Hi, if you've just stumbled upon this story, I suggest that you read my other story, Freeing the Witch and the (eventual) sequel. In short it is sort of my interpretation, and spin on the Heroes and Villains reality that Isaac made in 4x22-23.
This contains one-shots that take place, before, along or after it, making it very spoiler-y.
If you've already read it, congratulations on finishing! Here are some things to keep you interested in my little world until the sequel is done.
The Boy and the Deckhand
Henry looked at the man, and then down at the little gold trinket in his hand. "Seriously? Him?" He asked in astonishment. He could see him from his current hiding spot, swabbing the decks. When the talisman had led him here, Henry thought he'd get to meet a pirate, a real one or maybe just a regular boring pirate, not this loser.
Maybe he's just responsible? Henry reasoned. Taking care of his boat?
But that thought was quickly proven wrong. Henry watched men, other navy guys, passed him by, whispering mischievously before 'stumbling' spilling a bottle of alcohol on the recently cleaned ship.
"Your swabbing made me drop my liquor!" The first shouted loudly, making him jump and turn their way. He practically whimpered an apology, it made the men turn to each other snickering. "Well don't just stand there! Clean it up Jones!" They shouted with malice, before throwing the bottle at his head. He ducked, but slipped in his haste, falling on his back with a groan. "And stop being such a clutz deckhand!" they added with a sneer.
"Y-Yes sir." The man replied, getting to his feet slowly, keeping his eyes downcast as he held the mop, his body shaking in fear of the men. He went to the spilled drink, mopping it up with a heavy sigh.
A coward. The stupid trinket wanted him to get a coward to save his mother?
It was a dangerous place, the tower, his mother needed someone with courage, with skill, someone who wouldn't turn to a shaking mess at the first side of trouble.
Maybe Henry should just go to the local tavern, see who he had to pay to get the job done? But the trinket kept pointing to the man, making Henry sigh.
They had given it to him with a promise, that it would lead him to make the right choice when he needed it most, and right now, Henry needed help.
He continued to watch him the next day, watched his near meticulous handling of the boat, how he side stepped missing planks, coiling ropes that had been clumsily left unattended, even sewing tears in the sail that would have had no bearing on the actual function, all with a slight grin and a steady hand.
Henry knew care when he saw it, being the son of the Dark One had taught Henry to be observant, to pick up what a person cared about, whether that be a person or a possession. As silly as that was, Henry was certain that this guy knew this ship, cared for this ship more than anything.
It was rather strange.
Another thing that Henry noticed that unlike the other ships, where multiple servents went from ship to ship, no other deckhand came near the vessel, but when one did, offering his assistance, the man refused.
"I can take it from here mate." He had said gently, eyes never leaving the metal edge he was in the midst of polishing.
"Look, look, I can help you here, and then you can help me with the other two I have-"
But that's when Henry saw it. The man looked up, all shyness vanishing for a second, just a moment, replaced with something else.
"I got it from here mate." He practically growled, eyeing where the man stood near the plank to board his ship.
The other deckhand didn't know it, but what Henry saw, was an instinct, a protective one at that, over a silly ship, sure, but it was there nonetheless. Henry wondered what would happen if the other man had insisted more.
Henry looked down at the trinket. Perhaps you were right all along. Protective instincts were an important thing after all, if someone didn't have something they wanted to protect, then they would constantly be searching for something they didn't yet have.
His decision was made.
He waited until everyone was off drinking or hitting on the ladies at the bar before approaching the man.
"Ahoy there!" He said taking a bold step on the deck. The man in question flinched, standing up and greeting him with a sheepish smile.
"No one steps aboard the Jewel of the Realm without permission from her captain." He warned, eyes looking around, wary of danger. Henry noticed how he kept his left hand against his side, probably due to an injury of some kind.
"Well, are you going to give me permission then?" He teased, knowing very well that he wasn't said captain.
"I-er. I'm not The Captain." He stuttered, making Henry roll his eyes.
"Then can you bring me to the Captain?" He stressed. An idea already forming in his head, it was obvious that no amount of fame or fortune was going to get this guy to defy the captain, but it wasn't loyalty binding him here either.
Fear was a powerful thing, it was a weapon wielded by Henry's own mother. Perhaps it was time for Henry to try his hand at it as well.
The deckhand led him down into the captain's cabin. "Captain?" He said nervously, entire body tensing. "We have a visitor."
The man at the desk was a pudgy greesey guy with an obnoxious red cap. Henry wanted to gag at the very sight of the slob. He was talking to a woman, laughing merrily from her position on the man's lap. "Jones! Did I say I wanted visitors?" He snapped as their laughter stopped at their intrusion. "Do you want me to show you again what I do to those who don't listen?"
