Awakened by Morgan L. Busse

Author:Morgan L. Busse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gilead Publishing

Chapter

20

The Calypso pulled into Duskport in the late morning. After securing the small steamboat to the boardwalk, Captain Harpur extended the wooden plank and gestured toward Jake and the other two bounty hunters.

Jake slung his pack over his shoulder and started across the plank first. Between Piers’ constant complaints about the filthiness of the ship, their tight living quarters, and Rodger’s seasickness, he couldn’t leave the ship fast enough.

Ahead, the small seaport of Duskport spread out before them, a collection of shabby buildings nestled along the shore. A couple fishing boats gently rocked in the harbor, their owners sitting on barrels on the dock, smoking pipes or cleaning nets.

He placed a foot on the pier and sighed in relief. Solid ground. Before he could take another step, Captain Harpur swung out a hand to stop him. Jake stopped short and narrowed his eyes.

“My payment,” the captain said with a wiggle of his fingers.

Jake tightened his lips and reached inside his duster for the pouch he carried. He counted out the bills and thrust them into the captain’s hand. “You’ll receive your final payment if you’re still here when we return.”

Captain Harpur closed his hand around the bills with a gleam in his eye. “I’ll be here, you can count on that.”

“No matter how long our mission takes.”

The captain waved him off. “Even if it takes you weeks.”

“Good.” Jake bypassed the captain and walked across the boardwalk, his boots slapping against the wooden planks. Piers followed behind him, along with Rodger. The sooner they started their mission, the better.

He stepped onto the street and looked around. There wasn’t much to the port. Just a bunch of run-down storefronts, weathered homes, and narrow streets. He tugged on the end of his mustache. Where to start? He dropped his hand. Taverns would be a good place to find out information.

Jake headed toward an old pipe-smoking fisherman sitting on a bench at the edge of the street. The man looked up and his eyes wandered over Jake’s tattooed arms. With a puff of smoke, he pulled the pipe out. “Quite the colors you have there.”

Jake folded his arms. “I like to think it means I’ve lived an interesting life.”

“Sailor?”

“No. Not quite.”

“Hmmph.” The man took another long draw from the pipe. “So what brings you to Duskport?”

“Looking for someone.”

“Here?”

“No. However, I would appreciate it if you could point me to the local tavern.”

The man gestured with his pipe. “Just head down that street to the Laughing Gull. Can’t miss it.”

“Thank you.”

“Sure, sure.” The man settled back and continued with his pipe.

Jake started in the direction the fisherman had pointed. For being at war, Austrium seemed to be as laid back as rumors had portrayed the country to be.

Piers came up beside him. Even during the sea voyage, Piers had somehow managed to keep his white suit immaculate. Always the consummate gentleman, even if he was a bounty hunter. “So what is our plan?”

“Find information. The Lancelot was a blockade runner for World City, which means it ran supplies for the army.

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