Tarnished Persuasion (Justified Treason, Book 2): Endless Horizon Pirate Stories

by Cristi Taijeron

  Flynn pointed at Charlie. “Get the hell out of here, strumpet. I don’t need your sassy mouth making matters worse.”

  As Mary dragged Charlotte off, I pointed my free hand at Faron. “You watch how you’re talking to my lady there, Captain.”

  Drawing one of his two swords, Faron pointed it at me. “Drop that blade, Bentley, or you’ll be swimming your lady back to Jamaica with a stab wound in your gut. We need every able-bodied man we can get, and I’ll be damned afore I let your drunken temper hack down a man willing to stand before the mast.”

  Oliver covered his forehead with his hand. “You blundering buffoons have no concept of order.”

  Unwillingly sliding my cutlass back in my scabbard, I smirked at Faron like a bratty child.

  Faron growled at me, then mumbled something about goddamn order as he put his own sword back in its scabbard. Returning his attention to the still standing men he flashed a dramatically forced grin. “With that load of horseshit out of the way, I’d like to welcome you mates to our Wind of Glory. I am Captain Faron Flynn, current leader of this crew and keeper of the code. Now, I know our ship isn’t in the best shape at the moment, but we’ve got a promising future ahead of us and you bloody hounds are more than welcome to join us if’n you wish. By signing articles you’ll be equal part of our crew, which includes a full share of the work and provisions with an allotted percentage of the rewards, and you get your weapons back. If you decline, then you can serve us without reward until further notice and I’ll be using your own weapons to keep you in line.”

  Pointing at the lineup, he continued. “No matter what choice you make, you’ll be under my strict orders and I’ll remind you, this little welcoming party just used up all the patience I have for the day. So don’t rub me wrong.” Glancing over at Mary, who looked to be consoling Charlie, Faron shook his head then resumed his speech. “Lastly, you’ll especially take heed to this final warning. For some godforsaken reason, we have women on this ship, and you will keep your filthy hands off of them. If’n you try anything funny, you’ll wish you just went down on that burning shipwreck back there.”

  Captain Flynn moved down the line and asked the men one by one if they chose to sign or serve. The majority agreed to sign, but a couple of them, unwilling to betray the law of the land they loved so dearly, stated their submission to servitude.

  Happy to have built his crew, and to once again have servants on hand, Flynn ordered them all to stay in place as he returned his gaze to Lawrence. “Well, what the bloody hell are you going to do, sign or serve?”

  “I will serve. I have no mind to take part in a life of piracy. I only came aboard to see the women were safe and clear of that burning wreckage.”

  Faron nodded. “After our pleasant introduction, I’ll be assuming you’re responsible for this lassie?”

  Standing straight and proud, Lawrence claimed responsibility for the woman trembling behind him. “Yes, her name is Kathleen and she is my responsibility, Captain.”

  Looking at me, Faron said, “See there, Bentley, he has busied himself with that pretty little strumpet. He isn’t after your piratess no more.”

  Lawrence looked just as annoyed as I felt. We glared at each other with equal disdain while Faron nodded his head in approval. Stroking the length of his beard, he confessed to Lawrence, “I like you, mate. You seem to be fit for more than a mere servant. Are you sure you don’t want to join my crew? If’n you get caught by the law you can just tell them you were coerced.”

  “It is not about getting caught, Captain Flynn. It is about honor. And honestly, I would rather be marooned than join a pirate crew, but as I said, my priority is to watch over these women. I will do whatever it takes to see them safely along.”

  “Good. Then part of your service will be keeping an eye on the wenches until I figure out what to do with them.”

  Not liking that idea at all, I snarled at Lawrence. “You won’t be wrangling my wench, law dog. You can keep your blaggard ol’ eyes and your soft little paws off of Charlotte.”

  Faron laughed at my comment, but Lawrence completely ignored my outburst and respectfully responded to the captain. “Fair enough, Captain Flynn.”

  Kasey took the servants off to work and Shark led the new recruits over to sign the agreement. Arthur Hayes—who had become quite acquainted with Pete, and the rum—sounded thrilled to be titled as a pirate until he saw there was no gambling aboard the ship. He complained, “Of all the reckless mayhem you strike on the seas, I can’t believe you don’t allow gambling.”

