A French Alfred and a ship-of-the-line
The bullets flew past Arthur, a couple grazing him, leaving streaks of bubbles in their path. He swam deeper down after his dive. His eardrums screamed in protest as the water pressure pressed against him. His new cuts from the bullets stung viciously with the salt that the sea contained. He swam for a little while but struggled against the water logged dress coat. He shed his precious coat, leaving it for the sea to take as it defiantly was not designed for swimming purposes and had easily quadrupled in weight threatening to pull him under the waves for eternity. He wasn't upset as it was only one of his battle coats, the true dress coat that showed his power was hidden in a secret compartment in his captains quarters on his ship.
Arthurs lungs screamed and a bubble of precious oxygen escaped his lips. He had to break the surface, otherwise he'll drown. He stared up in the direction of the surface that was the precious oxygen resource. Arthur felt his heart drop as he realized that his dive must have taken him at least thirty metres below the surface; then he had swam down another ten metres. In his desperate oxygen starved state he kicked his legs frantically to propel him up. He was moving up fast, but not fast enough as he felt as if his lungs where going to explode. He suddenly used his arms to help pull himself up in a desperate measure to try and close the space between him and the surface. Unfortunately he was only about a metre maybe two away when his unconscious forced him to breath in, which meant a lung full of water. He coughed and spluttered while still frantically kicking his legs, now stars where blocking his vision. He was half unconscious when he felt the water give way and he spluttered and gulped in breaths of air. The air tasted like sugar, it was truly wonderful! But before he could enjoy the sweet taste fully he blacked out.
When Arthur awoke he was aware that he wasn't in the water anymore, but judging by the gentle rocking motion a ship. That wasn't the only thing he was aware of. He found something warm and soft pressed against his own lips. Judging by their gentle touch, and the soft tickling sensation of long hair across his face he guessed they where some ones lips. The lips tasted as sweet as the breaths of air he had had when he had breached the surface while almost drowning moments ago. Or was it hours? It didn't seem important as he returned the kiss, wishing for more. Obviously his mind hadn't caught up with his other senses yet.
The lips parted slightly in a surprised gasp, and just then a door slammed, and Arthurs eyes fluttered open at the same time as his mind caught up with his actions. His emerald green eyes stared into the surprised sapphire blue eyes. He tried to push the owner of those lips off of him, a heated blush threatening to take over his features.
"Papa, pourquoi sont vous baiser lui ?" A voice of a small boy asked
The owner of the lips that Arthur had kissed sat up straddling the pirate. To Arthurs horror, it was a man with a short blonde beard, shoulder length blonde hair and sapphire eyes. The man was actually quite handsome, but what had horrified Arthur was the fact that he had kissed this complete stranger!
"Non mon petit enfant, I waz not kissing 'im, I waz giving 'im the kiss of life." The man replied gently
Arthur turned in curiosity to see the child he was talking to. His eyes widened with shock and amazement as a young blonde haired, purplish blue eyed boy stood before him. If he didn't know any better...
"Alfred?"
Arthur bolted up and knocked the man off of him easily in his rush to get to the boy. He held the boy in a tight hug. The boy squirmed and called out in fear to the man behind Arthur. Arthur paused and then loosened his grip on the boy to look at him. Since when did Alfred speak French? And when had his hair been so long? The boy needed a haircut!
"Sir, could I get you to release my son silvous plait?" Asked the man
"Your son? But Alfred?" Arthur stammered
"Oui mon fils, 'iz name 'iz Matthieu. Mon name 'iz Francias." The man informed him
Arthur released the boy who ran to his father and hide behind him clutching his shirt and peering round to look at Arthur as if the man may possibly attack him again. Arthur on the other hand suddenly felt as if his insides had frozen. Both of the French blondes noticed the change in his demeanour as he rose and strode to the window that showed the sea from the back of the ship. Arthurs eyes had turned cold and his lips set in a grim line. He looked every part of the fearful pirate king he was. He of course didn't mean to do this it was an affect as the past day's events had finally washed over him. He let out a tired sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Well at least he had the first and most important part of getting Alfred back, him being alive. Now the next step was to commandeer a ship and get to his own vessel and crew. Then with both ships and crews he'll take Alfred back and kill Antonio and Ivan. He let out a cruel laugh at the thought of their deaths.
