Read Scarlet and the White Wolf [02] - Mariner's Luck for Free Online Page A

aside to say something to one of his shipmates, who grinned darkly and cast measuring stares his way.
    "They really don't like me," Scarlet muttered.
    "My people are not fond of foreigners, as I have said."
    "A pox on your people."
    Liall chuckled and ruffled Scarlet's hair, which earned Scarlet another hate-filled glare from Oleksei.
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    Mariner's Luck [Scarlet and the White Wolf Book 2]
    by Kirby Crow
    Back in the cabin, Scarlet fell into the bunk and slept the night away. The seventh day dawned and the fever did not return. He slept heavily and ate several bowls of fish broth and some waybread. Thereafter, the sickness departed and it seemed that Scarlet had found his sea legs. Liall quit his pallet on the floor and joined Scarlet in the bunk, though he was careful to keep a few inches between them and they had separate blankets. He did not mention putting Scarlet ashore again, and it seemed that the journey would, after all, settle into the dull monotony of travel. With luck, the rest of the trip would be uneventful.
    "I told you it was not seasickness," Liall said cheerfully on the tenth day, right after Scarlet lost his breakfast over the rail. " This is seasickness."
    "Bastard," Scarlet muttered, spitting into the water, which was white-capped and slamming against the hull. Rough seas had brought on the nausea, but he weathered it a lot better on an empty stomach. Scarlet wiped his mouth with his sleeve and wished for a bath. For the first few days after being ill, he had come out on deck to wash his hands and face and clean his clothing as best as he could, but the mariners had stared the first day and by the second it was a spectacle, with a knot of them standing around and grinning at him as he washed. He took to washing up in the cabin alone after that. Liall let the change pass without comment, but every morning there was now a clean bucket of water in the cabin.
    Not being a sailor, it did not occur right away to Scarlet how precious fresh water was at sea, so it was a long while before he could fully appreciate the kindness.
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    Mariner's Luck [Scarlet and the White Wolf Book 2]
    by Kirby Crow
    "You are looking better, too," Liall commented. "There is color in your face again, and you have no bruised look beneath your eyes."
    Scarlet knew he had lost some weight and looked thin and unwell compared to all these strong, hale men on board, especially Oleksei. He glanced up at Liall, feeling suddenly embarrassed. "Thank you," he said awkwardly.
    "Whatever for?"
    "For taking care of me when I was ill."
    Liall gave Scarlet one of his mocking looks. "My motives are entirely selfish. I enjoy your company."
    Scarlet and spat again into the water. "Such as it is." He smiled uncertainly at Liall, knowing that his clothes needed a good wash and that his hair was unkempt and his nails grimy.
    Liall, on the other hand, was as imposing as ever in a long black cloak with hood and gray woolen breeches and new boots. The cloak was embroidered with silver and blue at the edges and had a sturdy gold clasp at his throat in the shape of a crouching bear. He was sure that Liall would draw looks in any crowd, and he suddenly felt grubby and small beside him, like a plain-feathered robin gazing up at an eagle.
    Scarlet realized he was staring. Liall's mouth curved and he reached out to stroke Scarlet's unruly hair into place.
    "What are you thinking, redbird?"
    "Nothing," he replied quickly, and felt his face heating up.
    Mautan the mate appeared and said something to Liall.
    Liall nodded to Mautan and spoke a few words in scratchy Sinha, a language that must be spoken in the back of the throat to get it right. The mate moved away with a rolling, 41
    Mariner's Luck [Scarlet and the White Wolf Book 2]
    by Kirby Crow
    sailor's stride that utterly nullified the swaying of the deck, looking as steady as a goat wandering along a flat path. Liall could do this, too, but so far the trick had eluded Scarlet.
    "I must speak with the captain