Page 18 of Scourge of the Shores
Blackwood stumbled backward in awe, eyes filled with respect at her mastery of the blade. He ran a finger across his chest and licked the blood off the tip.
“She’s a saucy wench!” He flinched before chuckling with a wide, challenging grin, running his eyes from her toes to her head. His chuckle faded at her low snarl, and he offered a smoldering nod, “Aye, Captain. Duly noted.”
Robert cleared his throat and relaxed his suddenly tense shoulders. No one had died yet.
“Captain Chadwick, Captain Ervin, and Scotty—meet the Pirate Kings of the North Sea. Captains Rosa, Blackwood, Damien, Garrick, Cooper, Vance, Hagen, Holcomb, and Adams.” He gestured his hand to each man gathered around them.
The corners of Danna’s pinched mouth rose in a polite smile. “Ahoy.”
"Now then, Captain Chadwick," Blackwood drawled, flippin’ his hand in the air with a lazy grin. "We’ve shared our pleasantries, aye. But let’s get to it—what be yer plans for gettin’ us off this cursed island?”
Danna stepped forward. “Came to see what repairs you be needin’ and how long ye might be stayin’.”
Rosa shot red eyes at Robert. “I thought ye spent half the day getting her to barter?” Then to Danna. “Did ye not come to barter?”
Robert saw Danna open her mouth out of the corner of his eye. They’d blow the three islanders away if she said she couldn’t help them. So, he stepped in front of her and answered Rosa’s question. “I did. We have a deal with traded labor or other sorts. They are dealing with a sea dragon they’ve named Cain.”
Blackwood threw his hands in the air. “I don’t tangle with sea devils, mate. Ye want help? Find another fool.”
Damien stepped forth. “Aye, let’s hear ‘em. What’s worth riskin’ our skins over a sea demon? A relic like that earns a prophecy straight from the DeepMother’s depths. Ain’t no gift. It’s a gamble.”
Danna pushed Robert out of her way. “I only came to see what repairs ye needed and how long ye’d stay if there be no barter.”
Rosa growled at her, and his hand shot to his belt, close enough to his pistol to cause Ervin to step forward as well, hand on his own belt.
Robert foresaw the meeting ending badly. “She said she would like to know what we are repairing and what they could barter, whether it is food or whatnot,” Robert said, again stepping in front of Danna. “They have not committed to anything yet.”
“But what are they offerin’?” Garrick interrupted.
Robert swung his arms wide. “Nothing yet. They want to see the repairs needed, and then they will barter from there. So, take them through your ship’s list of repairs, and then I will go with them to barter.”
“Aye.” The string of agreements followed a moment of silent contemplation. Rosa’s thumb slid over his pistol’s handle as he eyed Robert. “Fine, Captain Chadwick. Start with Hagen’s ship.”
Danna shoved Robert in the back to get out of her way, but Robert didn’t move, making her go around. Ervin, Danna, and Scotty left with Captain Hagen. As the other Pirate Kings went their own way, Rosa stepped toe-to-toe with Robert. “Turn yer back on a pirate, and ye might find steel in it.”
“She ain’t a pirate though she talks like one. She ain’t gonna kill me,” Robert said, hoping she wouldn’t, and patted Rosa’s shoulder as he sidestepped him. “Come on, let’s get back to cuttin’ trees in the meantime.”
Rosa shoved him on the shoulder in jest. “Aye, ye mean join the labor, not laze about makin’ eyes at a ripe lil’ island filly. If ye get bored of her, mate, pass her me way.”
Robert shook his head, letting out a slow breath. “Not after you mocked her for being a woman,” he chuckled. “She’s a Chadwick.”
Rosa scoffed. “Aye, she’s got a name, but she’s still just a lass. Tell me, Jaymes—ye ever let a skirt tell ye when to set sail?”
Robert’s smirk curled sharp at the insult, and he met Rosa’s speech. “Aye, real strange, then, how we be sittin’ on her island, under her rules, beggin’ her for wood like shipwrecked dogs.” He revealed his perfect, white teeth. “Tell me, mate, who’s really wearin’ the captain’s coat here?”
Rosa let out a hearty laugh and shoved him harder. “Shut yer mouth, Jaymes. Just ‘cause ye dress yer words in ribbons don’t mean ye ain’t talkin’ rot.”
Robert dusted off his sleeve, rolling his shoulders like he was shaking off the second insult. “Ah, but that’s where ye’re wrong, Rosa. I don’t just talk pretty—I win pretty. Got me silver tongue, got me sharp wit, me shiny teeth, and if that fails…” He leaned in slightly, the refinement in his tone slipping just enough to sharpen the edge. “I got me a steel spine, a fast blade, and a sure aim.”
Rosa grunted, sizing him up. “Ye Jaymes boys always did think ye were princes of the sea. Soft hands, clean boots, but a devil’s grin. But don’t think yer charm’ll save ye forever, mate. One day, ye’ll run outta words, and I’ll be laughin’ when ye do.”
Robert winked. “Then let’s hope I never shut up.”
Rosa laughed as Robert slapped him on the back. “Now, unless ye wanna keep yappin’, we’ve got work to do,” Robert said.
Rosa was his matelot, his closest friend, but he was too predictable. Could always settle him down with a bit of old-world banter.
The day waned, and Robert, as the last captain to share their needs, told Danna the list of repairs Storm Rider needed. He thought her eyes would wander down his bare chest as he purposely left his shirt off, but Danna listened with narrowed eyes and an expressionless face until she punched him in the arm without warning.
