The Pool of Souls
Chapter 7

Alex sat in the boat with her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms wrapped tightly around them with her fingers clasped together. Nicky just watched Alex as she rocked back and forth nervously and kept looking back at the gate.

"You know if you keep going back and forth like that you could probably do a flip in the boat." Nicky quipped. But Alex didn't listen.

And then Nicky sighed "I"m probably about to ask a stupid question but uh—"

"We're not leaving."

"Vause we have to—"

Walking slowly out of the darkness covered in dirt and grime emerged Piper panting and out of breath. Her sword was still tightly within her grip. Alex abruptly stood up in the boat and looked at her. She looked a mess. Her hair was wild. There was specs of blood on her torn dress which now looked like rags, blood on her sword, and she saw blood trickling down her arm. The cut below her eye was raw and red which would only mean there would definitely be a bruise tomorrow. Alex had never seen Piper look like this before she looked like she had been in a fight, several fights, and they weren't easy wins.
Piper walked over to the boat and stepped inside with Alex and Nicky's help. "Pipes, are you all right? Fuck, just what did you get yourself into? You could've been killed!" she said with worry.

"Just a couple altercations" she said between breaths looking at them both "…and two more just before I got here, but they're dead now. We can go." She seemed somewhat out of it, like she was slowly coming back down from the high of battle. What was a little unsettling for Alex was hearing Piper talk about death so calmly especially considering the first time Piper set foot on the ship and saw her first dead body it scared her half to death. Alex looked at Nicky and could see she was thinking the same thing. This was becoming second nature to her. Piper probably had more of a knack for this than Alex thought, a potential for ruthlessness.

Alex grabbed hold of Piper's arm to look at the cut and Piper winced "This cut's pretty deep."

"I'm all right."

"Right." she said sarcastically "This needs to be stitched. When we get back to the ship we'll have Ingall's look at it."

"Good. And I'm exhausted. I feel like I've been hit by a cannonball."

"All right Nicky, let's head back to the ship." She and Nicky began rowing their way back through the tunnel with Piper clutching her shoulder the whole way back.


Two nights later the Widow had finally arrived in the town of Holston. Alex had made the necessary arrangements with the harbormaster and per usual the profits from their heist were split and everyone received their fair share. They sought shelter for the night at a busy tavern in the center of the town and before they all settled down for sleep Alex led them all in celebration at their own private table. The server had brought food rum and beer and they all laughed and joked around with each other, playing their beer games. Others, like Valla and her little minions, Lollis, and Mina just sat there. The three of them didn't seem to care about the fun everyone was having nor did they look in the mood to celebrate anything. With her fist resting on her cheek Valla glared at Piper with disdain and intermittently drank from her glass. Then Alex stood up from the long wooden table holding her beer filled glass.

She cleared her throat "Everyone raise your fucking glasses." The entire crew with the exception of Lollis, Valla, and Mina did so.

"To the most glorious heist in all our years of pirating. Thanks to all of your efforts I here by declare us to be the richest bitches in the world."

Everyone cheered, whistled, hooted, hollered, and banged their fists on the table. Alex spoke loudly over them "Once the ship is in top condition and our food stores restored we set sail. One step closer to Tylassa and the largest treasure chamber we will ever set our eyes on!"

They all raised their glasses and cheered again. "And last but not least, to our girl Piper…" Alex looked down at her with pride and a smile on her face. Piper looked up surprised by the recognition. "Who voluntarily went on the the front lines and made it all possible for us." The girls applauded and cheered. They patted Piper on the back and Piper smiled and drank along with all of them.

"Our girl Piper, who for some reason still drinks her rum like she's sipping from a tea cup." Alex joked. Piper playfully smacked her on her shoulder and everyone laughed.

Alex sat back down and planted a kiss on Piper's cheek.

"Whatever." Valla scoffed.

The voices at the table simmered and they all looked at her. "Do we have a problem Valla?" Alex asked.

"Maybe…your girl, not mine."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry but some of us just aren't as forgiving as you." Valla, Lollis, and Mina all stood up.

"Are we all just going to forget what happened to us almost a month ago. And that the very person who is responsible for all of it is right here sitting at the table with all of us. And we bear these lovely scars on our wrists because of her. So what, we're a little richer and she helped to pull off the heist but that doesn't change anything."

