When the pirate leader Caspar stepped onto the deck of the Windfeather, he couldn’t help but feel smug.
The merchant ship’s captain was quite experienced, and after discovering them, his reaction had been swift. If this had been before, it might have taken the Blood Shark half a day of chasing to even catch up to the Windfeather’s stern.
But now that Caspar had hired a wind-element mage at great expense, the situation was completely different. Compared to a merchant ship, the Blood Shark at full speed was like the difference between an adult and a child in a race.
Mages rarely agreed to stay long-term on ships.
If all that was needed was a mage to make fresh water, then even a low-level mage could do the job. But if the goal was to keep the sails filled with wind, at least a Gold-ranked mage was required.
Life on a ship was harsh, and beyond that, a mage’s advancement required a quiet environment for meditation and access to knowledge for spell study—things one could never find at sea.
Generally speaking, only mages who had abandoned advancement, or who were desperately short on money, would choose to serve on ships. Even then, they would join legitimate, well-established vessels. Ordinary merchant ships like the Windfeather rarely hired mages, and pirates almost never.
Caspar, however, had only just taken over the Blood Shark when he managed to bring aboard a wind mage. The man had been persuaded only because he was a wanted fugitive. Caspar took this as a sign of heaven’s favor. Everything pointed to his luck finally turning.
Boarding across ships carried risks, so Caspar didn’t let the mage come with them. Instead, he only brought his first mate, second mate, and over thirty men. Thanks to an insider, he already knew the Windfeather’s strength, and these men were more than enough.
Captain Gerhard of the Windfeather and his sailors gathered at the edge of the deckhouse. Though they had already raised the white flag, none of them put down their weapons. Clearly, they hadn’t fully surrendered yet and were still hoping to bargain.Caspar wasn’t in a hurry. This ship was already in his grasp.
One pirate, bold and sharp-eyed, swaggered into the sailors’ ranks. He casually picked up a stool as tall as a barrel, hefted it in his hand, and was surprised at how light it was.
Lin Jun & Dylan: ??
The surrounding sailors tensed, many tightening their grips on their curved sabers. But the pirate acted as if he didn’t see them, deliberately parading in front of them before fawningly placing the stool under Caspar.
When the arrogant pirate walked away, the sailors’ morale visibly collapsed.
Dylan stretched out a hand but couldn’t think of a reason to stop the pirate. He could only watch in horror as Caspar sat down heavily.
Caspar gave his subordinate a satisfied look. Bold and clever—exactly the kind of man he needed. The position of boatswain just happened to be vacant…
But was it his imagination, or was the stool a little soft?
To avoid giving himself away, Scout Puji strained to hold himself rigid.
Caspar shifted his weight slightly, again feeling like it was only his imagination.
Of course, even if the stool were made of paper, in this situation he had to keep sitting. Otherwise, the pressure he’d just built up would be wasted.
And the effect was indeed excellent.
Seeing the sailors’ fearful faces, even First Mate Gallon’s eyes darted nervously, offering no deterrence. At last, Captain Gerhard was forced to step forward.
“Men of the Blood Shark, this ship is carrying Breath of Forgetfulness for Lord Glosa. We are willing to hand over one-third of the cargo in exchange for safe passage!”
Glosa—one of the three great slavers of the islands, and master of Silversand Bay, which was also Dylan’s ultimate destination. Breath of Forgetfulness was a drug commonly used to train slaves.
Dylan looked at the captain in surprise. He hadn’t known the Windfeather was working for Glosa.
Gerhard had spoken Glosa’s name because even pirates followed certain rules. Many pirate leaders were tied, in one way or another, to the three great slavers.
When raiding other ships, they showed no mercy. But if the vessel belonged to one of the other two slavers, they would only take a quarter of the cargo.
It was both a method for the great slavers to crush upstart forces in the islands, and a way to avoid open conflict among themselves.
The Windfeather’s captain offered a third because the Blood Shark had come on too fiercely, ignoring the usual process. Uncertain of their intentions, he decided it was safer to pay more to avoid disaster.
But Caspar only sneered. “A third? You think that’s enough to fob me off?”
“What do you want then?” Gerhard forced his voice steady, though his unease was plain. He was ready to accept even if Caspar demanded half.
“I want it all.”
“You mean to break the rules?”
Caspar grinned wide. “Not just all the cargo. I want the ship. And I want every one of you.”
“You… you mean to start a war? Where’s Wright? I want to ask him face to face!”
Dylan and the passengers didn’t know who Wright was, but the Blood Shark pirates clearly did.
They exchanged glances—then burst out laughing.
Caspar grew even more arrogant. “That coward Wright is already fish food. The Blood Shark is mine now. And Glosa? So what? I’ll rob Glosa’s ship if I please!”
“Bullshit!” Gerhard knew there was no hope of peace. He raised his sword and shouted to his men, “Pick up your weapons! If you don’t want to end up slaves tortured to death, then fight!”
The sailors—and even some passengers—tightened their grips on their weapons. The pirates clearly had no intention of sparing them.
Gerhard pointed his blade at Caspar. “Don’t push me! If we fight, this cargo won’t survive!”
He was Gold-ranked. Even if he couldn’t win, if he set his mind to it he might still sink the ship and force mutual destruction.
In this situation, that was his only threat.
Caspar watched the Windfeather’s captain coldly. Then he raised his right hand. Everyone stared, wondering what he meant.
When Caspar clenched his fist, a dagger suddenly pierced Gerhard’s chest!
“Gallon?”
The first mate’s strike had been aimed at the heart. But Gerhard, Gold-ranked, reacted at the last instant and shifted his body, barely avoiding instant death. Even so, the wound was grave.
His furious counterattack was easily dodged by the prepared Gallon. Before anyone else could react, Gallon rushed to Caspar’s side and bowed. “Lord Caspar, as you ordered.”
“Good, good!” Caspar clapped him on the shoulder. “Not only did you drop the signal beacons along the way, you solved this big problem too. This time, the credit is yours. I’ll make sure to recommend you to the master when we return!”
At that, Gallon couldn’t help but smile broadly.
“Gallon! You’ve followed me for eight years!” Gerhard spat blood, cursing furiously from the ground.
“Don’t put it that way, Captain. We’re all just out here for money. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being careless.” Gallon’s tone was light, without the slightest guilt.
“You—!” Gerhard coughed up another mouthful of blood. Trembling, he pulled out a vial of life potion and gulped it down.
The pirates, of course, weren’t going to give him time to recover.
Caspar waved his hand. “Take them all—”