Rising In The East by Rob Kidd

the room to fall silent again.
    Sao Feng turned over his new Piece of Eight in his hands. “Of course, Liang Dao’s foolish idea was to betray Mistress Ching at the meeting, so he could seize control of her fleet. As if a weakling like him could accomplish such a devious plan!”
    “I’m still right here,” Liang Dao pointed out grouchily from behind the wall of guards that surrounded him.
    “ I , on the other hand, am bold and clever enough to pull it off, if I choose to,” Sao Feng said, ignoring his brother. “But for now I intend to go to Hong Kong for the meeting and decide once I have seen her in person.” He smiled down at Jack. “You may accompany me, if you wish.”
    “Why should I trust you?” Jack demanded.
    “You shouldn’t,” Sao Feng said with a shrug. “But if you would like to find your own way to Mistress Ching, go ahead.”
    Jack fumed. He thought and thought. He was not used to being tricked by other pirates. Normally he was the one doing the tricking. He liked it much better that way.
    “Give me your word that you will not warn Mistress Ching that we want her vial,” Jack said. “I would rather get it in my own way, thank you very much.”
    “Certainly,” Sao Feng said. “You may proceed however you wish once we reach Hong Kong.”
    “Why Hong Kong?” Diego asked.
    “It is considered somewhat neutral territory between here and Shanghai,” Sao Feng answered. “And that is where this Benedict Huntington is stationed. If we can find a way to take him out while we are there, we will.”
    Lian and Park were making eyes at Jack from behind their fans. Jack cleared his throat. “Sao Feng, I request that one of your pirates come aboard my ship for the journey between here and Hong Kong, to ensure that you do not attempt to fool us again.”
    “Oh, yes?” Sao Feng said, narrowing his eyes.
    “Yes,” Jack said. “And you can choose who. Anyone but those two.” He pointed at Lian and Park.
    “Ah, my deadly attendants,” Sao Feng said proudly. “I will agree to your request—but you must take Lian and Park.”
    “No!” Jack said with melodramatic intensity. “Anyone but them!”
    “I insist,” Sao Feng declared.
    “Oh, all right, if I have to.” Jack said. Sao Feng turned to his brother, and Jack winked at the warrior women behind his back. Now at least the trip to Hong Kong would be more interesting.
    K nock. Knock. Knock.
    “Go away!” Jack shouted from inside his cabin. “I’m not here! No one home!”
    Knock. Knock. Knock.
    “Sorry, not interested! Already have one!” Jack called again.
    Knock. Knock. Knock.
    Jack sighed. From the determined, slow tenor of the knocking, he had a pretty good idea who it was.
    He cracked open the door to his cabin. “What is it, Alex?”
    The zombie blinked for a few moments. His loose bits of skin flapped unattractively in the breeze as the Pearl skimmed along the waves, following the Empress to Hong Kong. Behind him on the deck, Carolina and Diego were practicing their sword fighting in the sunshine, while Marcella watched from the railing with a scowl.
    “I have a message from Tia Dalma, Captain Jack Sparrow,” Alex said finally.
    “Ooooh,” Jack said. “Tell her she just missed me. Better luck next time.” He started to close the door, but Alex put his foot in the way. There was a very disturbing squishing sound. Jack didn’t dare look down to see what that was all about.
    “Tia Dalma says you are not being honest with the Pirate Lords, Captain Jack Sparrow,” Alex intoned.
    “Well, of course I’m not,” Jack said. “That wouldn’t be very piratey of me, would it?”
    “She says you must warn them about the Shadow Lord, Captain Jack Sparrow.”
    “Listen, mate,” Jack said, trying to edge away from the zombie, “this is a lovely chat, but could we finish it later? I’m a little—”
    “The Pirate Lords must be warned, Captain Jack Sparrow. They must be ready when the Day of the Shadow comes.”
    Jack froze.