Flintlock (Cutlass Series)

by Ashley Nixon

  “The decision has already been made,” said Eva. “It cannot be undone.”

  “It can’t? Did you bind the decision with magic?” Cove mocked. “You fear Tetherion will attack you. Well, he already has. It began with our brothers who were hanged this morning. You, as Elders, should realize that this was only the beginning.”

  “Beginning of what?” snapped Eva.

  “War,” Cove said simply.

  “This is ridiculous to insinuate we would fail without Barren Reed,” Edward’s voice rose to mock them.

  There was silence. The truth of it was that no one knew much about magic, but all feared it. The trial had taught the pirates of Silver Crest that the Elders were terrified of something they weren’t sure how to fight, but Barren did and he had done so successfully.

  “If Barren leaves here today with his crew and the girl, someone must watch him. See that his decisions don’t lead to more trouble,” said Tobias, staring pointedly at Cove. “Because if they do, just once, he will be exiled, and you will not be able to save him.”

  “I say let Ambassador Rowell be his guardian,” said Sal. “He can take the fall for Barren’s conduct as well. It does little harm to him if he is exiled from our world. He has another to turn to.” There was bitterness in Sal’s voice. “If Barren does fail to control his impulses, you will be exiled with him, Ambassador.”

  “If that is your wish,” Cove said calmly. “But let it be known that anything I have given to further your cause will come with me. That includes the Network.”

  The Network was vital to how the pirates of Silver Crest operated, and Barren had a feeling, if war really was coming to them, it would become even more integral in the coming months.

  “You cannot take what is not yours! Those who run the Network are pirates of Silver Crest and are free to do as they choose,” Eva said angrily.

  “Exactly,” said Cove. “Shall we bet on whose side they will take?”

  Eva narrowed her eyes. “You are full of conceit,” she spat. “You came here with devastating news and used it as leverage to free your friend!”

  “And you expected more from a pirate?” Cove asked. “Now if you will excuse me, we have somewhere we must be.”

  Cove looked at Barren, and the two turned to find Edward barring their way. The pirate drew his sword against Barren, a challenge. “You must be joking!” Edward’s voice rose. “He has put us all in danger and you would let him roam free? So that he may do it again?”

  Barren glared at Edward but said nothing. Those who were in agreement with Edward spoke up or nodded. Then there were others who couldn’t seem to decide how they should feel.

  Tobias spoke, his voice tired. “Barren has been given his terms. If he breaches the agreement, he will be exiled.”

  Edward’s frustration colored his face red. He turned and reached for Larkin. Before anyone could stop him, he had her by the arm, his blade pressed to her neck. “And what of her? Do we fear Barren Reed and his mud-dog friend so much that we will allow the daughter of Christopher Lee into our midst?”

  “Let her go,’ Barren commanded, his voice even but deadly. He kept his hand on his blade but did not draw. He recognized the look in Larkin’s eyes. If he waited long enough, she’d take care of this herself.

  “Why?” Edward questioned. “This gypsy-witch has got you under a spell. She’s here to spy for her father.”

  Larkin’s head reared back, and with a snap, slammed into Edward’s nose. She jabbed her elbow into his stomach and twisted, knocking him to the ground, but not before obtaining his sword. He fell with a moan, and laughter ensued.

  Edward got to his feet, eyes ablaze, and reached for Larkin again. Cove stepped in this time, grabbing Edward’s outstretched hand. The gross snap of bone cracked in the silence. Edward’s desperate scream filled the air.

  “By the code, I command you to stop!” Tobias’s voice rose. “If any of you wish to spill blood, it must be at sea.”

  Barren shuddered. It wasn’t a command to cease altogether, it was a command to delay. Larkin threw Edward’s blade at his feet, and then filled the space beside Barren. They moved toward the door.

  “Just remember,” Eva’s voice stopped them, and her eyes narrowed in a way that made Barren think she could see right through him. “Barren is tied to dark magic, and dark magic always leads its prey to death.”

