"Ah yes. I knew him. Just and good man. I sailed under his flag. I knew every little island around Muir. A true devil with flashing swords when the fluty attacked his prey. I have seen that man approach the quarterdeck of a ship and mercilessly kill the crew of brave and fearless pirates. He was not a man to be enmity with. It was said that a woman accompanied him."
"Will's daughter. No one liked to cross swords with that woman. Her agility and skill in swordsmanship was no greater than her skill in commanding a ship."
"I've seen the Revenge sink more ships than you can imagine, sailing alongside her. Not even Queen Anne's Revenge and Blackbeard did that. And the Unicorn and her Captain Jackie... If you wanted to make life on the high seas your fate would be that woman's crew. Riches and glory accompanied her. She was also said to have been one of the finest pirates in the waters of Ravlen before mysteriously disappearing."
"Some say she was killed in combat. Foolish, I say. The knight followed her. No one dared defy her and face that man's wrath. At least sober enough to fall from disgrace. men"
"Over time there was talk of that woman's death. By my chops, little lords! Lies! With a thousand fins I tell you that she helped lead the final battle of the siege. The woman had the scrolls. And the marked prophecy . These scrolls contained an ancient ritual It was a treasure great and of incalculable power. They hunted and killed without mercy in search of that treasure. The Key of Hecate... The key in the staff that alters the ways.."
I'll tell you the story. "Speaking of the woman who grew up among sailors and mastered the craft of the sea better than many men I knew". And "from your gentleman..."
"He would have sacrificed anything in life to keep that woman alive. They said it was death itself that haunted her. They were looking for the Pieces of4"
Richard Morgan struggled to disguise the emotions under a mask of forced indifference. Will, after he was injured, never returned to the ship. The knee injury made it difficult for him to move and forced him to use a cane. And he spent the day telling stories.
Enough, Will. It is past. She is...
Well, she's done!
And what did I do this time?
He didn't even consider the possibility. Unfortunate memories... Will never leaves him alone.
You never do anything! Can't you see that's really the problem?
Want me to make trouble?
You know, I'd rather you got into trouble sometimes. Just for a change, don't even regret it...
I'm not whining!
Not even that, boy! - It's been months. But you... You don't even look alive. He is incapable of acting. That is the problem.
The sheds are stocked. Food is being stored for the winter. The castle's defenses...
I will not accept excuses.
What do you want me to do? – he asked without interest.
Rick. You are like a son to me. I lost my wife and my oldest daughter. You are not the only one who has suffered losses.
I know.
Look, boy. I think maybe... Maybe it's time to start over. Who knows Mayra...
Goddess, we've already discussed this.
When I lost my wife... It was a difficult time right after Lilandra's death.
I know, Will.
But I got over it. Kassuim helped. He was a child and depended on me. You know, I waited. I had hopes that you would get better. I think you're better than anyone... We know you're not going to get better. Not this way.
I've never been better, Will.
Misses ...
-There is something wrong!
It was hell. Once again Michael's voice brought him out of his reverie.
-Morgan! Richard Morgan!
-What?
-Of course there's something wrong. The schooner will sink. They're leaving the deck. For a change Revenge for the waters... Who is the unfortunate captain of the accursed ship?
Why did he sense trouble? It was his wolf instinct. He watched through the spyglass at the young man who was still struggling on the quarterdeck. His worst fears were confirmed when the privateers began looking for the longboats to pull away from the schooner.
The Star, however, was too close. It had been a mistake to leave the command of the ship to the first mate. How Thalagar could tolerate that Spaniard was a mystery. And as for the Revenge... The swift schooner was pulling away.
-Then? What will we do? asked Adam, approaching the rail. - It makes no sense to attack. The attack is over. They are already cutting the approach hooks.
Except for the last fight focus. Morgan clenched his jaw on the quarterdeck. The schooner was badly damaged; it definitely made water. He went back to watching closely the small silhouette that fought. Suddenly troubled. Who was that man?
- I know that. Richard sighed through clenched teeth. – This means that since the Star does not need reinforcements, we will only need to go aboard and rescue Kassuim.
Why didn't he believe this was going to be as simple as it appeared?
-You mean look for your little runaway? Michel sneered again.
The brother's words evoked a gloomy picture. Against his mores and habits, old Will had said nothing. Except he was moody. He was talking about the captain of the Revenge. He sighed again in resignation. He imagined a troublesome, irresponsible and, at the very least, womanizing teenager. What other reason could he ask for such a favor?
A loud explosion ripped through the air in a deafening roar. Fires began to spread across the deck of the drifting schooner.
- Come on, cheer up. It can't be that bad! - Adam tried to encourage.
Agh. It was bad. It was undoubtedly very bad. The boy was sure to rebel under orders from him. He nodded silently, tense and determined. Even though he didn't want that mission, that boy was an answer to his prayers. Finally the command of the Armada. Soon he would be back in his homeland. And first he intended to find his beautiful fugitive. It was just a matter of time. Chabone ... he did not believe he was returning home.
-Drop the anchor! - his thunderous voice echoed.
He could feel the anticipation of battle heating his blood. He had waited so long for this moment. As a commander he would spend more time on dry land. He would have enough time for what he had most wanted this past year.
He would find that woman. He hadn't dreamed of anything else in those months. Now that he seemed close to his goal, everything was unreal.
Morgan looked around. The corsairs were happy and smiling in anticipation of a season on land. It felt like paradise coming back from a long time of fighting in the Ravlen airs.
How would she feel about him? Did she even remember the promise she had made to him?
Months. It seemed to him to have been interminable. Morgan could remember every last detail. It was clear that those weeks would have meant something to her. What would have driven her to run away? He told himself that she feared forcing him to honor that promise. A satisfied smile appeared on her face. By the laws of Chabone that woman would be legally his wife. He hadn't told his brothers that. He would just find her.
He had absolute confidence in convincing her to go with him this time. Well, he was willing to settle everything. Once he had her once more in his bed, he intended to seduce her mad with pleasure.
Just thinking. Morgan felt a wave of pleasure wash over him. Months without any relationships with other women had driven him almost insane. The obsession with that woman had become so fixed that he sometimes couldn't think of anything else. He would find her and conquer her.
-Then why don't you go right after that captain? Michael asked. - Then you can continue looking for your mysterious lady. Maybe this time you'll be luckier. It's always better to sniff and hunt.
Morgan's face tightened. He didn't want to think about his clan's responsibilities. He was the leader of the wolves. By right, he, Richard was the eldest son and rightful heir, but he had abdicated the position. There was Faith's tragic death. Fault. And the new life in Chabone as a ship's captain...
The first vivid memory he had was her scent.
That untouched woman's scent seemed to permeate the air. He imagined how he intended to kiss her...
And then...