Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

13: Circling Vultures

Advisory: Details of wounds.

Circling Vultures

Magne Jorgensen had interviewed three Captains for his security patrol when he realised that he was going about the security question the wrong way: he would take them ALL. He needed every ship he could get his hands on in order to capture Fury. Every scrap of intelligence he could get his hands on-especially from Eret, who had been captured twice by the man now-indicated that Fury was inspirational, sarcastic and brave but physically not so impressive. He was a good swordsman-though Eret reckoned his skill was overrated-and he relied heavily on his crew. His gunners were wild and crazy, the men fiercely loyal and the whole crew functioned like an efficient machine. He travelled with his son-a potential weakness. The Night Fury was famed as the fastest ship in the Archipelago-but that wasn't the issue, since the ship would come to Magne: after all, Fury had sworn to sink every one of his ships until he had broken Magne.

Jorgensen Shipping was feeling the strain. They had eleven ships in all-and half their fleet was at the bottom of the Sullen Sea. The insurers refused to pay for their losses and Magne had been forced to act boldly to save the business. He pulled his attention back to the rough man facing him.

"We're hunting Fury!" he explained. The man gave a yellow grin.

"The man is a beast!" he said with a growl.

"But he is a man," Magne replied smoothly. "A skinny, sarcastic man. You could snap him in two." The powerful man facing him looked thoughtful for a moment.

"His ship-his crew-is the toughest in the Archipelago," he reminded Magne.

"But not invincible," the younger Jorgensen commented temptingly. "Just think of the fame, the glory...of being the man who brought in Fury..." The man's yellow smile widened.

"I'm in," he said and he signed the contract. Magne peered at the paper.

"Welcome, Captain...Savage," he said clearly. "I just need one more ship and my private force will be complete. And then, you will escort my ships...and go hunting for Fury." The man tipped a sarcastic salute and rose.

"I have a friend you could call on," he murmured. "Hmm...you may not approve...but he has a particular grudge against Fury. And his ships would be invaluable in pursuing this pirate dog you seek." Magne sat back and steepled his thick fingers, his brows pulled down in a scowl. His blue eyes were cold.

"I think you will find that I am a man of few qualms when it comes to getting what I want," Magne told him. "Who is your friend?"

"Captain Alvin the Treacherous!"

oOo

The Night Fury sailed through the seasick maze around Dragon Island, the black sails trimmed and Ruff at the wheel. The female twin was also a handy helmsman as well as lunatic gunner and she was about the only other person Fury would trust to take his ship through the maze to the pirate port. Fishlegs had the deck while Fury was in his cabin with Arild.

The boy had taken some time to get over his concussion, the bruising on his forehead still obvious. There was going to be a scar and Fury was wracked with anxiety and guilt about the injury-far more than the lad, who was hugely impressed that he now looked like a real pirate. "How's it feel, bud?" he asked. Arild gave his gappy smile.

"It's only fun if you get a scar out of it!" he grinned and Fury rolled his eyes. Thank you, twins.

"Wasn't fun for me," he grumbled. The boy frowned. He wasn't stupid and could tell his Dad was in pain-and had been since they escaped from Drago's monster ship. He wished he'd seen the explosion but the twins had promised to blow up something almost as big so he could get the idea. Fury, of course, had vetoed the idea.