Page 14 of Scourge of the Shores
“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 . . .”
