The Lost Prince by Matt Myklusch Page A

squawked in Dean’s ear as the sailors crowded around him. Dean turned his head and tried to act like it didn’t bother him. The truth was, he hated the way One-Eyed Jack’s filthy bird felt on his shoulder. Its talons felt like the pirate king’s own fingers digging into his skin.
    Dean motioned to Ronan. “Let him go, please. If he gave you any trouble, it was only out of concern for our captain.” He locked eyes with Ronan and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Ronan. You won’t be finding Gentleman Jim on board.”
    Ronan blinked. “But he has to be on board.”
    Rook’s lips twisted up in a wicked grin. “Take my word fer it. The briny deep be home to Gentleman Jim now.”
    Ronan’s eyes welled up with tears. Dean balled up his fist. He wanted to knock that smile off Rook’s ugly face, but it wasn’t the time or place. Over at the mast, Verrick’s men cut Ronan loose. He stumbled forth in a daze, crushed by the apparent loss of his captain.
    “Sire, you gave us a terrible fright,” Verrick told Dean. “You can’t imagine … for us to have been searching for you so long, only to lose you again the moment we found you.” Verrick shivered from head to toe. “Where did you go? Why did you leave?”
    Dean smiled. “Come now, Captain. You didn’t expect me to swallow a story like yours in one bite, did you?” Dean pointed to the island in the distance. “Bartleby Bay has a reputation. Ifollowed your crew ashore to make certain you weren’t pirates yourselves.”
    Verrick nodded. “Fair enough. I trust you saw nothing to confirm your suspicions?”
    Dean shook his head. “I wouldn’t have come back otherwise. But this journey still goes against every sane instinct I have. A body would have to be mad to set sail with you.”
    “You can’t mean that.”
    “Charting a course for Zenhala? I do indeed. But!” Dean raised a finger. He was trying hard to make it seem like he’d come to this decision on his own. “The way I see it, you only live once. So I’m going to do it anyway.”
    Verrick laughed and clasped his hands together. “You can’t imagine how relieved I am to hear you say that. Your kingdom will rejoice in your return.” The captain of the
Tideturner
looked to his men. “It’s time, lads! Time at last! Your faith has been rewarded. Our years of sacrifice are nearly at an end. Ready a launch for the prince’s mates. They’ll be going back to the island forthwith.”
    “Belay that order!” Dean called out. “They’re coming with us, Captain.”
    Ronan joined Rook and Dean, rubbing his wrists. His skin was red where the ropes had bound him. “What’s all this about? Where are we going?”
    “Your Grace!” Verrick said before Dean could reply. “We can’t take outsiders back to the island. It’s against the law.”
    “The law? I thought you said I was the prince.”
    “Yes. Of course, but—”
    “Well? Don’t I make the laws?”
    Verrick hesitated. He was clearly uncomfortable with the position Dean was putting him in. “It’s not that simple.”
    “It never is. I haven’t survived this long by being simple. You said as much yourself. I’m not going anywhere without protection.”
    Verrick put on a wounded look. “You’ve no need of protection here. Any man on this ship would gladly give his life for you, myself included.”
    “So you say. I might be willing to take a chance and trust you, but I don’t know you. Not like I do Ronan and Rook. We go together or not at all. That’s my final word on the matter.”
    Verrick rubbed his beard, grumbling. “And the bird? He comes too, I take it?”
    “Sisto? He’s my closest friend,” Dean lied. “I can’t leave him behind.” Dean fed the bird a cracker and placed him in a cage that he and Rook had brought on board. Sisto snapped at Dean’s fingers as he shut the door.
    “Very well,” Verrick said at last. “Set a course for the Bermuda Triangle, men. We’re going home. All of us.” The crew hoisted the