The Turning Tide Read Online Free PDF Page B

on the throne and a fur-lined robe was thrown across the back.
    Lounging across this throne was a sleepy-looking middle-aged man with a bit of a paunch. His beard was not as long as Sri Sumbhajee’s, and his eyes were nowhere near as fierce, plus he was significantly taller than the Pirate Lord. But Jack was sure he could see a strong family resemblance nonetheless.
    Sri Sumbhajee snapped his fingers at his aides, gesticulating impatiently.
    “MANNAJEE!” Askay bellowed as they reached the first line of columns.
    “HOW DARE YOU!” Pusasn joined in. “SRI SUMBHAJEE IS CONSUMED WITH RAGE!”
    The man on the throne jolted awake and rubbed his eyes blearily. He blinked down at the Pirate Lord, who was waving his fists at him.
    “Oh, hey,” he said slowly. “I mean, all hail…how does it go again?”
    “HAIL THE GREAT AND WONDROUS SRI SUMBHAJEE, PIRATE LORD OF THE INDIAN OCEAN AND TERROR OF THE ARABIAN SEA!” Askay roared.
    “Yeah,” Mannajee said, yawning. “That.”
    Jack was amused to see Sri Sumbhajee’s face turn deep red. It looked almost as if smoke were about to come pouring out of his ears. The Indian Pirate Lord seized Pusasn’s wrist, and Pusasn let out a small yelp of pain.
    “GET OUT OF HIS CHAIR!” Pusasn bellowed.
    “REMOVE YOUR UNWORTHY CARCASS FROM THE REVERED LION THRONE OF THE PIRATE LORD!” Askay elaborated.
    Mannajee twisted around and seemed to notice where he was. “Oh, sorry, Sum-Sum. It just looked so comfortable.”
    “Sum-Sum?” Jack echoed with glee.
    The Pirate Lord fumed while Mannajee slowly hefted himself out of the chair. Looking abashed but not terribly upset, Mannajee fluffed the pillows and straightened the fur robe.
    “Sri Sumbhajee wishes to remind his fool of a brother that he is allowed to live by the mercy of the great Pirate Lord, and that he should be more mindful of the respect he owes to him,” Askay growled a bit more softly as Mannajee climbed down from the alcove.
    “No harm done,” Mannajee said, a resentful tone creeping into his voice. “I was just taking a nap. There’s no need to get all high and mighty about it.”
    “Sri Sumbhajee is keeping an eye on you,” Pusasn said.
    “Yeah, yeah,” Mannajee muttered. “As always.”
    “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Jack interjected, stepping forward with a grin. “I had no idea you had a brother, Sri Sumbhajee.”
    “Sri Sumbhajee once had many brothers,” Askay said, “but not all of them knew how to show proper respect.”
    “Now there are only two,” Pusasn added ominously.
    Mannajee rolled his eyes, but Jack was the only one who noticed.
    “Monsieur?” Jean called from the corridor, where the rest of the pirates were waiting. “Er…Sri Sumbhajee, sir? I was just wondering whether we might be getting to eat soon.”
    Sri Sumbhajee’s angry look vanished, and a sly smile spread across his face. He poked Pusasn’s elbow and whispered in his ear.
    “But of course,” Pusasn said, straightening up. “Sri Sumbhajee will have the kitchens prepare a great feast for tonight. We will share with you the very best of Indian hospitality.” He and Askay pressed their hands together and bowed.
    The pirates were taken to a corridor lined with empty rooms. Each room contained a few rugs and blankets for sleeping on, but little else. Jack noted with disappointment that there didn’t seem to be anything worth “borrowing” in his room. Even the rugs had been nailed to the floor.
    “Well, how do you like that?” Jack said, looking injured. “No trust. After I gave them back that ruby and everything.”
    “Shocking,” Jean said mirthfully, shaking his head. They were sharing the room, with Billy and Barbossa next door and Diego and Shane on the other side.
    “Jack Sparrow,” Askay said from the door, his massive bulk nearly filling the entire doorway.
    “ Captain Jack Sparrow,” Jack said absently. He was peering through his window at the flower-filled courtyard outside, wondering if