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The next morning, John arrived to tell me that what was left of the crew was gathering on the beach. Tristan had managed to get us aboard a vessel going in the direction we wanted, but there was some business he needed to take care of before we departed. Hurriedly, I got dressed and went with him, wondering just what it was Tristan wanted to talk about.
When we were all assembled, he stood before us, looking the most tired I’d ever seen him and smelling quite strongly of rum. “I’m going after Thomas,” he said simply. “Those who want to join me, we are leaving on that ship—” He pointed to one out in the bay—“in twenty minutes. Anyone who does not wish to join is free to make their way back to wherever they wish. Best in life to ye.” With that, he turned and left us without another word, rubbing the top of his head vigorously.
“What happened to Capitán?” Alfonso asked from beside me. “Is he sick?”
“Love sick,” John muttered, following after Tristan with a sigh.
“Are you okay, señorita?” Alfonso turned to me immediately. “You and Capitán had a fight?”
“It was more than a fight,” I mumbled, moving after the two knights.
“What happened?” he pressed, hurrying to catch up.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” I half snapped, feeling a little more emotional than usual due to my own lack of sleep.
“I understand,” he said hastily. “You will tell me when you’re ready.”
But I didn’t feel like I would ever be ready to talk about it. How could one person make you hurt so much? Even when I’d broken up with my high school boyfriend, who I’d dated for two years, I hadn’t felt like this. Getting out seemed like the only way I would ever be normal again, but the pain was so incredible I was starting to think I’d rather have my mind wiped and not have to remember any of it at all.
Reaching the long boat that would take us out to the ship, I turned, wondering how many of the men had decided to stay with us. To my surprise, they were all there, right behind me, waiting to get in the boat.
My spirits lightened some, I climbed aboard, sitting opposite Tristan, and glanced out at the boat.
“How are ye feeling this morning?” He asked just loud enough for me to hear and I flinched, not ready to bring it all up again.
“Tired,” I answered simply. “You?”
“The same.”
“You reek.”
He laughed a little at that, rubbing a hand over his face. “I imagine I do, aye.”
The men filled in around us, a slight nervousness to the air as we shoved off and started rowing toward the ship.
“Captain,” one of the men started uncertainly. “Just how are the nine of us going to defeat Randall and his crew?”
“I’ll tell ye, Bell,” Tristan replied, smiling. “But first, have ye ever considered joining a secret society of sorts?”