Page 8 of Scourge of the Shores

The Pirate Kings

After his midnight encounter with Danna, he crawled back into his cot with a broad smile tugging at his lips.

He’d debated going to the village for hours—whether it was madness or instinct, he couldn’t say.

But something in her voice had made him test her fire up close and alone.

The scent of moonflowers and the way she never even flinched stayed with him.

She lived in his mind now. He’d chosen well, he thought as sleep reclaimed him.

He woke again before the sun rose, rolled off his cot, pulled oil over his teeth to clean them, washed his face, and ran his fingers through his chestnut waves, slicking them back into a low, short ponytail. He tied his scarf over his head and grabbed his hat before leaving his tent.

Frank stood like a sentinel, hands on his hips. “Already woke the crew, Captain.”

Robert patted his back in appreciation. “Hope they got their beauty sleep, for today we shall be lumberjacks.”

Both men chuckled and shook their heads in unison.

“Ye best be workin’ that island wench, Captain, before we rot on this cursed rock.” Frank scanned the horizon. “Else we’ll be choppin’ wood ‘til our bones snap.”

Robert sighed and shook his head. “I doubt she will change her mind. She seemed very stubborn.”

“Then make her unstubborn,” Frank advised. “Yer father ain’t one to let a stubborn woman stand in his way of the sea, and I should know. Yer mother was stubborn all the way to Tophet.”

“Perhaps.” Robert narrowed his eyes, wishing Frank would not keep comparing him to his father, although Robert did the same to himself. It only meant he had a lot more to prove until the comparisons fell by the wayside.

“Fine,” Robert pulled out his flintlocks and handed them both to Frank; took off his vest and threw it over Frank’s shoulder. With arms spread out wide to showcase his dingy white shirt, Robert asked, “Do I look like a threat where I will not be shot on sight?”

Frank pursed his lips as he peered down at Robert. “Never have ye looked like a threat, mate.”

Robert chuckled at the jab. “Not every man can be a lumbering giant.” Frank’s shadow in the dawn sky fell over him.

“Nay, but ye’re tall enough to put fear in ‘em,” Frank said. “I’ll keep these safe fer now. But mark me words—if ye ain’t back by nightfall, I’ll send the fleet, blow the settlement to splinters, and we’ll take what we need.”

Robert dipped his chin in agreement. “Then I’d better get walking.”

He spun around and began his trek to the southern part of the island.

The shoreline had been rounded, making it an easy path to the settlement.

He reached it before the sun’s lower sphere lifted from the horizon line.

As he walked closer, he raised his hands by his ears, hoping no one had a happy finger.

A shuffle sounded behind him, but he only stopped rather than turned around.

Two metal muzzles nudged his nape.

“Where ye slinkin’ off to, sea rat?” a nasty voice growled behind him.

“I need to speak with Captain Danna Chadwick about some trouble. I come alone and without my pistols as per her contract. That should be enough for you to understand the peace in my presence.” Robert faced straight ahead until one muzzle pushed on his nape, and the other pulled away.

“Move it, slow-like. Ye twitch wrong, and I’ll open yer skull like a ripe melon.”

The sentry escorted him to the town center and kicked his knee, forcing him to kneel. Robert shook his head. “A bit much, matey?”

“I ain’t yer matey. Ye’ll show respect to Captain Chadwick. I’m assumin’ ye came beggin’ for her aid. Best choose yer words wisely.”

Robert peered over his shoulder to see one of the two men from the night prior, but the butt of the man’s pistol rammed against his ear. He grunted but faced forward. “Ervin? Was that right?”

“Keep that flappin’ gob shut, or I’ll nail it closed, pretty boy.”

Danna descended from the island’s jungle and stopped mid-stride when she saw them. Her shoulders fell, but her stare intensified. She headed straight toward them until she stood before Robert, hands on her hips.

“I warned ye once, pirate. Set foot here again, and I’d carve ye meself.” Danna ripped her knife free, its glint catching the firelight.

Robert leaned back on his knee and lifted his hands. “You did; however, I needed to speak with you.”

“What could ye possibly want that ye’d risk me blade at yer throat?” Danna asked, her knuckles draining of color around the handle.

He paused, taking her in. There was no doubt in his mind she would kill him, slit his throat, in the next moment, and not think twice about it. “I’ve been informed our ships’ repairs are extensive, and since we are not bartering, we shall be here quite some time.”

“Ye have three days.”

Robert laughed. “Even with bartering, we would be here at least nine weeks.”

He stood up, and Danna lifted her hand to Ervin, who was probably about to kick him again.

Robert swayed slightly in the breeze, his legs aching for the sea.

