The Captain's Treasure

I ran across the grounds, the cold night air biting my skin as each breath bloomed into tiny white clouds.

My cheek stung from where Lance had struck me, a thin trickle of blood trailing down it as I darted into the stables. I paused for a moment, glancing back at the house to see if anyone had noticed my absence yet.

The windows were still dark. Most of the staff had hastily turned in after the scene at dinner, leaving only me and a few night watchmen awake at this hour. I’d managed to avoid them so far, hiding in the shadows as I gathered whatever I could carry.

I wasn’t going to be the obedient little wife Lance wanted. Seen but not heard, forced to scurry around my own home for fear of my husband’s wrath.

I pulled a bridle down and dipped into one of the stalls, shushing the steed as I slipped it over her head. Shouts suddenly erupted from the house as the guards rushed into the courtyard, their torches held high.

“Where is she?” roared the imperious voice of my fiancé. “Find her and bring her to me!”

My hands shook as I swung my leg over the horse’s back, grateful to not be wearing a dress for once as I dug my heels into her flank.

“Hiya!” I cried.

“There! Thief!” someone shouted as I thundered out of the stables.

My gaze shot toward the figure in the doorway, catching the dark look on Lance’s face as I sped past. I snapped the reins, urging the horse to go faster as we quickly left Lance’s estate behind us.

I ditched the horse just outside of town, navigating the streets by lantern light as I made my way toward the docks. Five ships were moored in the harbor, three of them the crown’s mighty naval vessels. I steered clear of them. Their devoted crew would just hand me back over to my fiancé, their admiral.

I headed toward one of the other ships, a newer merchant vessel with crisp white sails. The quartermaster stood by the gangway, picking his nails with a dagger.

“Greetings!” I called, lowering my voice so I sounded more like a man.

“What do you want?” he grumbled, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow.

“I’d like to book passage on your ship! Pray, what is your next port of call?”

He glared at me, crossing his arms over his chest. “Port Karshin.”

“Excellent. How much?”

I pulled out my pouch of stolen coins and jewels. He glanced at the small bag before bursting into laughter.

He shook his head, wiping the blade he held on the worn fabric of his breeches. “Get lost, kid.”

“Sir, please. I really need to get off the—”

He shoved me, his dagger cutting my arm as I fell to the ground. Blood dripped from the wound onto the wooden planks.

“I said get lost! We’re not taking on any passengers, and even if we were, we wouldn’t do it for a few measly coins! Now, scram!”

I quickly retreated, clutching my hand around the gash on my forearm. I spotted a barrel of water near an alley and rushed over, barely glancing at the reflection of my stable boy disguise as I scooped up a small handful. I winced as I cleaned the blood and debris from my arm.

The sound of voices drew my attention, and I turned, paling as I spotted four of Lance’s men approaching. I quickly hid behind the barrel as they neared. My stomach churned when the subject of their conversation reached my ears.

“Why are we out here in the middle of the night? What are we even looking for?” one groaned.

“The admiral’s fiancée is missing, you idiot. She wasn’t in her room when the maid checked on her, and there was that horse thief in the stables,” another responded. “If you ask me, she probably ran away with the stable boy. A little lover’s tryst, you know?”

“Don’t know what the admiral is so worked up about,” the third said with a scoff. “Good riddance. She’s the bastard child of the baron’s maid. Don’t even understand why he was even interested in her.”

“It’s business,” the second replied. “The baron wants protection from the navy. Too many of his ships have been hit by pirates, and he’s losing money. He’ll make the admiral a partner once he marries the girl. He’ll be a very rich man. Wouldn’t fancy being his bride though. He’s got—”

“Shut your mouths before you get us into trouble!” the last guard scolded as they passed by, completely oblivious to my presence.

I waited a moment until I heard them talking with the quartermaster before sneaking out from my hiding spot and sprinting back into town.

I shook my head, pushing my doubts aside as I tried to focus on how to get off the island. I needed to find the other ship’s captain. Judging by the state of his ship, he’d be willing to take whatever coin I offered.

The sound of cheering and music echoed from one of the buildings. Drunken men loitered out front, a couple of harlots standing by the door and tempting passing sailors into spending their coin on gambling and good times.

I made my way toward the tavern, determined not to lose my one shot at freedom.

A woman shoved open the tavern’s front door as I approached, angrily throwing a very drunk man into the streets.

“If you can’t pay, you don’t play!” she shouted, straightening her skirts as the girls on either side of her laughed.

He scrambled to his feet, roughly grabbing the woman’s arm as she turned to go back inside. She spun, giving him a good hard kick between the legs and making him release her. He dropped to his knees, his hands clutched around his precious pearls as he yelped.

Wincing, I darted around him and followed the woman into the establishment. I pulled the brim of my hat down, hiding my face as I entered. The men around the bar cast a bored glance my way, making me grateful once again for my disguise.

A large body collided with me, knocking me into a table and spilling some of the drinks on top of it. A gruff man grabbed me by the collar, nearly pulling me off my feet.

“Watch it, boy!” he spat.

He pushed me away, scowling at me as he walked to the bar for another drink. I quickly made my way toward the back where a crowd had gathered around a table. Curious, I rose on my tiptoes to see what game they were playing.

Five players sat in a circle, each one with a wooden mug in his hand. They shook them, the sharp sound of dice rattling against the edges, before they slammed their cups facedown onto the table. Each gambler then raised the rim just high enough to take a peek while still keeping their roll hidden.

The man opposite me caught my eye. He was lavishly dressed in a dark-red coat, his large hat shielding his face as he glanced down at his dice. I could just see the line of his jaw, the light stubble of his cheek giving him a hard, rugged profile.

I bit my lip as I stared at him.

“Better…stay here, lad,” a drunk slurred as he leaned against the wall near me. “Navy’s out lookin’ for a…stable boy like you.” He hiccuped, his eyes drooping as he drained his tankard. “Say he stole a horse…and the admiral’s woman. They’ll…hang him…by sunrise, for sure.”

I watched the drunkard slowly slide to the floor, his hand still clutched around his cup as he snored.

My chest tightened as I turned back to the game. I had no choice. I’d have to play and win if I wanted off this island.