Chasing the Lantern(101)

A chorus of 'ayes' rang out. It was obvious to him that some didn't want to depose their captain. But they were carried along by the events, too caught up in the action.

"I believe you are deposed," he said to Natasha.

She glared at him. "I got my ship back from Fengel," she snarled. "I'll sure as sin get it back from you. I may have pushed them too far, but you'll only have them hoodwinked for so long—"

"And all those in favor of my taking the captaincy, even temporarily, say 'aye!'"

A number of the crew, no doubt motivated by the now-free share, called out in favor. Their voices spread as others took up the chant. Most voiced a little half-heartedly, but, seeing no better option, went with their crewmates. In moments, enough of the crew had affirmed the vote.

"That's that then," said Captain Mordecai Wright. "First order of business: seize her."

Two pirates came close and grabbed Natasha. She fought them, but they held her. "What shall be done with her, sir?" asked one.

Mordecai sheathed his blade. "My first order: bind her well, then tie her to a rope. If she wants to go after her husband so badly, she can do just that. For my second order, you've all earned a reprieve. Bring up drink from the holds; we'll share a toast, and then put this repugnant place behind us!"

The crew cheered and scurried off belowdecks. Others stood and watched while a long rope was tied to the bow with Natasha bound to one end of it. She spat and yelled and cursed them all, biting at those who came near her. Mordecai smiled in grim satisfaction as she was set over the gunwales and lowered down by three of the crew. He leaned over to watch with everyone else as she reached the top of the temple-manse where a mob of the lizard-creatures were waiting. Unfortunately, they did not kill her. Instead they cut her free and hauled her inside, still screaming epithets.

Mordecai had the rope cut before the lizard-creatures could climb up, then he stalked down to the middle of the deck where overeager crewmen were hoisting up caskets of ale and rum from the stores belowdecks. Mugs were brought out and passed around expectantly. Mordecai took one small keg in hand and set it atop another. Then he drew his sword and stoved in the bung with his pommel. The crew cheered as he held it up, pouring it for the first man to shove his mug beneath the flowing liquor.

"Let this be a celebration," he called out. "Let's mark this moment as the moment that we of the Dawnhawk became stronger, and more free. We of the Copper Isles are free men and women, who brook no tyranny. We—pfuagh. Goddess above...what is this?"

The liquor flowed down over and into mugs, spilling onto the deck. It had a horrible, caustic scent to it. Those with pewter or steel mugs jerked back, dropping them. The liquor inside was fizzing, eating at the bottoms. Mordecai tipped the cask back, kept from pouring it anymore.

"Corsair's Cure-all, sir," said Reaver Jane. She looked glum and tired. "S'terrible stuff. Maybe something else?"

Something fell at them from overhead the gas-bag overhead. It screamed at them as it fell, hellish red light shining down on the pirates. The men and women ducked and swore, dropping their mugs. Cure-all spilled out onto the deck, stinking horribly.

The scryn banked at the last second, whipping the stinger of its tail out to catch someone across the face. The pirate screamed and fell. It whirled around, a smallish, runty creature, and came at them again. The pirates scattered, and Mordecai saw the thing coming straight for him. He didn't have time to draw a weapon, instead he held up the cask, blocking the whip-tail of the creature as it struck for his head. The wood of the cask resounded with a thump, cracking slightly.

Mordecai threw it aside as the creature flew past. The cask rolled, dumping the liquid inside across the deck. He kicked it away to free up his footing, drew a pistol and took up a stance. He fired, smoke and thunder billowing out, but at the last second the creature jerked upward.

Others had recovered from the surprise. Shouts rang out and weapons were drawn. The scryn, perhaps sensing its danger, disappeared over the starboard gunwales and did not rise again.

Mordecai looked up at the gas-bag where the thing had come from. No more of the flying vermin could be seen, though up near the starboard ratline he did see a face, white-furred and simian, watching them.

Blast, damnation, and other diverse curses. His triumphant morale-building speech had been ruined. Enough tomfoolery. I am captain now.

"Enough of this," he shouted. "It was just one of those little monsters. Everyone back to your posts. We're putting this place behind us. Konrad! To the helm. Reaver Jane! Go tell the Mechanist about our change of heading, and make sure he's ready to help us make all speed. And could someone get up aloft and kill that damned ape?"