SKULDUGGERY'S P.O.V
The Faceless Ones found us.
We've been hiding out in this little corner near the portal, out of view, for about three months. We were going completely unnoticed – until today.
They dragged me and Chris into their giant castle and locked us up in the cellar with these horrid mutant rats and an old cleaning lady. She doesn't really clean so much anymore though, because her brain fell out.
They took Chris away a few minutes ago, and he screamed all the way up the stairs until there was a sharp thud and he shut up. I don't know what they've done with him, I'm just being an optimist and hoping it's something pleasant.
Valkyrie had better get here soon.
VALKYRIE'S P.O.V
We were at the docks down by the coast, creeping around an old, beaten down warehouse full of fishmongers and seagulls.
"Nice," I remarked as one of the seagulls swooped down and crapped a few feet away from where we were walking.
"I didn't say it was going to be a five star hotel," Fletcher said, grinning.
We looked around – there were three long tables with four men at each, cutting the heads off fish. Not one of them looked remotely like a pirate. One of the men turned around and Ghastly dragged us behind a big crate labelled "TUNA".
"Where are these 'pirates' then hey, Fletch?" Tanith asked.
"I don't know. I guess we'll just have to hide out here until the ship pulls in. From what I heard off the pirates, there are three ships that come in during the day,"
"Great. What time is it?" I asked Ghastly.
"2:34-" Ghastly began, but stopped and stared ahead.
A ship had come into the harbour.
It was one of the biggest ships I had ever seen – I don't know how no one noticed it coming in. It was a proper Spanish Galleon; three masts and sails, wooden planks, an old fashioned steering wheel, an ornately carved ships' head – and to top it all off – a pirate flag atop the tallest mast. Men were marching off the ship – men about 6 feet tall, dressed in rags with pointy hats, pistols and swords. They were really intimidating, and moved unrealistically. This was insane.
"Is this a ghost ship?" I asked Fletcher.
"Not at all, I don't think. Those pirate men were definitely real,"
"Well, I guess we'd better get going then," Tanith said, trying to sound positive though the crew of the ship were some of the scariest I'd ever seen.
We sneaked around the crates and shuffled up against the wall – hidden by the shadows. We waited until the men had got off the ship, and we sprinted up the gangplank, praying we weren't seen. We slipped on board and hid behind some crates of gunpowder next to a carefully carved red and black wooden door.
Not the place to hide out if a battle was to commence.
"So where are we supposed to find the skull?" Tanith asked.
"Presumably it'll be in the Captain's quarters," I guessed optimistically.
"Are we going to wait until they get back on board or are we going to get it now, before they get back and kill us all?" Tanith asked.
"I vote the latter," Ghastly chimed in.
"Me too," Fletcher agreed. I sighed.
"Come on then," I looked out across the ship. "Coast is clear; I'm guessing this is the door," I pointed to the red and black door.
Tanith nodded. "I'll go first," She said, trying to be brave. "Let's go."
She shuffled out from behind the crates with me in tow, and tried the door handle. "It's locked!" She looked at me as if to say 'May I?' I nodded, and she kicked the lock off the door. I followed her into the room, and Ghastly was right behind me. I think Fletcher stayed outside. Coward.
The room was massive – it was like the Tardis – bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. Probably some magic going on here. There was a giant, torn map of the world on the wall, with knives stabbed into cities across the globe.
London, Dublin, New York, Rio de Janiero, Tokyo, Hong Kong, St. Petersburg, Cape Town, Canberra, Paris, Barcelona, Kingston...
I tore my eyes away from it and continued to look for the skull.
There was a golden chest in the corner and I walked over and cranked it open. It was filled with golden coins, pendants, bracelets, earrings...
"Valkyrie?" I looked up to see Tanith pointing at the Captain's desk. I followed to where her finger was pointing.
There was Skulduggery's skull.
"Who goes there?" An unfamiliar, stern voice said from the doorway. I turned around. There was a pirate in the doorway, and he did not look pleased.