I cannot quite comprehend the information. An island ruling itself? Everyone having a say? If this wasn’t enough to pique my interest in learning more about Marie and Delosia, the reminder of a time before Blackwell’s reign, when women held the power in Selennia would do the trick.
Maybe I should speak with Marie in private once more. Now that the initial shock of her knowing my identity has worn off, perhaps I can manage to gather my thoughts and ask the right questions. If this is to be my new home…
“Fine,” I say, standing from my stool with my sheet still held tight around me. “I will speak with her. Will you see if tomorrow around lunchtime is convenient? I can meet her at her house, but would prefer no other audience be in attendance.”
“Of course! I will go to her straight away!” Lyra finishes her tea and stands beaming, her mission completed.
“Also, will you please ask around and find out who the best seamstress on the island is? I have a few things I need made,” I glance down at the ruined shift, frowning slightly. It was fun in the moment, but now I have nothing clean to wear. “And a laundress?”
“Yes! I will ask and let you know,” Lyra wraps me in a hug, despite my lack of proper attire or free arms to return her embrace, and practically bounces out the door.
Once she has departed, I tap gently on the adjoining door to the Captain’s room, wondering if he might wish to share the remainder of the tea, but receive no answer. When I ease the door open, the room is empty and immaculate, with no sign of Lennox to be found aside from a small trunk of his things.
* * *
The island sun greets me brightly as I step out of the seamstress’ shop on one of the sandy side streets. It’s sinking in the sky so that the rays streak perfectly down the alley and into my eyes, forcing me to blink rapidly to see again. The orange and pink sunset is beautiful, but the sun is powerful, even as it sets, so I am continually squinting just when I think I have grown used to it.
Lyra returned earlier to direct me to the favored tailor in town and I found the plump middle-aged woman at the shop to be a delight. The wide variety of fabrics she had available was a pleasant surprise — not just linen and cotton for the tropical heat, but fine wools and silks, too. I have never been able to shake off my love of luxurious fabrics and thus spent entirely too much time touching and cooing over the selection. Now that my request for assorted new clothing pieces is complete, I proceed down the street to the familiar tavern that we’ve frequented since our arrival. Lennox has been missing since he departed my bed this morning, and, although my main goal is to locate an evening meal, I also hope to find him lounging in the alcove when I arrive.
The raucous tavern is overflowing, but I am disappointed to find that there are no familiar faces to greet me except Maryanne behind the bar. “Andromeda, my dear!” she calls out warmly as I make my way through the crowded tables, a smile spreading across my lips in response.
“Hello, Maryanne! How has your day been?” The woman is so joyous, that it is hard not to match her tone.
“Oh, lovely! Just lovely! Can I get you more of the rum punch from last night? You and Lennox seemed to be quite fond of the flavor,” she says with a wink, and I crinkle my nose in response.
“No, thank you. It went down entirely too easily and I fear my morning was a bit cloudy because of it,” I chuckle. “But if you have something on the menu for dinner I would appreciate it, and perhaps a cup of ale or lager? Something that won’t have me stumbling back to my room this time?”
“Of course, of course! Won’t take a moment!” Maryanne replies happily and rushes to the back to the kitchen.
I settle in on one of the stools at the bar to await her return, keeping my eyes carefully downcast so I do not look like I’m seeking company. My lightweight linen dress is modest, and my long hair is tidy and pinned up; I look as pious as one of the women who follow the King’s religion, but I don’t know if that will matter to some of the sailors who frequent the tavern. Not a moment later, the stool next to me jostles, and a strange man plops down, grinning like a fool. I sigh and keep my eyes directed to my hands so as to not invite conversation. As soon as Maryanne returns with my food, I plan to escape to the safety of my alcove, alone.
“Hello, beauty — when did you arrive on this fine island?” the man asks, alcohol wafting from his lips as he watches me expectantly.
“Only a day ago, sir. If you please, I would prefer to have my meal alone,” I reply curtly, barely cutting my eyes to register his scraggly dark hair and matching beard.
“Only a day! Then you must be in need of a friend, Miss. Let me join you and keep you company!” He is jolly and boisterous, and clearly drunk. Although he may not mean me harm, I do not want him to linger.
“I appreciate the kindness, but again, I prefer to dine alone. I am not in need of company.” I sit straight and look him directly in the eye to accentuate my statement. When the man looks me full in the face, all glee falls from his expression, and his eyes display a hint of fear as they widen. His gaze flicks just above my eyes, and in the next breath, glances to my wrist where the bracelet Lennox placed on me that fateful night at the House still gleams.
“I meant no harm, Missus. Truly. Forgive me.” He almost falls as he stumbles backward off the stool, backing away as if I have transformed into a venomous snake or rabid wolf.
“Of course, you didn’t. Thank you,” I reply coldly, masking my confusion and curiosity at the man’s fear. My eyes track him across the room as he retreats to a table of men, whispering furiously. The table falls to a hush, and fearful glances turn my way briefly. Soon enough, though, they’re all distracted again by drinking and cards, forgetting me. Maryanne approaches with a large cup of ale, almost choking on laughter.
“What did you do to that one, Andromeda dear?” she chuckles, carefully setting the mug in front of me.
“I merely asked to be left alone. At first, he seemed like he was going to be troublesome, but when he looked at me, he seemed afraid. Is Captain Lennox so feared on this island?” I jingle the bracelet against the bar slightly to direct her attention to it when she seems confused.
“Lennox? Well, he is certainly a force to be reckoned with here, most of the men respect him. He is known to be brutal when he needs to be. But it’s you that struck fear into that one, love.”
“Me?” I ask incredulously. It seems unlikely that a woman sitting alone at a bar would strike fear into a group of hardened seafarers.
“Oh yes. They’ve all heard of the resurrected priestess that sailed in on the Bartered Soul. The one that removed a lecherous man’s cock for trying to touch her without permission. You are a sea witch that haunts their dreams. Men always love beautiful dangerous things, but not one of them would dare touch you without your consent after that.” Pride is evident on her tanned face as she smiles at me with her gapped teeth.
“I see.” I hadn’t expected my actions to precede me, and it makes me nervous that I’m already known here after just over a day and a half.
The ale is refreshing as I drink deeply from the tankard, rotating on the stool to glance around the room one side at a time. Some eyes are on me, but they flicker back to their cards, dice, or companions when I meet their gaze. A few of the women catch my eye and give small smiles or nods. I need to talk to Marie soon and get away from here. I do not wish to be known.
After a few more minutes, a serving girl appears from the back of the tavern with a savory stew of fresh seafood, placing it in front of me along with a small loaf of crusty bread. My stomach growls and I dig into the meal at almost an indecent speed, forgetting all manners I may have learned between my childhood and the temple, burning my tongue in my haste. When the stew is gone, I finish by wiping the bowl with the crusts of the loaf and down the remainder of my beer before leaving coin for Maryanne. She is busy chatting with another customer at the bar, so I bid her a quick goodbye with a wave and swiftly sweep through the room and out into the twilight street.