Honor Among Thieves || Book Two

~22~

Aboard the Endeavor. .

"He's dead, sir."

Without looking up, Lord Beckett carefully placed a bookmark amongst the worn pages of The Odyssey. "Is he?"

"Yes." Ian Mercer nodded even though he knew the gesture would not be seen. "He was killed by Sao Feng."

"That's a shame. He had such promise." Beckett's face showed no emotion as he sat the aged book aside and intertwined his fingers on his desk. "What of the siren?"

"I couldn't get her, sir. She was carried off by another pirate."

Beckett drew in a sharp breath. "If I recall correctly, I said that failure was not an option."

"I know that, sir, but I--"

"Did you find out anything of value?" Beckett question, agitation clear in his voice as he crossed his arms and reclined in his chair. Mercer produced a silver coin from his pocket.

"What is that?"

"A piece of eight." Mercer answered as he tossed it to him. "There are nine in total, one for each pirate lord."

"A piece of eight." Beckett murmured, turning the coin so that its shiny surface caught the sunlight pouring through the windows. "Odd. What is the significance of it, I wonder?"

"Our friend was mum on those particular details, I'm afraid."

Beckett's eyes gleamed as he laid the coin on the desk in front of him. "Then it must be important. We'll keep this between ourselves, yes?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." Beckett waved him away and continued to stare at the coin on his desk. Perhaps things had gone in his favor. Since Mercer and Jeremy could not capture the siren, perhaps the captain of the Flying Dutchman could help. . .

[] [] []

On the other side of the sea...

The vessel Barbossa and company managed to bargain from Sao Feng was not very big, but it was large enough to accomodate everyone.

The miniscule cabin, however, was only big enough for one and it was currently occupied by Sera and Tia Dalma, who was keeping vigil over her. They had set out from Singapore a little over an hour ago and the effects of the dart were slowly wearing off, but Sera was still unable to speak.

"You will be free of dis soon." Tia murmured as she prepared a glass of piping hot tea. "I am not sure what sort of toxin was used, but--"

Sera made a choked garbling sound and peeled the covers back, pointing to her bump. Tia smiled and shook her head as she continued to stir the tea. "There is no need to worry. It was not strong enough to cause harm to your little one."

Relieved, Sera reclined in the rickety old twin-sized bed and covered herself back up, happily accepting the tea. As she drank, the door slowly creaked open and Barbossa stuck his head in. "How is she?"

"She is recovering." Tia replied, standing from her chair. "Slowly but surely."

He nodded and lowered his eyes for a moment. "Does she know who was behind it?"

Before Tia could respond, Sera grunted and pointed to her eyes.

"De toxin affected her senses." Tia explained. "She was likely unable to see who was responsible."

Barbossa set his mouth in a thin line. "Can she--"

"I womt buh naw." Sera grumbled, wiping her lips on her sleeve. He raised his eyebrows and looked to Tia for a translation. "She wants to know who it was." She obliged, giving him a knowing look as she squeezed out of the narrow doorway beside him.