A gunshot echoed over the two ships and the bullet ripped through Captain David West skull with a sickening crack. The man’s body, eyes still open in shock, crumpled to the deck of the ship with a hollow thud, bits of brain and bone spread by his pooling blood. There was a loud thud and the attention of the crew was redirected to a woman standing on the rail of the Murderess, holding onto a guide rope.
She was not particularly tall or large but her large man’s overcoat and hat made her appear bigger than she actually was. Her brown hair was braided in several spots and hung loose around her shoulders, and her bare belly was taught with toned muscle. Her young face sported a near maniacal grin as she surveyed the deck of the Flourish.
“ Oops.” She giggled, jumping to the Flourish’s rail and catching herself with another guide rope. “ Killed ‘im, dinnit I?” She hopped onto the deck and strode over to Captain West’s body, still grinning. As she did, Anyssa fell in step behind her, latching on to her arm. After inspecting the body briefly, the woman turned to what was left of the passengers and crew of the Flourish, still grinning. “ Search the man.” She ordered, and her crew clambered to obey her, tearing the clothes from the Captain’s body while his murderer wandered over the deck, inspecting the survivors.
“ Lesee…” she muttered, tugging on Sophia’s dress a bit. “ Too frilly.” She moved on to Laine and appraised him. “ Too low.” She moved on to Mia, cocking her head to the side. “ The hell kinda ship is this, all these dress-wearing landlubbers?” Shaking her head she pointed to Jessica, drawing the survivor’s attention to her. “ See, dat one knows howta dress.” She blinked and marched over to pull Jessica to her feet, still grinning. “ Don’t suppose you’re crew?” she asked, then shoved the girl away. “ Unlikely.” She muttered disdainfully. She spotted what appeared to be a minstrel and suddenly hopped up and down, clapping her hands. “ Ooh, ‘Nessie, lookit that! We got ourselves a musician! We’re gonna be civilized!” Her outburst ended as quickly as it began as she barked to her crew, “ Alvidia, Eve, get ‘im on ta ship and put ‘im the brig. Be careful wit ‘im, girls, musicians is delicate!” The crew of the Murderess jumped to obey.
She turned to inspect Sophia next, pulling the girl to her feet. “ Ooh… pretty one. And dressed to da nines. Be sure ta get her things.” She shoved the girl away and growled looking around the deck.
“ See anything you like, my captain?” Anyssa purred, nuzzling against the woman’s ear. As she did, the woman suddenly pulled away, her grin returning as she lunged for Alex, grabbing the boy by his arm.
“ Yes I do.” She answered, smiling at the young man maliciously.
“ Yes, Bree.” She purred again. Bree McLaughlin rolled her eyes at her lover.
“ Cabin boy, ‘Nessie. Might know where ta map is.” She turned back to the boy. “ Doncha, boy? Part o’ a map da late Cap’n had?” She turned to her crew, keeping an iron grip on the boys arm. “ Kill what’s left of the crew ‘till he talks.” She commanded, turning her psychotic grin back on Alex.
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