Treasure Hunt(Pirate England/ Hetalia story)

Chapter 29

"Mister Henrick Morgan" Both of us greeted him and he took a quick inhale of the smoke that he was smoking.

"To what may I have the honor to have two of the most feared Pirate Captains at my deck?" Henrick asked and stood himself at the railing of his ship.

Arthur looked at me and vice versa before he took a quick breath and decided to talk. "We would like for you to help us to go unnoticed at Malta. Do you think you can?" Arthur asked and Henrick stood still for a few moments to think about it.

He exhaled the smoke that he was holding and questioned us, "What will I get in exchange?" He paused and fully turned at us. "Nothing is free."

Arthur and I exchanged glares until we finally agreed on a silent offer. "I do have, from my plundering times in India, many pendants that are decorated with shining expensive gems. And I believe Ms Kenway can give something else in exchange, like..." Arthur started, leaving up to me to continue the offer and the whole conversation.

"I, on the other hand, may not have expensive pendants. But I can sure provide you with a small amount of coins. And in the near future, this amount will be doubled." I offered and Henrick stood idly to process the offer that we made to him.

After a few seconds that felt like hours he responded, "Make it triple and I'm in." He offered and inhaled once more from his cigarette. I nodded and he took out his hand, to shake it with ours to complete the deal.

We sent word at Dave and Alfred that a deal was made and our journey towards Malta would begin at dawn. Allistor took this opportunity to command the Maiden, while Dave took his to make some brats, as he called the crew, to work.

After that, Henrick summoned us in his cabin so he could explain his schedule. First stop was Spain and then he would continue sailing until he reached Monaco and then his journey would be sailing near the coastline until he reached Italy, which would be more than a couple stops, and lastly Malta. Then he would continue and his last stop was Egypt. From the time that he would drop us on Malta, he informed us, that he would make nearly two weeks to come back to take us in Lisbon once again.

So everything would have to be done in less than a week.

Before he dismissed us, he explained the code on his ship. No fighting, no stealing, no gambling and drinking, no littering. Yes, Henrick was a neat freak. No slacking and most importantly, no assaulting anyone at any matter. These were his simple rules. Or else keelhauling.

When both of us heard it, we froze. We couldn't believe in our ears. Keelhauling is one of the worst punishment that a man can have at the sea. The man was tied to a line that is looped beneath the vessel, thrown overboard on one side of the ship, and dragged under the ship's keel, either from one side of the ship to the other, or the length of the ship. The results of this torturous punishment were serious cuts, loss of limbs and even decapitation and commonly drowning. There was also a risk of head trauma, especially if the ship was in motion.

Not even the most brutal pirate would do that.

But maybe Henrick had his reasons for having this punishment on his vessel. After Henrick dismissed us, we went to a pub to sit and talk about our little plan on finding Vladimir. The discussion on this matter went, after half an hour, at the keelhauling. "It's insane!" Arthur was emphasizing the word insane as he chucked all of his tea remaining drink. "I don't know anyone that practices this method anymore. It's-It's... It's insane." Once again he told me as I was trying to find a reason too, as to why Henrick would do that.

"I don't know Arthur. Maybe we could just forget about it for the time being." I tried to reason him but the alcohol was already at his body and did got some things to be said without Arthur's full will.