"We surrender!"
"We surrender!"
Nothing mattered more than staying alive. The pirates threw down their weapons and shouted their surrender. A moment later, a bald Black man ran out of the burned-through captain's cabin, raising a white flag as well.
Edward waved his wand again, extinguishing the Fiendfyre. But nearly half the Ludkin had already burned away, and it could sink at any moment. He still wore a broad smile:
"Tell the people behind you that Captain Gehrman Sparrow robbed you! If they want revenge, let them come!"
A dozen or so minutes later, the Iron Hook arrived and drew alongside the Ludkin. The pirates excitedly leaped aboard and began confiscating its wealth-anything worn on their bodies, carried in their pockets, or hidden in the hold was taken.
Once the Iron Hook's men withdrew, Edward quietly cast a few Imperius Curses, then rode the fire dragon toward another pirate ship to repeat what he had done before.
Although the second pirate ship had prepared in advance, it still could not withstand the threat of Fiendfyre. Before long, it too laid down its arms and surrendered, waiting for the Iron Hook to draw alongside and plunder it.
Next came the third ship, then the fourth. Each time, he threatened them first, plundered them next, and finally cast a few Imperius Curses and Confundus Charms.
By the fifth ship, they had long since turned around to flee, but their vessel was simply too slow. Seeing the enormous dragon descend from the sky, everyone surrendered without putting up any resistance.
While waiting for the Iron Hook's belated arrival, the captain had already ordered everyone to pack up all the wealth aboard, ready for them to carry away.
"Tell the people behind you that Captain Gehrman Sparrow robbed you! If they want revenge, let