“That’s it!” Sidorio cried, obviously delighted. “That’s it! And this, this is only the beginning!”
Darcy turned to the captain, waiting for him to do something more to stop this. He seemed frozen. His cape was dark now. She watched in horror as they each jumped ship, every last one of the rebels.
Until only she and the captain remained on the deck of The Nocturne. Only they and the donors who clung onto the guardrail, still paralyzed with fear.
Aboard the other, nameless galleon, the rebels were in a high state of excitement. Stukeley pushed past them to the guardrail and called out to her. “Aren’t you coming then, Darcy? Won’t you join us?”
She shook her head. This time she had no tears. She wouldn’t let him see her cry.
“Are you sure?” he called. “We could have a beautiful future, you and me!”
“Beautiful? You don’t know the meaning of the word!” she cried angrily.
Aboard the rebel ship, they were laughing at her. “Don’t mind her,” she heard one call to Stukeley. “She’s only a plank of wood!”
“Yes,” cried another. “If you’ve got a thing for driftwood, there’s plenty more where that came from!”
She’d had enough. She wasn’t going to stand here and take these insults. She turned to the captain but he seemed too stunned to speak. His gloved hands were crossed over his chest.
Looking back across the deck, she saw more Vampirates arrive on the scene. Her first thought was that the rebellion would continue but she was heartened to see that these crewmates were as shocked and bewildered as her. Their eyes were clear and they showed no traces of having taken blood tonight.
“What happened here?” one asked.
Darcy turned to the captain, waiting for him to pull the crew together, just as he always did. But he seemed to have run out of words. He stood, still as stone, staring at the other ship. Urged on by Sidorio, the renegade Vampirates shouted abuse as they sailed away.
Darcy turned and found the deck of The Nocturne crowded once more. The arrival of more Vampirates had clearly terrified the donors, who clung frantically to the edges of the ship. But the danger had passed.
“It’s all right,” she called, her eyes taking in the donors and the vampires. “It’s all right. There was a terrible scene up here and some of the crew have left us. But we’re better off without them.”
She saw the nods from across the deck.
“Okay,” she said. “Let’s get back to our cabins.” She turned to the donors. “Come on, let go of the guardrails. No one’s going to hurt you now. You are quite safe.”
She watched as, somewhat to her surprise, the donors began to obey her instructions. The remaining vampires helped them through, shaking their heads and offering comfort and reassurance.
At last, only Darcy and the captain remained on the deck. He was drawn into himself, still looking out to sea, though Sidorio’s ship had already sailed off deep into the night. Darcy reached out her hand to his arm. “Was that all right, Captain?” she asked. “Did I tell them the right thing?”
He waited a time before speaking. “Yes, Darcy. Thank you.”
“Why didn’t you do something?” she asked. “To try to stop them.”
There was a moment of silence. Then the captain’s head dropped lower and his whisper was so faint it was barely audible.
“I tried, Darcy.” His whisper was growing faint. “I tried, but I didn’t have the strength.”
“But you . . .” She was almost speechless. “You never fail us.”
“I’m growing weak, Darcy.” His voice was distant. “I don’t know how much time is left.”
“No!” she said. “I’ll help you. Just tell me what to do.”
“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t have the answers this time.”
Darcy watched in horror as the Captain keeled over and slumped on the deck, his cape splayed out around him. There was a brief spark of light in the cape. Then darkness.
“It’s over,” he whispered. “It’s all over now.”
Terrified, Darcy looked up at the sails. They too were utterly devoid of light.
43
RETURN TO PIRATE ACADEMY
The sun was setting in a blood-red sky as Connor sailed toward the stone arch marking the boundary of the Pirate Academy. Already, the large torches had been lit beneath it, their flames licking the stone and illuminating the academy maxim:
PLENTY AND SATIETY,
PLEASURE AND EASE,
LIBERTY AND POWER.
