Chapter 40: Cladding 7

The evening air was chill against Elania’s skin as the Farwind sliced through the sky, Contia’s silhouette growing steadily larger.

Red flags fluttered from ropes spanning the airship’s length, while spotlights and artifice lamps lit up the ship from balloon to keel, making it a stark contrast against the darkening horizon.

Elania glanced at the Alistar, the captured vessel, its own red flags mirroring those of the Farwind.

The two ships, hopelessly entangled, faced opposite directions while the Farwind’s artifice engines groaned under the strain of pulling both vessels.

Elania’s mind wandered to the fierce boarding battle that had concluded with a resounding victory for the Farwind.

The Alistar’s machinery was silent, disabled by a defeated crew. It had taken quick work just to prevent them from cutting their own balloons free in an attempt to crash both ships.

Captain Narbor had deemed it too risky to attempt separating the vessels, opting instead to bring the Alistar back to Contia as a prize. A smile tugged at Elania’s lips, suspecting that the captain’s decision was heavily influenced by the captured airship’s value.

As she stood at the prow, Captain Narbor approached. “I can’t thank you enough for your assistance, Lady Elania,” he said sincerely. “Things could’ve gone differently if you hadn’t shown up when you did.”

Elania turned to face him, an innocent smile playing on her features. “Captain, I’m curious. What’s the value of a captured airship like this?”

Narbor’s posture stiffened, and he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “Well, the value is quite substantial,” he admitted, his tone guarded. “After confirmation from the port authority, if the ship is proven to have been involved in piracy, it’ll be auctioned off at the wharf to the highest bidder.”

Elania’s smile widened. “And how are the proceeds of such an auction divided?”

Narbor shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable with the line of questioning. “It depends on various factors,” he hedged, avoiding direct eye contact. “There are certain protocols and regulations that need to be followed.”

Elania nodded, her gaze drifting back to the approaching city.

“I’m fairly certain I should be compensated for my assistance,” she said. “I took the enemy captain’s head and saved yours, after all.”

Narbor nodded. “I am very thankful for that, Lady Elania. As an honorary member of the crew, I can offer you twenty-five percent of the crew’s share of the proceeds from the sale.”

Elania stared at him for a long moment, then tsked, shaking her head. “That’s not very grateful, captain.”

Narbor shifted his weight. “Thirty percent, then.”

Elania turned away, her eyes drawn to the approaching city. “I want your share—half of it.”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Surprise was clear in Narbor’s tone. “You… you already knew the standard divisions?”

Elania sighed. “I can’t let people take advantage of me forever. After the bounty thing came up, I investigated the relevant salvage and bounty laws.”

The city and ship’s owner would split a quarter, the captain and the officers would get half, and the regular crew the last quarter.

Narbor’s jaw clenched, but he grudgingly agreed. “Fine. Half of the captain’s share. That’s a full quarter of the auction proceeds.”

Elania smiled and offered her hand. His grip was firm, but he still refused to look her in the eye.

Her mirth at making a good negotiation muted somewhat. Was he the type to hold a grudge over money?

Elania shook her head and pulled out Arlois’ communicator. “Farwind and one captured vessel, in sight, coming for docking.”

There was a momentary delay, but then a crackle of a response started.

“Do you have the prisoners?” Arlois asked. “We need to learn who sent that ship.”

Elania blinked, sharing a confused glance with Narbor.

“We have a bunch of heads,” Elania replied.

Arlois’ voice came through the communicator as a bark. “What?”

“Make up your mind!” Elania replied hotly. “You yelled at me last time!”

There was a muttered curse for a response, and then the channel went silent.

Oh well. Elania looked to Narbor. “I’m going ahead. Are you going to make it back alright?”

Narbor nodded. “We’ll be landing in the emergency cradle so the wharf crews can deal with the mess without risking both ships.”

Elania nodded. “Don’t wreck our prize, captain.”

He nodded, and she launched herself into the air.

A smile played at her lips. No more flight restrictions! She angled toward the estate, keeping her speed in check and without coming too close to anything.

Having her flight privileges revoked so soon after getting them would not be fun.

It only took her a few minutes to cross the city before she landed gracefully in the garden. Evening was quickly clawing away the light now, and the estate’s artifice lighting spilled freely out the windows.

Elania made her way inside.

She was greeted by a cultist who bowed as she entered. She nodded in acknowledgment and headed upstairs, her mind still processing the events of the day.

As she entered the bedroom, she did a double-take.

Shadow was curled up in a ball on Yolani’s chest, both of them snoring softly. When she stepped inside, Shadow raised his head, meeting her gaze.

“Trying to steal my girl, are you?” Elania asked.

Shadow yawned, stretching his limbs before moving to lick his paw. The movement caused Yolani to grumble, then push him off of her chest.

For a second, Elania expected violence. But he flopped onto the bed, and Yolani’s eyes fluttered open, settling on Elania.

A smile tugged at her lips. “You’ve lost some weight,” she teased, her voice thick with sleep.

Elania’s eyes darted from Shadow to Yolani, before she burst out laughing. “That was Shadow, not me!”

Yolani sat up, wide-eyed, staring at Shadow, who mewled innocently.

“He’s adapting much better than I hoped,” Elania said.

“He tried to smother me in my sleep, just like you usually do!” Yolani accused.

Elania chuckled, carrying over the weight reduction pack and emptying the crystalline metallic rocks she’d gathered on Yolani’s workbench. “Maybe because we’re both female, he doesn’t mind being in a pack with us?”

Yolani rolled her eyes. “Darkwalkers don’t form harems. He doesn’t have a problem with Darius, either.”

Elania looked at the subject of the discussion, who was clearly aware he was being talked about. The preening and licking of his paw was all the indication she needed.

“Shadow is a very smart, very bribable cat,” Elania mumbled.

Shadow raised his nose, sniffing in Elania’s direction. She rolled her eyes, pulling out a dried piece of meat, and tossed it to him. He caught it deftly, carrying it off the bed and to his corner.

Elania turned to Yolani. “Are you going to laze about all day while I’m forced to slay hordes of air pirates?”

Yolani blinked, confusion etched on her face. “What?”

“Oh, and I also have an entire pack of that crystal metal stuff Arlois sent me after,” Elania added nonchalantly. “You know, the special stuff that’s supposed to make the [Regalia] super tough?”

“What?!” Yolani shouted. She leaped out of bed and rushed to the workbench, nearly tripping over her nightgown.

Elania chuckled.

This type of moment made the weight of everything a little bit lighter.