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“I have some nice necklaces in my collection. I would like to give you and your crew a chest full of my best pieces.”
“A bribe?”
Isaiah shrugged. “Let’s just say I don’t want to be your enemy. You are all right, mate.”
“Hmm.” Ven considered it. “She’s more tempting, but I suppose a necklace is fine. Besides, I don’t think she can handle me after the last girl.”
“What happened to the last girl?”
“I got carried away.”
His mother’s screams reverberated in his head. Then they went silent. He let his grin widen.
“Nice. Then I will keep her for a few more nights. It’s the best way to get a clear mind for my meetings. I’m sure you understand.”
“Yeah.”
“One’s going to be particularly harrowing.” He paused for effect. “This guy insists on getting access to my coins in exchange for a map.”
“Charming.”
“To a ghost ship! Can you believe that? Like it’s a fair trade.”
“A ghost ship?”
“Yes. It’s a myth and full of crap. A ghost ship containing a ghost sword that wields special magic. Some other fancy ghost stuff in that ship, too, better than whatever power the other islands hold. Can you imagine? It’s too good to be true. In short, crap.”
Except Ven hadn’t thought so once.
“Is this guy insisting a pirate?”
“A trader, actually.”
“I see. The rumors are true, then? Have you exchanged pirate life for trader life?”
He was sure he didn’t imagine the judgmental tone.
“No,” he said firmly. “But I don’t mind playing with them once in a while. It’s fun to trick them.”
That particular lie was going to bite him in the ass someday, but there was no way for Ven to confirm it now. Isaiah didn’t mention the ghost ship again, not wanting to sound eager. Ven didn’t, either, hailing for another round of drinks and offering him a glass.
“You are not as arrogant as I assumed,” Ven said after a while. “Most popular pirates either steer clear of me or challenge me.”
“I like making friends. I acknowledge people being more powerful than me, even if I also have a lot to offer. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Isaiah raised a toast. “Cheers, mate.”
“Cheers.”
“I probably won’t see you after my gift of the chest, but it’s been wild.”
“Probably not.”
Except Ven wouldn’t let this go.
I got you.
