5 ~5~Shimmering Eyes

"Edruin, how fares you?" I forged a smile on my face, itching to punch the man wearing a navy uniform. I left my golden vessel to stand before the admiral on the docks. I kicked aside a seagull approaching me whilst eyeing the bag in my hands. "I gather you and your king are well?"

"Yes," Aquarise's famous man said curtly before reaching out with one hand. His eyes moved to stare at the burlap sack in my arms, the only reason he would ever interact with the Aurelian Raiders. Like his master, he eyed my possessions with shimmering eyes. He must be an admiral for the wealth his title brings.

"Do you want this? Take it then." I tied the sack closed and tossed the costly bag into his open arms. I turned around to return to my ship, but the pesky man grabbed my wrist. I glared at him then at our hands. "You have two seconds to let go of me."

Immediately, he released me from his hold. He's a smart man who must have heard the Aurelian Raiders would dismember those who dare to bother us. The man gulped, standing straighter in an attempt to hide his shock. "Our king needs more help this month. Do you have more riches to spare?"

"Are you leeches? No, I came with what you requested and now, I wish to rid myself of your presence." I spun on my heel, hissing when a calloused hand wrapped itself around my wrist once more. "Do you have a death wish?"

"Asari," a different voice called to me and I recognized the tone. I did not need to turn around to know Aquarise's monarch is speaking to me. The man grabbed my shoulder with another hand and reeled me around. "I do not believe you came with only this much. Please, we can barely provide for our people with the bags you give us."

I rolled my eyes, yanking his arm off of me. I sneered at the rings on his fingers. "What happens to your tiny nation is not my affair. I am only a helper, I am not your source of income. Provide your people with your clothes or your flesh if you must!"

"You don't understand," the two men from Aquarise shouted together.

I raised an eyebrow faster than my boys would raise the masts. I crossed my arms, "I don't have to understand. What I do need to understand is the sea's activities and how to avoid navy patrol. Take the riches and be gone! I need to salt some fish."

"You think you pirates are sophisticated because your name is the Aurelian Raiders?" Edriun shouted from behind me, grunting when his master held him back "Aquarise is a kingdom! We will not be belittled by sea dogs!"

"Sea dogs?" I sneered, instantly spinning on my heel. I drew a scimitar from my back to hold it at the admiral's neck. The blade nipped his skin, producing a small bubble of crimson liquid. I took the moment to seize what was mine. "Good luck finding another benefactor, land cow!"