Page 46 of Mardon

“You know I did.”

“How is this different than any of the other wenches you bed?”

“Emmaline was different. I – I cared for her.”

“Well, don’t. The crew as well as myself only cares about the treasure. We need to figure out where the next clue leads us. The treasure is all that matters.”

“I tire of our dead father’s games.” Mardon knocked over the glass on the table in aggravation. It hit the floor and shattered. The proprietor looked up in concern.

“We’re going,” said Aaron with a smile and a wave. “Here’s for your trouble.” He threw a coin down on the table and looked back at Mardon. “If we had time, I’d suggest we just raid this place, but it’s important to set sail. Stitch told me he already saw the Poseidon leave and head south down the channel.”

That brought Mardon back to his senses. His nemesis, Nereus, was not going to get there first. “I won’t let Nereus walk away with one gold coin from that treasure,” said Mardon. “That treasure should have been ours. I hate father’s little games, but you’re right. We need to find it. It’s our inheritance.”

“Let’s go.” Aaron led the way to the door. Once they got to the docks and boarded the ship, Goldtooth came running over to greet them.

“Cap’n. There’s someone here to see ye.”

“What in God’s name are you talking about?” growled Mardon. He stopped in his tracks and turned around. “Is it Emmaline? Has she returned?” His hopes climbed as his heart speeded up.

“Nay, the nun isn’t here,” said Goldtooth. “But there is a priest here askin’ for ye.”

“A priest?” He looked up, first seeing an elderly, tall man standing on the main deck. Nairnie was talking to him. He looked nervous and anxious and rightly so. Mardon was sure he had never been aboard a pirate ship before. Whatever he wanted, it must be important or he wouldn’t have risked his life coming here. “What does he want?” asked Mardon.

“I don’t know. He asked for the captain. Nairnie told him to wait and that ye’d be back soon.”

“I see.” Mardon strode over to the man with Aaron and Goldtooth right behind him. The crew watched on from their positions on the ship. “I’m the captain of the Falcon,” said Mardon, acknowledging the man with a small nod. “What is it you want?”

“This is the – the pirate ship?” the priest asked, looking around.

“It is.” Mardon didn’t feel the man was a threat, but he didn’t like a priest on the ship. Still, curiosity kept him from throwing the holy man overboard.

“I have a message for you, Captain. A young lady asked me to find you.”

“What young lady?”

“Her name is Lady Emmaline,” the priest answered.

“Lady Emmaline?” asked Goldtooth. “Ye mean Sister Emmaline, don’t ye?”

“Everyone, back to your posts,” said Mardon. “Father, I’d like to talk to you in private. Please join me in my cabin.”

“Well, I . . . I really need to be getting back. A man has died and I’m needed.”

“Dinna worry, my grandson willna harm ye,” Nairnie assured the man. She took him by the arm and led him to the cabin. “It’s this way, Faither.”

Mardon entered the cabin with the priest, Nairnie and Aaron.

“Close the door, Aaron,” said Mardon, seeing his crew watching and listening. Aaron closed the door.

“Where is Emmaline? And what is her message?” asked Mardon.

“She is in trouble.” The man held out a ring. “She asked me to give this to you.”

Mardon’s eyes fastened to the ring in the priest’s palm. He picked it up in two fingers to inspect it.

“Isn’t that the ring you stole from that French ship?” asked Aaron.

“It sure as hell looks like it,” Mardon answered, getting a swipe on the arm from Nairnie.