The Life of Captain Antoinette Mokyza ‘Gold’ Cadieux — by Captain Antoinette Mokyza ‘Gold’ Cadieux; shipwright, procurer of wealth. V: Betrayal

Our stay in Galliver could not last much longer, this much was plain. Bismuth had been trying to leave for some time, yet her friends had held her back until her injuries were fully healed. However, upon hearing the news she leapt from her bed and commanded us to make ready the Stormherald. We were racing against time with a plan to unearth Scatterhome’s greatest treasures and pay off our bounties in Jessamy.
 
It turned out, as luck would have it, there was a treasure long sought after by Bismuth’s friends. We made a deal to send them thirty percent of the treasure in return for the information. We cast off as soon as the tide would permit, on the hunt for a new treasure.
So began our vain pursuit of ancient treasures. Many good vessels we lost along the way. Stormherald fell apart not far from Galliver. Tycoonbringer went down under its namesake. Maelstrom Avenger we lost in a wild plan to ram a bounty hunter’s vessel. Vagabond, I do not wish to speak of. Whistle-N’-Bow, mysteriously sprung a leak far from any shore. Lost Seas, we found adrift without a crew and for good reason (though that tale would need its own tome). Poison Sting was infested with scorpions, naturally. Forever Determined, I feel, was named mostly for our exasperation. The treasures were always lost to us along with our ships, for as soon as we took aboard any weight in gold our ship was destroyed soon after. Each time we narrowly avoided death, and every voyage was plagued by bounty hunters. The months passed and, despite our hardships, Brass and I found time for ourselves. Soon enough I was struggling under the weight and sickness of pregnancy.
I will forever remember the day I laid my first egg. I believed it was over after the first, but then another took us by surprise, and another. I squeezed Brass’ hand tight and I could hear his melodious laugh ring as Bismuth struggled to hold all my brood. Quickly and delicately she placed my nine eggs into a makeshift nest made out of spare rags and straw. I looked down at my eggs, covered in fiery whorls, and I wept tears of joy.
 
Bismuth was adamant we would not travel another league until the eggs were hatched and safe, a look of sadness shrouding her face. So we made port at the nearest town and settled down for the incubation. I spent every night with the eggs tucked between my legs. I already loved my children dearly and what I did next wakes me up with a pang of guilt most nights. For I was reminded of my childhood, of the high value of Dragonborn eggs and I realised that I could write off our bounty by selling the eggs. We could all lead free lives again.
[here the text is interrupted in sections by water-smudged ink]
In the dead of […] I smuggled the eggs [...] stole a small craft and [...] needed to make the journey to Jessamy [...] apprehended by Billiam’s lackeys on the spot. That treacherous gremlin, he at least [...] only for gold, making him easier to strike a bargain [...] my eggs and he kept his end of the bargain, calling off the bounty on his former crewmates. I left with a heavy heart and empty arms [...] not return to face Brass and Bismuth. I [...] Galliver, half-hoping that they might seek me out.
I’m sorry my children, I dare not imagine what torment [...] Brass, my love, I hope your freedom is sweet and your days are long. As for me, I found myself a job in the dockyards and became a well respected shipwright [...] treasure hunting past aside and, in time, set up my own shipyard: A Ship in Maritime. It has been close to nineteen years now and my old crewmates never returned [...] Still, if they were to show up with forgiveness in their hearts, I would not hesitate to follow them out across the pathless waves once more.