by K Hanson
Erhan clenched his fist, crumpling the parchment. “Which ship did she sink?”
Aydin shrugged. “I wish I could tell you, but I don’t have that information.”
“Even so, I probably knew some of the men who went down in that frigate.” He looked up and set his face with resolve. “Yes, I’ll go get her for you.”
“Good, I knew you would feel motivated to hunt her. While I want her alive, along with as much of her crew as possible, do whatever you must to arrest her. If she tries to flee or fight, break her.”
“It will be my pleasure, your Honor. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No, Commander, that will be all. Do this for me, and I will even write a recommendation for promotion if you so desire.”
“I would be most grateful, sir. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to begin preparations,” he said as he waved the order.
“Please, go. I will see you when you return.”
Erhan bowed and turned to leave. He shoved the door open and strode down the hallway, eager to capture this Nereyda who had murdered a ship full of his comrades.
CHAPTER FOUR
With the damage she had sustained, the Storm Raven took nearly two boring weeks to limp its way to port. As the Storm Raven finally approached Freyport, Nereyda woke to the morning light streaming in from the port in her compact cabin. She got dressed, then grabbed a hard biscuit and a hunk of dried meat on her way out to the deck. Blinking against the sun as her eyes adjusted, she saw the rest of the crew making their way onto the deck. All of the clouds had fled over the horizon, leaving a wide blue sky overhead, and a strong breeze pushed them toward their destination.
By early afternoon, they had reached the port and pulled alongside the dock. The quartermaster hired a team of wagons to move their cargo to the warehouse, then the crew began unloading everything. Nereyda found the harbor master to order a new yardarm. Fortunately, they already had one in stock so the crew of the Storm Raven would have to spend only a day and a night in the port city.
The remote island claimed to be a free city, yet both the Stalsta Federation and the Cambisian Empire claimed that it lay within their territory. It sat far enough from either’s main territory that they never bothered to enforce their rule upon this speck in the sea.
The political machinations didn’t really matter to Nereyda. She only cared that she could dock the Storm Raven here without anyone asking questions about where her cargo came from. Her crew rented a warehouse on the edge of the city to store their goods while waiting for buyers. People from all places came to Freyport to look for items of all kinds, without being bothered by their questionable origins.
Nereyda spotted a tall, thin man in a long, dark coat standing on the docks. “Hey, Jovan,” she said as she approached him.
“Always a pleasure, Reyda,” he replied with a bow. “I always look forward to seeing the Raven wander into our humble city. I take it you’ll have need of my accounting services.” He extended his hand.
“Of course,” she responded as she shook his hand. “I’d hate to disappoint my favorite fence.” She grinned.
“Fence?” He gave her a look of mock offense. “Why do you always use that word? Captain, I remind you I am just a humble and honest accountant.”
Nereyda giggled. “Sorry, I forgot. You’re an accountant like I’m a merchant. I always forget how much you enjoy your bullshit.”
“Why you insist on insulting me, I don’t know. But I’ll let it slide. What have you brought to me today?”
“You can take a look once we haul it up to the warehouse. I hope it’s good stuff, considering the ship was full of nobles and merchants with far more money than they know what to do with.”
“Really? Then I’m glad you were there to relieve them of their burden. I’m sure we can find much better uses for their wealth.”
Nereyda smiled. “I’m counting on it.”
“How long will you be in Freyport?”
“Until tomorrow or the next day, at most. Just as soon as we can fix our yardarm. How soon do you think you can look through our cargo?”
“I’ll get my people looking through it tonight. Will you be staying at the usual tavern?”
“Probably. The crew will want to get their fill of drinking and screwing. If you want to swing by for a round, I’ll buy you one.”
Jovan raised his eyebrows. “Is the elusive captain asking me on a date?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t hold your breath. I just want to chat with someone who I don’t see all day, every day.”
“Once I get my team started on your goods, I’ll see if I can slip away.”
“Great, I look forward to it.” She gave him a wink as she turned away.
---
Nereyda looked around at her crew lounging around the tavern. This was her family. From the moment Captain Nogre had found her in a barrel floating in the ocean when she was just a little girl, she had watched, learned, and helped in any way she could around the Storm Raven. Some of the crew still remained from when they had found her, but many had died or retired from the pirate life. Others had joined the crew while she had grown up. They were her brothers and sisters. Brynja especially was like an older sister, having joined the crew only a few years before Nereyda.
The sound of the tavern door creaking open broke Nereyda from her thoughts. Jovan stood in the doorway for a minute, letting his eyes adjust to the light as he looked around the room. When his eyes focused on the pirate captain, he strode over to her table in the dim corner.
“I need to talk to you, Reyda.”
“That’s why we’re having a drink, isn’t it? Pull up a chair.”
Jovan’s eyes darted around the room, then he grabbed the nearest chair. He slid it right next to Nereyda before he sat down.
“Well, this is intimate,” she said. “At least let me buy you a drink before we get too cozy with each other.”
He didn’t laugh. She could feel his breath on her ear as he leaned in and said, “Listen, Reyda. Were you really raiding just off the coast of the continent? I didn’t know even you would do something so reckless.”
