Chapter 14

The Captain, Finneas, Korlai, and Trudy waited on a bench inside Brinemarch’s townhall. The townhall, while relatively small compared to the larger cities of the interior, was remarkably posh, laden gold with illicit money. 

“This was your ripe idea, Finneas?” the Captain hushed.

“Everyone else was accounted for and how could we explain the prisoner in our hold?”

She glared at Trudy. “One false word and we will kill you in your sleep”

Trudy tried to laugh it off but Captain did not smirk.

Korlai chuckled, “What, no kind words for me?” 

The Captain squinted at him with a hint of playful annoyance. 

A small older man opened the city council room, before calling out “Abyss Crew, we’re ready for you.”

The council room was quite large, fit to sit 80 people as well as a dozen council members. Today, however, it was just the same three officials that met them at the docks, an attentive scribe, and a handful of city guards posted around the room. The council’s seating overlooked their presentation table by several feet, giving a true sense of the power and prominence the council had over all those who presented. 

As the Captain and others arrived at their table, her voice echoed up to the three officials. “With so few people, could this have not been handled at the docks?”

The dockwarden smiled his unarming smile, “I understand your tested patience. We needed to prepare our questions. Also a cunning captain with their full crew is liable to run. Now let me introduce ourselves. I am dockwarden Gene Hartwright of Sandia. Joining me are Jack Goldhair, Brinemarch’s Harbor Comptor, and Silvia Moras, honored guest and diplomat from Widding.” Silvia's beauty transcended that of the men around her. Her dark features and long elegance made for strong diplomatic sway. 

“Please state your name for the record.”

One-by-one they stated their names. Korlai would be first mate Riley, and Trudy was Thomas Middlenight.

“Thank you, now a few things to clear up. First, we see that you were just here a little over a week ago. Now you’re back. That’s a bit strange for a trade ship.”

Finneas spoke up, “Aye, we were on our way to the Port of Hardwood when we caught an unlucky break. Pirates off the coast caught sight of us on night two, and despite our speed, we’re not running from two sloops.”

Jack interjected with a tone of superiority. “Run East of the coastline and the current will naturally push you past them!?”

Captain spoke plainly, “East of Sandia runs a Kraken lane. We never venture far from any coast, it’s our rule.”

Jack scoffed, “Leave it to a woman captain to be afraid of myths.” He looked around for a man to laugh with but only found the pursed lips of Silvia.

“So pirates turned you around. Did you happen to see God’s Light? They would have sailed with Widding colors and were accompanied by another galleon.” the dockwarden pressed on. 

“No, we crossed no such ship. Nor did we see any activity beyond the coastal pirates,” Finneas reported.

“My niece was aboard that ship, quartermaster. It is my personal mission to find her. Please, consider if there were any signs of such a crew.” Silvia asked personably. 

“Sincere apologies for her missing, but nevertheless, that is the full truth.”

Silvia connected with Finneas, although with diplomats their sincerity was never to be fully trusted.

“Thomas Middlenight!” Jack demanded. Trudy looked back blankly before remembering HE was Thomas Middlenight. “Uh- Yes, yes sir.”

“You know my family’s youngest son, Thomas has gone missing as well. You know he kinda looks like you… A bit weasly.” Jack dug into Trudy with his gaze. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about Thomas, would you?” Jack spoke slowly, a bully towering over the meek.

Finneas cut in, “A strange coincidence is-”

“I ASKED HIM, quartermaster. What do you know of Thomas?”

“Nothing. I mean, I am Thomas, but…” Trudy’s voice trembled. 

“But what boy!?” Jack gritted.

“COMPTOR, my crew answered you. You will not dishonor me with further questioning!” The captain’s voice held a finality that even Jack Goldhair was compelled to accept even though his mug face hid any sort of retreat.

The dockwarden coughed with a smile to break the tension. “There is one last item on this agenda Captain, and you are not going to like it. You’ve answered our questions satisfactorily, but we have concerns with the origins of your ship. You see, a ship of a very similar build, owned by a very prominent merchant, was captured a year ago. Someone has reported its likeness.”

The Abyss crew tensed with anger, surrounded and detained in a room of guards. They coyly measured their opposition.

“Now, I am sure it is a misunderstanding, but we have an inspector on their way to verify your ship's legitimacy. He will arrive first thing in the morning.”

Jack grinned greedily, “In the meantime, we have booked you rooms at the Shucked Clam. We hope you enjoy your stay, Captain. Don’t try to leave early.”

For a family known for not trading in flesh, putting the Abyss crew up at the most notorious brothel in the city was a distasteful insult. The Captain had found a new man to despise, something Thomas had already done a decade prior.