Blue Moon Sapphire (working title)

1

         Eva counted out the coins and paid the vendor with a smile. The shipment had made it to port and they had just made a pretty penny on the lot. All the other goods had been carted off to the ship, but she couldn’t pass up the flowers. They’d been at sea for six straight months and she needed a bit of home to take back with her this time. She was certain the Captain wouldn’t mind. He was only her husband after all.

         “Will you return soon, Mrs. Porter,” the vendor asked as she handed over the blue tulips to Eva.

         “The Captain says there’s a job far off to the north so I don’t expect so, no.”

         “And the little one doesn’t mind?”

         Eva smiled thinking about her baby boy, Johnny, safe back on the ship with the crew. “No, he’s too much like his father. Thank you for these.”

         “Of course. Always a pleasure, Mrs. Porter,” the old woman bowed her head and watched the woman head down the lane.

         Eva was nearing the docks when she began to feel like she was being watched. A prickling on the back of her neck told her they were close. The ships was in sight as were several of the crew members, but Captain Andrew was nowhere in sight. A man separated from the crowd at her right and as she slid her glance to the left she saw a second do the same. Another was close behind, but she kept walking until they were directly at her sides.

         “Afternoon, milady. Such pretty flowers you carry. Rare are they not,” the one to her right growled. His skin was weather beaten and his clothes raggedy. From the burn on his neck Eva knew all three of them were pirates.

         “Rare and expensive,” the man on her left added.

         “I wouldn’t know,” Eva said coming to a stop. Her one hand was wrapped around the bundle of flowers, but the second was tucked out of sight and wrapped around the grip of her pistol. “Please move.”

         “The lady has manners.” The last man was breathing down her neck. He gripped her shoulders and spun her around. As she turned, then drew her pistol, cocked it and aimed it at the pirate’s head. He took a half step back leering. “And teeth. I like that.”

          “Move aside or I will shoot you without hesitation, pirate,” she hissed.

         “You’re outnumbered lass. You can only hit one of us-”

         “And we can hit the rest of you,” a man called from behind the pirate making Eva grin. She chanced a sideways glance to see Bobby, the first mate and several other members of their crew had surrounded the pirates. “Let the lady walk or you all die.”

          The pirate glared down at Eva and as she watched his eyes darkened. She flinched, but when she looked again they were normal. “You will not escape that easily again, love.”

         “I’ll take my chances,” she replied. The three pirates backed away, arms raised then turned and ran off down the lane.

         Eva lowered her pistol and tucked it back in her belt. The crew smiled as their Captain stalked towards his wife shaking his head. “That is the last time I let you go to town alone.” He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her close.

         She grinned up at him, his unshaven face, auburn hair pulled back from his face, and his blue eyes. “What, they were just a few pirates and look not a scratch.”

         “That’s beside the point,” he muttered then leaned down and kissed her.

         “Captain, sir, hate to break you two up, but we do need to get a move on.”

         Andrew cursed as he pulled away from his wife’s lips and stared at his first mate. “Yes Bobby, of course. The supplies are loaded and all men accounted for?”

         “Yes Captain. Best get a move on.”

         “What’s the rush,” Eva asked as they made their way down the dock. Andrew pointed towards the north and the dark mass of clouds brewing. Lightning flashed within their depths and the sudden scent of rain fell on the wind. “Another hurricane?”

         As Bobby laughed in front of them, Andrew muttered. “That was not a hurricane.”

         “Sure seemed like a hurricane to me,” Eva replied with a grin as they boarded. “I’ll be in the cabin if you need me.” She kissed him one last time then disappeared into the Captain’s cabin.

         Andrew called out orders as they made ready to sail. The anchor was raised and the sails let down as he went to the wheel and began to steer them out of port. The waves were already growing and the wind was steady behind them.

As thunder rolled across the sea, another man watched the storm from the end of the dock. The two pirated came up behind him. One picked his nails carelessly with a dagger while the other leered at the ship sailing into the distance.

“Was it her?”

Waldron nodded once. “The Captain will be pleased. Let’s depart. The storm is coming and we don’t want to be late for the aftermath, do we boys?”

The three cackled as their bodies were enveloped in black mist. When it cleared the three pirates had vanished.

***

         The winds howled around the ship as Andrew yelled orders, watching his crew being bashed by waves crashing over the railings. It wasn’t a hurricane, but it was close enough. There was light on the horizon and he aimed towards it hoping they’d break through the surge soon. His ship was strong, but it could still easily break apart. His thoughts went to his son tucked safe away with two crew members watching over him. Sound asleep.

