Blaggard's Moon by George Bryan Polivka

harsh for one who seeks but to serve,” Sharkbit replied.
    â€œI’m a bit harsh,” Damrick told him through clenched teeth.
    â€œThen you’ll do. Come aboard.”
    Suddenly two sailors appeared, one on either side of Sharkbit, and a knotted rope was thrown down. In what seemed to Lye like an unnatural hurry, Damrick put an arm through the loop of his duffel, threw it over his shoulder, and climbed. The weapons within clinked and rattled. Lye watched the pirates above as Damrick used a hole left by the Defender ’s cannon for footing. Then Lye took a deep breath and followed, grunting aloud and swearing silently.
    As soon as his two feet were firmly aboard, before his partner had even cleared the rail, Damrick had a large pistol in each hand, the muzzle of the left one hovering three inches from Sharkbit’s forehead. The other was aimed at the nearest pirate, to his right. “You’re under arrest, Sharkbit. Please, resist.”
    Sharkbit showed his teeth. “I recognize you. Your aim was not so good this morning.”
    â€œIt’ll be plenty good now.”
    Lye fairly fell over the rail, trying to get his pistol from his belt as he scrambled aboard, his heavy pack falling on top of him. He came up with the weapon in his hand, aimed it at the other sailor, the one to Damrick’s left. To his dismay, however, he realized that both the pirates had pistols in their hands as well. It was a standoff.
    Then shadows started drifting up from below decks. As the bounty hunters stood, ready to take their prisoner, they were gradually being surrounded.
    â€œLord, why aren’t all your men at the inn having some fun?” Lye muttered irritably.
    â€œLord, indeed,” Sharkbit answered. “They serve me and do as they’re told. Despite my statements at our earlier meeting today, which were made to maintain my reputation as a madman, my standards are actually quite high.”
    â€œYeah? Then who are those drunks in the boat?” Lye asked.
    â€œApplicants. Supplicants. Rejects. Drinking off their disappointment, I presume.”
    â€œGet in the boat, Sharkbit,” Damrick ordered without emotion.
    The captain of the Savage Grace shook his head. “Dear man. You have misjudged much. Do you believe yourself so superior that you could climb aboard an enemy ship and take its captain ashore with a pistol and…a poor opinion?”
    â€œYou about through talking?” Damrick asked.
    â€œYou do have some courage,” Sharkbit acknowledged. “No. No, I don’t think I am through talking. Why don’t you come to my parlor, little fly, where we can talk further. I begin to think you might make a very good spider yourself.”
    â€œYou want me to join up with you?”
    â€œIt does occur to me. You have the cold heart and the steady hands required. You could become great. You could become very rich.”
    â€œI’d never follow you.”
    â€œBecause you’re a leader. That’s what I like about you.”
    â€œI’d take everything you have.”
    â€œYou can have all I own.”
    For the first time, Damrick paused. “Why?”
    â€œBecause I want a lot more than I currently own, and I have the means to get it. I’ll have greater means yet, with you captaining a ship for me.”
    â€œYou sail under Conch Imbry, is what I hear.”
    â€œYou hear right.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œPower. Wealth. Protection.”
    A trace of a glint from Damrick’s eye caught Sharkbit’s eye. Sharkbit grinned. “It’s a powerful temptation for any man. But you, you carry the fire of destiny within you.”
    Damrick lowered his pistol.
    Lye Mogene gripped his more tightly, swung the barrel around to aimit at Sharkbit. Then he stared holes into Damrick. “You’re not seriously…” He trailed off. Damrick ignored him.
    â€œCome,” Sharkbit said. “Let’s have ourselves a