Siren's Kiss

30: Sugarcane and Its Yields Part Two

The sound of a bell tolled, echoed through the square. A motley crowd gathered around the execution scaffold, held back by men-at-arms. A hooded executioner ascended the steps of the scaffold accompanied by a priest in a black cassock and a clerical hat with a wide, circular brim. The executioner, a large man, raised his axe and tested its edge, cutting his finger. Razor-sharp. He held up his bloody thumb and chuckled, eliciting roars of approval from the mostly templar soldier crowd.

They turned their attention to the day's victim as he was rolled into view. Captain Hawk stood, half-indifferent and half-exhausted, his hands bound behind him in a horse-drawn cart. The driver turned the cart, beginning a circuit of the square. The bloodthirsty crowd cheered and jeered at Hawk, who kept his head high and even yawned at the procession. If he must die, then he would die with dignity.

Sage watched from a tower overlooking the square. Though he was held hostage, he wasn't bound like many of the prisoners in the tower's dungeon. Suddenly, Commander Rowan appeared beside him.

"If you continue to be stubborn, that pirate's filthy blood will be on your hands," the man spoke.

Sage stiffened guilt and fear quickly catching up to him. He recalled Captain Hawk's words: "Keep your wits about you and trust Princess Coraline and Captain Ladyqueen." Determined, he bit his tongue, his lips forming a straight line.

Rowan gazed at him with a mix of admiration and frustration. Sage was clearly afraid, yet his unwavering loyalty to the princess and their companions kept him resolute. "What makes you think these pirates wouldn't betray you in the end? Have you forgotten who they are, or are you unaware of their reputation?"

"If they wanted to betray us, they would've done that from the start."

"Oh?"

"Captain Ladyqueen had a chance to escape this island and give the princess up, but she's nowhere to be found. I'm sure Her Highness is safe with her. The same can be said of Captain Hawk, who could have slipped out easily after subduing your guards. But he stayed because you caught me. He could've left me in your hands, but he didn't," Sage turned to face the commander, looking him squarely in the eyes. "And for that, he has my gratitude and respect."

"You're a siren," Rowan frowned slightly. "You know nothing about dealing with dirty pirates. Even the Deadly Trios don't trust one another. Who knows what they're thinking?"

"Maybe you're right, or maybe you're wrong. But I've been with Ladyqueen and Hawk, and I can attest that they aren't what you think they are. They're pirates, yes, but their lives are defined by the adventures and dangers they face. Just like you and me, they'll do anything to survive."

"Spoken like a true expert. Mark my words, they are conniving, treacherous creatures who care for nothing but gold."

"So?" Sage responded nonchalantly, making Rowan pause. "Every group has its bad apples. You, yourself, are not trustworthy. You're competing against a grandmaster who hates your guts and wants power to defeat him. You're as guilty as these pirates, and yet you're asking me to betray them and aid you?"

Rowan smirked. "I can offer your kind protection, and I can be loyal too."

"For a price," Sage scoffed. "You think our prince is just another omega who would willingly come to your side because you're an alpha. Think again. Ciel isn't like any other omega or noble of his kind. He despises alphas like you."

The muscle in the captain's jaw twitched furiously, and Sage knew he was livid. He couldn't care less about Rowan's feelings. As he peered down at the scene, he saw the horse cart reach the scaffold. A man-at-arms dropped the tailgate, and Captain Hawk stepped down. He was taken into custody by the Captain of the Guards, accompanied by several men carrying muskets.