  Barren felt his heart fall a little. He wondered just how much Eva knew. Because Barren was tied to dark magic, but not through his mother. He’d destroyed the bloodstone, and as Lord Alder, the king of the Elves, had said, the bloodstone had kept Barren alive, but that only meant it wanted something from him, and Barren had yet to figure out exactly what that was.

  It was storming outside by the time they managed to leave the chamber, which meant Barren and his crew would be staying put until it passed. He hated how uncomfortable he felt here at Sanctuary now, and it was even worse as he and his crew made their way back to the port. Barren kept his eyes forward, ignoring the way some chose to brush past him, striking his shoulder. He’d keep their names. They would not be allies.

  Cove walked on one side of Barren and Alex on the other. His crew filed in behind them like a protective barrier.

  “Did they tell you they had summoned me?” Barren asked Alex.

  “I found out last night and sent word to Cove as quickly as I could. I knew it would not be good,” the old man replied and paused. “This feels all-too-familiar.”

  “What do you mean familiar?” Barren asked.

  “The Elders summoned yer father, too, after they learned of his dealings with the Elves. They didn’t like ‘em then, and they don’t like ‘em now.”

  Barren set his jaw tightly. “I can’t help my blood,” he said.

  “Well, I know that, lad,” said Alex. “And I’m not blamin’ ya or yer father for anythin’. The Elders believe anythin’ that wields magic is bad. They’ve their own reasons for those beliefs, but I don’t share ‘em.”

  “But the other pirates, they share the Elders’ beliefs,” said Barren. “And who could blame them? What I know of magic is bad, too.”

  “When things get hard, people take sides,” said Alex. “No matter what, ya must remember, they’re only tryin’ to decide what is most right. They’ve families to protect.”

  Barren felt his heart sink a little. Yes, they had families to protect, and while he would always consider his crew to be his family, he couldn’t help but think that he had no real family of his own.

  “You speak as if you know this will get worse.”

  “It’s already worse than you think,” said Cove. They came to the port again. Here the thunder was louder and the waves restlessly rocked the ships. “Barren, a word before you return to your ship,” Cove requested. He nodded. Alex remained with them while Barren’s crew continued back to his ship.

  Cove directed Barren and Alex to his ship, a small two-mast galleon which he’d clearly chosen because he had intended for this trip to be quick. The hull was composed of glossy dark wood and the cabin sat above deck. As he boarded the ship Barren noticed a few familiar faces, men from Arcarum who had joined him on his journey to destroy the bloodstone. They took on many roles when at home, such as apprentices, lawyers, and senators, all men who lived double lives.

  “Follow me,” Cove said and led the pirates to the hatch of the ship. “We’ve got more trouble than just our men dying at sea,” Cove disappeared into the darkness and Barren and Alex stumbled after him.

  “What could be worse than that?” asked Barren.

  “The way they’re dying,” said Alex.

  Barren swallowed. He’d watched men hang before, heard the sickening snap of bone, and watched botched executions where the men merely hung by their neck, struggling until death smothered them. While the fugitive island of Estrellas had always been a popular form of punishment, hanging was still probably one of the most favored options for killing pirates. It allowed for humiliation both before death and af
ter.

  “Are they still there?” Barren asked. “Did they put them in gibbets?”

  “Yes,” said Cove.

  Gibbeting was the practice of displaying the remains of criminals. It was meant to deter others from continuing acts of thievery or violence, but it just made Barren angry.

  Cove moved forward along the creaking hull of the ship until he came to an area in the back, hidden by a ragged curtain. Albatross grabbed it and pulled it back. Barren hesitated to follow Cove and looked back at Alex, who had stopped moving forward. Barren guessed he already knew what lay in front of them.

  “Cove,” Barren said slowly. “What are you about to show me?”

  He didn’t really need him to answer. He could pretty much guess. There were irregular shapes beneath gauzy white sheets. Suddenly, he felt as if death were behind him, pressing the blade of his scythe to Barren’s throat.

