Where Loyalties Lie (Best Laid Plans Book 1)

by Rob J. Hayes

  Not for the first time, T’ruck considered making New Sev’relain his home proper. It would be an easy thing to order a house built, and he would have little issue finding himself a new set of wives, breeding himself a new litter of pups. Ties were important, and family ties were the most important of all. If there was one thing he could say his life had been missing since leaving the mountains, it was family.

  “Captain,” Zole said with a tap on T’ruck’s shoulder. “That dirty Riverlander is coming.”

  T’ruck glanced over his shoulder to see Deun Burn striding down the beach towards them, his skull tattoo a stark white against his sun-darkened face and his swagger setting his cloak swaying and the axe attached to his belt swinging. Many folk hated the Riverlanders, considering them vagrants and thieves even among the isles. Some even believed they carried diseases wherever they went and infected water supplies with their mere presence. T’ruck didn’t entirely believe the stories, but it was plain as the sun in the sky and the water in the sea that Deun Burn didn’t like T’ruck Khan.

  “Admiring the ship?” Burn said as he closed in. T’ruck had hoped the man would simply walk on by, but hope, like happiness, often turned to ash.

  “She is small,” T’ruck rumbled. It wasn’t entirely true, but Berris Dey was smaller than North Gale, and that was all that really mattered.

  Burn made a sound between a click and a sigh. “Riverlanders believe it is not about size, but where you stick it.”

  T’ruck snorted. “Your sister thinks otherwise.”

  Burn snarled out some incomprehensible words that were likely an insult. T’ruck had no interest in learning the Riverland’s guttural-sounding language and even less interest in knowing what the fool had said to him.

  “Your mother too,” he said with a smile.

  Burn hissed out some more gibberish, followed by a tug of his earlobe. T’ruck yawned and burped at the smaller man.

  “They were glad of a real man after all you” – T’ruck glanced at Burn’s crotch – “little Riverlanders.”

  Deun Burn looked set to pick his axe from his belt and make the last mistake of his life, so T’ruck decided to spare him the death. “Oh, it appears we have a boarding party, and… fuck!”

  Burn’s snarling hisses turned to smiles as T’ruck realised the new ship, Berris Dey, was filled with men and women whose faces were covered in tattoos.

  “I should let me do the speaking, barbarian,” Deun said with a sneer. “They won’t care for your language, or your face.”

  T’ruck grumbled, but the man running from the Berris Dey towards them looked like he was in a right hurry, and the scales painted on his face did little to hide the fear there.

  “Friend of yours?” T’ruck said.

  “We Riverlanders are all family,” Burn said, his voice cold.

  As the newcomer drew near, T’ruck could see that the tattoo seemed to go all around his head, even under his hairline. The man almost looked like a snake, he was so scaly; not to mention his nose was so small it seemed to disappear amidst the inked lines.

  The two Riverlanders started to hiss, screech, snap, and click at each other. T’ruck was sure it was actually some form of language, but the sounds the men made were so ugly they actually hurt his ears. To distract himself he wondered if the Riverland’s women made similar noises while they fucked, and how off-putting that would have to be to the men fucking them. It was likely why there were so few of the people. Sex should rarely involve bloody ears. Although there was that one time with P’elpy, his first wife, which had involved bloody ears, nose, lips, and cock.

  “Khan,” Burn snapped.

  “Huh?”

  “Flen spotted a fleet just five days ago. He says four ships, including the largest he has ever seen.”

  “Did they chase him?” T’ruck was already intrigued by the mention of a giant ship.

  Burn babbled some words at the scaled Riverlander, who prattled some nonsense back. “No. They ignored him.”

  “Then why should we care? There are fleets all over the world these days.”

  Again Burn hissed and clicked, and the other Riverlander responded.

  The skeleton of the Man of War, still sitting on the beach, caught T’ruck’s eye. It was a giant, a behemoth. He wished he’d seen it before it had been stripped to build the town. He wished he’d been the one to take it.

  He turned back to the two men. “How big was the ship?”

  Burn and the other Riverlander ignored him.

