The sun had been fully set for some time when Nathaniel and Tabitha arrived at the row of townhouses. Nathaniel breathed easier but still kept a nervous eye on his surroundings. He disliked being out in the city at night. Even though he spent half his life flying among pirates, he never felt as unsafe as he did in a port after dark. On a ship he knew everyone and everyone knew him. Disputes were settled quickly, anyone who threatened the smooth operation of the ship would receive swift, often brutal, discipline at the hands of the quartermaster.

In a city, however, everyone was a stranger. Pickpockets could be anywhere, any sailor caught by himself could be robbed at knifepoint, a group of men leaving a shift in the factories was indistinguishable from a gang looking to make a name for themselves. Sailors were instructed to stick together while on leave but it was not unusual for sailors to disembark and never be seen again, their crewmates left to wonder if they jumped ship, ended up in prison for some crime or another, or if they met a more sinister end. Some pirates, tongues loosened by drink, would openly boast of illegal deeds in a tavern and be turned over to the Royal Navy for whatever reward could be acquired. Always, in every city, there were those who would prey on newcomers and strangers and always there were whispered stories of body snatchers who would kill a man to sell his corpse to surgeons or anatomists to hone their respective crafts.

"That should be the one," Tabitha said, gesturing at one of the many nearly identical doors, "and I can see a light in the window so he should still be awake."

The pair made their way up the steps and Tabitha knocked on the door. A few moments pass and the door opened to a man around the same age as Nathaniel. His clothes weren't particularly fancy but still nicer than anything Nathaniel had ever worn. He held up an oil lantern to examine his visitors.

"Tabitha?" he asked in surprise.

"Good evening, Captain Johnston. Can we come in? My companion and I need to ask you a favor."

Johnston hesitated for a moment before nodding and standing aside. Nathaniel and Tabitha entered and were lead into a small den lit by a fireplace. A half-empty glass of some dark liquid and a book were resting on a table by a chair next to the fireplace.

"Tabitha, please take my seat and let me know what favour it is you need of me," Johnston said, placing his oil lantern on a small stand next to the chair. Tabitha made her way to the chair and took Johnston's arm as he lowered her onto the seat.

"Thank you, sir." Tabitha said, leaning forward and placing a kiss on the man's cheek. Nathaniel knew what her profession had been for all the years he knew her, a simple kiss should not make him jealous, yet seeing Tabitha's face linger next to another man's for even a few seconds made him feel strange in a way he didn't fully understand.

"But before we get down to business, a drink," the man said as he straightened himself and made his way over to a shelf containing several large bottles. Tabitha glanced at Nathaniel for a moment before turning her eyes away to the fireplace. What was that expression on her face? Was she embarrassed showing affection to another man in front of him?

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Johnston picked up a glass cup and a heavy bottle, poured a drink and held it out. Nathaniel reached to grab the glass when Johnston swung the bottle and it connected hard with the side of Nathaniel's head. He was on the floor now, he didn't even remember falling. Dazed, he rolled onto his back. He saw a fist and then everything went black.

When Nathaniel awoke his head throbbed. He felt something in his mouth. Cloth? He tried to move but his hands and feet were bound tight. He was in some sort of rough wooden crate.

"Ah, good, you're awake," said a man's voice and Johnston's face appeared above Nathaniel. "I was beginning to think I hit you too hard. Tabitha wanted to speak to you before I took you away."

Nathaniel's head hurt too much to think. Tabitha's face appeared in the opening of the crate, her red hair hanging low and framing her face, her lips were tight and her eyes cold.

"I hate you," she said, her voice devoid of all warmth. It was so different from her usual lively tone that Nathaniel blinked in surprise. "I hate you, and all your kind." she continued. "I didn't want this life. I was supposed to be married, I was supposed to be happy, but your kind took everything from me."

The cold, calm of her voice sent a chill down Nathaniel's spine. "I was engaged, you know. Before. I was travelling by airship with my parents and fiancé when a storm blew our ship off course, separated us from our convoy. Pirates attacked us. We weren't even trying to fight back but they murdered us in cold blood. I saw everyone I loved in this world killed right before my eyes. They took some of us prisoner to sell. The things they did to us... well, I wasn't entirely unprepared for the kind of work Madam Vivienne had in mind for me." She paused for a moment, eyes full of contempt as she stared down at the bound man before her.

"She got me cheap, Vivienne. Infection had set in my legs, wounded during the attack, so the good Madam got a discount when she 'rescued' us girls from the pirates. By the time we made it back to Robert's Anchorage they were turning gangrenous. She made me a deal, she'd pay for the surgeon and prosthetics if I agreed to work for her until my debt was repaid. For five years I worked for that woman, being leered at on stage by men like you, pawed and groped and washing your filth off me once you've had your fun."

Nathanial tried to speak but all he could manage through his gag were muffled grunts. Tabitha ignored him and continued to speak, no hint of emotion in her voice.

"And then you come along tonight, thinking you were different from any of the other men who bought time in my bed. You used me just like all the rest. Well, except for Captain Johnston here," Tabitha said, raising her eyes to look at the other man. "He'd pay for a night with me and all we'd do is talk, or read, or just sleep quietly. Wouldn't even take me when I offered. A true example of gentlemanly conduct for a Royal Navy officer. I'd tell him whatever rumors I learned, men love to boast, trying to impress me with their crimes, and the good Captain would make sure justice found them one way or another."

Tabitha paused for a moment. "You could have left at any time, you had a choice and you chose to stay. I didn't, if I even thought of leaving without paying back Vivienne... well, I can leave now." With that her face disappeared from view. Nathaniel could her the sound of her legs growing faint as Captain Johnston stepped away and returned a moment later with a bottle in one hand and a rag in the other.

"Well, it's time we got you out of here," Johnston said as he tipped the bottle over into the rag. "We've got a bit of a ride ahead of us and I would like to get back before I lose too much sleep tonight."

Nathaniel inhaled as deep as he could when he saw the rag coming towards him. With no other options he held his breath and struggled fruitlessly against his restraints. The rag was held firm against his face, a sickly sweet smell wafting into his nostrils. A swift blow to his gut forced the breath from his lungs and Nathaniel, against his will, inhaled deeply. He felt dizzy, the room was spinning, then everything went black.