Alexis Glaciermage's Arc

Chapter 5 of 13

The Roaring Dragon cleared the harbor mouth, but the Corsair's crew lined the rail behind them. Alexis watched from the quarterdeck as the other ship raised full canvas. They weren't turning back to port. They were following. The wind shifted two degrees northeast. Alexis felt it in her wing feathers before the canvas caught the change. She called the adjustment to Rikki, and he turned the wheel without looking back at the Corsair. But the other ship matched the correction exactly, holding position three hundred yards astern. Close enough that every sailor on the crowded waterfront docks could see both ships against the open water. The Corsair's captain wanted witnesses. Raihan climbed to the quarterdeck. "They're holding our wake. Waiting for something." Alexis spread her wings and lifted off the rail, rising above the mainsail to read the wind pattern ahead. The Corsair's crew moved on deck below—not working lines, but gathering at the bow. One sailor raised a flag: white field, black fox silhouette with a red X through it. The docks erupted in shouts. Alexis dropped back to the deck as Rosa appeared beside Rikki, ledger forgotten. "They're advertising," the trader said flatly. "Telling every port we pass that you're bad luck." Alexis looked at Rikki. The captain's hands stayed steady on the wheel, but his jaw tightened. She could call for evasive action—lose them in a series of tacks that would prove her skill to everyone watching. Or she could let the Corsair follow and make their statement to empty air while The Roaring Dragon sailed clean course. She thought of the crack in her armor, the one time she'd sat on information because she wasn't ready to speak it. This wasn't that. This was a choice made in full view, with the cost visible before she paid it. "Hold course," she said. "Let them follow. When we make port on time with full cargo and they're still explaining why they wasted a day chasing us, the docks will know which ship delivers." Rikki nodded once and called for steady canvas. The Corsair kept following, flag flying, but The Roaring Dragon didn't flinch. By the time the lighthouse behind them faded to a white stripe on the horizon, three ships had passed them heading for port—and all three captains had watched the Corsair's flag, then watched Alexis at her post, and kept sailing.