Chapter Seven

“So this friend of yours boss he nearby?” Charlie asked.

“Of course, he is nearby. I told you we would be using his boat. We just have to get to the part of town that’s well more suited to our kind.” Rose replied tactfully.

“Who are we looking for, then?” Roy asked with a rye smile aimed toward Charlie to show what kind of questions to ask. Of course, Charlie didn’t understand the smile and took it as a look of superiority and began fuming and mumbling to himself.

“His name is Captain Edward Song. As for what he looks like, well, narcissism doesn’t begin to describe him. He dresses in finer clothes than most nobles and is quite pompous sometimes, to boot. He is definitely a true gentleman and holds true to honor among thieves, so he is very respected. In fact, it’s the only reason he is the only one to face Captain Thorn in our side, not that he is crazy enough to do so again. Trust me, you will know him when you see him.” Rose explained eagerly while leading the two through the twist and turns of back alleys.

As the day became evening, the three made their way through the Streets of Lindon, avoiding unwanted attention to the more seedier side of town. Buildings became more visible in disrepair, and most windows were boarded up. The deeper they went in, the more the air became foul. The presence of city guards became nonexistent and private games of chance were being played in side alleys. As dusk became twilight, no lamps were lit, and only illumination from doorways and lamps would show the way. A brightly lit up, mostly well-kept building filled with music and laughter stood in the darkness called The Prancing Kitten.

“Is this place what I think it is?” Roy asked with a strange look.

“It’s a bar and inn with accommodations, nothing more. The name is to attract idiots like you. Also, don’t harass the dancing girls, or well, you will see the guy guarding them.” Rose replied in a serious tone.

As the three walked in, nobody paid any mind to them; they might as well have been flies on the wall to the rowdy crowd that was attracted to this place. But as they went further in, what caught Charlie’s and Roy’s eyes was A garishly dressed man wearing a long smoky grey coat and matching waistcoat with the largest feather-plumed hat they had ever seen. Taking a closer look, the man was also extremely well groomed with long well, kept blonde hair and a well-trimmed goatee. This man, indeed, was a narcist. Compared to everyone else in here, who might as well have been wearing rags, he stood out like a prince upon paupers to the degree that he was sipping wine while others had a mysterious grog being served in a mug. The man who they were here to see seemed to notice them and merely tipped his hat to their boss, and they walked over and sat at his table.

“Ah, Rose, it has been too long. To what do I owe the pleasure?” Captain Edward said in a suave voice with slight annoyance in his tone.

“Edward Song! My good friend who owes me a rather big favor. That's what I’m here about.” Rose replied Bruskly.

“I was afraid of that. Is it really of all that importance? I’m really busy right now, and now is not a good time. So if it’s not life or death, please go away.” Captain Edward returned the comment hoping his friend would leave.

“Well, life or death is the situation I find myself in. But this favor comes with benefits to you.” Rose said, leaving bait for Edward to take.

“Go on, I’m listening,” Captain Edward replied with interest.

With that one sentence, Rose knew she had him. Now she just had to choose her words carefully. Rose explained the details of her predicament up till Lindon while staring daggers at her men. All the while, Captain Edward laughed at the story. It would have gone faster, but Charlie decided to give a history lesson on Knocks that, for some reason, Edward was entertained by, most likely the look of annoyance on Rose's face. Now came the real challenge.

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“So anyways, the boy got on a ship. … not just any ship … he got on The Devil’s Gambit.” Rose said with hesitation.

“Well, that was a good story. I wish you good luck, safe travels, Bon voyage even. Feel free to come visit me in the afterlife after I've died.” Captain Edward said, shooing them away.

“Wait a second, hear me out. I’m not crazy enough to try and take the boy off her ship, and neither are you. And I wouldn’t ask you to. My plan is to sail ahead of them and hire someone disposable not linked to us and bring him to us. You get to tell everyone that you took a passenger from the great Captain Victoria Thorn, giving you some vengeance as you drag her name through some mud, and we get the boy back. Plus, our client will pay you for helping us, and you get some great contacts with him.” Rose stated with some half-truths as she was extending to get more money out of her client for all the trouble and expenses this was costing her.

“Hmmm… this boy, yes… he must be the same boy that was seen being dragged off by that troublesome woman. The magic boy, if I don’t get paid, there are nobles lining up that want his secrets. The rumors of healing magic have already circled around, and well, knowledge is power. Plus, I keep tabs on her sailing routes, so I know where she is going, so it won’t be hard to get there first slightly uncomfortable but not hard. So what piece of the puzzle am I missing? I’m not a fool. Rose Street urchins aren't abducted on the seas. Nor are they held and then sent back hold to honor among thieves and tell me the truth or my ship won’t aid or anyone's ship for that matter.” Captain Edward said in a commanding voice.