The open horizon called, yet he stood there, bartering words instead of steel.

“Captain Chadwick, I love the sea, always the sea. I want to return to the sea. I do not want to be on this island rock any more than you want me here.” His hands lowered.

“But without your help and assistance, we will be here for weeks, months.” He shrugged. “Please barter with us.”

Danna peered behind Robert and chewed her luscious lip until she shook her head. “We don’t owe ye a thing.”

“Captain,” Robert said, his voice dropping.

She held up her hand to silence him. “Even if I cared about yer troubles, we’ve got our own,” she clarified. “A sea dragon has claimed these waters. Ships torn apart, men lost. Ye best pray Cain don’t fancy ye next.”

Robert pursed his lips. “Aye, well. A sea dragon is, uh . . . Well, it’s not good.”

“And the sooner ye’re gone, the fewer worries fer our island,” Danna spat with venom.

“Well, they don’t call me ‘Robert “The Ruthless” Jaymes’ for nothing,” Robert said, flashing a sharp grin.

His tone had the air of jest, but her eyes grew cold.

“I’d rather avoid spilling blood over a simple barter, wouldn’t you?

” Robert chuckled, but at their stone faces, he clicked his tongue.

“No sense of humor among your lot, then?”

Danna scoffed. “If ye call that humor, I’ll gut meself.” Her salty stare ran down his belt, then flicked to Ervin’s. She still held the knife steady. “Captain Ervin, how many men can we spare?”

“None,” Ervin answered flatly.

Danna lofted an eyebrow, her gaze returning to Robert. “Then ye best find a way to fix yer ships yerselves,” she told Robert. “Ye’re wastin’ me time. Get back to yer camp before I make ye crawl there.” She spun on her heels in complete dismissal.

But Robert didn’t want her to go so fast. He had until nightfall. “What if . . .”

Danna turned halfway toward him.

He had her attention, so he continued speaking whatever came to mind. “What if I . . . help you do something . . . work—preparation around here . . . in the event Cain attacks?” He pieced together his awkward question. “And then . . . that could free up some of your men to help us?”

Ervin slammed the butt of his pistol across the back of Robert’s head. “Or ye go back to yer camp and work there, and we work here as the Captain said.”

Robert’s hand clamped on his nape, and he leered at Ervin. “Would you stop, mate? It’s not like I can shoot you, but if you keep doing that, I’ll make sure I leave you with a lead parting gift before I’m done here.”

“Enough,” Danna said, gazing out to the sea. Her eyes traced the horizon line back and forth.

Danna tapped the hilt of her dagger against her thigh, her expression unreadable. "And what exactly do ye’ve to offer, Captain Jaymes? Besides soggy wit and a silver tongue?"

Robert smirked with a sarcastic grin. "I’m a fast learner."

"Good," she said, her voice like steel. "Then let's see how well ye take orders. Ye get ‘til midday. Then I want ye off me side. I’ll bring a few men, see what’s what, but come nightfall, ye’re gone.”

Robert spun around to Ervin. “Thank you, Captain Chadwick,” he announced and walked backward toward her, glaring at Ervin, before coming to her side. “Where to?”

“Come with me. Ye know things. Ye’re gonna tell me.” She motioned to Ervin. “Get some sleep, Captain. Ye’ve been up all night.”

“Aye, Captain. Do ye want me to send Scotty?—”

“No. I trust Captain Jaymes’ll be cordial, and if not, I can handle meself.” Danna inclined her head and ran her eyes up and down Robert’s body. “Ye’ll not cause trouble, will ye?”

Robert shook his head. “I want off this island. I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”

“Good enough for me.” Danna shoved her hand toward the largest building, and Robert took the signal and began the short walk there. Danna walked behind him. He pushed the double doors open, and a hearth fire lit the room.

Danna pushed past. “This hall stays lit, always. It be a mark of our loyalty and unity to each other.”

His goal was also unity, to unite all the pirate kings under his banner. Maybe even the pirate kings of old.

She breezed past him and advanced toward a table. She ran her hand over its top before jerking her head, allowing him to approach.

His eyes stretched the long table wide and impressed. “What a map.” His eyes gazed at the South Sea, still untouched by the North Sea Pirate Kings. His fingers lingered over the Krakenkind waters. One day, it would all be his.

“South Sea Pirate Kings are among your number?” he asked.

“A few,” she said, watching him with a wary eye.

“What do you need my help for? We’ve never ventured too far south,” he asked, wondering what he could offer in regards to the map.

She pulled her dagger and pointed its tip at a spot on the table.

He leaned over to see. “A sea dragon’s lair?”

“What do ye know of this?”