“None of those that swore to you, Lord! There were seven that did it, that I saw. One, well he hurt a little boy bad, killed him… and we threw him off the ship ourselves. Two more died in the fightin’; they were ships guards, and the last four… well…” he said, gesturing to the four men in the cage.
I managed to grab Oracle’s leg just before she took off, and I spoke firmly to her. “No! We’ll deal with this once we’re away from the Tower.” She looked rebellious for a second, but then quickly settled down when she saw the look in my eye.
“Thank you for telling me, Jory. I’ll not have men like that in my lands. However, and I’m sure you understand this, I need to be sure of what you’ve said…”
“I do, m’lord. Just tell me what you want. I can bring you others that saw it, or the girls and boys that were…used…” he faltered, looking concerned about bringing the last group to me and making them relive their experiences.
“No. I’ll talk to you again later but thank you.” I said, walking away from him and crossing to Oren where he stood on the main deck. He regarded me as I approached, noting the twin looks of anger on both mine and Oracle’s faces.
“Uh oh, who pissed in yer breakfast?” he said, frowning.
“Nobody, I fucking hope.” I drew him aside. “Look, I just found out from Jory that a few of the crew of this ship raped and killed some of the villagers. I hadn’t realized before, but the two groups have made a point of staying separate since I released them. Have you seen that? And did you know?”
“Nay, laddie, I’d no seen tha’ but I can believe it. It be the kinda thing that happens, unfortunately.”
“No… no, it fucking doesn’t,” I said forcefully. “I need you to make this very, very clear to people. This doesn’t ‘happen’, and if it does, I’ll make damn sure whoever did it regrets it for the rest of their life, both goddamn seconds of it!” I took a deep breath and went on. “If I have to say this to our people, if this is really a rule I have to lay down, I will, but I’ll be furious and disappointed that it even needs to be said. We’re supposed to be family here, and that…”
“Nay, laddie, ain’t needed to be said. None ‘o my lads and lassies would need to be told, and I dinna see anyone else that’d need it neither. It be normal fer a warship to need extra crew, and sometimes, well, mebbe they get shits like that. My ship, and Decin’s, we were family ships, an’ we only hired those we knew well.”
“Thank god,” I growled, shaking my head as I tried to tamp down on the fury raging in me.
“Can I ask a question?” Oren said suddenly, and I looked at him, surprised.
“I’ve never known you to ask permission before, mate; what is it?” I said, getting an embarrassed grin in return.
“Well, you an’ Oracle…yer bond, how deep does it be?”
“I don’t get you,” I said, looking at Oracle in confusion only to find her looking back at me in the same way.
“Argh, look. I am probl’y sayin’ this wrong, but yer bond… last few days, I’ve seen it, an’ I need to ask, are you sharin’ yer emotions?” Oren cheeks were stained bright red, but he ploughed on manfully.
“Look, we all been seein’ how she acts wit’ ye, and truth be told, it be fuckin hilarious. But yer anger… yer depression when people died, all o’ it, I dinna know ye well enough to be sure, but iff’n yer sharin’ emotions, well...” He shrugged, and I stared at him blankly. Oracle took off suddenly, flying away in a blur of wings, and disappeared over the side of the ship, and I followed her trajectory in confusion. After a second, though, I felt my anger die down to a manageable level and I drew in a deep breath, even more confused. I looked to Oren and saw him nodding as he looked back at me.
“There it be.” He smiled and continued quietly. “I did wonder, the way ye were so easily sidetracked suddenly, where before yer were a man o’ focus. Me an’ Cai were talkin’ about it a wee while ago. I think ye need to go find yer companion, mate.” I nodded, not pleased he’d been talking about me behind my back to Cai, but understanding that as ‘the boss’, it’d happen.
I followed Oracle’s flight over to the side of the ship, my bond guiding me. I broke into a jog, taking the stairs quickly to her floor and dismissing the crystal doorway to the Hall of Memories.
She was huddled on her manawell, shrunk down to her original size, only six inches in height. She sat with her legs pulled up to her chest, arms wrapped around them as she shook.
“Oracle?” I called softly, rushing to her, and going down on one knee so I was level with her face. “What’s wrong?” I asked, afraid that she was hurt. She lifted her tiny tear-streaked face and spoke, barely above a whisper.
“I’m sorry, Jax. I’m so sorry!”
“Why? What happened? Seriously Oracle, what the hell?” I whispered, reaching out to her, and dipping my hand into her well. She sat on the surface as though it was solid, but my fingers felt only a cool liquid as I lifted her free. I cradled her to my chest and took a seat, closing the door with a thought. After a second, I felt her uncurl, growing to her normal size of a foot tall, as she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck and buried her face.
I held her for a while as she cried, with no idea what to do beyond slowly stroking her back, her wings fluttering with each sob. After what seemed
