It only took three bites of roasted cumin and honey breakfast ham before Lotti had forced the Captain’s new plans out of Grey. The sun shone, fully risen, through the open windows into the inn. What Grey could see of the place was clean and well-maintained, with linen cushions on dark wood for the dining area and windows with sheer curtains facing the cove to catch the sea breeze. The inn was probably the nicest on Eel Cay. It was fitting that Lotti had chosen it for her stay.

  Keeping something from Lotti was usually impossible for Grey. It was a combination of three problems. Lotti could generally tell when she was lying, was extremely perceptive of the other crew members and what they knew, and just flat-out loved the sport of prying information out of others.

  After weaseling the details out of Grey, she was, to Grey’s surprise, reluctant to voice a negative opinion on the captain’s new route.

  Grey started in. “This has the potential to be the worst idea he’s ever had. The most likely outcome is getting holes blown through the Paso Fino and, for those of us left alive, begging our way out of Mayacar.. You know we won’t have access to chest wardens there.” Lotti toyed with an earring, not quite meeting Grey’s eyes.

  The Riptide continued, “We’d have to take in whatever we need, supplies and gold, which makes us a ripe target for pirates. Not to mention the dream we’ll eventually have on board. We’re begging to get robbed, especially by other merchants. Shit, even the Etosian or Tal military ships could be tempted by all of that. It’s happened before.” Grey paused, running a hand through thick hair, but Lotti remained silent.

  She sighed and decided to land her point. “And all this for gold we don’t need? I just can’t understand why you’re not more against it.”

  Lotti sighed back, finally looking directly at her. “It’s not that I don’t see the potential for disaster, but... Grey, if Akula gets us back some impressive numbers, I will be tempted to sign on. The type of sum I’m thinking of could set us up. It’s more than gold; it’s a chance at something incredible.”

  Grey raised an eyebrow, and Lotti gave up on the earring and crossed her arms. “Don’t you think we could accomplish more with our lives than trading Dreamsand around the Myriad? How do you think that will come to pass? You seem to think we’re getting younger, but how many more sandy tents and loud inns do you think I plan on sleeping in?”

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  Lotti’s response followed the same lines as Akula's. This was all making Grey feel very out of touch with the most important people in her life. When had they changed? Why hadn’t she?

  Grey thought for a moment. “If you are unhappy with what we’re doing, there are safer ways to move up in Etos. Why not consider enlisting? You would skyrocket as a wind sage in the Etosian Navy, or you could go on as a noble’s private whisper. I hear they pull in a ridiculous amount of gold and barely leave Nochebraga.” The capital of Etos housed some of the wealthiest families on the known sea, and they rarely sailed anywhere.

  Lotti looked disappointed in her. “I said I wanted to do more with my life, not make it dull. I’m also rather attached to my freedom, and I can’t say I’m ready to say goodbye to you and the crew.” The sage paused, clearly deciding whether she should continue. “If we make this trade, we could be on the way to captaining a ship, buying an estate, whatever venture we wanted... whether that’s together or not... The point is, the choice would be ours.”

  Grey was shocked by her honesty, but Lotti had always been straightforward with her. She hadn’t considered losing her friend, much less her whole crew, if she turned the job down. There was a lot of value in knowing the people around you had your back, and she had been with most of them a long time.

  Grey smiled widely, flattered that her friend cared enough to plan a future that included her.

  Lotti frowned. “Don’t look at me like that. You’d be dead in a week if I enlisted. You can take some time to think about it, and then we’ll hear the numbers. If it all adds up, maybe the whole thing will look more appealing to you.”

  Grey waited, but Lotti didn’t have anything else to add. She decided to change the topic, picking one of Lotti’s favorite activities: talking shit on the grounders. Grey left Nile out of it, knowing Lotti had likely already heard about the incident, and she didn’t want to sound petty to her friend. The fight was inconsequential anyway; a little scuffle wouldn’t end a good grounder’s career on the Paso Fino, even if it was with his division lead.

  Grey checked the sun, but it was only out of habit. Callum, the other Riptide on the crew, was responsible for grounder muster that day. This left Grey free to enjoy her morning with Lotti. She settled in as the woman looking after the kitchen brought them a pot of tea with a side of hot, sliced, and sweetened plantains and fresh, soft bread. Both were popular dishes this deep into the Myriad, often served after a meal. Grey never got sick of the custom.

  The sun rose until the shade of the thatch roof was welcome. The two talked about nothing until it was time for Grey to train and Lotti to do whatever it was she did all day.