Page 15 of Drift: Willa & Koy

The less than equitable business relationship was a constant point of contention among rye merchants and even the Trade Council at large. But Emilia was the lynchpin. At the end of the day, she was a merchant, and merchants had control over their own contracts. There were only two ways to end one. The first was for the merchant to dissolve it themselves.

The second was for the merchant to… die.

As soon as I thought it, Coen relaxed back into his chair, the calm demeanor returning to his face. Had I imagined his reaction? He was sitting farther away than Koy was. It was possible he hadn’t heard anything at all.

“Yeah, I’m not in any hurry,” he said, returning his attention to Koy.

I’d forgotten what we were talking about, my heart still racing.

I looked around me at the tavern filled to the brim with Saltbloods. The words the man had uttered weren’t just a scrap of news. They were a vulnerability. A secret that, in the right hands, could compromise the Narrows.

“I’d better get going,” I said, getting to my feet.

Koy’s brow cinched as he looked up at me. Coen, too, looked surprised by the abruptness of my exit.

“I’ve got supplies to prep for tomorrow and Ailee will be waiting,” I lied.

Koy looked suspicious, but Coen was already refilling his glass of rye. “Good night then.”

I forced a tight smile and kept my pace slow as I headed for the harbor. The rumble of the open-air tavern was replaced by the soft slosh of water beneath the docks.

I’d met Emilia before, because Saint had had theMarigoldmaking deliveries to her on a schedule. We’d been at her croft at least once a month until we got all but banished from Sowan. As soon as it got out that West had set that fire in Lander’s warehouse, we’d been prevented from docking and as far as I knew, theMarigoldstill wasn’t welcome there. But if there was any truth to what the man from theIrishad said, any at all, then I needed to be sure the information got to the right people first.

I slipped into my post, closing the door behind me. Moonlight streamed through the open window where Ailee’s hammock was strung up over the floor. I lit the lantern, searching for my ink pot.

I didn’t like the idea of sending such sensitive information in a letter, but I wouldn’t be able to leave Jeval myself for at least two days. By then, anything could happen.

W—I scribbled across the parchment.News came through Jeval today you should look into. If you can get to Sowan and check on our old drop there, you should. As soon as possible.

That was as clear as I was willing to get in a message that would pass through multiple hands. I sealed the parchment and addressed it to the Port of Ceros, where it would be waiting for West when he got in from Dern. If the letter left on theFeatherbacktomorrow, it would beat theMarigoldthere.

SIX

I paced the dock at a clip, sending a huddled flock of seabirds flying.

The letter burned in my vest pocket as my eyes scanned the ships in the harbor. Most of the crews were just beginning to wake, their duties trimmed as long as they were anchored, but theFeatherbackwas bustling, the deckhands up in the masts and getting ready to set sail.

I glanced over my shoulder to the harbor master’s post. The shutters of the single window were still closed, which meant that if Koy was up, he wasn’t open for business yet.

Fret was already set up in his chair when I made it to the end of the docks, his collection of strange wares on display at his feet. I pulled the copper from my pocket before I’d even reached him.

“Morning.” He looked up at me warily, gray eyes flat against the brilliant blue sea.

I found a place to lean on the railing, more closely than usual. “Hey, Fret.”

Two men came down the ladder of the nearest ship, headed for the merchant’s house. I watched them, waiting until they were out of earshot.

“Everything okay?” Fret’s brow wrinkled with concern.

“Yeah,” I forced a smile. “Just checking in to see if you’ve heard anything.”

He tucked the copper into his jacket. “Just the usual. Bruin grumbling to whoever will listen, some dredgers from the beach complaining about the trades yesterday.”

“Is that it?”

Fret crossed his arms, leaning back in his rickety chair. He was suspicious now. “Something in particular you’re after?”

I lowered my voice. “Nothing new going around since that ship theIriscame in? Rumors or anything?”