Sea Gypsies: The Draga Isles

Chapter 4: Gathering to Sail

The wooden ramp creaked under Ria's steps as she climbed aboard the Opal. The floorboards beneath her bobbed, matching the rhythm of the soft waves.

The Opal had looked small from the dock--a boat that would be thrashed by the fury of the ocean. But when she stood on the deck, the ship looked magnificent and covert--one that would flow with the waves and sneak into enemy waters. It was perfect for their mission.

"Welcome to the Opal!" Captain Zalez waved his arm in the air as he led the group onboard. His green eyes glinted with pride in the warm lights.

Reno gave a gecker and jumped off Sam's shoulder to climb the main mast.

The rest of the crew followed up the ramp to the deck.

Migal strode close behind Ria.

As soon as they reached the center of the deck, they stopped. Three people stood there--two boys and a girl--waiting for their arrival.

"What are they doing here?" Juli pointed a mechanical finger at the three. Hate emanated from her--an emotion Ria didn't like to sense.

"Good to see you too, Juli," a boy with a shaved head and clipped eyebrow said. A smug smile grew on his face.

Ria guessed he was a few years older than her, maybe in his early twenties.

Juli's emotion was for him, but he didn't mirror it. Distaste for the Opal crew came from him, but also satisfaction for Juli's reaction. They had history, Ria thought, and he was trouble.

"We need the extra hand for this job," Rodri answered Juli, stepping between her and the boy.

Juli sneered at the boy, and he glared at her.

"So, what's the job?" Sam went to sit on a barrel where he nursed an aching shoulder, rubbing a hand over his muscles. Ria sensed his somastringere, enveloping most of his arm.

"Let me introduce you to our proprietors first because they are coming with us," the captain said to Sam, stepping near Ria and Migal.

"You're kidding," Gin commented. "There's no place on board this ship for a rich girl," Gin looked to Ria.

There was hate in his words. Ria sensed it when she watched Gin as he spoke. It was only a brief flash of emotion.

Ria pressed her lips together, pretending she wasn't offended. "The document you will be stealing is private. I intend to keep it from common eyes."

Gin smiled coolly. "You don't trust us. I get it. We don't trust you either." He glanced at the rifle on her shoulder.

"What is this document anyway?" Juli asked.

"It's not your concern. Your only job is to steal it." Ria diverted her gaze from Gin to Juli, escaping the confusing emotions directed at her--attraction, dislike, and envy.

"Don't care what it is. How much 'we gettin' paid?" The bald boy with a clipped brow asked, rubbing his hands together. His watchful brown eyes stared at Ria.

"Five thousand pridas," Rodri answered immediately.

Ria eyed the first mate of the Opal, then she looked at the rest of the crew and then the captain. No one reacted to Rodri's response. The outsiders were going to get a smaller cut.

"Right then." The boy with a clipped brow stepped up to Ria. "The name's Enzo. I'm a marksman and a concresi." He reached for her hand. Migal stepped in front of him, and Enzo pulled back his hand, watching Migal who was a foot taller than him.

Enzo stepped back and introduced a girl with black hair and green eyes. "This is Mari, a concresi." He patted Mari's shoulder, and she nodded once to acknowledge Ria and Migal. Then Enzo pointed to the other boy with him--a boy with brilliant blue eyes that even in the dimness of the lights, Ria could see the swirl of shades in them. "And Reynar. Both used to be blast fishers, experts in explosives."