Siren

Prologue

Heavy boots stomping on plank wood disrupted the eerie silence that once had filled the misty harbour. The moon set high over the sea as the water shimmered with its' reflection. The owner of the boots came to a halt as he now stood in front of another boot-clad man who's arms held a bundled up infant.

"Ay, I hear you think the pirate life is for you?" The man crossed his arms, stroking his beard as he looked over the other man, judging him.

"Everyone believes I killed my wife and now I can't even provide for my own daughter. Finding someone who wants to give me a job is not possible... No one wants to employ a suspected murderer... I need to provide for my daughter. She's all I have left after my wife died..." the infant girl in his arms started crying, making the bearded man squint at the bundle in disdain.

"Having a woman on board my ship would anger the sea gods, bringing on horrible weather and rough water. Why should I take such risk, I ask you."

"Because you're my brother and I need your help, Jack." The man was nearly begging at this point. His brother, Jack, sighed heavily, having given in to the bond of family.

"I am your captain and you shall address me as such, understood? You may be my brother but as soon as she comes of age and is able to fend for herself, I want her off my ship. What you do at that point is completely up to you but as soon as she reaches her eighteenth birthday, she's off my ship. That is my only condition. So now I ask you, my brother, do you accept?"

"I accept your offer."