"Mel Odom - Forgotten Realms - Threat from the Sea Trilogy 03 - The Sea Devils" - читать интересную книгу автора (Odom Mel)

down to the tavern. They were noisy and they were drunk, but the young sailor knew every sword in the
place would be turned against him if they figured out what he was doing.
*****
Over thirty pirates crowded into the Bare Bosom tavern, seated on the long, rough-hewn benches
on two sides of the uneven rectangular tables in the center of the large room. The wooden walls held
scars that were obscene pictographs, fake treasure maps, and touchstones for tall tales told over
tankards of ale when storms kept men from the sea. A fireplace built into the far wall held caldrons of fish
stew and clam chowder.
Booming, drunken voices raised in song and tale-telling made a cacophony of noise. The
soot-stained windows at the front of the tavern faced the empty, dark street outside.
Three serving wenches made the rounds of the tables, ale-headed enough now that they no longer
avoided the groping hands of the pirates. Only one of the serving girls seemed determined to stay out of
their grasps. She was thin and short, looking barely into her teens if the rosy glow on her cheeks was any
indication.
Behind the bar, amid the clutter of shelves that held glasses and bottles, was the tavern's
centerpiece. It looked as if the prow of a ship had smashed through the wall, leaving ripped timbers in its
wake. The prow held a mermaid whose carved auburn hair flowed back to become part of the ship. Her
proud breasts stood out above the narrow waist that turned to scales.
Frennick hesitated for a moment, and Jherek tightened his grip on the man's arm.
The young sailor kept his prisoner moving, using his body to press the man toward the broad oak
door. Jherek and his prisoner were at the door when the girl screamed behind them.
 At first Jherek thought it was the woman they'd left in the room above. He turned swiftly, stepping
back and away from Frennick so the pirate couldn't turn on him.
A pair of the pirates caught up the young serving girl. Her long skirt and sleeveless blouse looked
incongruous compared to the scanty clothes of the other wenches. Her blond hair fanned out over her
shoulders as one of the pirates ripped her scarf from her head. She struggled in the powerful grip of the
man who held her.
"Let's see what you look like when you let your hair down, you little vixen," the pirate said. "Old
Tharyg believes you're a pretty little peach."
The girl tried to batter the old pirate with her fists but Tharyg seized them effortlessly. She shrilled in
frustration and fear.
The bartender and bodyguards stayed back, thin, wolfish grins on their faces.
"Clear the room," Tharyg entreated. "Give a sailing man room to work."
The pirates pushed themselves up and staggered into motion. Bets were placed on Tharyg's ability
after imbibing so much ale. " 'E'll never get the old Jolly Roger unfurled!" one man cried out.
The girl continued to scream and fight, but it was no use. She was outnumbered and overpowered.
They held her at wrist and ankle, pinning her to one of the rectangular tables.
Jherek paused, knowing these events weren't uncommon in such a place as the Bare Bosom.
"No." Talif came up behind the young sailor and shoved him forward, adding, "Leave her to the
jackals."
"I can't," Jherek said.
"You're a fool," Talif told him, his eyes hard.
"Get him to Captain Azla."
"Aye. Good-bye and good riddance," Talif grumbled as he prodded Frennick through the door.
Coldly calm, Jherek approached the group of pirates. He caught up a chair in his free hand and
never broke his purposeful stride.
*****
Laaqueel luxuriated in the swim to the mudship Tarjana. The water off the coast of Turmish was
dirtier than she was accustomed to, but the brine was sweet relief after all the hours of overland travel.
She was malenti, a sahuagin trapped by the appearance of a hated sea elf. The dreaded mutation