With a deep sigh, the first mate rolled out of his bunk and headed topside. As he expected, Captain Daebian stood on the deck absently staring at the flickering torches dotting the pirate town of Bone Bay. The town allegedly got its name from the number of skeletons resting at the bottom, doubling the size of the natural reef protecting the cove. He prayed theirs would not be added to it as well. Daebian stood idly chatting with the wizard girl Eva. He shook his head in wonder at the ease with which even those who were his enemy just days before took to him.
“Tobias, you look uneasy,” Daebian called out upon spotting his first mate.
Tobias walked over. “Aye, sir, just a bit restless. With your permission, I’d like to go into town, have a drink, and maybe burn off some of this anxiousness.”
“Sure, just be careful. We have a big day tomorrow, and you are the key to its success.”
“I will, sir.”
Tobias navigated the gangplank and stepped out onto the dock. The port was active during the day, but now that night was well entrenched over the islands, the taverns occupied most everyone’s attention. It was one of these Tobias chose and not at random. Taking a rare, unoccupied seat at the bar, he ordered a drink and gave serious thought to the choices he had made in his life and where they were taking him.
He was downing a third shot when a man sidled up to the bar, tapped the fellow next him on the shoulder, and took the seat he quickly vacated. The newcomer ordered a drink, downed the shot as soon as it arrived, and lifted a finger for another. He sipped at the next one for minute while casting Tobias sidelong glances.
“You look like a man drinking to ease his troubles,” the man said.
Tobias nodded into his shot glass. “I certainly have troubles needing eased.”
“I like a good tale of woe. It makes me feel better about my own crappy life.” When Tobias answered with a noncommittal grunt, the man pressed on. “You sailed in on Captain Dahl’s ship didn’t you? I thought I saw you out on the docks.”
“Aye, I came in on Dahl’s ship, but he ain’t Captain no more.”
“What happened to Dahl? Who’s Captain now?”
Tobias belted out a humorless laugh. “He got himself killed by a soulless demon who’s gonna lead us by the hand right to Sharrellan’s dinner table.”
“I’m not sure I follow your meaning.”
“You know Captain Farique, don’t you?”
The man grinned at the foolish question. “Everybody knows Farique.”
“I mean you know him, you’re one of his men.”
“I might know him a little better than some. Why do you ask?” the man asked cautiously.
“I need to see him. The man who killed Dahl is here to take his helm and maybe his head to boot.”
“A lot of men have tried, but none ever come close.”
“None like Captain Daebian.”
The man appeared to weigh Tobias’ words before standing up. “All right, come with me.”
The first mate stood and followed Farique’s man from the bar. Two more men immediately left a table near the door and fell into step behind him. It was a relatively short walk down the rowdy streets of Bone Bay to the sprawling manor atop the low hill. Tobias’ escorts were obviously expected as the men watching the gates and front doors allowed them passage without challenge.
The air inside the mansion was noticeably cooler than the pervasive humidity clinging to the rest of the region. The floor was sheathed in marble and the walls paneled in both native and imported exotic wood. Statues and paintings adorned the place, but Tobias did not have the expertise to gauge their real value beyond their basic aesthetics. He and his escorts entered a large room with a long table surrounded by chairs. It appeared to be both a study of some kind and meeting hall. Captain Farique sat behind a massive, elaborately carved desk with his feet propped upon its glossy surface.
“Do you know who I am?” Farique asked.
Tobias ducked his head. “Yes, sir. You’re Captain Farique.”
“And your name is Tobias, is it not?”
“Yes, sir, that’s right.”
“I thought I had seen you before. You were Captain Dahl’s first mate, correct?”
“Aye, sir, but he’s dead now.”
“I am aware of that.” Captain Farique dropped his feet onto the floor with a sharp thud and sat forward. “I know all of the happenings on my island.” He turned to the man Tobias met in the bar. “Did he come peacefully?”
“Aye, sir. In fact, he asked to come see you. I didn’t even have to ask.”
“Interesting. Why is that, Tobias? Do you not care for your new Captain?”
Tobias shuffled his feet nervously. “I-I don’t know, sir. I’m a loyal man, and I gave my word to Captain Daebian, but I’m sure he’s going to lead us all to our deaths, and not a proper death at that.”
“What is he doing here? What are his aims?”
“He grabs at power like a parched man grabs at water. He wants what you have.”
“Should I be concerned? What makes him any different from those who have tried to take what I have created?”
“He’s pure evil, sir, and he’s got a dark power I’ve never seen before. His eyes are as black as the inside of a bilge and as soulless as a corpse. When he looks at you it’s as if he can see everything you ever did. He sees your shame and weakness and strips you bare. He gets inside a man’s head and makes him do things, follow him without question or even knowing why he’s doing it. I know what he has planned, Captain, and if you don’t do something about it, he’ll get what he wants. He always gets what he wants, and he knows it as sure as the sun is going to rise and set.”
Farique’s mouth curled into a confident smile. “Let us make sure the sun sets on him permanently. Tell me of his plans.”
