Grace set her pepperbox gun down on her table within her Captain's cabin. She momentarily gazed at a map upon the table. It depicted the known seas and lands within them. She silently wondered where the treasures of Captain Death lay hidden. She knew that working with Nereus Neptune, was like playing a game of noddy, where the cards don't add up. She could possibly lose and Nereus might very well gain for it.
Grace knew that Captain Death was dangerous and many on the seas feared his wrath in any form. Her own gunner, Bloody Brona, knew all too well, what crossing this particular villain meant. Brona's entire clan had paid for robbing Captain Death's ship when it had docked off the Scottish coast. Brona had survived but not without the bearing the curse of her clan. Grace could not imagine the horrors the Scottish maiden had seen before the darkness had consumed her.
A heavy knock on her cabin door pulled her from sailing among her inner thoughts. "Enter," was Grace's reply.
A large Nubian man entered, placed a full bottle of mead on Grace's table. He smiled then stood straight and crossed his thick muscled arms. Grace grabbed the mead, pulled its cork and took a whiff of the liquid contents held within. She then sealed the jug and placed it back on the table.
"I trust you have gotten all we need, without bleeding my coffers." Grace teased.
"That I have Captain...I hear that we are going to have Master Neptune aboard, should I prepare the brig?" Seaton grinned at his own humor.
"Not yet at least. However, make sure you have nothing valuable in your quarters since he will be bunking with ya." Grace shot back.
"Yes...I figured as much, we don't need Brona feeding on him," Seaton paused. "Captain, may I ask what he has in mind?"
"You may...The answer is simple; we are hunting treasure that might get us killed all the same." Grace said plainly.
"It is of my knowledge, that gaining treasure always comes with death as an alternative prize." Seaton reasoned.
"Yes...Death is the gambit and holder on this matter."
"If I am understanding you correctly, then we are flirting with the devil himself. How does Nereus plan to rob this demon?"
"The Atlas," Grace answered. "Does this course worry you...Seaton?"
"As long... as your hands guide the wheel of the Lokothea, I worry for nothing. I only hope this man knows what he is doing. For his sake." Seaton grinned and this caused Grace to smirk in return.
"Speak none of this to the crew, tell them only we are looking for trade vessels, and Nereus has the logs of their routes," Grace stated firmly.
Seaton nodded. "Did you approve of the mead?"
"It's a fine smelling brew," Grace replied.
"I was told that it was made in Caerdydd. I thought it might suit you." Seaton noted.
"Thank you, Seaton, that will be all...old friend." Grace then waved him off with a flip of her hand.
Seaton bowed slightly and left his Captain to plan for the events that Nereus Neptune would no doubt bring to the decks of her beloved ship.
Note from Author: I hope you have enjoyed this episode. Your comments and feedback are always welcomed. Don’t forget to subscribe and support this story and all the others that I create here. ~Cathalson