The call of the black flag

Leon was enjoying the gentle sea breeze as the sun was just rising. He had to set sail again that very day, as his new mission order had come in. His only wish as he left was to not encounter that damned pirate he had unfortunately saved two months earlier. In his defense, he thought he was dealing with a fisherman or a stranded sailor on the beach, certainly not a pirate.

"If it isn't my favorite little sailor?" mocked a voice behind the soldier, interrupting his thoughts.

The last person he wanted to meet was now showing up. Feeling him so close revived memories he would have preferred to forget. Memories that the lawman forbade himself from calling memories, but rather nightmares.

"You! Don't you have another village to plunder?" retorted the brunet. "No, wait, I have a better plan. Turn around, hands up. Blaise Staviski, you're under arrest for piracy, theft, destruction of royal property, and murder."

"I contest the last point; it was self-defense," countered the criminal.

"Shut up, vile pirate, you have no say. I intend to bring you back to headquarters."

"After everything we've been through together, would you really let them hang me?" asked the pirate, who was now facing him, a sad pout on his face.

"Twice rather than once. My life has been hell for two months because you decided to ruin it. I should never have saved you that day; it was the biggest mistake of my life."

"That's not how it felt, though. I remember you perfectly, underneath me, begging for more. But if you don't remember, I'd be happy to refresh your memory, my little soldier," teased the criminal.

"You took advantage of me. I would never have done that with a pirate," protested Leon.

"You were perfectly willing that day," contradicted Blaise.

In the distance, one of his men called him, preventing him from responding and turning his head. When he returned to the object of his nightmares, the marine realized that he had disappeared. It wasn't going to be easy to capture him. More depressed than ever, Leon joined his ship to weigh anchor. He had an island to save from vile pirates who thought they could do anything and were setting the city on fire.

It only took them a few days to reach the island in question, and only two to get rid of the pirates who had invaded the place. The return journey was uneventful, with the weather on their side.

Leon had barely set foot ashore when his crew dragged him to the nearest Tavern, pretending to want to celebrate their victory over the pirates and their safe return to headquarters. Enjoying his drink, the conversation between two men at the bar caught his attention.

"That filthy pirate wasn't so cocky once he was chained up," laughed a soldier in the tavern.

"You can say that again," replied his accomplice between sips.

"What was his name again?" asked the first.

"I think it's Blaise Staviski, well, that's what's written on the wanted poster."

At these words, Leon froze. Blaise had been caught. That's why he hadn't seen him since last time. That's why everything seemed so calm. No break-ins on his boat while he was ashore, no chase through the streets, no verbal jousting from the pirate. And for good reason, the mastermind behind all this was in prison. So why couldn't he rejoice? He finally had the peace he asked for, and now that he had it, he regretted it. And why did his heart ache at the thought of the pirate disappearing from his life? Why couldn't he chase him out of his mind like he had done with all the pirates he had arrested? He needed to see that damned criminal, see him as the monster he was supposed to be, get rid of the current image he had of him. And for that, he had to go to the prison. With a new determination animating him, the marine headed for the cells.