Battling the Storm

Traitors or Stowaways?

"I want every inch of this ship checked," Ronan commanded, his rage coming off of him in waves. He finally tore his gaze off of the ocean, the view of Tortuga ablaze long gone and replaced by clear blue waters. Darius and Kincaid stood next to their captain awaiting his next set of orders.

Ronan watched as his crew milled about the deck, tending to their chores for the day despite the rough start.

"Signal to my brother to board the ship," Ronan ordered as he headed toward his quarters. "Direct him to my quarters."

Darius and Kincaid merely nodded as they watched their captain leave. The two exchanged glances before hardening their expressions and set out to do as ordered.

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Levan knocked twice on the closed door to his elder brother's quarters and waited. When he was met with silence he rolled his eyes and opened the door. As soon as he entered he spotted Ronan sitting at his desk with his feet propped up and a dagger in hand as he glared disdainfully at the map on his wall.

"You requested me?" Levan asked, half jokingly.

Ronan's gaze finally shifted to his younger brother who appeared worn out, a drastic change from hours prior when he was full of energy and jokes. He motioned for the younger pirate to take a seat as he spoke.

"We are searching the ship." Levan did not seemed surprised however, he sighed and slouched in his chair. "It is unclear if there be a traitor or stowaway among us but if the chance there are both, they need to be dealt with quickly."

Levan was silent as he processed this. In his mind he was going through the crew and any suspicious behaviors recently and it was proving difficult as there were bound to be mischief aboard a pirate ship.

"Suppose it be the Royals or some other?"

Ronan's face darkened at the question, he had a strong hunch of who was behind this raid and he knew full well that they were in for a ride.

"Xú Lao, Captain of his crew of misfits." Ronan stood from his chair, absent mindedly fiddling with his dagger as he strode closer to his map pinned to the wall. "He lays anchor in chinese waters usually but he has taken to disturbing our trades through the Bermuda. In the past four months he's attacked fourteen of our ships; three were safe, six were in various states of damage, and five were sent to the belly of the ocean."

Levan's brows shot up into his hairline. "Quite bad for business, wouldn't you believe?"

When his elder brother turned with a dark look indicating he'd warn against using humor in such situation, Levan understood and relented with a huff.

"What is he gaining for such acts?"

"Treaty with the Royals in exchange for our heads while Xú may terrorize the waters or retire to Figi." Ronan snarled as he slammed his dagger into the wooden wall. He took a deep breath to steady his emotions before turning to look at his little brother who was unfazed by the outburst. "We best keep information amongst a small group of whom we trust, otherwise things will become a bit bloody."

Levan rolled his eyes before he stood, heading for the door. "Things are never a bit bloody with you brother," he called over his shoulder with a wave. "You like to paint the ocean red with a massacre."

A hint of a grin appeared on Ronan's face but he said nothing more as he watched his brother close the door and return to his own ship. Things were just beginning and both pirate brothers had the feeling that things were going to become much more difficult.

Hi, hello, yes. Tis I the AWOL author. I apologize for the long disappearance but things went balls to the wall for a bit and I'm steadily getting things back to normal. I will have more updates in the near future though!

Also, I have a discord so if you feel like chatting my username is DeputyBooty#4330

For now, Ciao ; )