Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

14: I believe that's mine

I believe that's mine...

"You mean everyone went on shore leave together?" Fury asked tightly when he returned to the ship two hours later. There was a general shuffling of feet, staring at the deck and incoherent mumbling. "What were you thinking? Anyone?"

"Um, Captain...you didn't say someone had to stay with the ship," Jorgen piped up. Fury snapped his head round.

"Er no...because even the most meagre of intelligence would suggest you don't leave the bloody ship abandoned on a pirate island!" he shouted. "Have you checked your berths? How can you know the whole thing hasn't be stripped clean?"

There was a sudden realisation and the crew scattered, racing off to see if their stashes were still there. Fury stared at Fishlegs, who was still standing stolidly on the deck. "It's my fault," the husky man said, his blue eyes apologetic. "I sometimes forget they're a bunch of idiots without the common sense they were born with. I should have made it plainer. I should have given orders!"

"I doubt the place will have been raided because they couldn't be sure no one was belowdecks," Fury murmured sadly but stared across the deck.

"I'm sure he'll come back," Fishlegs said reassuringly. Fury shrugged.

"I'm not so sure," he said, "because I don't think he went of his own volition. He promised me he would stay."

"Were you never seven?" Fish asked him and Fury shrugged.

"Me? I was always in trouble. If my father wasn't beating me for being a disappointment, my cousins were for being small and weak," he admitted. "But if I promised to do something, I always did it. My father always told me that a man must be his word. It must be reliable-or he is nothing. I explained that to Arild. And I know he doesn't want to disappoint me. He told me he loved me, Fish. He won't wanna go...unless he was lured away."

"The Nightmare is in port at present," Fishlegs noted. "Wasn't that the ship that his possible father was on?" Fury nodded.

"Wanna come?" he asked his friend. Fishlegs stared at him.

"I-I...er...thought you'd want to do this one on our own..." he squeaked. Fury stared at him, his expression resigned.

"Er...no..." he said in surprise. "I'm asking because I'm a mess, Fish. I'm not even half-healed from Drago's torturers and I really need someone to cover my back. If...if Arild wants to stay with his family, then I won't stop him...but if he wants to come back...or worse, if he's being held against me, then I will do everything to get him to safety!" Fish offered him his hand.

"Then I'm with you all the way," the First Mate said, grabbing his sword. Fury turned to the crew who were beginning to wander back onto the deck, all looking relieved.

"STAY ON THE BLOODY SHIP!" he roared and they all stared.

"Aye, aye, Captain!" came the replies as he was already striding down onto the docks. He knew exactly where to start. Fishlegs walked at his side, staring across at the Captain. Fury's auburn hair was very tousled and his face was pale. But there was the determined light in his emerald eyes mingling with concern. The Captain wove his way easily through the streets and people just tended to get out of the way of Fishlegs because of his size. The First Mate stomped after his Captain as they reached an unremarkable tavern not far from the market and walked in. Fury's green gaze swept the crowded room, the hubbub of conversations lowering for just a moment at the newcomers, then resuming normal levels. They headed straight for a corner table and a handsome dark-haired man, sitting with his officers. Fury took the remaining seat at the table.

"Captain Thuggory," he said. The handsome master of the Nightmare nodded, recognising his opposite number.

"Captain Fury," the man responded, sloshing some mead into a stoneware cup. Fury silently took a sip, nodding his thanks. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" Fury stared into his face.