SINGED

It was obvious that I was stronger and faster than anyone else aboard the ship, yet I deferred to Sal and Cayn in all things. They were more experienced seamen, held more sway with the rest of the crew and, I realized, they were my friends.

Since the Captain continued to be away for days at a time, we were left to maintain the vessel in her absence. On another ship, the crew might have grumbled or even rebelled at such negligence from their commander, but not a single word of dissent was heard among the crew.

How she left and returned to the ship was a mystery, and she only appeared to us at dusk.

“We will soon enter dangerous waters. Be alert,” she told me as we stood by the wheel, surveying the sea.

She had let her hair down and it blew, gracefully, in the evening breeze which pressed the creamy silk of her blouse against her body. She watched me, head cocked subtly to the side. It was a question, which I chose to answer with another of its kind.

“Are you an enchantress?” I said.

She smiled, sadly, I thought.

“Yes,” she said. “Does that bother you?”

I hesitated, unprepared for the frank honesty. I shrugged, grimaced, as I looked out over the darkening deep.

“I have not enchanted you,” she continued, “or the rest of my crew. At least, not intentionally. It is simply what I am. If any of my men wish to leave my service, I will find them a safe port.”

It was a question, an offer. I shook my head without hesitation this time.

“I would stay,” I managed.

She relaxed, smiled again.

“Good,” she replied. “You would be missed. You have already proven your worth to the crew.”

She paused. “And I would miss you.” It was her turn to look away.

“But why?” I asked before I realized I had spoken it aloud. I bit my tongue.

“Perhaps you are an enchanter too,” she murmured. She looked back at me, meeting my gaze.

“No,” I said with a faint smile, “not an enchanter.”

“But something,” she said, head cocked to the side, as she often did. It was a question.

“Yes,” I murmured. “Something.”

“Alright,” she demurred. “Have your secrets.”