bags of books, papers, and research materials onto the ship. The captain has reassured me that you’ll have the largest cabin, with plenty of room for all of your supplies.

Ameyron folded his arms, tucking his hands into his sleeves. Their largest cabin is probably the size of my closet back at the Academy. Wouldn’t it be better for me to be on a warship, with a full company of mercenaries? They’re maneuverable.

Omalia patted his shoulder in the same manner she used to reassure her research subjects. You’re not starting a war, you’re hunting monsters. My sources assured me that these are some of the best monster hunters in the business. When you want something done right, you go to the experts.

I don’t put much faith in ‘the best’ if they can only afford— He gestured to the boat. That.

Duke Galenos, an imposing figure with his bulky frame and midnight-black skin, came up on Ameyron’s other side and clapped the mage on the shoulder. All set for your trip? His deep voice boomed out across the water.

Ye—yes, my lord. Ameyron tried not to flinch away from the familiar greeting. He had helped the former mercenary warlord take control of Kyratia, and in return, the new duke served as the mages’ patron. That patronage funded both the modernization of the Academy and this research voyage, so he wouldn’t dare show disrespect. I believe they’ve just finished loading all of my belongings. He gestured to the dock hands.

Galenos nodded. Good, good. Then shall I introduce you to your new team? The captain is an old friend of mine.

Ameyron glanced at Omalia, suddenly desperate. She was younger and less experienced in research than him, but she was far better at dealing with people, which was why she’d been chosen to lead the reformed Academy while he left on this expedition.

Once again she came to his rescue, taking his arm and pushing him forward with a warm smile. Go on, I’ve just got a few more details to settle, and then I have to run back to my office. I’ll be looking forward to your reports. Smooth sailing.

Ameyron watched the other mage leave without a look back, and felt a knot growing in the pit of his stomach. Why had he let her talk him into this trip? A year ago, it had seemed like a brilliant idea to observe monsters in their natural environment and get the raw data he needed to form new theories about their origins. So many scholars before him had relied on second-hand accounts or the convenience of whichever monster dwelled closest to them; the results were conflicting studies with a variety of methodologies and no way to compare one to another. But faced with the run-down boat and the prospect of traveling for months on end, only to come face-to-face with dangerous beasts, his curiosity about the true nature of monsters suddenly paled.

Galenos shook him out of his reverie by leading him down the dock to the end of the gangplank.

Two women stood next to the boat, both taller than him, with the brown skin of local Seirenians, but there the similarities ended. One was beautiful and well-dressed, in a bright blue silk dress with a plunging neckline and her hair in loose curls around her bare shoulders. The other was rough and work-worn, with short hair slicked back, wearing trousers and a leather brown longcoat that had seen better days. The lovely one had her hand on the dirty one’s arm, as if she were restraining her crew member from bolting down the docks.

The Duke gestured to the dirty woman. "This is Mynta, captain of Miscreation. Back in her mercenary days, we crossed paths on the battlefield a few times, and I can attest to her skill with many weapons. He gave a short laugh. Captain, this is Ameyron, a mage in my employ and scholar at Jirou Kolisa Academy of Magic. Show him what you know about handling monsters."

Ameyron looked at Mynta, then back at Galenos, checking to see if the man was joking. No way was this scruffy woman the legendary monster hunter he’d heard so much about. C-captain? he stuttered.

Mynta saluted stiffly, showing a flash of her military training. At your service, sir. Welcome aboard.

Thank you, he managed to say, realizing that he was already acting rude. He looked over at the other woman. And this is…?

Genara, she said with a smile, stepping forward to kiss him on the cheeks in greeting. I’m not really part of the crew, I’m just a musician who charters passage on the ship. The others are all making ready to sail.

Mynta relaxed into a crooked grin. Genara gives us a measure of respectability.

Ameyron raised his eyebrows. A musician, he repeated weakly. He had no idea what use a musician would be on a scientific expedition. Like anything else that didn’t help his research, he immediately dismissed her from his mind.

