Page 72 of A Flash of Golden Fire

“I can wield a dagger. But I’ve never used a sword.” I thought that was why he wanted me near him. Because we both knew I’d be pretty fucking helpless in a sea battle. Either that, or I’d call on my mysterious powers and kill everyone.

“Remind me to have you train with one of the men.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“For now, you have your knife. Just…stay alert. And be prepared for anything.”

I grinned, trying to pretend I wasn’t terrified. “Is that a clever way of—”

“Simon. Stop messing about. I don’t want to lose you.”

I stared at him, seeing genuine care for me in his kind expression.

“I don’t want you to lose me either,” I whispered.

He smiled and gave a nod.

I glared at him. “And you be fucking careful yourself. How would you spank me if you only had one arm?”

Captain Martin barked a laugh. “I’d figure it out.”

“You would, at that.”

Captain Martin checked the other vessel’s location again, then turned to look at Hillier, who stood nearby with his arms crossed whilst men ran about doing his bidding.

“Now,” Captain Martin said, and a chill went through me.

Hillier nodded and turned to face the main deck.

“Hoist the flag!” Hillier shouted. “Hoist the colors! Let’s show them we mean business!”

“Aye, aye,” men shouted in response.

More scurrying, and the pulling of the rope to lower the Dutch flag and hoist our own. I’d had yet to see the official privateer colors of theArrow, so I watched intently as the flag went up. The broad banner snapped in the wind and became, for a moment, a confusion of shapes.

Once the flag reached the top of the mast, the tarred sailcloth straightened out in the brisk wind that was causing us to gain on our prey.

A white, crudely stitched skull, on a black background, with a thick red arrow going through the outline and a bleeding red heart at the bottom. The sudden reality of being part of a privateer crew, and not simply a member of a ragtag group of jovial sailors, punched me in the gut.

“Captain Martin,” I said, my throat going dry. “Is it quite necessary to attack this other ship?”

He regarded me with a level of expiring patience. “We’ve been through this. The crew needs a distraction. And we need supplies.”

“Yes, but, maybe we could simplyaskif they have any to spare?” I suggested.

He stared at me, opened his mouth as if to speak, closed it, and lifted the spyglass to observe our quarry.

After a few silent moments, he lowered the spyglass and turned to Hillier, effectively ignoring me and my silly suggestions.

“They’ve seen our colours. Things are lively now. Send a warning shot over the bow.”

“Aye, Captain,” Hillier said.

“Give her a warning, now! Fire the cannon!”

I put my hands to my ears, as the men fired a cannon over the other ship’s bow as ordered. TheArrowvibrated with the force of the launch. I only hoped they’d heed the message and not try to fight us.

They didn’t fire back, and by the time we came abreast of her, it appeared they weren’t going to put up a defence. But the captain didn’t order Hillier to stand down.