Opening the satchel, I saw there was an intricate metal box in it, just large enough to cover the flat of my hand. Its surface was a puzzle of tiny bronze and copper gears, a delicate work of miniature machinery which seemed impossible to manipulate. “Interesting,” I murmured, smirking as I inspected the object with careful consideration. “I wonder what makes this strange instrument so valuable?”
“It’s not valuable- it’s just a tool,” he said, a tension hiding behind the casual words. “It’s not of any worth to you.”
I tilted my head to the side, dropping the cube into the deep pocket of my frock coat. There was a sterile rage behind his calm expression that gave me a sense of accomplishment. “You said it yourself. You’re an engineer, on the run, and seem to want this back very badly. If it’s something that you want, then it’s the very thing I need.”
“How do you figure that?” He seemed increasingly agitated as he shook his head. “You won’t be able to use it, and you seem to have plenty of pricier paperweights, I don’t think you need another.”
I stepped closer to him, narrowing my eyes as I gave him a cold and calculated smile. “What’s your name?”
He was silent for a moment, expression unreadable, before he answered. “William Arliss,” he forced the name past gritted teeth.
“Well, William Arliss, while Tarren and I don’t agree often, he’s certainly in my favor today. I never trust a rat. And with this kind of leverage,” I patted my pocket, winking at him, “I think we can both agree you’ll start to smarten up and learn your place aboard my ship. Like I said before, there are worse things than death.”
“You’ve made that very clear,” he muttered, eyes dropping as he shook his head slowly. “No one even saw me board the ship, now did they? I’m good at keeping out of sight. You’ll hardly notice I’m here.” William was quietly taunting, a fire in his eyes even as he promised to fall in line.
I gritted my teeth, seething through them as I snapped, “Well, as you’re standing here cuffed in irons, you may want to make sure of that this time.” I turned away from him, glancing towards Cordelia who had remained silent the entirety of my investigation. “Go with Tarren. Take our guest to a room. Have it guarded inside and out at all times until we make port.”
She nodded, going to stand beside her brother as she said sternly, “Yes, Captain.”
As I walked back towards my chair, prepared to regain the meeting with my crew that had been so suddenly interrupted, I glanced over my shoulder, tipping my hat to the intriguing William Arliss–if that even was his name. “Thanks for the trinket, Mr. Arliss,” I said, taking the strange cube out of my pocket to taunt him.
Cordelia took William by the arm, turning him toward the door; he looked back at me over his shoulder, anger still boiling under his cool gaze. “I gave you my name- it’s polite to return the favor. Unless you want me to guess.” He smirked at me, and I doubted anything he came up with would be favorable.
Regaining my seat, I placed the instrument back in my pocket as I regarded William, both fascinated and equally frustrated by how much fight there was in him. “I suppose I do owe you that much at most.” I gripped the ends of the armrest, smiling as I said, “My name is Valkyrie, Captain of the Marauder. Welcome aboard, Mr. Arliss. We’ll see how long you make your stay.”
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