Fiction- Theives of Mercy

It was late in the afternoon before the pirates were admitted to see the King. While three of them had set out from the ship, for pirates always travel on land in threes, only two remained standing in the Great Hall. Shiverin’ Sam Chivers had gone back with the snooty noble to ransom his friend back. This left Jaques the Englishman and Mikael Bilge to deliver the other letter.
‘We be gettin’ the ransom already,’ said Mikael. ‘Why’re we hangin’ about?’
‘Because, you grog-snarfing swabbie, we were charged to do so and we’re men of honour,’ growled the Englishman.
‘I thought we be men of makin’ a quick krone.’
‘Aye, well, we’re that too. Now, you keep yer lice-ridden trap shut and leave the talking to me.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I know how to talk to yer genuine royalality and you are a festering little gobshite.’
‘Aye. Yer cuttin’, but yer right there. ‘Tain’t no denying me gobshiteiness. I-’ Mikael stopped as he was hit upside the head by his companion. ‘Ow.’
They were brought before the King. He was a small, weasely fellow with none of the regal bearing of his late brother. He scratched idly at his beard as they approached. Standing next to the throne was a sallow faced young man who looked quite upset about something, perhaps the intrusion of the pirates. Jaques bowed deeply and after a quick nudge to the ribs, so did Mikael.
‘My liege, I bring you tidings of your son,’ said Jaques as munificently as he could manage.
‘Son? We have no son,’ the King turned back to the angry youth beside him.
‘Good, my lord, I talk of the royal son.’
‘Not yer son, the other king’s son,’ shouted Mikael.
‘Sssshut it,’ Jaques hissed at his fellow.
The King blinked. ‘Oh. You have news about him?’
‘From him, your highness.’
‘From?’ the King’s voice was getting louder.
‘Aye. That is to say, yea, your worshipfulness,’ Jaques presented him with the letter they had been given.
‘“High and mighty, You shall know I am set naked on your kingdom. Tomorrow shall I beg leave to see your kingly eyes: when I shall, first asking your pardon thereunto, recount the occasion of my sudden and more strange return. Hamlet.”’ The King read aloud slowly, stumbling over the words. He always had trouble reading. ‘So, you have Hamlet?’
‘He said you would buy his freedom,’ Jaques said.
‘But I thought-‘ Mikael had his foot trod on.
‘Hamlet said that?’ the King’s eyes darted accusingly to the man beside him.
‘He said you would give us what we deserved and then he laughed.’
The King began to laugh then. ‘Oh yes. You shall get what you deserve.’
The pirates laughed nervously, but graciously while their host had a carafe of wine sent for. Mikael turned and huddled with his companion. ‘So that’s what ya meant. Yer after another ransom.’
‘One we won’t share with the rest of the crew,’ Jaques smiled.
‘Ooh, yer a sly one Jaques. I’ve always said so.’ And they chuckled more heartily this time.
A servant brought the wine and while the pirates still had their backs turned, the King dropped what looked like a pearl into each of their goblets. ‘Friends, your wine has arrived. Drink richly and deeply, for we warrant you will never again have such finery.’
‘Yer right there, yer majesty,’ said Mikael.
‘I always am,’ said the King.