Page 82 of Escaping Pirates
“Come closer and fight like a man!” one of the pirates jeered. “Or are you a coward with a toy?”
“Fire,” Korth said calmly and signaled to the men handling the giant crossbow.
Slam.
The two men operating the machine released the thick straps, and a dozen bolts shot across the water. Wood exploded in a shatter of splinters, the impact reverberating like a thunderclap across the water. TheFortune Huntershuddered violently as the payload tore through the deck, ripping open beams and cleaving a crater in its heart.
Men were flung off their feet from the blast—some into the sea, others into railings or rigging. Shouts turned to screams. Torn sails fell in a tangled, deadly net that covered several pirates where they stood.
The jeers stopped and panic took its place.
What had been cocky bravado a moment ago now dissolved into utter chaos. Pirates stumbled over each other, their eyes wide with disbelief. A younger pirate threw down his sword and vaulted over the side with a strangled cry. Tyrone’s voice rang out once, trying to rally his ranks again, but no one listened. Their confidence had vanished in the span of a heartbeat, drowned in splinters and the sudden, brutal realization that they weren’t just outmatched.
They had already lost.
“Reload,” Korth called, plenty loud enough for those on theFortune Hunterto hear.
“We surrender!” Tyrone shouted, throwing down his sword. Soon, it was echoed by all the pirates.
“We surrender! Mercy!”
The medic smirked as she began wrapping my hands in bandages. “I told you so.”
Weapons clattered to decks. Sailors emerged from below, hands lifted. One even leapt into the water with asplash, paddling toward Korth’s ship before soldiers even had a chance to board.
Pirates were bound and escorted across decks. The medic didn’t even look up as the gangplank was lowered to begin the prisoner parade down to the brig.
Nearby, Gil stood with blood on her sleeve and a long, shallow scratch running from jaw to collarbone, but staunchly refusing all medical attention. When approached, she played the role of a young, shocked cabin boy to perfection so that soon, Korth’s men were treating her like an adoptive son.
After ensuring that all the pirates were locked securely into the brigs of all his vessels, Korth appeared at our side, then his face split into a wide, surprised grin. “Jameson, it’s really you!”
“Sort of,” Harlan said, grimacing as he tried to sit up straighter. “Still breathing though, thanks to Elena.”
Korth clasped his shoulder. “What has it been, twelve years?” he asked. “I didn’t expect to find you among pirates.”
“I wasn’t planning to stay,” Harlan said dryly. “How have you been?”
“Better than you, by the looks of it. And I’m engaged. You must come visit soon so I can introduce you to my fiancée.” Korth beamed. “You had us all worried. A few survivors came in from one of Edmund Arkwright’s lost ships several months ago, but when no survivors were found from your ship, we assumed the worst.”
“Survivors from an Arkwright ship?” I interrupted breathlessly. “Did Enid make it? A woman?”
“There was a woman and fifteen men that survived. Sirens found them drifting at sea and brought them to land.”
“You’re sure Enid was among the number?” Joyblossomed in my chest. “She was the only woman other than me aboard.”
“I’m positive.”
I sagged back against Harlan, overcome with relief. Enid had survived. Harlan, however, stiffened. “No survivors from my ship?”
Korth shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
I touched Harlan’s face. Even though he had expected it from the beginning, it was still a blow.
Gil coughed. “Sorry to break up this cozy chat, but I believe the prince and I had a business deal to discuss, right?” The boyish grin I knew so well was solidly back in place.
Korth nodded wearily. “Ah, yes. Dahlia sent the payment for if you succeeded.”
“You have two pirate ships off the seas, their crews and captains are in your brigs, and the lost prince has been returned safe and sound. I would say that’s a success.”
