Corin’s mind was churning dark thoughts of torturous ways to kill these monsters who had captured him. The ropes that bound his wrists chaffed and the deck of the ship they escorted him onto smelled like salty vomit and rum. The breeze that blew in from the bay was not enough to mask the stench of unwashed bodies or the rot of forgotten cargo in leaky barrels. A rough hand pushed him forward through the doorway into the cabin that served as the captain’s quarters. 

The door slammed shut behind him. Corin was surprised to find that the unpleasant smells remained outside and were replaced with the smell of dry books and spices. A figure hunched over the table and peered at a scattering of maps and open books. With the silent wave of a hand, he motioned Corin to come over. “What use are you, boy?” 

“None,” he replied as he stood before the table. “You should’ve just killed me.” 

This spurred the captain to look up from his array of texts. His leathery face was scarred from his many adventures and gray straw-like hair escaped the tie that held back the majority of his hair. The stubble on his chin suggested he hadn’t shaved in the better part of a week, and his bloodshot eyes suggested his sleep had been seen as often as his razor. The seam of a smile opened between his cracked lips. 

“At least you have a sense of humor.” A hand struck out at Corin and caught him on the side of the head. While his vision spun and centered on stars, another hand grabbed him by the scruff and forced his nose against one of the many maps scattered on the table. “I don’t have time for your games. We have more pressing business. The pearls of Thetis, where are they?”

Corin groaned as the splintered wood of the table dug into his palms. “The pearls are gone. They were used up long ago, and it’s not like she brought us more.” 

“Lies!” The captain slammed Corin’s head onto the table and blood began to flow from his crushed nose. With a disgusted roar, he shoved Corin back, trying to keep the blood off of his precious stacks of paper. He didn’t see the letter opener disappear up Corin’s sleeve as he crouched on the floor and wiped the blood from his face. 

“They’re somewhere on this island,” the captain muttered to himself as he shuffled and rearranged the maps and charts and books. “They have to be. You filthy savages must have hid them somewhere. Somewhere on the island. I’m sure of it.” 

Corin watched him as he rambled on like a madman, pouring over the maps as if they would suddenly expose the location. He continued speaking to himself as if he had completely forgotten the existence of the island boy cowering in front of him. Gripping the found weapon in his hand, Corin inched towards the cabin door and reached for the handle while the old man continued muttering.