Only a couple of months before, he had sailed through the arch for the first time and asked Cheng Li the meaning of “satiety.” “Taking everything you want, and then everything else besides,” she had said with a smile. Remembering that moment, it seemed a lifetime away. He had been a child then — full of excitement at what the Academy had to offer him. During his days at the Academy, he had been flattered by the staff — the headmaster especially — into thinking that a career as a great pirate lay ahead of him. Now, those dreams had been torn to shreds. So much had changed. Around him and within him.
The maxim promised such a happy life as a pirate — a life of infinite wealth and pleasure but also power and freedom. It all sounded great in the abstract but the one thing the maxim omitted to tell you was the price you had to pay. Oh yes, all those riches could be yours, if you could only resign yourself to the act of killing. No, not even resign yourself, but learn to embrace it. Kill. Kill. Kill. Again and again and again.
The bright crimson sky was a livid reminder of the blood spraying from his victim’s wound. Don’t go there, he thought, closing his eyes. But, as usual, that only made it worse. Inside his head, the scene was more vivid still — like a loop of film, ready at a moment’s notice to play over and over. He opened his eyes again, grateful to see that the sunset was fading fast and darkness drawing out the sting of the red.
He sailed on, gazing up the hill at the Academy buildings. The windows were bright with light against the dark sky and he could see the silhouettes of the students and teachers moving about inside — on their way to and from dinner, no doubt, then back to class for the final lessons of the day. He had better wait a while before landing the boat and making his way across the lawns. Wait until the final bell was rung and the weary students crashed in their dormitories.
As he sailed toward the dock, seeking out a place to wait under the cover of the willow trees, he was assailed by memories of his brief time at Pirate Academy. He remembered his first meeting with Commodore Kuo and his first glimpse of the gallery of swords in the Rotunda, or “Octopus” as the kids had nicknamed it. He thought of his own sword — now rusting at the bottom of the ocean. Knowing his luck, it had probably speared a dolphin on its way down to the seabed. He remembered the classes — Combat Workshop and SSM — the dawn run led by Captain Platonov. The crunch of the gravel underfoot and the salt tang of the early morning air. The sense of belonging he’d felt jogging through the Academy grounds, with Jacoby and Jasmine at his side. Jacoby Blunt, his new best mate . . . or so he’d thought. But Jacoby had betrayed him, urged on by the headmaster. He thought back to the staged fight on the “Lagoon of Doom,” where Jacoby had tried to wound him for real. Jacoby had bottled it when push came to shove. Connor wondered if that had sealed his fate at the Academy. The Pirate Federation wasn’t looking for protégés who bottled it.
It had been a strange and confusing time for him, but although it had ended badly, Connor still couldn’t help but feel a certain excitement about the place. The sense of energy and optimism was so tangible here you could almost reach out and touch it, holding it in your hands like the abundant pomegranates that ripened in the Academy’s fertile soil. Kids came here with dreams of being great pirates. Kids like those in Captain Quivers’ knots class, who had gazed wide-eyed at Connor and Grace, bombarding them with questions about what it was like to sail on a real pirate ship. Then, he had spoken with enthusiasm about life aboard The Diablo. Now, he might answer
their questions very differently. “Forget about your knots and your navigation skills,” he’d say. “Forget about niceties like thinking up names for your ship and sewing your version of the skull and crossbones. Just focus on one question. Are you prepared to kill? That’s really all there is to it.” All things considered, it was probably not a good idea to crash Captain Quivers’ knots class during his return visit and share this newfound wisdom.
Suddenly, Connor heard voices, laughter. Instantly, he ducked down, low in the boat, then raised himself cautiously so he could look over the side. Between the willow branches, the garden lanterns illuminated two figures racing down to the water’s edge. As they came to a standstill, Connor’s heart sank. It was Jacoby Blunt and Jasmine Peacock. Of all the people to come across! They mustn’t see him. He slipped back into the boat, hoping that they would continue on their way. They were quiet for a moment and all he could hear was a strange rustling sound. Then more laughter. Then a definite splash, followed by a cry.
“I’ve done it! Now it’s your turn!” It was Jacoby’s voice. No question. He was in the water — alarmingly near Connor’s boat, by the sounds of it. “Come on, Jasmine. A dare’s a dare!”
