Sky Song: Overture by Meg Merriet

overheated. Those words of his repeated in my head again.
     
    You’re not who you said. You’re not my brother.
     
    For the first time in many years, I cried. It came on like a spell, in the way that spells seem to catch one by surprise. The tears drenched my pillow and face until at some late hour, I passed out.

 
    XI. Brother Starling
     
     
    T he next morning, Lily woke us by parting the curtains and letting in sun. She came bearing a gift from one of the footman, a uniform that was too small for him. I wore it with three buttons undone, the vest open and the trousers rolled up over my boots. In all the chaos that had taken place on the Crescendo, I delighted that my lucky ring and my boots remained with me. Lily helped Molly into a play dress with a floral pinafore. She tugged hard on the sash in the back.
    “Your dress is a bit tight on me,” Molly sulked. “I wish I weren’t so chubby.”
    “No, Molly. You’re a lovely, healthy girl,” said Lily. “I was a rail when I used to wear this, like Clikk.”
    I eyed her dubiously. “Were you?”
    “I didn’t get my figure until I was about sixteen.”
    “I’m still waiting for mine,” I said. It was a lark made in good fun, but Lily and Molly both frowned and looked away.
    “Does Derek feed you enough on his ship?” Lily asked.
    “‘Course he does,” I said. “Still, it’s hard work on a pirate ship. No matter how much you eat, you’re always hungry. But I’m strong as steel, stronger than some of the men.” I was only stronger than Fitz, but I rolled up my sleeve to show them my lean muscle. The ladies oohed in approval.
    “Speaking of which, the crew needs to be fed. I should go down,” said Lily.
    “Do you need help?” I asked.
    “No. It’s fine. I have staff for that.”
    “The men are a rowdy bunch. I know how to keep them in line. Should they show any disrespect, it would be my pleasure to put them straight.”
    “Very well then,” Lily said. “I would enjoy the company.”
    We went down together to dole out the men’s rations. Back in the stuffy, hot servants quarters, her cook and ours had collaborated on porridge. The concoction was a runny mush, but I doubted the men would mind. Lily and I carried the massive ceramic pot into the ballroom and set it on a long buffet table next to stacks upon stacks of bread bowls.
    Captain Dirk leaned against the wall in the far corner, reading a note, but not so much reading it as burning a hole in it with his rueful gaze.
    “What’s eating him?” I asked.
    “Maive left this morning,” Lily whispered. “He went into a rage. He screamed at the servants, and he rode all the way to town in the rain. Now he won’t speak to anyone, just stares at that letter.”
    In addition to Maive’s disappearance, about twenty of our men had deserted. I was surprised to see Baker remained. I assumed he still expected his reward and a pardon at the end of all this.
    “Clikk!” Captain Dirk waved me down. I crossed the ballroom and reported to him directly, even though his tone suggested I was about to get a lashing.
    “Captain?” I said.
    “I told you she was twisted,” he muttered.
    “Why would she leave now?”
    “She thinks she’s helping me. Here. Just read it.” He shoved the parchment into my hand. “You can read, can’t you?”
    “I can,” I said, and looked down at the handwritten note.
     
    Dearest Lexi,
    Fitz and I are leaving for the capital to infiltrate the cabinet of the Blue Dusk. I will tell them my ship was commandeered and I was held captive until a compatriot helped me to escape. One of your crew is a witch, but her powers are dormant. Still, I can use her as a conduit and convey information that I gather from within. I’ve taken her eyelash to create a bond between us. She and I will communicate through her dreams, but she must take care to be asleep at the hour of three in the morning. I will give you great advantage in doing this.
    I am sorry to leave you without a