Chapter Two
LOCH
I grip the rails of my ship and ash sloughs off, floating into the wind.
Nerves always infiltrate me when we dock.
Land makes me restless, but it can’t be helped.
Men rush around me, shoring up lines and such.
They’re more than ready to drink, carouse, and fuck.
I won’t participate in the first two, but I wouldn’t mind the last one.
As long as they don’t get attached. I’m no longer searching for anything beyond one night.
Even if I was, I doubt anyone would choose to be stuck on a pirate ship.
Not that I would condemn someone else to live out this cursed life with me.
“Captain, we’re almost there. Anything else?” My first mate, Smitty, bounces on the balls of his feet. I give him a deadpan stare. “Other than leaving some behind. Nock isn’t very happy drawing the short straw.”
“He going to cause problems?”
He shakes his head. “Maybe later, but not tonight. Worst he’ll do is sneak ashore.”
“And Arnin?”
“Boy is ridiculously upbeat. He thinks Nock’s going to teach him how to gamble.”
“Doubt that’ll happen. He’s thirteen, though. We learned long before that,” I murmur.
“If he doesn’t figure things out soon, we’re going to have to give him over to Mott.” He glances around, probably looking for the kid.
“The fuck we will. He’ll eat him alive, then toss him overboard just to see if he’ll float. Get out of my face,” I growl. Mott comes across gruff, but he’s not bad. Keeps things interesting, at least.
Smitty rolls his eyes, the saunters away, and I fight a grin.
I inhale deeply, the tangy salt from the sea infiltrating my senses.
The smell used to bring a calming presence.
These days it merely fills me with dread.
It represents everything I once thought I had and everything I’ve lost. I used to love the sea.
Now I’m cursed to sail for all eternity.
Well, not quite, but it might as well be.
Nothing could make me fall for the lies of another woman.
Most of the sailors are off the ship and wobbling along the dock before the gangplank is fully secure, anxious for the night to begin.
It seems this particular village has a festival and it’s in full swing.
It’ll be easy to hide away in these crowds.
Perhaps I’ll find someone eager for me to slip into their folds.
I nod to Nock and the kid as I make my way ashore.
The transition from sea to land isn’t as extreme for me as the others.
I’ve been doing this much longer than them.
They’re lost souls, placed in my care for a short time to pay their debt.
Eventually, one leaves and another takes their place.
They’re not dead, per se. It’s almost as if they’re in limbo.
I suppose the same could be said for me.
I weave in and out of the crowd, searching for a tavern away from the main road.
I don’t like to be in the thick of things where there’s a chance of running into any of my crew.
They don’t need to feel like I’m looking over their shoulder, and they sure as hell don’t need to know what I’m doing. I’ll never hear the end of it.
Sliding onto a stool, I gesture to the man behind the bar, and he brings me a pint.
Ale slips down my parched throat, easing the nerves in my gut.
I’m not used to being among this many people.
I spin in my seat and survey the patrons as a live band plays in the corner.
They’re not bad for only two fiddles and a makeshift drum.
Everyone seems to be with someone else and I resign myself to merely enjoying the night.
“In town for long?” The barman asks as he cleans a glass.
“Only the night. You have room?”
“You’re in luck. I have one left.”
“I’ll take it, then.” I drop a gold coin into his palm, and he raises an eyebrow, yet doesn’t question it.
“No trouble.”
I nod and give him what I hope is a reassuring smile.
While he knows I’m a pirate, he also won’t turn down my gold.
It’s better than whatever currency they’ve cooked up here.
As long as I don’t cost him more than I’ve given him, we’ll be fine.
I add another coin, and tension bleeds from his shoulders.
“Any food? Or do I need to venture out?” The thought has a shudder rolling through me.
“Just stew and bread. All we got during festivals or we can’t keep up. Ned, by the way.”
“Loch.”
His eyes widen the slightest bit, and I wonder if my name has actually made it this far.
Once I’ve ordered, he walks away, and I go back to gazing at the crowd.
I doubt anyone will sneak up on me, but I won’t take any chances.
A woman at the end of the bar catches my eye.
It could be because she has the shiniest black hair I’ve ever seen.
Or it could be her laugh lifting over the other voices.
In reality, it’s her animated conversation with the barmaid.
I couldn’t fathom what they’re talking about. Suppose it’s none of my business.
When Ned joins them and glances at me, I realize I might be wrong. I have a feeling I’m about to get dragged into this woman’s affairs whether I like it or not.