Chapter 14: Welcome to Safehold

Thane Drogos

"Land-Ho!" Jack called from the helm.

I clipped my safety rope to the ladder on the center mast and climbed into the crow's nest, joining my lookout. Before we could close into the pier, I wanted to be sure there was no other ship on the horizon.

Clear. In every direction. I used my spyglass to look toward the pier, where wives and kids were jumping up and down, awaiting us. A handful of retired sailors fished off the coast in a smaller vessel, waving us in.

I gestured to the island, signaling Jack to take us beside the pier.

Long voyages, but it was worth it.

It made safehold possible.

Safehold was our sanctuary. A little slice of paradise. The only place I could be sure the families of my crew would be safe. A private island, hidden among an archipelago. Difficult to maneuver the rocks and reefs unless you knew exactly where you were going.

Other pirate colonies weren't safe. If anyone discovered my identity, they would turn us in for a bounty.