Read Online Cerulean Isle by G.M. Browning - Free Book Online Page A

reale,” I whispered to Grant.
    “Let’s have faith in Christoff.”
    Shanley continued, “Let me prepare the papers for the sloop, and I’ll join you in a walk to the harbor.”
    “There is just one other necessity,” said Christoff. “Forgive me if you deem it an unreasonable request.”
    “Please, go on.”
    “I need a crew.”
    “Have you prepared articles a man would find appealing?”
    “Indeed, my shipboard articles guarantee a fair stipend.” Christoff reached into his shirt and withdrew a folded parchment.
    Shanley read it through. “Enticing and fair. I released a band of men from my services not more than three days ago. They’re strong and eager for work. Allow me to give these articles to my guard. He can deliver them to the men at once.”
    Shanley called for his guard. One of the pirates from the front door entered the foyer. “I have an errand for you. Take these articles to Waylin. You’ll find him at the pub. Tell him to round up his men and ready them for the sea. They are to report to my sloop in ten minutes if they wish to sail under a wealthy captain. They have permission to board and ready her sails. Tell them the sloop is fully stocked.”
    “It looks like he just bought the sloop and a crew to sail her,” Grant whispered. “What’s going on?”
    Shanley gathered some papers and took a few minutes to write. He poured hot wax onto the form and stamped it, creating an official seal. Christoff signed his name on the document.
    The men shook hands and left. We listened to them walk away and heard the front door of the manor shut.
    “Come,” said Grant, “we’ll get the sea chart and the book, then race back to the waterfront before the guards discover us.”
    We dashed across the corridor and crouched in front of the largest door, assuming it was Shanley’s private study.
    “Did you hear that? Someone’s coming!” Grant quickly worked his picks. This time, the lock challenged him. I heard a snap. “Damn! It broke.” He fumbled for another pick.
    I heard the footsteps echoing down the hall, likely coming from around the corner. I guessed we had less than a minute before the patrolling guard turned the corner and caught us.
    “Hurry, Grant!”
    “I’m trying! There must be something pretty valuable behind this door to warrant a lock like this.”
    Another snap.
    The guard began to whistle. His awkward melody made him sound very close. Small beads of sweat formed on Grant’s brow.
    At last I heard the click of the final tumbler and the lock popped open in his hand. We pushed open the door and fell into the room. Grant shut the door quickly and we sat motionless, listening to the guard pass by.
    Like the foyer, the walls of this room were painted gold. Thick candles rested on every shelf, table, and pedestal. Vivid paintings of ships and sunsets excited my eyes, but it was a magnificent tapestry hanging on the wall behind Shanley’s desk that captivated me the most. I could not take my eyes off this work of art.
    The tapestry depicted an enchanting woman, naked from the waist up, her skin as smooth and golden as the sunlight that fell on her shoulders. Her arms and abdomen were lean, defined, and strong. The face of this radiant creature allured me. Two glimmering, intelligent silver eyes looked at us. Threads of every color imaginable twisted and swirled together, creating a wet rainbow of hair. Her bright smile seemed slightly mischievous.
    Blue water surrounded her. A delicate ocean mist swirled around her waist as she rested on a smooth gray stone. I reached out to caress the soft threads of the tapestry and follow the curves of her waistline down to where her female body began to change. Where two legs should have been was the lower half of what looked like a dolphin. The sunlight in the tapestry glowed on her aquatic body and made the glorious fanned fin glow a calming shade of lavender. The fin was wide, nearly the size of her entire lower half from end to end. It