  “How big was the ship?” T’ruck shouted. “As big as that?” He pointed to the bones of the Man of War.

  The scaled Riverlander waved his arms emphatically, and T’ruck didn’t need Burn to translate. The new ship in pirate waters was even bigger.

  T’ruck grinned. “Ask him where it was going.”

  Chapter 49 - Fortune

  “Well, it’s fair to say Tanner got here first,” Drake mumbled as they approached the island of Ash. He was looking through his monoscope and giving what he saw the frowning of a lifetime. Three ships: The Black Death, Blu’s monstrosity Ocean Deep, and Hearth Fire. “Looks like Barklow threw in with Tanner.”

  “Three ships apiece,” Princess agreed. “Seems fair. If any shit does start we’ll be evenly matched.”

  “If any shit does start it’ll be the end of us all. Not to mention the isles.” Drake shook his head. “We can’t afford to be divided anymore.”

  Princess groaned.

  “Out with it,” Drake snapped.

  “Ya really reckon Tanner’s just gonna see sense and pull in behind our flag, Cap’n? He might see the need for unity right now, sure. But Tanner ain’t exactly the type to take orders from anyone, least of all Drake Morrass.”

  Drake hated to admit it, but Princess made a good point, and it was a thing that had been on his mind for the entire journey to Ash. “I’ll just have to be convincing,” he said with false cheer.

  “Or,” Princess said cheerily, “we could just kill the fucker and see if that fleet of his falls in line. I’m just saying, Cap’n, options there.”

  Drake smiled. “Something tells me his fleet wouldn’t just fall in line. Even if we killed Blu as well, I think his ships would rally around that damned daughter of his. We’d still be fighting a war against them, and Sarth and the Five Kingdoms would sail in and slaughter us all. No, mate, we do this the peaceful way. Tanner’ll see sense.” Drake wished he believed his own words.

  “You’re the cap’n, Cap’n. I’ve always wanted my own ship.”

  Drake shot Princess a glare, but the man was grinning. “Sail us in. Signal Stillwater and Poole to stay close. Just in case.”

  “Just in case,” Princess echoed and walked away to carry out his captain’s orders, just as Beck joined Drake at the railing.

  The woman was looking less an Arbiter and more a pirate every day. Her skin had darkened from the constant exposure to the sun, her coat was a distant memory, and the shirt and britches she wore were stained and mended from heavy use. Beck kept her hair tied up tight beneath her new tricorn hat, and the brace of pistols she carried attached to her leather jerkin had seen a lot of use of late. Unfortunately, despite the burgeoning transition, the woman had still managed to keep herself out of Drake’s bed, and that was as frustrating as her changes were welcome.

  “I’ll be coming with you,” Beck said, her blue eyes staring out towards the island.

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Drake said. “I’ve got used to having you around. You make me feel all safe and cosy.”

  “Don’t get used to it. I’ll wager as soon as we’ve killed those Drurr who are after you, the Inquisitor will order me back to Sarth.”

  Drake almost laughed. He very much doubted Hironous would ever order Beck back to Sarth. She was as good as a pirate now, and Drake’s brother would happily leave her as a bodyguard to the soon-to-be pirate king. He wondered if that was why Beck had been sent. Eventually Drake would need a strong queen to sit at his s
ide. Sometimes he wished his brother would share more of what he saw in his visions of the future.

  Ash was a small island alone in the surrounding water, little more than a rock covered in smaller rocks and even smaller trees. There was no wildlife to speak off – the island was too small to sustain any – and the trees were little more than wiry bushes clinging to what little life they had in such harsh conditions. The wind around Ash was relentless and merciless, gusting first one way then the other, and many a ship had accidentally got too close and gutted itself on the hidden rocks beneath the waters. The island was littered with the carcasses of ships and the bones of their sailors.

  Drake’s small fleet anchored just a short distance from Tanner’s, far enough to be out of bow shot. Stillwater launched a boat, rowing it over from The Phoenix to the Fortune by himself. He tied it up and boarded Drake’s ship with an anxious look that did little to lighten Drake’s uneasy feeling.

  “Elaina isn’t here,” Stillwater said in a hurry as soon as he saw Drake.

