Shanna by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Author:Kathleen E. Woodiwiss [Woodiwiss, Kathleen E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3, pdf
Tags: Fiction, cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2011-11-16T12:54:14+00:00

Chapter 16

OVER THE MATE’S SHOULDER Ruark had watched Pellier lead Shanna across the gangplank and down into the milling throng until she disappeared from his sight. Then he returned his attention to the four who crowded before him.

“I have more important things to occupy me than sweeping any deck,” he stated bluntly.

“Gor, love the likes of him,” the mate guffawed. “ ’E wants to start at the top, ’e does. Well, man,” the beady eyes narrowed, “to be a captain ya ’as to ’ave a ship and then ya ’as to be the best man o’ the crew. Oi’ve little enough to recommend of ya. Ya’ve done naught but eat our food and drink our ale.”

Slowly Ruark backed away until he felt the rail behind him. His foot struck a bucket of sand kept handy for small fires. His hand found a pinrail where the long, oaken belaying pins were stored. The pirates wore no pistols but, with obvious relish, fingered the hilts of the cutlasses thrust into their belts. Ruark could only surmise that Pellier had left orders that would negate the share of the loot which was promised him. A quick end, the half-breed no doubt expected, but this colonial had other plans.

His eyes fell on the half-open door to the captain’s cabin, and Ruark remembered a stack of arms he had seen there when they had questioned him. Casually he leaned against the rail and stared back at the men. He had played much the part of a yearling calf with these men, hoping they might relax their vigil of him. He should have considered they were jackals and would readily devour the helpless.

Ruark almost smiled. “Let’s see what the jackals will do when they face a man instead.”

Seeing naught to be gained by waiting any longer, Ruark bent and with a swift movement hurled the bucket of sand into their faces, sharing it liberally with the four of them. As the men stumbled back, cursing and rubbing sand from their eyes, he quickly snatched a pin from the rack and laid it alongside the head of the nearest He bent another over with a hard jab beneath the ribs and parried the wild swing of the mate who had freed his cutlass. Coming to blows with the sword, the belaying pin was nearly sheared in two. Its continuing service as a weapon was badly in doubt, and Ruark hurled it into the face of the fourth man, who ducked to avoid it and collided with the mate. His respite won, Ruark ran for the cabin and slammed the door behind him as several bodies thudded against it on the opposite side. He threw the bolt and spent the few moments he had gained in search of a weapon. He cast aside an ornate dress sword and laid his hand upon the worn hilt of a long, curved sabre. He drew the piece from its sheath, and the naked blade winked blue in the dim light as if sharing a pun with him.

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