         Eva was on deck, helping the crew. She scurried up the rigging right behind Bobby trying to keep the sails secure. Everything was slick beneath her grip, but she didn’t think twice about falling. They made it to the top and were just tying down the ropes when a gust of wind rocked the ship. Her grip failed and she slipped. A strong arm grabbed her wrist even as she heard Andrew yell her name in panic.

         She struggled to reach up with her other hand as Bobby held her right, his own grip starting to slip. Andrew watched the scene unable to leave the wheel. The storm clouds were breaking up overhead as the wind picked up. They were almost through it. His eyes didn’t leave her hanging form as Bobby held on for dear life. Eva glanced through the water pelting her face. She was close to the rigging they’d climbed. She could almost reach it.

         “Bobby! Swing me!”

         “Are you insane! I might drop you!”

         “Just do it! Hurry!”

         Bobby grimaced as his muscles strained, but he started to swing her slowly watching her arm reaching for the rigging. Beneath them Andrew watched holding his breath as his wife swung out over the side of the ship then back again. If she missed, she’d either drown in the sea or fall and break her neck on the planks. The fourth swing back, Eva’s fingers grasped the rope and she yelled for Bobby to let go. Her grip slipped as her weight came down and she fumbled to grab hold. She cursed when she finally caught hold and her arms both wrenched at the sudden stop. Ignoring the pain, she scrambled back up to help Bobby.

         “The Captain’s going to kill you when this is over,” he told her.

         “At least he can cause I’m alive,” she replied. The rain slowed then finally stopped as sun broke through the clouds and they sailed out of the storm.

         “Eva! Get your ass down here right now,” Andrew yelled stepping down from the quarterdeck.

         She climbed down swiftly and landed with a light thud in front of her husband trying not to laugh at the scowl on his face. “Yes, Captain?”

         He stared at her, hands crossed over his chest trying to keep his anger at bay. “Are you hurt?”

         “No, Captain.”

         He didn’t move, but glanced at the way she held herself. Her shoulders did hurt like hell, but she’d had worse since sailing on the seas. She’d been doing it long before she married Andrew. Her father had been a Captain, too and expected her to pull her weight.

         “Don’t ever scare me like that again, understand?”

         “Can’t make any promises, Captain.”

         “Eva,” he started to argue when she jumped at him. His arms caught her as she kissed him fiercely.

         She pulled away long enough to whisper, “Shut up Captain and just kiss your wife.”

         He did, pulling her off her feet as he held her tightly. When he set her down she was still smiling.

         “Milady, someone’s awake to see you,” a sailor called from behind Andrew. “Slept through the whole damn storm.”

         Eva went to Charles who held Johnny carefully in his arms. The boy was awake, but not crying. He was smiling up at the sailor trying to grab the braids hanging down from his beard, watching the light play off the beads wrapped within them.

         “Is someone hungry,” Eva asked as she took Johnny. He laughed in reply making his father and the rest of the crew grin, all except Bobby. He was staring out over the railing, eyes narrowed at the dark shape looming.

          Without a word he climbed the main mast up the crow’s nest. He grabbed the spyglass always tied up there and pointed it into the distance. The minute the ship came into focus, he moved the glass until he found the flag flying above the mast and cursed. He’d come for her at last. The pirates at the market, they’d been his. Bobby lowered the glass to see the ship already moving at an incredible pace, too fast for them to out sail. They were going to be attacked.

         Down below, Andrew just noticed Bobby had disappeared to see the man hurriedly climbing down the mast. “What’s wrong, Bobby?”

         The first mate glanced around the deck then leaned in close to his Captain and whispered one word. “Pirates.”

         Andrew’s head shot up and stared where Bobby directed. His ship could take care of itself, had several times before, but that was before he’d had a wife and child on board. “Do you recognize their colors?”

         Grimly Bobby nodded. “It’s Bremer’s ship, Captain.”

         “Damn it. All men to battle stations! Prepare for attack,” he ordered immediately.

         The crew’s smiles fell as they rushed to prepare the ship for battle. Eva held Johnny tightly to her chest as Andrew came over and ushered her down towards the hold. “Hide below. I’ll send Charles to keep you safe.”

         “Andrew, promise me you’ll be alright,” she whispered grabbing his shirt and pulling him closer.

