Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

19: Captive Confessions

Captive Confessions

Astrid walked slowly into the cells, unsure what she would find. She was hyperaware of the small hand clamped in hers, the irregular pull on her arm as Arild in turns pulled ahead then became overcome with anxiety and hung back, trying to hide behind her. She flicked her azure gaze down, seeing the small shape fidgeting and trembling while the guards had pointed her to the central cell of three. Taking a breath to calm herself, she slowly walked towards it, the bars facing her revealing a dim space with a hunched shadow at the back. She felt the boy suddenly pull away.

"Captain Fury?" she asked slowly.

"D-dad?" the boy called.

The shadowed head snapped round, the lithe body rising as it turned and the shape walked swiftly forward, emerging from the shadows into the warm hesitant light of the torches, walking to the bars as the boy ran towards him.

"Arild?" He dropped to his knees and the boy flung himself against the bars, his thin arms winding awkwardly through as the prisoner managed to wrap his lanky arms around the boy and enfold him in a fierce hug.

"Dad," the boy whispered as Fury gently stroked his head and held him tight. Astrid stared at him: his armour and weapons were gone and so was the scarf. He was leaner and lankier than she had guessed, clad only in his deep red tunic, leggings and boots and he was younger than she had guessed. His tousled auburn hair was messy and reached below his collar, two little braids sticking out behind his right ear. His glorious green eyes were focussed on the boy, his face much younger and paler than she had imagined with a few tiny scattered freckles, his jaw angled and firm. There was horrible bruising across the left side of his face from several punches. The pirate flicked his eyes up.

"Thank you," he murmured, then turned back to the boy. "Are you alright?" The boy nodded. Fury inspected him, in smart new shirt, tunic and breeches, neat shoes on his feet. "You look like a young gentleman," he said with a smile. The boy gave a small pout.

"I don't wanna be a gentleman!" he protested. "I want to be a pirate!" Fury caught his shoulders then gently stroked his face.

"Gods, no," he said gently. "Being a pirate will get you here." He shrugged and gestured to the cell. The boy pulled a stubborn face. "Arild, I am a pirate and I have caught. Tomorrow I am going to have my trial and after that, they will kill me." The boy stared into his bruised face and his green eyes swum with tears. Then he flung himself against the bars again and Fury hugged the sobbing boy fiercely.

"Actually," Astrid murmured slowly, "I think Magne Jorgensen is petitioning for you to face slavery on the galleys, not hanging." His gaze flicked up and he shook his head.

"So they won't kill me by breaking my neck with a rope but by whipping and starving and working me to death," he said sarcastically. "Both are death sentences, milady. The second is just far, far crueller." She swallowed at his bleak tone and she frowned: she had never really thought of it like that. But there was something else: there was an aching familiarity now she could finally see his face. He inspected her carefully. "Promise me you will take care of Arild," he asked her softly, the plea in his tone. "That you will protect him." She nodded. He stared at her, the intensity almost blinding. "I know Eret will be cruel to him...and I fear what Magne Jorgensen will do if he realises he means everything to me." He sighed. "If...if he is in danger, get him to my crew. They have sworn to protect him."

"How would I even find them?" she asked. He stared at the boy, whose sobs had slowed to a few sniffs and the odd hiccup. He rubbed his back and tousled his black hair gently.

"Ask Trader Johann," he sighed. "I suspect he could get him to Fishlegs or the twins. I know they will do right by him."

"But why do you care?" she asked him suddenly. "He isn't even yours! You told me he was just a kid you found on the streets..." He looked up suddenly.