Page 88 of Salt in the Seas
Ludo and Barny busied themselves taking long swigs of their drinks.
“You all know that Gaeren could take your memories if he wanted,” Aeliana said. “He respects you enough not to do that, which is why we hope you’ll tell us what we need to know on your own.”
“We’ve cooperated with all of you ever since you arrived,” Ludo said. “We owed it to Velden, not to you.” He directed his words at Gaeren. “But we won’t talk about that sailor or the hide that he shows off like it’s a carnival booth.”
Aeliana sat up straighter. “Then you know who it is.”
Barny shot a dark look at Ludo.
“Aye,” Ludo agreed.
Velden clapped a hand on Ludo’s shoulder. “Come now, what would be the harm in giving us his name? You don’t have to approve of what he does. But we can go settle with him.”
Ludo and Barny refused to meet Velden’s gaze.
“You’ll kill him,” Ludo finally said.
Velden rolled his eyes. “You think I’ve become a murderer since I left the navy?”
Ludo remained quiet long enough that Aeliana grew uneasy. What was it about the sailor? What hide did he have that would?—
Understanding hit Aeliana a moment before Velden. He stood, his knee bumping the table and sloshing the drinks. “Give me his name.” His words dripped with vengeance, a hateful tone Aeliana had never heard on his tongue.
Aeliana stood as well, laying a hand on Velden’s arm. “Maybe we should have them give the information to Sylmar.”
Velden shook her off, then slowed his words as if the sailors had been unable to hear. “Give me his name.”
“What’s happening?” Gaeren asked.
The waitress chose that moment to bring several dishes, oblivious to the showdown occurring at her table. While most were placed in front of Cyrus, Aeliana sat back down to whisper, “Velden’s mother was murdered by a sailor. He harpooned her. I assume that’s the hide this man shows off alongside the silver fish. He stole two prizes that day.”
Gaeren’s face paled. “That’s sick.”
The waitress grinned at the group, then finally seemed to sense the tension before scooting away and mumbling something about “too much to drink.”
“Give me his name.” Velden’s hands shook, water dripping from the webs as if he couldn’t contain the power inside him. Perhaps that was what made Ludo finally give in.
“Dreyfus. His berth is on the west side of Andel near the tallest Sungazer.”
Velden stepped back, then kicked his chair in.
“But you can’t go now,” Ludo rushed on, standing and raising a calming hand. “Dreyfus is on a run and won’t be back until end of next week or middle of the next. At least ten days.”
Aeliana stood and tugged on Velden’s sleeve. “It’s all right. That gives us time to prepare.” She didn’t bother adding, “And to calm down.”
“Seems like you’re well acquainted with the beast.” Velden’s words came out through gritted teeth.
Ludo sighed and lowered his head. “We’ve been after him for years to give her a proper burial. Even tried stealing her tail one night before he warned us he would turn us in.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Velden’s hands remained fists, dripping water all over the tavern floor.
Ludo looked to Barny for help, but his gaze remained fixed on his glass. When Ludo glanced back at Velden, he winced.
“Because the story he tells mentions you as his next prize.”
CHAPTER 34
Fear flashedon Aeliana’s face, stirring up Gaeren’s own concern for Velden.
