The Wandering Knave of the Seven Seas: The Voyage of Neptune's Mermaids

Chapter Six: Harshest of Betrayals

It was like he knew he was wanted. William leant casually against the outer wall of the Manor, his blade unsheathed and trailing through the air openly in wide and graceful arches that would surely get him scolded had he been caught. His attention was so focused on the movement of the sword in front of him, mesmerised by the sunlight dancing off its surface, that I was able to stop and stare without intruding.

The way of the Pirate was unknown to me. How did one leave their humanity behind to pursue a dangerous course of which there should be no return? I believed that there was no return—that once you got a taste of the bloodlust there was no going back. And yet here he stood, whirling the blade through the air in a way I’ve seen many Pirates do before. A skill only the skilful possessed. His usual troubled eyes were stilled and calmed, holding a look of what seemed like admiration for the sword. I had stashed mine in my room down below and I wondered if I would ever feel the way he did about his own. No—probably not.

I stepped towards William, my skirts lagging behind me, and stopped before him; far enough away to avoid the sword even though I knew he would have complete control over it—be able to halt its movements to cease harm. “May I speak with you, Mr Cahir?”

William dropped his eyes from the sword to me, the blade still singing through the air in a beautiful arch. “That depends on what it is in regards to. Should I be worried?”

I shook my head once and finally the blade ceased spinning. William thrust it back into its place on his side and crossed his arms across his muscular chest. Standing this close to him again I was startled at his build. “It is not to be worried about, sir, but instead I’d like to propose something—something very similar to your prior request, if I may?”

William bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Please.”

I started to ask but the glint of his sword by his side startled me again. I wanted to feel it so badly in my own hands, to weigh it in my grip as I swung it through the air as he did, and to strike at my enemies the way no woman should. I brought my eyes up to William, my breathing steady, my heart hammering. “I wish to agree to your prior proposal,” I started, and William straightened in response, surprised, “but under my terms.”

He narrowed his eyes, “And what may they be?”

“That you aid me in my adventures, as I shall aid you in yours. I want to know what you do—to take part in what you do. That is, when you sail those seas in search of a prey you were once allied with, that you take me by your side, as an accomplice in a partnership that may conquer enemies far and wide, and let me soar through the wars with you.” Fire had started burning in my veins, a roaring heat soaring through my body. I felt the thrill of fight within me, the bloodlust unfamiliar to other women, but accepted by me. William watched me, his eyes clear of anything to give away his true feelings. “I want to learn your ways, to be trained in the art of attack, to learn how to control and command Pirates. What say you?”

William watched me for a long time, those troubled eyes portraying no sign that he had so much as heard me speak. He had his arms crossed, but was partially straightened so he seemed taller. The exposed part of his arms showed scars and were adorned with fresh bruises and cuts. I willed that one day mine would show the same.