Free The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards Page B

voice immediately put her at ease, although his eyes missed nothing and he was quick to correct those around him if he thought they had made an error.
    It only occurred to Zardi later, as she sat by herself twining rope from strands of salted coconut fibers, that Sinbad’s crew was a clever lot. With their smiles and laughter, they almost made her feel like they were good people. Maybe the crew hoped she and Rhidan wouldn’t put up a fight when the time came to dispose of them.
    Zardi balled her hands into fists. They were wrong. She and Rhidan would get off this ship—she just didn’t know how yet.
    Night fell, and lanterns were used to light their way down the river. Zardi was finishing her last length of rope when she spotted Rhidan heading toward her from the other end of the ship. Earlier that afternoon he’d been instructed by Musty to help the ship’s cook, a man as round as one of Nonna’s cooking pots, with the preparation of tonight’s dinner.
    â€œDinner’s up.” Rhidan crouched down next to her. “It’s fish stew.” His words were nearly drowned out by a ringing bell. Sailors everywhere dropped what they were doing and stampeded toward the cook, who was standing next to a steaming cauldron. Rhidan wrinkled up his nose in annoyance. “I was hoping we’d get there first.”
    â€œDon’t worry about it.” Zardi set the completed rope beside her. “How’d you find the cooking?”
    â€œNot too taxing.” He sat down next to her. “It makes a lot more sense than ship’s knots, and the cook is really nice. I even showed him one of Nonna’s tricks to clean fish.”
    â€œNonna would be proud. At least one of us has some skill in the kitchen.” Zardi smiled sadly as she thought of her grandmother but tensed as she saw a tall figure walking toward them.
    Sinbad .
    Light and shadow played across his face as he strode past the lanterns on deck.
    Zardi and Rhidan scrambled to their feet.
    â€œHe’s coming for us,” Rhidan hissed.
    â€œWe’ll jump overboard if we have to,” Zardi said. “Be ready.”
    â€œThat’s the great plan?” Her friend sounded distinctly unimpressed. “They’ll only fish us out again.”
    â€œJust be ready.” Zardi’s palms were sweaty. Sinbad and his crew had overrun the Triumph and threatened Assam in the morning, and then laughed and joked with each other in the afternoon. They were a paradox. Who knew what they were really capable of?
    â€œAt ease, young ones,” Sinbad said softly as he reached them. “I don’t plan on hurting you—it’s not my way.”
    â€œCaptain Assam would say differently.” The words escaped from Zardi’s lips before good sense could stop them. Why can’t I keep my mouth shut?
    â€œWould he?” Sinbad looked at her keenly. “Tell me, did I touch a hair on his head?”
    She paused, remembering the events on the boat.
    â€œWell, did I?” Sinbad asked again.
    â€œNo, I suppose you didn’t actually harm him, but you held a knife to his throat.”
    â€œBut I would never have used it.” Sinbad held his head proudly. “My men and I are simply actors; our boat is our stage. We may pretend to be pirates but never, ever, have we shed a drop of blood.”
    Zardi felt some of the tension ooze from her body. It was like getting the last bit of puzzle, an answer to a riddle. She realized that she’d already seen Sinbad’s crew play many different parts: rich merchants, adventurers, pirates, and today just plain old sailors. She wondered which role was the true one; she wondered if they even knew.
    â€œBut you steal. That’s not acting,” Rhidan said.
    Sinbad inclined his head. “I lived on the streets of Sabra until I was twelve years old. Stealing was the key to my survival—it’s a hard habit to break.”
    For an