As soon as Jacob walked out, Sally rushed into the kitchen to find Barny.

"Barny, you'll have to hold the fort for a while, I'm going out."

Barny's eyes widened and he made a noise of alarm, but Sally didn't have the time to worry about it.

"You'll be fine," she said instead, with as much reassurance as possible. "I'll be as quick as I can."

Sally grabbed her shawl and a pair of gloves and hurried off into the bustling streets of the small town.

She lifted her chin slightly, subtly taking in big lungfuls of air through her nose.

She had to find Fingers before Jacob did. He may have gotten a head start in his search, but she knew something Jacob didn't. Sally knew the smell of a Goblin. Especially that snivelling little weasel Fingers.

Within seconds Sally caught his repugnant scent and followed it through the back alleys of the town. She found him exactly where she expected. Lurking in the shadows near a back door of a tavern, no doubt listening in to someone's conversation unnoticed.

Sally took a quick glance around to make sure no one was looking, then swiftly gripped Fingers by his collar and pulled him roughly into her side.

"Hello Muki," she whispered into his ear before he had time to react.

"For fucks sake!" Fingers said, holding a hand to his chest. "You near gave me an 'eart attack you damn witch! And the name's Fingers!"

Sally smirked at him.

"If I happened to remove another, would that change to just Finger?"

Fingers gave Sally his best glare, but the witch was unperturbed.

"I need to talk to you," Sally said, finally letting Fingers go. "Follow me."

Fingers gave a longing look over his shoulder as if he was contemplating disappearing in the other direction, but Sally knew he wouldn't. There was no point when she'd just find him again in seconds.

Sally smiled when she heard his footsteps following close behind her.

She led Fingers away from the town and into some small woodland. As soon as they were far enough from any prying eyes and ears, she turned round and scrunched up her nose at the sight before her.

Sally disliked Goblins immensely.

"I've been speaking to an acquaintance of yours today," Sally said. "Does the name Raephier ring any bells?"

Fingers grinned.

"Aye, Raephier's one o' mine."

"One of yours?" Sally said with a raised eyebrow. "I heard he'd been sold to Jacob O'Reilly."

"Aye, that's true," Fingers said, still with that infuriating smile.

"But you sold him as a weapon, and Raephier's no weapon," Sally said.

"He could be though. Ain't my fault if they don't know 'ow to use him."

"You bastard," Sally growled, losing her patience. "He's a fucking boy, not a hunk of metal and rivots!"

If it was possible Fingers grinned even wider.

"Glad to see your lady like mask is slippin'"

"Oh I'm not afraid for you to see my true form you filthy goblin! If you hurt either one of them, you'll lose more than just your fingers!"

Fingers held his hands up in surrender.

"Keep your 'air on witch! I 'ave no mind to 'arm either of 'em."

"Then what's your plan here? Why are you following Jacob? And I know you are. I could smell you as soon as his ship docked."

"I'm not doing nothing!" Fingers spat back. "I'm just keeping an eye on my goods."

"But he's not yours anymore!" Sally shouted back, getting annoyed with Fingers' attitude.

"Maybe not at the moment," Fingers said with a shrug.

Sally lifted her finger ready to issue another threat but then paused.

Goblins were greedy money grabbing tricksters. But they were also cowards and so liked to keep their hands clean. It was therefore unlikely that he would just steal Raephier.

Sally took a step back and tried a different tactic.

"Jacob's on his way to see you. He's figured out that Raephier won't be able to help him."

Sally watched as a brief flicker of glee flashed in Fingers' eyes.

"He's fairly angry," Sally added, wondering why the coward looked so calm.

"I told ya he'd soon belong to me again."

"What do you mean? Ohhhhh," Sally said, suddenly making sense of everything. "You're going to offer to buy him back."

"Of course," Fingers answered with a look of pride. "At a reduced price of course."

"Oh you thieving, conniving, disgusting piece of filth!" Sally spat out. "But your plan is about to be ruined I'm afraid."

For the first time, the grin disappeared from Fingers' face.

"You can't do that! I ain't done nothing wrong. We 'ad an agreement!"

Many years ago when their paths had first crossed, they had agreed to stay out of each other's way. It didn't do good for magical beings to interact. The more they did, the more likely they were to be discovered.

"Oh, I ain't gonna do anything, Jacob's going to do it for me!"

"What do ya mean?" Fingers growled.

"Go and find him, and you'll see," Sally said, before starting to walk away.

"You better not meddle!" Fingers shouted after her. "You're not the only one with magic you know!"

Sally stopped and turned around.

"It'd be worth you remembering your place Muki! I won't interfere in your transactions. But just be warned, if any harm comes to either Jacob or Raephier, you'll feel it twice over. You hear me?"

Finger's wisely stayed silent. Sally turned and smiled. He knew he was no match for a Sea witch.

Sally hung around town watching and waiting.

It wasn't long before Jacob tracked Fingers down. Or maybe Fingers tracked Jacob down.

Sally stayed far enough away so they wouldn't be alerted to her presence, but close enough that she could overhear their conversation.

Being a Sea Witch, Sally had superior hearing. It was nothing like it was under the sea, but she could easily zone in on a conversation a mere 50 yards away.

"Ah, I 'ear you've been looking for me," Fingers said.

"You sold me a lie," Jacob spat at him, clearly annoyed.

"'ang on, don't you be jumping to conclusions. I sold you a weapon. Ain't my fault if you can't use it."