Most of the women hung their heads and looked at each other. The playful and fun energy had been completely sucked out of the room. Alex looked and saw Piper tense up at Valla's harsh words. She could tell Piper was getting uncomfortable again. She looked angry and embarrassed like she wanted to say something but didn't know what to say or how to say it.

Valla looked around at all of them. "I'm sure I don't need to remind all of you of the things that we went through in Byll's lovely home. What they did to us. Sitting amongst the piss and shit, the beatings, and the rape threats. That wasn't too fun was it?"

"No it wasn't and I'm sure we all didn't want the reminder either." said Nicky.

"Valla." Alex warned.

Piper seemed to shrink down into her seat. She looked torn between so many emotions somewhere between embarrassment and guilt but also looking apologetic, yet angry that she felt apologetic towards this short blonde haired cunt. "I'm sorry Valla," she said "I am sorry. I don't know how many ways to say it. I want to make it right I do! What do you want from me? Do you want to have a go at me outside? Would kicking my ass make you feel better?"

Valla let out a harsh laugh "Believe me you have no idea."

"Pipes, stop" Alex said as she rested a hand on her shoulder.

Valla scoffed and lifted her hands and let them fall. "I'm sorry but I can't do this. I just can't make nice and pretend like everything is fine when you still allow the traitor to sit and drink at our table. But I guess it all pays off doesn't it? Had anyone of us had done what this bitch has they would've been marooned with a single shot. You wouldn't have been so lenient had it been one of us would you? You should've left her back there." Valla's eyes looked directly into Piper's. Piper's face was red and she gave an unwavering glare right back at Valla. "Guess there are certain benefits to fucking the captain aren't there?"

Alex quickly drew her pistol and aimed it right at her face. Everyone including Valla and her minions jumped. "Now, I've already told you once before that if you tried to undermine me, or if you ever spoke ill against Piper again I'd shoot you right between the eyes. Or did you forget?"

Valla was still trembling as she stared down the barrel of Alex's gun.

"Did you forget?!"

Valla's voice came trembling with anger "No."

"And yet you insist. I'll tell you what Valla, I'm going to give you three choices right now. Option one is you can apologize right here and now to Piper and to everyone else for being an outright bitch and ruining our fun. Option two is you can leave and you'll report to the ship and stay there as a guard until we board the next day. Your final option which I'm sure you won't dare choose is to stand there and be shot. And don't mistake for a second that I'm bluffing. I'll give you to the count of three to make your decision."

"One…"

Valla looked at everyone and they looked at her. The muscles in her jaw were clenching and she still stood defiantly.

Alex cocked the pistol back "Two…"

Piper looked worried and hesitant to stop her. Valla and the other two women inched back in fear, you could almost see the sweat on their faces.

"Alex…" Piper said.

"Last chance Valla, do you really want to test me?"

Valla looked like she was about to say something but instead turned around and stormed out of the tavern.

"Oh and Valla, one more thing." she turned around and looked back at her. "Do that again and the next time I'm just going to fire, no warnings, just dead."

Alex gestured with her gun "Mina, Lollis, you can follow her out as well."

Both women looked at each other and shot a look at Alex and the three of them left out the tavern doors. Alex tucked the gun back in her belt. "Now that the riffraff is gone shall we get back to our party? More beer and rum for everyone?"

They all threw up their cups and cheered.

For most of the night the fun continued. Alex talked and laughed with everyone and would often exchange kisses with Piper. She was relieved that Piper seem to be having a good time and the tension in the air had been lifted. All the fun they were having seemed to take Piper's mind off of what Valla said. Alex couldn't remember the last time they had all just sat down and enjoyed themselves. Just as the drinks were running low she stood up to head towards the bar to request more.

She laughed all the way up towards the bar table and slammed herself down on a stool ready to bother the waiter for more rum. The bartender approached her and Alex made the order "Uh more rum and food for me and my comrades over there."

"Aye, miss." said the bartender as he walked away.

"You probably should've shot her." said a gravelly voice belonging to the hooded man seated beside her.

Alex turned irritably towards him "Excuse me?" She snapped.

"The old you would've shot her without a second thought."

The old me, Alex thought "And just who the hell are you to tell me who the old me is?"

The man looked up at her and slowly removed his hood. He had a shaved head, several earrings on both of his somewhat pointy ears, dark brown eyes, and a thick black mustache over his lips. Alex knew at once who this man was and her body became tense.