  “I had noticed a distinct lack of Starry Dawn. Should this be worrying me, Stillwater?”

  “I don’t know. It was her idea as much as it was mine to meet here. I just thought…”

  Drake turned a stern gaze on his fellow captain. “You got a legitimate worry, or are you just pining for the Lady Black’s cunt and trying to curdle my gut?”

  “I just thought she’d be here,” Stillwater said, his voice hard.

  “Perhaps Tanner didn’t want his daughter and you anywhere near each other. Find it hard to fault him, given your past relationship. Don’t reckon either of you thinks clearly when near each other, and I bloody well hope your cock hasn’t just clouded your judgement to bring us here. I see two men on Ash. One looks like Tanner, the other looks like Tanner, so I’m guessing his useless, mouldy, salt-licker of a son is with him.”

  “I have a history with Blu as well,” Keelin muttered.

  “There any member of that family you haven’t fucked?” Drake grinned.

  Keelin laughed. “We just don’t get on so well.”

  “But you and Tanner are close as barnacles, aye?”

  “Good point. Are we going ashore?”

  “Mhm. Just you, me, and Beck.”

  “The Arbiter?”

  “Can you think of anyone better to watch your back?” Beck said, strolling over to the railing and leaning against it, treating Stillwater to a cold stare. Drake was of the opinion those two needed to start getting along, but Keelin seemed to have some issues with the Inquisition.

  “If we’re taking a third person ashore I would rather it was Kebble,” Keelin said, ignoring Beck. “I wouldn’t trust her to watch my back if my life depended upon it.”

  “Well then, we’ll be fine,” Beck said. “I’ll be there to watch Drake’s, not yours.”

  “Both of you can fucking stop this shit, right now,” Drake hissed. “We got enemies enough on that little shit of a rock without you two trying to screw each other over. Beck is coming along, Stillwater. The sooner you accept that, the sooner we can get in that little boat of yours and convince Tanner Black to join me rather than kill me. Good?”

  Beck nodded. Keelin didn’t.

  “Don’t make the mistake of thinking that was a question, Stillwater. Either you get on board now or you drown in my wake.”

  Drake could see the anger in Keelin’s eyes as easily as the grinding of his teeth, but eventually he nodded. “Good.”

  “Right then,” Drake said with a smile. “Now let’s all have us a hug.”

  Both Beck and Keelin shot Drake an incredulous look.

  “Of course I’m bloody joking, you damned idiots. Onto the boat with both of you.”

  There wasn’t really a landing on Ash, so they followed Tanner’s example and tied the little boat onto a rock, leaping overboard and splashing through the shallows to clamber up onto dry land. Green algae covered the rocks at sea level and made the footing slippery and treacherous, but all three of them managed without even a grazed hand among them. The climb up to the centre of the little island was steep and tough, and by the time they reached the top all three of them were short of breath. Drake was certain he would have been dripping with sweat if not for the gusting wind whipping at his face.

  Tanner Black and his son were waiting for them in a small stony clearing surrounded by rocky outcroppings with a single bush clinging desperately to the ground. Tanner was wrapped up tight in a huge black cloak, and his hateful bird, bigger than most cats, perched on his shoulder, staring at Drake as he approached. Tanner was armed, the tip of a sword poking out of the bottom of his coat, but then they were all armed. If any trouble did start, it was unlikely any of them would make it off the little island alive.

  “See anything off?” Drake whispered to Beck, and the Arbiter only shook her head by way of reply. He asked the same of Keelin, but the captain was locked in a vicious staring contest with Tanner and didn’t answer. “Well, let’s just hope fortune favours the fucked.”

  Drake stepped past the last few rocks into the little clearing on the top of Ash. Both Captain Blacks watched him, Blu with his arms crossed and his dark eyes full of hate, and Tanner with his hands in his coat pockets and a welcoming grin.

  “Well, ya got me surprised, Drake,” Tanner shouted over the whipping wind. “Can’t say I thought you’d have the stones to turn up.”

  Drake stopped a good few paces from Tanner and his son. “Folk may say a lot of things about Drake Morrass,” he shouted back, “but none of them call me a coward, mate.”

