The Pirate of Fathoms Deep by Megan Derr Page A

the High King. Who did you think they were going to obey in the end? I can't wait to see Lesto. He's had this coming for a long time." Before Shemal could reply, he turned to the guards that had mounted up and gathered around them. "Are we ready?"
    "Ready, Your Majesty."
    "Then move out!"
    A chorus of 'Yes, Majesty' filled the courtyard, and then they were racing out of the garrison and through the city, finally headed back to Lesto.

Chapter Five
    "I'm going to fucking kill you!" Lesto bellowed, storming across the courtyard, armor and sword belt jangling.
    Sarrica laughed. "It's good to see your health is improving."
    Lesto gave him a hard shove. "Laugh one more time and see what happens to you. What in the fucking Realms are you doing here, you useless excuse for a High King? How many times do I have to tell you to stay where you're safe?" Sarrica opened his mouth, but Lesto whipped around to face Rene and kept going. "And you! When I'm not around, it's your job to keep him from being this stupid!"
    "Even you can't keep him from being stupid on a good day," Rene replied. "I don't know why you expect me to do any better."
    Lesto's expression darkened further as he took a step closer—and was reeled back by Sarrica.
    "Calm down, Commander," Sarrica said, still grinning. "Honestly, you should be pleased that Allen didn't come this far. Once we knew you were well, he headed home. Well, he left the following morning, strictly speaking, but he did promptly volunteer—"
    "Why did he come at all?!" Lesto said, knocking Sarrica's arm away and shoving him again. "Sarrica, I'm going to knock every last one of your teeth out!"
    Sarrica lifted his hands to placate. "If it makes you feel any better, your lover already punched me."
    "I don't care who—" Lesto stopped, jaw dropping. "What?"
    Grin returning, Sarrica turned around, reached out, and dragged someone into their little circle.
    The knot of fear that had settled in Lesto's chest began to loosen and unwind as he stared at Shemal. Then Sarrica's words came back to him. "You punched Sarrica?"
    Shemal looked like he was going to be sick. "I didn't mean to."
    Lesto rounded on Sarrica again. "What did you do?"
    "You are in exceptional form today," Rene groused. "When are the healers going to listen to my advice and tie you down?"
    "Be quiet unless you want to be knocked unconscious for a week," Lesto snapped, then turned back to Sarrica. "What did you do to him?"
    Sarrica huffed. "I was making certain his intentions were honorable—"
    Lesto punched him, sending Sarrica stumbling back a couple of steps. "I hope you meant that as a poor attempt at a joke."
    "I'm being perfectly serious. I have a right to look after my brother," Sarrica said, touching his fingertips to his bleeding, swollen lip. "There is a gross lack of respect for the High King around here."
    Lesto tensed to punch him again. "If you want respect, stop being a reckless fool and an interfering little brat. I swear to the Pantheon—"
    "You're bleeding!" Shemal stepped in close, one of his hands going to Lesto's shoulder, the other to his side, where, sure enough, it looked like Lesto had probably torn his stitches. Again. Mishi was going to harangue him for hours if he found out. Damn it.
    Lesto looked at Shemal, gently pulled away the hand on his side and held it fast, voice gruff as he said, "I'm fine. The stitches were supposed to be coming out soon anyway."
    Shemal's frowned deepened. "If the wound was healed enough for them to come out, you wouldn't be bleeding like this."
    "I'm fine, I promise," Lesto said.
    "Oh, my gods," Sarrica and Rene said together.
    Ire returning at the reminder of their presence, Lesto turned back and glared at them as nastily as he knew how. "If you think I'm done trying to beat sense into you halfwits, you are painfully mistaken."
    "You melted ," Rene said, still gaping. "He touched you, and you melted like butter. I didn't know you could do that."
    Lesto stepped toward him, hands