Free Gunpowder by G.H. Guzik

rigging was even
harder. Finding no other option, he had nevertheless taken a
decision that probably saved their lives. Under full sail on three
masts the “Thunder Led” was impossible to catch up to regardless of
the starting positions and weather conditions. The distance between
them and their pursuers was increasing in plain sight.
    Kristoff
handed over the helm to his first officer and stood at the stern
next half-naked Sparks staring through binoculars at the ships of
the line they were leaving behind.
    - Seriously?
You intend to walk the deck with bare tits all the time?
    - Well... We
did escape... the word has been said, tits are released...
    - And
Breiig?
    - Dead.
    - Killed
during the escape?
    - I killed him
personally while he tried to betray me. - She put away the
binoculars and looked at the captain. - At least I think he tried.
I'm not really sure.
    - Glad that
I'm on your side... and my attitude does not arouse your
suspicions.
    - Stop fooling
around. I killed him accidentally because he had a weak heart. I
just wanted to interrogate him. He died of shock. Didn’t survive
being paralysed.
    - Why the
confidence in his betrayal?
    - He was not
in chains. He was sitting at the table with the bearded one and the
head of the guards, as equals. It seems to me that he teamed up
with them and defected. They arrested us to give him a chance to
set up a pretend escape and act out our release. That is why the
guards’ headquarters were empty. To make our escape easier.
    - Why the
masquerade?
    - So he would
sail home with us and without the rest of his men. His network of
agents was either non-existent from the start or rounded up earlier
and obviously our enemies did not want to risk Breiig being exposed
by anyone. Regardless of whom they would send to Daelwynn, their
agents or our own. You know... The fewer witnesses, the greater
chance of success. Breiig would become their agent in Daelwynn. And
with good access level.
    - And you
deduced all this from the fact that he was sitting there without
shackles?
    - These are
all... indisputable facts. The only correct interpretation of them.
Breiig had to die. Daelwynn must remain secure.
    - Even at the
cost of human life?
    - The cost is
merely a life of a traitor.
    - And if
you're wrong?
    - I am not
wrong. Besides, there is another thing. They could have sunk us
immediately after we left the port, but they began shooting only
after a good few minutes. It seems to me that the forts’ crews had
been ordered to let us go, and tried to sink us only when
messengers brought them the news that their charade had failed.
    Kristoff took
the binoculars from her hand and put it to his eyes to gain some
time. He looked at the ships of the line loosing more and more
distance, and thought about what he had just heard from Sparks.
Making sure that they are safe and no ship was no longer a threat,
he put his binoculars away and turned to face the agent.
    - Perhaps
you're right. Now, it does not matter though. We survived and
escaped and will safely reach Haaven. You will move on to Daelwynn,
and I will lie low somewhere on the Karahams. Just remember that
the next time we meet, you’d better have a privateer commission of
the Daelwynnian navy for me... Sparkles. - Kristoff gave her the
binoculars and shamelessly stared at her naked breasts. Sparks was
not going to disturb him.
    - You’ve got my word... And it is still Sparks, Thank you very
much.
    - Well... I don't know about that. - The captain grinned still
looking at her breasts - After all... you did flash
me...
     
    The End
    (although you will find a few surprises on the following
pages)

A short guide to some places described above:

    Karaham Islands - An archipelago of nearly a
thousand volcanic and coral islands on the East Sea. The islands,
some of them floating, are inhabited by indigenous groups loosely
connected ethnically, however considering only the largest
settlements, most of the population are immigrants from Herbion