We clomped up a flight of stairs so vertical that it was almost a ladder. I was again reminded of my lack of usual clothing as the bearded man climbed up behind me. If he looked up, I decided I would kick him in the face.
I saw daylight once we reached the deck, but it hardly comforted me. A group of unsavory-looking people turned from their card game to stare at me. The half-blood just nodded at them and continued walking.
The wood of the ship appeared to still be damp from the rain and quick reasoning told me that I could not have been unconscious for more than a night. That was, of course, providing that it only rained for a few hours.
My stomach sunk. I had no idea how much time had passed or where I was.
It was up another flight of steep stairs before we appeared to have reached our destination. The auburn-haired man stopped and opened one of two polished doors with paned-glass windows set into them. He then stepped back and motioned for me to go inside. I did so, watching his face carefully as I passed. He smiled again, reminding me of a clown. I did not return the expression.
The captain’s chambers were dark, lit only by what light could creep in the windows and a few candles. I stepped forward slowly, looking around. The walls were covered with maps, some of areas I did not recognize. It took me a moment to notice that someone was standing there, watching me in the dim light.
“Welcome to the Lady Theatus,” the captain said.
His voice sounded quite young and, as my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw that he was a handsome-looking man with dark hair and a well-trimmed beard.
“Please, have a seat,” he said. “I trust Rio has been treating you well?”
He gestured to a wooden chair, and I took it cautiously. I assumed Rio to be the name of the half-blood, now standing beside his captain. The bearded man guarded the door, making me feel more than a little nervous. I gripped the arms of the chair tightly.
“Well, if ambushing me and tying me up in a closet is being treated well, I’d rather not see anything worse,” I muttered.
These people had done nothing to make me think very well of them. I reminded myself that Levent was still tied up down there.
“Yes, well, desperate times and all that. I do apologize for our rudeness,” said the man. “I am Bolivar Mortimer, by the way.”