Summary: Ruthless Suri Hawkins lost her parents to the armada years ago, and subsequently was raised by wharf rats on Skull Island. She's a swashbuckler of the highest degree, or at least, she will be. First she has to escape this Armada ship and figure out why the clockworks are so determined to cart her away in chains. It was just one little duel after all.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pirate101!
Chapter 1: A Pirate's Life for me!
This golden age of piracy had seen the rise and fall of many legendary figures. From captain Blood to the Pirate Lord Avery, they've left their marks on the history pages in blood red ink. They came in all shades and colors, some were in it for the adventure, for the freedom, for revenge, for practicality. Of course, everyone was in it for the gold.
Captain Horace Avery won control of Skull Island from a marleybone official, and has striven to turn it into a Pirate Republic ever since. At best his control is shaky, for there are still many corners where people fear to tread. Few have ever reached his level of power though, and it is no surprise that he is colloquially known as the Pirate Lord.
The Spiral is ever swirling, ever expanding, and skyways are rich for the plundering. New pirates are rising from humble beginnings every day, dreaming of untold treasure and glory. Among them is a young girl, just seventeen.
She is wiry, with lots of lean muscle and pale skin. Her flaxen hair hangs loose, framing sparkling blue eyes and a perpetual smirk. The clothes she wears are old and faded but had once been of some quality, typical for a pirate. She is young, quick and clever and goes by Suri Hawkins. Someday she'll have a title, like Merciless or Cynical. For now she's a pirate in name only.
For now she is in the brig of an Armada ship on her way to find out what happens to pirates in the clockwork's gentle hands.
She paces the cell she was unceremoniously thrown in. It is seven by eight feet, not very big at all. On a ship this size there must have been room for fifteen such cells, and that was if they only used a single level. There's only one other prisoner on board, she'd heard him shuffling about earlier but hadn't made contact. It was a rather small catch for such a big ship. They'd been looking for her specifically for some reason.
The only thing she could think of was her parents. They'd died ages and ages ago. The Armada had captured them, and done to them whatever it was they did to the pirates they captured. Suri didn't really want to know. Their death had left her in the ever changing arms of the Wharf rats. Some of them were decent, for rats, and others had used her for their own ends.
Now she was here. Sometimes the pirate life wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
The ship suddenly pitched violently to the side. Suri hit the opposite wall with a grunt and righted herself, standing with the easy balance that let her withstand the sudden change in course. Explosions echoed down the corridors, shouts and the clang of metal told her all she really needed to know. This wasn't just the first shock of entering a windlane, this was a battle.
"Get back, it's going to blow!" An age toughened voice warned. A small explosion had her run to the bars of her cell. "Is the prisoner we're looking for here? Check down there, monkey!"
"I am, I am!" A voice with a snooty Polarin accent replied. In just a moment two figures came to a stop in front of her cage.
"We have found her, oho! She is the one!" The monkey—owner of the Polarin accent, she noticed—cheered.
"We can't be sure." The second figure was a much larger one. He was a rotund man with a burly beard and a hook for a hand. She knew him though, very few people didn't. Captain Boochbeard was famous, the luckiest unlucky pirate to ever sail the skyways she'd heard him called. No one knew where he'd come from, no one knew of any tales when he was young. He'd always sort of…existed as a pirate. He had a knack for ending up in important places, but never seemed to amass the wealth other pirates did.
"You there, you're standin' in my blind spot! Are ye a boy or a girl?" He questioned her.
"A girl, obviously." She answered.
"And what's yer name?" He prompted.
"I'm Suri Hawkins, if you must know." She barked. They were wasting time. Were they going to let her out or not?
"It is her! I told you!" The monkey—Mr. Gandry, she recalled—gloated.
"We gotta test her first!" Boochbeard insisted, sounding very put out. Mr. Gandry rolled his eyes and gave her a look, as if to say see what I have to deal with.
"We know yer an orphan." He informed her. "What happened to yer parents?"
"Gunned down by the Armada ages ago." She groaned. The explosions were getting louder, the sudden pitches more violent. The Armada ship was losing.
"Sorry thing, that." He sighed sympathetically. "And where were ye raised?"
"On Skull Island." She hoped this little question and answer session ended quickly. All they needed was a few guards to decide to check on the prisoners and they'd all be done for.
"Raised by Wharf Rats, no doubt!" His tone implied he didn't care much for wharf rats. "Why'd the Armada arrest ye anyway?"
"I dueled one of'em for a friend of mine." She admitted. Runner wasn't much of one, but she wasn't so rich in friends she could afford to turn one away.
"That settles it then, ye are the one we've been lookin' for!" He laughed boisterously. "Mr. Gandry, help me with this winch!"
She backed up, biting her lip in anticipation. Freedom was a lever's turn away. She'd get away, get back to Skull Island, start her own crew! Visions of gold and undiscovered skies danced before her eyes.
The bars groaned and slid three inches before grinding to a halt.
"Blast!" Boochbeard cursed. "The bulkhead's bent!"
"WHAT?" She screeched. So much for visions of freedom. She was trapped like a rat, not a prayer in the world of escape.
Not until another explosion took out the back wall of the cell, nearly taking her with it. It was a stroke of luck. The explosion had made a hole just large enough for her to waltz through, which is what she did, quickly. Every minute in that cell was another minute closer to dying at the Valencian hands of the Armada.
"Wait, stranger!" She'd nearly gone straight past the sole remaining occupant of this brig. He was a horse barbarian, she thought his people were from Mooshu or possibly beyond it but she wasn't sure. He had a milk chocolate coat with coal black mane and strong arms. "Please, free me!"
Well, it'd be rather poor form to leave a fellow prisoner on his own, wouldn't it? Suri nodded quickly and dashed to the lever. It wasn't jammed as hers' had been, it slid open easy. Some horses had all the luck.
"Thank you, stranger." He bowed formally as soon as he'd stepped out of the bars. "Saving my life is not a debt I can easily repay, I shall follow you into battle!" He declared, looking rather excited at the prospect.
"Follow me as you wish," She permitted him. "I am Suri Hawkins."
"I am Subodai." He introduced himself as they ran back to Boochbeard and Mr. Gandry.
