Chapter 2 #2
They were far west, and Tortaya was the last good port pirates could go to before the only option was Austaine, which was the mainland behind Tortaya. The western king paid little mind to what happened in Tortaya, as its business usually benefitted him.
It was a safe haven for pirates and criminals. Trade was popular because everything stolen was sold there. Rosetta would be able to buy everything she could possibly want and need.
“Go to Tortaya on your own while I go to Little Cape?” His tone seemed disgruntled before his brows drew together further, creasing his forehead.
Rosetta gave a small laugh. “I’ve been there so many times, I’ve lost count.”
Going after the Laughing Siren had been her longest journey from Tortaya, and the only other long journey she’d taken that matched it was right after she’d escaped Theodore, her now-dead husband.
At the time, she and Naeem had hopelessly wandered the seas, jumping from port to port in disguise. Knowing she’d been the one to kill Theodore still made her heart soar with glee, even after so many months.
Alister grimaced and rubbed his stubble once more, like he was agitated. “You could go to another port instead of Tortaya.”
Rosetta frowned at his tone. Is he upset with the location? That made little sense to her.
Seeming to sense her disquiet, he added, “It’s pretty dangerous there.”
“I know it like the back of my hand, and I’ll have my men with me.
” She turned her face back to him with a sombre expression, to see his was crinkled into one she didn’t understand.
His brows were furrowed in deep lines, and his jaw gritted so tightly the muscles pulsed on either side.
Even the bridge of his nose was bunched.
“I trust my crew. Those against me are dead, and I know the ones I have now won’t leave my employ, even if I dock. ”
“I know the face you’ve got on you.” He pointed his index finger at her. “You’re going to do this regardless of what I say.”
Once more, she turned her head to the side, this time with a huff of annoyance. She sharply folded her arms across her chest.
“Yes,” she answered curtly.
“Fine, lass,” he sighed out, before walking to stand next to the bed. “To Tortaya we go.”
“Wait...” Her folded arms loosened, and she whipped her head back around to meet his gaze. “We? You’re going to come?”
“Aye, I’ll come.” A squeak burst from her when he suddenly picked her up to cradle her smaller form in his big arms. “I should sell the loot we’ve collected, and I have a feeling that I’ll need to keep an eye on you, so you don’t cause more chaos.”
“What are you doing?”
He started walking with her, one arm under the crook of her knees and the other around her back, but he’d never picked her up like this before!
“Can’t have you catching another cold again.” He chuckled at her in the hip-high water near the door. “You’re useless when you’re sick. Now, do you mind? Your hands are free, mine aren’t.”
Considering he was keeping her dry, she did what he wanted without argument and twisted the door handle. Once she opened the door, he carefully walked her through the doorway.
Rosetta realised just how sunken the ship was.
Alister had to walk them to the poop deck behind the upper level, since it was the only place that wasn’t completely submerged, including most of the railing.
The water looked remarkably light blue above the ship, while around it was that deep, yawning colour showing the depths beneath it.
“Swing us a rope, lads,” he yelled to the men of her ship while placing her feet on the railing above the water.
He held her up with one hand against her back, so she didn’t fall, and caught the rope flung to him with the other. Then he handed it to her and spanked her arse with a such a heavy hit, she winced.
“Off you go.”
Once the bottom of her boots hit the hull of the Laughing Siren, she started climbing up the side as her men pulled her up by the rope to help.
After she climbed over the railing, she turned back to watch Alister wading through the water to get to his ship on the other side. He may have had to push a dead soldier floating in the water out of his way as he went.
Rosetta turned to her crew, most of whom were on the main deck waiting for her.
She gave them the biggest grin she had. “To Tortaya, boys! My shout!”
A whooping chorus of cheers rang out.
Alister had summoned all his men to the surface so he could speak with them. He towered above on the quarterdeck of his ship and placed his elbows on the railing, leaning against it.
“We’ve got a new heading, lads,” he said, eyeing them over. “We’ll be detouring to Tortaya before we go to Little Cape.”
“Does that mean we’ll be selling our loot and getting more of our wages?” Kent asked below.
“Aye, that’s the idea.” He crossed his wrists while he spoke. “We’ll be spending a few days there, so prepare yourselves because I won’t be touching a port for a long time afterwards.”
“What about the Laughing Siren?” another person asked.
Their heads turned to the ship sailing beside them but slightly behind.
The Howling Death was always in the lead. There was often a battle in trying to maintain the right speed, since his ship was faster than hers. He eyed the few sails furled to slow them down. He didn’t mind having to lessen his pace, as he enjoyed every moment he was on the seas.
“They’ll be joining. We’ll be resupplying while we’re there.
Everyone will be required to help bring the cargo to the surface when we arrive, but after that, you will be free to do what you want for the few days we’re there.
Those of you who choose to stay near the ship and help sell the loot we’ve collected will earn additional wages.
I need ten men, so sort that out amongst yourselves.
