Chapter 6
Cearl, lieutenant on the Derecho, sat across from Helix, the ship’s boatswain. They occupied a small table in the back corner of Brady’s Tavern. The small establishment served chilled ale, and hot homemade meals, and was situated on the main island between the banks of the Isthmian Sea. Despite the time of day, the place was properly sealed off from natural outside light. Mounted lanterns kept just enough oil light around so no one tripped on their way to the loo, or up to the bar for another round. In the summer it sometimes became stuffy, and stifling. On nights when the tavern’s roof cooked all day under the sun, odors of stale men, dried and fresh vomit, and decaying garbage was nearly unbearable. It didn’t keep patrons away, it was just nearly unbearable.
“Are you even lis