“He’s got seven more ships almost fully crewed anchored a few miles out. Tomorrow night, he’s gonna send those crews out with a wizard woman to take yours and your senior captains’ flag ships. While his men are taking the ships, he plans to sneak in here with his magic and kill you in your sleep.”
The pirate king shook his head disdainfully. “A crude and unimaginative assassination. Effective I suppose, but I had hoped for something more interesting. Still, if he is as dangerous as you claim, it would be best to take him away from his ship and sources of help.”
“Aye, sir, he’ll be at one of the taverns tomorrow to watch the comings and goings of your men. He expects his assault on your ships to create enough confusion to get inside and catch you off-guard.”
“Will he be alone?”
“I expect so. He ain’t worried about an up and up fight with most any man. I don’t know if it’s confidence or arrogance, but he thinks he’s untouchable.”
“They always do.” Farique looked at the man who brought Tobias in. “Have Hamish get his best men to bring this Daebian character to me tomorrow when he shows his face in my town. I want you to put together a strike force and take his ships and crew while they are still getting organized.”
Tobias cleared his throat. “Sir, most the crew thinks like me. They follow Captain Daebian out of fear, but if you give them a way out, they’ll be happy to lay down arms and go back to honest pirating.”
“You’re sure about this?”
“As sure as I can be, Captain. The men just need a way out.”
“All right. Corey, get your men aboard his ships with as little hubbub as you can, give them a chance to surrender, and lock them up until we can get it all sorted out. If they raise arms against you, cut ‘em down.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Tobias, go with Corey and give him as much information as you can in regards to his ships and crew. Then get back to your berth. We don’t want Captain Daebian to get suspicious. If this turns out right, you’ll be getting your own ship.”
Tobias ducked his head as he backed out of the room. “Thank you, sir!”
***
Daebian sat at a table within the seedy ba
r and sipped at a mug of ale as he watched the comings and goings of the patrons and listened intently to their conversations. The bar reminded him of similar establishments in North Haven and Southport but with an added underlying tension of barely restrained violence. In the hours he had been sitting here, he was witness to five brawls and two knife fights. In none of the clashes did any sort of constabulary force arrive to end the squabbles or arrest those involved, and he enjoyed it immensely.
He was watching another small group of men who were moments from throwing blows when he felt a heavy hand land on his left shoulder. Daebian looked up without flinching at two large men standing behind him and three more taking up positions to his sides and front.
“It’s about time you all got here. I have been sipping this swill for the better part of the afternoon waiting for you to show up,” Daebian said glibly.
“You wouldn’t be so impatient if you knew what Captain Farique is likely gonna do to you,” the man with his hand on his shoulder replied.
“Trust me; I know exactly what is going to happen. You are going to drag me to your master, possibly rough me up a bit on the way, I’m going to propose terms to Farique, he’s going to reject them and order me killed in some gruesome manner he thinks is inspiring, but I’ll escape and kill you all before ending Farique’s miserable life and assuming his vaunted position.”
“They said you was different, and I said different was just another word for crazy. Seems I was right,” the pirate said.
“Despite what is a common opinion of my mental state, it is not insanity driving my claims. It is the benefit of walking this world with my eyes open. I get to see everything. It’s a shame so few others have learned to do the same.”
“I knowed a few men who walked with their eyes open on account of Captain Farique slicing off their eyelids.”
The five pirates shared a laugh as two of them jerked Daebian to his feet, relieved him of his sword, and searched him for more weapons. One of them then bound his hands behind his back with a length of cord and shoved him out of the bar and onto the street.
The dirt avenues were crowded with humanity’s lowlifes and degenerates. Most of the buildings looked as dilapidated and neglected as the people themselves, most having been built by timbers salvaged from ships no longer seaworthy. One of the few exceptions was the stone manor constructed atop the low hill overlooking the town and cove.
“You lookin’ for your friends, boy?” Hamish asked. “They ain’t gonna come save you. See, Captain Farique knowed all about your little plan, and his men done took them in just like we got you.”
Daebian replied with an exasperated sigh. “Captain Farique knew my plan. You know, for someone who likes to do all the talking, you should learn to speak properly. Honestly, listening to you talk is like hearing an illiterate whore reciting the finest poems of our age. For that reason alone I might kill you first.”
Hamish punched Daebian in the back of his head hard enough to make his knees buckle. Only the men holding onto his arms kept him from falling to the filth-littered street.
Daebian turned his head and smiled. “I will definitely kill you first.”
The pirate thugs dragged their captive through the manor’s gates and into the house. Daebian shook his head and rolled his eyes at the awful interior décor of what was otherwise a fine home. A pair of sentries stood watch at the end of the hall. One opened the doors and two of Daebian’s captors pushed him into the room beyond while the others stayed outside.
The room was richly appointed with several bookcases stuffed with volumes of the written word and various curios. Two chandeliers provided rich, warm light for the eight men and one woman seated around a long table set in the center of the room. Daebian properly assumed these were the eight senior pirate captains and Captain Farique. Captain Farique was a swarthy man, likely of Sumaran descent given his name and appearance. He was of average build but, even seated, Daebian could see he possessed exceptional height.
