Taken by Pirates

Since five barrels were taken on board at Parrinport, the plan was to simply sell one at each of the next three ports, and keep two for ourselves.

As the men stowed away some fresh supplies, an elderly gentleman approached the ship. “Good morning,” I called out. He looked vaguely familiar, with a long, crooked nose, and the weathered skin of a fisherman.

“Captain Maddox,” he said, tipping his hat politely, “I have some news that may interest you.”

I came closer, so that he could lower his voice enough to have it swept away on the breeze. “A ship was here late last night, bound for Port Chancelry,” he said.

“Aye, we’re headed there next.”

He nodded, taking another step closer. “One of the crew became right rowdy over at the pub. His tongue became loose as a torn sail.”

I chuckled, looking around, but there was no one close. “Go on.”

“The crew of the Devil’s Blue Sea are off to Port Chancelry to kidnap one certain Mrs. Wescott.”

I scratched my head. “Is she related to Noah Wescott, the Mayor of Parrinport?”

“Aye, that’s his wife. She went back to her hometown to visit her sister. The wily bastard who wishes to unseat him thinks that he’ll step aside as Mayor if he thinks his family is in danger.”

“Hell’s teeth!”

We were a shifty, thievin’ band of mischief makers for hire, but kidnapping an innocent woman? That’s unforgivable.

“I know the Wescotts,” the old man continued. “Good people. Salt of the earth. A bit strict with rules, but it’s for the common good. If we let a jackass like Hoddnett take over a major shipping town like Parrinport there would be nothing but chaos.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

He nodded, digging into his pocket and pulling out two gold coins. “I don’t have much, but someone needs to stop them. I’d like you to take the job.”

I held up my hands in protest. “No fee required. We’ll do this on behalf of the entire coast.”

Nodding, he put the coins away. “All right then, you’ll all drink at my brother’s pub for free when next you visit.”

My loud laughter made Willy’s head perk up from where he was winding ropes at the far end of the ship.

“Fair enough.” I shook his hand firmly. “We’ll do our very best.”

Watching him walk away down the dock, a strange feeling overcame me. For the first time ever, I felt like I should consult with more than Willy, and my own conscience.

I knew that Cookie, Dwyer, and Dobbs would go along with any plan I chose. They were good men who didn’t ask a lot of questions.

Although we rarely spoke of our pasts, I had the distinct impression that every man on my ship had had a rough life, and was grateful to be here among a crew who valued a bit of peace and quiet between jobs.

Yet I didn’t know what Maggie wanted.

This world had been thrust upon her accidentally. She had been taken away from her reasonably wholesome life, no matter how troublesome it may have been, and landed here with us.

With me.

If I ever put her in danger, I had no right to call myself her man.

She had said before that she wanted to know what was going on. How could I tell her that we were going to engage with some extremely rough men, and violence might ensue, even if it was to save an innocent woman?

If I hid it from her, that would make me a liar of sorts. If I told her about it, she might be ashamed of me, or disgusted by the situation.

As soon as we were back out at sea, I waited until Willy met me in the chart-room to discuss the plan.