That also goes for those who stay behind to guard the ship. ”
Excited chatter erupted from the crew. Those who were new and didn’t understand what it meant to dock at Tortaya were informed about it.
“Do I have any naysayers?” Not that he cared.
“To Tortaya!” was the answer he received, before roaring cheers echoed behind it.
Excellent. “Back to your stations.”
Alister pushed off from the railing and turned to Derek manning the helm. “Turn her to land; that’s our new heading.”
“Aye, Cap’n,” he answered with a nod, immediately turning the wheel.
He knew these waters and their location just as much as Alister did. Derek would lead the beginning of the two-day trip.
As the crowd of men dispersed, Alister started making his way down the stairs so he could head below deck, intending to check the stocks.
He wanted to get a rough calculation of what everything was worth.
Eventually, Alister would make his way to the Laughing Siren to know what kind of supplies they would need to buy.
He had a couple days, so he wasn’t in any real haste to complete his task. He’d probably do it a few times just to make sure all his calculations were correct.
As expected, Pierre came up beside him.
“I’m surprised you’re intending to dock, considering we don’t need to,” Pierre commented as they walked through the halls.
“Rosetta’s idea,” he answered, peeking at the man who knew to walk on the side of him that wasn’t blind. He hated when anyone walked on his blind side. In fact, he wished the world on that side would just disappear completely.
Only being able to see from one eye had been disorientating and was a challenge to adjust to when it first happened. He still hated that it made him vulnerable.
“And you’re doing what she wants?”
“Aye. We need more supplies, and she was going to make port with or without us. I’d rather be there to make sure we get the things we need.”
It wasn’t that Alister didn’t trust her to make the right decisions; it’s just that what they viewed as important could be completely different.
She’d probably forget to get enough booze. That’d upset his men.
“But Tortaya, Alister?” The tone in his voice gave away his concern as they rounded into the cargo holding area.
The space was filled with carpets, household items, and anything relatively low in price, unless it was large. Anything small and valuable was kept in the safe Pierre guarded. That was his job as Alister’s first mate, and only they had the keys.
As much as he valued Derek, Alister only held real trust in Pierre. Pierre rarely argued with him or told him he was making the wrong decision. Being older, Derek thought he knew best, and that often grated on Alister’s nerves. Annoying old sea dog.
“Aye, Tortaya. Got a problem with that?” He raised his brow, surprised Pierre, of all people, would have an issue.
“Nay.” The man gave a wide grin filled with dark intentions. “We haven’t ported since we were left at Dunecaster. I’m excited to have a woman beneath me again.”
“Then what’s with your tone?”
Alister crouched down and started counting how many bars of soap they’d stolen, then the perfume. The count was correct, but their worth was an estimate, especially since they were of varying quality.
I need to make sure I separate what’s cheap and what’s high quality before we dock. The men could get it all wrong and mix it together. That would cost him, and losing coin uselessly was a sure-fire way to enrage Alister.
“You’re bringing Rosetta with us.” His cheerful face fell into a thoughtful one as he placed his hands on his hips and bent closer to Alister’s crouched position. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? We could head to a different port to get everything we need.”
Alister brought his gaze away from the candlesticks he’d been going through to look up at Pierre, who was standing there, being unhelpful. He noted that concern once more filled his first mate’s features.
“Aye, should be fine.” He turned back to his task. I already tried to convince her to go to a different port, and I know she’s too stubborn to change her mind once she’s set on something. “Lass already told me she understands.”
“And you believe her?” The dark chuckle Pierre gave had a mocking hint to it. “Women always say they understand, until it’s happening, and then they suddenly don’t like it.”
“Then that’s her problem,” Alister answered dryly, shrugging his large shoulders.
Tortaya was a pirate stronghold. It was an island not too far from the mainland, a safe haven from Queen Mary Anne and her fleet, the sword in the alliance between herself and the king of the western shores.
It was rumoured she controlled him due to her wealth, power, and reach.
However, not even her fleet ships could dock – Tortaya would fire its cannons until they sunk.
Bounty hunters still roamed those streets, but they weren’t the ones to be afraid of. It was other pirates and criminals looking to make a quick buck by completing bounties.
The city was large and overpopulated, and every minute was a party, regardless of the location of the sun. Drunks stumbled in the streets, and almost every woman was a prostitute, or at least a criminal herself. Those who weren’t were just simple maids.
“And what about her?” Pierre asked, making Alister’s head turn to give him a warning stare filled with so much menace it’d frighten a rabid beast. The ‘her’ Pierre was talking about was a prostitute on Tortaya Alister often visited. “If they discover each other...”
“That won’t happen,” Alister answered with unwavering confidence.
He wouldn’t let it happen. He couldn’t.
Pierre threw his hands up in defeat. “Alright, if you’re sure.”
“Aye, I am.” He grabbed the man by the scruff of his shirt and yanked him to his knees. They both thudded against the ground, and Pierre gave an annoyed grunt, which Alister pointedly ignored. “Now, help check the stocks before I gut you, you lazy sod.”