  Shark explained. “Gambling leads to fighting and that’s against the rules, too.”

  Arthur slapped his forehead. “Damn it. Betting on fights is my favorite.”

  As they talked on, Faron shook his head at me and pointed to the helm. “Get your drunken arse to work, you blaggard ol’ troublemaker.”

  Attempting to tip my hat at the captain, I realized I wasn’t wearing it. Laughing at my own drunken fumble, I walked towards the helm. Spotting Law Dog on my way, I glared at him with vicious contempt. Now that I had met him, I hated him even more.

  As Langston led the proper man and his scared little lady friend past me, I heard him offer Law Dog a courteous apology. “I am terribly sorry that our greeting had to be so unfortunate. Also, I would like to offer the lady my bunkroom so that she will be comfortable while you’re here.”

  “Don’t forget to fluff their pillows,” I grumbled.

  Oliver pointed at me, glowing with resentment before they disappeared down the hall.

  X

  With everyone settled into their newly acquired roles, Flynn called for Langston and I to meet with him in his quarters. After telling Kasey to keep an eye on Charlie, I made my way to the captain’s table and sat down with an exasperated huff. Finally sober enough to make sense of things, I was quick to decline Faron’s offer of rum. “No thanks, mate. I think I had enough earlier to cover me for the week.”

  Faron agreed, “Aye. Without doubt, I ought to ban you from the brew.” Then he laughed and carried on with his plans. “Tallying the loot, we found that Law Dog’s chest was loaded, just like Bentley said it would be. There’s enough money in there to afford the needed repairs on our ship once we reach Tortuga, and once she’s worth a damn, we can roundup a better crew. Give or take a few weeks, and we’ll be off to the Spanish Main to hunt down some pretty gold pieces.”

  Shaking his head in detest, Oliver jeered, “And you gold hungry pirates plan on chasing down a galleon with these women under your care?”

  Faron slapped his forehead. “The damn women.”

  “Why don’t we just go after the buried treasure that got us all into this mess?” Oliver suggested.

  Faron fanned his hand at Oliver. “Ah, that bilge rotten treasure has caused us so much trouble; it’s probably just a dirty lie to keep fools like us away from the Spanish plunder.”

  While sketching a ship at sea in the corner of the map on the table, I laughed, “I think I agree with that, Flynn. I say we go get us some Spanish gold. We know that exists.”

  Stroking his beard, Faron nodded to concur. “Aye, but we need to rid ourselves of these strumpets before we do a damn thing.”

  Looking up from my artwork, I smirked. “From what I heard last night, I wouldn’t think you’d be leaving that blue-eyed beauty anywhere, Flynn.”

  “Damn, I told her to be quiet.” Faron smiled a wicked grin.

  “What? No,” Oliver said. “You shouldn’t be doing that. And you certainly cannot keep her here.”

  “I know I shouldn’t be.” Flynn confessed. “But have you seen her? Damn. See, this is why women don’t belong at sea. And I never said I was going to keep her, but no matter, she’s my own problem, just like Charlie is Bentley’s. Speaking of your saucy little doxy, Bentley, did you get under them tattered skirts yet?”

  I shook my head as I added full sails on the ship I was drawing. “She hasn’t as much as looked at me since she told me to put my sword dow
n.”

  As I expected, Faron responded with a loud reply, “You better be getting more than sour backtalk out of that pretty little mouth. But wait till we get to shore. Neither of us should be doing that shit while at sea. It isn’t fair or right and could cause problems all around.”

  “Finally you beef-witted boars are speaking sense.” Oliver looked up like he was praising the Lord. “But what about that other woman? What do you plan to do with her?”

  “Ah, she’s Law Dog’s problem.” Faron stated the obvious fact.

  Oliver blustered in frustration, “And what does that mean in the long run? This is absurd. You are breaking the code that you wrote yourself. What about the men on your crew? How do you think they like having those women distracting them from their work? Don’t you care what they think?”

  “You’re right, Langston,” Faron sneered. “How about you head out there and throw all three of those blasted females overboard? Better yet, why don’t you bring the matter to vote and see how quick the men opt to pass those bonnies around for pleasure along the way?”

