Captain Valkyrie looked at me intently, which took me somewhat by surprise.
I continued, saying with more conviction, “The energy shards are rare, but most commonly used as fuel for powering machines and skyships. Their properties are full of power though it doesn’t last long. Maybe a few days or weeks at most. What people really search for, far rarer than the shards… is a heartstone. A larger crystal that can feed off of the power of smaller shards, absorbing unimaginable power. Most shards look black, but the more color that comes through in a shard or crystal, the stronger their power and the higher their quality as a source of fuel. The ones in your hold are military grade, highly pigmented, extremely hard to come by, and worth more than some cities."
The pirate grinned, nodding as he said, rather pleased with himself, "I know. You said it yourself. They're for profit. This… information you're telling me is all common knowledge. We know how the world works, that everything of value cannot run on steam alone, and that it comes at a high price…" He leaned forward, his face close to mine as he whispered, "So, if you're really an engineer, what can you tell me that I don't know?"
I swallowed, stopping myself from saying anything confrontational. I looked down at my hands, fingers twisted together nervously, as I debated what to say. “The energy crystals in your hold… they can be manufactured, though the exact method is a secret closely guarded by the military. The government can synthesize as many as they need to keep Aeras running- but the heartstones are different. The power they contain can’t be replicated… The moment a person shows they have the ability to connect to that energy, they are put into training to become an engineer– it’s what makes us so highly sought after. A heartstone, even a shard, is worth more in our hands than any other. It’s not a common talent- and the ability to use it well is even less so...”
“And you have this ability?” he asked, blue eyes shining in the dim room.
I hesitated, nodding before I admitted, “I do.” It felt wrong to be saying such things to a stranger–a pirate–but my life was a higher priority than the truth of why the military hunted people like me. “I’m sure that’s enough to prove my claim as an engineer.”
“We’ll see.” Valkyrie tilted his head to the side, the motion shifting the collar of his shirt.
I was distracted for a moment by a dark ring of bruising on his skin. I started to look away, embarrassed as if I’d seen something private, but my gaze caught instead on the lines of a tattoo which swirled up his throat. The graceful, curving lines brought the image of clouds and mist to my mind, disappearing under his collar. I leaned forward slightly, captivated as I wondered how far the lines extended. They seemed to fit his image, and I could imagine ink tattooed across the muscle of his chest. The thought had me drawing away again, startled that I’d mentally undressed the arrogant man.
This man was a threat, and toying with images like those was dangerous.
The Captain didn’t seem to notice my lapse in concentration, looking at the rings on his fingers as if he was losing interest. "Well, Mr. Arliss, a man of your caliber should be able to answer me this… Does my ship have a heartstone?"
“With your ego, I’d all but guarantee it,” I said, sighing when his glare demanded a better answer. “I saw its glow from under the hull when I stowed away. Even if I hadn’t, your ship is sleek, and fast; her machinery is quiet and efficient–”
“Apart from a ‘lurch’ during take-off, apparently,” he muttered, crossing his arms defensively.
I pressed my lips together to resist the urge to roll my eyes; he was like a child whose favorite toy had been insulted. “It’s not her fault she hasn’t been properly serviced,” I said, hoping it would satisfy him. “A ship of this quality wouldn’t run without a heartstone– and I wouldn’t be able to provide those modifications I offered without one, either. I can’t tell the size or strength from outside the engine room, but I’d wager you were able to get your hands on one that would put most ships to shame.”
He nodded, his blue eyes thoughtful as he stood, his dark hair casting shadows on his face as he murmured, “I think I’ve heard enough, Mr. Arliss. You say you know my ship has a heartstone, so I just have one last question for you…” He stared at me as if he could see right through me, uttering the last thing I expected him to say. “Would you like to see it?”
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