Chapter 1: The Boy Among Kings

Finnegan Hobb was a wild youth, unrelenting and unpredictable as the Isabella. Stories passed among the people said Finnegan was the child of the Isabella herself. That was the reason why he could only be found on a boat, eyes focused on the horizon off the ship's bow. And true to the stories, he currently found himself riding the waves on the Pirate King, Warreck's ship, the Kitchin Ragg as second-in-command. With him traveled a band of Kalukwa pirates who all shared the same taste for an adventure and treasure.

The Kitchin Ragg eventually found it's way into a large storm where the wind and rain both blinded and deafened the crew to the point they couldn't find their bearings. Their yells of panic alarmed the pirate king, Warreck.

"Hobb, do you see anything at all?" Warreck yelled to the man scouring the ocean for any sign of light. Off to the left of the bow, Finnegan spotted a peculiar sight, a strange glow that flickered in the distance.

"It's the island of Scoriae!" Finnegan said pointing in the direction of the light. "Mount Galigali is spouting fire again."

"Thank Mama Isabella! We'll be out of this storm soon!" Warreck cried, and steered the ship in its general direction. Suddenly, a horn sounded off the stern. Finnegan and Warreck spun around to find that a greater ship with the gold ensign of the Day islands emerged from the sea, sidling up to the Kitchin Ragg's starboard side.

"This is the Day Naval Force," announced a voice from the ship. "You are now entering the King Claus' sea. Who trespasses here?"

"Royal waters!" a crew member exclaimed to Warreck. "We'll be hanged for sure!"

As fear gripped the crew, Warreck turned to Finnegan."I hope you have a plan to get us out of this mess."

Finnegan turned to the guard on the other ship and called out as loud as he could, "We're merchants and cooks from Hobarookus seeking safe grounds to land on, just until the storm passes."

"Follow our ship to the harbor, and we'll give you lodging for the evening."

Warreck and the entire crew gave a sigh of relief, thankful for Finnegan's quick mind. Though the crew's character was not completely found out yet, the Kitchin Ragg followed the royal ship to safety.


As the members of Warreck's crew filed out onto the bay and into warm houses , the same guard who addressed them out on sea commanded the Pirate King and Finnegan to follow him to the watchtower a while away from the docking bay. Along the trek Finnegan and Warreck scanned the entire area looking for a chance to escape in case things turned for the worst, but found that the area was well guarded. Armed soldiers walked along the roads and through alleyways in regulated intervals.

Inside the watchtower, the two were led to a meeting room. But before entering, more guards greeted them and took their possessions. When the doors opened, Finnegan saw that the warmly lit room was occupied by a few gentlemen discussing issues over a table. Their talking ceased when they noticed their meeting gained two more members.

"Who is this?" asked the figure sitting in the head chair.

"Hobarookus merchants, Warreck and Finnegan Hobb," said the guard beside them, "your Highness."

As soon as second vistor's name left the guard's mouth, the man in the chair stood up in silence before laughing aloud. The rest of his companions and the entire room remained silent in confusion. "Finnegan Hobb, as in, the Finnegan Hobb?"

"Er, Yes," Finnegan said hesitantly, glancing to Warreck who shrugged back at him, not understanding how his name was amusing.

"You must not remember me," said the figure, leaving his chair and taking off the crown and his ornate robe. His other guests remained at the table dumbfounded that the man was acting so familiar with this weathered stranger. "Off the coast of the Yebba Dim Day, you snatched me out of the waters before a sea serpent could gobble me up for a late night snack. I was about to invite you to Gorki Doodat's before you left so suddenly."

Finnegan's eyes widened as he realized that he recognized the young man. He reached out to touch him, "Quiffin?" And then he looked at him in disbelief, "Since when have you been a prince?"

"Since the day I was born," the Prince laughed, placing back his regalia, "If you stayed longer to chat, you would have found that out."

The Prince walked back to his seat. "Now, my dear friend, what brings you to Scoriae?"

"Fate, I suppose. We just happened to spot Galigali when a storm forced us to dock here."

"Ah, that would be like the Isabella to bring two souls to meet each other again," said the Prince fondly. He then glanced to the table of business-looking officials, in order to return to the meeting that required his attention.

"You and your friends are welcome to stay for the night. I'll arrange a house on the palace grounds for you."

