Frustrated plans

Months ago...

Richard Morgan lowered his telescope and watched a small long schooner.

The Star Tomorrow was attacking the vessel. He could feel the heavy air or smell of gunpowder. Observes the armed combats in attempting the crew, which carried the smuggling, save the precious load. A load that it may well imagine the destination: Chabone.

At the moment his last mind was invaded by recording impeccably soft skin, undulating hair and rebellious hair and tempting lips that seemed like roses.

The scent of blood, gunpowder, and sea had given way to another: delicate, intoxicating, and disturbing. Rick can never decipher the scent of that perfume that took away his judgment. The essence of an untouched, mysterious and indecipherable woman.

A few months and ... he was finally back to Chabone. He longed for a runner. Play with her skin, hug her and hear her voice. He sighed in dismay. That angel of mercy that saved her life had simply disappeared. Without any trace.

- Richard Morgan, where's your head? We already waited for you several times what are the orders? – Michael complained visibly annoyed. - We're almost in the middle of a fight and you're daydreaming. By the heavens! It's her, isn't it?

Rick grunted in disgust.

As Michael's words, their younger brother placed him alert. His gaze returned to the Star. Heavens! Who commands that ship in the absence of that agar? Didn't he see that the journey was dangerously close to rocks that could damage the timbers? That ship carried over a hundred privateers loyal to the Armada.

- So, man? Do I order the men to fire the approach shots? - Adam, the younger brother teased.

Richard Morgan still doesn't believe it.

Those orders... Hell! He was a captain.

The Black Coral was one of the best-armed fluty corsairs as well as the Black Gaia. And the Coral from the death of the infamous traitor Philip was commanded under his supervision. It was a crewed expedition that could accommodate two hundred men and one of the most powerful of the armada with its forty cannons and flamethrowers. However, he is reduced to an annoying kid's drudge. He tried unsuccessfully to record the boy's image.

-Come on, man. Make up your mind! Or will you end up with Morgan material damaged in the future? If... And I'm emphasizing this time... If you find her...- Michael scoffed.

The brothers laughed.

-Hmmm... - Adam participated in the provocation. -He even managed to lose his wife after...

Richard Morgan glared at them both. He hated those damn pranks. But of course, he was going to find her. He had his best men stalking her, encircling territory.

- Either you order them to shoot or it's better to push the fluty away. These waters are treacherous. Look at those waves of foam… – Michael seriously appeals.

The warnings put Richard Morgan on alert. The submerged rocks posed problems. This was no time to let anything distract him. He raised his arm to the helmsman and ordered the mortars to be loaded at his command.

The acrid odour of gunpowder filled the air. Rick imagined several times he had already been in that situation. Soon his name would be appointed to the command of the Corsair Armada. For a moment he remembered the worst danger he had ever had in his life. An ambush. He was injured and his eyesight impaired. He didn't see. The images were fuzzy and distorted. Someone had surprised their attackers.

Well, he had survived it all and now would just need to complete the mission before taking the lead. Soon his exile would end.

But why the hell had William tasked him with taking care of his youngest son? Orders from him placed Kassuim on them were of the Black Coral and then carried him safely to Scarlet's domain. Only then can it happen. And search...

-There is something wrong!

Like memories still fuzzy in his mind from the White Order Coven's spell.

It was hell. Once again Michael's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

-Morgan! Rick Morgan!

-What?

-Of course, there's something wrong. The schooner will sink. They're leaving the deck.

Why did he feel trouble? It was his wolf instinct. Watched through the spyglass at the young man who was still struggling on the quarterdeck. Its worst recipients were confirmed when the paraari began looking for longboats to move away from the schooner.

The Star, however, was too close. It had been a mistake to leave the command of the ship to the first mate. How Thalagar tolerated that Spaniard was a mystery.

-Then? What will we do? - Adam said approaching the rail. - It makes no sense to attack. The attack is over. They're already cutting the boarding hooks.

Except for the last fight focus. Richard Morgan clenched his jaw on the quarterdeck. The schooner was largely avoided; water for sure. He looked back at the small, fighting silhouette. Suddenly troubled. Who was that man?

- I know that. Rick sighed through his teeth. – That means that the Star doesn't need a backup once, we'll just need to go aboard and rescue Kas just suim.

Why didn't he believe this was going to be as easy as it looked?

-You mean looking for your new pupil? Michel scoffed again.

The brother's words conjured up a grim picture. Against his customs and habits, old Nada will comment on his son. Except he was moody. He sighed again in resignation. He imagined a troublesome teenager, irresponsible and at the very least a womanizer. What other reason would a father ask for an original favour?

A loud explosion ripped through the air deafeningly. Fires were starting to spread across the deck of the drifting schooner.

- Come on, cheer up. It can't be that bad! - Adam is encouraging.

Rick screwed up his features. He didn't want to think about his clan's responsibilities. He was the leader of the wolves. By right he was either firstborn or heir.