“Is it cold?” Connor recognized Jasmine’s voice and had to fight hard not to steal a sneaky glimpse at the prettiest girl at Pirate Academy.
“It’s fine once you’re in and move about a bit,” Jacoby called, over some more splashes.
“Okay — here I cooooooooooooome!”
Another splash and then a squeal and lots more laughter.
“You’re a liar, Jacoby Blunt! It’s freeeeeeeeezing!”
“Come for a swim, then. You’ll soon warm up.”
Connor’s heart was thudding. Don’t swim this way, he willed them. Swim out into the harbor.
“Race you to the willows!” Jacoby called.
Great! Just great! Now, it was only a matter of time. Connor lay there trying to decide what to do. There was no time to sail further along the dock. Any movement would only alert them more quickly to his presence. The best plan he could come up with was to just lie there, keeping himself and the boat as still as possible. That way, there was a chance — albeit a slim one — that they’d swim off in blissful ignorance.
“Yessss! The winner!” Connor heard Jacoby’s voice cry out. He must have reached the willows.
“Not fair! You started swimming before I was ready.”
“Oh Jasmine, that’s so lame!”
“Rematch! First back to the dock.”
Yes! Connor could have punched the air.
“Wait a minute! Is that a boat?”
“Looks like it.”
“What’s it doing here? There are no mooring points here.”
The next thing Connor knew, he was looking up as Jacoby Blunt’s square shoulders and inquisitive face loomed over the side of the boat. Connor lay there, unsure what to do, as Jacoby pulled himself up into the boat and landed, dripping wet, on Connor.
“Whaaat?” Jacoby reeled in confusion.
Connor pushed Jacoby’s slippery body away from him.
“Connor!”
“Hello, Jacoby.”
“What are you doing here? You’re the last person I was expecting . . .”
Suddenly Connor realized that Jacoby was stark naked. He turned his head. “Could you . . . ?” Embarrassed, he began waving his hands. “Could you?”
“What? Oh yes!” Suddenly Jacoby realized, too, and looked around for something to cover his embarrassment with. “Do you have, er, anything?”
His eyes averted, Connor reached around the bottom of the boat and found a spare flag. He held it out.
“Thanks,” Jacoby said, fastening it around his waist. “Okay, the coast is clear.”
Opening his eyes, Connor was relieved to see that Jacoby had wrapped the flag around himself like a sarong.
“Connor!” said Jasmine, her face bobbing up over the side of the boat. He assumed she must be naked too by the way she was careful to remain submerged in the water.
“Hi, Jasmine,” he said. In spite of himself, he smiled. “So, when did you two start skinny-dipping together?”
“Oh, you know, it just kind of . . .” Jasmine blundered.
“It was a dare!” Jacoby announced. “She said she’d do it if I did.”
“I see,” said Connor.
“So,” said Jacoby, sitting down amiably in the boat. “What brings you back to the ol’ Academy, bro?”
Bro? Did Jacoby not remember how they’d parted company last time? Or was he just unremittingly cheerful? Connor wasn’t sure.
“Yes, Connor,” said Jasmine. “We didn’t think we’d ever see you again. Not here, at least.”
“I had to come back,” he said. “I have to talk to Cheng Li about something.” He sighed.
“Sounds serious,” said Jasmine.
“Yeah,” said Jacoby. “I’ve got to say, Connor, you’re looking pretty rough, ol’ buddy.”
Connor hung his head. Seeing them only reminded him further how complicated his life had become. “Things haven’t been going so well for me,” he said.
“What’s up?” asked Jacoby.
“The thing is,” Connor said, “I’m not sure I can trust you.”
Jacoby nodded. “I know. I know. After last time. Of course you’d feel that way. But I was your friend, Connor. I know I let you down, but I was your friend, and like I told you before you went away, I’d do anything to make things right with you.”
Connor looked into Jacoby’s eyes, weighing up his decision. Jacoby looked as innocent as a puppy dog. It was hard to believe he had a bad bone in his body. Even so, he’d done the headmaster’s dirty work for him.
