The Voyage of the Sea Wolf Read Free Page B

islands between here and where we’re headed,” she said. “You want to be marooned again? I’ll put ye off if I hear a babble about the two of you. And it’ll be a different island for each. Ye’ll be alone. Think on that, the two o’ ye. Understand?”
    â€œYes,” I said and William nodded.
    Her face came close to mine. “There’s Turtle Rock,” she said. “Two days’ sail from here.”
    Inside I quaked but I looked straight at her. I had a bargaining tool. A bargaining tool worth fighting for or killing for. The Burmese Sunrise! My father had died for that jewel. It was to be the start of life together for William and me. But I would tell her of it, if the time came to save William’s life and mine. Not now. I had watched the pirates on the
Reprisal
playing cards and I knew enough to understand that you kept the strongest card in your hand till the end. You kept it hidden.
    â€œMr. Forthinggale!” the captain called.
    The quartermaster stepped forward.
    â€œMake it known to the crew that these two are never to speak to each other, never to touch. Do ye understand, Quartermaster?”
    â€œAye, Captain.”
    â€œMake sure the crew understand. They are to watch them. If they see or hear aught of them communicatin’, they are to report to me. If not, there will be punishment for them too. And they are to leave the girl be. I want no fightin’ over a wench on my vessel. Now, cut me off a piece of that yellow hair. And mind you don’t cut his head along wi’ it.”
    â€œAye, Cap’n.”
    Mr. Forthinggale pulled a knife from his belt. “Don’t ye move now, boy,” he said and with one swoop he sliced off a goodly chunk of William’s hair.
    I couldn’t prevent a small cry of distress.
    The hair fell in a bright yellow clump on the deck. Wisps of it blew in the breeze, some drifting over into the ocean.
    Mr. Forthinggale gathered up what was left on the deck and presented it to the captain.
    Why did she want it? It could not be for sentimental reasons. Captain Moriarity was an old woman.
    She stood for a moment, looking at the lock of hair, then said, “Mr. Forthinggale! Take the two of them to the clothes chest. Then bring them back on deck to take the oath.”
    â€œAye, Cap’n.”
    I knew she meant the Code of Conduct that we would have to swear to and I wanted to say that we had already taken the oath on the
Reprisal
. But I knew that this was her ship and an old oath would not satisfy her.
    Without another word she walked away.
    William smiled down at me, that smile that melted my heart. He did not touch me or take my hand. Mr. Forthinggale was beside us but even he could not controlWilliam’s smile.
    I watched Captain Medb Moriarty strut along the deck. She carried herself like a queen, as if she owned the ship and the world and everything in it.
    I saw her look down at the clump of yellow hair she still held then slide it carefully into the pocket of her canvas trousers.

Chapter Four
    We walked the deck, Mr. Forthinggale between us.
    The pirates stopped their work as we passed and the faces turned toward us were dark and hostile. There were low mutterings and words that I could occasionally hear.
    â€œAnother woman on board.”
    â€œBad fortune the day you picked her up, Bandit.”
    â€œThere be’s many a dark night with the sea waitin’,” a tall, gangling pirate growled and spat on the deck.
    I stopped and turned toward him. “The captain makes decisions on the ship,” I said. “She has made her decision about me. It would not be wise to go against her.”
    William strode forward and grabbed his shoulder.“You miserable cur,” he said. “You touch one hair o’ her head...”
    Mr. Forthinggale jerked him back. “Ye’ll answer to me afore ye answer to the captain, if’n ye harm her,” he said.