Alessandra's POV

"Darius! Get ready to board the ship," I shout. The ship beside The Tainted Dragon had valuable cargo on it. 

I draw my sword, the metal ringing. Taking hold of the rope, I swing over to the other ship. While my crew engaged the sailors, I make my way below deck. 

It had no crates or barrels with anything valuable inside. "What..." I mumble to myself. 

The boards creak behind me, and I spin around just in time to block an attack. 

"Who are you," he asks, holding his rapier up defensively. 

I smirk, "Captain Alessandra at your service." 

He goes pale and mumbles, "Queen of the Southern Seas..." 

"Right you are! Now, I believe it's only fair that I know your name," I say. 

"Crown Prince Brennon of Pliatho," he hisses. 

"Ah! What a powerful man you are," I smile. 

He slowly lowers his guard, and I take the opportunity to kick the sword from his hand. I push my sword up to his neck, "but you're so powerless now."

He flicks his green eyes around the area, looking for any sign of help. 

"My crew has them occupied. Where's the gold," I drop my smile. 

"Hold on," he yelps, "Do you know what will happen to you if you kill me?" 

"I demand to know where that gold is," I press my sword harder against his neck. 

"It's in a barrel," he points at a barrel in the corner. 

I gesture with head for him to go over there, "open it." 

He does as I tell him, and I keep the sword on his back. When he gets it open, I see it filled to the brim in gold. 

I smirk, "you're coming with us." 

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"What! Why!" 

"The answer to that is for me to know," I explain. 

"My father will kill you!"

"I don't plan on killing you. You're just the means to an end, sweetheart," I push him to top deck. 

Jay approaches me, blood splattered on his face, "all dead, Captain." 

"Crew's status," I ask, tying rope on the prince. 

"1 injured. No dead." 

"Good. There's a barrel filled with gold below. Let's put it on the ship. Look for any drink while you're at it, yeah?" 

I look at the prince, "how's it feel? To have your crew slaughtered?"

He grins cruelly, "I didn't even know their names." 

I turn him to face my body and slap him. 

"Only humans are capable of cruelty," I breathe out, "that's why the dragons are in hiding." 

------

"Are you finished yet," Brennon asks, annoyed. His short black hair was wet from his sweat. 

I had spent the last hour trying to get information out of this stupid man. So far, he hadn't given me any. 

I pull of my navy blue overcoat off and smirk, "not even close." 

"Why do you even bother? I'm not telling you anything," he relaxes in his chair, slightly pulling at the ropes. 

"Fine. You can rot down here for all I care," I grab my coat and sword. 

I turn to leave, but he shouts, "Wait!"

I grin and turn around, "what?" 

"My father will trade anything you want for me. All you have to do is give me to him," he rushes out. 

"Anything?" 

"Anything." 

"Time to have some fun," I chuckle.

------

"I'm not taking a human being," I argue. 

"That's what he's offering, plus the 10,000 gold you asked for," Jay explains. 

"Gods... Why is he offering this man," I rub my forehead. 

"I don't know, but he won't give us the money unless we take the man."

"Ithiel wouldn't approve," I say seriously. 

"He'll have to accept it. We're not breaking any of his values. Only when we disrespect the sea, is when they're broken them," Jay explains.

I sigh, "okay, but I'm not keeping him as a slave. Prepare a room." I walk out to the deck. 

"Looks like you're going home soon," I hiss at Brennon, "just so you know, it's at the cost of another." 

He just shrugs, "and that's my problem why?" 

I swear colorfully under my breathe, "you don't deserve your position." 

"You don't get to tell me what I deserve." 

"Oh really? I could just drop you over the side of my ship right now and be done with you," I grab his chin roughly. 

"Fine. Tell me what you want. I don't care," he squeaks, and I release him.

"This'll be fun. How about I start with your father killing innocent people? Or when he hunted dragons to near extinction? Should I continue," I barely hide my anger. 

"That's the second time you mentioned dragons. What do they mean to you," he stares into my eyes. 

"That's none of your concern," I look into the distance. 

"Are you a dragon tamer? Were your parents?" 

This man sure knows how to annoy someone. 

"No. Leave it alone." 

"Okay. Okay," he laughs.

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