Chapter 19 - River And Sword
William joins the others outside the inn with his single bag. Abha hurries up along the narrow street, calling out to them, “We have lost our boat! We need to get a new boat!”
“What?” Pratima frowns.
“—has the boatman headed back to Delhi?” Sunil asks, looking up at the concern on each face.
At this, the boatman has arrived, waving his hands, livid. “My job was that boat.”
Jabalah, “Without a boat—”
Sunil tugs at her sleeve, asking, “Will he ferry us if we find him a replacement?”
“It was the Pandeys or else the Bhats!” Word has traveled quickly. “The King will hear of this! I am without a job. I am leaving! Now!”
After he stalks off, Pratima waves toward the water. “Fine. Let’s go down to the riverfront. We’ll hire someone new.”
The six each reach for