         He glanced back over his shoulder knowing who was coming and lied anyway. “It’ll be alright. Promise, we’ll scare them off and then we’ll head north as planned.” He kissed her then bent down and kissed Johnny’s forehead. “Now go, quickly!”

         Eva ran for the hold and disappeared below deck, Charles right behind her. They raced around the crew readying the cannons and farther down into the ship’s hold. Charles led Eva behind a large stack of crates and blew out the lantern that hung nearby. He stood in front of her, pistol aimed and ready as they waited for the battle to begin.

         Men yelled then the ship rocked with the force of the cannons being fired. Once Eva’s ears stopped echoing she heard nothing. Not a whisper above deck.

         “Something’s wrong,” Charles whispered. He turned to Eva and found one of her hands. “Keep this out and ready. Shoot anything that comes for you.”

         “Charles, where are you going?”

         “It’s quiet. Why is it quiet?”

         “Please stay here.”

         “I have to go to my Captain, Eva. You’ll be safe just stay hidden and remember. Shoot anything.” He turned before she could protest again and made his way silently back up towards the deck.

         Eva gripped the pistol in her sweaty palm and kept it aimed at the place where Charles had vanished. Johnny stayed silent in her arms, not knowing the danger they were in. The minutes stretched on and still she heard nothing. Did she follow Charles and see what happened? Maybe the pirates sailed off after the first round, but then why keep her hidden? She was about to make her way up when she heard footsteps thunder down the wood steps towards her.

         “She’s down here somewhere,” a harsh voice cut through the darkness. “I can smell her fear.”

         “She’s close and she’s not alone.”

         Eva pressed back until the darkness until she could go no farther. Her hand shook as she pointed the pistol. They couldn’t be far away from her. She felt them coming closer, pushing through the black hold with ease. Their words crawled over her skin and buried themselves in her bones. These were not pirates. They were much more.

A light flared in front of her as one lit a lantern. Eva flinched back from the light, but it was too late. She saw their leering faces as the small light flickered across their weathered skin. Then she looked harder and gasped.

         “You! What are you doing on this ship you bastards!” The two pirates were from the market, but now her husband was nowhere in sight to aid her.

“Oh no, I think we like it here. Don’t we lad,” Waldron said. “Come now, the Captain wants a word with you.”

“Which captain?”

“Ours of course. Come along quietly and we won’t have to restrain you.”

Eva gripped the pistol tighter until her hand ceased its shaking. “Never.” Before they could blink she fired at the second pirate not looking then tossed the pistol aside. She leapt over his body, shoving past Waldron and raced through the hold. Footsteps pounded behind her, but she didn’t turn to look just kept running blindly until her foot made it to the deck. The sight stopped her cold, froze her blood in her veins.

The deck was littered with the dead and painted red with their blood. She knew each and every face, members of Andrew’s crew. Men she’d sailed with over five years. The few that lived were tied together and sitting beaten and bruised against the railing. She couldn’t see Andrew anywhere.

Waldron reached the deck behind her and roughly grabbed her shoulders shoving her forward. “You filthy wench! You killed Gregory!”

“Enough Waldron.” Eva shivered at the voice, harsh and cold. A man stepped from the mass of pirates she was finally becoming aware of that filled the deck. He was tall with broad shoulders. His face was emotionless as he stared at her, one hand twirling the hair of his beard and the other resting against the hilt of his cutlass. “Bring her to me.”

Eva walked forward unable to do anything else. Johnny had started to whimper in her arms and she pressed him against her chest as if she could hide him. “Who are you,” she managed to ask.

“I am Captain Bremer and you my dear are stunning.” He ran a hand down her cheek and she tried to back away. Waldron simply shoved her back. “Who do we have here?”

“Keep your hands off my son.”

“I think not. Waldron if you please.”

Eva tried to fight him off, but she didn’t want to hurt Johnny. As he screamed, Waldron carried the baby off for another pirate to hold.

“Please, don’t hurt my son. Please I beg you,” she cried.

“Your son is no longer yours to worry about, lass. You should be worrying about you and your husband’s lives instead.”

“Where is he? What have you done to him?”

“Don’t be so accusing. He’s alive and well…for now,” he motioned towards the pirates and from behind they dragged a gagged and bound Andrew, shoving him to the planks. He cursed Bremer through the gag then turned to Eva trying to look reassuring.

“What do you want from us? We have no cargo of value here,” Eva argued wiping the tears from her eyes and drawing strength from Andrew. “What could you possibly take from us?”

