Poseidon's Guide: The First Adventure // #Wattys2018

Chapter 2

In the dead of night they docked at Bortolini Bay, Edward grabbing his things and heading ashore. Barely docked for an hour, The Salvation turned and sailed out back to her beloved sea. Despite the nights brisk air filling every corner of the island and the only light being the moon's feeble attempt to brighten the island, it was as alive as ever. Jolly songs being sung, pirates getting drunk like there's no tomorrow and a violent brawl around every corner. Edward approached one of the many bars and walked inside to the crowded building.

The usual sight of revolting men getting as drunk as they could, people punching into each other over spilt rum and the other lot of men dancing and joking with each other. Edward sat alone at the bar, observing the women walking around and looking for his woman. One caught his eye, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her hair, as red as blood and eyes a gorgeous green. She wore a typical dress for women in Bortolini, one showcasing her slender legs and fantastic features as best it possibly could. She caught Edward's gaze, but he didn't dare to look away. Her small, red lips curved into a smile as her cheeks grew redder.

She walked over to the bar, giving Edward one last glance before grabbing two bottles of rum and giving Edward a direction to follow with the point of her finger. Up a flight of stairs was a more quiet room, drunks either passed out or peacefully counting their gold. The woman sat the bottles of rum at a table and sat, waiting for Edward.

"Now what's a lovely lass like yourself doing in a hole of shit like Bortolini?" Edward asked, giving her a toothy grin before seating himself opposite her.

"Now I fail to see how that's any of your business, mister pirate..." She granted him another seductive smile before sipping at one of the bottles of rum. "What's a strange pirate doing staring at a lovely lass like myself?"

Edward laughed. "You know what I'm here for, don't ya lass?"

"I'd rather be called by my name thank you..." The woman said in a more serious tone, yet still polite and sexy.

"And what might that be?" Edward took a sip of his own bottle. "Lass..."

"You're in the pleasurable company of Maryanne Rackam, a "lass" who does indeed know what you're after..." The woman, Maryanne, flashed him another smile. Her voice was soft and delicate, but sharp and witty. She had a Welsh accent to add to all her near perfect features. Edward wondered if she was indeed Welsh, or if it was a mere trick. We'd have that one in common.

"Rackam? So you'd have me believe you're related to Callico Jack? What type of idiot do you take me for?" Edward remarked, sipping his rum. He could see annoyance growing on her face. "We could return to your fake name later, I have a more important question for you... Lass..."

"If you're going to be terribly annoying, I'll get you thrown out."

"And if you're going to be terribly unhelpful, I'll gut ya' like a fish. Deal?"

Maryanne smiled, clearly not even slightly intimidated. "Deal." She answered before again drinking her own rum. "You must've heard I know a few things about that ship, what's the name again? Neptune's Descent? No, that's the sister ship..."

"Poseidon's Guide. And how would you know I want it? I could be a typically man looking for a good night with a fiery red-head... You've had some other visitors haven't you lass?"

"A few more pirate fellows want some information on it, nothing much. Oh and you couldn't afford me fine sir!" Maryanne and Edward laughed. "I didn't catch your name?"

"That's because I didn't tell you." Edward joked, grinning as Maryanne sighed. "Edward Langdon, tis' a pleasure."

"So, to business?"

"Indeed."

Maryanne produced a small book from beneath her dress, getting an intrigued look from Edward. She smiled, but hid her face as she did so. "This is a journal a friend of mine gave me, it's incomplete and a copy of her grandfather-"

"Who might this friend be?"

"If you must know, someone in El Puerto de Santa Maria whom I haven't personally met..."

"Oh, so your source on a mythical ship is someone in a Spanish port you've never met?"

"Just read some of the notes she put in here. There's three sets of coordinates, all of which there is no island on any map to support them!"

"So this person's an idiot..."

"No! The first set of coordinates are just a few hours sail away from here, and there's a small cove there!"

Edward rolled his eyes. "Well isn't that just fantastic! Shall we ride a leviathan over and take the ship!"

"Mr Langdon, I have found a ship... You're a pirate..." Maryanne began to elaborate, "I can't captain a ship, you can!"

"So what? I help you steal a ship from a cove, which we will need a crew to get back here..." Edward announced sarcastically. "Even if you're right, we need more than me to get the ship here to get a crew, got it? And I mightn't be looking to become a captain right now."

Maryanne smiled cheekily. "I'm two steps ahead of you already... I've got a few friends, we row to the cove, it's only a few hours from here if the tides with us and we sail it back and start recruiting!" Maryanne smiled wider. "And don't get me started, all pirates only wish to further their own cause!"

Edward chugged his remaining rum and groaned. He stuck his hand out, "How good are you with a sword?" He asked as Maryanne shook his hand.

"Self-taught, but I'm hoping a skilled pirate may teach me a few things..."

"Than, if you're right, I'll call myself Captain Edward Langdon of the ship Poseidon's Guide... And what might you be aboard my ship?" Edward asked. Women weren't popular at sea, but if she could handle herself, he thought it'd be okay.

"I'll call myself First Mate Maryanne of the ship Poseidon's Guide, good enough?" The two laughed together and proceeded to finish off their rum. "Then we shall resume in the morning?"

Edward nodded. Do I betray Charles? Or keep serving beneath him?