"Fahri?"

"Alex fucking Vause. Of all the taverns in the world I just so happen to find you here in Holston. Isn't this just my luck. It's been a long time what's it been about five years or so since we last saw each other?"

"Aye it's been a long time."

Fahri nodded and sipped more of his drink "Like I said you should've shot that woman. The Alex I knew from before would've simply killed her and would've thought nothing of it."

"Well I'm not that Alex anymore."

"That's obvious. You've grown a little softer around the edges?"

"What are you doing here Fahri? Kubra turned you loose?"

He chuckled to himself "I see that hasn't changed. Typical Alex, never one for small talk, always straight to the point. Did Kubra turn me loose?" He sighed "Something like that."

"There's lots of gossip going around these days. People talking about the moon from the other night, coming up with their own speculations of what it means. But we know the truth don't we? And that bit of gossip isn't nearly as interesting as the other. Word has spread about the revolt in Imperial Terra that was led by none other than Captain Vause herself. The ruthless Vause who dared to challenge King Byll and his soldiers, liberated the prisoners, and wreaked havoc through the streets of the city. You've made quite the legend of yourself. People have either developed a great bit of respect for you or now can't help but fear you even more."

Alex gave a dismissive wave of her hand "Whatever. Are you done dancing around the subject or are you going to answer my question."

"And that's not all." Fahri went on. "They say the now former crown princess has chosen to abandon her family home and has taken up arms with Captain Vause and the other pirates."

Fahri took a long gulp of his drink and turned around to look at the table where Alex's crew was sitting "It would seem that the rumors are in fact true."

Alex continued to patiently wait but her patience was wearing thin. The only reason she hadn't beaten the answers out of him was because she sensed anxiety in him. Eyes darting around the room as if he were being watched and he was slightly fidgety.

"Things haven't really been all that great since you left." Fahri looked back at Alex and sucked in his teeth.

"How so?"

Fahri held up his right hand and pinched the middle finger of his glove to remove it. When he did Alex saw two small deformed looking nubs where his fourth and small finger used to be.

"He did that?" she asked.

Fahri reapplied the glove "Shortly after you left. Was my punishment for helping you."

Alex couldn't take much more of this."What are you doing here Fahri? I know you being here in the same tavern as me is not just some happy coincidence. You're here on business. So what is it? What are you doing here?"

"Well unfortunately for me it is in fact coincidence. Kubra has dispersed part of the crew, some you know and few others you don't."

"To do what?"

"To find you…to take you back. He wants revenge on you for abandoning the crew, for stealing from him… you also have something he wants."

Alex swallowed as fear trickled down her spine and goosebumps prickled her flesh, Fahri waited patiently allowing her time to process this news.

"I'm not going back." She said with finality. "I swore I would never go back. And if you're talking about that book he can forget it. I burned it months ago."

"He's not talking about the damn book. He figured you would get rid of it. Apply it to memory and burn it because that's what he would've done."

"Then what is he talking about? I don't have anything."

"Aye, you do." Fahri turned around in his stool and looked back towards Alex's crew. Alex's eyes followed the direction to where he was looking.

"I take it the blonde one over there, that's her isn't it?"

"Who?"Alex asked suspiciously.

"The pretty long haired one, that's the former princess of Imperial Terra isn't it? Piper…isn't that her name?"

Cold dread came down on Alex like a sudden chill "What's your point?"

"My point is your little girlfriend over there is in a great deal of trouble. It's not just you he wants. He intends to have her too."

Alex slammed a hand on the sleeve of his wrist and her eyes grew wide "Why? What does he want with Piper?" she demanded.

"Well a lot of it has to do with this." Fahri shook his arm away and lifted the left sleeve of his coat and showed her the mark.

"You've been branded."

"All of us were. We were there that day at Litch when Imperial Ships came and took over the island. A lot of us were captured, tortured, and killed. Litchman's Island no longer belongs to the pirates. It's now being used as an encampment. No pirate is safe. We barely escaped with our lives but not before Byll's men had bestowed upon us this nice little parting gift."

"What does that have to do with Piper?"

"I think you know. It's been going around that it was Byll's daughter who provided him with the information of Litch's location, basically working as a spy, therefore bringing about our suffering."