"It's not something I can learn to use!" Jacob said, his voice getting louder, "it's a living breathing thing with its own thoughts and opinions! I can't make him do something he doesn't want to."

"Oh come on," Fingers said, still with that annoyingly smug tone, "you and me 'ave both seen those big deadly animals being brought in on the boats. Lions as large as me that could 'ave your 'ead off with one bite, walking by their owners as soft as a lamb."

"But Raephier is a human being! Not an animal!"

"A 'uman being? You sure about that?"

Sally felt herself cringe. Raephier didn't deserve to have his identity revealed by a snivelling Goblin.

She flicked her fingers and watched as 50 feet away Fingers flinched and grabbed hold of his ear.

"What do you mean? He is human right?"

Fingers sighed. "No he's a Siren."

"But he's still a human. Just one that carries a curse," Jacob said, still sounding confused.

Sally saw Fingers glance her way although she was sure he couldn't see her from her current hiding spot.

"It don't matter if he was a fucking bunny rabbit before. All that matters is that now he's a Siren so he's got the ability to do what you want him to. You just need to work out how to do that."

"But what if I don't want to do that," Jacob said.

Fingers shrugged. "Well I can't help you then."

"I guess you can't," Jacob said, then turned to walk away.

He'd not got more than a few yards before Fingers shouted,

"Wait!"

From where she was standing, Sally saw Jacob's mouth twitch up in a smile, then he relaxed his face before turning back round to face Fingers.

"What?" Jacob asked, as if he didn't know exactly what Finger's was going to say.

"Look," said Fingers, coming closer to Jacob. "I ain't gonna lie to ya, but I feel kinda bad that 'e's not gonna be any use to ya, so I'll tell ya what I can do. I'll buy 'im back off yous for a fair price. Can't say fairer than that."

Jacob rubbed his chin like he was thinking over the proposition.

"What's a fair price?" he asked.

Fingers sucked in a breath through his teeth.

"Five hundred."

"WHAT??!!!" shouted Jacob. "That's just under half what I paid for him!"

"Look, I ain't offering no charity 'ere," Fingers replied. "Six hundred and that's the best I can do."

Jacob stood still, staring at Fingers.

"Come on Jacob," Sally whispered quietly. "Don't let me have misjudged you."

Jacob nodded his head slowly, and Fingers leaned in, in anticipation.

"Actually, I think I'll pass," Jacob said, and Sally let out a sigh of relief.

"W-What?" Fingers said, clearly not expecting that reply.

Jacob shrugged. "I guess I kind of like the boy. And I'm not heartless enough to send him back to a lying robbing bastard like you," he said before turning and walking away.

"You can't be serious?!" Fingers said, chasing after the Captain.

"I'm totally serious," Jacob said, moving forward at quite a pace.

Fingers had to jog to keep up with him.

"You'll change your mind! I know ya will! And next time I won't be as generous with my offer!"

Jacob stopped, making Fingers nearly barrel into his back.

"What do I need to do to make you go away?" Jacob asked. Before Fingers could give an answer, Jacob suddenly raised a finger like he had an idea.

"How about I buy some more muntle seaweed off you?" he asked. "Will that make you go away?"

Fingers frowned in confusion.

"Why would ya buy somat ya don't need?"

"I could ask you the same thing?" Jacob said with a smirk.

Fingers stayed silent, clearly thinking it over.

"Fine, I can get another bag. I'll meet you at your ship in an hour."

"Good, I'll see you then," Jacob said, tipping his hat at Fingers slightly, before walking off in the crowds.

Sally made her way over to Fingers smiling to herself at the look of irritation on his face.

"So the Captain surprised you then?" Sally asked, making Fingers jump.

"God damn it, ya nearly gave me another 'eart attack woman!"

Sally laughed loudly, making Fingers frown even more.

"I bet that arrogant Captain thinks he can get a better price," Fingers said, still trying to work out why Jacob hadn't taken him up on his offer.

Sally rolled her eyes. Of course a Goblin would never understand anything that didn't involve money.

"Maybe he's just looking at it as a long term investment," Sally suggested.

Finger's eyes lit up in understanding.

"Aye! Ya probably right. Maybe he thinks over time he'll learn how to control him."

"Maybe," said Sally, knowing there was no point in trying to make him understand.

Finger let out a small laugh. "I guess it don't matter anyway."

"What do you mean?" Sally asked frowning.

"Haven't you 'eard? The Captain there wanted to use Raephier to 'elp him get 'ome. Without Raephier's 'elp, they won't make it. Soon Raephier will be without a master anyway. You can't steal what don't belong to nobody."

"Now you listen here you piece of shit," Sally said, gripping hold of Fingers and dragging him up so they were eye to eye. "If I hear you did anything to hurt either of them, I'll take everything you own, you hear me?"

Fingers flinched away from Sally's stare. A Sea Witches gaze was said to be able to pierce your soul.

"I won't 'urt them!" Fingers shot back angrily.

"Ok then, let me put it another way," Sally said. "If I find out something happens to either of them, and there was something you could do about it, I'll make sure no one will ever trade with you again."

"Fine! God damn it woman, put me down!"

Sally dropped Fingers so heavily that he stumbled backwards.

"Now don't let me catch your scent anywhere near my Inn, or I'll set Barny on you!"

Fingers gave Sally one last glare before scuttling off down the street, mumbling under his breath.