Siren's Silence

Chapter 7: A Dance with Death

James

  I leaned against the ship's railing, relieved to have a break after a long day of work. Parker walked up to me and smiled before sitting down next to me.

  "How are you?" He asked while "signing". He had been doing this for a week and a half now in order to help me learn Siren's language.

  "Exhausted," I answered in the same manner. "Never knew how much maintenance this boat needs."

  Parker laughed, "You get used to it."

  "Hm," I answered.

  "Ready to see your ship again, Captain?" he asked, a smile pulling at his lips.

  "Yes, very much so," I felt my own face form a smile at the thought.

  "Have you decided what you are going to do once you reach land?"

  "I'm not entirely sure yet, but it sounds like the crew is divided between staying on the Griffin and going home. We all miss our families and it would be good for them to know that we are alive." I said this with a heavy heart. My caring parents had been on my mind since my crew's and my capture by the Wolf. They would be worried sick if they didn't already think me dead.

  "I do not know if this helps at all, or simply makes the decision harder, but we can get letters from Half-moon Cove to your homeland relatively easily. Merchant craft pass by it on a regular basis."

  "Thank you, Parker, I will certainly keep that in mind. How long until we arrive?"

  Siren appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "A day, two at most," she said through her "sign language".

  "Thank you, Siren," I replied in the same manner.

  She smiled, "You're learning quickly, well done."

  "Your crew has been very helpful for both my men and I. I believe the credit for the quick learning goes to them."

  "There are two sides to every story. Keep practicing." She silently swept away again.

  Parker watched the exchange with a knowing look in his eyes.

  "What?" I asked him, doing my best not to sound defensive, though why I felt that way, I wasn't sure.

  "You and the captain seem to get along quite well," he said.

  "We speak often now, yes." I frowned. She hadn't said much this time, how did he get the impression that we were "getting along" from that little exchange?

  "Hm. Well, Captain Merkott, I have some duties to get back to. I will see you tonight at dinner. I believe there is some entertainment planned this evening."

  "Of what variety?" I queried.

  "Why song and dance of course!" He grinned.

  "Of course!" I laughed, "I shall see you there, my friend."

  Parker trotted off and I regained my feet. I glanced over the side of the ship into the water below and could have sworn I saw the flick of a large fin. I turned away quickly and returned to my duties.

~•~•~•~•~

  The evening came and, with it, the lively entertainment Parker had promised. The men were enjoying strong drinks while a small group of them played instruments. Master Swartz had joined the festivities and was entertaining the others with dance. They all laughed and clapped along to the beat.

  I took a drink offered me and sat down to watch. I looked around and spotted Siren leaning against the mast, a soft smile on her face. She held no drink and wasn't offered one. I assumed that she preferred to remain sober while at sea.