Pieces of 8
It was a solid, elegant two story manor built out of the honey coloured stone of the region. Nestled amongst a moderate well-tended farm estate the house was circled by formal gardens to the front and sides with a wild meadow running to the sea cliffs from the back. The manor overlooked a small, sandy bay from its vantage point. To the south, the royal naval base of Ariston could just be seen through the sea mist at the end of the large sweeping southern bay.
It was from the meadow, hungry blue eyes surveyed the house, plotting its plunder.
Pirate Killian Jones scourge of the open seas gave his crew the once over. A motley crew to be sure but he trusted none more to help him gain the nearby treasure, and they were determined to claim it. The sound of a bell being rung gave him the signal he had been waiting for, it was now time to surprise these landlubbers and take what was theirs.
"Follow me lads there be treasure to be had just around the corner," Killian yelled as he started off at a sprint, his crew cheering behind him hard on his heels. They rushed through the topiary running as fast as they could, rounded the corner and straight into the unexpected sight of the Royal Navy's most tenacious captain.
"Well what have we here? Pirates by the looks of it on an ill-conceived raiding party," the tall finely dressed captain spoke to his fellow officers, humour lacing his deep voice as he took in the sight of eye patches and head scarves.
"Aye I be the dread Captain Pirate Killian Jones and we've come to claim the treasure," his voice only a little uncertain at the sight before him, Killian managed to puff his chest out and wave his sword about with a flourish.
"And does the dread captain pirate know the penalty for carrying out such actions? Do his crew know the fate that befalls pirates that dare to raid this fine house hold?"
"Umm well….."
"Perhaps your crew will put down their swords and talk terms of surrender before the Royal Navy," the captain waved his hands to the officers flanking him, large grins on their faces, "submits you dastardly pirates to our most terrible punishments."
"Never! My crew will never surrender."
"Umm actually I will" said Ross, looking at the imposing figure of the navy captain in front of him
"Higgins you traitor…"
"Can we parley Captain sir?" asked Samuel, the other pirates nodding in agreement.
"Smith you bilge rat," Killian looked horrified as his crew one by one put down their swords.
"Parley is it?" The naval captain laughed "Well well Pirate Jones seems you have a mutiny on your hands."
Jones blushed and glowered at his crew
"What be your terms then you turncoats for handing over the Dread Pirate Jones to the Royal Navy?"
The pirates were silent for a moment thinking what would be the best terms they could hope for.
"Could you not tell my mum I'm on a pirate raiding party?" said Thomas "She'll curfew me for a month if she found out you caught us making trouble sir."
"And could we not be force fed Brussel sprouts if you throw us in the brig? That would be the worst punishment ever!" Harry exclaimed.
"And no daily bath times please sir, don't make us have to take baths all the time," Connor shuddered.
"Are we still allowed some of Mrs Bristol's scones if we go quietly?" Samuel asked hopefully.
The captain laughed. "Well since you all surrendered so politely I think that can be arranged."
"Now form a straight line pirates and the lieutenants will escort you to Mrs Bristol and her scones."
"But as for you Pirate Jones, well I'm afraid that we can't let this go unpunished. It's to be the most severe punishment for you. The Royal Navy does have the most dreaded punishment for those who fly the crimson flag." he boomed.
Killian's face dropped at the thought of what might be coming his way as the naval captain grabbed him.
"I hear by sentence you to a thorough tickling."
"No!" He squealed in an embarrassing girlie voice "no…. I ….will…. not sur….ren…der…"
It was no use his father had him firmly pinned down as he proceeded to tickle the young lad without mercy in front of his friends and the accompanying lieutenants.
"Dare to besmirch the Jones family name by turning pirate ay lad? "
Killian could only carry on squealing for a few minutes, helpless to his father's tickles
"Do you surrender lad and promise to go on the straight and narrow?"
"I prom promise …..please….. mercy….mer..cy I sur..render."
"Very well."
Killian's father then embarrassed him further by planting a huge kiss on his cheek "Surrender accepted pirate."
"Off with you lads, facing Mrs Bristol's wrath if you let her scones go cold be even worse than what the Royal Navy can dish out."
"Right lads line up in a straight line," the lieutenant bellowed happy to play along with the young boys "Now left march left right left right."
The captain smiled as the boys let the two lieutenants march them in a row towards the courtyard where the promise of tasty food was awaiting them.
Captain Tobias Jones then picked his eight year old son up off the ground and dusted him off, giving the boy a heartfelt onceover. He had grown a little since the captain was last on shore though still small for his age given his lineage. His dark hair the usual disarray now his pirates scarf had been dislodged, blue eyes beaming up at his father, his cheeky grin plastered over his face.
"How long are you home for Father?"
"Three weeks Killian," the captain grinned back. He was a strict captain at sea but at home he let that demeanour slip a little and simply became an affectionate father. Killian warmly embraced his father, three whole weeks, sighing contently against the captain's shoulder.
"So you turned pirate ay lad?" "I must be having a word with Bristol to keep a stricter eye on you, keep you from going wayward while I'm at sea."
Killian could tell his father was jesting with him "Well sir we are talking Mrs Bristol's scones, a treasure beyond treasures."
Captain Tobias laughed at that. "True tis a tempting haul, to even the Good King's most loyal navy men." He took his youngest son's hand and walked towards the courtyard to join the others.