Free The Wrath of a Shipless Pirate (The Godlanders War) by Aaron Pogue

cards. And he’s a close friend of mine.”
    “Then we will find him for you.”
    “I’ll be grateful for it. And last, when I have made Marzelle safe for you once more, I will ask your aid in finding me this druid. She too is a friend. Or … I hope for her to be.”
    The innkeeper paused, clearly reviewing Corin’s requests, and after a moment he nodded. “All these things can be done. And if you but rid us of the Captain, they all together will not be reward enough.”
    “Then I will also let you find some easy retirement for a friend of mine. A former pirate who goes by Charlie Claire.”
    “It seems a fair exchange.”
    Corin fetched a tiny silver ring out from his purse. It was a thing of no great value, but it was sufficient for a pledge. The rules insisted coin could not be used, so Corin always carried something of the sort.
    He slapped it down on the bar. “You have my pledge according to the rules. I will free this town from Dave Taker and his men.”
    The innkeeper produced an empty leather sheath, something fitting for a lady’s tiny poniard, but decorated in gemstone flakes and delicate gold leaf. “You have my pledge as well. Let it be done.”
    Corin finished off his beer, glad to have a plan at last, then settled in to sort out the fine details.
     

T he surgeon who came for Josef was no druid, but he seemed a quality physician. Once old Josef was on his feet, the two of them shared a friendly pint, and then Corin asked someone to show the doctor across town to look in on Charlie Claire. It felt a small price after all of Charlie’s loyalty.
    But mostly Corin focused on the traitors. He learned everything he could from the locals, and everything pointed back to Dave Taker. All their troubles had started back in April, shortly after Corin disappeared. For a while, there had been an uneasy peace, brokered by an unseen pirate who called himself “the Captain.” That had to be Ethan Blake. Corin was sure of it.
    He’d come to town with a small fortune to spare, and he’d spent it buying out the local watchmen and justices. Those few who wouldn’t tender to Ithalian silver disappeared. For a while, the Nimble Fingers had considered it a luxury.
    But then, some weeks back, the Captain had disappeared. H e lef t an authority in his place, and that one went by “the First Mate.” He was the man so fiercely despised by Marzelle’s citizens, for he had ruled through violence and force. He’d crushed the Nimble Fingers and anyone else who had threatened either his authority or wealth.
    Discussing all this with the innkeeper, Corin had tried to offer help. “That must be Dave Taker, though I’ve never known him to think so big.”
    The innkeeper shrugged. “It might well be. He’s never used an honest name.”
    “How can that be?”
    “He never needed one. The Captain came with silver enough to justify his quirks, and the First Mate has operated under the authority that silver purchased.”
    “Then I’ll describe Dave Taker to you.”
    “No better. We have never seen the First Mate at all.”
    Corin rocked back. “Absurd! How can he run this town without someone in your organization encountering him? There should at least be rumors.”
    “Of course, but the rumors paint him ten feet tall with pointy teeth and claws for hands.”
    “And none of you has gone in person to find out?”
    “That’s what I’m telling you! There is no ‘in person’ with this man. He reigns by proxy. In all his time here, he has never shown his face.”
    Corin’s shoulders sagged. “Well, this I can believe. The Vesto ssis have always loved their paranoia. But it’s an opportunity too.”
    “What opportunity?”
    “If he reigns by proxy, and if I can remove him, someone else can step into his place. Someone like you or Josef. And simply use his proxies to your own ends.”
    The innkeeper whistled in stunned admiration. “You are a devious creature. But no.”
    “What? Why not?”
    “You do not