Jones recoiled in fear as the captain stood, glaring harshly at him. "N-No!" He said quickly, practically tripping on his feet to get to the farthest edge of the cabin.
"No what?" The man stated with a sneer, drawing his blade, placing it right by the man's neck.
"N-No Captain." He stuttered. The fat man didn't move his blade.
"See love? Captain's got to have firm control of his ship and all on it." He flirted with the red headed woman.
"Yes, I see that Captain." She purred. "Are you going to kill him?" She narrowed her eyes at the man. "You should totally kill him."
Jones's eyes went wide in panic.
Henry rolled his eyes, no wonder this guy was scared, he had a sick creep as a Captain, who knew how long this guy was under this guy's thumb.
Won't matter soon, once you meet mom, you'll be under her thumb until she's done with you. He thought casually. Give mom a couple days of entertainment before she gets tired of the coward.
"Captain! I have a job and I'm willing to pay top dollar for it." He declared, pulling out a bag of gold coins. "Can we talk in private?"
He could see the man's eyes gleam at the thought of riches
"Yes, yes, milady, I'll be with you in a moment." He said, nudging her off. She stood with a pout, before exiting. Henry suppressed a groan, he could see the cold coins in the woman's shirt, it was obvious that she was stealing from the stupid man. "Now, what can I do for you boy? Aren't you a little young to hire a navy ship?"
Henry looked up thoughtfully. "Maybe, but I'm definitely too young for this." He started, grabbing his trinket and throwing it at the man's pudgy head. Henry's aim was true and it hit him square in the face, causing him to fall backwards, knocking his head against the far wall.
The Deckhand gasped in fright. "What the h- er. What did you just do lad?"
Henry grinned happily as he walked over to claim his trinket, pocketing it again.
"Well, I knocked out the captain. Now my real offer." He said sitting in the big comfy chair, feet on the desk. "I want you to go here." He said handing him a map. "The bottomless sea, it's due east of-"
But the man already nodded, putting down the map with a look of distaste. "I know the place lad. Those are treacherous waters, why do you want to go there?"
Henry thought about telling the truth, he could see something trustworthy in the cowardly deckhand, but he didn't.
"Someone is trapped there. Nothing serious just-"
Jones looked at him, not believing a word. "I may be a coward, but I'm no fool." He said sharply. "I know what is held prisoner there." He looked both ways, before whispering it crossly. "The Dark One."
Well, now Henry had to come out with it.
"Fine, I need the Dark One's help. I need you to go and rescue her." He informed the man. There was no way he was revealing exactly why to this guy.
"And why would I do that?" He asked. "You just knocked out my Captain! I'd be condemning the land to endless darkness!"
Henry rolled his eyes. "Please, you don't even like him. If you don't do it, then he's probably going to assume you attacked him, and if he was considering killing you because a wench told him to-"
The man interrupted. "Lad, is that really the kind of language you should be-"
Henry ignored him. "Then what would he do for this?"
He could see the man hesitate, staring at the prone form. "So it's either free the Dark One and doom the realm? Have my soul ripped out by the Dark Swan, or die by his blade?" Voice on the verge of panic. "What makes you think I just won't leave the ship and bolt, never to return?" He challenged.
Henry smirked. "Because you'd never see the ship again, don't try to deny it, you love it, besides, if you return with the Dark One, I promise, you won't be killed, the Dark One would owe you a favor, and the Dark One always pays their dues."
He sighed, muttering either a silent curse or prayer, Henry wasn't sure.
"Help me get the Captain off the ship, we'll leave as soon as possible." He said, relenting.
Henry smiled helping the deckhand roll the unconscious fat guy onto the dock before stepping off.
"Aren't you coming lad?" He shook his head.
"Sorry, ocean? Water? Nowhere to go or do? Not really my thing. Bring her here as soon as possible, I'll probably stick around here for a while." He said nonchalantly, handing the deckhand a metal key, they always used the same metal chains on Emma, always the same lock. "for the locks."
The man looked wary as he took it but nodded.
"Aye, I'll try to get back as soon as possible, the crew should be back in a week, with any luck I'll be back before then and everything an go back to how it was, yes, no need to be alarmed, everything is fixable." He stuttered, running a hand through his hair.
The speech was obviously more for him than for Henry. He thought things would turn out the same? Henry wanted to laugh.
No one met the Dark One without changing a little. He'd definitely lose his heart, maybe even himself along the way.
"Good luck."
Henry watched the ship sail away, looking around, a glimmer in his eye as he re-entered the village.
Now, what does a kid need to do to have some fun around here…
Short and sweet, just a taste of some Captain Cobra, and a fill in of a plot hole that you may or may not have noticed.
Requests will be considered in PM or review.
~Luna