"Quickly now, step lightly!" Mr. Gandry ushered them to the end of the hall where a flight of stairs were waiting. They raced for the sunlight pouring out on the deck. The breeze of the skyway filled their lungs and gave them new life.
Subodai kept slightly back as Deacon, the spymaster of the armada, revealed himself. Three Armada Angels appeared, poised to strike them down. The girl, a spit of a thing with two thin daggers and a confident look, rushed forward to meet the first in battle. He looked on approvingly. He would've hated serving a coward but Suri Hawkins certainly wasn't afraid of getting in the thick of things.
"How dare you harm my friend?" He bellowed, rushing a second angel after it scored a shallow cut on Suri. He noticed that she finished off her opponent just as he reached his. The sword he'd feared he'd never wield in battle again cleaved the soulless monster in two. That left but one angel. He met Suri's eye and felt the thrill of combat overtake him.
"Do you really think you can escape me?" The voice of a clockwork was never easy on the ears but it was somehow worse coming from that one. Deacon, spymaster of the Armada, one of the top brass. Why he was here, why he'd taken such an interest in the girl, Suri Hawkins, he did not know. It was enough to see the half dozen clockworks—some new design he briefly noted, bulkier and with better artillery—rise from below deck.
"Surrender. Don't make me destroy you." The masked monster ordered them.
"Hoho, don't bother!" Boochbeard chuckled, jiggling his belly as he fired a flare into the sky, signaling his crew. In an instant cannonballs tore the new clockworks to pieces, enraging Deacon.
"Very well then, enjoy your freedom, while it lasts." Deacon fired his sparkblaster at some gunpowder, nearly taking Boochbeard's eye out and leaving him temporarily blinded.
"Suri, ye'll have to get us to safety! Know ye how to sail a vessel?" The elderly pirate questioned her as they scrambled aboard his ship.
"I know it well!" She dashed to the helm as soon as all four of them were safely aboard. She called out to the crew to switch sails and tugged the wheel around to set a course for Skull Island. The look-out called a warning of a blockade of Armada ships and Suri cursed again. Things just couldn't be simple, could they?
"Use the Fuel, Suri." Mr. Gandry advised her. "Better to pay to refill it than rot in the Armada's prisons."
Suri nodded her understanding and pulled the lever. Their sudden acceleration nearly caused her to lose her balance but it did its job well in keeping them ahead of the Armada's guns. Those bigger prison barges couldn't turn around fast enough to give chase and before long they'd crossed one of the windlanes into Skull Island territory, that was about as safe as a pirate could get. Any Armada ship that crossed into Skull Island territory could count on being blasted out of the sky shortly thereafter.
She pushed the lever back into the off position to conserve their fuel, briefly checking the gauge and realizing she'd just chewed up 26% of their fuel capacity. Suri dearly hoped Boochbeard would not expect her to compensate for that.
"Ah, Skull Island, what a sight for sore eyes." Boochbeard reappeared, having visited the infirmary to have his eye healed. Suri gracefully relinquished control of the ship to her rightful captain, it just didn't feel right to sail someone else's ship.
"Once we reach port ye'd do well to visit Captain Avery, he's always lookin' to hire good pirates for some scheme or other!" He gave her a bit of free advice.
"Heh, a rookie like me talking to the Pirate Lord?" Suri muttered, she had never dared dream of such a thing before. Only the best and the brightest worked for Avery, why would he hire a no-name rookie like her? But if Boochbeard vouched for her that might open up some doors, and more than a few treasure chests too, she might add.
"So the plan is to see this Captain Avery?" Subodai grunted, peering at that distant shore.
"As good a plan as any." Suri decided.
Boochbeard did not stick around long, he only wanted to refill his Fuel, causing a guilty twinge in Suri's heart. He didn't want any reimbursement, but Suri resolved to keep an eye and an ear to the skyways in case the doddery old pirate found himself in need of some help.
Skull Island was the same as it had ever been, a pirate's haven of debauchery. The place had been cleaned up bit by bit over the years, making it just about presentable. Although the population wasn't very big it had enough firepower to rival some of the great nations, and word on the skyways was that Avery's goal was to have Skull Island recognized as a genuine Republic for Pirates.
"Come on, Avery's Court is this way." She led Subodai up the steps towards the place Avery's closest crewmates lived and worked. Amongst them was her personal hero, Morgan LaFitte, a swashbuckler like no other.
And so long as she didn't meet his famous Buccaneer, Mordekai, Suri could live with not seeing her in person. He was head of security on Skull Island and the Wharf Rats had instilled a deep seated fear of his visage into her while she was young. She had no way of knowing if he was really as bad as they said but she didn't need to find out just yet.
Avery's Stronghold had seen better days. Explosions came from the West Bastion and rubble dotted the landscape. She'd been gone two days and suddenly her home was under siege by the Troggies of Skull Mountain? When had the world turned topsy turvy?
"This battle has been going on for some hours." Subodai commented, inspecting the fresh rubble on the ground. "Who are the enemies?"
"Troggies on Skull Mountain, across the bridges, not very bright but they've been peaceful enough before now." Suri informed him. "Wonder what riled them up."
"Perhaps that is something else this Avery can help us with." He snorted, looking thoroughly excited at the prospect. Suri had to stop herself from shaking her head fondly, she'd managed to pick up a battle junkie for her first crewmate. Fate worked in mysterious ways.
"Have Mordekai sail three skiffs in from the far side if those launching points aren't found in the next hour!" Avery ordered a young skipper briskly. Suri stepped aside for the harried skipper and studied the man who people called the Pirate Lord.
"Well now, who's this?" Avery asked with a jovial expression, a deep contrast to the fierce, ruthless, look he'd worn a moment ago.
"Suri Hawkins, here on recommendation by Boochbeard." She said with a breezy air, as if this morning's escape had been nothing more harrowing than a moonlit walk on the beach.
"Ah, one of Boochbeard's investments, are you?" He swept her with a weather worn eye. Suri fought not to fidget and kept eye contact.
"Well I run a pirate haven here, not a charity. As a matter of fact, there is a small detail I need an enterprising young pirate for." He smiled, showing that he had all his teeth still. "You want a ship? Do this small task and I'll give you one!"
