The Last StormRider

Setting Sail

The days following the storm where hectic, I spent most of it out on the deck of my ship, the Patchwork, the one main reason was that most of the Pirate Princes blamed me for the storm, and in Stroud's escape. Now before I didn't really worry about assassination, okay so maybe I did for a bit, but before I had the Princess's interest. I had lost both that and her protection when I'd apparently 'stolen' Valner Rusjinet's  magical artifacts. Normally they'd have been confiscated from me, and I would have been executed on the spot.

Oh, and the begging, and threatening for my execution made my blood curl, but, thankfully, the Princess did defend me saying that I had, and I quote, "Proven himself a true Pirate Prince through, and through. And if any harm shall come to him while he is under the safety of harbor, of any harbor, then there will be a quick and decisive punishment to the offender."

I was pretty happy about that. I didn't want to be stuck in the boring old meetings anyway, so I used my unpopularity as an excuse. Sitting on the deck now I watched as the crew made their way along the peer, splitting up to go drink their last goodbyes before we set sail the next day.

Gazing at the lazy afternoon sky, I began to climb the rigging, making my way up into the crow's nest. From there I gazed out at the sea, the sun sparling off the water each individual way shining like diamonds. Enjoying the wind blowing across my faced, I failed to see, and hear Abigail Bearhand board the ship.

"Aaron!" her voice called from down below, no louder than the breeze blowing through my hair. Gazing down I saw her waving to grab my attention. Waving back I smiled as I made my quick descent dropping the last ten feet, landing with a thud on the deck, grinning at her surprised look.

"What? Ne'er seen me without my mask on?" I said grinning even wider at her response to my teasing.

"Well, I-er-No I haven't! T'ank ya very much. Ye've worn a mask at every ruddy meeting ya show up ta, and even at the funerals." she snapped, as she tried to hide her blushing expression.

Amused I thought back on the meetings I'd shown up to, insisting to not take off my mask during the dinner. Then more solemnly I thought at the funerals I'd attended, nearly all of the Pirate Princes had lost someone. Smiling fondly I thought of Westley Bearhand, Abigail's father, he'd been killed in the initial blast caused by Stroud. Then my thoughts turned darker as I thought of Stroud, and how I'd like nothing more to string him up by his own gizzard.

"Ye're doing it again," Abigail said with a sigh, "We'll catch him, don't ya worry, he won't be able to avoid us fer long."

"I am not thinking about the different ways I could strangle him with your necklace!" I exclaimed playfully yelling with mock fury, "How dare ya accuse me of such accusations?" But then realized something asking confused, "Did you just say we?"

"What no of course not! Did I? I meant ya, obviously, I mean me and my crew would only 'elp our island neighbors if t'ey'd like us to." she finished bashfully kicking a stray brush across the newly polished deck, resembling meekness in every aspect.

Under my scrutinizing gaze I watched as her face slowly grew scarlet, smiling on the inside as she become even more embarrassed. "Okay, I'll let ya tag along, but Imma need somet'ing from ya, fer letting ya come." I said finally, only letting a hint of mischief in my eyes.

Perking up, her eyes alight with excitement, she continued saying "Really? W'at ever ya need, I'll do it. I swear."

Smiling to myself I simply nodded muttering "Good, I shall 'old ya to that then." Then with a lot more enthusiasm I continued, "We sail in the morning go prepare ye're crew." Smiling as she scurried off to make the preparations.

Gazing out at the sea I listened to Firstmate Jim call out the orders to set sail, and heard the slapping of bare feet against wood, and the creak of ropes, as the crew went about preparing the ship for what was about to come.

Moving to stand next to me at the helm Jim asked politely "Ye sure t'at t'e Raider will be able to 'andle t'e storms we're about to be setting loose?" Shifting my gaze I looked towards the Raider, Abigail's ship, as the crew also her maneuvered into position.

Then turning back to our own ship I asked him sarcastically "Are ya sure we'll be able to 'andle what we're 'bout to set loose?"

Thinking for a moment Jim actually seemed to weigh his options before asking innocently, "Is it too late to jump ship, and retire?"

Smiling ruefully I shook my head saying "Nay, we're all in t'is together, but if ye want when we get to Ghost Hawk I'll let ya be free t'ere."

Returning my smile Jim reassured "I could never leave ya, I'll be wit' ya to ye're dying day."

"Pray t'at day not be today, eh?" I said quoting a famous song among sailors.

"Pray t'at it won't be tomorrow eit'er." Jim finished watching as we pulled out of the natural protection the island's geographical situation provided.

As soon as both ships were clear of the island I signaled the Raider sending up a simple bolt of red sparks. Seeing their returned signal, I looked ahead gripping the helm tightly. "Here we go." I muttered as I called upon the cloak and boots, calling up a stormy wind to fill our sails towards our destination. The sky darkening as clouds raced after us.

Glancing towards Abigail's ship every once in a while, making sure that they didn't capsize. Satisfied that they'd be fine I then turned my eyes back to the horizon, and I couldn't help but think, "Don't worry Captain. I will find your killer, and he will pay."