“How bad is it?” Caelan inquired.
The man’s white push-broom mustache twitched, and Caelan couldn’t tell if he was amused or annoyed. Maybe a little of both. “A single New Rosanthe battleship has been spotted to the east and looks to be traveling at about ten knots. We’re not sure if she’s spotted us yet, and I’m not willing to wager that she’s alone. It’s not often that an Empire battleship travels solo so far from home.”
“Course of action?”
This time it was clear Christie was frowning. “We’ve opened the engines up, and we’ll be up to full speed in a matter of minutes. We’re still at least four hours from the designated drop-off spot. At full speed, we should be able to trim that closer to three.”
“Why do I feel like if I wasn’t part of the cargo, you’d be turning to face the Empire head on, Admiral?”
“I’ve never been one to run from a fight, and New Rosanthe needs to be herded back to their own waters. Give them a reason to fear coming this far north.”
Caelan couldn’t agree more, but his priority right now was reaching the Isle of Stone safely. “Sorry to slow you up, Admiral, but I doubt we’re completely out of this fight. The Emperor likely knows where I’m headed next. We need to make sure none of the Empire accompanies me.”
Christie brightened, his sharp brown eyes widening. “You’re open to engagement?”
“Admiral! The New Rosanthe battleship has increased to fifteen knots and climbing. They are in pursuit,” one of the sailors shouted before Caelan could answer.
“Is it alone?”
“No other New Rosanthe vessels have been spotted,” a second sailor replied.
Lifting a hand, Christie stroked his mustache with his index finger. “They must have spotted at least one of our escort destroyers if not both of them. Ballsy as fuck.” He cleared his throat and looked at Caelan. “Sorry, Your Majesty.”
“No need. What’s your call?” Christie lifted his brows in question, obviously expecting the king to start barking orders simply because Caelan wore the crown. Caelan shook his head. “I need your experience, Admiral. Our priority remains the same: to get me and my companions to the Isle of Stone. If we can risk as few Erya lives as possible, I’ll consider it a bonus. Erya has lost too many good men and women to New Rosanthe already.”
“Aye.” Christie turned toward his men and bellowed at his first office to call over to the Evrain and Candor, the two destroyers acting as escorts to the battleship. The Candor was to drop back, but keep pace with the battleship, while the Evrain was to decrease its speed and distract the New Rosanthe ship.
A second command was sent to the engine room to push the engines as hard as they could. They needed time. While they had a good lead on the Empire ship now, the problem lay in the fact that the battleship had to slow to a near stop to unload the amphibious launch. It left the battleship a sitting duck to attack for an extended period of time as it fought to return to speed again.
“I’m going below, Admiral, to see that all our gear is gathered and stowed. We’ll be ready to leave the second you give the signal,” Caelan said, already moving for the door.
“May the goddess protect you all,” Christie replied, and a chill went down Caelan’s spine. He didn’t like the idea of relying on the goddess for any kind of protection. Tula protected those she had a purpose for and even then, the protection came with a high price.
Caelan and Adrian hurried to the lower levels of the battleship, where their private quarters were located. They dodged other sailors hurrying about. Most attempted to salute or bow to Caelan as they passed, but Caelan waved them on. He was the least of their concerns right now.
As they neared their quarters, one of the doors popped open and Eno stood in the entrance, a heavy pack slung over one shoulder. His dark eyes widened to see them, but he recovered quickly.
“Rayne has already packed up your room, and I’ve stowed it on the boat. I’m taking Rayne’s up now,” he announced, looking directly at Caelan. He lifted his eyes to Adrian behind Caelan’s shoulder. “Pack the last of your things and bring them up.”
“The king?”
“In with Rayne,” Eno answered with a jerk of his head toward the room he was leaving.
Caelan nearly rolled his eyes. Yes, yes, he was being placed into Rayne’s care for safekeeping while they made the final preparations. It was as if they didn’t trust him to not find trouble if he was left alone for five minutes. Of course, the last time they’d left him alone, Mrtyu had been attacked by the Empire and he’d nearly been killed by Kamal Giri and Safa. So, maybe they had a point.