“Nothing that I haven’t already, but you see child you are in the middle of a game of chess and sadly,” he said stalking towards her, “you are the key piece.”

She glared back confused. “I don’t understand.”

“No, but you will soon enough. Now if you excuse me I really must be off in my new flagship. Waldron, take care of the lovely couple please.”

“You will tell me,” Eva yelled and for a moment Bremer stilled. Her voice sounded so like another that held sway over him once, but Eva’s did not, not yet. He whirled around and backhanded her. She fell unconscious to the planks as Andrew fought against his bonds.

“Get them off my ship,” Bremer roared. He took Johnny from the pirate that held him then walked back across the plank to his ship.

Waldron had a pirate pick up Eva and carry to her the small boat before he went to Andrew and hit him over the head with the hilt of his sword. “Take their bodies to an island and leave them there and don’t forget the Captain’s message,” he ordered then quickly went across the ships to catch up with Bremer. “Sir, there’s something else you should see.”

He held up the pistol Eva had shot Gregory with and the second Bremer saw it the anger in him grew. “That woman. Check the crew. One of them is hiding something from us if they’re carrying this.” He stared at the sapphires encrusted in the grip that shimmered lightly with power in his presence and the dead language written along the barrel. He took it and as he held it the sapphires dulled in color until they were black and power no longer hummed from the metal. “Find our heading, Waldron, and make it fast.”

“Aye, Captain,” the pirate replied with just a hint of fear to his words before heading off to the quarterdeck. The landing party would take care of the couple then they’d be on their way, out of these waters, safe from the woman that hunted them.



























2

         Captain Huntley Moon sat in his cabin scanning a map through weary eyes. They had traveled a long way to find this treasure, but so far had found no mysterious island wedged between two volcanoes anywhere in the pacific. The rumors had been a long shot and he was ready to give up and head in to port for a supply run. They were running low and he needed to check in with a certain someone before she tracked him down instead. Rumors were running rampant of the cursed ship appearing once again on the horizon. It was hard to believe it’d been five years already.

         He took a swig from the rum bottle at hand as his eyes wandered across the map to an island that was nowhere to be found. At least not on any normal map. As long as that damned ship stayed far away from that area of sea, Huntley saw no reason to worry.

         “Sorry to disturb Captain, but you might want to have a look at this,” Kelley, Moon’s first mate said opening the door a crack.

         “Is it good news or bad,” Huntley asked without glancing up. “If it’s bad I’ll be needing more rum.”

         “Depends on how you look at it, Capt’n.”

         “Hurricane,” he asked glancing up, the crescent moon earrings clanking as he moved.

         Kelley laughed. “No, no more storms brewing out there today, sir.”

         Huntley set down his bottle and rolled up the map, tucking it safely away in his desk before he made his way to the deck. His frame stood a head taller than Kelley, broader across the chest as well. His high cheekbones underneath near black eyes held nothing but apprehension at what he was about to see. Things were starting to unravel just as they always did, every five years and the feeling in his stomach was telling him this time would be worse.

         “Just off the bow, Capt’n,” Kelley said handing Huntley the telescope. “At first we thought it was a tree caught in the breeze, until we drifted closer.

           Huntley nodded absently as he skimmed the coast of the small island. The moment he spotted the flag, his blood turned cold and his entire body stilled. “Damn that man,” he muttered. He moved the scope a bit farther along and saw what else Kelley must have seen. “Corpses, under his sigil. Fantastic.” He slammed the telescope shut and shoved it in his trench coat pocket.

         “Starting a bit early isn’t he?”

         “No, sadly the bastard’s right on time. Get the longboats out, we’re going ashore.”

         “Are you sure that’s wise, Huntley,” Kelley whispered. “What if Bremer hasn’t left? What if it’s a trap? She’s not exactly nearby to save our arses if we get into trouble.”

         Huntley slapped his first mate on the shoulder with a ragged grin on his face. “You still have such little faith in me after all these years. Trust me, it’s not a trap.”

         “How do you know? He come aboard and tell you?”

         “No and that’s exactly why. We’re still afloat. Now come on, get the boats out. Just because he isn’t still around doesn’t mean he won’t circle back later.”

         Kelley nodded then called out the orders as Huntley went to the quarterdeck and began to turn the ship closer to the island. The wind was still gusting, but it had cleared away what was left of the storm clouds giving way to a fiery red sunset. At least tomorrow would be a good day for sailing. He watched the boats get lowered into the water once the anchor was let down and the men climb down the side of the ship. Huntley made sure his pistol was loaded and his cutlass secure at his side before he followed Kelley over the side of the ship. The men rowed in silence, eyes alert for any sign of danger left behind from the dreaded Captain Bremer.

