“I think they were all going for the dramatic entrance. I know it well.” My uncle chuckled, popping in from thin air across from me, wearing his Smitter form today. He knocked my shoulder with a fist, and I returned the greeting.

“Nice to see everyone again so soon.” Smitter smiled, the same shit-eating grin the rest of my men wore. “I’ve come with a message from The Freedom. They’d like to lay the planks between ships and be welcomed onto The Sea Singer.”

My lips curled higher. “And what would their reasoning for coming aboard my ship be?” I crossed my arms over my leather vest, trying to hold back my laughter.

“It seems as if you have pirated something that belongs to them, Captain,” Smitter answered, eyes roving the vessel as if in search of the stolen item.

My brows furrowed. Confusion reared me back into Bernard, who I nudged in the side in a silent question. He shrugged, apparently having no idea what Smitter was yammering about either.

“Well, drop anchor, men. We’ve stolen from Captain Lou, and you know she’ll want our heads for our thievery.” I snickered as I commanded the crew to make haste. “Lay the planks down.”

Ketner led the gaggle who rushed to grab the wooden planks, while Bernard jogged to the helm. Smitter and Lanard released the anchor. The Sea Singer jerked as the metal sank into the sand below. My gaze traveled to the ship anchored a stone’s throw away. Lou and her crew stood in formation at the rails, awaiting their bridge.

My men and I gathered at our end of the planks in anticipation. Lou took the lead, with Krinny, Via, Hannah, and Dara behind her as they all strolled across. Lou held the pommel of her rapier. Her hair was swept away from her neck and tucked under her hat like the first day we’d met.

“Captain Elouise Farrington, this is a surprise. To what do we owe this pleasure?” I stepped forward.

Lou jumped down onto the quarterdeck then peered over her shoulder to watch Via, Krinny, Hannah, and Dara follow suit. They flanked their captain in formation, their expressions blank.

“I’m afraid you’ve taken something that belongs to my crew.” Lou flicked her sword through the air. “And although I can appreciate you robbing us, as a pirate captain, I cannot accept your pilfering. You either return what is ours, or it’ll be your heads.”

My brow lifted. “Ah, you believe we’ve stolen from you?” I waved my hands, acknowledging my men. “Men, do you think we’ve stolen from Captain Lou?”

Grunts and laughter roared behind me.

“As you can see, I’m not sure my men agree. What do you believe we have purloined?” She had all the treasures from the throne pool in her cargo hold. What else did she think she was owed?