He turned to look down the docks. The rest of my team should be arriving soon.

Mynta coughed. Ah, yes, we’ve already received their luggage. The physician and the priest?

Galenos nodded. Yes. A Deyonist priest who’s already had some experience in handling monsters. And I thought it would be wise to have a physician aboard in case of any…accidents.

They didn’t have to wait long before both men arrived together. Duke Galenos, who had chosen them personally, stepped forward to make the introductions again.

Eirenaios has only been in the city for a few years, but he was top of his class at the Academy in Petropouli. Galenos rested his hand on the shoulder of the shorter man. I can’t spare one of my personal physicians, but he comes highly recommended.

Mynta raised her eyebrows. I’ve made sure that every member of my crew is treated in emergency triage, so a surgeon is a little unnecessary. She glanced sidelong at Ameyron, then down at his expansive waistline. Unless some member of your team has exceptional health problems.

Ameyron frowned and fussed with his robe. Two years of sitting behind a desk and eating well had caused him to put on some weight, but he was still a youngish man in his prime. I have no health conditions, he sputtered.

Galenos raised a hand to interrupt them both. Better to be safe than sorry when you’re dealing with monsters. He turned to the other man. Benu was raised in the local temple of Deyos, and Father Loranos sends him with his blessing.

Benu stepped forward and cupped his hand to his forehead, palm up, in the symbol of Deyos. He was tall and widely built, with the same broad nose and protruding forehead as Galenos and other Khazeem, but his skin was lighter, and his eyes were bright green. His mixed racial features were similar to those of Galenos’s infant daughter from his Seirenian wife, Korinna.

Ameyron returned the gesture without enthusiasm. He was Deyonist by default, but he usually only made it to the temple for major holidays. However, something Galenos had said earlier caught his interest. You say you’ve had experience with monsters before?

Benu bowed his head respectfully. Yes. Every year, I travel outside of the city to bless the local fields for planting, and a few times, I’ve helped farmers reclaim their land from Wyld encroachment. I’ve assisted the mercenaries with driving out common monsters like spiderwolves and trapflowers.

Ameyron shuddered at the memory of being attacked by a pack of the half-wolf, half-spider monstrosities, but Mynta brightened up. Spiderwolves, huh? Sneaky buggers. Have to burn the nests to make sure you get ‘em all.

The priest nodded knowingly. Galenos had the idea of attacking them from a distance, with fire arrows, he said, jerking a thumb at the warlord-turned-duke. I mainly used my prayers to contain the fire, so we wouldn’t set the whole countryside ablaze.

Mynta turned to Galenos with more technical questions about monster hunting, and Benu chimed in with more anecdotes, but Ameyron couldn’t follow the discussion of different weapons and tactics. His eyes glazed over, and his mind drifted to packing earlier. Was he certain that he’d packed all of the equipment he needed? What if there was something he’d forgotten? He began digging through his pockets for the list he’d made.

Galenos turned back to Ameyron and cleared his throat. You have one member of your team still to come, yes?

Ameyron looked up with a start. Aristia, he blurted out.

A slight girl in rough-spun tunic and leggings stepped out from behind a nearby barrel. Here, master. I—I didn’t want to interrupt. She hung her head and looked up at the group of adults through her hair.

Ameyron beckoned her closer. Come here, little one. Have you got everything you need?

Aristia gave him a gap-toothed smile and held up a small bag. Ma packed it for me this mornin’.

Mynta turned around with a scowl. I never agreed to take any children on my ship.

The girl started to shrink away, but Ameyron put his hand on Aristia’s shoulder and kept her next to him. Aristia is eleven, and I’m taking her as my apprentice, he declared. Eleven or twelve was the customary age for youths to begin formal schooling or apprenticeship in a craft.

The captain’s scowl deepened. She doesn’t look eleven.

Ameyron stood firm. Small for her age.

