Page 15 of Scourge of the Shores
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?”
He ran his finger on a stab mark over the lair and smoothed some splintering wood down, before tracing the area around it. “Dark waters. Never sailed them.”
“How dark?” she asked.
“Black. Like the West. There’s a belief among the veteran crew that they’re the waters of Tophet. They believed souls would sink your ship and take your body.” He peered up at her to see if she paled, but instead, her brow furrowed in determination.
“That be Cain’s den—or so we believe,” she said. “I tailed the beast one night, watched him vanish into the dark. Lost him here.” She stabbed her dagger into the map. “Couldn’t see a blasted thing. Night or not, them waters swallow ye whole.”
“Aye, they’re dark during the day, too,” Robert said as he straightened up. “You’re brave to chase after a sea dragon at night, especially being this close to siren waters. You tryin’ to further your family name?”
Danna scoffed. “I don’t need to chase glory, pirate.” She turned fully toward the table, leaning both hands on its top. “Chadwick’s the sole pirate of North Sea legend.” Her stare intensified on the dark waters. She took the point of her blade and etched in deeper and darker waves. “Cain escapes me.”
