With the Narrows behind them and the storm clearing, Remy took a moment to assess the damage their little detour caused them.

  Chips and chunks were taken out of the wood from the sword fights. Hull planks were warped and there were deep scratches from bow to stern. Still seaworthy but beaten up.

  They weren’t far from Deadman Pass, a pirate cove protected cliffs and submerged rocks that Kylie had been residing in. She didn’t actually know him too well besides a couple of meetings back in Shell Harbour and the shallows that surrounded.

  He knew that she took on jobs that others would never want to do so he sent her a parrot message offering the job to which of course she accepted right away though it was missing some key details.

  It only read:

  Me eyes been stolen. Monkey. Hidden Island. 100 coin.

  It was as poorly written as it was vague but that didn’t deter her one ounce.

  The rocky outcrop that marked Deadman pass in the ocean grew larger letting them know it was time to approach with caution. Neither of them had ever actually sailed inside the cove but the sparkling shine from smashed mirrors across the rocks were a familiar sight.

  It was an ingenious method used as a daytime lighthouse and marker for dangerous rocks, and if you were in the ‘know-how’, you were able to use them to guide you safely into the cove.

  The navy would never attempt entry. They tried once but lost too many ships and men to try again. Instead they would occasionally anchor further out to sea and try to capture any pirates on their way in or out.

  A slight flicker off the top of a submerged rock to the Portside and left to the main outcrop guided Remy into the first entry point toward the cove.

  Teo stood out on the bowsprit calling back to her whenever another flicker was spotted. She flicked the wheel with precision. As long as Teo called out correctly, they would make it in.

  After a few close calls and some cursing they came to the main entrance of Deadman’s Pass. The huge cliffs either side of the opening acted as a doorway into the pirate haven.

  After pushing through some chop the water became dead still and returned to a crystal clear blue as they entered. It widened significantly into a paradise of white sand, tropical trees, and the town spread across an area way larger than either of them expected.

  There were ships everywhere throughout the cove, some that appeared way too large to even enter through the cliff gates, but the pirates that frequented it were some of the best seafarers in the world so Remy didn’t bat an eyelid at their presence as they sailed in.

  They heard calls echo out to notify others of a ship's arrival as they approached the rickety old pier that extended out the centre of the cove. They tied off the cutter at the end and made their way into the little town that occupied it.

  “You’re brave ain’t ya,” said an old pirate.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  He was perched up on a stump that had a small, old sail hanging over it for shade. A semi- permanent location for an old retired pirate to spend his days. The best of his days may have been behind him but he still looked as if he could do some damage if anyone were to get too close.

  “Twelve coins,” he added.

  “Twelve coins for what?” Scoffed Teo.

  “To put your boat there you little cucumber.”

  Remy let out a laugh at the senile insult before it was interrupted with a shout.

  “Manning. No!”

  Like a dog being scolded by its owner, Kylie came limping out from the town's entrance.

  “No charge for ‘em. They’re here to work.”

  The old pirate started muttering to himself before waving them past where they were greeted by Kylie.

  ***

  “So how the hell did the monkey even get your eye?” Asked Teo

  It was the one question Teo was burning to ask since they set sail. They were in the tavern which was easily the biggest and most cared of all buildings in Deadman Pass.

  Kylie stared at him, almost offended.

  “Well he was on the boat wasn’t he. Came outa nowhere too the little bugger. Scared me right off me feet. Hit me head and the eye rolled across the deck.

  “Before I knew it, he picked it up and jumped off the side, headin’ for that small jungle island.”

  He pointed out to the sea, through the gap of the cliffs that protected the cove, and apparently at an island. Remy confused, pushed her head forward as if it’d allow her to see it.

  “There’s nothing there Kylie,” she said.

  “Ah but there is,” said Kylie, his tone taking on a more mystical and ominous tone.

  “There’s an island there alright. Closer than you think, hidden by the blur of the sea meeting the sky.”

  Kylie continued to tell them both how to navigate there, but to be careful as the sea does strange things around the island as it sits on the edge where the shallows jump to the depths.

  When Teo questioned why he couldn’t just go back himself to get the eye he simply said he didn’t want to and left it at that, leaving Teo somewhat concerned at the reluctance of the man.

  “Alright then. Off ya go,” announced Kylie.

  “I ain’t payin’ ya to drink.”

  He took their mugs and abruptly ended the conversation and shooed them out of the tavern.

  “Well this is going to be fun,” said Teo.

  A slight chuckle left Remy as they undocked the cutter. She too felt slightly concerned of a voyage to the edge of the shallows in search of a hidden island.

  They made sure to keep the cliff gates of Deadman’s Pass aligned as they sailed out. They would need a point of reference as they sailed out toward the blur of the horizon and in the general direction of the hidden island.

  ***

  Even in the shallows the sea could be testing and it wasn’t long before the chop started to wash across the boat from all directions.

  Each yank on the wheel to correct the cutter was met with an immediate need for another correction.

  “Keep it together Teo, it will falter eventually!”

  He was slipping and sliding across the deck, adjusting the sails and rope for each change before a sudden head on gust raised the bow off a choppy wave.

  Teo tumbled toward the stern as Remy ripped the responsive little ship to the starboard side, giving them a slight reprieve for Teo to get back to his feet.

  “We’re going to have to tack Teo!”

  He hopped over to the main sail, and swung the boom to adjust to Remys starboard turn, and again for the portside turn.

  On the fourth turn of the tacking manuveuvres the wind dropped out of nowhere, bringing the cutter to a complete standstill

  A yelp raised Remy's head which had been sitting between her two arms as she held onto the wheel, and then a splash.

  She managed to catch a glimpse of Teo slipping off the end of the boom and straight into the water. A funny sight if he weren’t so close to death.

  “The sky’s the clearest I’ve seen in a long time. We might be stuck here until the morning winds,” called out Remy.

  As the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky began to darken, soft glows started to flicker on across the horizon as ships began to light their lanterns.

  As the sun set more than just lanterns became visible. A large shadowed mass caught both their eyes at the same time as a ship's tiny specs of light suddenly disappeared behind it.

  “That’s got to be it,” cheered Teo.

  “Yeah. Gotta be.”