Free Sky Pirates by Liesel Schwarz Page B

still, I am working on a way to get us out of here.”
    Elle glanced around. The doctor was a solid-looking man with slightly bowed legs. He was almost completely bald, save for one long wisp of hair, which appeared to be held in place by the rubber headband that also held a surgical light over his eye. He was busy bandaging the arm of one of the crewmen. His white frock was splattered and stained with red. It had taken almost all of Dashwood’s crew to capture them, yet Elle took no satisfaction from the fact that the infirmary seemed to be full of wounded men. So much bloodshed over nothing.
    Gertrude’s lips were very pale. A bright red stain bloomed through the bandages wrapped around herstomach. “Eleanor, we have only known one another for a few days, but I feel like we have been friends for a long time.” Dr. Bell coughed and winced with pain.
    “Save your strength,” Elle said.
    Dr. Bell smiled at her. “It’s all right my dear. I just wish someone had told me that dying was so painful. Doctor gave me some laudanum and I am quite giddy with it, but it still hurts.”
    “Gertrude, please don’t say things like that. You are going to survive this.” Elle held the older woman’s hand in hers.
    Dr. Bell gripped her fingers. “Before we run out of time, there is something very important I need to tell you.”
    “I’m listening.” Elle leaned forward to catch the words.
    “You must listen to what I have to say. Remember the legend of Angkor.” Dr. Bell drew a deep breath and winced.
    “The hidden city?” Elle said.
    “The
apsara
.” Dr. Bell struggled to sit up a little and gripped Elle’s lapel even tighter. “I know she would deem you worthy. The
apsara
will be able to tell you how you will find your husband. I am absolutely sure of it. Promise me you will go and seek her counsel. Offer her something that is sacred to you and ask her.”
    Elle started shaking with fear and distress. “I promise. Gertrude, please rest now. You must not get so excited. All this will start the bleeding again,” Elle murmured.
    Dr. Bell let go of Elle and lay back, her eyes closed. “The bleeding has not stopped since I was shot. It has been seeping into my insides all this time. The only reason it has slowed is because there is no blood left to lose … and there is no getting better from that. I know I am not long for this world.”
    Elle felt hot tears well up in her eyes. “No. You willsurvive this. You will be all right,” she said, more to convince herself than anyone else, but she knew deep down that what Gertrude was saying was true. There was no recovery from a gut shot like hers.
    “Promise me you will seek the answer … and even if you don’t find the answer … don’t live your life alone like I did …” Dr. Bell’s voice trailed off as she drifted out of consciousness. She did not speak again.
    Elle sat with her for what seemed like a very long time. She sat and listened to the labored breathing of her friend, mingled with the gentle humming of the ship’s engines. She sat perfectly still until the only sound she could hear was the engines.
    Elle closed her eyes in despair. Gertrude Bell was dead.

CHAPTER 6
    Elle sat alone in the dark next to Gertrude’s shrouded body for a long time. Around her the ship’s sickbay grew quiet as the injured pirates cleared off one by one; those who couldn’t walk were either shrouded like Gertrude or fed laudanum to rest. Amidst the general hubbub, a strange numbness settled upon her.
    I bring death and destruction upon anyone who is too close to me. Marsh, Gertrude … all of it is my fault. Perhaps I should just give in to de Montague’s requests and hand myself over to the Council of Warlocks. They may as well do their worst. At least then I would be of some use to the world
.
    Her only answer was the gentle creaking of the ship.
    “Oh, voices of the Oracle, where are you when I need you?” she said softly.
    There was no answer. She did not