Raised in an orphanage after being found abandoned on the London docks as a newborn baby, without a known last name nor date of birth, Theodore has but one friend, Seth, a fellow orphan. Destiny takes Theodore away from Seth and back to the sea when he comes of age and is found an apprenticeship on a vessel in the English merchant navy. Thor, as he becomes known aboard ship, soon falls for Miguel, the handsome boatswain. However, his life is turned upside down when their ship is raided. Miguel is torn from his life and Thor is taken hostage and forced into the life of a pirate aboardThe Dragon. Both attracted to and repulsed by the evil Captain Wyvern, Thor finds the large dragon tattoo -- the symbol of the rank of the ship's captain -- taking hold of him and binding him to the man. Fate intervenes once more and Thor is elected captain ofThe Dragonwhen Wyvern is killed during a raid. Dismayed by Wyvern's ruthlessness, Thor is determined to show humanity to those vessels his crew plunders now that he is in charge. But despite his growing wealth, power, and reputation, Thor is restless and unfulfilled. He feels his life is not yet complete and somehow reaches beyond the decks of the pirate ship he now captains. A raid on a Dutch merchant ship brings yet another twist to Thor's life when someone from his past is found on board. Thor now has to face hard choices, the most difficult of which involves deciding if he can leave the sea and make a new life on land with his rediscovered love. But with a price on his head and a large tattoo of a dragon on his body, can Thor escape his past life of a pirate?

The Dragon

Thor made yet another attempt. “We are wasting time and energy. They are an empty vessel. Why take a chance on—”


“I said prepare to make chase!” Wyvern said in a manner that Thor recognized as immovable.


The quartermaster took a deep breath and called to the crew, “Heave ahead.” He pointed in the direction of the Spanish vessel. Instantly the men scurried to their posts and began preparing for the encounter. “Full sail!” Thor thundered.


In the rigging he could see Edgar unlashing and releasing the sails. He felt The Dragon respond and surge forward as she increased her speed. He felt the rush of adrenalin. The chase was the part of the attack that thrilled Thor the most. The Dragon was a swift ship. She could outrun almost any vessel on the high seas. Merchantmen were no match for her.


Chapter 20