"So? Kill the soldiers, kill the man who issued the order. Piper was no spy she made a mistake and is sorry for what she did. I can vouch for that."

"I'm sure she is sorry but it doesn't matter. Kubra intends to kill her as a means of getting his revenge against her father. As he puts it and I quote 'send her bloody mangled body back to him in a crate.'"

Alex's chest became tight and she tasted bile in her throat. She clenched one fist, ran a hand through her hair and looked over at Piper who was smiling and talking to Nicky and Morello about something. This wasn't happening. Alex had only just gotten Piper back now she was under threat of losing her all over again.

"He knows she's with you. And if he finds you he'll find her and you know just as well as I do that he won't just kill her Alex. He'll make an example out of her, he'll make her death last days. He's good at that. The man's got resources, he knows everyone, he's got every pirate out here looking for both of you."

"Why now?" her voice shuddered. "After all these years why now?"

"Who knows. I thought it strange myself. Kubra knew you took the book, could've gone after you any time he wanted, just never did. I don't know why now."

Alex's mind was racing for any possible solution "So what do I do?"

"Get rid of her for starters. Maybe hide her somewhere. Since Kubra knows you're both together and the rumors are true that you love her then it makes sense to believe that you would never separate yourself from her. So why not prove him wrong and take her back home to daddy. She might be safer there. Out here she's an easy target just waiting to be shot."

"I'm afraid that's where you're wrong." Alex said removing her glasses and putting her face in her hands "Piper's father threatened to kill her when she decided to leave with me. She gave all of that up for me. If I send her back I might as well kill her myself."

"Perhaps you should."

"Is that supposed to be funny?" Alex snapped at him.

"I'm not really joking. If it's as you say and her father wants her dead, Kubra wants her dead, and she's obviously not very popular among most pirates. Apparently a lot of people seem to hate her. Enemies on both sides. She might very well have more enemies than you Alex. Perhaps you should grant her the generosity of a mercy killing."

"Fuck you, Fahri."

"Fuck me?" he laughed. "I'm just being honest. Death is the best alternative. Did you not hear what I said? You know Kubra and you know what he's like. But I've known him longer, I've seen what he's capable of. He will torture her or worse. Just put yourself in his mind and imagine the worst possible punishment befitting for her."

Alex's eyes became heavy and she averted them to the ceiling as her thoughts ran wild with the possibilities. She tucked in her lips "Why are you telling me all of this Fahri? I mean fuck if you were sent to capture us than why are you telling me all of this? Because if you want honesty than I'll have you know that I have half a mind to slit your throat right now."

"Aye, kill the messenger. That makes a fuck load of sense. I'm not here to make you angry Alex."

"Well too bad for you, you fucking failed."

"I'm here to give you fair warning."

Alex let out a wry laugh "Wow a running head start is that it?"

"If you choose to think of it that way. Listen Alex, I'm telling you this because in some way I still feel responsible for you. Since it was I who brought you into the fold in the first place."

Alex looked down and scratched at the wooden counter top with her nail. A tear almost escaped and she quickly wiped it away before it could fall. "I can't lose Piper. I can't. I won't." She said softly "If Kubra wants to deal with me than fine. I've survived him before and I could again but if he ever…no I won't let that happen."

"Are you sure? Because you don't sound so sure. I can hear the fear in your voice, I can see it in your eyes. Right now you're wondering if you truly can keep her safe from him and deep down you don't think you can and that fills you will fear and anger."

"Shut up! "

"I'm telling you, get rid of her, take her somewhere where no one can find her. Because as long as she's with you she's in danger. Kubra won't stop he will hunt you to the far reaches of the world if he has to. From this point on I suggest you trust no one and keep your head down."

Alex suddenly became very aware of every single person in the tavern. If what Fahri said was true anyone of these people could be a threat. Was there a spy in here now plotting against them. She wasn't quite sure if the eyes she saw were actually looking at her or if she was just being paranoid.

"So are you saying Fahri I shouldn't trust you then?"

"After this moment I'm afraid not. I wouldn't stay long in Holston if I were you. The next time should we see each other Alex it won't be as mates. Sorry to ruin your little party with bad news. Try to enjoy the rest of the night. Remember what I said. If she's really that special to you place your feelings aside and send her away. Keep her with you and I promise you she will suffer, she will die, and you will be there to see it all."