Known to most as the Rock Island, the majority of the Eastern Isles’ wealth comes from the crystal mining that takes place deep beneath its surface and it’s this bounty that truly draws my father here. As he collects the crystal in the name of the King, no one dares challenge him, but I am no longer convinced the King receives most of what we take.
The island is permanently shrouded in darkness and today is no exception. A low wall of cloud greets us as we arrive, having drifted over from the neighbouring Fifth Isle, or Mist Island. The mist makes navigation challenging – indeed for most it would be impossible. But the Maiden knows these waters almost as well as my father, and we pass the lethal rocks that surround the island untroubled.
The crew row to shore in small boats. Usually when they disembark here I’m not remotely jealous to be left behind. The surface of the island is barren, every inch unyielding stone so jagged that if one were foolish enough to go barefoot, one’s skin would be cut to shreds.
Today, however, I will have to endure the terrain, because, despite my father’s best efforts to subdue me, I need answers. In the past three weeks, my every attempt to uncover clues has been frustratingly futile. Secrets are guarded too closely on the ship. I’m hoping the crew’s defences might be lowered away from the Maiden. Away from me. I strip to my undergarments to make swimming easier but wear my boots for protection. I hate how clumsy I feel in them compared to having bare feet, but the last thing I need right now is sliced soles. If I need to, I want to be able to run.
Only a few shipmates remain behind, and I’m not in the slightest bit concerned about slipping past them. Not one of the crew left has grown up on the Maiden, so none of them knows her secrets the way I do, and I glide through the shadows unseen to climb down her side.
And then, just above the water, I hesitate. I’m going to have to overcome all my fears, lower myself into the ice-cold ocean and swim to the island, if I want to find answers. Though the still shallows don’t frighten me the way the ocean depths do, I’m still not sure I can do it, my heart beating far too fast as I stare at my reflection.
Panic settles in, my anxiety spiking, and I don’t think I can do this. I won’t make it. I should go back to my cabin now and give up, but even as I think it I can hear echoes of the crew’s hollow laughter taunting me.
There’s only one way to silence them, and I take the plunge.
The water’s so cold I forget to breathe, my body tense, and for a moment I think this might be the end. It’s sheer stubbornness that pulls my mind into focus and makes me calm down. I want answers. I’m going to get them, no matter what. And with more determination than I’ve ever had, I pull my arms through the water, my legs propelling me from behind, just like Grace once told me to do.
I’m breathless by the time I reach the island, but exhilarated. I did it. But there isn’t time to dwell on my achievement. The crew already have a good head start, so I need to get moving if I’m to catch up with them.
Pulling myself on to the rock is made bearable by the leather strapping I’ve wrapped round my hands, and only my fingers are cut, my blood eager to mingle with the salt water still clinging to the skin. It’s good to be out of the water, but it’s even better to be on the firm ground, even if it’s utterly unforgiving. It’s been a long time since I was on land, and I’ve longed for this moment. If only there was more time to savour it.
Sweeping my wet hair from my face, I crouch low to the ground, my knife pressed reassuringly to my hip. I know which direction my father went in, west towards the mine, but I won’t follow their road, even if it would be kinder to my feet.
Instead I veer slightly north, taking a less visible route towards the settlement surrounding the mine. I’ve spent a long time studying maps in case I require the knowledge in my Initiation, and though charts of the ocean have been my main focus, I’ve taken the opportunity to study the land I love so much too. Every one of the six Eastern Isles is imprinted on my mind, though admittedly the detail on my father’s maps can be sketchy at best. But he has this island particularly well recorded due to his infatuation with its crystal, and so it’s with some confidence that I choose my path, relishing the opportunity to put my knowledge to use.
What am I hoping to discover today? What answers could I possibly find in this desolate place? Honestly I’m not sure, but something is happening between my father and the King and I’m desperate for clues, no matter how small. Serving His Majesty, fulfilling a duty to defend the realm – it’s what makes my father and his crew honourable. It may be a romantic notion, but it’s one that’s helped me accept the savagery required of my family. But now we’re spying on the King? And killing his Fleet? It makes no sense.
The cloud is low on the land, so visibility isn’t great, but it offers me some cover should unfriendly eyes stray my way. It’s also quiet. Too quiet? Usually the drone of mining work can be heard even back on the ship, but today I hear nothing, nor do I feel the vibration of blasting underground. I’ve been too lost in thought to notice its absence until now. It’s possible they’ve ceased work while my father visits, but the quickening of my heart suggests otherwise.
Something’s wrong.
I move faster, barely breathing for fear of being discovered, and crawl up to my intended vantage point: the top of the cliff that surrounds the settlement. From here I have a perfect view of the mine, while the rocks provide excellent cover. I lie low, ignoring the sharp points of stone piercing my body, knowing my father would do far worse should I be discovered. And then I watch.
The elite crew of the Maiden have already arrived at the settlement, and judging by their expressions they were not expecting the silence that greets them either. My father points at a few of them and they fan out, cutlasses drawn, pistols raised. They are alert, anticipating trouble, when a figure emerges from one of the stone huts, his arms raised.
My father strides towards him, saying something I can’t hear from this distance. The man shakes his head and my father pushes him hard so that he falls on to the rock. I wince in reflex, and watch as my father grabs him by the neck and drags him to his feet. I can see now that the man is old, and most likely someone of importance here.
‘Tell me why the mine is down!’ Father bellows the question so loudly it reaches my ears perfectly.
‘Please, don’t hurt him.’ The voice that now carries is a woman’s and she is striding out from another hut with a bravery I admire. ‘There was an accident. If you let him go, I’ll tell you what happened.’
To my surprise Father does as she asks and releases the old man. The woman runs over to him and wraps her arms protectively round his shoulders, shielding him from my father. I realise I’m holding my breath. I don’t trust my father for a moment. My eyes scan the crew until I locate Grace and Bronn. They are both motionless, poised to pounce at a single command. I’ve never seen them off the ship like this, standing with my father as he terrorises unarmed civilians, and I think I might be sick.
I have to strain to hear the conversation between my father and the woman now that they’re no longer shouting, and though I miss most of what’s said, I pick up the gist. There has been great suffering here. Long winters and poor conditions had already taken a toll on these people before the accident happened at the mine just weeks ago. Hundreds of lives were lost and those who remain – mostly women, children and elderly – have been left with next to nothing. Their dwindling supply of crystal will be gone by the end of the month. Though the King had been sent word no aid has come, until now.