Nereyda rolled her eyes. “Have you been talking with Brynja? Did she tell you to say this?”
“No, she didn’t tell me anything. I just heard where you’ve been.”
“I don’t need another lecture about this.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “Being a pirate is risky. Your job isn’t exactly the safest either, with the sort of people you deal with. I promise you that I can take of myself and my crew.”
“I know.” He huffed out a breath. “I’m just worried that you’ll go a step too far someday.”
“I’ll be fine, Jovan,” said Nereyda, eager to move the conversation to talk about anything else. “Now, can I buy you a drink? I won’t listen to anything but a ‘yes.’ We need to get your mind to stop worrying about nothing.” Nereyda waved to the barkeep to bring a round for her and Jovan.
“Thanks, Reyda.” His shoulders started to relax.
“No problem. Though, not to ruin the romantic mood, but maybe you want to move across the table?”
“Oh, right.” He stood up and moved his chair around to the other side. The barkeep brought their drinks as Jovan sat back down.
“So how’s Freyport been the last few weeks? Anything new?” she asked.
“Not really,” he said as he shook his head. “Both the Empire and Stalsta keep sending their messengers to collect taxes, and the council keeps sending them back with half of the requested amount. So far, neither of them seems to care.”
She took a drink as she listened to him. This news didn’t surprise Nereyda. The two competing powers had better things to do than worry about collecting money from a far-off port. She set her mug down and looked back across at her friend.
“How have you been, Jovan?”
“Oh, business has been good. About the same as always. Ships come in and out, and always need me for my accounting skills or some of
my unadvertised services.”
“I know business is always good for you. You’re the best in the business. But I meant how are you personally? Have you seen any more of that doctor’s daughter?”
He shifted in his seat and looked down. “We saw each other a couple of times. I took her to dinner once, and we spent an evening in the gardens. But when her father found out what I do, he forbade her from seeing me.”
“Seriously? This is Freyport. It isn’t exactly the city of angels and innocence. Of all the people in this city, you’re one of the least dangerous she could possibly be with. Want me to give him an example of how most of the people here are?”
“Somehow I don’t think hurting him would help me much.”
“Come now, you think I’d hurt him?” she said with mischief in her eyes.
Jovan raised his eyebrows at her.
“At the very least, I promise it wouldn’t be anything permanent.” She placed her hand over her heart.
“I can handle my own love life, thank you very much.”
Pouting, she said, “You’re no fun, but fine.” She leaned forward and rested on her elbows. “If you want to leave Freyport, I can always find a place for you on the Raven.”
“I appreciate that, Reyda, but I think my place is in Freyport. Besides, who else can move the crazy things you find?”
“I’m sure I could manage.”
“Where do you think you’ll go next?” he asked.
“I’m not quite sure yet. Maybe closer to Stalsta.”
“There’s a rumor I’ve heard around town that someone in the Empire is starting to run expeditions across the ocean to the east, where nobles and rich merchants pay to pretend they’re on some grand adventure. Might make a good target.”
“You mean a place for them to kiss each other’s asses and pretend their shit doesn’t stink. Where do these expeditions launch from?”
“Along the east coast, further south, I think. Sounds like they collect their passengers at several stops along the coast, then turn out to sea. Close to the coast, it could be tough to get in and out fast enough before an Empire patrol wanders by, but if you wait for it to get further out to sea, I’m sure you could make something of it.”
She nodded. “It might be worth it to hit one of these ships just to see the looks on their smug faces. Hitting that cruise ship was easy and a lot of fun.”
“If you do, make sure to tell me all about it next time you’re back.”
CHAPTER FIVE
As Nereyda talked with Jovan in the corner of the tavern, she saw the door open, and an imposing figure stepped into the room. The man had broad shoulders, a scruffy beard, and walked like he owned every inch of land he set foot on.
“Shit,” Nereyda muttered under her breath.
“What is it?” Jovan asked.
“Don’t turn around, but it’s Captain Flint.”
“What’s that bastard doing here?” Jovan wondered.
“I have no idea. Doesn’t he usually go to the Drunken Gunner on the other side of Freyport?”
“Aye, he does.”
Nereyda groaned. “Wait, I think I might know why he’s here.”
“Why?”
Nereyda bit her lip.
“Did you do something to piss him off, Reyda?”
She gave him an innocent smile. “Me? You think I would do something to piss anyone off, let alone Flint?”
“I think you would do something especially if it pissed him off.”
Nereyda watched as Flint sauntered up to the bar. The bartender bristled at the burly pirate’s approach. She overheard him ask the barkeep, “I hear that the Storm Raven is back in port. Where might I find her captain?”
The bartender didn’t respond and just kept washing the glass in her hands.
“Are you going to speak to me? Or am I unwelcome in this establishment?” Flint asked in a gravelly voice.
“What is it that I can get you?” she asked, her eyes still on her task.
“First, get me a red ale. Next, tell me where I can find your favorite patron.”