  Tanner laughed. “Reckon you’re talking to the wrong folk then. And Stillwater.” Upon hearing Keelin’s name, the giant crow perched on Tanner’s shoulder shifted its malevolent gaze and let out a piercing cry that ripped the air in two and seemed to silence the wind, if only for a moment. “Didn’t reckon I’d ever see you again.”

  “Where’s Elaina?” Stillwater said.

  Tanner’s grin disappeared, and for just a moment he looked angry enough to draw steel. “What do you care, boy? Girl was never anything to you but a hole to fill and a ship to steal.”

  Drake had the sinking feeling that if Tanner and Stillwater continued to air their differences the meeting would end in blood, so he cut in. “We here to piss into the wind? I thought we came to discuss terms. Forge an alliance.”

  Tanner’s grin reappeared. “Ah, Drake, ya really should have known better, mate.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Drake saw the rocks around them begin to move.

  Chapter 50 - North Gale

  “That’s a lot of masts,” Yu’truda said with a touch of awe.

  “That’s a lot of ship,” Zole said with a touch of fear.

  “I want her,” T’ruck said with a touch of greed.

  They were all watching the monster of a ship from a very safe distance through monoscopes. With the Riverlander’s information, T’ruck had rightly guessed the invading fleet would stop at the island of Innikwell, an expansive isle with fresh water and trees and wildlife aplenty. It would normally make the perfect spot for a pirate settlement, only it was also widely known as a stopping point for navy ships from both Sarth and the Five Kingdoms. All ships needed regular supplies of fresh water, and the giant they were looking at now was no exception.

  “That louse-ridden Riverlander said there was a fleet,” Zole complained as he scratched at something behind his ear that was likely a louse. “I only see the one ship.”

  “And what a ship,” T’ruck rumbled. The vessel before him was indeed the largest he’d ever seen, and that made it the only ship worthy of T’ruck Khan, last of his clan. He wasn’t truly the last member of his clan, as Yu’truda and a dozen others had followed him into piracy, but he was the strongest of them all, and that made him the chief of what was left.

  “We wouldn’t get close, Captain,” Zole protested. “I see weapons of war. Catapults, scorpions.”

  “A fine prize,” T’ruck said, ignoring his first mate.

/>   “Not to mention the crew,” Yu’truda said, agreeing with her husband as she often did. They were a fine match, but neither had T’ruck’s backbone. “We would be outnumbered three to one at least.”

  “I love the odds. We have faced worse,” T’ruck said. “I would take any man or woman on this ship over a hundred Five Kingdoms cowards. They slither from their mothers’ cunts mewling and bowing to their king. We from the northern clans are born with fire in our hearts and steel in our hands.”

  “Ain’t that many of us left, T’ruck,” Yu’truda said sadly. “Most of the crew are from the isles these days.”

  “And we ain’t worth more than two or three of those Five Kingdoms soiled britches at the very most,” Zole said, agreeing with his wife as he often did. “Taking North Gale was a miracle, Captain. No chance we’re taking that fucker.”

  T’ruck hated to admit it, but they were both right. He wanted the beast before his eyes, but they couldn’t take her. Not without a fleet, and even then the losses would likely be too high for it to matter. She was a machine of war from her size, from the metal ram on her bow to the scorpions and catapults on her deck, and it was more than likely she had trained soldiers on board, maybe even knights.

  He made a decision. “Bring me the witch.”

  “Captain?” Zole said, a note of panic in his voice.

  “Now,” T’ruck rumbled in a tone that was not to be argued with, and Zole quickly scuttled away to carry out his captain’s orders. Yu’truda kept quiet. Her cold stare was disapproval enough.

  A few minutes later a woman emerged from below decks. She was small and beautiful with long dark hair, darker eyes, and curves T’ruck would have loved to explore but didn’t dare to; he was far too scared of the woman. Three members of the crew escorted her onto the main deck, and all three were carrying sharpened steel pointed towards her. The witch walked with a casual grace, and the black dress she wore, though ripped in places and long past its prime, clung to her curves.