The Curse of the Blessed

Chapter Twenty

We ate and we talked and we laughed. Once Sil had finished her food, she stumbled off to find a few spiderwebs, face slightly green from eating so much so quickly. Erenia excused herself too, off to figure out more plans for the flying machine.

A tap on my shoulder turned my attention away from the current conversation. Captain Rayan stood there.

"Hi," I said. "Do you need something?"

"Can we talk in private?"

I frowned. "Sure."

She took off, and I quickly followed her, walking quickly in order to keep up with her long-limbed pace. We left the dining room, and she quickly turned toward the wall, sweeping her arm across it to open a door. It closed behind me when I entered.

We were in a small room, with two chairs, and a few torches on the walls. She sat on one of the chairs, motioning for me to go to the other. I did.

"How do you think Bran is doing?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know. I haven't seen him since he decided to stay here. Why? Is he okay?"

"No." Captain Rayan sighed, fidgeting uncomfortably with a silver ring on her thumb. "Look. I'm not usually one to interfere in things that are not my business, and I'd rather not start now... but are you sure Bran really wants to stay?"

"I thought so." Confused, I tilted my head to one side, trying to read her expression. It had been Bran's idea to stay in the first place. Why should he change his mind? "Why? Is something wrong with him now?"

"Does he trust you?" she asked, ignoring my question.

"I think so. I don't know."

"I'd talk with him, if I were you."

"You think he doesn't want to stay?"

She nodded.

"Then why doesn't he say something to us?"

"It's none of my business to know, or to tell you."

"Do you know?" I asked.

"I have a guess. But you can find out the truth for yourself."

"How? I don't even know where he is. I don't even know if he wants to see me—or anyone."

"He's on the upper deck."

I stood, turned to leave, then paused. "Why do you care? I thought you wanted us to stay with you. Isn't this a victory for you, whether he's happy about it or not?"

"I didn't just want you to stay," said Captain Rayan. "I wanted you to want to stay. I thought Bran did. But now, I'm not so sure." She looked away from the silver ring on her thumb, meeting my eyes. "I want you all to be happy, and safe. I don't want to force you to do something that'll make you miserable."

"Oh," I said. "Well... thanks."

She smiled at me, the expression gentle, for once. I offered her a half-smile in return, then headed up to find Bran.

Captain Rayan had been right. Bran stood at the rail of the ship, staring over the side, silhouetted by the slowly lowering sun. I walked over to him. "Hey."

"Hey," he echoed, turning his face away from me.

I frowned at that. Captain Rayan had been right—something was up with him. "Are you mad at me?"

"No."

"Then why are you hiding?"

He shook his head. "I'm not hiding."