"What small task is this?" She asked suspiciously. Maybe Avery was rich enough to give ships away, but she doubted it.
"One of my more," He paused, searching for just the right word. "willful crewmen, Fin Dorsal, stole my Jade Amulet from me, I need it back."
"Contact my Chief Gunner, Rigby, he'll tell you what you need to do." He instructed them. Suri nodded wordlessly and led them outside again. Bombs were still whizzing through the air and pirates were running to and fro trying to contain the fires and counterattack at the same time.
"Looks like we'll be getting into the thick of things." She commented as they walked towards the West Bastion.
"Oi, keep your bloomin' head down!" The chief gunner roared at them as they stepped up to him. "Unless you want to lose it to the Troggies, that is!"
"We're supposed to be looking for Fin Dorsal to retrieve something for Avery." She roared back.
"Bah, we've got Troggies stealin' our powder and tossing it back and Avery's worried about his bauble? Go across the bridge then and get it yourself but don't come crying to me when those blasted Troggies thump ya!" He warned.
"Come on." She rolled her eyes and gestured for Subodai to follow. At least the bridge wasn't under constant bombardment.
"So we will have to fight our way through these Troggies to reach our mark." Subodai hummed thoughtfully, casting a judging eye over their numbers, their weapons, and the gaps between their unorganized formations.
"Not unless you were hoping for a shallow grave." To their credit, neither jumped as the fox musketeer melted out of the tree line from where she'd been presumably sniping any Troggies that thought to take out the bridge.
"I'm Bonnie Anne, what're you two doing here?" She greeted them.
"I'm Suri Hawkins, this is Subodai, we've been sent to retrieve something from Fin Dorsal, know where he's hiding?" She was getting sick of having to explain herself. This wouldn't be an issue once she had a proper name for herself!
"Ack, Fin Dorsal!" Bonnie spat to the side. "He's the one who riled up the Troggies, got them mad as badgers! I don't know where he is now though."
"I know two other gentleman pirates were sent out after him, but they haven't come back and that was some time ago." She offered.
"Not that it matters, there're so many Troggies out and about you'd never make it up the mountain alive and we've got to take out those slingers or the whole island will go up in flames." She growled.
Suri scowled and gazed into the forest. A few Troggies from time to time would stalk close to the edge of the trees but Bonnie had left enough of an impression to make them skittish. She wasn't a long range fighter though, she and Subodai needed to make it past them but stealth didn't look to be an option.
"Any ideas, Captain?" Suri felt something inside her preen to hear that title directed towards her. She wasn't much of one, not yet, but it was nice to hear it.
"Troggies aren't that bright, as I said before." She started. "If Ms. Bonnie Anne doesn't mind giving us a little distraction we can sneak past their first line and from there, find the slingers they're using to bombard the town."
"We blow one of'em and mark the other two on the way back, Annie sends the info across the line and the Troggies will be in so much of a panic that we should only have to deal with a few stragglers as we sneak past." She checked the straps on her boots and the edge of her blades as she talked.
"A distraction, eh?" Bonnie Anne chuckled and hoisted her spark thrower. "I'd be tickled pink."
"Give me a minute and go for it." She climbed back up the tree she'd been using and began sending sparks flying into the jungle to the chorus of pained yips and ribbits.
Suri and Subodai didn't hesitate when they saw a gap in the line. Subodai was only a step behind her as they darted into the foliage to avoid the frantic eyes of the hunters. She led them over a creek and around a bend, counting the slingers as they passed.
"I'll go up and set it to blow, stay here and keep watch, we're gonna have Troggies on our tail on the way back." She whispered. Subodai gave an understanding nod and caressed the hilt of his sword.
Tenderly, Suri stepped out of the cover of the leaves. The two gunners were busy reloading another barrel of powder, ready to fling it at the town and not paying too much attention to the saboteurs behind them. That was just the way she liked it. She was able to get as close as six paces without them realizing.
They'd been messy with the powder, letting it leak from the barrels with no regard for the danger it represented. They didn't understand anything about this powder other than the fact it went BOOM when lit on the fire and hurled at an enemy. She didn't even need to spend the time to lay a trail. She just lit a match and tossed it before turning tail and sprinting for the cover of a suitably large rock.
The boom was earth shattering and likely visible from the town. Suri shook her head to clear the ringing in her ears and noticed that Subodai was doing his job in holding back a small pollywog of Troggies from attacking her with her guard down.
With a snarl and a curse on her lips she leapt at them, knifing one in the general vicinity of his kidneys and another in the arm, drawing the heat off her partner and hopeful-first-mate. The first one went down and the second attempted to lift his pea shooter with his other arm before dying too at her hands.
"Are you alright, Captain?" Subodai asked, having already dispatched his opponents.
"Peachy." She coughed, the taste of powder on her lips.
"We've got the locations of the other two, let's head back to Bonnie before more of them show up to douse the fires." The plan had worked brilliantly so far, Troggies were scrambling about for water as the fires spread and hardly noticed the pirates that snuck past them.
"I could see the explosion all the way from here!" Bonnie cheered as they came into view. "Did ya get the locations of the other two?"
"We got'em! You got a map and a runner?" Suri answered back. In seconds she'd roughly marked the locations on the provided map and another pirate, this one with black teeth and a peg leg, took it across the bridge while two more gunmen arrived to relieve Bonnie Anne.
"You've got some skill there, what would you say to another on your crew, Captain?" She asked, holstering her guns for the time being.
"I'd say welcome aboard. Now let's find Fin." Suri smirked. 'And those two lost pirates.' She added in the confines of her own mind.
With the rush to stamp out the fires and the heavy counterattack launched by the East Bastion they had no problems sneaking further up the mountain, deeper into Troggy territory. Suri led them stealthily up the footpaths well out of the way of the foot traffic, waving them back when someone got too close or when the explosions hit a little close to home.
"Cap'n, the Troggies got Livesy!" Bonnie gasped urgently. Suri looked where directed and saw a hand crafted cage holding a frog pistol whipper hostage. He was unguarded, but the bars were made from diamond timber, the same material used to build ships. It wasn't something easily cut through.
