Sennar's Mission Read Online Free PDF Page A

that’s all you need to know. You’ll have time to get to know everyone else while we sail.”
    Sennar began to relax. “Where should I put my stuff?”
    “Do you need to ask? In the ship’s hold, of course. Alright boys, time to set sail!” Rool shouted.
    The captain’s mind was no longer on his passenger, who stood blankly amidships while the sailors roused into action and took their places.
    As Aires passed, Sennar grabbed her by the arm. “A million dinars and you shove me down in the ship’s hold?”
    Aires snatched Sennar’s hand and twisted his arm, locking it behind his back. “This isn’t a pleasure cruise,” she whispered in his ear, and let him go. “You paid for our risk, not your room and board. What, did you think you’d be sleeping in my cabin?”
    Sennar rubbed his sore wrist.
    Aires eyed him scornfully. “In any case, all the cabins are taken. The hold’s the only place. If you want us to set sail, I suggest you suck it up and make the best of it.”
    Sennar glanced back at her with fury. She was right, the devil of a woman.

    As soon as he reached the bottom of the wooden ladder, Sennar heard the pitapat of little paws scampering across the floorboards. It seemed economy class was already full. He noticed a cargo bed with some bedding in the corner. He stretched himself forlornly across this makeshift bed, pulled the sheet over his eyes, and tried to sleep.
    At last the ship stirred into motion. Sennar could feel the waves crashing rhythmically against the sides of the boat. He’d hoped the sound would help put him to sleep, but instead it only increased his nausea, until soon he felt utterly sick. Closing his eyes only worsened things. One moment he felt himself falling backward, the next, he was most certainly upside down. Between the seasickness and the mice, it was one of the worst nights of his life.
    And yet, it didn’t take Sennar long to realize that there was plenty else to fear. He was obviously aboard a pirate ship. And now that they had his money, what was to stop them from cutting his throat and throwing him overboard?
    He took to watching his back. Malicious glances came from all directions; every member of the crew, it seemed, was on the verge of assaulting him.
    As a result, he spent most of the time belowdecks, his head buried in the books he’d brought along, the books he believed would prove useful once he reached the Underworld. Between titles, he reflected on what he’d left back on land. He even thought of Nihal. He imagined returning from his mission, seeing her again, discovering she’d changed. He envisioned her eyes, her smile. Then he chased the thoughts away and retraced the scar on his cheek. It was Nihal who’d given it to him, in a flash of anger on the day they’d last seen each other. A little going-away present.

    Sennar’s fears came true one evening, in the worst way possible.
    He’d turned in early, as usual. He always ate with the crew, but he’d slip away as soon as possible and go to bed just as the last rays of sunlight withdrew from the ocean’s surface. He didn’t trust his traveling companions, and so forced himself to linger in an extended half-sleep until no noise could be heard from the deck above. That evening, however, the ship was gliding over flat seas and Sennar drifted off earlier than usual.
    The furtive footsteps on the wooden ladder blended with the sound of lapping water, and the creaking sounds were hidden among the scampering of the mice.
    The knife, slipping from its sheath, made no noise at all.
    In the light of the oil lamp, the blade flickered.
    Sennar jumped awake. He’d been used to sleeping on a battlefield and his reflexes were well honed. He saw a flash of light and a derisive sneer a hair’s length away. He turned on his side and jumped down from the cargo bed. The blade punctured the pillow cushion.
    The pirate had no chance at a second attempt. The knife suddenly became red-hot in his hands and he howled,