Impending darkness covered Skull Island's skies. Cloud tapestries and stars above held deep navy like a never ending sea. Its shade was a shadow over young Valencia's torn heart as she kicked up sand, racing across the beach. She took with her only a sack of gold for the trip ahead.
Heavy breaths escaped her lips as she marched up her father's dock, feet pounding against wooden steps. Valencia tugged at a rope coiled around the dock, bringing in a small raft tethered to it. She tossed her bag into it and carefully stepped from dock to rickety old deck. She untied the rope from the side of the raft, freeing her "ship." She stood up straight and trudged to the splintery wheel. She took a deep breath, grasping the handles of the navigation wheel, and she steered the ship, pulling it out into the skyway.
Valencia pulled a strand of her short, red hair behind her ear. Tears from earlier still hung in her eyes as memories flashed before her over and over.
Her father returned from his trip to Puerto Mico, but instead of being greeted with hugs and kisses as Valencia expected, Captain Horace Avery came stumbling across the beach, drenched in blood and dirt. His companions and employees rushed to his aid, bringing him to the life fountain where Valencia discovered him. "Where is Mother?" She asked.
"She didn't make it." He answered. "I wasn't able to protect her."
Salty despair poured down Valencia's cheeks as she sailed into the night, a runaway. Her heart ached as if it would erupt. Where will I go now? Where would be the best place to sail? She turned her bleary focus to the distant islands. There was Jonah Town, or she could go to Blood Shoals, or there was Rapa Nui. I should sail to Jonah Town, and spend the night at the tavern. Then I could sail to Flotsam and maybe Cool Ranch the next morning. She took a shaky breath. There's no where else I can go anyways. I'll sail as far away from here as possible. Talons of spite clawed at the place in her heart her father once held. He let her die, she told herself. He could've saved her, but he didn't. He saved himself.
"It was an ambush." She heard his voice. "We didn't see it coming. Estelle was the first hit and the first to die."
"You never cared about her." She reviled against her father, shouting into the night air. Her grief burned into fury. "You've only ever cared about yourself and that's why she's dead!"
Valencia grunted as she steered her raft forward to Jonah Town. He was never a real father. Just some pirate playing pretend. All he cares about is money and that stupid war. Who cares about some idiotic map anyways? Skull Island is safe and that's all that matters, why doesn't he leave Valencia alone? She cursed under her breath.
The moan of the great Jonah Town whale pierced through the air as Valencia turned her raft into the docks. She didn't spot any pirates, merchants, or dockmasters around the pier as she docked and left her ship to enter Jonah Town.
The whale-back city was notorious for its secret dealings and underground community. If a pirate needed a job done, he could meet with the Frog Father within Gullet below or see if any mercenaries had flown their way into Skull Island. Shady dealings ran Jonah Town.
She started out toward the tavern and entered without hesitation. There wasn't much of a crowd, but the bar was occupied by a group of burly marauders. Their weapons sat sheathed in various places along their bodies, and they occasionally tipped giant mugs of yum into their throats. Valencia scanned the tavern for an empty space before approaching. A young man with dark hair jolted up, glaring down at a lady pirate sitting next to him at the bar. He wore a Swashbuckler's suit in red and purple lined with gold and brown, and he carried a rapier and a dagger. "What if the wizards know something we don't?" He demanded. "What if the key to ending this war is magic?" Valencia rolled her eyes. Just like Horace.
"Carter, you know they've taken steps against wizardry." The girl shook her head, long blond hair swaying in her ponytail. "It wouldn't work. Staying with Captain Miranda is the best chance we have."
"Whatever. Do what you want, Ann." He fired back. "I'm going to prove you wrong. I'll win this war." With his final interjection, the young man turned and stormed out of the tavern.
"Carter wait!" The girl called after him to no avail. She turned back to the bar, defeated. Valencia's eyes fell upon the open bar stool. Well, he doesn't need it anymore, she considered. And it's not like it's stealing if he left it open. Decidedly, Valencia paced over to the stool and took a seat. The blonde pirate beside her mumbled beneath her breath, grasping her drink. Should I ask if she's alright? She turned away.
The blonde pirate chuckled quietly. "Some people will never learn, am I right?" She turned a blue eyed gaze to Calamity.
"I guess." She shrugged.
"My name is Ann Stanley." She held out her hand. Valencia hesitated then shook it. "Are you a traveler as well?"
"Aye." She nodded curtly.
"What's your name?" Ann asked. Valencia opened her mouth but hesitated once more. I've run away from him- Horace is no longer my father. Why should I be enslaved by the stupid, war-obsessed name he gave me? All his obsession has brought is calamity, but calamity bought my freedom.
"Calamity." She answered.
"That's a unique name." Ann smiled.
"Aye." Valencia, or Calamity, nodded again.
"Say, ye got a place to stay?" Ann posed.
"No, not really. I just left Skull Island." She watched Ann raise her mug of Yum and take a large gulp.
"I've got an idea." She offered. "Would you like to join our crew?"
"Your crew?"
"Aye." She nodded enthusiastically. "Our Captain Miranda will take in just about anybody."
"Sure." Calamity shrugged. "I have no where else to go." This might be good for me. Even if I have to work, they're a band of vagabonds. We'll sail far away from Skull Island, and I'll never have to see Horace's greedy face ever again.
"Great!" Ann stood and nodded to the door. "Let's go meet the captain."
A/N: Hello friends! This is the second story in my Eagle101 series, and the second time I'm re-writing the story! It'll be 12 chapters long I hope you enjoyed this first part and that you'll stick around for the rest. Any feedback is greatly appreciated 3