Captain's Will

1. Not The Hell-born Captain

Welcome back to the universe of Servant's Pride! Please make sure you read the first book before enjoying this one ^^

*********

The 'Don't Go Inn' bustled with life. The balmy evening at the bay had attracted a crowd seeking to drown their last thought in burning alcohol. Their heated bodies pushed against each other as coarse male voices bellowed out boisterous laughter that could be heard on the streets outside. The man with the concertina on his lap in the middle of the room could barely be picked up on over the clamour. His fast-paced melody invited the more daring sailors to provoke a dance with the tavern maidens. Full bosoms framed by loose linen blouses and tight corsets pressed against sweaty, tattooed skin as they whirled through the room with flaring skirts.

Each time one song ended and a new one began, the crowd cheered for the musician. His drinks were paid for all night and he received tips when he played the shanties the drunken patrons demanded to hear.

Each last one of them was a stinky pirate.

As Hongjoong emerged from the backroom with six massive jugs of ale cradled in his two fists, an addictive beat swayed everyone's blood in their veins. The crowd clapped along or stomped their feet on the ground to accompany the music with thunder. The wooden boards under Hongjoong's feet vibrated from the rough treatment, but they never gave in.

Though Hongjoong would have found it quite amusing to land in the storeroom underneath because the rowdy bunch got too wild.

When Hongjoong passed the musician, the artist grinned a gap-toothed smile at Hongjoong. They had seen each other often enough by now that they considered the other a mate.

"Need yer cup refilled?" Hongjoong called as he rounded a dancing pair. The maidens glowed in the evening candlelight and sweat curled their hair around their faces in an all too enticing manner. Sailors were reduced to babbling messes whenever they got a chance to rest their heads on full thighs or garnered a peek down their blouses.

"I ask fer it," the man laughed back, fingers never stilling. He was missing one of them, the ring finger of his right hand, but the oddity of his tunes bothered nobody. So long as the music played, they would dance.

"I'll be aft."

Hongjoong never slowed his step as he wove through the crowd. Years aboard a ship had taught him how to dodge people in various states of a hurry. He didn't need to look up as he focused on the table filled with pirates that had ordered the drinks. They were a remotely popular group with bounties on the captain's and his vice's heads. Tucked away in the pirate cove, they were safe from the navy, but not from the occasional bounty hunter who looked for a quick coin.

Hongjoong was sure that the hooded person in the corner was one. They had been staring at this table since earlier.

The six jugs clunked on the desk and Hongjoong launched them toward the crew members. They roared their drunken gratitude at him as they spilt the bitter drink all over their beards and onto the soggy table.

Before Hongjoong could take off, a large hand landed on his behind with a resounding slap. He caught himself on the desk before he could topple over, annoyed over being surprised.

The captain laughed up at him from his weathered face.

"Ye be the sole male maid 'ere, lad. Ye feel lonely since them wenches get so much more attention than ye? Ye look like one who enjoys the grip o' a real man on yer 'ips." His hot palm squeezed Hongjoong's cheek rough enough that it stung. Hongjoong rolled his eyes as he straightened and slapped the hand away.

"Keep yer fingers to yerself if ye want to keep 'em, ye stinkin' sea dog," he barked back. The crew broke out in laughter, mocking their captain for the failed attempt. He took it with humour and gulped down a sip of his grog. He wiped the leftovers on his scarred lip with the back of his hand.