I've decided to update both of my recently published stories because I feel like they need to get into more climactic chapters. For now, R&R, PM, and Enjoy!

Chapter 2

At a tavern the entire crew was gathered in the cellar, merrily singing about a pirate's life. Even I, Nathaniel Deveraux, occasionally hummed to myself, "Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me." At the end of their merry song, they burst into joyous laughter and I stood on a table to get their attention.

"Tonight," I said, my voice booming over their laughter so they all could hear, "we struck a blow to the mighty Armada!" Everyone cheered, remembering our victory. "Let us not forget Rotting Dan," I gestured to our undead skeleton witch doctor, "who lead the charge by making our opponents flee in terror!"

They all cheered for Dan, who bowed, accidentally knocking off his own head. An orange crab helped him out by handing him his head back.

"And let us also remember the ferocity of Michael MacJaws!" Our shark buccaneer roared in triumph, his two handed halberd impaled in the floor while he showed off his muscles.

"And, let us also not forget the deadly grace of my very own sister, Alexis!" Alexis stood on a table as well, bowing deeply to everyone and pulling out her twin daggers which she threw at a dummy with an Armada mask. The first hit the dummy's chest, and the second hit right between the eyes, breaking it's mask in two. The entire crew went wild, whistling and cheering as she did another bow.

"Now, now," I said, trying to speak over everyone, "I unfortunately have some bad news." The crew began to quiet down so they could listen, "Our mole within the Armada has just informed me that they intend to search every port in every corner of the Spiral for pirates-and exterminate them." The crew began to talk uneasily, although some still held their ground.

"Now I know that some of you won't feel up to the challenge, or you feel that the Armada might actually win this time. You may be right; but I will fight until my last breath before I give in to those cog-heads!" As I spoke, I walked along the length of the table and the crew began to regain confidence, and at the climax they all stood and cheered.

"Are we gonna let them march into our homes and take everything we love from us?"

"No!" The entire crew shouted.

"Or would you like to teach the Armada a lesson?" The crowd cheered, thrusting their fists into the air. "Good," I said quietly. "Then in one week's time, we will strike the Armada with everything we have. But until then," I gave a sharp whistle and a few burly men came down to the cellar carrying several barrels, "the Yum's on me!"

The entire crew cheered and they went to fill their mugs with the tasty, life-giving drink. I jumped from the table as the crew began singing again and made my way back up to the tavern's bar. It was completely empty, no one there to notice our crew's loud and boisterous jubilee.

I left the tavern and went to the docks, finding the ship that Alexis and I purchased when we first began our expedition. I boarded it, grabbing onto the rigging and climbing onto the main deck. I went to the bow of the ship and leaned on the railings, looking out at the stars strewn across the night sky. It was nights like these, when it was so calm and quiet that I could hear the faintest sound, that made me feel relaxed.

I could hear soft footsteps behind me and new it was Alexis. "You know you can't sneak up on me," I said. The footsteps continued, faster and louder this time as Alexis walked up to me and leaned against the railing next to me.

"I wasn't trying to sneak up on you. I was trying to stay quiet so I wouldn't disturb you." I smiled, and I felt her lean against me. "I have never felt this free before. I was always expected to be proper and to be the best that I could be back in Marleybone."

"We're part of the Deveraux family," I replied, "of course it's to be expected of us."

"Yeah, but when I'm out here, just staring at the stars, I feel like all of those expectations no longer apply to me. I'm free to do what I want, make the choices I want, and not have to worry about posture or manners." I pushed myself off the railing and laid down on the deck. Alexis joined me, and we just looked at the stars.

"What do you think it's like on other worlds?" Alexis asked.

I looked at her and said, "We've been to several, what makes you say that?"

"I mean to be raised there. I was raised in Marleybone my entire life, but you've been raised in Mooshu for two years. You learned things that I probably would never get to learn in a lifetime." I didn't respond, instead continuing to watch the stars. "What do you think it would have been like if you had been raised somewhere else?" I looked at her again, and she listed off many different worlds, including Grizzleheim-the world of bears and Nordic tradition-and Krokotopia-an ancient world ruled by the Kroks.

"Well, then I probably would have never returned to Marleybone," I replied. She looked at me and I said, "You know, because ancient and modern technology don't mix. Plus I'd probably be a savage warrior or some sort of slave."

Alexis snickered, and we both sighed. We were silent for a few more minutes before she said, "Nathaniel?" I looked at her and she was staring back at me. She grabbed my hand and held on to it. "Promise me that when the day of the attack comes, you'll be safe?"

I nodded, "I promise." We went back to staring at the stars, and we kept like this until dawn came and the stars disappeared.

It really picks up in the next chapter. The Armada will never know what hit them. But for now, R&R, PM, and yo ho.