Warreck and Finnegan bowed low. "Thank you for your hospitality! We are so honored to be welcomed in the house of King Claus."

As the two left the watchtower with their belongings and after checking to see that their bodies remained intact, Warreck waited until they were safely out of earshot to hoot into the night.

"You lucky bastard!" Warreck exclaimed ruffling Finnegan's hair. "You knew the son of King Claus and you didn't tell us!"

"I didn't know at all!" Finnegan said, grinning back at the old pirate. "And lucky for you, they didn't recognize that you were the Pirate King!"

"Ah, that's what years of sneaking around will teach you!" Warreck smiled broadly. "We'll have warm food to eat and a place to sleep, in King Claus' palace of all places!" Warreck exclaimed, echoing the words as if not believing their good fortune. And when he repeated it again to the rest of the Kitchin Ragg's crew, the men's nervous whisperings became a loud din of relief and thanks.

The pirates' good spirits lasted into the later times of the Hour as they made their way to palace grounds. Servants greeted them at the door with bright smiles and escorted the weather worn men to their rooms, where baths were drawn and their clothes were laundered. Soon, they brought out their evening meal, which the men enthusiastically feasted upon until they could eat no more. The men cheered and toasted Finnegan's name as kegs of wine slurred their speech and lulled their senses.

As some were making their way into bed, they did not notice a guard approach Finnegan with a guileful tone in his request that he and the crew meet with the king before their departure the following morning. Finnegan, whose face was flushed and was in a happy mood, did not see any of this.

"Of course, my friend," Finnegan said in a loud voice. "We would be honored to see him!"

Then, he planted a big wet kiss on the man's face, much to the guard's disgust and utter repulsion and roared to his friends.


The merry parade of men knew very little that King Claus' invitation wasn't made with a light heart. The guards knew that the men were pirates; it was obvious in the crew's bird like appearance and occasional squawks mid speech. It was an unfortunate surprise when the men found themselves in a room with no welcoming faces, and a large man at the front of the room with a familiar look of disgust on his face, that they finally understood the nature of their situation. The King sat in an elaborate chair beside him, studying the men in front of him.

"How dare you deceive your king!" yelled the chief of the guards, whose voice was gruff and intimidating. "Merchants indeed! Men like you are only born of the Sinks of Hobarookus, And only pirates come from there!"

"Silence Grigori!" King Claus as the last of the crew entered the throne room. Finnegan lowered his gaze, ashamed that the men had been found out. How could he face Quiffin, now that he had outrightly lied to him and the guards?

Warreck looked to his men who stood shaking in their boots, wishing he knew how to save them, as the king look over them all. Warreck noticed that the king had spotted Finnegan, whose hair stuck out like a sore thumb among the their blond heads. The king whispered something to the loud guard.

"Finnegan Hobb, step forward," Grigori commanded, and Finnegan made his way in front of the king with no hesitation.

King Claus took in Finnegan's attire and humble stance. Clearly the boy knew he was in trouble and that he would take full responsibility of it, but Claus had to be sure.

"My son has only honorable things to say about you," King Claus said after a moment. "So, I am willing to give you a second chance. I will set you free."

Finnegan's head rose up. Relief was written all over his face. And as Grigori undid Finnegan's bindings, the men behind him glanced at each other, wondering if the king would be kind enough to release them as well.

"You may go," King Claus said nodding to the door, but Finnegan remained in place. King Claus looked over the youth and repeated his command as if he hadn't heard. "You are free to go."

"I mean no disrespect your Highness. But, if I may, may I ask what will happen to the rest of the men?"

"What are you doing you idiot? Get out of here while you can!," Warreck muttered under his breath.

"What do it matter to you?" the king questioned, standing up and walking past him to glare at the rest of the men."Is it not pirate code that each man is responsible for himself, and only himself?"

Finnegan's heart raced. His mind told him to run, but somewhere inside of him, he knew he could not leave his friends, his brothers, behind.

"These men are my family. I wish to remain with them, if that is alright." King Claus spun around and saw Finnegan's eyes shine with conviction.

"Even in death?" The rest of the crew begin to panic. A sailor beside Warreck grabbed his arm; his eyes spoke his fear. Warreck looked back at Finnegan and saw the boy nod silently. Even though he thought Finnegan a fool, the Pirate King could only smile.

"So be it," said King Claus, decidedly. He turned from Finnegan to address the men who had begun to whisper amongst themselves.