43. The Drownlords

[Carys]

“Captain, what’s wrong?” Nox asked with a concerned look in his eyes.

Morana’s enraged look settled on her face as the reality of what she had done dawned on her.

She cautiously lifted her gaze at me. I tilted my head, and she slumped back into her chair, cursing inaudible words.

“Well… ready to explain whatever just happened?” I asked.

“Nah! Kill me,” Morana said.

Licking my lips, I looked at Verity, who looked equally confused.

“Captain! What are you saying?” Nox said.

Morana widened her eyes slightly, as if she realized that if she died, she wouldn’t be dying alone.

“Release Nox! He is innocent as a parrot in a palm tree. I plucked him from the gutters when he was nothing but a dyin’ whelp. Cursed be his luck, for he crossed paths with me, and never once did he let go. Kill me, but set him free. As for my crew, they were merely followin’ my orders, as loyal as Ship 33.3.”

Morana’s words thickened the gloom of the basement. The air turned heavier than it already was.

Nox b