Just Another Day

Shanku drew herself up and sat tall. "Captain Morgan conducted all of his business fairly. He never cheated anyone or stole anything from another merchant," Shanku stared at him with resolve. "I will not dishonor his memory by becoming one of the very thieves that killed him!"

"Don't be so hoity-toity," Turai said, annoyed. "You don't really have a choice if you want to live."

"If he's so desperate for me to live and protect him, he'll deliver to me the one who killed the scholar," Shanku growled.

"That... probably won't be accepted," Turai said nervously. "We've lost a lot of good men and Maston is one of best fighters."

"Those are my terms," Shanku said sternly and crossed her arms over her chest.

The door then opened to reveal the captain had been eavesdropping for some time.

"If ye manage to kill him," Captain Dodger said icily. "I will grant ye yer life, wench."

"Deal!" Shanku said quickly and stood.

"Wait, what?" Turai asked in surprise.

"Today. Now," Captain Dodger said firmly and pointed at the door.

"Done," Shanku nodded her head and went above deck.

Turai limped behind them as quickly as he could, his head reeling from how much more quickly this was moving than what he had planned for.

The remaining pirates gathered in a semi-circle as Maston and Shanku squared off before the bowsprit at the prow of the ship. Maston stood confidently with his hands crossed over his bare chest as Shanku stood ready in a fighting stance.

"So, the little puppy has been crying?" Maston laughed. "You killed some o' me best mates last night. I'm going to enjoy gutting you."

"Don't you underestimate me, swillface," Shanku growled at him.

"Is that the best taunt you have?" Maston laughed heartily and raised his knuckles. "You remember that too then, mutt!"