Galenos stepped forward to intervene once again. I can vouch that Aristia is very well-behaved. Her family is in my employ.

There’s no room for her on board, Mynta said flatly.

Ameyron took the girl’s bag and slung it over his shoulder. She’s staying in the cabin with me. May we see our quarters, please?

The captain still looked unhappy, but she said nothing more, just turned and walked up the gangplank without a look back. Her heavy boots echoed as she disappeared farther down the deck.

Galenos turned to the other woman, the musician who had stood there smiling pleasantly during the entire introduction. Do you know if the ship will be ready to sail soon?

Genara swept him a well-practiced curtsy. The ship will leave at sunset, Your Grace. The rest of the crew will return before then. Did you wish to stay and meet them as well?

The duke shook his head. No, I’ve got other matters to attend to. He turned to Ameyron with a smile. May the gods guide your voyage. I’ll be interested in hearing your stories when you return.

Ameyron bowed to the duke, and at a nudge from him, Aristia did the same. Thank you, my lord.

When the duke left, Genara turned to Ameyron with another lovely smile. Don’t let the captain intimidate you. She’s a little rough, but once she gets comfortable with you, she’ll be a valuable asset to your research. She turned to the gangplank and swept her hand out to include the entire research team. If you’ll just follow me, I’ll show you all to your cabins.

3

Cargo Hold

Cargo filled the ship: barrels and crates of food, piles of weapons, chests of clothing. But not everything that the dockhands loaded that day was labeled. Secrets came on board that day. And somewhere, hidden among other personal belongings, a dark thing stirred: an egg, containing a monster.

4

Missing the Boat

Yuri trailed a finger down his wife’s side from her shoulder to her waist, over her hip, and down her leg. Her skin was soft even after years before the mast, and there was a sheen of sweat from their exertions.

Rei let out a contented sigh and nestled closer to him. Careful, she said in a playful voice. You’ll get me started again.

He propped himself up with one arm so he could look over her naked body. Would that be such a bad thing? he murmured back.

She chuckled, but she grabbed his hand and held it firmly around her waist. Only if you don’t want to miss the ship. The captain said we sail at sunset.

Sunset is sort of a vague window of time. He leaned closer and planted a kiss on her shoulder, and smiled when he felt her shudder in response. I mean, does sunset start when the sun is close to the horizon, or when it’s actually touching? He brushed his fingers against her hip. Do we leave when it’s halfway down, he added, trailing kissed down her side, or all the way?

Rei laughed again and pushed him away before he could reach between her legs, sitting up. You know the captain needs us back earlier to get ready to sail. We’d better get going so she doesn’t worry. She bent over and started to pick their clothes up off the floor.

His smile disappeared as he pushed himself up to a sitting position on the uncomfortable straw mattress. He looked around the tiny, dirty inn room, rented by the hour, and let out a heavy sigh. I just don’t know when will be the next time that we have privacy like this, now that all of the cabins on the ship are taken up by these new ‘clients.’

She looked back at him over her shoulder with a wink. We’ll find the time. She tossed him a shirt.

Yuri caught the shirt, but didn’t move to put it on. Why do you care if the captain worries? You don’t have to jump at her every order. We’re all supposed to be equal partners in this business.

If we don’t stick to our schedule, we won’t get paid, Rei said flatly. She stood up and pulled her trousers on in one fluid motion. Mynta’s proven herself a competent leader. I doubt that you could do a better job.

He looked up at her. I think you could.

She smirked and shook her head. Then I’d be twice as busy with the extra work, including bowing and scraping to our rich new clients right now instead of enjoying this afternoon of freedom with you. And there’s no extra perks for being captain. Mynta gave up her cabin to the passengers, same as we did.

Rei held out his trousers. Do you want me to help you with these?

No, I can do it. Yuri scowled and snatched them away, bracing himself up against the back of the bed as he tugged them on. The right trouser leg was sewn shut at the bottom, so no one would see the scarred stump just below his knee.