"Well, ain't you three a sight for sore eyes." He croaked as they slid into view. "Don't suppose you're here to rescue me?"
"Call it an unexpected bonus." Suri advised him with a half-smile. "Know where the key is? Or Fin?"
"Fin's further up the mountain, me and my partner Shepherd got separated though and I got picked up by the Troggies. As for the key, all I know is one of those blasted shamans has it." He glared up the path where vague chanting could be heard.
"Steal a key from an agitated shaman." Suri hummed thoughtfully. "Doable, but not easy."
"It would be simpler to take it by force." Subodai argued.
"I second that motion, at least then we'll have a bit of warning before they throw any hoodoo at us." Bonnie nodded, checking her ammunition stores.
"Agreed then." Knives in hand she crept up the path, looking at the shamans that dotted the landscape. They were praying and chanting, calling on Gods and spirits of the dead to aid in the battle gone horribly wrong but hoodoo was hit and miss with shamans. Witchdoctors had more ambient power to draw on and were better educated besides, they didn't fizzle nearly as often.
That didn't mean Troggy shamans weren't dangerous though. A well timed magic blast could kill a cocky young pirate. Suri didn't want to be cocky, she wanted to be confident.
Which was why she forced her companions to wait until after she'd caught sight of a glint of metal hanging around one of the shaman's waist. Why bother fighting the whole tribe when she could pick out one frog out of the pollywog?
"Bonnie, give us some cover. Subodai, you're with me, aim for the staffs and watch out for anything that glows." She whispered tersely to them. She got two understanding nods before Bonnie's first artillery strike began.
A series of ribbits and clicks greeted their rush attack. Suri nimbly bobbed and weaved around green tendrils of light, a childhood playing Lighthouse finally coming in handy, and zeroed in on her target. The shaman in question readied a bolt of power to throw in her direction, which she avoided by sliding underneath it to take his legs out from under him and swipe the key, a feat of multitasking that would have made her foster parents proud.
The shaman clutched futilely at his chest after she stomped down on his staff, breaking it and the power source he'd tied his own life to. Two more shamans soon laid on the ground beside him though she couldn't tell if it was Subodai or Bonnie Anne who'd wracked up the kills.
A shower of sparks from the canopy overhead answered that question, telling her that Bonnie had taken the initiative to start a second fire to give Subodai and Suri a chance to break away from the throng. She took her chance, dragging Subodai by the arm behind her as they raced for Livesy's cage.
"You got it!" The frog cheered.
"Don't cheer just yet, we didn't get them all and they're angrier than ever." She panted, tossing the key to Bonnie.
"Don't be so modest, girlie." He croaked with cheer. "Not many pirates would've risked themselves for a frog they don't know."
"Give me a break, I'm just a rookie." She laughed. "Give me some time to become old and cynical."
"Personally, I find it's a nice change of pace." Bonnie snarked, finally lifting the bars keeping Livesy captive.
"I hate to interrupt," Subodai honestly did. "But we do still have a mission."
"How far up the mountain is he?" Suri sighed. It was still a pretty good walk to the famous skull mountain temple. If he'd gone that far they'd have to wade through the labyrinth of tunnels, filled with spiral only knew how many crocodiles, Troggies, and whatever else.
"All I know is there's a camp of Cutthroats up there and he was meeting with them." Livesy admitted. "We might find something out by sneaking into their camp, if we find Shepherd all the better."
"Let's get to it then." So they continued their dangerous jungle trek, avoiding the now terror-stricken Troggies. If she remembered the language right they were babbling about a vengeful Goddess and her emissaries.
On the one hand there was nothing wrong with a good reputation, on the other, she didn't want them sacrificing large insects in her name.
"Avery must not know about this." She realized once they got closer to the camp. Camp wasn't exactly the right word for it, from the looks of things the Cutthroat sharks had created a fort just outside the skull temple entrance. They looked like they'd been here for a while and weren't planning on leaving any time soon.
"What's the plan, cap'n?" Bonnie asked.
Suri hummed thoughtfully and did a quick headcount. Twenty of them coming in and out of the tents, eight of those were visible on the ship, but she didn't know if Fin was among them or how many more were tucked out of sight. Those weren't odds she wanted to place good money on.
"If you cause a distraction I can sneak in and find out what Fin's up to." Livesy suggested.
"Cutthroats are a higher level than Troggies, just setting a fire isn't going to do much good." She pointed out. Besides, though they were more battle hungry than Troggies they were also much better disciplined. They didn't have near as many gaps in formations to take advantage of.
If things weren't bad enough they were also working on a time limit. Sooner or later someone was going to stumble across four pirates being where they ought not to be. And then they'd have to fight their way past an entire camp of Cutthroats plus whatever was left of the Troggies.
"Right then," She mumbled, eyeing the placement of the tents again. "I got a plan."
It was simple, easy, wasn't much different than what they'd done with the shamans. Subodai and Suri crept close and launched a surprise attack, Bonnie would rain down death from above to keep them from being surrounded. Take down a few Cutthroats and melt back into the trees to meet with Livesy. It would go better if she had some handmade bombs to spread about but those had been confiscated by the Armada and she hadn't had the time to replace them.
So naturally things went wrong immediately. A Cutthroat emerged from a tent flap at just the right moment to catch them creeping past and took exception to their presence. Subodai was on him in a flash, but not before he'd had time to shout and raise the alarm. Suri cussed as three more Cutthroats responded to the call, showing a level of teamwork she hadn't seen in their kind before.
"Fall back! Back!" She ordered, trying to break off from the fighting. With the scent of blood heavy in the air the entire camp was ready to come crashing down on them. Bonnie's cover fire could only do so much and Subodai was being surrounded. Suri soon found herself clambering on top of a small mountain of corpses, launching herself at her opponents with the vain hope that perhaps care for their fellow fish would slow their blades.
Twas not so, but after the first Cutthroat slew his brother the others turned on him. Soon it was a massive feeding frenzy that nearly killed them both as they tried to escape its pull. Suri felt a blade slide across the kin of her back and couldn't be sure if the wound was serious or not, adrenalin had nearly numbed her to such minor things as pain.
