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

Chapter 4: Bring a Spring Upon Her Cable

(Trigger Warning: Abuse and Death)

The dawn was breaking as I stumbled upon Blackbird's island, or dare I say islet. The land barely covered an acre and was not named since it was more of a hiding place in the case of other buccaneers deciding to plunder the land, booty, or whomever Blackbird decides to hold hostage there. Although his reputation well past precedes him, he was most feared and hated by many enemies. Perhaps, I could mention that mine would be the same save for some of my past crew members and their acquaintances, but Scarlet and I tried to keep the reputation in the case of anyone mad enough to put up a fight. 

A few of the tribal members of Ugljan came with me to protect me and ensure I would keep my promise. As I stepped upon the sandy shores, they rowed their crafted ship unto the beach. It was nowhere as large as mine was but it was interesting to peer at. According to the tribe, it was called a liburna which was mainly used for attacking and patrolling. The ship had one row of oars, one sail, and a prow. The fore peak and the back end were shaped like a curved snake although it wasn't intended that way. 

"Chief! What do you want us to do?" The members questioned as they began towards me.

"Call me Captain. Once a pirate, always a pirate" I responded sternly. 

"No. Custom. We cannot change" The tallest one with the long beard that reached the middle of his chest replied.

"As long as we are on your island, call me Chief. But again, I say, as your Chief, to call me Captain when we are at sea. Now, tell me your names so that I may direct you properly" 

"I am Alojzije. Call me Alo" The one that had previously spoken introduced.

"Borislav. Call me Bo" The shortest one with buffed arms and legs. He was small but seemed to be the most mighty.

"I am Ivor. Aside from the Chief, I can speak English the best. Most of our tribe can understand English decently but not enough to speak it" The last man announced. He was bald-headed and seemed to be a foreign male. Perhaps a father in his own tribe and a mother from another. 

"Ivor, stay here and watch the boat. If the others and I are not back after two hours, leave the island and tell the Chief what happened. Tell him to spare my wife and daughter. Please" I commanded with a hint of fear in my eyes, praying inside I'd get back to my family with another in hand.

"Right away sir" Ivor bowed his head and stood tall with his grip on his cutlass.

"You two. Follow behind me and keep your eyes open" Alo and Bo nodded and moved along quietly behind me. 

As I strutted forward unto the islet, I decided to go around the forest of large rocks to save time. I could simply go through since there was a pathway but time would be lost and I had desperately needed all I could get.

The islet itself could never support inhabitation due to the lack of vegetation. There were some trees that were small and scattered but barely grew any fruit. I assume that the supplies for survival most likely came from an island that was near enough to arrive in a day but far enough to have the islet hidden. There wasn't much vibrancy other than the blues of the sea, mainly sandy rocky shores with many large boulders. You could hardly tell anyone lived here except for the tracks left behind and the secret trail through the rocks. I knew about this place because Blackbird and I were once friends but our differences in values destroyed whatever we had. It's sad because we grew up together under harsh parents and were used to seeing grey and blue. Dull islets with hardly any signs of life and it was always about being the best and the strongest but never what we desired. But see, a person can go through horrific events yet hold the strongest power there is. Choice. The power to choose to grow stronger and make you a better person, or allow a false lie that being strong is about being bitter and selfish which only drowns you internally.