"Captain! There be a ship on the horizon!"
Marley spun around, her paws swift and nimble on the deck. Today had been a slow day out at sea, and she was bored out of her mind. It would take them at least a few more days to reach their destination, and she was craving action. "Let me see," she commanded eagerly, grabbing the telescope from his paws.
Peering through the eyepiece,
Marley gazed upon a ship she knew very well. It was old but sturdy, and the mast was carved in the shape of a dolphin. A small grin spread across her face as she lowered the telescope.
"Shall we prepare for attack, mam?" The kalon inquired.
"Not this time, rookie,"
Marley replied with a smirk. "These are our
guests."
It took a good while until the ship caught up to them, but as they approached, she ordered the anchor to be dropped. A few newer members of the crew looked confused, but most recognized the ship immediately. It belonged to
Captain Wesley Sherlock, a fierce and cunning pirate...and Captain
Marley Moore's greatest rival.
"Stay here, fellas. I need to have a chat with my man." A few of the crew snickered and whispered among themselves.
Marley knew they had their suspicions about her and Wesley's odd relationship. Good. She liked keeping her crew on their toes. Shooting them a silencing glare, she readjusted her scabbard and kicked down the plank so it stretched across the gap between the two ships. Without so much as a glance at the dangerous waters below, she crossed over the shaky piece of wood and hopped down onto the deck of
The Barcelona. The crew members here didn't look all too surprised either, and most continued going about their business, not wanting to mess with her.
Marley made her way to the ship's main cabin, where the Captain stayed. No one stopped her as she entered through the doors.
The cabin filled with drawings, maps, swords, and other oddities was all too familiar to
Marley. She knew this place well. Seeing her best frenemy, she padded over to him and sat down beside him. He was staring out a large glass window at the back of the ship. "Hello, darling," he murmured quietly without looking over at her.
Marley quirked an eyebrow. "Fancy seeing you around these parts. I do hope you aren't planning on raiding the same village as us."
"But of course," Wesley replied sarcastically. He paused. "I've been tracking you for weeks. There's something big gpoing down, and I want in."
"I take it you need my help," she said smoothly. Oh, yes.
Marley was definitely interested. But she couldn't show it. Never act too curious about something, or else whoever you're bargaining with may jack up the cost, and there is
always a cost. Everything comes with a price to pay.
Wesley met her gaze. "You could put it that way, yes."
"Well, what is it then?"
His lips curled into a frown and he stood, beginning to pace around the small room. "A friend of mine tipped me off a few weeks ago. There is a rumor floating aroun' that there's a load of treasure lost somewhere among Dead Man's Isles." He stared seriously into
Marley's gaze. "Blackfur's treasure."
Marley couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing, right then and there. Wesley looked on, waiting for her to stop, but she continued to chortle at the very mention of such a fairytale. "Oh, my dear," she began, still chuckling. "Don't tell me you believe that myth."
"Tis not a myth,
Marley," he retorted, offended. "Everyone who sails there never returns. There is evil on those islands."
She wiped a tear from her eyes, her laughter finally ceasing. "Then why on earth would I send my crew there?" She inquired. Putting her crew in danger was not something
Marley was interested in doing. They may be a rowdy bunch, but she cared for them.
"The treasure, my sweet. The
treasure." Wesley's eyes lit up as he spoke of the said goodies.
To be brutally honest,
Marley had heard this rumor herself. It was all anyone ever talked about these days. If it were real, if the legend were true, she could be rich. "Alright," she agreed, barely containing her curiosity. "What's the plan?"
(723 words)
