CHAPTER 42: [42] ORELLIA OR BUST

The galley fell so silent that the ship’s own voice took over: the low groan of the rigging, the steady whisper of waves against the hull. On the wall, the brass chronometer ticked, each click a sharp report in the quiet.

"Excuse me?" Alyssa’s voice climbed an octave, her pale green eyes widening with indignation. "Why does she get more than double what I get? That’s unfair!"

"Because sheholds the contact. She set up the deal." Pierre turned back to face them, leaning against the countertop with his arms crossed over his chest. "Without her, we have a piece of paper and no way to turn it into coin."

"And without my ship," Alyssa countered, her voice cool and dismissive, "you and your little map would be in a rowboat, arguing with the seagulls. I doubt you’d last three days."

"True. Which is why you get more than me." Pierre acknowledged with a slight nod. "The ship’s a valuable asset. I’m not denying that."

Raven’s head tilted curiously. "And why do you get the least? You’re the one who convinced us to work together instead of killing each other. Most captains would demand the lion’s share."

"Because I don’t need it as much as you do."

Raven’s expression shifted subtly, her pupils contracting to thin slits. Alyssa’s brow furrowed. She looked from Pierre to Raven, her expression one of utter incomprehension, as if they’d switched to a language she’d never heard.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" she demanded, drumming her fingers impatiently against the polished wooden table.

Pierre pulled out one of the carved chairs and sat down across from them.

"You’re not just greedy. People who are just greedy don’t count coins the way you do. Every piece is a step toward something. Something with a price tag." He pauses. "Am I wrong?"

Raven’s jaw tightened. "I never said—"

"You didn’t have to." Pierre cut her off gently. "You count money like someone who’s keeping track of every copper piece toward a specific goal. You negotiate like someone who knows exactly how much they need and won’t settle for less. And you mentioned five million Cori—which means you need that much more after this deal is done. You’re working toward something with a fixed price tag."

"Clever boy." The playful lilt in Raven’s voice had vanished. "And what makes you think I won’t just take all six million and disappear when we dock at Orellia? I could be halfway across the Dawn Sea before you even realize I’m gone."

"Because you’re not stupid," Pierre replied simply. "And neither am I."

"Fair point."

Alyssa’s gaze darted between them, a frantic, whip-like motion that betrayed the perfect stillness of her posture.

"I still don’t understand. Why should I get less just because she has... needs?"

Pierre didn’t answer. He just tapped two fingers on the galley table—on the inlaid mahogany and polished brass that cost more than most families earn in a year.

"...Fair point."

"Plus whatever jewelry and valuables you grabbed when you ran away from home. I’m betting you’ve got enough hidden assets to live comfortably for quite a while."

Alyssa’s cheeks flushed pink. "I’m not some spoiled princess counting her trust fund."

"No, but you’re someone who’s never had to worry about where her next meal was coming from."

"That’s not my fault."

"I didn’t say it was. I’m just saying that one and a half million Cori represents different things to different people."

Raven studied him, her head tilted slightly. "And what does one million represent to you?"

"Freedom to make choices that aren’t about survival."

Alyssa fell silent. Her fingers, which had been drumming impatiently, stilled. Her lips moved, silently mouthing the numbers. "Three and a half for her," she finally whispered, more to herself than to them. "Because she needs it more."

"And because she brings more to the table than just the ship."

Her mouth tightened, the color draining from her lips as if she were physically biting back a furious retort.

"What if I said no?"

"Then we’d have to figure out another arrangement."

"Such as?"

Pierre shrugged. "Raven takes the map and finds another way to get to Orellia. You and I sail around in circles until we run out of food. Everybody loses."

"Or I could turn this ship around and sail back to Hotaru Town."

"You can’t," Pierre said, his tone casual. "Possession is nine-tenths of the law. And you already signed the deed."

Raven leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "So are we doing this deal or not? Because I’ve got other options."

"What other options?" Alyssa asked.

Raven met her gaze. "Options that don’t include you."

"Right." Alyssa stood up, smoothing down her shirt. "Three and a half million for you, one and a half for me, one for him."

"That’s the deal."

"And after the Cori is in our hands, we’re done. We go our separate ways."

"If that’s what everyone wants."

An uneasy truce settled. The two women spoke to the space between them, their gazes carefully misaligned, as if direct eye contact might cause the fragile pact to shatter.

"There’s just one more thing," he said.

Both women turned to look at him.

"We need to agree on the rules of engagement."

"What do you mean?" Alyssa asked.

"I mean we need to know we can count on each other. At least until we’re off that island and the money’s divided."

Raven’s mouth twisted. "Honor among thieves?"

"Something like that."

"And if one of us decides to double-cross the others?"

Pierre met her gaze. The easy calm in his sky-blue eyes vanished. In its place was a stillness so absolute it felt like the crushing depths of the midnight zone. "Then I’ll deal with them," he said, his voice quiet. "Personally."

"Fair enough." Raven’s playful smirk vanished, extending her hand across the table. "Partners?"

Alyssa looked at the offered hand for a long moment before reaching out to shake it. "Partners."

Pierre glanced at the chart on the wall. "Set a course for Orellia."