         The boats bumped into the shore and Huntley jumped out, hand already on his pistol. The only sound over the cries of gulls was the sigil, roughly tied to a stake flapping violently in the wind.

         “Stay by the boats. Kelley, with me please.”

         “Always a pleasure being your first mate, Capt’n, just so you know.”

         “Save it Kelley. You love this adventure crap more than I do,” Huntley muttered as they crossed the beach towards the sigil and the bodies splayed out beneath it. “It’s a woman…and a man,” he said bending closer.

         Suddenly the woman sat up gasping for breath and scrambling back across the sand away from the pirates. She flinched when Huntley tried to reach for her, yelling at him to get away.

         “Please, milady, we’re here to help. Please calm down, you’re safe now,” Huntley whispered crouching well away from her and showing her his empty hands. “Are you injured?”

         She shook her head trying to remember what happened when her gaze fell on the body beside her in the sand. “Andrew? Andrew wake up!”

         “Andrew,” Huntley muttered as the woman grabbed Andrew’s shoulders and gently shook them.

         “Capt’n? Did I miss something or is she-”

         “Not here, Kelley. Let’s get them back to the ship,” he answered quickly still reeling from the man slowly coming to before him. “Please, milady, what’s your name?” Half of Huntley already knew who she was, but there was still a glimmer of hope that he was wrong.

         “What? Oh, Eva. My name’s Eva. Please help my husband,” she begged when Andrew’s eyes closed again and his body went limp. “We were attacked,” she whispered shaking her head. “Out of nowhere, they just…they killed so many of our sailors.”

         Huntley gently took her elbow and turned her to look at him. The similarity was uncanny and for a moment he forgot who he was really staring at. “You’re both safe now. Come, let’s get you to my ship. Up you go, slowly. Kelley will get your husband.” He guided her to the longboats and let his men help her in before heading back to help Kelley with his load.

         “You appear to know this one as well,” Kelley said as they hefted Andrew’s arms over their shoulders then grabbed his legs.

         “We have a history and that’s all you get for now.”

         “Fine, fine just leave me in the dark as you always do.”

         Huntley ignored him as they carefully laid Andrew in the bottom of one of the longboats then climbed in after shoving off back into the water. Eva shook the entire way, constantly gripping Andrew’s shoulder and glancing at Huntley suspiciously. He was having issues just remembering who she was and not who she appeared to be. Things just got a hell of a lot more complicated and Huntley loathed complications.

         “Take them to the sick bay,” Huntley told Kelley once they reached the ship.

         “Aye, Capt’n. This way milady, watch your step.”

         Eva took his hand hesitantly and turned to climb up the side of the ship when her eye caught the name painted on the side. Her eyes widened in surprise as she turned back to stare at Huntley patiently waiting for her to climb aboard. He tilted his head confused at her sudden narrowed gaze.

         “Is something wrong?”

         “You never did tell me your name, Captain.” The last word was forced and Huntley stiffened recognizing the tone of voice that meant trouble wasn’t far behind.

         “Moon, Captain Huntley Moon. Do I know you-”

         Eva lunged forward and shoved him in the chest. Huntley lost his balance, hit the edge of the boat and tumbled backwards into the water. As he broke the surface spitting water, Kelley restrained Eva who was already making her back to the edge of the boat looking to attack Huntley again.

         “What the hell was that for,” Huntley yelled grabbing the side and hoisting himself halfway out of the water. “I just saved your life, woman.”

         “I’d rather you’d left us on that island, filthy pirate!”

         Huntley shook his head as he clambered soaking wet back into the boat. “And why may I ask?”

         Eva wrenched one of her arms free from Kelley and pointed at the ship. “This ship is not yours. You stole it. From my husband,” she yelled the last lunging towards him again, but Kelley caught her.

         Huntley opened his mouth to argue, but stopped knowing it do him any good. “That was a long time ago and I’m certain Andy didn’t give you all the details. So for now, you are to get aboard my ship and allow the medic to tend your wounds. You can get back to trying to throw me over board later.”

         She didn’t answer, but continued to glare at him.

         “Eva, your husband is severely wounded. If he doesn’t get help soon he may never wake.”