  Oliver’s face twisted with irritation.

  “That’s right,” Faron concluded. “They’re here, no matter who likes it or not, and we’ll deal with them later. As for now, get me that there key behind you.”

  Oliver huffed as he rose, but he grabbed that blasted key that everyone had been fighting over and handed it to Faron.

  While polishing the rusty metal piece with his sash, Faron noticed the engraving on the key and interrupted the quartermaster’s bantering with an impatient bark. “What the hell does this French hogwash mean?”

  Without looking up from my artwork I informed him, “It means two hearts.”

  “Well, isn’t that cute. Guess we ought to stick to hunting for that prize for now. Sounds too good to be true, but might as well find out, aye?”

  Oliver said, “Oh yes, what a great plan, Captain Flynn. We shall esteem you for your uniquely ingenious ideas.”

  After laughing at Oliver’s sarcasm, I informed them, “Jack Golding told me he’d bet his good eye that the treasure is real. Why don’t you call him in here, Langston?”

  Walking out to get Jack, Oliver cursed under his breath, “I seem to be the only one who gives a shit about this crew, yet I have to run all the errands like a bloody servant.”

  Quickly returning with Jack, Oliver said, “You are welcome.”

  Ignoring Oliver’s dramatics, we invited Jack to sit. The one-eyed buccaneer grumbled like a tired ol’ bear as he sat down.

  After accepting a glass of rum, he told us his story. “I’ve been there, and I saw the door. you know, I been killing for gold for so long, I thought a tale of buried riches would be too good to be true, until I learned that the man’s ghost truly haunts the cave.” Faron’s eyes were wild with superstitious mystique as Jack went on, “We all had our doubts when we came upon the door, but having no key, we aimed to bash the door in. It wouldn’t budge. Finding myself spooked by the presence of the guarding spirit, I went outside. The salty dogs on my crew tried to set fire to the wooden blockade.” Removing his hat, Jack held it over his heart as he remembered his fallen comrades. “Poor bastards burnt up in the flames. And that son of a bitch ghost kept his door intact amidst the fire. So for those of you that doubt, let me ask you this. Why the hell would there be a ghost wasting his time killing mates off in that blaggard ol’ cave unless he had a treasure to protect?”

  Faron easily agreed with the statement.

  I nudged Jack with my elbow. “And you could smell it, aye?”

  Jack nodded with a firm confirmation.

  After thanking him for sharing his tale, we sent him on his way.

  Once Jack was gone, Faron said to me, “You never told me what happened when you went to that island, Bentley. How about it?”

  Without the luster of ghost stories or mythical charm, I simply relayed my story, “Of course we didn’t have the key. The crew attacked the door with a tree stump. While they were pounding on it, a rock fell and hit Captain Rex on the head. When he fell over, the dagger in his hand stabbed him in the chest. As he faded away, he handed me his sword and mumbled a few things.”

  “Well, what did he say?” Faron blurted.

  “Something about a woman. Not sure what he meant.”

  Faron started blustering about curses and riddles, but I interrupted him, “I know you rats like your magic, but maybe the key will work just fine. I’ve never heard any stories about anyone getting to that door with the key.”

  Faron said, “Oh, come on, Bentley, you’re no fun with all that sense and reason. For me, it’s easier to believe there’s a ghost haunting a cave than it is to imagine there’s a heap of gold waiting quietly behind a locked door. But if it’s as true as these stories claim it to be, it ought to be worth the adventure.” Heightening the riddles he was conjuring up, Faron whispered, “Since Captain Rex mumbled something about a woman after the ghosty stabbed him, I say we bring those bonny lassies along.” Then he slapped his knee. “Maybe we’ll have to throw one of those nattering hellcats in a fiery pit like a Mayan sacrifice. I hear the gods like virgins best, Bentley, so if you don’t get to your strumpet soon, we’ll be throwing her in first.”

  X

  “Where are you taking me, you jealous ol’ coxcomb, you?” Charlie slurred as I carried her down the darken hall.

  Drunk as she was, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her insult. “This jealous ol’ coxcomb didn’t want you finding your night’s rest facedown on the deck alongside them snoring hogs you were partying with.”

