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“I think that’s quite unlikely,” James replied.
The man chuckled to himself, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The other two corpses pulled in the same wheezing breath, and suddenly, James and I were outnumbered. “Looks like not much has changed, boys. Pirates are still a suspicious lot,” he said to the others.
“I’d like to think of it as good prudence,” James responded.
“Aye, that’s just semantics.”
“Possibly. But might I point out that it was you who was dead only moments ago while I’ve been very much alive and would like to continue being so.”
The fae nodded his head at James before pushing back from his chair.
“The name’s Montgomery Starkey, or simply Starkey. I am but a humble school usher turned pirate. But of course, all the good fae are, aren’t they?” He raised an eyebrow at James, who still held his cutlass poised for battle. “This is Cecco, and Mason—Alf Mason. We are at your service, Captain.” Starkey bowed gracefully, holding the pose while he waited for James to acknowledge him.
The other two glared at us across his bowed back. They were a little less refined. The fae closest to me—the one he called Cecco—leisurely pulled a rusted knife from his belt and began picking at his teeth. His earlobes had been stretched and filled with gold pieces of eight that reflected in the candlelight. While Mason peered out from under his tricorn hat at us, his gaunt face cast in shadows.
“Captain?” James questioned. Both of us still trying to decipher what was going on here.
The fae all chuckled as if they were in on some kind of joke.
“Did you not summon us from our eternal sleep? Did you not call upon the Heart of the Divine to fulfill your need?”
“I… I’m not sure.”
Starkey shook his head. “And to think we toiled our lives away looking for the ruby, and it finds itself in the hands of a man who doesn’t even realize what he possesses.”
“We know full well what it is,” I snapped, jumping to James’ defense before I thought better of it.
“A fiery little lassie you’ve got,” Cecco said, his graveled voice raising the hairs on the back of my neck.
“The lassie is none of your concern,” James growled, setting his sinister glare on the fae. “But you’re right in one respect, Mr. Starkey. I control the ruby, which makes me the Captain by Divine right.” James straightened his shoulders, shedding his earlier hesitation, and stepped easily into the role of authority. The tone of his voice demanded allegiance.
“There are a few ground rules to discuss,” Starkey said.
“Ground rules? I have the ruby; I make the rules.”
“If only it were that simple. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying ‘with great power comes great responsibility’? We were brought back to serve your needs, but we’ve been tasked with bringing you a message directly from the Divine.”
James eyed him skeptically. But they’d been in the other world only moments before, so I guess anything was possible.
An all-encompassing light enveloped the fae for a moment and then subsided, leaving tracks in my vision where the light had been. When I focused on the reanimated pirate, his eyes glowed, his irises now a swirling, milky white.
“Hello, James,” an ethereal, androgynous voice replaced Starkey’s deep baritone. My eyes darted to James. He was clearly shaken as the fae… thing... addressed him directly. “If you are to wield the ruby, you must heed these warnings.
“One. The ruby cannot be used to alter the course of destiny or bring harm to the innocent.
“Two. The ruby operates on the principle of balance. An equal consequence elsewhere in your life will offset any benefits gained from its power threefold.
“Three. The ruby is not bound to any being, mortal or immortal, and may choose to depart from its wielder if you’re deemed unworthy or its purpose has been fulfilled.
“Do you understand and accept the weight of this obligation?”
“I…uh, yes, ma’am. I mean, sir… Your Holiness,” James said, fumbling with his words.
Starkey’s eyes shifted back to a dark brown. “Please, Captain,” Starkey said, this time in his own voice. “We are here to serve. Do you have our bearings?”
James stared at him for a long moment before shaking his head. “Thank you, Mr. Starkey… for the message. Next time, how about a bit of warning if you’re planning to invoke the Divine?” Starkey stared with his arms crossed behind his back, patiently waiting for orders. “Right. Now that we’ve got that straight, tell me, are there more of you? Might be hard-pressed to navigate this ship out of here with only the four of us.”
“The crew will have been long since swept away through the portal. We are the last three to remain on the ship.”