Back safely in the trees her first duty as captain was to oversee her companions. Bonnie was uninjured, save for some burns on her fingers and left arm left by reloading a spark thrower too quickly. Subodai had a score of bruises on his face and neck but was otherwise uninjured. Livesy had returned and was panting harshly on his knees, still watching through the leaves at the battle behind them.
"Captain, I saw one of them land a blow on you." Subodai grunted as he turned an experienced eye on her.
"On my back." She murmured, too wary of being discovered to speak too loudly.
While Bonnie checked her back, Livesy read aloud from the letter Fin had left in the camp to a prospective buyer. He'd be waiting for them in the Skull Temple, as she'd feared. That was a place few pirates dared to tread, filled with alligators, Troggies, and devoid of any treasure to make the trip worth while.
"Looks shallow, Cap'n." Bonnie sighed in relief. "Not much more than a scratch." Suri nodded and gingerly stretched her muscles out, searching for any other lingering aches that would slow her down.
"I still don't know where my partner is, but someone's got to send word back to Avery about this get together up here." Livesy grumbled. "And I'm the frog to do it."
"Right, while you're at it tell Avery we'll have his bauble back before sundown." Suri smirked, eyeing the Skull cave that loomed overhead.
"Ugh, places like this give me the willies." Bonnie shivered under the gloomy atmosphere.
"It is not so bad." Subodai said thoughtfully. "I have been to worse." Suri did not need to add her agreement to this assessment. Compared to Flotsam or Scrimshaw this place was like a fancy resort. She'd been to both on 'family trips' and had seen enough to hesitate on ever returning.
"Where are the Troggies?" Bonnie asked now, pointing out the lack of worshipping frogs.
"Deeper in, maybe. I certainly wouldn't want to be caught too close to the Cutthroats outside." Suri considered. Only now were the sounds of battle fading away, and she wasn't sure if that was because the fight was wearing down or if the walls of the cave were just blocking the sound.
The entrance was hidden behind the waterfall. The foliage was so thick they had to cut their way through. The water was cold and murky and the passage itself was ominous.
"Right then, time's a'wasting." Suri sighed, leading the way deeper into the caverns.
Just as she'd thought, alligators were around every corner. Suri showed her companions how to walk as close to the sides as possible, preventing the nasty reptiles from surrounding them. Today the disgusting things seemed well fed because they did not launch themselves at the young pirates. Suri counted her blessings and pretended she couldn't feel muck oozing in through the tops of her boots.
"…Blast it all." She pulled Subodai back before he could walk right into a group of cutthroats. They were sitting about, perfectly comfortable in the water, discussing Fin and some plans. They didn't mind the water, but they did keep casting suspicious looks on the glowing architecture of the Troggies. Suri rolled her eyes at the nonsense about curses they spoke of. The reason everything glowed in here was because of a lichen the troggies liked to use, it wasn't supernatural.
"They are not so many." Subodai whispered in her ear.
"I could get two of them before they even turn around." Bonnie added, lifting her spark thrower to aim.
"At this rate we're almost beggin' for trouble." Suri rolled her eyes again and caught something out of the corner of her eye. A side passage half in the water, ignored by the cutthroats probably for being too small for them. Suri smirked and led them through, past the guards to the entrance to the main chamber.
"Well, this could be a problem." Water swirled up and through the room, forming a dangerous whirlpool. Suri considered herself a strong swimmer but there was a difference between calm pond and raging whirlpool.
"This way is unpassable for land dwelling creatures." Subodai grimaced.
"Feh, even the fish would have a hard time swimming past it." All three turned, hands on their weapons, to see a dog pirate looking back at them. Suri cussed herself for not paying better attention. That was a mistake that could've gotten them all killed.
"Shepard!" Bonnie gasped in recognition.
"I take it you know what happened to Livesy?" The dog asked hopefully.
"He's sending word back to Avery about the school of over sized tuna upstairs." Suri informed him. "He'll be glad to know you're alive."
"I'm glad to hear he's doing fine too!" The dog barked joyously. "He and I've been partners for going on six years!"
"Friend Shepard, do you know a way we can get through to the chamber where Fin lies?" Subodai asked, judging the moment to be over.
"I do." He coughed, dispelling his silly side for now. "Back out there is a huge room where the troggies have holed themselves up. It has three idols inside that, if activated, would make the water in the whole temple recede!"
"But to get in you'll need a key. I overheard one of the cutthroats talking about it, they must have it." He finished.
"Of course they do." Suri sighed and checked her daggers again. Still good, still sharp, but it never hurt to check.
There weren't as many as there were before. Some of them must have left the temple for some reason. That meant they had a much shorter window of opportunity to get this done without bringing the rest of the camp on their heads.
Suri gritted her teeth and launched herself at the first shark.
'Frankly, it wasn't worth the effort.' She reflected as they opened the door to the idol room. The troggies inside were shaking scared and fled the instant the three companions made a break for the idols. Suri couldn't speak for her fledgling crew, but she'd had to hang onto the idol to avoid getting sucked down with all the water.
As they picked their way back to the main chamber she had to remind herself that pirates didn't cross Avery and get away with it. Abandoning this stupid mission for being too troublesome would come back to bite her and her friends. She was going to kick Fin Dorsal right in the nads, she was going to get that stupid amulet, and she was going to get a ship from Avery!
"Well, you look none too pleased." Shepard commented as they stepped forward.
"…" She gave him a look for the comment and he sheepishly coughed and looked away.
"Ahem!" He tried again. "Well, the main chamber's ready and waiting now. Let's go pick a fight then, shall we?"
"A bit of advice?" Suri obediently paused to hear what he had to say. "They're cowards when you get right down to it, beat the boss and you'll beat them all."
"Truly?" She smiled. Some part of her wondered if it was wrong to be cheered by so small a tidbit. The rest of her was tired, wet, and cold and thus, refused to care.
Fin Dorsal looked just like his brethren, except for the goggles and coveralls he wore. And no real cutthroat would look so gobsmacked to see them walk through the door.
"Not who you were expecting?" She asked teasingly. "Avery sends his regards."
"…You've made three mistakes, little pirate." The fish growled, slamming the jade amulet onto the ceremonial dias.