"Excuse moi, but who iz Alfred?" asked Francias a little unnerved by his patients change in attitude.
"Alfred... Alfred is my son. He was taken from me." Arthur replied emotionlessly while the cogs in his mind began to whirl.
"I am sorry. How did it appen? Are the two of you travelers?" Francias asked
England paused. How was it possible that someone who was sailing had not heard of him? Then again, as few had actually met him or knew his real name, it wasn't a surprise that Francias hadn't put the pieces together. He would just have to pretend that he had a different profession for now, which was common for him to do.
" No, I'm a merchant, and a couple of... ahh... Pirates took him." Arthur lied
"I see. I'm pretty infamous around here. I am a pirate with the most 'andsome of features non?" Francias replied with a wink
"Should you be saying things like that?" asked Arthur who was only half listening to Francias as he noted the dark sky outside.
" Are you per'aps jealous of my beauty?" Francias asked
"No twat, I meant should you just admit to being a pirate?" Arthur replied
"Why not? No ones going to bother me where I am going. We are going to see the pirate king, old Emerald demon eyes 'imself. No ones going to follow us mon ami."
"Interesting" mused Arthur
To Arthur it certainly was. His first impression of Francias was that he was a narcissistic fool of a pirate. A fool who was looking for him, and this could be used to Arthur's advantage. He noticed that the sea under the ship seemed to pitching more violently. It seemed that even god was on his side, that or the devil thought of him as one of his own and was offering help. The door to what Arthur had assumed was the captains quaters was flung open again and strong looking man with burly muscles flew in.
"Captain, there's a storm rapidly approaching. Sailing master Feliciano has scurried away to the hold again." The man said urgently
" Oh 'ell, pas encore! Merci for telling me I will take up 'iz post. Matthieu stay in ere where it is safe mon cher." Francias said and scurried out with the man.
Arthur hated storms. Under a good captain a crew had nothing to fear, but Arthur doubted Francias's skills very much. Unlike Arthur, who his crew only stayed loyal to because he was so highly skilled, otherwise they would have long ago killed him, Francias only seemed to be captain due to... looks? As far as Arthur was concerned that was all the man had going for him. He was startled as he felt a tug at his shirt and looked down towards the small boy.
"You can call me Alfred if you want. If it will make you feel better." The little boy said quietly
" Thank you Matthew." Arthur said ruffling the boys hair
Arthur turned his back to the boy and opened the door. Already the sea was rough, and the crew where hurrying to and thro trying to bring down the sails and prepare the pumps. No one took any notice of Arthur as he walked round the ship, inspecting it thoughtfully. He let out a low whistle of appreciation, this was a Ship-of-the-line ship, only England, France and Spain owned such ships. She was a big beast, created for the sole purpose of battle, not to mention the fact that she could carry a large load in her hold. She was every pirates dream. Not to mention that she held a hundred canons, none which Arthur noted where being strapped down. He grit his teeth, what a useless captain to let a hundred canons be tossed about in a storm and destroy such a beauty of a ship. A ship that he just had to have in his fleet.
He walked purposely towards Francias , his dark aura making the crew stop their work and stare at him in wide eyed fear. Francias looked at Arthur in confusion as Arthur reached for his sword. Sure enough through everything he had been through it was still there. He withdrew it and held to Francias's throat, making sure to nick it a little so a bead of blood appeared. Francias gaped at him, probably because he had seen the decorative roses tangled round the hilt and the lion head carved in the centre. Even though it was very decorative it was a sturdy blade with amazing balance and kept beautifully sharp. It was as dangerous as it was a piece of art.
"Sorry frog, but I'll be taking the helm right now and giving the orders. If I didn't we'll all be bloody swimming with the fish. While I don't care for you I couldn't stand such a ship meeting a careless end like that. " Arthur commanded of Francias
" Who died and made you ze the boss?" sneered the muscular man that had called Francias out of the cabin earlier.
Arthur rolled his eyes, and with amazing speed, grabbed the revolver that Francias had at his hip with his other hand and shot the man between the eyes.
"You did. Now frog, what's it going to be?" Arthur snarled