  He watched as Cove strode forward as if numb to it. Of course Albatross was already numb. He’d had time to get used to them. He’d sailed with them from wherever they’d been fished from the water. Cove kneeled beside one of the mounds, one hand on his knee, the other lifting the white cloth as if it might break.

  It wasn’t until Barren saw the ghostly face that he realized he’d been holding his breath, and for some reason, even after he noticed it, he couldn’t bring himself to take in air. There were things about this life that never got easier, and one was seeing his brethren die, especially the young.

  Barren stepped forward and kneeled, mimicking Cove’s position.

  James. He was sixteen years old. Barren’s stomach twisted as he stared down at the disfigured corpse that no longer looked like the James he remembered. His friend was now bloated and purple, and as Cove drew the white clothe back farther, Barren had to step away from the body. He wanted to vomit. He turned his back on what he’d seen, covering his mouth, tears stinging his eyes.

  “What happened to them?” Barren managed to say, but he couldn’t turn around. Even if he looked upon James again, he didn’t think he could comprehend what he’d seen. A body riddled with…disease…but was it a disease? It was certainly nothing he’d seen before. James’s chest was red, as if a rash was covering it, but there were dark blackish veins protruding from his skin, and it was all coming from a wound at his heart where the mark they’d sworn by was no longer visible.

  Cove was careful to cover James again, and Barren heard the thud of Cove’s boots as he came closer.

  “I don’t know,” Cove admitted. “We know Tetherion has hired a new string of privateers, and we believe this is the result. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “Everyone died the same way?”

  The ambassador paused before he whispered, “Yes.”

  Barren looked at Cove, and then at Alex, whose face was pale.

  “Do you think it is poison?”

  “We’d need to ask Leaf,” said Alex. “But I doubt he’s seen anythin’ like this, either. Even yer hemlock wound does not compare.”

  In Estrellas, Barren had been stabbed with a hemlock needle. The weapon was laced with dark magic. It had nearly killed him, but thanks to the healing powers of Lord Alder, he’d survived, only to experience random bouts of paralysis. “Do you think magic is responsible?”

  “We cannot rule out the possibility until the wounds are inspected,” said Cove. “I’m taking them to Dr. Newell in Arcarum. I’m hoping he can tell me precisely how they died,” said Cove.

  Barren shivered. That was something Leaf could not do, but if this was magic, Barren had to wonder what a mortal doctor could really do.

  “Why did you lie to the Elders?”

  “If we ‘ad brought the rest of Gregory’s crew before the Elders, there would ‘ave been no argument for your release, and if this is magic, we’re gonna to need you,” said Alex.

  Barren had to laugh at that. “I’m no expert on the subject.”

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s part of yer blood.”

  Barren couldn’t quite place the feeling he got when he heard those words, but he knew he didn’t like them.

  “So you will take them to this Dr. Newell in Arcarum?” Barren asked Cove. “And after that? What are your plans?”

  “I suppose most of that depends on what we discover, but these bodies, they must be returned to their loved ones in Silver Crest,” said Cove. Barren looked between Alex and Cove. He assumed that’s why Alex was here, but their expectant gazes told him otherwise.

  “You want me to do it?”

  “Alex must return to Silver Crest, organize the captains, and hopefully prevent further damage to your reputation,” said Cove. “Besides, I’d think you might want to be there for the examinations anyway.”

  “There?” he asked. “You mean in Arcarum?”

  “It wouldn’t take long,” said Cove. “Three days, perhaps. You’d be well protected in my home.”

  “But what about that,” he demanded, pointing to the five men on the floor behind him. “Do I let more of our men die like that?”

  “Ya know just as well as we do that we can’t do anythin’ about it until we figure out what it is,” said Alex.

  That was true. And if Barren encountered the weapon or thing responsible for killing these men at sea, he wouldn’t know how to fight it.

  “Three days in Arcarum? Are you sure no one will find those bodies?”

  “Dr. Newell works for me,” said Cove. “He knows what I am involved in and he has for years.”