"One, you didn't bring an army." He laughed, looking over at the motley crew. "Two, you challenged me."
His smirk was all pointy teeth and death.
"And three, don't fight me in the dark, the dark is where I shine." Before she could even think about questioning him the fires that had lit the room went out.
"Move it or lose it!" She warned them all scant seconds before the fight began. She saw the sparks light up as Bonnie fired but it did more harm than good because it gave away her position to the sharks. Bonnie cursed and scrambled away and Suri hoped the fox would be able to get away from her pursuers. She heard Subodai's battle cry and the shiss shing of his blade and decided he was doing well for himself. Shepard she had no clue about, but at least she knew where Fin was.
The amulet glowed only faintly in the dark, but it was all she really needed.
"Gaah!" Fin cried as her dagger buried itself on his person. An arm, she thought but couldn't be sure. She got confirmation when he waved the appendage and sent her flying into a stone tablet. He followed the sound of her landing and nearly landed on top of her. Suri felt the harsh sting as his curved hand-blades cut her shoulder and returned it with a cut of her own across his chest.
"I'll get you for that, little pirate!" He swore and tried to break off. But Suri had been raised by wharf rats. She knew the dark, she knew the sounds that tried to hide in it. It was child's play to stay on him, to get behind him and score two long cuts down his back.
She knew where everything was in the room and dodged his next attack by clambering on top of the same dias he'd placed the amulet on. She tucked it away out of sight in her pocket and vaulted over his head.
Sparks in the air reignited the torches. Bonnie looked very pleased with herself for doing so and Suri made a note to praise her for it later. Shepard had been pinned between two sharks but as they were blinking away spots in their vision he danced away. Subodai didn't even seem to notice the light or require its aid, he'd already won his battle.
And Suri stood behind Fin, daggers poised to slit his traitorous throat.
"Back before sundown, eh?" Avery chuckled less than an hour later in his keep. Suri had returned the amulet and even graciously brought Fin back alive for punishment, all before the sun had set over the horizon. "If all my pirates were as good as you, Ms. Hawkins, I'd rule the Spiral."
"Well, I am a man of my word, take this writ to Dockmaster Dan tomorrow and he'll show you to your new vessel." The pirate lord produced a piece of paper with his insignia on it.
"Pleasure doing business with you, I do hope we can do it again." He beamed pleasantly.
"T'would be my pleasure." Suri smiled pleasantly back. She nodded respectfully to him and gave one more mocking grin to Fin before she exited the premises. Subodai and Bonnie were both waiting for her outside.
"We've got a ship!" She informed them with a true smile on her face and was met with answering grins.
The night was young and the yum flowed free for the ones who saved the island from going up in flames. Everyone in the Kraken Skulls Tavern was more than happy enough to buy their drinks, Fin's loot paid for the food.
"Getting mighty late." Bonnie yawned as they staggered outside, drunk but healed of their minor hurts.
"Come on, I've gots me a room up by the stairs." Suri slurred, leading her friends to the Dormitory. The building used to be the barracks for the soldiers, but now for a price the rooms were rented out to pirates on shore leave. Suri had bought a room last week for the month and thankfully still had the key. The room was rather bare with only a hammock, a desk, and a ragged couch but it was fit enough for them to sleep in.
Morning dawned all too soon, bringing with it a headache and the taste of rotten berries in her mouth. Suri grimaced and washed the taste away with a bottle of ginger ale. Bonnie was still asleep on the couch, curled up around a fancy throw pillow Suri had picked up from somewhere. Subodai was standing by the desk looking out the window.
"Ack, put me outta me misery." Bonnie groaned as she returned to the land of the living.
"No can do, we've got a ship to claim, remember?" Suri chuckled as the fox struggled to put together the night's events. Perhaps there were disadvantages to having everyone else buy your yum for you. She wasn't limited to what she could afford at that moment and drank a wee bit too much.
"You are sickeningly cheerful for this hour." The musketeer grumbled some more as she combed her fingers through her tail to get rid of the worst tangles.
"It's nearly noon." Suri pointed out.
"I stand by what I said." The fox sighed. "So we're going down to Dockmaster Dan then?"
"To finally have a vessel of our very own." Subodai nodded, seeming very satisfied with the way things had turned out. Suri had to agree, considering this time yesterday she'd still been locked up in the Armada's brig.
Suri ran her fingers through her hair to straighten it and placed her tricorne firmly on her head. Her knives were exactly where she needed them to be. Her boots were laced up tight and spit shined. This was the big day, the day she became a true captain and claimed her first ship.
Dockmaster Dan was waiting for them when they arrived at the beach. He read through the writ and, amazingly, gestured towards the galleon that had been moored at the claim dock.
"Heh, you're the captain of that, pfft, mighty vessel!" Dan choked on his laughter as the galleon soared away and a…
Suri supposed it was a raft. A very crude one, made with barrels and twine. It creaked and groaned before anyone had so much as set foot on it.
"Forgive me for saying so, young captain." Blind Mew, an old cat that always knew more than people thought he should, spoke. "But that tub might just be the saddest excuse for a flying ship that ever moored at this harbor. Even from here I can hear it's planks creaking and groaning like a sick yak."
"The Trembling Slug, on'y the, hehehe, finest for our heroes!" Dan continued trying to stifle his amusement.
"Uh-Oh, she's making that face again." Suri could hear Bonnie whisper to Subodai behind her. Suri had no idea what the fox was talking about. Bonnie Anne hadn't known her long enough to recognize her faces and even if she had, Suri wasn't making a face right now.
She was far too busy planning the perfect murder. Avery had to sleep sometime.
"This is an outrage." Subodai snorted hatefully. "This is the gratitude Avery shows those who aid him?" Ah good, she had an accomplice.
A little worried she'd cause a fire to spontaneously ignite and destroy the docks, Suri turned away from the beach and looked back up the long walk to Avery's Court. It was high noon and she felt like killing something.
"Avery," She greeted him coldly as she walked through the door. He seemed conflicted at first glance, not sure whether to express amusement or concern. It was an interesting expression.
"Ah, lady Hawkins, is there something I can do for you?" He welcomed her as warmly as ever.
