Prizes, Plunder, and Adventure

Chapter Seven: Mesmerism

Emmet glanced up at Metalbeard's descent, watching curiously as the pirate approached. "What can I do for you, Captain?"

"I hear tell ye made me first mate an offer."

"I did," Emmet confirmed. He shrank back as the pirate captain narrowed his good eye at him.

"Ye really be willin' to speak fer him before yer father?"

"I'd be willing to speak for all of you, if it was something you wanted."

"And why would ye do such a thing, lad?"

Emmet fidgeted, then lifted his chin. "Because it's the right thing to do."

Metalbeard stared at him for a long moment, then stumped toward the cell door, pulling out his keys. Emmet could only stare as the door was unlocked. "Well? Ye comin' or what?"

"Yes, sir!" the prince yelped, and scurried out. He paused at the captain's side, looking up at him expectantly.

"Come along then," Metalbeard said, and made his way back up onto the deck. Emmet slowed to a stop once he was out in the open, closing his eyes as a gentle breeze teased at his hair. Metalbeard chuckled. "I take it ye like bein' outside?"

"I'm in the palace gardens as often as I'm allowed," Emmet admitted. The soft murmur of voices caught his attention, and he glanced over to see Benny and Lucy standing at the railing, talking quietly.

"Have ye met me daughter, Lucy?"

"Sort of..." Emmet blinked. "Wait. She's your daughter?"

"Aye, adopted. Her parents were killed when she were a wee lass. I found her wanderin' about and took her in as me own."

"That was very kind of you." He glanced back over at the pair. Lucy huffed as Benny started laughing, giving him a playful shove. "They seem close."

"Aye, they be good friends."

"...Just friends?"

Metalbeard gave him a knowing smirk. "Aye lad, just friends." The prince blushed, glancing sheepishly downward. "I've no problem with it, if that's what ye be thinkin'."

"Not that it really matters, she's made it clear she doesn't like me much..." He sighed. "And I'm supposed to be marrying the princess of Scala, anyway..."

"Ye don't sound very enthusiastic."

"It's why I was outside of the palace," Emmet admitted, voice quiet. Metalbeard gave him an expectant look. "...I suppose there's no real harm in telling you. I didn't like the idea right from the start, but. I tried to make nice anyway. Nothing I did was 'right'. She made it pretty clear she didn't like me much, either..." Emmet wilted. "I guess I really must be pathetic."

"...Lad-"

"Wait," Benny interrupted. Metalbeard cut himself off, turning his attention to his first mate. "Do you hear that?"

"I don't hear anything," Lucy said. Emmet held his breath as he tried to hear whatever it was that Benny was hearing. Something was tickling at the very edge of his senses...

"Listen!" Benny hissed, and cut Lucy off as she opened her mouth to retort. "No, really listen."

Emmet cocked his head, concentrating.

...Singing. He could hear singing. And he'd know that voice anywhere. His spirits started to lift again. "It's-"

"Siren song!" Metalbeard gasped. Benny whined, grabbing as his ears as he took off in hopes of finding something that would block out the intrusive sound.