The Wrath of a Shipless Pirate (The Godlanders War) by Aaron Pogue Page A

ship they can find to leave this town. So how many does that leave of your sort, the hired force? Half a dozen? Even if it’s a score or more, I hear Lord Béthané has a grudge to bear against you. And the Marquis too. I’m sure there are more, and all those greedy hearts who backed the Captain, everyone who bowed to his rich bribes … they’re going to forget you now the money’s gone.”
    “But … but … ”
    Corin reached up to clap the big man on the shoulder. “The way I see it, you have one chance, here and now, to make things right. Play it right, and you could be a hero.”
    “How? Tell me!”
    Corin didn’t show a grin. He jerked his head toward the ship behind him. “The First Mate’s dead and the Captain is long gone. The crew’s dispersed too, but their ship is still in port.”
    The watchman frowned, perplexed. “What?”
    Corin sighed and said it plainly. “Take the ship.”
    “Oh, I’m no sailor.”
    “No. You … No. Claim the ship on behalf of some injured nobleman and you might make yourself a friend. Better still, loot the captain’s cabins and the storage holds, and share whatever you find there with the common folk.”
    “That’ll work?”
    Corin held his gaze. “Move fast, act confident, and never look back. It always works for me.”
    The watchman dropped his grip on Corin’s shoulder. He transferred his attention to the mighty ship towering over them, and while he was still mulling possibilities, Corin ducked his head and slipped quietly away. The crowd there welcomed him, and seconds later the watchman was lost to sight.
    Some among the sailors came to clap him on the shoulder. Some villagers came forward to thank him or to ask if the rumors were all true. One was a familiar face, the same old Josef who’d attacked him just last night, but now he came to Corin with a warm embrace and clumsy Ithalian.
    “Is true? The First Mate’s end?”
    Corin threw a glance over his shoulder and just caught sight of Big Jack Brown and his assistants in a little boat, pulling hard against the tide to leave the harbor. Corin nodded. “Aye, he’s done.”
    “And this guard? He’ll hero?”
    Corin cocked his head, really considering the possibility for the first time. “That I couldn’t say. He might. He might find a pardon. He might just as easily end up in stocks. It doesn’t matter.”
    “Then why?”
    Corin chuckled. “It’s my final blow against Dave Taker. If he ever finds his way back here now, he’ll come back without a crew, without a ship, and without the resources he’d invested.”
    “It is all conniving?”
    “Truer words were never said, my friend. It is all conniving. Now come. I think I’ve earned a drink.”
    Half an hour later, the innkeeper met them at the door. “It can’t be true! Is it true? Josef! They are saying—”
    Josef answered. “Is true. This Ithalian is hero.”
    “But so soon! You only just arrived, while they have plagued our town for weeks. Now they say the First Mate is dead and his victims are picking at the bones of his old power.”
    “Did I not give my word? I did exactly as you asked of me.”
    “But so soon!” the host repeated.
    Corin favored him with a smile. “There is one thing in this world I can’t afford, and that is hesitation. That’s also why I need the news I asked of you last night.”
    “Francois left town last night. He will post word to us if he learns anything in Brinole, but he intends to travel all the way to Aepoli if that’s what it takes.”
    “You see,” Corin said. “You are just as quick to do as you have promised. How soon will you hear back from Brinole?”
    “Tonight at the latest. A rider could be here before sunset.”
    “Excellent. He may have to ride to Aepoli to learn everything I need to know, but any shreds of information he finds along the way will serve me well. And of the … local matter?”
    The innkeeper frowned. “Which one is that?”
    “The druid hiding here in Marzelle. Have