“Is this the source of all my troubles of late?” Captain Farique asked as Daebian was ushered in.
“Aye, sir. He’s Captain Daebian for sure.”
“Ridiculous, I have warts older than him. Did you have any problems apprehending him?”
Hamish shook his head and grinned. “No, sir. We picked him up in the bar just like Tobias said he’d be.”
“Excellent. It appears these wild tales we heard of him were as fanciful as I had suspected. Have our men apprehended his crew as well?”
“Aye. Got em before they got off their boats. Didn’t even put up a fight. Most of em even denied their Captain.” He gave Daebian a sharp jab in his short ribs. “Seems you don’t inspire much loyalty in your crew.”
“So it would appear,” Daebian responded tonelessly.
“Sir, I took this off him as well.” The man set Daebian’s sword in front of him before returning to his captive’s side.
The Captain picked up the black-bladed sword and marveled at its dark beauty. “This is certainly an enchanting thing. I think we now know the source of this boy’s mystique.”
“Mystique? So my reputation has preceded me.”
“Tobias told us everything about you.”
“I hope it was flattering.”
“He said you were a soulless devil who could strip a man’s soul bare with a glance.”
“So…yes.”
“He also said you were supremely confident and always got what you wanted.”
“The man has painted my portrait with the hand of a true artist.”
Farique was obviously losing his sense of humor. “He failed to mention your arrogance, but I naturally assumed such.”
“That is because I do not possess such a thing. Arrogance is unwarranted confidence. Mine is perfectly placed, unlike the vast majority of your art and furniture.”
Farique scowled at the boy’s lack of proper fear. “Did you truly think you could throw together a few weak-willed sailors and take my helm? Did you think you were so clever that you could waltz into my home, in my kingdom, and take my throne? I have been a pirate longer than you have walked this world. Granted, you managed to accomplish a great deal in a surprisingly short amount of time. I particularly enjoyed hearing about how you and your men managed to abscond with three of His Majesty’s naval ships. I should thank you even, for they will make a nice addition to my fleet.”
“Did you want me to answer those questions, or were you just prattling rhetorically?” Daebian asked, for which he received another punch to his back.
“By all means, enlighten us as to your motives.”
“Let me answer the first second and the second first.” Daebian looked at Hamish. “I hope I did not confuse you. I was going to say latter and former, but then I would have had to explain what that was, and I just do not feel like getting into a lesson in vocabulary that would only bring us both a lot of stress. Back to the Captain then. Yes, I do believe cleverness can accomplish a great deal more than simple brute force. Those ships are proof of that. How many ships have your pirates lost to the King’s new navy? That brings us to your first question. Yes, I thought I could depose you with my ragtag band for the same reason I was able to do more with far less than any of your captains in recent history. Your tactics are a complete failure.”
“It is tradition!”
“It is the same thing.”
The room erupted in shouting with several of the pirate captains pulling blades and demanding the upstart’s head served on a platter.
Captain Farique restored order. “I should let them cut you down like a dog, but you’re a clever dog. If I can train you, perhaps you could be of use to me. Of course, you’d have to be on a short leash. We don’t want you to bite your master. I’m going to give you one chance to save your miserable life. Stick close to my side, help me increase our profits, and one day you might even get a ship of your own if you prove loyal.”
“Being something of a virtuoso, I cannot abide playing second fid
dle to anyone,” Daebian responded. “I would like to propose a counter offer.”
“What would that be?” Farique asked with a grin.
“Retire. Take your flagship and whatever treasures you have amassed, pick any of the outer isles, and live out the rest of your days in peace and luxury.” Daebian nudged his captor with his elbow and whispered, “This is the part where he orders my gruesome execution.”
Captain Farique leapt to his feet and snatched the black-bladed sword from the table. “I should gut you with your own blade, you pompous little rat!” He jerked his head toward the door. “Flay him to the neck and hang him from my yardarm. Let everyone hear his screams and witness what happens to those who cross me.”
Farique waited until his men shoved Daebian out of the room before addressing his senior captains. “Despite his arrogance, the boy is right. We need to do something about our declining profits. Thanks to his little stunt, the King’s navy is swarming like a bunch of angry hornets.”
“But do you think we can put aside our grudges and rivalries enough to work together? How do we split the spoils? What are the shares? Who decides the targets?” Marilyn, the one female captain asked.
A crow roosting on the outside window sill squawked loudly, cocked its ebon head, and peered through lead-paned glass.
“It will take some time to sort out the particulars, but…”
Daebian was nothing more than flash of movement as he leapt from the shadows behind the pirate king’s chair. A blade of ethereal shadow pierced the back of Farique’s neck and erupted from his open mouth, silencing him forever. Every person in the room leapt from their chairs, drew cutlasses and daggers, and took several defensive steps away.
The Sorcerer's Destiny (The Sorcerer's Path) Page 11