“He means it,” Jasmine said, imploring Connor with her bewitching eyes. “He’s always talking about how he regrets what he did. How he’d do anything to regain your trust.”
Connor turned back to Jacoby and made his decision.
“All right,” he said. “I need you both to help me. I don’t want to go into detail, though. Not yet. I just need to get to Cheng Li’s rooms. But no one else must know I’m here. You understand?”
Jacoby nodded. “That’s so straightforward, we don’t even need a cunning plan.” He smiled. “Seriously, Connor. This doesn’t even register on the favorometer. We’ll get you up there in no time. Just let us get some clothes on.”
“Now that’s the best idea you’ve had,” said Connor, grinning. “Your abs are giving me a serious inferiority complex.”
Once Jacoby and Jasmine had quickly toweled off and dressed, the three of them made their way up the hill toward the sprawl of Academy buildings. Jacoby strode ahead, with Connor keeping to the shadows and Jasmine covering the rearguard.
“Watch out!” Jacoby suddenly hissed. “Captain Quivers at two o’clock.”
“Jacoby!” came Lisabeth Quivers’ distinctive cut-glass voice. “Jacoby Blunt? Is that you?”
“What ho,” he cried jauntily, pushing Connor into a nearby rhododendron bush and grabbing Jasmine by the hand.
“Ah, Jasmine. What are you both doing out here?”
“Why, Captain Quivers,” said Jacoby. “You make it sound like there’s something wrong with taking a walk around these fine gardens on a beautiful night with a lovely young lady.”
Captain Quivers gave a light laugh. “Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong at all,” she said.
“What about you?” Jacoby persisted, leading them both away from the rhododendron.
“Me? I always take a post-prandial stroll,” she said.
Jacoby grinned. “I have no idea what that means,” he said. “But it sounds lovely.”
“It means ‘after-dinner,’” said Captain Quivers. “It’s a great shame they didn’t include Latin on the curriculum here. I’ve always found it rather useful.” She sighed. “Anyway, I’ll let you two on your way. You look wet, Jasmine. Was there, perhaps, a spot of localized rain on the dockside?” With a little nod and an enigmatic smil
e, the eccentric teacher continued on her merry way.
When she was out of range, Connor darted across the path to rejoin Jacoby and Jasmine.
“I think the coast is clear now,” Jacoby said. “But we’ll walk over to Mistress Li’s quarters with you, just in case.”
Straying from the gravel path, they headed straight across the dark, manicured lawns toward the building that housed Cheng Li’s rooms.
Her light was on and they could see her working away at her desk, in front of the window. She was intent on something or other, scribbling away furiously with her distinctive pen.
“Mission accomplished!” Jacoby said, placing his hand on Connor’s shoulder.
“Good luck!” Jasmine said, planting a small kiss on his cheek. Her touch was as light as a butterfly’s but it swept through him like a wave. It was a good thing he was only making a passing visit here. Otherwise things could get complicated.
“We’ll leave you to it,” Jacoby said, already backing away. “But if you ever need anything . . .”
“Yes.” Connor nodded, his eyes fixed on the window ahead.
“It was good seeing you again, Connor,” said Jasmine, turning away and following Jacoby back to the path. “Look after yourself!”
Connor stood there for a moment, watching Cheng Li, wondering if this was such a good idea after all. Then he stepped forward and lifted his hand to tap on the window. As he did so, she looked up. Never one to give anything away, she registered neither fear nor surprise. Instead, she smiled, set down her ink pen, and with a neat flick of her fingers, beckoned him inside.
44
COLLAPSE
“Let me in! Let me in! Please, let me in!”
The young woman threw herself at the gates, her cries subsiding into sobs.
“Who are you?” asked the guard.
“I’m Darcy Flotsam,” she said. “I come from The Nocturne. The captain . . . the captain has collapsed. He needs Mosh Zu Kamal’s help.”
The guard opened the gates and Darcy ran through them. She ran right past the guard and into the courtyard, crashing into a young man and his pushcart. The two of them, and the cart, tumbled to the ground. The cart had been loaded with baskets and these flew across the courtyard.
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