Honor Among Thieves || Book Two

~9~

"What? W-What are we s'posed t' do?We can't--"

"Calm down, Mange." Sera said as she put her hands on his scrawny shoulders. "Everything will be perfectly fine. Wolfie will be in charge."

His brows knitted together. "But what are we s'posed t' do? Just sail around 'til ye come back?"

"You will do whatever you please." She replied, casting Wolfie a menacing glare. "Within reason. Just remember my two most important rules: no gambling and no wenches aboard my ship whatsoever. Understand?"

"Aye, Cap'n." He, Rusty Pete, and Wolfie replied in unison.

She nodded and patted Mange on the shoulders before walking over to Wolfie. "I'm trusting you with my ship and my crew. It's a responsibility not to be taken lightly."

He nodded. "I understand, Cap'n."

"I fully expect to have a ship to come back to." She said with a smile, gently punching him in the chest. He snickered. "Ye'll have a ship full o' riches when ye return."

"Let's not get too carried away, yeah?" She laughed, making her way toward Jack's longboat. "So long, lads."

"See ye la'er, Cap'n!"

"Best o' luck!"

[] [] []

Later, aboard the Black Pearl....

"There it is!"

Sera shouted loud enough to be heard over the tempest that had settled in, keeping one hand on the Pearl's helm as she pointed at the rocks ahead. Jack squinted and held a hand over his eyes to shield them from the driving rain. "I see 'em! Take care an' don't hit 'em!"

Once she safely guided the vessel around the rocks, Jack ordered that they drop anchor several hundred yards from a decimated ship.

"That's it?" William asked incredulously, gesturing toward the ruined ship. "That's the Flying Dutchman?"

Sera snorted and strolled over to the railing beside him. "Of course not. The Dutchman--"

"She doesn't look like much, does she?" Jack interjected, shooting Sera an annoyed look as he wedged himself between them. William frowned. "Look at it, Jack! There's nothing left!"

"Must've run afoul of a reef." Gibbs added as he joined them near the railing. Confused, Sera grabbed ahold of Jack's arm and roughly pulled him aside. "Just what are you trying to pull? You know damn well that isn't the Dutchman!"

"Pipe down, love." He snapped, glancing around her shoulder to make sure William had not heard her. "Mr. Turner is--how do I put his? Blissfully ignorant of some things and I'd prefer to keep it that way for the time being."

"And what, pray, do you hope--"

"What's the plan, Jack?" William interrupted. Jack pulled away from Sera and straightened his coat. "What do you mean 'what's the plan'? You're the one going, lad."

William rolled his eyes. "Of course I am..."

"Let's get to it, gents!" Jack clapped his hands, dismissing any further conversation. "Lower a longboat!"

Sera crossed her arms and looked William over, taking note of his lean build. "How will you deal with his crew if you encounter them?"

His jaw tightened as he patted the sword at his side. "I'll cut down anyone that stands in my way."

She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "Good luck with that."

"Your chariot awaits you, sire!" Ragetti called over the steady roar of the rain. William made his way to the edge of the ship and carefully lowered himself into the longboat, taking extra care not to let the slippery rungs get the best of him. Jack peered over the side to give him a few parting words. "If you happen to find yourself in captivity, be sure to tell ol' fishface that Jack Sparrow sent you to settle his debt!"