Inside the Dusty Swan, the pig bartender poured a bottle of rum into Lucy’s tankard. She took the tankard and sipped her drink slowly, admiring the spicy cinnamon taste.

"Mmmmmmmh." Lucy finished and glanced around.

The tavern was small with crippled floorboards, and six round bar tables shaped like tall stools. Rust painted the walls and candlelights lit the entire establishment from the corners. Besides Lucy and Charles, two other visitors sat near the corner. A raccoon and bear, drinking as if they were bored.

The Dusty Swan appeared to be a low standard bar for cheap visitors who couldn't afford the casinos and fine diners. At least most visitors could enjoy themselves. Even the tavern was nice and quiet near the harbor.

Lucy glared at the door. "Why is that fatty cat taking so long?"

"Patience, lass." Charles sipped his silver cup. "If the kitty has to go, he has to go."

Lucy placed her tankard down. "Another, please."

"Hold on there, lass. I am out of coin now."

"What?"

Charles gulped down his drink and sighed. "But no worries, though. I should have plenty of gold in my cabin….. Unless Walton spent it all."

Lucy shook her head. Drinking one tankard of rum was never enough to satisfy her. "How do you know Walton. Was he your old crewmate?"

"He was my first." Charles placed his empty tankard down. "After I betrayed the empire, he helped me get a ship and sailed with me ever since. We have been together before he has started his own crew. For fun, we gambled for whom would get the ship. And he won, despite he cheated under the dealer's nose."

"Did you get another ship?"

"Yes, until a player sunk it. But now I got my ship back, we can continue our journey."

"Where next?"

Charles rubbed the fur under his chin. "We will need a crew. I can ask Walton and his men to join us. If they refuse, I know another place to find a crew. Blackmare Island."

"What is that place?" Lucy asked.

"A swamp island with a few towns and one seaport. The townsfolk there lived in fear of voodoo magic and curses. They have been trying to hunt down witches responsible for the disappearances. But there are plenty of men there to build a crew. If we are lucky, we might find a witch doctor to join us."

"Why a witch doctor?"

"They can produce spells and heal our crew. More effective than regular doctors." Charles smiled.

Lucy remembered her father told her witches were dangerous. If you make a deal with them, they will take your soul or turn you into a fish for food. Witches, especially voodoo witches, couldn’t be trusted. "I don't think we should recruit a witch doctor."

Charles crossed his arms. "Why not, lass?"

"Because my-"

Lucy paused when she heard the door creaked open.

Walton and four pirate bobcats stepped into the tavern. His crew looked the same, wearing leather coats and short breeches above their books. And they drew their swords out as if they were preparing for battle.

"Ahoy there, matey!" Walton shouted while his crew placed a plank on the door's lock brackets. "Are ye enjoyin' yer drinks here?"

Charles slid around on his stool to face Walton. "Yes, why don’t you join us."

Walton chuckled. "No thanks. I jus' empty me belly o'er th' chamber pot. But afore we go, I wants t' ask ye one question. Did ye hornswaggled?"

"Hornswaggled?" Lucy asked.

"Cheating. Did ye cheated?"

Charles shook his head. "No, we have been through this already, Walton. I didn't cheat."

Walton laughed as his crew joined him. "Ye reckon I be squiffy? While ye two were drinkin' in th' tavern, I went peekin' around in th' casino. Then one fine beauty said she saw a cocker spaniel lookin' down o'er th' ledge on th' upper floor. Guess where that ledge was facin'."

"Above a chamber pot?"

Walton’s face turned red, so red, his red nose turned invisible. "No, ye bloody fool! 'twas above us! Yer wretch didn' left ro use a chamber pot! She was spyin' on me board 'n told ye me set!"

Lucy felt a chill raced up her spine. She didn't think anyone inside the casino cared. Whoever the lady was, she spotted Lucy without being seen in the crowd. Maybe Walton used his own charm to get some information from her. Now that he knew, he won't let Charles and Lucy leave the tavern alive! Why couldn’t the damn wolf find another ship to take?

Charles held up his hands while keeping his face straight with a playful grin. "Alright, Walton. You got me. But as an old friend, I didn't ask Lucy here to spy on you."

The cocker spaniel widened her eyes at him. "What?"

Charles pointed his thumb at her. "It is her own choice to check your board. It's her fault. Her fault."

Lucy growled. "You backstabbing scoundrel!" She pounded her fists on his back, but he ignored her beating.

Still, his level was higher than her. It was like she was punching a wall instead of flesh. But he won't remain lucky after her level reaches higher than him.

Walton pointed his finger at her. "But ye listened t' her 'n hornswaggled!"

Charles rolled his eyes. "She threatened me. What else could I do?" He sent Lucy a quick wink. Perhaps he was only lying to get him and Lucy out of the pickle.

Walton crossed his arms. "Threatened me arse. I know ye be lyin' t' me, or else ye wouldnât had hornswaggled me in th' first ship. Both o' ye be guilty!"

Charles looked around like he was trying to find more words to support his excuse. His nervous look proved Walton has beaten him.

"Ye sneaky bastard. Returnin' t' an ole scallywag, jus' t' loot his ship? That really pissed me off." Walton pulled out his pistol and pointed it at Charles. "Here's wha' will happen, heartie. I be lootin' th' lass wit' me, 'n ye will hang naked o'er th' main street. Or I can skin ye alive 'n let th' fishes feast on yer bones." He tapped his foot on the floor. "So will it be, mate? Those yer skin, or hang naked? Yer only choices!"

Lucy’s heart raced. Why couldn’t Charles steal a different ship instead?