  “But they were so much fun,” she sighed. “Especially Mister Shark. He is an excellent dancer.”

  Thinking about the way that churlish ol’ barnacle was sloppily spinning her around, I smiled. Faron, on the other hand, he had surprised me with the way he was twirling Mary around, dropping her over his arm and shit. As for me, I just sat on the quarterdeck, sharpening my weapons as I kept an eye on my woman—who up until now had not said a word to me all eve.

  Entering my bunkroom, I laid her on the top bunk. She quickly rolled over to her belly. With her face shoved against the bed she lifted her arm and whispered, “Can we take this big ol’ coat off now, please?”

  “You have to turn over so I can undo the fasteners.”

  She grunted as she flopped onto her back. As I opened the coat she huffed about how difficult it was to move so much.

  Once I had her out of the coat, I gave it to her to use as a pillow. Rolling back on her belly, she cuddled against the wad of fabric and sighed in relief. “This was my fancy evening gown, and now it’s my pillow. I wonder what it will be tomorrow.”

  Running my hand through her hair, I smiled. “Aye, I was watching to be sure you stayed out of trouble, and I heard all the silly things you were saying.”

  Keeping her eyes closed, she muttered, “You’re not going to point your sword at Mister Shark for dancing with me?”

  “No, Charlie. I know you wouldn’t betray me for a plume-plucked miscreant like Mister Shark.”

  She opened one eye. “Good, because I will never betray you for anyone. You’re the only man I want and you’re keeping me whether you like it or not.” She chuckled at herself. “I love you so much, Sterling Bentley. Even when you’re drunk and mean, you’re terribly attractive.”

  She reached her hand out to touch my face. I didn’t even care that she pressed against the aching bruise on my temple. “I love you, too, Charlie. And you’re even pretty when you want to slap me.”

  “I could never slap you, Sterling. I love you too much.”

  Knowing it would only be a matter of time, I teased, “You say that now.”

  As I continued to run my hand through her hair, she pulled her palm from my face and tucked it under her cheek. After she fell asleep, I looked at her for a moment in the darkness. Her soft cheek was squished against her hand and gentle wisps of air blew from between her lips as she breathed. Even as a drunken mumbling mess, she wa
s perfect to me. I kissed her forehead before I removed my weapons. Stripping down to my breeches, I fell asleep on the bottom bed.

  Awaking to the sound of a thump and a yelp, I opened my eyes just in time to see Charlie’s body roll through the air and flop on the floor of my bunkroom. While stretching my back I let out a lazy laugh. “That ceiling just jumps out of nowhere sometimes.”

  Without a response to my comment, she lay there in the ray of morning sunlight, covering her face while she giggled with embarrassment. Soon enough she pushed herself off the ground and leaned her back against the bulkhead. Rubbing her head, she looked around the room as if she had no clue where she was. “Is this your bunkroom? How did I get in here?”

  “Shark danced you dizzy, and after you passed out on the deck face first, I carried you in here. You don’t remember?”

  Laying her face in her hands, she exhaled, “I don’t. Oh, how terribly embarrassing.” She rubbed her eyes and thought for a few seconds. After realizing she’d drunk far too much rum, she looked up and sighed. “I suppose that’s why I feel like hell and can’t remember much of anything.”

  I watched the cloud of confusion clear from her face and an angry scowl settled in to take its place. “But I do remember being upset with you, Sterling. Very upset with you.”

  Obviously, she had forgotten how sweet she’d been to me last night. Looking at her with a silly smile, I reminded, “You weren’t mad at me when I brought you in here and laid you down.”

  The color left her face. Shielding her mouth, she gasped, “Did you take advantage of me while I was drunk?”

  I hadn’t seen that coming. Covering my face with my hand, I laughed, “No. Sink me, Charlie, I would never do that.”

  She exhaled with relief.

  Finding her innocent expression all too appealing, I ran my hand down my chest and teased, “But if’n you’re feeling willing today…”

  As I had hoped, the color returned to her face in a rosy shade. Watching her eyes widen as I traced down my mid-section, I was certain I’d have her in my arms afore long.