Prizes, Plunder, and Adventure

Chapter Fourteen: Federkleid

They didn't see Captain Thomas again for a while after that. More than a week had passed with no sign of the Triumph anywhere. The lack of progress had the captains frustrated to the point of breaking- even Alastar was getting snippy with the crew, which really had everyone concerned.

Benny spotted Emmet standing at the railing, wringing his hands as he stared in the Diligente's direction. "Something the matter?" he asked, stepping up to the prince's side.

"They're fighting," Emmet murmured. Benny turned his gaze toward the other ship, squinting in the bright sunlight. Sure enough, he could make out the figures of Callaghan, Mayhem, and Rex going at it pretty hard, blades flashing as they caught the light.

"...Is that normal?"

"It's usually how Uncle Cary prefers to work out some of his frustrations," Emmet sighed. "But they're usually pretty evenly matched, too."

And it looked like he had the other two officers on the defense. Benny drummed his fingers against the rail, then grinned and climbed up onto it, hanging onto the ratlines for balance. "Hey Callaghan!" he shouted, earning a number of surprised stares, including Emmet's. The fighting paused, and Cary turned toward him with a frown. "If it's a fight you want, how about a rematch?"

"Benny, what are you doing?" Emmet asked.

"Trying to give those two a break, they look like he's run them ragged." The siren seemed to accept the challenge, spreading his wings and taking to the air.

"Ye sure that be wise?" Metalbeard frowned, watching the other captain approach. "If they can't keep up with him in this mood, what makes ye think ye can?"

"The hope that they've already worn him down some." He hopped down from the rail, leaning back with a blink as the siren landed before him barely a step away. One dark brow lifted over his tinted spectacles.

"You were saying something about a rematch?"

Benny grinned, drawing his sword. "I've been looking forward to this for weeks now."

"Is that so?" Cary stepped back as Benny lunged into action, deflecting a blow.

"I was quite annoyed when Lucy intercepted you last time."

Emmet tilted his head as he watched them, then moved to stand near Metalbeard at the helm so he could get a better view of the match. The pirate captain looked endlessly amused, and Emmet had an idea as to why that was. From the higher vantage point, he could see his hunch had been right. He grinned, unable to help the giggle that escaped him. "Oh my goodness."

Cary still fought every bit as viciously as he had with Rex and May, wings slightly extended and ready to strike- and angled to catch the sun, creating a dazzling display of iridescence when the light struck them just right. Metalbeard started to snicker. Benny just seemed baffled, and a little distracted by trying to keep up with the captain's unusually fancy footwork. "I've never seen him do that before," Emmet murmured, giggling harder.

"Nay?"

"Not Uncle Cary, anyway. I'm pretty sure this is the first time he's ever displayed for someone."

"And it be for me first mate." Metalbeard threw his head back and let out a hearty guffaw. "Will wonders never cease!" Emmet lost his last bit of self-control, laughing with the pirate until he snorted.

The fight didn't last long- it seemed Benny had been right about May and Rex wearing him down, and he began to slow. With a maneuver that Cary had trouble following, Benny managed to disarm him, and pointed the tip of his own blade toward the captain's throat, grinning. "I win."

"So it seems," Cary murmured, wings fluttering slightly. Benny's gaze was drawn to the motion, but he didn't comment on it. "Congratulations." Emmet skipped back down to the deck to rejoin them, Metalbeard stumping along close behind him.

"So what's got you in such a mood anyway?"

"That coward Thomas," Cary growled. "I've never been unable to find a ship I was after."

"I do wonder how he's managing to avoid you," Benny mused. "Even the Prize has been hard-pressed to escape notice when you were actively looking for her."

"Blighter must be hidin' somewhere," Metalbeard muttered. "Likely tryin' to figure out how to counter your voice."

"The beeswax worked pretty well for me," Benny said. "Made it hard to hear everything else too, though. Probably not very feasible in the heat of battle when you've got to call out last-minute orders."

"And it takes time to build up a resistance to it. Years," Metalbeard added. "He don't have years to get used to ye. So what else could work?"

"I don't know," Cary admitted. "We've never heard of anything else that might."

"What if he tries to take your voice?" Emmet asked quietly. "Or... or even kill you?" Cary wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close.

"It is a possibility," he said. "Even if we weren't a siren, we're still an enemy officer and he would try anyway. But we'll be careful."

"You'd better," Emmet muttered, wrapping his arms around them and hugging them tightly. "I'd be very sad if something happened to you. Father would be very sad if something happened to you."

"And Mum, and Dad, and Keelan... We know." Alastar switched out then, hugging him back. "Have faith, Emmet. We'll get through this." Emmet nodded, taking a deep breath and stepping back. "Maybe you could come back with us, if you're that worried?"

Emmet grinned. "Not yet. Nice try though."

Alastar smiled back at him. "Ah, well. I had to." He ruffled Emmet's hair. "Sing out if you need us."

"I know." Emmet straightened his hair again, watching as his uncles returned to the Diligente. He turned an amused look onto Benny, realizing the pirate was staring after them. "They are rather mesmerizing, aren't they?"

"What?" Benny jolted out of his stupor, blinking owlishly at Emmet.

"Their wings. They're very eye-catching. I certainly can't blame you for staring." The prince smirked. "Especially considering he was trying to catch yours."

"...What are you even talking about?"

Emmet smiled, clasping his hands behind his back. "The flashy thing he was doing with his wings, earlier? That was a courtship display."

Benny's jaw dropped. Metalbeard started laughing all over again.

"Oh, hell."