Drake: Tales of a Lusty Pirate
an online serialization
by Erin McCarthy & Kathy Love © 2007

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Part One

     Damn my cock for getting me into a situation like this.
     Drake shifted in his crouched position, trying not to think about the strange skittering sound next to his left foot. He hoped it was a rat or a spider—anything but one of the other creatures sharing his cell. At least a rat or an insect was identifiable. He had no idea what the other things in there were.
     Shooting a quick glance to his left, his lips curled at the sight. He knew the dark forms huddled along the wall were human. But just barely.
     He looked down as a movement along the packed earthen floor caught his attention. Inelegantly, he shoved upright, using the slick stone wall to balance himself. He stumbled back as one of the other prisoners reached out a chapped, filth-caked hand to stroke Drake's boot.
     "Shiny," the man—at least Drake thought it was a man—said in an eerie singsong voice.
     Drake backed up further, his back hitting the iron bars of the cell. Damned right his boots were shiny. He had the best valet rich women's money could buy him. And he didn't want them any further marred than they already were. He tore his gaze away from the ragged, dirty man to look at his own expensive clothes. Smears of dirt and God knows what stained the fine fabric of his dress coat and shirt front.
     Some of that was probably there due to his ill-fated attempt at an escape that had landed him in a large rose bush and then in this horrid place. He knew the clothing was beyond saving. Somehow symbolic, really.
     Another movement caught his attention, and he saw the ragged creature at his feet had lost interest in his boots and now watched some scurrying insect, large and black, shining in the dim lamplight. Not terrible different than his shoes when you gave the matter some thought.
     The hovel of rags snapped out a surprisingly quick hand and snatched up the bug. He inspected it, tilting his head and peering at the helpless vermin with wild-eyed interest. Then he shoved the poor insect down the front of his pants.