The Charts

Anchor Cross · OpenHa! You want to know where I lost the treasure? Sit. The stew is hot and the story costs nothing.It was off Anchor Cross, twenty fathoms down, under a coral head that has never forgiven me.When you have heard it all, ask me about the cook on Salt Cross who counted the fish.Kalea Rivers Parley Salt Cross · BossySit, eat, talk. In that order. Do not argue with the cook.Pierogi, cabbage and a bit of sausage. I tell the truth over food and at no other time.Finish the plate and I will tell you who counts propellers on Gull Cross.Halina Dudek Parley Gull Cross · CheekyBest seat in the house, right here, on me. Do not tell the others.Today's price is silly: one story, paid when we land. She purrs, but she bites in a crosswind.Strap in. If you are good company I will point you at the lawyer on Ledger Cross.Oriel Teixeira Parley Ledger Cross · DryFor the avoidance of doubt, I have opened a file on you. It has no heading yet.I am considering one, preferably flattering. Sit down and tell me what you are claiming.Without prejudice: the map seller on Bell Cross draws every chart wrong on purpose.Temperance Boyle Parley Bell Cross · TheatricalMi amor, you found my stall. Look at these charts. Every one of them is wrong.This one costs a story, this one a laugh, this one a secret that I will hold for you.Choose your error. The fog is sharpest at the Tide Cross ferry, by the way.Marisela Quiroga Parley Tide Cross · PlainI know each current by name, and I know which of them are bluffing.Come aboard if you like. The crossing is short, and the quiet is included in the fare.As the ferry docks, ask on Ember Cross for the ranger who walks the cliffs at dawn.Brynja Thorsdottir Parley Ember Cross · WaryTread softly. I decide who is worth showing the cave, and I decide it slowly.The cliffs at dawn are mine. After that I am only a person with a flask and an opinion.If you come back with the right manners, I will tell you who hears every ship's gossip.Anahera Pomare Parley Bell Cross · MischievousEvery ship's gossip crosses my headset, and I have been saving yours.Keep your voice low. The sea hears more than you would like, and I hear the sea.Between pings: the distiller on Ember Cross lets you taste three bottles and guess.Samira Benhamou Parley Ember Cross · LazyThree bottles, one clue. Taste before you guess. I do not gamble.The rum is slow and so am I, and nothing worth saying has ever been said quickly.The engineer on Tide Cross knows which beam sweeps which reef, and which sweeps you.Greer Thorne Parley Tide Cross · PatientSit by the lens and count with me. The beam turns, and every eleventh turn skips a beat.I know which light sweeps which reef. I know which sweeps you, but I will not say yet.When the skipped beat comes, ask on Salt Cross for the retired smuggler with the dark boat.Mathilda Frisk Parley Salt Cross · RiddlingRetired. Ask the water. It keeps better secrets than I do.I keep one boat in the dark in case you need a story, and tonight you look like you do.Find the woman who wrote the rules of the archipelago and has broken most of them.Yasmin Qadir Parley Anchor Cross · ImperiousCome in, if you would be so good. The kettle is singing and the flag is down.I wrote the rules of this archipelago, and I know exactly where each of them bends.From the flagpole: the sailing teacher on Gull Cross will teach you any knot but one.Ailsa Dunbar Parley Gull Cross · TeasingCome aboard. I teach every knot except the one I keep in my pocket.The wind is warm and the lesson is free. The pocket is not up for discussion.Tied round a post, a hint: the old navigator on Ledger Cross reads stars like letters.Nalani Akana Parley Ledger Cross · TenderI read the stars like a letter from home. You may read over my shoulder.It is a short letter, and a long way home, and I like the company on the deck.Written on the sky: the pearl diver on Tide Cross has seen something and told no one.Ingvild Nordahl Parley Tide Cross · NervousI dive deeper than anyone, and I saw something. I will tell you if you hold the line.Do not laugh. Last time somebody laughed, I did not go back down for a week.Before I change my mind: the appraiser who values every rumour has priced yours.Antonia Vidal Parley Ledger Cross · PolishedI value every rumour, and I have put a price on yours. You may haggle.A loupe, a ledger and a glass of whisky. This is the counting room, and you are most welcome.The last clue: the diver who lost the treasure told you where. Go back to Anchor Cross.Augusta Cole Parley