Shadows in the Trees: Book 1

Chapter 21

After defeating the captain in the duel, she had needed to capitalize on the crew's fear and her power before she lost it to their doubt and superstitions. And capitalize she did; though this was her first foray into merchantry, her experience in manipulating power served her well. She was vicious and uncompromising to her fellow merchants and her suppliers, but generous and fair to her crew. At first, the crew was dubious of her abilities; after all, they had found her half naked and starving on a rock in the middle of the ocean. Many of the men believed her to be a demon or a witch, but after a few of her shrewd trades and business deals, which led to a big payout for them, they didn't care much who or what she was. When her crew asked what they should call her, she simply said "captain". However, it wasn't long before her enemies and business partners referred to her as "she-devil", "the red shrew", and various other uncomplimentary names. To her face, though, they always called her "The Captain".

The Captain was sitting in her cabin, where she spent most of her time at night, going through her predecessor's logs and accounts by candlelight. The previous captain had kept extensive records written in a code he had apparently invented. It had taken her a few days to break the code and make a key, and she had nearly translated all his books. Now it was just a matter of figuring out how much money he had lost, and how she could earn it back.

A knock sounded at the door. "Come in," she said without looking up. Her first mate Barnabas, or Barney for short, carefully crossed the threshold and gently closed the door behind him. A timid, but intelligent man, the previous captain hadn't valued his skills, thinking him weak. She, however, had quickly recognized his intelligence, and his loyalty and expertise had proven invaluable. "Barnabas," she said, offering him a glance and a quick smile. "What can I do for you?"

"I came to report that the night shift has transitioned smoothly. I told Kaius to take the lookout instead of Jeremiah, like you asked."

"Thank you, Barnabas. Jeremiah's a good man, but his eyesight is going." She scribbled a note in the margins of the book she was studying, sighing and shaking her head. "My predecessor was an idiot. He nearly bankrupted you all."

"Captain Esben was a good man," Barnabas said, scratching his scraggly beard. "But he wasn't a good businessman. He got the ship from his father-in-law, thinking he could win his favor by going into business with him. But he was always a soldier at heart."

"So he had a wife then," she said, grimacing. Barnabas nodded. "Can I expect trouble from the father-in-law?"

"I don't believe so, Captain. He never much liked Esben, and this was one of his least valuable ships, especially with Esben in charge. He probably considers his death a blessing. Besides, you won the ship fair and square, Captain. Legally, he has no grounds to take his ship back."

"Very good, Barnabas. Thank you."

"Of course, Captain. Do you need any help with the books?"

She sighed and rubbed her temples. "Perhaps you could give me some insight on the men Esben was in business with, and the nature of their deals. Maybe some dirt on them that I can use against them. We need big payouts, and soon, if we're going to dig ourselves out of the hole Esben made."

"We've already renegotiated several deals, Captain," Barnabas said. "We're doing better than we ever have."

"It's not enough."

"It's plenty for the crew. You've given us more money in the last week than Esben did in an entire year. You should start giving yourself some of the cut."

"I can't take any of the cut until we're out of debt."

"We will be soon. Don't worry, Captain. With the track you've put us on -- "

"We'll be mediocre, just rich enough to feel successful," she interrupted, her blue eyes flashing. "We need to be the best."

"But . . . why?"

She set down her quill and turned to Barnabas. His shoulders sunk in and his head dipped as he cowered from her gaze. She wondered what his life must have been like, what must have happened to him, to have him fear something as simple as looking someone in the eye.

"Because I have always been the best at what I have done," she said plainly. "And I am tired of running and hiding."