The first vivid memory he had was her scent. That woman's perfume seemed to permeate the air. He imagined what it would be like to kiss her... and then...

-Ah, you fool in love! - Michael teased again with laughter. - Wouldn't it be better to find your pupil for now and forget about your beautiful lady for a while?

Michael is warning you...

-Now, cheer up. Love is beautiful. It can't be that bad looking after a little boy. What could go wrong?

Chabone

- That's not what we agreed. Our deal will never include the wife of a bounty hunter. - The man almost screamed on the verge of fury.

The staring nobleman was still wearing his travelling clothes and ignored him.

Thalagar hated that man. The captain himself wasn't all that different from him. Oh, damn Philip Morgan! At least some sacrifices were demanded and tolerated. He is thirty-two years old and captain of the Star of Tomorrow. Life offered everything an ambitious young man could hope for: a political career and power. Almost everything. Lately, old Will, his uncle, looked at his nephew more suspiciously and with some reserve.

- I should give myself to the woman. - He insisted tensely. That would put him in good grace with his uncle again.

-Small change, my dear. - The voice he would learn to hate spoke.

He can kill that man with ease. The infamous was someone to be feared and to be sustained. He had made a living with betrayals and plotted for power.

In truth, Thalagar didn't appreciate the business we were too forced to do, but it was too late. She needed to earn William's trust. There would be no mercy for the wolves if he were discovered. They would never understand. And it was all Kassuim's fault. In all the years they had been unable to appreciate the affection he bore her. Keeping Richard away was proving more difficult than I could have imagined. Even more so after being freed from captivity during the Siege battle.

It was unbelievable. Luck was a wheel of fortune. A sorcerer could never be trusted. He heard with displeasure the rumours that the Black Coral sailed through those waters. And even worse. Oh, Gaia. She needed to get back to the Star quickly. The remaining boats had better not spread out or else soon Richard Morgan would be gone.

It wasn't part of his plans. Never. That bunch of renegade sorcerers was treacherous. Thalagar with the version for his white cloaks. He never believed in prophecies. But William was no fool. With all the devils! His uncle was suspicious.

-It's a delicate moment, my friend. Gazarra's regent aims to return to power. What better opportunity to destroy the Morgan family? Soon I will have them all in Chabone.

Thalagar's laugh was sceptical. Destroy Richard Morgan the leader of the Corsairs? It would be easier for the Order to have new members.

-You know you promised help. I just asked the woman...

- And as for the Pieces of Four... - the lord rambled.

Thalagar sighed in resignation. Things don't go exactly as planned. He didn't know who he hated more: the hateful figure in front of him or Valerius. Everything was getting out of his control. He was there for everyone they knew.

- The girl knows where they are like Four Pieces. She knows you have a full interest in these properties.

- Nonsense. Don't believe it. They are legends and...

- The woman's blood was useless. There was no power even with your veins... There was no power even with your veins...

Thalagar just didn't think. The man was despicable. They intended to deliver the woman into the hands of the slaver in Chabone. This was going to start real war against the wolves. Richard sabre was enough.

The Lord began to notice the hesitation that was beginning to surface in his ally. Impatient. He intends to take revenge on William Morgan's family. Blackwill would then suffer the same pain he had experienced. lose all...

- I knew the consequences of our agreement.

-Yes, I mean no. No! Rays! I never imagined that I would deliver the woman into Garro's hands. Do you know what that wretch is going to do?

Or worse: what would Richard do? Oh, dear lord. And if Jackie knows... Heavens!

-I hope he fulfils the end of the bargain.

Thalagar was beginning to assess the risks. It was starting to take on dangerous proportions.

- As soon as Richard violates Garro's safe conduct with Armada. And attack. Just wait for the right moment.

And that meant evidence.

Was that noticeable man is it? He can laugh. Ah, Richard Morgan wasn't exactly the kind of man to take provocation. He would not only attack, but he would also destroy Chabone when he found out. He would order either Gaia to target the lucrative smuggling trade, and he would also use reinforcements for Black Coral. It was a great idea. He was going to lead a battle with the Successorium.

-Don't hurt Kassuim. -Thalagar was categorical in importing his terms. Either way, our agreement was for the other woman to be placed in my care. I did my part. I delivered the Stone of Balthazar... Help his murderers...

Macgrover's James laughed loudly in bewilderment.

-Of course, I don't intend to kill her. I intend to claim it as Scarlet lands. As soon as Richard disappears, after taking over the duchy. I'm afraid of your untimely death...

Thalagar clenched his fists. He did not answer. He would have to earn Kassuim's trust... Hell! This was going to be difficult after all. And as for the wolves... If he was discovered, he wouldn't just be exiled. That would be considered treason. They would condemn him to death. Perhaps...

- We will. Everything is under control. Let events turn into rumours. We will meet again in Garrone.

Thalagar speak protest. It was risky for him. He scratched his forehead dejectedly. He just nodded.