The Twins

Chapter 1: Death's Door

Several years passed since the death of Captain Raines; a man slain by the hands of his own son. Rumors and stories emerged across all of the Seas of Nine as to how and why it occurred. All of such tales always ended simply as 'it be the life of a pirate, can't trust anyone'.

The city of Fha was once a small costal farming town, a neutral zone that chose no sides in the war on piracy. By taking no action in the affairs between the Navy and Pirates the town was able to flourish and live in harmony. That was until their lands were set ablaze during a peace accord.

The terms of the accord seemed fair as a way to establish safety from the scourge of the seas. The treaty would decide the Seas of Nine amung the Pirate's and Navy; Fha would remain a neutral zone. However the Captain of the Vile Whore had other greedy thoughts; wising to conquer the world as his own. Things escalated swiftly and began to spiral out of control. Captain Raine's withdrew his revolver, unloading a round into a rival captain's head; covering the others in blood. The action was so swift and shocking the others had no time to react before the mad man's crew descended upon the peace talks and claiming the life of the others.

But their attacks did not go unnoticed and quickly fighting and fires broke out throughout all of the village of Fha. The Vile Whore rained cannon fired down upon the land as well; turning buildings into rubble. Innocent men women and children scattered and ran but the fight between the pirates and navy knew no sides it was all a blur amongst the crowd; no one could be trusted.

Captain Raines used this to his advantage as he watched the village burn to the ground upon his escape. One man was left behind though, a man named Grog. To the Captain though that was a trivial loss; that man was more of a thorn than anything. As far as the Captain was concerned Grog would be better off left to die.

One final cannonball shot free from the Vile Whore as it made it's way out to sea. In a long arch the large ball of heated metal made its way toward a small boy. "Watch out!" Yelled a shirtless, charred, and beaten muscular man as he ran toward the child. The boy turned to the sound of the voice just as the cannonball tore through his scalp.

The man froze in his place for a moment as the boy went wide-eyed and limp. The blast of the cannonball sending them both flying into the waters of the dock. The man floated there dazed and confused before snapping to as he saw the boy twitching in the water. "I need help down here!" He yelled as he swam toward the boy. "He's still alive!"

With the ship off the horizon the fighting began  to cease as both navy and other pirates worked together to pick up what was left of the devastation. Some pirates took their leave as well, taking the moments of chaos as a chance to loot and pillage; making it out to sea with the spoils of war. Neighbor looked upon neighbor with unease and distrust; but when it came to a child fighting for their life, they worked together.

"Take my hand Grog!" A woman yelled out as she leaned over the edge of the dock reaching out to the man and child. The man reached up and grabbed her by the wrist as she struggled to lift him out. Several naval soldiers ran over to assist.

"He needs medical attention, get him to an infirmary!" Grog said as he shoved the child into a soldiers arms. The soldier looked at Grog and the child unsure what to do.

"Do as he says!" The woman yelled out to the soldier before turning toward Grog. The soldier saluted the woman and ran off. "You need to see a doctor as well, let my soldiers handle the rest. Go with them, they'll need your help with the child."

Grog coughed up some blood and chuckled. "I suppose you're right your majesty." He said as he beat on his chest to get a cough out. "I'll leave your lands to you." He said as he followed the soldier.

The woman turned and watched them walk off for a moment before looking at the others. "Get to work! Check for survivors! This will not be a day of defeat! We will rise again! We shall mourn in the morrow!" She yelled out, inspiring those around her.

"Yes my Queen!" The soldiers yelled out in unison as they ran off to do as they were ordered. The queen herself ran off to help them as well. It would take several days for the flames to be extinguished...

...and several days for the boy to awaken.

Grog sat next to the boy as he laid their unconscious. His head had been sewn back shut and he was breathing, but the doctor had began to lose hope for the small boy. Each day Grog would stop by the infirmary to check on him between shifts of rebuilding the village.

Today happened to be the miraculous day the boy awakened. His eyes opened from the bed as he looked down upon Grog's hand holding his. "Father?" The young boy whispered, drawing the attention of all those around.

"I'm afraid not Thomas, we could not find your father....Or your mother." Grog said in a saddened voice, it was a lot to unload on to the child but Grog would not let another child go without the truth. "We will make sure you have a home though child."

The boy laid in the bed looking at Grog in confusion. His hand reached up to the scar in his head as pain struck. "Thomas? Who's Thomas?" The boy said as he pulled away from Grog. "My name's Margo."

Grog looked at the doctor then at the boy. "Margo? Your name is Thomas Rittler." He said in a concerned tone.

"Thomas Rittler? Who's that? My name is Margo Rittler!" The boy yelled out as the pain in his head stiffened. "Ah! It hurts!" He cried out as he fell toward Grog.

Grog caught the boy in his arms and comforted him. "Okay, it'll be okay Margo." He said as he held the boy. "Get some rest, we will get this all sorted out later." The large man said looking at the doctor; both their eyes meeting with confusion and concern.