Behind the Mask

The Blood in the Wind

TW// Violence,murder, blood, gore

The crew had grown fond of Elias. They would allow him to sit with them when they were eating, they didn't chase him away when they were gathered on deck, they would include him when singing songs and telling stories. The mocking stopped entirely and some who used to tease him even became admirers of Elias.

Now the crew was willing to show him how things were done instead of expecting Elias to know it from the first time they would show it to him. He would also say a word or two or even hold conversations with some of the crew. Gerold's lessons were growing less frequent, and they would spare only every third day.

One windy evening as they practised under the oppressive grey skies Elias once again disabled Gerold and celebrated with a little smirk. His teacher couldn't resist a proud smile, mirroring the content of his pupil, as he refastened the sword to his belt and reached into his inner coat pocket.

"Never had a student as great as ya." He pulled out something wrapped in fabric and presented it to Elias. "Here, for ya kid."

Elias placed his two swords on the ground and gingerly took the object from his hands. Elias carefully unwrapped the cloth, revealing four elegantly shaped throwing knives. He looked up at Gerold, mouth agape.

"Two swords suit ya," he winked, despite the patched eye. "But yer aim with daggers is even better than mine."

Elias struggled to find his voice. He looked down at the knives in awe, delicately tracing them with his fingers. "T-thank you."

Gerold placed his hand on Elias' shoulder. "No worries kid. I've taught ya everythin' I could. There won't be any more lessons."

Elias wrapped the knives back, straightened his posture and genuinely grinned at Gerold. "Thank you!"

Before Gerold could say anything else Elias went below deck to his hiding spot. He pulled out the knives, throwing them from hand to hand, trying to familiarise himself with them. Then he started throwing them into the nearest wall.

They were perfect - the size and shape, the weight, everything!

He threw them around for an hour until his hands would shake from tiredness, then finally placed them on the belt with his dagger and ran up on deck for dinner. As he was rushing up the stairs, he crashed into someone.

"So-" He choked up mid words as he looked up at who it was. "-rry."

Pit was watching him, just like the night he first noticed him and like he did every time Elias caught him lurking in the corner of his eyes. His gaze was pinning him down and Elias felt as uncomfortable as ever and inexplicably disgusted.

"Sorry." Said Elias again in a whisper trying to stifle the discomfort in his voice and moved past him towards the already gathered crew. As he sat beside Gerold, he could still feel Pit's eyes on him.

When they finished their meals, some stayed and talked, but as the wind got colder the crew dispersed down to their nets. Elias stayed on deck by himself, leaning against the railing looking out onto the sea. The only other soul on deck was Kian up in the crow's nest.

The cold wind that blew through Elias' short hair felt good, almost as if it was clearing his mind. He was thinking of the past two years with the crew. It was anything but easy, yet far away entirely bad. He always thought of pirates as barbaric vandals, but that image was a complete juxtaposition to some of the crew, like Nick, Gerold, Theo and Filp. If it weren't for them Elias would despise this place.