Phoenix Rising Read Online Free PDF Page A

course. We’re on our way to something that’ll make this salvage look petty.”
    “It won’t be petty.” Toby ground his teeth. “And he’ll tell us when he’s ready.”
    Crocker shrugged but his leg muscles tensed against Toby’s. The pirate wasn’t as relaxed as he seemed. “Well, then, how about some of the spicy sausage we robbed off that farmer in Almeria? Chorizo, they called it. I got some of that off of Peel. And three pickled eggs left from Scilly.”
    “All right,” Dee nodded. “You’re in. Marcus?”
    Marcus scratched his head. “Got some free time on rotation tomorrow, I can offer that.”
    “Works for me. Rahul?”
    “Vitamin tabs.” He patted the top pocket of his windcheater. “Ds. Half a pack.”
    Uma leaned back. “I’ll do an extra laundry duty.”
    Dee scratched a note with her penknife on the side of the bridge as the sails creaked and groaned overhead. “I’ve been making a short sword from a propeller I pulled on hook duty a few weeks ago,” she said finally.
    “A sword?” Toby sat up. “Serious? No way food and free time is worth a sword.”
    Uma and Marcus agreed, while Crocker rubbed his hands together. “Could do with a sword, me.”
    “Up your offer, then,” Toby snapped.
    Dee shook her head. “I’m happy to bet. I don’t reckon I’ll lose and then I’ll have a sword, all that food and some free time to eat it.”
    “Yeah, but…”
    “What’s your bet, boy?” Crocker leaned closer, his sour smoke-and-garlic breath told Toby that the chorizo was smaller than it had been.
    Toby frowned, trying to think of something he could offer that was worth the same as a whole sword. “I-I’m not sure.” His feet tapped on the deck. “My tool belt. I’ve got that.”
    “Your tool belt?” Uma frowned as she spoke to him for the first time. “You need that.”
    “Not my tools.” Toby shook his head. “Just the belt.”
    “Not much use then, is it?” Crocker smirked.
    “Well…” Toby paused. “I’ve been working on some clockwork. I’ve got a little engine that goes—”
    Crocker guffawed. “A toy! What’re we going to do with a toy? There ain’t no kids on this ship, in case you ’aven’t noticed, Toby. You’re the only one who wants to play with toys.”
    “It’s not a toy, it’s a prototype.”
    Dee and Uma glowered, but it was Rahul who spoke. Scratching his bad leg he tilted his head thoughtfully. “I would like a toy, Toby. It’s a good bet.”
    “Pah,” Crocker spat. “What’ll you do with a clockwork engine? Trade it in the next port?”
    “Could do,” Rahul nodded sagely. “See, so it is a good bet for all of us.” But he wasn’t looking at Crocker when he spoke. Toby followed his gaze to a rowdy card game run by Oats on the prow.
    “You and Nisha?” he gasped. “You’re together?”
    Rahul blushed. “So, you see – a clockwork engine would not be so bad.”
    Quiet dropped over the group. Finally Dee slapped the box of dice into Rahul’s hand. It rattled like bones. “We’ll miss you, Rahul: both you and Nish.”
    “Yes, we wish that we could be together and remain onboard. It will still be some time before we have to leave – weeks yet before she even starts to show. We’ll take our time and find somewhere to settle next time we are sailing in the waters off Bangladesh State.”
    “Nish isn’t wanted any more? Has she been pardoned?” Dee frowned.
    “That was the news we received in the port before last – why Nisha has been so happy. A regime change. The Minister had to escape with his family in the night. They were caught heading into Bhutanabad and hanged. No more hiding for Nisha, she can go home.”
    “And you?” Toby swallowed. “What about you?”
    “They won’t be looking for me in Bangladesh State, especially with such big changes to consider. We will blend in, hide away and raise our children in sight of the sea.”
    Uma put her arm around him. “I’ll congratulate Nisha later.”
    Rahul