Where Loyalties Lie

Chapter 52 - Mary’s Virtue

Daimen didn’t like the situation one bit. Their three ships were still anchored facing Tanner’s three, and these new boats were bearing down on them quickly with the island of Ash blocking their immediate escape. They’d have to first navigate around Ash before making a proper escape of it, and the wind was notoriously hard to rely upon around these parts, which made getting up to speed slow and laborious. If they did up and run now, they’d probably all make it, but they’d be leaving Drake and Stillwater and Tanner on the island to the dubious mercies of whoever was ambushing them. It was a situation Daimen usually referred to as “fucked”, and one he tried to avoid at all costs.

Through his monoscope, Daimen could see Drake and the others scrambling down the side of Ash, jumping over rocks at a rate most would consider suicidal. Even then they would have to row out to their ships. There simply wasn’t enough time. He was glad of one thing, at least: Tanner hadn’t killed Drake.

Rin appeared to be smiling on Drake today, and hopefully that meant an alliance had been forged. If Daimen knew one thing, it was that only Drake could pull all the pirate captains together. He had the will, the charisma, the reputation, and the money. He also had a plan, and that was worth more than all the rest put together.

Of course, none of it would mean shit if Drake was hanged, and that was exactly what the Five Kingdoms folk would do if they got their hands on him. Daimen had never liked the idea of hanging; it seemed a really undignified way to go. He much preferred the tried and true method of dying in battle as a hero to a cause.

“How’s the wind?” he said to his navigator.

“Chopping and changing like a dog with two masters, Cap’n. We don’t leave now, we might not make it ’fore those ships catch up to us.”

Daimen nodded. “Aye. Best get under way then. Give us some sail and bring us around.”

“Course?”

“Do ya see those ships over there?” Daimen pointed at the five vessels heading towards Ash. “Point us directly at the fuckers.”

“Cap’n?”

“’Fore ya say it, mate, it ain’t suicide,” Daimen said. “All we need ta do is slow the bastards down long enough for Drake and Tanner ta get back ta their boats. Then they'll turn the tide.”

“How?”

“By givin’ ’em something else ta chew on. Let’s see how the bastards like a taste of good ol’ pirate courage.”

Daimen drew in a deep breath and yelled, “All hands on deck. Swords, bows, and axes, boys. We’re gonna sail this bitch right down their throats and choke ’em. We’ll buy Drake enough time ta get back to his ship an’ come an’ fucking repay the favour, eh?”

A few of the crew of Mary’s Virtue cheered, but most who were close enough to hear looked uncertain and worried. Clearly Daimen’s insistence that they would be pulled out of the fire by Drake was not as reassuring as he’d hoped.

“Tales will be told of how we helped build this kingdom, boys. We’ll all be fuckin’ heroes. Knee deep in whores an’ booze for the rest of our fuckin’ lives.” That got a few more cheers. If Daimen had learned one thing in his life, it was that nothing motivated pirates quite like money and, more importantly, the pleasures that money could buy.

“So break out the weapons, step to ya jobs, and for the love of Rin, would someone start me a bloody shanty.”

Maybe it was invoking the name of their goddess, or maybe it was Daimen’s relentless optimism that they’d survive, but before long the sails were loose, the ship was turning, and every crewman with a pair of lungs and a tongue was singing along to ‘Baring the Maiden Fair’. Daimen grinned into the wind, barked out a savage laugh, and joined in with the shanty.