“I’ve got bad news, Capn,” the First Mate, Stubb, said.

Captain Bloodspoor bit into a lemon and spat a seed on the deck, which had just been freshly swabbed.

“It’s about those circling seagulls, isn’t it.”

Stubb coughed. “Upon closer inspection, Sir, they are most definitely not seagulls.”

The lemon worked its way about in the old pirate’s mouth as he thought. “Harpies, ain’t they.”

The First Mate sighed.

“Is it worth fighting for, Mr. Stubb?”

“Well, if we can bury the treasure there, chances are pretty good no one else will be able to get to it.”

The Captain nodded. The flying creatures seemed to be circling closer. They had long claws and hungry, angry faces with fanged teeth.

Bloodspoor thought a bit.

“Let’s skip this one,” he said.

The shipmates sighed collectively in relief.

The ship was soon out of sight, and the harpies went to their nests hungry that night.