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“I’m still not sure, but I promise to pay you handsomely for the hours I will occupy it. Do send your best servers and refreshments.”
He ambled in and silently thanked Marko for arranging that with his sometimes-lover, who often visited their ship and would normally send Isaiah scathing remarks about their lifestyle. Inside the room, he only waited a few minutes until a man barged in, carrying large bags and rolled papers in tow.
“Am I late? If I am, I promise there’s a plausible reason for it. I had some trouble bringing all these in and keeping things under wraps, too. I sincerely apologize, Captain. Please forgive me. Please don’t cut my head off. Please don’t slice my fingers off.”
“You are not late, Elmer,” Isaiah said, giving the man a warning look. Under the man’s curly wig and ridiculously garish clothes, Wheeler bowed elaborately. “Take a seat.”
“You are too kind, Captain. You are too gracious, and it’s the reason we are having this meeting in the first place—that and the rumors that you are a good payer.”
“Of course. It’s important to my reputation and future deals. Now, where are the items?”
From there on, they made an elaborate show of looking over the papers that Wheeler opened and the legend behind each one, then talked about the tale of the ghost ship. Isaiah went for the original skeptical tone and allowed the man to convince him of its truth—loudly, of course, and with enough flare to spread energy in the room and outside. At the end of the passionate speech, Isaiah sighed just as loudly.
“I suppose I have more than enough coins to acquire this so-called map and indulge this silly tale of yours.”
“It’s not silly, it’s true—”
“Just shut your mouth, Elmer, and take the deal. Here’s your bag of coins. Give me what I need in exchange.”
Wheeler made another show of fawning over the payment before whispering in his ear and booming with one warning.
“This information is freely given and will lead you to a lifetime of treasure. It dies with you unless you willingly give it, too. Don’t take that last statement for granted. It’s all real. The curse is real.”
Isaiah eyed the rolled papers as soon as Wheeler left, pretending to mull over it. A server strolled in and brought more refreshments, deliberately widening the door that had already been slightly open to begin with.
“More food, Captain?” Arty asked while dressed in the drabbest of clothes and bowing politely. “Or perhaps a lady to keep you company?”
“No thanks, kind sir.”
“I wouldn’t mind some food. A lady would be too repetitive for the captain, though, after his last one.” Ven moseyed in, fully decked in his favorite dark and gold colors as he scanned the room. “You weren’t lying about the meeting.”
Isaiah managed to look relaxed, leaning back as he scrutinized the man. How he managed it with his insides roaring was a miracle. “I have no reason to lie to you. And you had no reason to release a bunch of dangerous beasts after me, but here we are.”
Ven gave him a speculative look, as if trying to decide how to handle Isaiah’s knowledge. Then the man sat across from him, imitating his posture.
“You must have heard the news that I was looking for the ghost ship once or twice.”
Or a hundred times.“I can’t say I have. If I did, then I didn’t care since almost everyone I know won’t stop talking about it whenever the topic comes up…wait. Is that why you wanted me dead? Since you were already eavesdropping, surely you heard what the man said.”
“I didn’t want you dead,” Ven lied smoothly. “I wanted to test your reputation. As it turns out, you are more capable than I assumed.”
“I would test you out, but I can’t be bothered. So. You want the map.” Isaiah pointed at his chest. “And I have to willingly give it to you, as Elmer said. Something about a curse. You threatening me and killing me won’t solve your dilemma. Is that enough to get you to leave me alone, mate?”
“I was thinking more along the lines of a partnership.”
It was the statement he was waiting for. Strangely enough, his heart didn’t feel a hint of excitement despite the plan pulling through.Step two.
“It depends on what your idea of a partnership is.”
“We work together to find it. You serve the map and I serve the reinforcements. We split what we find in half.”
“See now, that’s fair and all…but I did discover it first. And I did pay Elmer, not you. I was thinking 60-40.”
“That’s not—”
“Never mind that. 70-30 and me beingverywilling.”
He smirked for good measure and watched as Ven’s expression thundered, showing a glimpse of the real man behind the façade. Then the man turned pleasant and nodded.