  Barren wanted to argue that Cove hadn’t answered his question, but he knew the ambassador couldn’t promise anything other than to keep them as safe as he could.

  “Are you about to start elections? We would be a distraction.”

  “These dead men behind us are enough of a distraction,” Cove paused. “Besides, I’m afraid I won’t have much time to give you. The Autumn Ball is tomorrow night. I’ll be busy preparing for it. My hope is that Tetherion reveals the identity of the privateers who killed our men.”

  “Would he be so bold around you?”

  “Yes. We would be stupid to think he wouldn’t boast. Besides, he needs some sort of triumph in the face of his unpopularity.”

  “What will you do if you discover the privateers’ identities?” Barren asked, curious. He could think of a few things.

  Cove shrugged. “That depends on many things, but the best we can hope for now is to learn how these killings were done. Until then, we are at a disadvantage at sea.”

  Barren shuddered. He knew without a doubt that was true. The sooner they discovered what this horror was, the better.

  “You realize you both may be exiled along with me since you have chosen to hide this?” Barren asked.

  “The code without Barren Reed isn’t a code at all,” said Alex.

  “Many great things come to an end,” said Cove. “It’s our responsibility to be prepared for it.”

  Cove might feel prepared, but Barren didn’t. What would he do without the only world he’d ever known? His identity as a pirate of Silver Crest was as much a part of him as his blood. To lose that meant he’d lose himself. But there were worse things at stake here. The proof was right behind him, and if he had to choose between exile and saving the people he cared most about, well, there really was no decision to be made. He knew what he would choose.

  “If we do discover the identity of the privateers who did this, I call rights.”

  “Granted,” said Cove with a laugh. “But you know you can’t kill them until we have answers.”

  “I’ll try to restrain myself,” Barren said, and though he smiled, he turned again to look back at the space where his brethren lay. Those bodies could easily be the bodies of his crew. He would stop whatever this threat was, and fast.

  The heat from the sun baked her skin. Her tongue was swollen and her lips chapped. She stared out at a huge crowd. Their skin glistened and dirt stuck to their faces. They squinted up at her against the bright blue sky. They were a subdued crowd, noth
ing at all like the normally boisterous mob that frequented these hangings, especially for pirates.

  Though she was seconds from dying, all she could think of was her dry throat and the growing ache in her head. She just wanted it gone. Then she looked beside her and saw bodies hanging in a row, already dead but poised for another hanging. She knew them all: Barren was beside her, and Leaf beside him, then Cove, then Sam, Slay, Em, and Devon. They’d all met their end, and she would meet hers too. She screamed, and it tore at her throat and at her heart, ripping through her chest like a hot blade. Then the door beneath her gave way.

  Larkin’s eyes flew open and she sat up, heart hammering her in chest. Her hand closed around her neck where the phantom pain of the noose lingered, only to find soft, unscathed skin. She sat in the darkness for a moment catching her breath before swinging her legs over the edge of her hammock and jumping out. She pulled her cloak over her shoulders and headed for deck. She needed fresh air.

  They’d set sail soon after the storm had ended. None of them had any desire to linger for very long at Sanctuary, though not everyone was excited to travel to Arcarum either. Larkin couldn’t say she was particularly ecstatic, especially when she’d learned the Autumn Ball was tomorrow night. She’d attended many of those balls with her father as Lady Lee, and she knew how crowded Cove’s home could get. The ambassador might promise he could hide them well within the large house, but those in attendance often explored the house and grounds.

  And after what had occurred with the bloodstone only months ago, she couldn’t imagine Cove, Tetherion, and her father in the same house together.

  As she set foot on deck, she was awash in light. The stars were clear and crisp, and the moon was full. The air was cooler, as autumn was nearing. It would never really get cold at sea, and only the islands far west experienced ice, but after triple degree heat, these fall nights seemed colder.

  She walked to the rail of the ship and looked down. This had become a habit, like looking out the window in the morning. She was never sure what she expected to see except water, but that didn’t stop her from doing it.