Being half Siren certainly had its advantages when it came to piracy, after all, what pirate captain wouldn’t want the sea to be obedient to his command?
The seas of Eroth feared Captain Ora for many reasons. With a just a song, he could take control of the minds of any governor or king that dared to deny his wishes.
There was a bounty put out on his head for over 500,000 stire—the common currency of the countries within the continent—and he almost found it offensive, the goal was to reach a much higher sum. His fifth great grandfather, the legendary RedSkull, was wanted for over 16 million stire by the time of his death and the goal was to surpass that.
His heart stirred like the rage of the sea in a violent windstorm. It had been a year since he last saw the one promised to him in marriage and their last meeting wasn’t pleasant...
“The Red Sparrow is closing in on you,” Aldrich Hemmington said with a chuckle as green eyes his eyes remained planted on the wanted poster in his hands. His blond hair dashed about in the breeze and he laughed louder when he looked up and caught sight of his friend’s disturbed grimace. “50,000 stire.”
Captain Ora, or, Hagarth Henderson, smirked, snatching the poster. “I wouldn’t call that closing in on me.”
“Yet a month ago it was 20,000.”
Hagarth’s eyes looked down on the poster wistfully, he sighed, trying his best to hide what churned within. A feeling of loss and yearning…if only he had been there.
He gazed at the woman’s face on the poster and found it well sketched, highlighting her prominent cheekbones and almond shaped eyes, the mole beneath her left eye wasn’t even forgotten—how was someone able to get such an accurate sketch of her.
“You still love her,” Aldrich noted.
Hagarth chuckled, returning the poster to his friend. “You don’t just stop loving someone like Onna,” he told him.
Aldrich gave a shrug. “I agree,” he stated, “I’ve never seen such an exquisite woman.”
Hagarth frowned, shooting a glare at the Bo’sun. “You are my good friend, but I will not hesitate to hang you from the crows-nest. As a matter of fact, I’ll sing, and you’ll do it on your own initiative.”
“Steady on, I’m not going to pilfer Onna from you…then again, she’s not yours anymore.”
Warningly, the silver and emerald eyes of the captain set on the man, “Aldrich.”
“I’m teasing.”
“Well, stop teasing, it could cost you your life.” Hagarth retrieved his sword and started towards his ship which was a shadow in the midst of the gray surroundings. “Where did you get this?” he inquired of the poster.
“Back in Buchanan, I was hesitant to show it to you but figured you might be curious.”
“So the Red Sparrow has already struck Buchanan…I wonder if she was hit with as many memories as I was.” Palming his chin he slowed his stroll and turned to face his friend. “If she was already there, then she may well be nearing here,” he nodded his head back towards the town.
“Captain!” one of his mates drawled as he sluggish moved towards them. “Give us some clear skies, will ya?”
“I’m a Human Siren, Reed, not a Pure Siren,” Hagarth scoffed. He crossed his arms and could sense approach of a downpour. “A storm is on the horizon. Maybe we should set sail tonight; you know what they say, calm seas never made a good pirate.”
“Let’s not try to weather another storm, I’m exhausted from the last time you almost sent us all the Davy Jones and the ship is in bad shape,” Aldrich murmured. “Your wind control is not all there yet.”
“But you have to admit I’m good at it. Sirens take centuries to master the art of wind charm and here I am at twenty-eight--”
“Just barely able to control a breeze.”
Hagarth’s smile disappeared.
“Maybe that’s an exaggeration but face it. You need more lessons.”
“Not that easy when my instructors are preoccupied.” Hagarth tossed Reed a pouch of money. “Find us a place to sleep for a fortnight. I’m hoping that repairs will take less time but if they don’t at least we’ll be comfortable.” He returned his attention to Aldrich. “You ask about Miss Red Sparrow, I think we’re closer than before.”
Seeing the hesitation in his eyes, Hagarth crossed his arms. “Speak up.”
“Captain. If she’s running from you, it may be better to let her go.”
“Onna wouldn’t run from anything or anyone, that’s not who she is—and I’m not letting her go without a chance to reconcile. I know this isn’t happening of her own initiative, this is the work of someone or something else. I thought she knew I loved her. As in, enough to overcome any doubts that might be put into her head.”