For the next few days there was some tension between the crew and the freed slaves, but over time and with Firebrand help the crew fell into place. The brothers were key to getting the other new recruits trained on a sailor's job. Tryst also proved quite adept at keeping things running smoothly. His uncanny ability to be at the right spot at the right time defused many situations and it didn't take long for Jayln to understand why Fenrin had wanted him as first mate.

Meanwhile, Jayln spent most of her time in the hold with the children. She started training them in jitsu. It was a secret only Echa knew about. The room had no windows and was thick enough that no one could tell what was going on inside. It also gave the children something to use their energy on. Anwen had taken to it with a vengeance, her sharp mind realizing exactly what it would mean for her to be able to defend herself.

Matti and Mira were not as diligent, but they liked being able to move and they idolized Anwen. Jayln had made up her mind that somehow she would get Matti and Mira back to her village.

The routine continued for a week, although as the end of the journey approached, food got more scarce. Nita did her best to stretch the limited store of food, assuring they'd make it to shore. The daily meal was enough to keep them alive but everyone was hungry.

A two days from their destination, a storm hit. Fenrin watched the sky with apprehension and barked orders out for the men to prepare the ship. Jayln spent the two hour long fight against the weather in the cabin sick to her stomach. The walls rolled up and over and she lay limp on the floor until at last the storm ended and Fenrin burst in.

He swore when he saw the mess but ignored Jayln and began pulling out maps and muttering over the desk. Slowly, Jaylin stood up and cleaned herself off. Gingerly, she tiptoed behind Fenrin and glanced over his shoulder. He was marking various points on a map and when he stood up suddenly, Jayln fell back on the bed, hands flying to her mouth and stomach. She heard him shouting and he came back in with Tryst.

"You're sure you read it right?"

"Yes, Captain. Check it three times."

Fenrin slammed his fist on the table and Tryst casually took a step back. Fenrin waved him out and Tryst gave Jayln a sympathetic glance before fleeing the cabin. With a groan, Jayln sat up and tried to focus. "What's wrong?"

"Damn storm blew us nearly three days off course."

Jayln processed this slowly, the obvious problem dawning on her. "Will we make it?"

He stared at the map, his mouth a grim line. "Not all of us. Tryst!"

The first mate reappeared. "Yes, Captain?"

"Fetch Nita."

With a salute, Tryst left again and Fenrin spun around in his chair. His eyes dark with matching circles. "Jayln. We can't keep the children."

She stood up quickly, ignoring the pain in her stomach. "No!"

"We can't feed everyone and we can't afford to lose anyone else. We're short manned as it is. Echa and the kids will have to be sacrificed."

"They can have my food." The thought of food made her feel sick anyway.

Fenrin snapped at her. "You are my primary asset right now. This whole trip is because of you and I'll force feed you if I have to."

Her lip trembled and although she knew it made logical sense, she couldn't accept it. "I won't let you touch them. We'll find a way."

He stood and shouted at her, "There is no other way! We were barely going to make it in the first place. This is the harsh reality even if you can't accept it." He turned to the door. "They go overboard tonight."

She lunged at him but he easily knocked her aside and she fell to the floor, too weak from seasickness. He slammed the door and tears formed in her eyes, hot and heavy. There had to be a way. There had to.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Fenrin was talking to Nita at the edge of the ship when Jayln came up to him, finally managing to get on her feet and walk. The old cook’s face was grim. Before Jayln could reach Fenrin, he stalked off. He was avoiding her and her wobbly legs couldn't keep up with his angry strides. She was about ready to call him out when a voice from the crow’s nest shouted, "Ship to the starboard side!"

All eyes turned east and many ran to the edge peering into the horizon. Fenrin whipped out a spyglass, his scowl turned into that wolfish grin as he gazed hungrily at the faint black smudge. His pause let Jayln catch up to him.

"Who is it?"

"Someone else tossed by the storm. Their sails are in tatters. What luck! Looks like we won't be throwing anyone overboard after all." He snapped the spyglass shut and Tryst appeared at his elbow.