Then he stubbornly took his crutch from the side of the bed and hoisted himself up, waving away Rei’s offer of help again. Let’s go.

She looked away from him as she opened the door and let him go ahead of her. She knew that he hated to see her look of pity. This time, he pretended not to notice.

5

Kitchen Helper

Aristia had never been on the deck of a ship before. Actually, she’d never been outside of Kyratia’s city walls. Back when she’d begged on the streets, she knew every back alley and byway by heart, from the fish-smelling docks to the polished Temple Square. But now, her world was opening up in a whole new way, and she had a million questions about everything.

Mage Ameyron had sent her out onto the deck alone, saying that he would unpack his things in their cabin by himself. She wasn’t sure if she should be helping him as part of her apprentice duties, but she was far too curious about Miscreation to refuse the freedom. She roamed up and down the length of the deck, looking into every nook and cranny, and tried to figure out how the ship worked. Why were some of the sails hanging from the two masts, and why were some of them rolled up? Why were there so many ropes everywhere? Where were all of the crew?

Aristia had watched ships in the harbor before, and they always seemed so busy. Some of the tall merchant ships carried hundreds of sailors all swarming around in the rigging. A ship this size would need a crew of at least a dozen, she guessed. So why did she see only a few people working to get the ship ready to sail?

Then she saw one of the men only had one foot. He was pale with bright yellow hair, like the traders who came from the north, and his right leg ended just below the knee. He hoisted himself up in the ropes with his arms. There was a crutch lying on the deck below him, but of course he couldn’t use it to climb.

She ran over and looked up at him. How do you work on the ship with only one leg? she called up.

The man looked down at her with a scowl. The same as everyone else.

Aristia looked around the ship again. Where is everyone?

The sour-faced captain came over and frowned down at her. Doing their jobs without having to explain it to little ragamuffins. Don’t get in their way.

Aristia shrank back from the captain. Her eyes darted to the mage’s cabin at the front of the ship, but the door was still closed. Would he think she was in the way there, too?

Then a head with pretty brown curls under a bright red kerchief popped up from the hole in the middle of the deck. When the young woman turned and saw Aristia, she smiled. Hey there, little one. Do you want to come give me a hand down here with the food?

Aristia nodded and scrambled down the steps after her. At first, all she saw was darkness. Then she blinked and there were lanterns lighting the inside of the ship, and a glowing fire in an enormous brick and iron stove at the front. She followed the pretty woman into the kitchens.

The woman gave Aristia an apron and a wooden spoon. Stir this soup, she said, pointing to a pot on the stove. Make sure you scrape the sides so nothing sticks and burns.

Aristia nodded and did as she said. The soup was yellow and creamy, and it smelled like lemons. Grains of rice, spices, and chunks of chicken floated up from the depths as she stirred. She looked back up at the pretty woman. Are you the cook?

I make the food, yeah, she said with another friendly smile. My name’s Leina. Did you come on with the mage?

Aristia smiled back. Leina’s a pretty name. It fit the woman, with her kind smile and gentle voice. When she used to beg, she’d learned how to read people quickly, to guess who might give her a coin or some food. Leina would’ve been a perfect mark, the type who got more generous when she teared up and talked about her sick baby brother. And if she had all the food on the ship, then this was the person who she wanted to get close to.

I’m Mage Ameyron’s apprentice, she said proudly. I’m supposed to help him keep his notes organized and get him things that he needs for his research. But he’s not looking at anything when we’re on the ship, so I bet he could spare me to help you here in the kitchen, if you need it. I’m Aristia, she added.

Leina laughed. I’d love your help when you’re not busy, Aristia. She waved a hand at the room, crowded with barrels of food, cooking pots, and hanging herbs, then winked. On a ship, we call this a galley.

She beamed. I didn’t know that! I’ve never been on a ship before. Do you have different names for everything?

