Quinlan stayed beside the merchantman's mast with Black Fang as Narethi passed them with the chart she had rolled up earlier.
"Captain, do you have time to tell us more about the region?"
"Of course, my lord."
Narethi brought the chart back to the crates. She glanced between him and the women gathering around him, then pressed a hand to her chest.
"Ah. How terribly rude of me. I haven't even given you my name. Narethi, my lord. Captain and owner of this vessel."
Her gaze moved toward the broken rail.
"Most of it, anyway."
"Your carpenter seems determined to keep the rest," Quinlan said.
Hammering answered from below. Narethi smiled at the sound, although her eyes were still sore from crying.
"I'd never hear the end of it if I let her sink after all his work."
She spread the chart across the crate, holding its corners down with pieces of broken timber. Quinlan took his hand from Black Fang's back and leaned over it.
"Where do you sail from?"