"Captain?"

"I want all hands below decks to the oars. Our prey is in sight and doubtfully equipped with oars of her own."

Tryst ran off and bellowed at the men who all dropped what they were doing and filed below decks. Certain the ruckus would distract from herself, Jayln stood between Fenrin and the portal below. "What's the plan?"

He blinked at her like she was joking then his eyebrows furrowed angrily. "Ship." He pointed out to the horizon. "Pirate." He gestured to the retreating crew and pushed her aside.

"Wait! We don't have to attack. We could just trade with them."

Fenrin stopped and Jayln shivered as his shoulders tensed. He spun around, grabbed her arm and marched her back to the cabin. Safely out of view of the crew he pushed her into the chair.

"I am going to take that ship and its cargo. We need it to survive and they are no doubt as desperate as we are. Even if they aren't, we are pirates. One look at this ship and their mage will be throwing fire onto our sails."

"Mage?"

He waved a hand. "There's not a puff of wind out there and they still are moving, albeit slowly. They must have a mage conjuring wind. All the more reason to end things quickly. If the guild or Aziron catch our trail you can kiss any chance of peace goodbye. They're nosy and hard to get rid of."

"Why don't we just raise a white flag or something?"

Fenrin snorted. "Sure, our crew would love to do that. This is not a peaceful situation. You should be grateful this means the brats will live."

That made the fire rise in Jayln's eyes. Seeing her ready to argue, Fenrin strode out the door again. "Speaking of the kids, we're going to need all hands below decks."

Worried, Jayln ran after him as he made his way down to the cell where the children and Echa were for the second time since they'd found them. He threw open the door and the occupants jumped. He scanned the children and pointed at Anwen. "You seem competent enough. Come with me. Your mother too."

Anwen glanced at her mother who took her arm protectively and looked at Jayln for reassurance. Fenrin followed her gaze and scowled. "I'm not going to eat her. Not anymore anyway."

He strode forward and grabbed Anwen's other arm, pulling her and her mother out of the room.

"Fenrin!" Jayln threw herself in front of him.

He grit his teeth. "Move. You need to be at the oars too. That's an order."

Jayln hesitated but stepped aside, following Fenrin down to the galley where the two dozen men were grunting as they pulled long oars back and forth. Fenrin pointed to an empty spot and looked at Echa. "You sit there and get to work."

Echa stood her ground. "Not without my daughter."

Surprisingly, Fenrin didn't shout, he let go of Anwen and walked to the small platform at the front of the galley. "I've got a different job for her." He picked up a round object and dumped it into Anwen's arms. It was a drum.

Anwen stared at it and her mother allowed Fenrin to drag her to the platform, situating her in the middle. He knelt and looked her in the eye. The girl's somber face was attentive. "Alright, it's pretty simple. One. Two. Like that."

He demonstrated and ordered Anwen to repeat. She did and he stood back up. "Good enough. Now keep that up like your life depends on it. It does, in fact. Don't miss a beat and don't stop until your arms fall off."

Anwen went paler but her rhythm didn't falter. Fenrin rolled up his sleeves.

"Jayln, you're useless right now as muscle, so go top deck and keep an eye on our distance. Report back every five minutes."

Without another glance at her, Fenrin sat down at an oar and began rowing with the entirety of his crew. Jayln stumbled back up the ramp.

It was painfully slow going, but the conjured wind couldn't propel the tattered sails fast enough to outrun the steady pace of the oars. They were winning the snail's race.

Jayln walked up and down the ramp reporting their progress, her strength slowly returning along with her steadiness. When they got close enough to make out the figures on the deck, Fenrin came up too.

"Excellent. The mage is probably too exhausted to do much damage at this point. Follow me."

He strode to the cabin and opened the door for her. She walked in, but instead of following he shut it and she heard the click of the lock.

"Fenrin!"

He knocked. "You're a liability Jayln. I can't trust you right now."

She tried to unlock the door from the inside but he'd left the key in, jamming it. She pounded on the door yelling although she knew he'd already left.