(Ateez) Captain Scar: The 7 Rings of the 7 Seas

Chapter 3: Crown of Mortals

"May I?" A trembled voice spoke from outside the tent.

"You may" Scarlet replied, straightening her nightgown given to her by one of the midwives.

A pair of aged fingers untied the strings attached to a post and lifted the door made of animal hide above his head, leaning down with one hand on his back for support to place the string back into place.

"Who are you?" I asked with a hint of caution in my words, placing one hand on Scarlets shoulder, the other on my sword.

"I wouldn't point that towards me if I were you. Just because I am old in age doesn't mean I am any less important. One motion and you will be dismembered and sacrificed to the Gods in Olive Mount" The feeble man stepped into view, his piercing eyes staring deep into mine. His garment consisted of bear fur as a covering, wearing no shirt underneath save for the litter of many tattoos in a language unknown to me. His pants looked as if someone had torn them from the thigh with blood stains that wasn't his.

"What makes you so important?" I replied with a cocked brow.

"Raider!" Scarlet hit my arm, causing me to flinch.

"What? He just comes in here as if he owns us and I am not letting him do that"

"The people here helped us with me and the baby. They brought you to me and you're going to act like this?"

Taking an annoyed sigh, I turned my gaze to her "I am doing my job to make sure no one manipulates us. He could do all this because he may want something. A gift isn't truly a gift if it is with strings".

"I see your point of view Captain, and I admire your protective instincts. Which makes me more confident to give you this offer, which is... without strings" The elderly man interrupted, limping over to the the front of the bed while hanging on to his wooden stick.

"Offer?" Scarlet and I turned to each other puzzled.

"My name is Chief Dorijan, meaning "of the sea". Out of respect, I ask you to call me only "Chief". Here is my offer to you. As you can tell, I am well advanced beyond my years and it won't be long before I am taken to unto death. I have no son and my wife passed away long ago whom was unable to bear any children to pass the title on to. Many of my people need guidance, protection, and leadership. None of them can quite take the task to have the willpower to do what needs to be done. The ones who are the strongest are the oldest, they are not far behind me in years. I ask on behalf of my people and myself, and for the sake of you and your family to stay here and become the new Chief on this island. Call the land as you will it, direct the people as you like, protect the island and it's people, and you will reap many benefits"

"I-.. this is a lot to take in. What does this give to us? We are meant to be out beyond the horizon, riding on the sea. Not stuck here to babysit an entire tribe. I appreciate your offer but this is way too much for us" Scarlet shakes her head with a frown.

"No, we don't accept your offer. I am a pirate and will always be one. If I wanted to be a landlubber, I would have stayed where I left home" I announced with crossed arms.

"From what I hear, you've got quite the reputation don't you? Your wife being the charming lovely woman she is, I'm sure she helped to change you for the better. However, I see you still have an old friend who's dying to see you again, and if he took your son away, what makes you think he won't take your daughter next? And where else would you go? You lost your crew, your ship, most of your weapons save for the sword hung by your belt. Who will protect your precious daughter except by an entire tribe at your command, rich and tropical foods at your disposal that will ensure a healthy diet for you and your family, and a guarded home? You may be strong but you are not enough" The Chief pointed towards me, his black eyes cold and stern.

A few minutes of silenced passed before Scarlet picked up Luna from her bed made of straw. The sleeping baby snored softly, leaning her head towards her mothers chest for comfort. Scarlet hums softly and kisses the top of the child's head.

"He's right. We don't have anyone anymore. You can't protect me and her while going off fighting for us. And your son..." she sighed with tears in her eyes.

"What are you going to do about him?" She tears her gaze away, the corners of her lips drooping down as a teardrop falls unto her nightgown.

"I have to find him. This is between me and Blackbird. I pray to God he is still alive"

"I don't think so, pirate. You will not go if you take this offer. You have my people to take care of and the family you have right here" The Chief cuts in with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Raider, I will go. I can swim from here to the Atlantic. He can't have gone too far since we saw him" Scarlet places a hand on my arm with pleading eyes.

"You can't leave Luna by herself, she needs her mother. Besides, I have lost enough, I don't need to lose you too" I shook my arm from her, my frustration growing by the minute.

"Won't you spare us a few days? To find him?" Scarlet questioned the Chief.

"And whom is to be here if I die?"

"I will" Scarlet announced.

"Two days. You've got two days to find your son and if you aren't back... your dear little girl will be gone too" He replied with narrowed eyes.

"All this for two days? Isn't the punishment a bit mad?" I exclaimed.

"Let's make this real simple. You have a family to protect and I have my island to protect. Your family is first as my island is first. You can have your way pirate, but then we will treat you as we would any other trespasser. An appeasement to the Gods at the Mount. So choose wisely what you will do"

"Fine. I'll be back before the dawn in two days" I sighed heavily.

"Good. We have a ceremony to do and then you may leave" The Chief bows his head once before turning around to hobble towards the cloth door.