Pirates of the Caribbean: Heart of the Gauntlet

Chapter 10

Ezra was on the deck watching what the crew of the Gauntlet did to pass the time. It was exactly what he expected: Liars Dice. Ezra had a vague idea of how it was played; the players cast their dice and guess how many of a certain number there are, increasing the amount or decreasing as they see fit. He looked at the man who was next to him. He looked a bit like him, but he had an eye-patch and had several years of wear on him.

"Is there any limit," Ezra asked him, "on whom we can challenge?"

"No," he responded, "I've seen the newest joiners go up against beings who have been here for decades." he paused. "There have even been some who were foolish to bet against captain Maul."

"How is it foolish?" asked Ezra.

"Maul is the undisputed king of Liars Dice on this ship."

Ezra thought about his options for very little time. They were to stay on this ship for all eternity (or at least until Sabine organized a party to liberate him), or at least try to get free. It was given very little thought, as he only saw one option that was anywhere near viable.

"Then I am a fool, too," he responded, then loudly proclaimed. "I challenge Maul."

Silence filled the ship. Steps were then heard, alongside wooden boards creaking. Maul was descending from the helm. 

He reached the deck, and smiled grimly at Ezra. "Challenge accepted," he said, "what do you wager?"

"If you win, I will serve on your ship for all of eternity."

"And if you win..."

"You let me off of this ship, with the combination to unlock the chest that keeps the heart of this ship."

Maul was surprised. He had received challenges for immediate and permanent release no strings attached, but this was the first time anyone added to the challenge.

He just stood in silence.

"Unless," Ezra said, "there is no code."

"121517," Maul said, "Not like you will ever use it."

They gathered around the table in the middle of the deck, placed their die in their cups, shook them, and placed the cups on the table...

When a third cup landed next to Ezra's.

They looked to see who it was that placed the cup.

"What would make you do such a thing," Maul asked.

"To hopefully," he said, "spare my son."

Ezra was shocked. The man who befriended him when he first arrived was... his own father? Ephraim?

"Very well then," Maul replied, "You lose, you will never leave this ship again."

They peeked at their dice. Ezra had three fours, one three and one six. Maul had one five, one four, two threes, and one two. Ephraim had three twos, and two threes.

"I'll wager," said Maul, "two ones."

Possible. Ezra thought.

"Three twos." Ezra responded.

"Four fours." Ephraim said.

"Five threes."

Ezra believed that they had just entered the point where all believability had gone. So he decided to bluff.

"Six fives." he said with a stone cold expression.

Maul smiled sinisterly. Blast it! Ezra thought. I'm sorry Sabine. I'll never see you again.

"You lose." said Maul.

Before they could lift their cups they heard, "Ten sixes."

They looked at Ephraim, who made that bluff.

"Raise the bid or call me out." He said.

"I'm not about to be called a liar and lose my winning streak."

They all lifted their cups, and saw that Ephraim had lost.

"One-eyed Ephraim," Maul's voice rang for all to hear, "you are a liar and are now to spend eternity serving this ship." He turned to Ezra. "As for you, you will stay here until Captains Jarrus, Syndulla, and Orrelios give me their 500 souls."

All of the deckhands returned to their posts. Ezra went over to Ephraim and asked if there were any rowboats. At dark, Ephraim let one out into the water and fog below. Ezra began rowing away to the outside of the fog. He saw several kilometers away an island lit up. He could hear a faint uproar.

Tortuga. He thought. Perfect.

Next chapter coming soon.