         Slowly she nodded and turned towards the ship. Kelley climbed up close behind in case she changed her mind then waited for Huntley and another sailor to get Andrew’s body up and onto the deck. He was taken directly to the infirmary. Eva turned to follow when something about her neck caught Huntley’s eye.

         “Hold a moment, lass,” he called and reached for the chain around her neck.

         She flinched back at the movement. “What are you doing? Get away from me!”

         “That chain about your neck, what’s it from?”

         She reached up and felt the necklace then pulled it so it came out of her shirt and stared at it. “I have no idea. Never seen if before.”

         “May I take it? If you truly want it I’ll be sure and give it back to you before you leave my ship,” he promised holding out his hand. As he did, Eva noticed the strange tattoo on the back of four blue crescent moons attached at their centers. She stored it away for later as her gaze went back to his. 

         “If it came from the pirates you can keep it,” she said yanking it from her neck and dropping it into his palm. “They killed most of our crew, took our ship…and…and my son.”

         As she turned to go the words clicked with Huntley and he pulled her back gently. “They took your son?”

         She nodded, fighting the tears pricking her eyes. “Took him right from my arms and the Captain…he said that this was all a game and that I was the key piece or something. I don’t remember.”

         “Go and get yourself looked after and don’t fret too much about your son yet.” When she opened her mouth to yell at him, he held up his hand and whispered, “Because I think I know of someone who can get him back.”

         “Swear to me that you’ll help us Captain Moon and I will stop trying to throw you into the sea,” she whispered fiercely.

         He took her hand and squeezed. “I swear it.”

         She smiled just a little then let a sailor lead her to the infirmary leaving Huntley holding the medallion in his hand. He stared at the rose imprinted on it for a long time, with the blood that dripped down its thorns to pool at the bottom and the word scripted beneath. Scarlet.

         “Damn it,” he muttered shoving it deep into his trench pocket before making his way to the helm, Kelley close behind.

         “Good news then, Capt’n,” Kelley asked as Huntley turned the wheel heading away from the small island. “And where may I ask are we headed?”

         “Port city of the Red Stallion,” he muttered.

         “I thought you enjoyed staying out of these situations, Capt’n.”

         Huntley pulled the medallion out of his pocket and held it up for Kelley to see. “Ah, I see. That does complicate matters just a bit.”

         “Hopefully by the time we get there someone else has already delivered the news.”

         “And if not, Capt’n?”

         “Then we will keep our mouths shut on the matter unless you want to dodge bullets.”

***

         Andrew came to a few hours later with a pounding headache and wondering where the hell his wife was. The last thing he remembered was seeing her hit over the head before he too was knocked out. He was rocking back and forth with the sea. He was on a ship, but the question as which ship? Carefully he sat up, grimacing at the pounding in his skull. He wasn’t tied down or bound in anyway, no pirate guarding his cot. He crept across the cabin and into the narrow passage, pressing his hands against the walls to steady himself. This ship seemed extremely familiar, but it wasn’t his ship, it was another he’d been on for many years.

         When he reached the steps and began to climb up towards the deck the realization hit him. This had been his ship. He was on the Red Wolf and that meant there were pirates onboard. The sun stung his eyes when he stepped out on deck and squinted at his surroundings. There were several men going about their duties, but they paid him no mind except one.

         “Master Andrew, good to see you up and about,” the sailor said as he approached. “How’s the head feeling?”

         Andrew stared at him for a moment before the face clicked. “I know you. First mate…what was your name?”

         “Kelley, sir.

         “Ah, that’s right Kelley. Would you be so kind as to tell me where the Captain is?”

         “I believe he’s in his cabin with Eva at the moment.”

         Andrew’s anger flared. He thanked Kelley, eyeing the cutlass sheathed at his side, then lunged for the man. He shoved him with his shoulder, throwing him to the planks and drew his weapon at the same time. As Kelley yelled after him, Andrew rushed the cabin and threw open the door to see Eva and the man he’d wanted to kill for years chatting as if they were old friends.

         “Get away from my wife you bastard,” he growled aiming the blade at Huntley’s throat.

         “Well hello to you to, my friend,” Huntley said with a smile. “Is that absolutely necessary?”

         “You tell me. Eva please, you don’t know who he is.” He held out his other hand for her, but she shook her head. “What’s the meaning of this? This man took my ship!”

         “This man also saved our lives, Andrew. Put the blade down,” she said calmly. “He’s helping us.”

