Teaser for Chap. 14

“Beneath this part of the sea, there is rumored to be hundreds, perhaps even thousands of gold, jewels, shiny trinkets, powerful weapons, magic artifacts, and any other type of shit that would make you rival not only the noble families of Draegnar but help you even contend with the Lindengar estate,” I said.

Now, perhaps I should explain just a moment about what this meant. I don’t know jack shit about how nobles conduct themselves or whatever rankings they give themselves, but of all the nobles that I have met…or stolen from, the Lindengars are not that wealthy when compared to most noble houses outside of Draegnar. I know because Alteria doesn’t seem like she knows the name. One thing I have learned is that noble tend to remember those that they want to remember.

If the House of Balamar had never heard of the House of Lindengar then I think that can attest to how low on the scale the Lindengars actually are. However, for the citizens of Draegnar who have most likely never to keep a single gold coin in their pockets, the Lindengars might as well be servants of Olympus in their eyes.

That obviously be the case since that hungry look in the eyes of my crew suddenly grew in strength. Hell, I bet they all would have jumped into a volcano if I told them to.

“This part of the Graven Sea is known as…the Sea of Greed. Below here, there are many unholy creatures that would try to take your lives the instant you touch the waves. Call it the Sea of Greed because you’d have to be greedy to throw away your own life trying to obtain the fortunes which lay below,” I said.

My crew spoke not a word. I could see some contemplating what I was saying. Others looked over the side of the wooden rails. No doubt they were surveying just what they were dealing with. I could even see a glimmer of curiosity in Liara’s eyes. As far as her memories allowed me, I don’t think she had been beneath the waves in this particular spot.

Unfortunately, whatever the crew decided, I would still be diving down there. If I recall I had probably lost five to six men at this trial. Yet, I had come out of it with a grand amount of wealth. Of course, that wealth didn’t mean too much at the time since I had lost most of it and my men to Delverhold. Not...one of my best moments.

“Now, ya be in luck. Whether you decide to sail or not, I still have some business here. But, since you’re literally risking your own lives for your own fortune then…should you come back alive, whatever you find will be yours to keep. None on this shall lay claim to your booty but you. Dare you risk your life for greater fame? Dare you risk your life for greater glory? Dare you risk your life for greater treasures? Decide for yourselves,” I said.

While my crew spoke amongst themselves, I decided to make my way towards Liara. “Tell me Liara, by the great mind that you possess, do you remember the conversation we had about crypts?” I asked.

The rather pleasant, yet confident smile that Liara normally wears faltered for a moment. She stared at me as the grin on my face widened. “Tis not so easy to forget. Why do you ask?” She questioned.

Her eyes stared into mine and a grinned. “If by chance I retrieve a clue to your ten dreams from beneath the waves, shall I gain more of your favor?” I asked.

Her wizened eyes continued to stare into mine. She smiled. “Was your time with my guard not enough to sate you?” she returned. I could tell that the way she asked this was in some way an attempt to trap me. Had I answered yes, then what would I have needed to ask the question for? If I answered no, then that would make it seem like I did not value what I had borrowed.  Diane was Liara’s possession after all.

“Were you sated when you opened three or four tomes?” I asked before I moved away. I could feel her immortal gaze upon me as I waited for the rest of my crew to speak amongst themselves.

My attention was diverted for a moment when I saw Aesteal already shedding off most of her attire. Of course, this little strip show wasn’t lost on most of the men, and even some of the women, who openly fondled my bonded elf with their eyes. I even had to put my head down when some of those gazes directed themselves at Maeloson. Although I had to admit, his skin was pretty…well, I could see why some men would wish to bed him.

Anyway, I gritted my teeth. I need not worry for Aesteal. She was a capable elven warrior. Surely she had faced such dangers like these before.

Aside from that, I could feel the effects of my bonding with Aesteal corrupting my thoughts. I was aware of the dangers of the sea. No one was exempt from their rage, but…I found I did not wish for her to be a victim of their embrace. Her, my mother, Ellen, I would have preferred them all to stay on the boat as I watched them undress. I wondered if my age was turning me senile or sentimental.

Anyway, after ten minutes everyone voted. By the majority of the ship, we would be getting wet and diving into the sea for treasure, and through the jaws of ferocious beasts. I slowly nodded and exhaled. “Since you’ve all made your choice then I’ll drive these few rules into your damn head. Forget them and consider your miserable lives forfeit!” I said.

You’d think a group of bastards and bitches couldn’t hold a resolute glare like the ones I was seeing, but it impressed me that they could. I stabbed a knife into the side of the wooden railing. “You’ve got eight hours. Do as much or as little diving as you wish. Either way, you better be back on this ship by the time the moon clings to the sky. Next, no squabbling. If you touched it first then it be yours. You’ve got enough shit on your plate surviving the beasts without worrying about your own crew mates,” I said.

Everyone agreed.

“Lastly, whatever you do, do not shed your blood. One drop falls from your body and you are a dead man. I will aide you as best I can, but I ain’t Poseidon. I ain’t all-seeing in the water. If you’re not back on the ship by the time we're done then I will leave you. Understood?” I asked.

Ah, one might ask why all of this be necessary. One might question why there would even be a need to take such a gamble instead of merely sailing for Delverhold, but…that is where the true essence of a pirate lies. These men and women, all of them poor fuckers who might as well be walking skeletons desired the grandest riches and the privileges of life that most never get. This is not some pirate game that the ratbags play in the daylight of the Draegnar streets. This be a place wrought with danger. How could you be a pirate if you were not willing to do unreasonable shit?

“AYE AYE CAPTAIN!” they all said.

I jumped to the ship’s railing. My mother, Ellen, Maeloson, and Aesteal, they were all getting ready to follow me. I exhaled. Heh, a mighty captain fearing for the lives of his crewmates. I see that even a salty dog like me hasn’t changed.

I sucked in my legs and I…jumped.