Pirates Of The Decian Sea

Part 6

Oh, how he hated waking up Gaeceric this late at night, but it was important. Commodore Donegal hurried through the hallways of Guild Headquarters towards the Admiral's room, small rolled up message in hand. A bold plan like this he expected more from the warped half insane mind of Captain Ferndock, but Frigmar was usually far more cautious and level headed. He arrived at the Admiral's door and gave three quick knocks.

"This better be damned important!" the deep voice hollered from the other side.

Donegal opened the door and stuck his head inside. Gaeceric, the head of the guild sat up in his large feathered bed. His large muscles on his bare chest and arms bulged as he stretched and wiped the sleep from his eyes. Two sleeping women on either side of him stirred, but did not awaken.

"So, what is it?" Gaeceric asked.

"I received a pigeon from Captain Frigmar, sir. He says that the Waverunner has secured a contract to transport half a million gold from River's End to Port Cauldwell from the Royal Bank."

Gaeceric ran his hand through his long blonde, frizzy hair. "Of what use is that information to us? We can't touch a ship working for the bank."

Donegal cleared his throat. "Sir, he is suggesting we release Black Jack Mulligan, give him back the Griffon, and let him take care of the Waverunner."

"Hm. That is a bit bold for Frigmar. But with that much gold, Mulligan would most certainly retire." Gaeceric paused to yawn. "Plus Karinga's boldness has inspired a number of other independents to not pay their dues. Seems that will kill two birds with one stone. We will be rid of the Waverunner, and we won't have to feed those 150 pirates every day. Do you think they will be sea-worthy after four months locked up?"

"I think with that much gold, they will have plenty of motivation."

Gaeceric nodded. "I agree. I'll let you handle it, Donegal. Close the door on your way out." The large admiral lay back down and pulled his covers back over him.

Donegal quietly stepped out of the room and closed the door. He headed towards the dungeon. A bit of pride filled his chest. Three years ago, something of this much importance, Gaeceric would have most certainly handled himself!

As he walked through the sparsely decorated castle, he passed the office of the captain of the guard. He peeked inside to see Captain Ardmore finishing up his morning duty roster. "Captain Ardmore, a moment please?"

The red headed man stood to attention. "Yes sir, Commodore sir."

"Would you please gather twenty five guards and meet me down in the dungeon? Also, take all of the weapons we captured from the Griffon and have them placed back on board. I want that ship ready to sail within the hour."

Ardmore looked at him quizzically. "The pirate ship, sir?"

"Yes. We are probably going to be setting them free. Admiral Gaeceric's orders."

"If you say so, sir. Excuse me, sir. I have a lot to do. See you down there in a quarter of an hour, sir." Ardmore hurried off to perform his assigned duties.

Donegal continued towards the dungeons. He descended the spiral staircase to the pits. The smells of unwashed men hit him as he reached the bottom level of the castle. The dark room was lit only by torches with hay covering the dirt floor. He walked over to the jailer. "In which cell is Captain Mulligan?"

The overweight, bald man stood, grabbing a torch from the wall sconce. "This way, Commodore."

The jailer led him through a maze of cells, the men inside starting daggers at him. They stopped before a large cell holding about a dozen or so men. "This is it, sir."

"Captain Jonathan Mulligan?"

A tall, large man with a long black beard and hair to match stood up and walked over to the cage door. He was dressed in standard prison rags. "What do ye want, ye bloody Jack-tar?"

"I want to set you and your crew free."

All conversation stopped and all eyes turned to Donegal and the Captain.

Mulligan leaned forward. "Look me in the deadlights and say that again."

Donegal looked him in the eye. "I want to set you and your crew free, and give you back the Griffon."

"And why would ye be wantin' ta do that?"

Donegal offered him the small rolled paper.

"Bah!" Mulligan said with a dismissing wave. "If'n I could read, I never would have become a bloody pirate!"

Donegal unrolled the parchment. "According to Captain Frigmar, an independent merchant ship, the Waverunner, is carrying a cargo of half a million in gold on behalf of the Royal Bank. It is sailing out of River's End as we speak, heading to Port Cauldwell."

"I see. Ye be want'n us ta do yer dirty work for ye."

"Something along those lines. You keep the gold, the cargo, and kill the crew to the man, with one exception. I want the ship's Yeoman, David Tanner, left alive. I want you to put him in a lifeboat with oars and enough provisions to get to shore. I also want you to tell him that he was left alive by the guild's orders."

Mulligan stroked his beard. "And what does this David Tanner be lookin' like?"

"A finger short of two legs tall, young, blonde, and strong. He wears his hair long, and he has a scar going from his right eye to his mouth. Leave him alive, you are free to take the gold and retire. Kill him, and we will find you again and you will... how do you fellows say it? Dance the hempen jig."

Mulligan smiled. "What do ye say, lads?"

One hundred and fifty voices shouted "AYE!" in unison.

"Commodore Donegal, I do believe we be havin' an accord."

The pirate extended his hand through the bars, which Donegal shook.

The twenty five guards hurried down the stairs and stood at attention.

Donegal nodded to the jail keeper. "Captain, you shall find your clothes and weapons on your ship. We've stocked you with two weeks of provisions and the Griffon is ready to set sail. Time is of the essence, so you must sail within the hour."

"Aye!" Mulligan said as the jail keeper unlocked and opened his door. "Come on, lads! There's piratin' ta be done!"