Sent mate above deck

“You can sail this ship?” Larten asked wearily. If not for the baby, he’d
have lowered himself over the side and gone for a swim with the sharks.
But if the boy was to live, this had to be done.

“I’m no captain,” the mate said quietly.

“If we are to live, you will have to be,” Larten retorted.

“If I had a crew…”

“You do not. Can you steer it anyway?”

The mate checked the rigging and shrugged. “We’re not so far from land
—a week’s sailing, I reckon. I can get us there if the weather holds. We’ll
struggle t’ dock, but we can get close enough t’ set one o’ the scows down
and row ashore. If the weather holds. If we hit a storm, we’re finished.”

Larten nodded. “Do your best. I will be taking care of the child. If you
need me, shout. Do not try to release the others, and do not try to kill me—I
will hear you coming, even in my sleep. If you can drop us ashore, I will set
you free.”

***

The Saga of Larten Crepsley: Ocean of Blood, Chapter 24