Jake Dyer wiped a long lock of red hair from his eyes and looked pained. "It would have to be handsome if we're going there. What do you need me to do?"
"Erasmus's nephew will bring the cargo aboard. He'll come along as supercargo. We have a fair wind today, so if you hurry matters along we could lift within the hour."
He shook his head. "It's a good thing you kept the crew on ten minutes' lift notice. Oh, well, I'll sound the signal and hope they all haven't dispersed across town."
"Make it so. I'll be in my quarters for a few minutes."
Once aboard the Oculus Nightingale, Adena headed aft, resisting the urge to rub her hands until she gained the privacy of her quarters, a tiny stateroom that occupied the rear of the gondola. Conner had departed about other duties. With a clicking of brass the parrot glided to his perch and eyed her as she closed the door and leaned against it. He clacked his beak. "You're looking mightily pleased with yourself."
Adena chuckled. "So I should, Mr. Phibuli. I beat that bastard Erasmus soundly in the bargaining."
He sighed, the sound like a set of small leaky bellows. "Whether we get paid at all depends on if we return from this godforsaken trip or not."
"Oh, cheer up! We've done it before with never a scrape to talk of." She reached over and chucked the parrot under the chin. "You'll be able to buy some polish for your plumage with your share."
"Perhaps." Mr. Phibuli jerked his head away from her finger with an audible sniff. "I saw you looking at Erasmus's chelengk."
Adena looked blank. "I'm sure I didn't look at anything below his waist..."
Phibuli gave her a baleful glare. "His jewel, dear girl, the jewel in his fez." He sniffed again, muttered something like pearls before swine. "I estimate the value of the thing to be worth half as much again as this vessel."
"I knew what you meant. That much, huh?" Phibuli nodded with a rapid clicking of gears. She gave a soft whistle of surprise. "Well, I've not known you to be wrong when it comes to a valuation."
"Oh yes. It's one of my range of amusing tricks." In spite of the fixed nature of its features, the parrot appeared to scowl.
Adena snorted. "Oh, come on, Mr. Phibuli! If you'd learn to behave yourself around strangers..." She rubbed a thumb across her eyebrow. "Well, not everyone needs to know what you are. For now, I'm going to make sure all's ready to lift once Tom tells me Erasmus's cargo is aboard."
"Good luck, Adena." He shook his head. "I have the oddest feeling about this. May the gods favor us all."
She looked at him askance. "Amen."
Not long after their conversation Adena received confirmation from her agent that the advance payment had been made. She waited by the hatch as three half-naked stevedores heaved the trolleys bearing the cargo up the gangplank to the cargo hatch. Perspiration stood out all over their shaved bodies as they toiled. She glanced at the purser, who stood close by watching the loading with a critical eye as he checked the manifest fixed to his clipboard. "Why the hell don't they use the winch, Tom?"
He grunted. "Master Erasmus decided the cargo requires personal handling for some reason."
The merchant stood talking to his nephew at the foot of the gangplank. Adena grimaced. "It's his prerogative, I guess." She eyed the nephew. "Damn, but that kid looks like a shorter version of his uncle, even down to the robes."
Tom grunted. "He's trying to imitate Erasmus, I think."
"Could be. How much is coming aboard?"
"Ten crates, none over two hundred pounds' weight."
"That's a good load for a spec cargo."
Tom glanced at her and cleared his throat. "It must be valuable."
She gave him a hard look. "If it is, it's none of our business, Tom. Our job is to carry it from A to B, nothing more."
He put on a bland expression. "Of course, Cap'n."
The last trolley came up the gangplank. It bore a long crate made of blond wood, bound like the others by woven Hessian straps. Erasmus's seals dotted the ties, dark blue wax pressed hard against the tough beige fabric. The merchant himself followed at a leisurely pace, his nephew at his heels like a faithful dog. Erasmus gave a courtly bow. "All is aboard, Captain, Mr. Purser. I will sign off on the cargo whenever you're ready." Tom handed him his clipboard and a stylus, and showed him where to sign. Erasmus signed the document with a flourish then turned to Adena. "I will leave my goods and my nephew in your capable hands, Captain."
Adena smiled at the order of priority he gave them. She shook his hand. "Thanks, Erasmus. We'll take it from here." For form's sake she added, "May I persuade you to take refreshment before we depart?”
He held up a hand. "Thank you, no. You have your favorable wind to catch, and my wife is waiting for me. Some social function or other, terribly boring." He shrugged. "I will take my leave. Bon voyage."
With a courteous nod, he turned and strode off down the gangplank.
Adena turned to the purser. "Everyone aboard, Tom?"
He nodded. "Aye, Cap'n."
"Then secure for lift-off, if you please."
Zared stood clutching a small valise and looking rather lost. Adena took pity on him. "If you'll come with me, sir, I'll show you to your cabin. We'll be lifting soon. You may remain in your cabin, or watch from the crew lounge as we take off, but please try to stay out of the passageway as the crew'll be using it."
"Thank you, Captain." Zared responded with a quick bob of his head, gratitude in his muddy brown eyes. His voice sounded higher in pitch than his uncle's. She noticed his attempt at growing a beard didn't seem to have advanced beyond a vague