"Wasn't our agreement for me to return your amulet in exchange for a ship?" She questioned him, flanked by Subodai and Bonnie. Suri had no doubts that they were the only ones in the room, but they were the only ones she was concerned about. The watchers in the hidey holes were of no concern to her.
"What," He gasped in faux surprise. "You don't like your bo—I mean, your ship?"
"Nothing I can do about that I'm afraid, I've honored the letter of our agreement." He defended.
"But I can see that you're still a touch upset!" He frowned, as if he were her friend and wanted to cheer her up. Suri did not feel very generous towards the pirate lord today. "So why not let me point you in the way of that which every pirate loves most? Gold!"
"…I'm listening." The silent 'For now' hung in the air between them.
"Have you ever heard of Captain Gunn?" He began. "You see, he was a pirate unlike any that sailed before him, feared by officials in Marleybone and princes of Monquista alike!"
"Gunn sailed all over, and eventually wound up in the mysterious land of Mooshu, home of the Samoorai and the ninja pigs." Suri rocked back on her heels, a recollection of a similar story in mind. She was beginning to think she knew where this story was going.
"There, he discovered the Yum-Yum Fruit! A magical fruit that healed wounds, cured disease, provided longevity, and made your breath minty fresh!"
"I believe we're all familiar with the properties of Yum-Yum fruit." Suri interrupted him.
"Yes, well, did you know the Emperor of Mooshu consideres Yum-Yum fruit to be sacred? The theft of it is punishable by death." He informed her. "But only if you get caught."
"Gunn smuggled back boat loads of the stuff, and he used it to make Yum bread, Yum pudding, but his real stroke of genius was when he bottled it!" Avery didn't need to say the name for everyone to know it. A pirate's favorite drink was and always would be Yum.
"By the time he retired, Gunn was the richest pirate in the Spiral!" Avery sighed, likely picturing the mountains of gold. "But these days no one knows where he hid his treasure. The only clue was a last Will and Testament that was lost years ago."
"And let me guess, ye've got your hands on it?" Bonnie quipped.
"Oh no, not me." Avery briefly scowled. "An associate of mine has it and is organizing an expedition." He turned his full attention back on Suri.
"I could give you a letter of recommendation to get you on their crew." He offered.
"What's yer price?" Suri scoffed suspiciously.
"Ah, so you do know how to play the game!" He smirked like a shark that smelled blood in the water. "Rumor has it that there is a chalice, wrapped in sail cloth, amongst the hoard of treasure. If you bring it to me that's all the recompense I could desire."
"With all that gold it would be simple to buy a new ship for yourself, don't you think?" He prodded.
Suri thought of that, and knew Avery was using them to further his own goals. The chalice was obviously of great value, probably more than she could understand. Avery was a pirate lord, leader of Skull Island, he didn't get that way by doing favors. Everything he did was working towards some goal in mind.
"Just the chalice?" She asked, still suspicious but admittedly a lot calmer than when she'd walked in. At least she knew where she stood with Avery.
"Just the chalice." He confirmed.
"Alright then, who's this associate of yours?" She settled back with a deep sigh. She didn't need to be a witchdoctor to know that this mission wasn't going to be a simple one. Something in her bones ached at the thought of the quest and that was enough to tell her she was going to be cursing his name again before the day was through.
"A swashbuckler by name of Sarah Steele, she'll be holding a meeting in the basement of the Kraken Skulls tavern at two'o'clock." He wrote a note to the swashbuckler in question and signed it with his personal seal.
"Best get going, Ms. Hawkins." He gestured to the ornate grandfather clock. "Wouldn't want to be late, now would we?"
"He is playing us for a fool." Were Subodai's first words once they walked back into the sunlight.
"I know." Suri scowled. "But unless we want to actually claim that poor excuse for a sailboat, we'll have to go along with it."
"Always knew Avery was as slippery as they come." Bonnie sighed wisely. "Always knew it, but it still rattles my chains."
"You and me both." Suri admitted. "Playing errand girl is not how I pictured the start of my pirate career."
"No, I imagine you thought it would be many daring duels, is that not right, my darling swashbuckler?" Her first reaction was not one of fear, for that Suri was grateful. She did melt a little when she caught sight of her personal hero, but at least she didn't flinch.
"Morgan LaFitte!" She breathed. In the flesh and fur was a beautiful raccoon woman, a noble lady and daring thief rolled into one. She was the best of the best at her craft and some say she caught Avery's attention by stealing a pendant from his neck without his notice, and to this day she kept the pendant safely hidden away. Suri did not know if the rumor was true, she'd never worked up the nerve to actually meet the woman before. All she knew was that Morgan LaFitte was the first thing that popped into the mind of anyone who thought of the word "swashbuckler."
And she was here, right in front of Suri Hawkins, talking like they were familiar.
'I will not gawk like a bum.' Suri ordered herself furiously.
"Oui, it is I." The raccoon looked her over, pausing especially on the daggers hanging from her belt. "But you, my dear, I do not know, save that you are one of mine."
Suri no longer wanted to kill Avery. She wanted to kiss him. Or maybe Morgan.
"I go by Suri Hawkins, Madam." She nodded respectfully. "This is me crew, Subodai and Bonnie Anne."
"An aspiring captain as well, how bold!" She sounded delighted. "Tell me, my dear, are you looking to add to your crew?"
'Heart, you have no business whatsoever being in my throat, get back in my chest where ye belong!'
"I wouldn't be opposed to it, no Ma'am." Suri acknowledged while nervously smoothing her coat. At that moment she couldn't remember if she had brushed her hair or not and hated herself for it. Morgan LaFitte was not three steps in front of her and Suri's hair was probably tangled as bad as a rat's nest.
"Marvelous! Then you must, simply must, come to my Swashbuckler's Hall, darling." The raccoon gracefully flitted forward and grabbed Suri's hand.
'Die happy. Right here. Right now.' She could hardly find the piece of mind to swivel her head around and give an excited grin to her companions. Bonnie was trying to hide a giggle behind a raised hand. Subodai was shaking his head but Suri could see the chuckle shaking his shoulders. They could scrape barnacles for all she cared, her personal hero was inviting Suri to her house!
