OOC: Hello everyone, sorry for the delay, but I am back again. And slowly but surely I am inching my way towards finishing this story. Please read and review as always.
Disclaimer: I do not own Warhammer or the Gamezone Workshop and am not gaining any financial benefits from writing this story.
-A-A-A-
The galley's bell sounded eleven times as the Vulture's launch hooked up alongside the galley and Muktara clambered up the steps. Ignoring the hopeful looks from several pirates he made his way to the captain's cabin and rapped on the door sharply.
"Enter", Wolfe glanced up from the parchment he was reading, "ah Muktara, glad you could make it. I trust that you have completed the inventory I asked for."
"Of course sir, I have it right here," so saying the mate placed a roll of parchment on the desk, "a full inventory of the cargo and its value."
"Good, is it a decent amount of plunder?"
"I would say much more than decent sir. The combined value of it all is far above what we imagined. When you factor in the gemstones and pieces of jade that were taken from the Marienburg we can guess the value to be at least forty thousand in gold."
Wolfe inhaled sharply, "are you certain."
"The quartermaster is sir. Apparently jade is in high demand on the Estallian market and he reckons the gems must be worth at least two times a king's ransom."
"That is good news. I had hopes for some success but I must confess that this is far better than I expected. I do not need to tell you that this could be enough to obtain the final leverage we are going to need."
"You mean the elections sir?"
"Yes, although we will have to share this loot with crew I believe it will still provide us with sufficient funds to secure my place on the council. And of course once I have such a position I will require a trusted lieutenant to help secure my position."
"Well you can trust me sir. Once we have you in power we can then begin the removal of our opponents. Play it carefully and our success will be assured."
Muktara nodded, a smile on his swarthy face, "we've been planning this for a long time. I don't mind admitting that at times I've doubted whether we could succeed but since you made that partnership with the merchants our fortunes have been getting better and better."
"Yes," Wolfe rested his chin on his hands, "one of my better choices, even if their representative is rather irksome."
"We'll be rid of him soon sir, once this is over he'll be on his way back to Miragliano."
"And not before time. Is that woman on the merchantman still alive?"
"Aye sir, she seems to be recovering well."
"Good, we'll be needing her for the slave markets. Sick captives rarely fetch a decent price."
"So you will not be ransoming the captives?"
"We will ransom the women and perhaps the traders, but they will not be sent back once the ransom is paid. Lost in a storm, fever or whatever, we will just have to use our imagination. Not something I particularly care for but we cannot risk our dealings with the merchants becoming public knowledge."
Muktara shrugged, "they are just a few people, what can they do?"
"Great storms begin with the slightest of breezes; a single voice could make enough noise to draw the hunters to us. Remember the church of Morr thinks I am dead. I wish it to stay that way until my position is secured."
"I see your point commodore. We have no choice."
"No, it will be a shame but sometimes such sacrifices are necessary. However I think we will keep this to ourselves for now. They have enough on their minds right now and I am not so inhumane that I would not allow them at least one final night of hope."
"And the rest of the captives?"
"We'll look them over tomorrow. If any make the grade we may extend an invitation to join the crew. I want you to select the fittest to man our oars and the rest will go to the markets." Wolfe took the roll of parchment and, breaking the seal, began to scan its contents. "Thank you for your time."
"Aye sir."
As he turned to leave Wolfe suddenly called him back.
"Oh and by the way Diego, it may interest you to know that I will be dining with the three ladies in two hours. Would you by chance care to join us?"
The replied with a vicious grin, "I'll be sure to attend sir."
"I will expect good behavior of course.
"Aye sir."
-A-A-A-
"Here we go Julia," Ellaine deftly fastened the final string of her friend's corset, "now you had better get your dress on."
"I can't believe we are actually going through with this." Julia's voice was laced with distaste, "I mean it just galls that we have to sit at the same table as that man and make pleasant conversation with him."
"I know Julia and I don't like it any more than you but we don't have any choice in the matter. As long as we are here we have to do as he says."
Jane looked up from where she sat on one of the beds brushing her hair, "he frightens me. It's the look in his eyes, it reminds me of those cats you see in the imperial zoo, they look docile but you feel they are just waiting for a chance to leap at you."
"Don't worry about it Jane, we just have to put up with him for tonight. After that we can be rid of him and back in the Empire once our husbands have paid up." With some difficulty Julia managed to heave her blue dress over her head, "Ellaine I don't suppose you could?"
"Certainly," the Bretonnian proceeded to tighten up the straps around the back of the dress.
"Do you really believe we will be sent back," Jane's voice had a tremor in it, "I mean these are just pirates and I've heard stories about what they will do to women."
"I shouldn't worry my dear," Ellaine forced a smile but it failed to reach her eyes. "He said as much to me and I am sure he will keep his word. The money that he stands to gain from our ransoms is too valuable. Honestly Jane you don't have any reason to be concerned." She felt the bitter taste of the lie, knowing that it would be cruel to extinguish the flame of hope that these two were nursing. They would find out the truth soon enough.
A loud knock drew everyone's attention.
"Come in," instinctively Ellaine smoothed out the folds of the grey dress she had chosen for the evening. It was a simple affair, high collared with an embroidered line running down each sleeve, not her first choice of evening ware but she was in no mood to look her best tonight. Her choice of hair style reflected this, no elegant braids or buns but just a simple ponytail. Her friends were being a bit more generous, both having braided their hair and donned more elegant blue dresses, but even so it was a low-key affair.
The door opened and Boris entered, his bulky frame silhouetted in the doorway against the red glare of the setting sun. "Commodore's respects and he requests your company within the hour."
Ellaine glared at him angrily, "you may tell the commodore that we will be ready shortly."
"I hope so ma'am, he doesn't like to be kept waiting," he closed the door quietly behind him.
Ellaine turned to her friends, "come on ladies, we had better get finished."
"But I haven't had time to apply my make-up," protested Julia.
Ellaine began tightening the final cords on the woman's dress, "then apply a light coating Julia we simply don't have time."
-A-A-A-
TBC.