Battling the Storm

Onslaught

"C'mon Cap. You could have at least waited until Jane was done givin' me a good one." It was Darius and he was whining as usual about Ronan ruining his fun.

Ronan scowled at the shorter man but otherwise ignored him. Kincaid, however, had grown tired of the childlike behavior.

"Quit yer yappin'. You were havin' criminal conversation with her so you were lucky Ronan found you when he did."

(A/N: "criminal conversation" is to commit adultery with another man's wife.)

Darius scoffed but said nothing as the trio made their way to the tavern where the rest of the crew was set to meet.

Once they rounded the corner, Ronan saw not only his crew but his brother's as well. He looked around the crowd of men trying to spot either Arlow or Levan but failed to spot either.

Ronan approached a well muscled man who appeared to be the first mate. He noticed Ronan's approach and turned to greet him but said nothing upon seeing the older brother's annoyed expression.

"I take it you are the first mate?" It was more of a statement than a question though the man chose to treat it as a question.

"Aye sir, first mate Ambrose sailing under Captain Levan's orders."

Ronan rolled his eyes but a slight smirk danced across his lips. "I see," he paused and glanced around the crowd of men. "And where is your captain and his lover?"

Ambrose sighed heavily as he folded his arms. "Honestly Ronan, I have-"

"Quite a party gentlemen!"

Everyone turned to see a grinning Levan who sauntered toward them like nothing was wrong, though Arlow seemed thoroughly pissed. Ronan snatched his younger brother by the front of his tunic and dragged him close so he was able to seem more intimidating to the idiot pirate.

"You are late," he growled.

Levan seemed unfazed as he patted imaginary dust from Ronan's shoulder before flicking his eyes up to meet the other's.

"Fashionably late is what I hear them call it." The two stared at each other for a tense moment before Ronan released his younger brother with the thought to not pay the idiot much mind next time.

"We have bout two hours till dawn," Arlow began; his voice just barely loud enough for everyone gathered to hear. "Make haste with your final preparations and board the ships, any and all stragglers will be left behind."

The clouds broke overhead and a ray of moonlight flooded where the men stood, casting shadows upon Arlow; making him look like a son of the devil.

"No exceptions." The glint in his eyes sent chills shooting down the crew's backs and they hurried away from the leaders to finish their duties.

Ronan opened his mouth to make a smart remark but felt the heavy weight of someone staring at him. Curious, he lazily glanced around to empty streets, nearly missing the figure trying to conceal themselves with the shadows in the moonlight. He took a step forward but was caught on the elbow by Kincaid.

Ronan glanced up to see the taller man raising a brow in question. Ronan shook his head while brushing him off and made his way toward the crew and ship. He took in his ship's view with pride and satisfaction while his crew worked diligently.

Darius ran onto the deck, his wild hair sticking up in ridiculous directions and making him easy to spot. The two pirates watched in confusion as Darius ran toward them, his eyes wide.

"Darius?" Ronan asked searching the man's face.

Darius stopped just in front of them,  chest heaving and eyes wide.

"We need to leave, now." He clutched Ronan's tunic making him look down. Dread filled the pirate captain as he looked at Darius's bloodied hand. His eyes snapped up and searched the other's body.

"No, not mine." Levan and Arlow approached them, concerned about the odd behavior. "The cabin boy Shelan is dead. His throat's been slashed, we have a traitor."

Almost as if it was perfectly timed, a canon was fired and the ball struck a building not far from the small group.

"Royal guards!"

"Under the King's decree-"

Time slowed as Rona watched everything turn to chaos, canons wrecking havoc and destruction, people waking up in a panic, and his crew scrambling about the deck.

"Board and set sail!" He screamed as he rushed towards his ship. As he spared a glance back at Tortuga, a place he had called home, he felt an all too familiar feeling rise from deep within him. His eyes hardened as he stood at the wheel and looked toward the open waters.

"I will bathe in their blood," he seethed to himself in a deadly tone. "I will have all of their heads."

The air was tense as well as somber as the two ships sailed into open waters, promises of revenge heavy in the air.

Sorry for the crappy update y'all, I'm trying to adjust to my new job but the training hours are kicking my ass. I plan to have better updates soon.

If any of you want to make artwork or music video type edits to any of my works please send me a link! I'd love to see your wonderful creations 💙