With a defeated sigh, Rose was left with no choice but to tell the truth, leaving Captain Edward stunned at his friend.

“Are you a complete fool? Why did you take on this job? No, never mind that we must sail at once. Just by talking to me, you have implicated me in these nobles' nefarious plots. I have no choice but to help you and keep my neck from a noose and doing the hangman’s jig. After this, we are done no more favors; you get the retirement you desire but do not speak to me again. We will have pleasantries on this trip to be civil, but no more than that.” Captain Edward said as he stood from his table in anger, leaving some silver pieces on it and walking away.

While the bare necessities were being loaded, Roy’s brain started working as he looked at the ship that was in decent condition but had minimal crew and no cannons.

“Excuse me, but how are we going to beat her there? She left yesterday. Isn’t it impossible?” Roy asked in concern.

(Sigh) “Alright, I will explain; one time, you see, Captain Victoria has a massive Galleon for a ship with cannons and a full crew, maybe some paid passengers, plus the boy on top of all that, the ammo for the cannons and on top of all that what the ship is used for loading to max capacity at every port with trade goods and food for the trip along with medical supplies needed for the trip. While we have a modified Brigitiane, a smaller, slightly faster ship normally but removing the weight of cannons and running a small crew and no trade goods plus only bringing the bare minimum to make the trip makes us faster. Plus, I know secret travel routes, so that's how we will be there at least two days ahead of time as long as you don’t keep asking me questions.” Captain Edward said pointedly.

“I see, thank you,” Roy replied sheepishly and got to work loading the supplies.

“You got some good help with those two quite loyal.” Captain Edward said to Rose.

“I’m painfully aware. Which is why I haven’t killed them yet, no matter how mad they make me. Are we ready to leave yet?” Rose asked impatiently.

“It seems we are.” Captain Edward replied with a grin.

“Good, let's set sail,” Rose said as she boarded the ship.

To Rose, the journey across the sea seemed like an eternity. Staring out at an unending ocean, she sometimes wondered if this is what purgatory was like hearing her men sing off-tune sea shanties with pirates while being trapped with nowhere to go. What had led her to this moment, she came from a loving household with three siblings and just rebelled against her parents as a middle child landing her in trouble. Thinking on these thoughts, was it so easy to let your life snowball into chaos? Where would she be if she just behaved… well, not fearing for her life right now, for one. Shaking the thoughts out of her head and deciding if she got to start over, she was going to do it right, but for now, she had a job to do. As the port city of Kevo came into sight, Rose never seemed so happy and felt liberated from her captors, who couldn’t carry a tune even if a divine being tried to bless them with one. The now group of four searched the city for some hired hands for the job that needed to be done and were directed by some like-minded people to some desert bandits. Heading to their den, they were waved inside to make a deal with a rather unpleasant man. The man had the look of not having bathed in two weeks, and his hair was sparse; his teeth were yellow and only had half of them in random parts of his mouth. While not fat, the man was not in shape either, and his eyes looked jaundiced. He spoke in a low, raspy voice that grated the ears. In terms of everything about him just screamed oh, please, no.

“So if you have come to me, that must mean you need someone grabbed or to disappear.” The bandit leader said in his raspy voice.

“Umm… yes, we need you to grab a boy after he gets off the ship The Devil’s Gambit and bring him to us in the desert, where we will make the exchange. We want him unharmed and well taken care of, no marks, bruises or wounds,” Rose stated.

“Hmmm… That could be expensive but doable. But if you don’t show up, we will just sell the boy with the others.” The bandit leader said with an evil grin.

“Just send your man to get us when you get to this spot.” Rose said as she handed a small map with a location on it.” “Then give us a couple of days to come fetch him. We will make it worth your while. Rose finished with a look of assurance.

“Very well, I will be there personally to make sure it goes smoothly. We have other goods to take auction anyways. This spot looks like a good rest area to feed and water the goods.” (heh heh) The bandit leader chuckled darkly. “I will have some men keep an eye out for the boy. What does he look like?” The bandit leader inquired,

As Rose gave her description of the boy and what he was last wearing. She felt her current plan coming together, and the four-headed back to the ship to sail down the coast and wait.