Buried treasure!

“I wouldn’t give this tip bit to anyone but you, Lashiya,” Cangrus said. “After all, I know better than to cross Commodore Redblade.”

“Redblade?” Lashiya’s interest was piqued.

“Sure. You’ve heard the stories about his treasure?”

Lashiya nodded, not trying to hide the eagerness in her eyes. It was said that Redblade hid the massive fortune that he’d plundered in a secret place known only to him. Of course, rumours abounded about where that might be, and there were many stories of secret routes or maps. It was mostly just talk, though – even if someone did know where to find it, there were few people in the Thousand Isles who’d dare risk the pirate’s infamous wrath.

Of course, Lashiya was one of them.

She lowered her voice. “You know something?”

He looked around cautiously, and then pointed at a man seated at a table in the corner. “That one. He’s one of Redblade’s crew. And he’s been bragging, dropping hints that he knows something about it.”

Lashiya examined the man. He was a typical pirate, obviously very drunk of cheap rum. A whore was seated in his lap, and he groped her bare breasts with more enthusiasm than skill. The woman gave a few mechanical-sounding moans, but her expression was bored.

Lashiya smiled. “Look after my ****-girl,” she said to Cangrus.

The barkeeper grinned. “With pleasure,” he said, and Inira gave a squeak of shock as he lifted up onto the bar. Her petite body looked absurdly delicate in his big hands, but Lashiya knew from pleasant experience that he was good at handling women. Inira was in for a pleasant time.

As for her, she had a job to do.