The Quest, or perhaps The Task Set Before Her Part 16

Frieda stood still expectantly awaiting the end. She had no regrets. She may not have completed her father's task, but she'd done what she could and she knew that Jeddi wouldn't fail. She'd embrace the pain knowing that the Maker would prevail.

But the pain never came.

Frieda slowly opened her eyes and saw the stiletto jammed into the desk in front of her. Seassa's hand still gripped it tightly, her knuckles white. She was panting heavily.

"I want to kill you," she said. "Oh, how I want to." She looked up into Frieda's eyes. "But you could be useful. Yes, you could be useful." A plan was formulating in Seassa's mind. A wicked smile overcame her face causing Frieda to shrink back in fear. She would've run if she were able, but Seassa grabbed her arm and dragged her down to the ship's dungeon. Frieda was thrown into a cell. Her head hit the stone wall. Stars clouded her vision. She fell to her knees as she heard the cell door slam shut.

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"Well, ye see I'm a respected pirate. Most wish they were as clever as me. I'm a feared one, I am! Men, women, and children tremble before me beggin' for mercy. But ye see, I've got somethin' I love more'n me piratin'." Peleg paused waiting for Jeddi to comment.

"What?" Jeddi asked, more confused than he'd ever been.

"Me sister."

Jeddi took in a sharp breath, surprised that a pirate could love anything besides treasure.

Seeing his shocked expression, Peleg said, "Aye, tis surprisin'. If word spread, me reputation would be ruined!"

"And this concerns me how?" Jeddi asked cautiously, not wanting to offend the pirate.

"Right." Peleg shook his head trying to focus. "A few years ago, me sister, she was taken by them Symians. Sold off as a slave somewhere east, she was. Me tried searchin' fer her, but I found nutin'. Then I heard from a fellow pirate that someone from the same ship as me Layan, deserted and was marked as wanted. Them Symians don't take kindly to deserters. It took me a while but I found out that the deserter's name was Jedediah Shen. I then sent out me own spies to find 'im. Soon, this Andy feller showed up saying he knew him and would get him to me. And now here ye is!" Peleg spread his arms out indicating Jeddi.

Taken aback by this weight of information, Jeddi's mind stumbled trying to sort it out. "You mean me? Oh, don't be ridiculous. Of course, it's me. I'm the only one foolish enough to desert the Symians."

Thinking slowly, he asked, "What do you expect me to do?"

"Find me Layan of course!" Peleg said with passion. "Ye were on the same ship. Ye must've seen her. Tell me what ye know."