“One red ale coming right up,” the young lady replied as she kept washing the mug without moving to get the drink order ready. “As to your second question, I don’t know who you’re talking about, sir. Every patron is our favorite.”
Flint lunged across the counter and knocked the mug out of the barkeep’s hands. The glass shattered as it hit the floor. The bartender jumped back and let out a yelp of surprise.
“You know exactly who I’m talking about. Where the hell is she?”
Nereyda slid out from her chair and snuck up behind Flint, then tapped him on the shoulder.
“I hear you’re looking for me,” she said.
He pushed up from the counter and turned around.
“Also, you’re being very rude to the staff.” She poked her finger into his chest. “I think you owe her for the mug you just broke.”
“I don’t owe her shit. And, speaking of people who owe things,” he said as he smacked her hand away, “you owe me a new rudder.”
“What’s wrong with your rudder? Did it break off when you tried to pilot up a river?”
He scowled. “I know it was you that broke it, whore.”
She held her hands up and shrugged. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. Why would I break your rudder?”
“You overheard my crew talking about that shipment of jewels, then decided to go take it for yourself.”
“Oh, that. Thanks for the tip, by the way.” She leaned in and placed her hand on Flint’s shoulder. “It was quite the score. It’s unfortunate that you had ship trouble. We made quite a bit of money from that.” She stepped back. “Although, if I remember right, I wouldn’t have even heard that tip or disabled your ship if you hadn’t tried to kidnap some poor girl.”
“What my crew does on my ship is my business. You’re going to give me half of what you got. If that doesn’t sound good, I know of another score. Hit it for me and bring me whatever they have.”
“So now I owe you a rudder and half of the loot we took? Someone is getting greedy. Why would I do that? And the idea of going out of our way to attack a ship just to give you everything is an even worse deal.”
Flint whistled and five more rough looking pirates walked into the bar from outside.
Nereyda gave a mocking huff. “You need five more of your guys to intimidate me?” She turned to the new faces. She didn’t recognize any of them, but she also didn’t care who they were. “How can you follow a captain who needs help dealing with a girl?”
“Don’t talk to them,” said Flint.
“Why? Are you worried that they’ll think I’m a better captain than you are? Don’t worry, I won’t steal them from you. They’re not exactly Storm Raven material.”
“You ruin my ship, steal our score, and now you mock me and my crew. Let’s settle this here and now.”
The five other pirates moved closer. Some of her own crew stood up and began to come over, but Nereyda waved them off.
“Six of you versus me hardly seems fair.”
“Now that you feel threatened, maybe you’ll back down.”
“What? I meant it hardly seems fair to you. Maybe one of you should go get some backup. Or just give me whatever information you have about that score and get the hell out of my bar.”
“This will be more than enough, I’m sure,” said Flint.
She stepped right up to Flint and stared into his eyes. “A real captain would face me on his own. You shouldn’t need your crew to beat someone like me. Let’s do this outside, captain versus captain.”
“Fine, but if I win, I get whatever you earned in your latest score, and you make this attack for me.”
“Sure, whatever.”
Nereyda strode toward the door of the tavern, with Flint right behind her. His men, then Jovan and the members of her crew followed.
Flint and Nereyda faced each other in the middle of the street, their respective
crews forming a circle around them.
Nereyda raised her hands in front of her face and assumed a stance that kept her light on her feet. Flint, who stood almost a foot taller than her, gave her a sneering smile. Despite his size advantage, Nereyda felt confident that she was faster. And smarter.
She said, “Go ahead.”
The larger captain wound up his right arm and threw it at Nereyda, who easily dodged it to her left.
He swung his left fist across at her.
Nereyda raised her right arm to block the blow, then she stepped inside his reach. With a lift of her leg, she drove her knee into his groin.
Flint grunted and doubled over.
With a second drive of her knee, she smashed his face as he bent over. Finally, she grabbed his shoulders and shoved him to the ground.
He lay in a heap, one hand holding his groin and the other clutching his bleeding face.
She reached down and found his wallet in his pockets. “This is for the mug.” Turning to the other members of Flint’s crew, she said, “Get your captain out of here. If you still want him to be your captain after getting his ass handed to him, that is.”
Three of the five pirates stepped forward to carry Flint away from the tavern. The other two quietly slipped off into Freyport, apparently embarrassed by their captain’s performance.
Nereyda sauntered back into the tavern, her crew behind her, and set Flint’s wallet on the bar. “This should more than cover your broken glass. And a round for the house, if you please, courtesy of Flint. Keep the extra coins for your trouble earlier.”
With a cheer, the crew of the Storm Raven got their drinks and got back to the important business of doing nothing of importance whatsoever.
“Captain,” called Brynja.
Nereyda turned around to see her first mate walking up with a piece of paper in her hand. “What do you have there?”
“It looks like some kind of map. I found it on the ground where you fought Flint.” Brynja handed it to Nereyda.
She spread it over the counter and looked down at it with Jovan and Brynja standing at either shoulder. Neatly drawn lines coursed over the parchment, far too neat for a map sketched by pirates. In the lower corner, she spotted the seal of the Cambisian Empire.
