Urson, Geo, and Snake looked at each other, and then toward the captain.
Jordde looked at all three.
"You seem strong," the captain said to Urson, "a sea-bred man. But this one," and he looked at Snake now, "one of the Strange Ones...."
"They're bad luck on a ship," interrupted the mate. "Most ships won't take them at all, ma'am. This one's just a boy, and for all his spindles there, couldn't haul rope or reef sails. Ma'am, he'd be no good to us at all. And we've had too much bad luck already."
"He's not for rope pulling," laughed the priestess. "The little Snake is my guest. The others you can put to ship's work. I know you are short of men. But I have my own plans for this one."
"As you say, ma'am," said the captain.
"But Priestess," began Jordde.
"As you say," repeated the captain, and the mate stepped back, quieted. The captain turned to Geo now. "And who are you?" he asked.
"I'm Geo, before and still a poet. But I'll do what work you set me, sir."
"And you?" Jordde asked Urson.