The Pirate and His Siren

Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

KYNAN

I palm a handful of coins from the coffer on my desk. “Is that all?”

“Aye, Captain.”

My heart sinks, and I throw the coins back into the chest, making satisfying clinks as they hit the others. But it was only one full chest. We still have several other empty ones to fill.

“Fuck.” I sit back and lift my eyes to Leo Roberts, my quartermaster, and Varon Flinders, my first mate. I gaze at the two of them. Our skins are tanned from working on ships since our teenage years. Despite not a drop of blood shared between us, we are brothers all the same since we were all young lads on the cusp of our teenage years.

We’ve been that way since I caught two starving runaways pilfering the meager possessions I owned in the hovel of the tavern wall I used to sleep in. I took in their disheveled state and gaunt faces and found I couldn’t bring myself to berate either of them. Later, I was glad I hadn’t when I learned they’d come from a bad place.

Roberts never likes to talk about it. The terror of their time often reflects in the surface of his golden-brown eyes, but Flinders told me all about it the night we had our first taste of liquor. Rum is definitely too strong to give to a lad of fifteen.

The story sobered me up, and I made a vow that night I’d do anything I could for them.

Our little family grew in the form of our crew. But like most families, you can’t pick the ones you’re related to, and some of our crew can be less than savory. But as captain, I’m responsible for all of them, and these empty chests staring up at me aren’t looking after my men.

Pirating isn’t as profitable nowadays. It was more lucrative when races were trying to find their feet in the early days. Sailing the Bay of Udira has been profitable, but the bloody creation of the Nexian stopped all that.

Merchants would rather take days to travel over land than a short trip across the sea.

As if mimicking my thoughts, Flinders speaks, “I heard it’s gotten so bad that Jagger of the Lone Star is retiring. Sold his ship for parts.”

“Jagger is a rum-soaked idiot. Of course, he couldn’t make it,” I sneer.

“It ain’t just him, Captain. Loads of pirates are hanging up their hats, moving onto something else.”

“Aye? Like who?”

“Barnicus of the Wind Raider .”

“Barnicus,” I growled. “He’s our biggest rival.” I scratch my beard. “Though with him gone, things might go easier on us.” I eyed each of them. “Keep this between us for now. We don’t want the crew to catch wind of it.”

“Aye, Captain.”

I rise from my chair and round my desk to slap them on their shoulders. “We’ll figure it out, lads. We always do. Have I ever let you down?”

“No, Captain.” Despite our past, Roberts always insists he calls me Captain, even if we are in the privacy of my cabin. In his eyes, if he slips up and calls me Kynan in front of the crew, that could lead them to disrespect me. That was why he is perfect as my quartermaster. Becoming part of our original crew under Captain Anston and gaining the loyalty of the men was the escape Roberts needed to move on from his past. Being quartermaster allows him control over situations, something he so badly craves but didn’t realize. He doles out discipline on a daily basis.

Flinders, my first mate, is more laid back. He is the one the crew approaches if they have a complaint or aren’t fit to do their shift. He’s always first to share a laugh with each of them, happy to listen to their stories of life back home.

I can’t imagine my life without either of them.

The first thirteen years of my life were empty, and Captain Anston was the father figure the three of us needed.

Each day, I endeavor to follow in our old captain’s footsteps and give my men the same respect, trust, and loyalty. And to do that, I have to remain successful.

I need to do all I can to keep his ship afloat.

But what else can I do?

Stealing and plundering are all I have ever known since the day I learned to walk and talk.

Flinders’ question pulls me out of my thoughts. “Sorry, what was that?”

“I asked, Captain, if the lads can spend their share on shore?”

“Aye, divide this up and let them spend the ill-gotten gains. They earned it as much as we did. ”

Pirating isn’t an easy life. A lot is asked of us, especially living out at sea without much fresh water. When we board a merchant ship, it could be the last thing we do. What good is it if a pirate can’t enjoy their spoils?

My crew especially deserves every reward they get. And as captain, I need to allow them the opportunity to be rewarded.

We exit my cabin, Roberts moving to the main deck to supervise the preparations for the Deadly Destiny to dock.

I lean on the rail of the top deck, taking a moment to watch my men at their stations, knowing I can’t let any of them down.