“Come in,” hecalled.
The door opened, and Keitlyudee strolled inwith young Tadzi limping after. Keitlyudee had cleaned up and worea beaded caribou dress and sandals. The bruises on her face hadstarted to fade, which made Kali toss a surprised glance atCedar.
“How long have I beenout?”
“Couple days,” he said.“You’ve been in and out. You were beat soundly up there, brokenribs and burns. Doc gave you a draught to make you sleep and healup.”
Kali couldn’t fault that, she supposed, butit made her uneasy to think of days passing without her knowingit.
Tadzi bounced to a stop in front of Cedar.“My cousins are working the crane with those two smiths, andthey’ll have the engine out soon. The deck’s all busted and burned,but lots of the hull is still serviceable.”
Kali stared at him. “What’s this?”
“I told Chief Isaac whatyou did for me,” Keitlyudee said, “and how what you did will givepeace to the spirits of all the girls that were killed by thatmonster. Now you’re…” She shrugged.
“You’re a hero!” Tadziblurted. “Cedar said you’re building an airship too.” His eyesnearly bulged out of his head.
“The Han were thinking ofa feast in your honor,” Cedar told Kali with a sly look, “but Isaid if they really wanted to honor you, they could send somepeople to help you salvage that ship and build the hull to your newone.”
“How many people?” Kaliwhispered, visions of a legion of workers dancing in her head.Maybe she
“About a dozen. And someof the townsfolk are helping get the airship out of the water. Themayor said you were welcome to what’s left, and he’s appreciativethat you kept the city from burning. So if you’ve ever wanted afavor, now might be the time to ask.”
“I…” Kali stifled agrimace. Though the pirates were to blame for much of the mess, ithad been her desire to take over the ship that had put Dawson injeopardy in the first place. It didn’t seem right to be anyone’shero over that. She had just fixed the problem she’d caused andnearly gotten herself killed in the process.
“My grandma said I couldcome help you with it,” Tadzi said. “If you’ll have me. I couldcarve the masthead!”
“I’d like to help too,”Keitlyudee said. “What I owe you can never be repaid.”
“I…”
“You’re not speechless,are you?” Cedar smirked. “I’ve never seen that on you.”
“I…don’t know what tosay,” Kali said.
“Thank you is a popularchoice,” Cedar said, then told Keitlyudee, “She’s hard to impressand has difficulty showing gratitude.”
“Do not.” Kali tried topunch him in the shoulder, but her ribs hurt too much and sheaborted the motion.
“See?” Cedar asked theothers.
Kali glared around the room. “Shouldn’t youall be working?”
“Aye, Captain.” Stillsmirking, Cedar saluted and ushered the others out of theroom.
