The Dead Knave...

Caribbean Sea

**********

His head lulled back and forth as his unconscious body was dragged aboard the ship.

They anxiously walked the shakey planks that connected the ship to the port's dock. The salty sea air thick with fog cloaked just enough of the ship that night for them to do their dirty deed then be off before none the wiser.

He was tossed to the ground with a thud as the lithe figure followed and cleared a path to look down at the unconscious man on the floor then to the burly man that stood before her.

"There you have him. Where is my coin?" the thick Spanish accent spilled from the females' lips that did his bidding.

the Black Scourge to the ship.

Triumphant cackles could be heard all around as the burly man stepped forward not before kicking the man's boot to ensure he was indeed unconscious and cautiously held out a pouch heavy with coins above her outstretched hand.

"You did well lass, better than I expected." He dropped the pouch in her palm.

"It was not hard, after pouring the sleeping drought in his wine it was easy," she shook her head staring down at the helpless man on the deck.

"Take him below and chain him up. Be wary of this one....," he warned.

Stepping aside they watched as he was dragged away.

"What will you do with him?" Curious eyes followed his body as the men dragged it out of sight.

Silence lulled between them before he faced her with a grin that chilled her to the bone.

"An old score to settle, lass. That is all you need to know."

With a dismissive retreat, he took off in the direction where they took his captive, leaving her there alone with his crew. One by one they walked away soon after she left as well.

Below deck, he ordered his men to chain the man to the wall and stepped aside waiting for them to finish. When they stepped away he closed the distance and grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head back to get a good look at the man that cost him an entire ship months ago.

The Black Scourge of the sea he was indeed. Fierce, dangerous, and very unpredictable as he has been for some time. He was victim to his revenging heart as he stole his loot, threw his men overboard, and sunk his ship. Justin O'Shea was not one to pick a few bones with that much he knew.

"Leave him there, sooner or later he will awaken and when he does I want to be informed. Am I clear?" he ordered.

"Aye, Captain," they murmured stepping around him as they left him chained to the wall.

With disdain, the Captain spits on him before storming off with a gruff and cursing underneath.

In do time he will deal with O'Shea...

The rough swaying and movement beneath him slowly stirred him awake. With a groan, he tried to move but it was impossible to do so. Groggy and feeling faint, with very little strength left in him he reared his head back plopping it against the wall wincing at the enormous headache he was beginning to feel.

With a curse and groan, he straightened up a bit frowning now at the chains that held him against the wall. Slowly he opened his eyes blinking once then twice then again he yanked his arms forward but it was no use.

"Bloody hell," he whispered.

He leaned his head up taking a look around. Where was he? He thought.

He closed his eyes tight pushing through the thumps and trying to remember what happened.

"That damn fool Quinn must have overdone it with the wine." He shook his head hissing at the pain. But it still did not explain why he was chained to the wall.

He stiffened and squinted his eyes. He looked around again noticing for the first time this was not his ship.

He slouched back furiously. Jangling and pulling at his restraints trying to remember what happened. Then a sadistic smile formed on his lips with the memory of the beautiful woman that approached him in the tavern. That cunning wench was behind this.

Simmering with rage he yanked the chains again with a curse. He caught the slight movement at his side as someone sat up.

With a moan, the man snorted and stirred awake only to slouch back sloppily and begin to snore again.

With a scowl, Justin yanked his chains again and yelled to the man that was placed there obviously to watch him.

Scrambling to his feet and placing his hand on the hilt of his dagger, he faced Justin.

"Why am I chained to your wall?" He shouted straining against the iron bonds.

The man did not answer with a scoff he gave him a once over then turned to leave.

Justin's curses and threats followed at the man's heels as he walked away. A brief moment had passed as he continued to pull at them, he heard the heavy footsteps from up above coming close until he was faced with the person holding him prisoner.

"Cuthburt," he hissed furiously yanking on the chains.

With a devious smile, he inched closer.

" I see you are awake," he chuckled.

Justin said nothing as he glared at the man before him.

"Now that I finally caught you, you're going to lead me to where you have my treasure hidden." He demanded.

"You mean Gaspar's treasure, you thieving bastard." Justin clenched his jaw tight willing his emotions to calm.

Cuthburt laughed dismissing Justin's claim.

"His treasure. My treasure t'is all the same but last it was in my possession and I want it back," Cuthburt growled furiously.

"Yours? You mean stolen you, bloody bastard. You killed him. You murdered him in cold blood."

He angrily yanked on the chains as Cuthburt carelessly shrugged his shoulders. "It would not have come to that if he had just given it over without a fight." He stopped to face Justin. "He did not stand a chance either way."

"Agh!!! When I get free from these chains, I'll fly your bloody head as my banner," he yelled enraged ignoring the biting pain of the shackles on his wrists as the boards holding them, popped, croaked, and moaned under the pressure.

With a curse Cuthburt panicked and furiously punched him hard across his jaw once then twice until Justin slumped against the wall.

Between heavy breaths, as blood trickled down his chin he looked up into Cuthburt's eyes.

" Ye will rue the day your mother spawned you ye mutinous dog," he spits at Cuthburt's boot before he angrily cursed and kicked Justin across the jaw rendering him unconscious.

"Not as much as I rue the day your mother spawned you." He hissed turning away.

Upset and bothered with the outcome he stomped up the steps to the ship's deck where he inhaled deeply the fresh sea air. He needed the chest filled with all his possessions that Justin stole. Nervously he walked to the side of the ship where he gripped the railing tight for support.

He needed it back before Justin opened it and found out the truth. It was true, it all belonged to Gaspar. But it held secrets that could not be known. Not to him or anyone because he would surely die at Justin's hands.

He scoffed shaking his head staring sadly over the railing, reminiscing about his evil deed that put them all in this predicament. What a fankle he created all for the pretty smile and caresses of a willing whore and greed of a couple of coins. He ruined the life of a young lad, helped kill his father then his uncle. All for what?

For karma in the shape of Justin O'Shae to exact his revenge upon ye you old fool...

*******

Here you goooo

And the story slowly will unfold..

Intrigue, mystery and lots of jaw-dropping secrets to come....