Page 88 of Captive of the Pirate King
The door to the tattoo room opens, and a masked figure sweeps in. I recognize the replacement mask Locke chose, and I lean closer to the spy-hole. The sailor’s voice is blurred by the glass and the walls, but I can make out his words.
“They told me you wouldn’t speak—that I should tell you the tattoo I want and repeat the vow on this paper.” The sailor taps a piece of paper on the table beside him.
Locke bows his masked head once.
“I’d like a water-lily.” The sailor swallows hard. “My wife’s favorite flower. On my wrist, here.” He points to the inner side of his right arm.
Again Locke nods. He lays out several tools and a bottle of ink on a tray near the man. Before beginning his work, he swabs the area with liquid. Then the needle flashes, and Locke begins the design, while magic sparks around his gloved fingers. The sailor winces at the pain, but Locke only jerks his head toward the paper where the vow of allegiance is written.
Shakily the pirate repeats the words. “I vow never to betray the location of Ravensbeck to anyone, through any method, or may my heart stop and my soul leave my body. I swear my allegiance to the Pirate King, and to the Crowned Skull-and-Bones.”
A simple vow. Concise and effective.
More wincing and whimpering from the sailor as the tattoo is completed, and then Locke lifts the man’s arm, inspecting his work. Satisfied, he stands up, a clear signal that the session is over.
“A fine job,” says the sailor. “And now that I’ve been sworn to secrecy, I’ll be free to visit my home again, and see my wife?”
Locke doesn’t answer.
“I suppose that’ll be up to the captain of whatever ship I join,” the man falters.
Again, Locke doesn’t reply, but he waves the man toward the door.
With his fingers on the handle, the man turns back. “I don’t know if you’re the Pirate King or one of the other mages,” he says. “But if you’re the Pirate King—Locke as I knew him—I just want to say that you’re a decent sort. You were kind to me when I came onto theArdent, and I won’t forget it. I didn’t set out to turn pirate, but I didn’t much like serving them greedy merchants and their kings, neither. Whatever happens, I’ve got my life and some protection, and a place to seek refuge if I need it. That means something to me. So I guess I’m sayin’ thanks.”
When Locke doesn’t move or respond, the pirate ducks his head with a satisfied finality and walks out.
69
Locke tattoos three more of theWending Willow’sformer crew, and then turns to the observation window, motioning for me to meet him in the back room again. I close the panel and return along the cramped hallway to the room with the masks and cloaks.
But when I step inside, there’s another man present. He has ebony skin and a close-cropped gray beard, and his eyes are pale yellow, like sunshine gleaming through honey. He holds a blue porcelain mask set with mother-of-pearl.
“Well then,” he says in a deep, rich bass. “Who might you be?”
“I came here with, um—” I’m not sure I’m supposed to say it, but I’m saved from the decision as Locke sweeps into the room. He removes his mask at once, and the two men clasp forearms and give each other a quick half-hug.
“You’re back safely, though not without blood and scandal, I’ve heard.” The older man smiles indulgently at Locke. “I’m guessing she is part of the scandal?”
“She is. Veronica, this is my mentor, Daerani,” Locke says.
“A pleasure to meet you.” I dip into a courtly curtsy.
Daerani gives me a quick bow in return. “Such nice manners. I like her. We’ll talk soon, yes?”
“We will,” Locke assures him. “Thank you for taking this shift. I have a mountain of work to do.”
Daerani nods acknowledgement and sets his mask in place, tying it at the back of his skull.
When he leaves the room, Locke hesitates, looking down at the tray of tattoo supplies he’s holding. “Nick, you know I’ve already broken my laws for you. But there’s one I can’t break without putting all my people in danger. I can’t let you be the exception.”
I draw in a long breath. “You mean you have to tattoo me as well.”
“I was going to do it tomorrow, but—we’re here now.”
“And I have to swear allegiance to you.”
“We can leave out that part, if you like. There are some privateers who trade here but don’t want to join my fleet, and they only receive the vow of secrecy, not the oath of allegiance. But I do need to ensure that you’d never tell the location of this place, not even if you were tortured, not even if someone threatened everything you love.”