         Andrew’s grip tightened on the hilt as he stared wildly between his enemy and his wife. “What are you talking about? He’s a pirate, he won’t help us only trick us.”

         “Mate really, it was a long time ago. Can’t you just let it go,” Huntley asked with a shrug. “You have more pressing matters than an old vendetta against me.”

         Andrew knew it was true. He saw Eva’s face, the pain in her eyes at what they’d lost. The longer he stared at her the more he knew it was true. “They took Johnny, didn’t they?”

         Eva couldn’t hold back the tears anything. Her heart felt as if it’d been torn from her body when they’d taken Johnny from her arms. Her only child gone, a prisoner in the hands of a pirate. And here they were in the company of more. The worst was that man, that Captain Bremer. As Andrew wrapped her tightly in a one armed embrace, whispering that he was sorry he failed, that they’d find Bremer, Eva could only think of one thing. As much fear as she’d felt in that moment, she’d also felt safe, a sense of familiarity with the Captain Bremer as he’d stared her down. His eyes had been dark, but for just a moment she swore she’d seen a flash of green in their depths.

         He’d said she was a key piece to a game, but what game? She’d never had dealings with pirates or back alley bilge rats. Her parents had been upstanding citizens, traders and merchants, nothing more up ‘til the day they died at sea. What significance could her life possibly have for this man?

         “Eva? Eva are you alright,” Andrew asked worriedly as he stared at her vacant stare. “Eva.”

         “What? Sorry, just tired I guess.”

         “We can handle it from here, Eva. Kelley will lend you his quarters while onboard, give you some privacy,” Huntley said opening the cabin door for her.

         “Don’t kill each other while I’m gone,” she muttered then left the men to their planning and followed a waiting Kelley to a small cabin. He gave her a blanket and asked if she needed anything, but she shook her head and let him close the door on his way out leaving her alone.

         She sat on the cot numbly, holding the blanket tight to her chest. That face, why was it so familiar to her? The more she tried to remember his eyes, the more she began to remember something else. It was vague and she wasn’t even sure if it’d happened or not, but it ran through her mind all the same. A lullaby, one she’d always sung to Johnny. One she’d heard the Captain humming as he’d carried the boy across to his ship and taken him away before the blackness clouded her mind.



         Huntley eyed Andrew and the cutlass still clasped in his hand. “Are you going to hold onto that the entire way?”

         “Depends.”

         “On what exactly?”

         “On whether or not you’re telling the truth about helping us.”

         Huntley stopped his map gazing and turned to stare at the man he’d once called friend. Their meeting had been accidental, as had their relationship, but their parting had been Huntley’s doing. It had been to protect Andrew from a terrible fate. Taking the ship was the only way Huntley could truly protect Andrew and break his ties to the one man that would lead to his death. Turns out it was all for naught. That damn pirate had found him after all. Destiny wanted Andrew in this fight no matter if it was his or not.

         “One day I might be able to explain to you why I took this ship, but for now you just need to trust me. Think of it as me making amends,” he added when Andrew raised the cutlass again. “Please Andrew. Give me a chance, aye?”

         Andrew relaxed and leaned the blade against table. “Fine. I’ll give you this second chance, but the moment I think you’re pulling one over on us, we’re through and this time Huntley,” he threatened nodding to the cutlass, “I’ll kill you before you can run.”

         “Well on that cheerful note, would you like to fill me in on the attack.” Huntley walked back behind his desk and sat down, resting his heavy boots on top. “Eva didn’t see it happen from what she’s told me.”

         Andrew took the chair in front of the desk. “No, she didn’t see the attack and for that I’m grateful. Honestly Huntley,” he said quieter, “I don’t know how much I can tell you.”

         “What do you mean? Andrew the more you tell me, the more it helps me track him down.”

         “It’s not that I don’t want you to know I just…it’s hard to explain.”

         “Try me,” Huntley smiled knowing already he’d heard stranger.

         “I remember sending Eva below to hide and the ship coming closer. I can hear the blast of the cannons and my men’s yells as they met the pirates boarding our ship, but then…the next thing I know I’m tied and gagged on my knees. Half my crew’s dead and Eva’s on the deck arguing with Bremer.”

         Huntley nodded thinking. It wasn’t new information what Bremer and his crew could do when they attacked. Most survivors didn’t remember a thing until they’re floating in the wreckage of their ships. What bothered him more were his words to Eva, but he’d have to ask her about that when Andrew wasn’t around to attack him.

         “You don’t remember anything else? Something he might have said?”