The cook nodded. Oh, we have lots of different terms. Like this front part of the ship is the ‘fore,’ and in back is the ‘aft.’ She worked as she talked, with the skill of long practice, stuffing grape leaves with a rice mixture. You’ll pick it up soon enough. I bet you must be really smart to be an apprentice for a mage.

Aristia blushed and looked down at the soup, afraid that she would mess it up if she didn’t pay attention. Well, I dunno about smart. She chewed on her lower lip. I didn’t go to school or learn nothing until a couple years ago, when my ma started working for the duke. My teacher said I was catching up to the other kids, but there’s so many big words in those magic books. The mage said he would help me learn better.

Leina looked over at her with a sympathetic smile. He must have had a good reason for picking you, though.

Yeah, something. Aristia shifted from one foot to the other and looked up at the ceiling. Someone had painted brightly colored flowers and vines on the wood, curving up the empty parts of the walls to the ceiling. It’s so pretty in here. Did you decorate it yourself?

The cook nodded. I had to do something to brighten up this dark little hold. She pointed at a brilliant yellow circle in the corner. I bring my own sunshine.

Aristia looked at Leina with a smile. Yeah.

6

Evening Meal

Benu sat cross-legged on the upper deck, looking back at the coastline of Kyratia as it slipped off into the distance. The last rays of sunset shone on the tops of buildings, while the streets were already cast in shadow; above them all, he saw the snowflake perched on top of the alabaster dome of the Temple of Deyos, glowing pink in the dying light. His home for so many years, and now he was leaving it behind. The memories would not slip off so easily.

He whispered a prayer to Deyos, the Allfather, for the success of their voyage.

On the lower deck, a young woman came up the steps from the hold carrying a covered pot. Just then, a particularly large wave crashed into the ship, and she swayed precariously with her burden in her hands.

Benu got to his feet and hurried down to her. Here, let me help you with that, he said, clasping his hands over hers.

She looked up, and their eyes met. He saw the flicker of confusion in her face, just like everyone else had when they looked at him for the first time: trying to place his parentage. Port cities like Kyratia had people from all racial backgrounds, but mixed people like him were rare. But then that look melted away in a warm smile.

Be careful, it’s very hot, she warned. Her hands shifted under his so he could grasp the rags wrapped around the handles. When he had it, she reached up and brushed aside a curl that had escaped from the red flower-print kerchief tied around her hair. Thank you.

Benu nodded, then looked around, at a loss for where to put the pot down. Is there a cabin or room where we eat?

An eastern-looking woman suddenly jumped down from the rigging. We eat on deck when the weather ain’t bad. She grabbed a barrel and rolled it over next to one of the benches, then slapped the top. There’s a table for you.

Oh. Benu recovered from his surprise and set the pot down on the barrel, then looked back at the young woman. Can I help you with anything else?

She shook her head. No, it’s all coming up. She turned and pointed back at the stairs.

The apprentice girl Aristia had already scampered up with a stack of plates, and other crew members came up behind her, carrying various dishes and pans full of food. Captain Mynta herself emerged with several bottles of wine, and the musician, Genara, followed with glasses. Within moments, there was a hearty meal assembled on the deck, and the other passengers had come out of the cabins to join them.

As they passed around supper, Benu looked around at the small group. He counted only ten people: five passengers and four crew. Eirenaios had disappeared in his cabin as soon as they left port and hadn’t opened the door again since. There was just enough food for them, but what about the others who worked on the ship? He looked up in the rigging but saw no one else. He cleared his throat. Will the rest of the crew be eating later?

Captain Mynta shook her head. This is the crew, she said firmly. We don’t need many. She began pointing to the others. Rei is my first mate, she said, pointing to the tall woman with the almond-shaped eyes and light brown skin of Itteki in the east. Next to her was a white, sunburned, tow-headed man who must be from the north. Yuri is our pilot.

The captain turned to the tall man, who had the leathery, rough look of the western islanders. Nikephoros is the quartermaster. She pointed to the young woman with the bright kerchief last, who was