Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

3: Return to Berk

Return to Berk.

After about an hour, Astrid stopped hammering on the door and throwing things around, slumping angrily onto the bed and glaring at the locked door. She couldn't express her fury at the recent turn of events. As if it wasn't bad enough that she was sold in marriage to that arrogant toad, Eret, he had locked her up like some pathetic simpering female when she should be defending herself! By the Gods, she was a Hofferson! Her family went back to the founding of Berk and her father owned half the island! She was a warrior in her own right, trained from when she could walk to defend herself and her family and she resented treated as an object.

And that infuriating pirate! He had rescued her from where she had been trapped on the sinking ship, dealt with her with sarcasm and dodged her attempts to hit him. And she knew who he was from the ship they had escaped onto: the sleek lines and jet sails were the mark of Captain Fury. His crew had been professional and measured and she wasn't worried that her husband and the crew of the Freya's Ghost because she, unlike most people, had read reports of the pirate's activities. And though Captain Fury tended to concentrate on ships with the Berk flag, he almost never killed unless he was attacked.

She stared at the floor. She had spoken to Trader Johann as he and the other Traders were regularly raided by Fury and the man had admitted Fury was always polite, never used force and always left them with sufficient supplies to allow the traders and crew to reach port safely. Johann had also discreetly admitted that the man always left him a small amount of money so he could continue trading. It was at odds with his public image of the fearsome pirate.

But she had been infuriated that the man had seen through her instantly, his sarcastic assessment making her cringe. She didn't let anyone close-not for years and his unflinching disrespect for her had annoyed her. But there had been a darker edge when she had pushed it too far and insulted him. Her heart had accelerated as his green eyes had darkened with anger but he had been measured still in his response and her sore wrist was a reminder that she was still at his mercy. Being locked in the cabin was still making her feel vulnerable and she wished she was free to roam the ship.

The door opened and she glanced up but the husky First Mate walked in with a shy smile and a tray bearing a plate of stew, a hunk of bread, a jug of water and a mug. She stared at it in disgust.

"How am I expected to eat these slops?" she snapped. He shrugged and laid the tray down on table.

"You don't have to-but this is what the cook has produced so you either eat it or go hungry," he said. She peered into the jug.

"Water?" she snapped. Fishlegs backed off.

"Um...you aren't crew so you don't have a grog ration. And water is precious on a ship. Again, your choice!" Then he turned and left, the lock clicking closed and she glared at the offering. Angrily, she moved over to the table, retrieved the little chair and poked the stew. It smelled peppery but she was hungry and tried a few mouthfuls. It was pretty tasteless and greasy so she ignored it and ate the bread, then drank the water. Finally she sat back down on the bed and glared at the door.

She heard steps approach the door and then pause. She tensed as the lock clicked and the door opened. The pirate Captain pulled the door open, his face covered by his scarf. He was still in his leather armour but he had shed the sword and knives. He gave a curt bow of the head.

"I trust you enjoyed the meal, Milady," he said calmly. She lunged forward and flipped the tray up, spraying him with the stew. He stood still, gravy dripping from his armour, then turned to the door and slammed it shut, locking it. He paused by the door. "I was about to take you for a walk on the deck since I assumed you were fed up of being locked in a cabin and would appreciate some fresh air," he told her tightly through the door. "But since you cannot be civil, I really don't feel you deserve any such consideration!" And then he walked to his own cabin and slammed the door.