         Andrew began to shake his head when he remembered seeing something odd, but he’d assumed it was a dream as he’d fallen unconscious. “I thought I saw crows flying about the mast. Can’t be though. They don’t fly out that far over water,” he said unsure.

         Huntley nodded in agreement even as his brow creased in worry. A knock at the door pulled away the thought as Kelley poked his head in requesting his Captain’s presence on the deck.

         “Help yourself to some rum and take a breather,” Huntley said laying a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You have my help, without question.”

         “Can I have my ship back as well,” he asked sharply, but with a smile starting in his eye.

         “Perhaps we can come to some arrangement,” he said as he left the cabin and headed out on deck being sure the door closed behind him. Kelley was standing at the portside railing staring up into the sky, squinting against the oncoming darkness. “What is it?”

         “We’re being watched,” he whispered nodding his head for Huntley to look.

         They could barely be made out against the darkness above them, but they were there. Circling near his ship and he knew they’d see everything.

         “Crows. Damn, Andrew was right.”

         “They were with Bremer’s ship, Capt’n?”

         “Why do you ask?”

         “Seems a bit odd is all. The crows following that ship and not the one she was on. Makes you wonder.”

         “Let’s not speculate yet.”

         “No, Capt’n,” Kelley laughed, “your sister will do that enough for us all.”

         “Lord help us all if she’s right.”

***

         Huntley didn’t even sigh this time when his cabin door was thrown open at first dawn’s light and Eva barged in looking furious. It had been three days and they were making ready to sail into port and Huntley for once couldn’t be happier to get off his ship. She was proving almost more troublesome than the woman she looked so much like.

         “Good morning Eva. I take it you have questions, again,” Huntley said as he gathered up his maps and tucked them away safely out of sight.

         “Captain Moon, it has been three days aboard your ship and you have yet to tell us what we’re doing about getting my son back,” she snapped.

         “Technically, lassie, it’s only been two whole days,” Huntley corrected leaning forward on his desk to stare her down. “And I have told you all you need to know.”

         “You have told us nothing,” she said leaning on the desk mirroring him. “All I know is we’re going to Port City of the Red Stallion and looking for another Captain who could possibly help us. A pirate, no less.”

         “Hmm. Is Andrew awake yet?”

         “Don’t change the subject.”

         Huntley grinned. “I’m not, but we are getting ready to make port and I would like to speak with both of you about our plan. If you don’t mind fetching him then?”

         Eva stared at him, opened her mouth to argue, then turned on her heel and stormed from the cabin. Huntley muttered curses as he found his cutlass and pistol and coin for bribes. He knew where she should be, but that didn’t always make it easier to find her. He just hoped she didn’t know about Bremer yet, but then again he didn’t want to be the sorry bastard that told her. Huntley left his cabin shaking his head just as Kelley was hollering out orders to lay anchor and tie up the Red Wolf. Eva was on deck, Andrew right beside her as they stared at the city. Already it was bustling with merchants and customers, dock workers, and sailors. Huntley smiled at the sight. It was nice to be home again.

         “Is this the place,” Andrew asked as Huntley approached.

         “Aye, this is where she’ll be.”

         “She? Who exactly are we looking for?”

         Huntley stared at Eva with a straight face and almost let the words slip right out of his mouth before he stopped himself. “The only woman who can find Bremer. I was going to suggest you two stay aboard, but as I can already see the argument in your faces, you can come with me. With conditions of course.”

         Eva looked ready to say something, but Andrew grabbed her elbow and shook his head. “Go on,” he said to Huntley.

         “This is a rough town and if you say the wrong thing to the wrong person you will end up dead. Therefore you will do exactly as I say and nothing more,” he said pointedly to Eva. “Is that understood?”

         They both nodded stiffly and Huntley turned to a sailor behind and called him over. He took the two pistols from the man and handed them over to Eva and Andrew with powder and bullets. Eva held hers carefully in her hands admiring the detailing on the side of the barrel. There were words there, but they were foreign to her eyes. Still the pistol felt familiar and comfortable in her grip.

         “Do you know how to shoot,” Huntley asked watching her hold the pistol in her palm.

         Eva’s eyes narrowed at him then she pulled the hammer back and aimed for his forehead without even blinking. “Yes,” she said then lowered the barrel. “Are we ready?”

         “Just remember what I said, both of you. I don’t feel like being shot at today,” Huntley muttered then headed for the dock, Eva and Andrew close behind.