"A little friend of mine, darling girl from my home country, has been looking everywhere for a suitable captain!" Morgan explained as they approached the Hall. It was next to the Witchdoctor's Cave and neighboring a sewer entrance. The swashbuckler's symbol was proudly displayed on a banner hanging on the wall.
"Her name is Fan Flanders, darling. A wonderful little thief, if I do say so myself." Morgan liked to talk. That was interesting to know.
Anyone recommended by Morgan LaFitte was welcome in her books. Suri only barely registered the sound of footsteps that meant her crew was still following her. She felt a twinge of guilt at that, they were meant to head to the Kraken Skulls, but she shook it away. A few minutes wouldn't hurt.
"I will consider it a personal favor if you take her under your wing." The raccoon continued as they entered. "A few lessons, perhaps? A sparring partner is never an unwelcome thing, darling."
"I think that'd be agreeable." Suri nodded. Knives and swords of varying lengths were mounted on the walls. She wondered if Morgan knew how to use all of these.
"Who's this then?" The whirlwind tour was halted by a short, curly blonde frog in an adventurer's cap. Two long knives hung at her belt in easy reach and the indents on the belt indicated she was used to wearing them.
"Fan dear, this is Mademoiselle Suri Hawkins, a pirate captain looking for new blood for her crew." Fan clearly knew the name, by the way her eyes lit up. Part of Suri wondered how famous she was now for beating Fin.
"Oh, a proper captain at last willing to give me a shot?" The frog looked up and down the human girl, conducting her own investigation.
"If you think you can keep up. We're supposed to be leaving on an expedition soon." Suri informed them as she noticed a clock on the wall. Thirty minutes until the meeting started.
"Keep up, hah! Don't make me laugh!" Fan looked even more cheered at the news. "You don't mind a very famous thief on your crew, do you, captain?"
The promised lessons would have to wait until Suri had some free time, but Fan came with them to the Kraken Skulls meeting.
The barkeep at the Kraken Skulls directed them to the basement and Suri led the way. Hopefully there wouldn't be too many people in on this venture, but she couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to go wrong.
"Pardon the interruption." She called as they entered. "Avery recommended this little meeting to us."
"He did, did he?" A rat woman raised a suspicious brow. Suri approved of her caution. Once she read through the note the rat woman became a lot more friendly.
"I'm Sarah Steele, welcome aboard, we were just about to get started." She moved to the table that had been set for everyone. No Yum was being offered though, difficult to have serious negotiations when everyone was getting drunk.
"Among us, I believe Captain Ratbeard has the largest ship?" Sarah directed towards a ragged looking old rat in a tricorne. He was flanked by five wharf rats and made up half the total party. Other than Sarah and Suri's crew there was only a one-eyed frog. More gold to go around then.
"Aye." Ratbeard grunted. "So I'm supposed to be naught but transportation for this venture, I take it?"
"You'll be a very important part of the expedition!" Sarah reassured him. "Besides, it's my Will, I'll be the one in charge of it!"
"Bah!" The rat spat. "How d'we even know ye've got the Will?" Suri tensed, knowing a second in advance what was going to happen. Her hands drifted down towards the hilts of her knives.
"Of course I've got it!" Sarah whipped out a yellowed piece of paper. "It's right here!"
"She's got the Will boys!" Ratbeard shouted. "Take it and meet at the hideout!" He lunged forward and tore the paper from Sarah's grasp before knocking the frog over in his haste to exit the premises. He was too fast for Suri to catch, so she had to content herself with gutting one of the rats as he tried to run past her.
In a few moments two rats and the frog were dead, and the rest felt like fools.
"That dirty old codger!" Sarah was nearly spitting in rage. "He took the Will!"
"Get up then, if we hurry we might catch him!" Suri barked an order at her, dragging the rat woman to her feet.
They raced back upstairs, murder in their intentions and vengeance in Sarah's. They left the bar and chased them down to the docks but too many ships were coming and going for them to be sure of which way Ratbeard's went.
"Blast it all!" Suri cursed and kicked the sand.
"Trouble, my young pirate?" They'd stopped by the claiming dock with that ugly piece of skyfare still waiting for them. Old Blind Mew was in the same place they'd left him too.
"We were chasing Ratbeard, he stole something from us." Sarah said bitterly.
"Ah, then you'll be wanting to head to Blood Shoals, I believe." Suri turned to face him fully in astonishment.
"You know where they're going?" She asked and dug into one of her pockets. Blind Mew heard the jingle of coins and his ears pricked forward.
"Indeed I do, young pirate. I distinctly heard a scuttling rat call to make sail for home. If it is truly Ratbeard you're after, then the place you must sail to is Blood Shoals. It is widely known he makes his home there." Suri thanked him for his time with a few golden coins in his cup.
"How're we getting there though? I don't have a ship!" Sarah fretted.
Suri thought about it and cringed. Just the thought to setting foot on the cursed thing made something inside her quiver in terror. No one knew if there was a bottom to sky or not and Suri did not feel like finding out.
And yet, it truly was the only way they'd be able to follow the slimy devil.
"We're going to have to take that." She finally surrendered to the inevitable.
"…That's your ship?" Fan gawked behind her.
"Well, you could always try jumping to Blood Shoals, but I'm not going to catch you if you do." She grumbled as she walked up the gangplank.
They each stepped onto it hesitantly, ready to escape the second the wood threatened to collapse. It was old, creaky, the sail was torn and it didn't even have an anchor but it would have to do.
"Ready to set sail, captain." Subodai reported. There was no below to the deck, so all hands were present and desperately gripping the rigging (the only reliable piece on the boat) for dear life as she pulled them away.
"Flies surprisingly well." She grudgingly admitted after a few minutes. She wasn't asking for anything too strenuous of the old dinghy, but it made good time despite the torn sail. The creaking even seemed to ease up once they were out in open air.
"I-I must admit, this isn't as bad as I thought it'd be." Sarah took a deep breath. Despite her words her knuckles were still tinted white as they held onto the rigging.
"Blood Shoals dead ahead, captain!" Bonnie remarked first. In another minute the rest of the crew was able to see the isle too. Suri breathed a silent sigh of relief as she brought them up to the docks.
Curiously, she found herself a little reluctant to step back on solid ground.