The air was stifling in the Duke's cramped study. There were scrolls and books strewn about almost every surface, covered in a thick layer of dust. It was hard to imagine anyone reading in this room, the only light came from a crack in the slatted windows. Captain Cecilia Storm sat in a plush burgundy armchair, awaiting a duke of some sort or other for a deal. She didn't like this one bit, but money was tough as of late and her ship and crew needed the extra coin. She tapped her foot faster with every tick of the infernal mahogany grandfather clock in the far corner of the room. It was grating on her nerves, lighting a fire under her that demanded she forget the whole thing and take flight. 

After what seemed an eternity, a man with a red overcoat and a long curled wig walked in, muttering to himself. His nose was long and hooked and his black eyes were deep set and beady. All the telltale signs of a man you could never trust. "Apologies for the wait, my lady captain, always something in this godforsaken hovel of a summer home," he said smiling, his teeth were yellowed by age and tobacco tar and some were missing. Cecilia scrunched suntanned face in disgust. She felt as if she could smell his breath, despite him being a few feet away from her. 

"No worries, your lordship, I've waited longer," her smile gleamed in the dim lit room and her light gray eyes twinkled with charm. "Your messenger mentioned that you require my services?" She didn't have time for dawdling. Time was money for her and she didn't have the patience required for wasting it frivolously. 

"Ah, a woman of business. No time for beatin' 'round the bush," his accent was that of a commoner, it was a curiosity how he ever became a duke at all. "As you've no doubt noticed, I'm a duke of lowly means. I am also up in my years and very unappealing to the ladies of means. I mean to be king, and I'd like you to help me accomplish this task." 

Cecilia raised an arched eyebrow in disbelief. He was a bold one, that much was certain. "Me? Why me?" She was actually curious why she was chosen out of the pool of mercenaries in all of Mera. She was merely a pirate. A captain of a pirate ship to be more specific and not at all involved in any kind of mercenary work. Jewels, gold coins, the occasional crown jewel, yes but mercenary work was not on her list of accomplishments.

"You my girl, are known far and wide as someone who gets what she wants by any means necessary. You have a head for numbers, and you order your crew with an iron fist. Provided the coin is plentiful, there is nothing that is too out of reach for you," he grinned. Cecilia tipped her head in agreement. This was true, to the letter. "What's in it for me then? What are the figures?" 

"Twenty thousand gold crowns." 

"What d'you need me to do, then?" 

"I'd like for you to kidnap the princess," he said in a careless tone. Cecilia gazed at him in disbelief. He couldn't possibly be serious. "You couldn't possibly be serious," she voiced aloud. 

"I am very serious young lady. I was not meant for this mockery of a dukedom!" his fist slammed on the table, cracking it slightly. "I don't have time to play games, little girl! Will you do this thing for me or not?" 

"If I don't, what then?" 

"Well, it's really quite simple, my dear," his voice was now an even, calm tone. It was disconcerting. "If you don't, I'll kill you." 

"I suppose we have a deal..." she began, "on one condition." The duke met her piercing gaze and tilted his head to signal continuation of the terms. "Make it forty thousand crowns and the fastest ship in the king's fleet." 

"They wer'n't jokin' when a little birdy told me you drive a hard bargain," he reached for a scroll with less dust on top of it than the rest of them. "I'll amend the contract and send it via messenger." 

Cecilia nodded and left as quickly as she could. Time to grab me a princess, she thought.