Crows blotted out the sky as they circled above Shipwreck Island. Although Shipwreck Island was indeed the Duke's territory, the one actually managing it was Baron Byrne.
Baron Byrne and the Duke were not subordinate and superior so much as partners. Baron Byrne was responsible for managing Shipwreck Island, and he had several hundred guards under his command.
Baron Byrne took 55% of Shipwreck Island's profits, while the Duke received 45%. Baron Byrne handled everything here. The Duke merely sent some pirates, incorporated Shipwreck Island into his territory, and took more than 40% of the profits without participating in its management.
This seemed exploitative, but in reality, it was the great pirate Duke's approval. Given the Duke's usual style, he would have wiped out Baron Byrne long ago and claimed Shipwreck Island for himself, leaving a trusted subordinate to manage the island. That way, all of Shipwreck Island's profits would belong to the Duke's pirate crew.
It wasn't that the Duke couldn't do this. It was that the cost would outweigh the benefits.
Black-Curse Crows circled overhead. Dark clouds filled the sky, and the temperature on Shipwreck Island began to drop. An invisible energy mingled with the air.
The pier was in chaos. The pirates who had come to sell stolen goods or restock supplies all knew that something was about to happen. There were simply too many crows circling overhead, and the ominous feeling permeating the air reminded the pirates of a rumor: wherever large numbers of crows gathered, the Doom Ship was not far away.
All the pirates knew the Doom Ship existed, but few knew anything specific about it. Most of those who had seen the Doom Ship were already dead.
"Captain, there are too many crows—at least tens of thousands."
"Get the brothers aboard. Raise the