Pierre felt the ship rock slightly under the additional weight as three figures hauled themselves over the rail with the casual ease of men who'd boarded a thousand vessels.
The first man to swing aboard was a mountain given human form. His shoulders stretched his black coat to its limits, and his boots hit the deck with the solid thunk of anvils dropping. Behind him came two smaller pirates—one lean as a whip with nervous eyes, the other stocky . The nine remaining pirates stayed in their longboat, oars resting across their knees, watching the proceedings like spectators at a particularly interesting execution.
The giant stepped forward, his massive frame casting a shadow across half the deck. When he spoke, his voice carried the weight of boulders rolling down a mountainside.
"Names Gideon. Captain Moreau requests your presence ashore," he said, each word measured and polite. "Both of you. She wishes to discuss terms."
