Unfurling from the great armrest, I stared down at the man that knelt before me. He didn’t look like anything special, dusty brown hair and a pleasing face, but his eyes… His eyes were a storm of gray. He looked at me with fear and contempt, but that was what was so intriguing… how he didn’t look away.
I leaned my chin onto my open palm, raising an eyebrow as I readied myself for the no-doubt thrilling series of mistakes that led this poor soul to the bowels of my ship. “A stow-away,” I smirked, calmly meeting the eyes of my quartermaster. “Tarren, you’re good at explaining things. Tell me,” my eyes flashed to his green ones, “how does a thief get aboard my ship?”
Tarren winced, face ashen, but he wasn’t the one who answered me.
“I wasn’t stealing from you.” I could see the man swallow hard, his expression growing firmer as he tried to mask his fear. “I snuck behind your men as they were finishing loading cargo, but I wasn’t aiming for the contents of your hold. I just wanted out of Nighbrook, and your ship seemed like the best choice.”
I felt the grin part my lips as I sat back in my chair, amused by his severe display of tenacity. “Really? And why would that be?” I asked, entertaining the idea in my mind. It was far too often that we encountered someone cowering in the face of our motley crew. If anything this man was somewhat refreshing. “Enlighten me on why exactly you thought my ship would be the best for your escape.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes; he probably hadn’t expected a chance to defend himself. “She’s the only ship that seemed worth the risk. The passenger ships are bulky, and the cargo ships are run down. Your airship looked fast–”
“She is,” I interjected, giving him a small satisfied nod as I winked at the members of my crew– all equally entertained by this man’s blatant plea for pardon. “Do go on. My apologies.” I folded my hands on my lap, crossing one leg over my knee as I listened.
A frown crossed the man’s face for a moment, his eyes dropping as he continued. “I didn’t have a lot of time to consider whose ship it might be. I was being pursued, and the only thing that mattered was how sturdy your ship seemed- the only one likely to escape a possible attack.” His lips pressed into a thin line as he paused.
I scoffed and sighed gruffly as I stated, “Oh, excellent. In a spot of trouble are you? You’re making your case stronger by the minute.” My words dripped with sarcasm, another roar of laughter erupting from the men and women who stood behind me. I looked at the man, tittering. “You know, it’s a damn shame. You’re very entertaining, and not so hard on the eyes. I would have liked to let you live.” I shrugged, raising my fingers as I gave the slight signal to Tarren. “Oh well. C’est la vie.”
His face paled, eyes wide as he tried to move forward; Tarren caught him by the collar of his shirt, yanking him back. “Wait!” The man pleaded, his voice trembling. “I can be useful to you. I was running because the city isn’t safe for people like me. Please! I’m an engineer!”
The room went dead quiet.
I rose from my chair, all the smiles and laughter gone as I strode across the room, towering over the man on his knees that looked up at me with those earnest gray eyes. My voice was low and threatening, my figure casting him in shadows as I leaned down to better meet his gaze. My nails bit into the palms of my hands as I stared at him, snarling, “Look at me, and say that again.”
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