Treasure of the sea |Lesbian story|

CHAPTER LV

Arenis had begun recruiting new sailors. After Thorpe's attack, her crew had shrunk considerably and she was in desperate need of new men. Many turned up on selection day. Arenis asked them a little bit of everything; who they had served under, what roles they did best on a ship and whether they could fight well. I watched as she tested the men, starting a series of duels.

Dinnington rejoiced when Arenis landed a man and put her sword to his chest, winning the duel. Arenis's entire crew stood by, amused to see those men so confident they could win against her, so bold and vain, slump to the ground like sacks of potatoes. Their gaze suddenly changed. The smug expression with which they arrived, disappeared completely, leaving room for pure awe and submissiveness.

Arenis moved gracefully between blows and parries, with such agile steps and movements that she did not even seem to feel fatigue. She quickly discarded any man who showed disdain for her. It took very little for her to realise what kind of person she had before her. She would exchange a few words, ask a few questions and, if she wished to chase the unfortunate man away, she would raise her hand and dismiss him with a hasty gesture. She was not patient, nor did she try to appear so.

"Hey, tell us, Adler..."

Sabre and Stevenson had lit a bonfire on the beach. The young man had managed to buy oysters, rum and some fruit. To this little party they had invited only their closest friends; Dilthey, Jackie Jay, Eddie and me. Eddie lay on the sand, his hands behind his head and a bottle resting next to his elbows.

"What is going on between you and the Captain?" the latter continued, mocking.

"Nothing. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing? And what do you do all those hours together then?"

"We talk."

"You talk?"

"Yes."

"And what do you talk about?"

"This is none of your business."

Eddie jumped up. He turned his head towards my side and observed my indignant face. "Ooooh!" He laughed. "You're touchy this evening, aren't you?"

"Forgive him," Jackie Jay intervened. "He's just very curious."

I tightened my lips. "Curious? He only wants to taunt me."

"Ah, my dear Miss Adler!" exclaimed Eddie, feigning offence. "You misjudge me! As Jackie well said, I'm just very, very curious! It is rare to see the Captain confide in anyone, so I was wondering if she had revealed anything interesting about herself to you..."

"What kind of things?"

"Well, for example, did she tell you how many lovers she has had?"

"For what wacky reason would you like to know?"

"No one has ever been able to figure it out and there is a lot of betting going on."

"Betting?"

"Among the crew."

"Is that so?"

"I bet two silver coins!"

"And what did you bet on?"

"Six lovers. But I think it will soon become seven."

"Seven? Who do you think...?"

"Louise seems very amenable to the Captain," Eddie grinned.

"Louise?"

"Haven't you noticed?"

"No. Not at all."