With long strides, Honey made his way over to Peggy and pulled the spy glass from his back pocket and extended it, holding it up to his eye and aimed it in the direction his quartermaster was pointing. He dropped it from his eye and smiled at Peggy.
“I knew we would catch the bastard. Keep on her. We should reach her by the morn.”
“Aye, Cap’n!” Peggy answered and turned to return to the helm.
Seonag ran to the rail and gazed in the direction Honey and Peggy had studied. If she squinted, she could just barely make out a small dark speck bobbing along the waves in the distance. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t tell if it was her father’s ship or not. But Honey had confirmed it was and that was enough for her.
She licked her lips in anticipation.
Soon.
Soon, Storm would feel her wrath.
“What are yegrinning about, lad?” Colin asked as he moved to lean over the railing on his left side.
Sean squeaked then pressed his lips together. Colin didn’t think he’d heard or seen him approach. That feeling that something was off with the lad crept up his spine. He just couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it was there.
Before he drew close and spoke, the lad had looked much wiser than his years allowed.
“I’m happy ye found yer mark, Captain.”
He tilted his head as he studied the boy. He seemed to be barely containing his excitement. Colin was appreciative of his support, but he seemed a wee bit too enthusiastic about the situation.
“What happens now?” Sean asked, looking at him eagerly, his blue eyes wide in wonder.
Colin looked over the water and took a deep breath, inhaling the salty air into his chest. “Weel, now we close the gap and when the time is right, we attack.”
His mouth opened and formed an ‘O’.
“Dinna fash. We will be safe. I promise ye. Our intent is no’ to sink the ship. We want what they are transporting. It doesna belong to them and they gained it by ill means.”
“How so?”
Colin considered how much to tell the lad, but they’ve become close these past weeks. He had read through his missives and had seen his books. He knew Colin’s numbers and their supplies. The lad was very bright, even if a bit odd with his talents.
“The former captain ofHades Revengewas a good friend of mine. He didna deserve the fate he was given.”
The lad nodded but remained silent as he gazed at the dark water.
“Are ye going to kill him?” he asked quietly.
“Storm?”
Sean nodded.
“Aye. And every last member of his bastard, traitorous crew.”
Sean sucked his bottom lip into his mouth and worried it with his teeth. A gesture Colin had seen him do often, but was so uncharacteristic of a lad.
“He deserves to die.”
The statement was so quiet, Colin wasn’t sure if he’d actually heard it. But Sean looked at him with such hatred in his eyes, Colin knew he’d heard correctly. He eyed the boy, trying to discern what he was thinking.
“Ye know Storm?”
“Nay.”
“Ye seem to have a strong opinion about someone ye’ve never met.” Colin watched Sean out of the corner of his eye, watched as his chest heaved.
