I awoke early that morning hence my previous statement. I had figured I would see who the early birds were in this new crew. It was about 4:30 in the morning. Leon was up. Benjamin was up. And about 22 others were up and roaming about. Breakfast on the Rose wasn't until 7:30 and was held on the Second floor at a huge table. Unless it was raining or snowing. Then it was held in the cabin lounge area down under the main deck. Anyway I decided to meet the men who awoke early first. I saw three men in deep conversation so I decided to join. They were talking about the future sailing. And then they started to ask me questions. I being the second mate they assumed I knew the captain. I told them the legends and they agreed on Leon being the captain in disguise. In case you have forgotten the legends, they go like this
Leon is the captain and he won't tell anyone
There is no captain and it is a Silent ship
There is a mysterious captain who doesn't want to be named
I believe 3 because Leon assured me there was a captain. I asked who the men were.
"I am Thomas Otter" the first replied "I am a swordsman, from Skull Island."
The second told me "My name is Eric Young. My parents are from Cool Ranch but I was born in Flotsam. I do not call myself a musketeer but I use Revolvers from the gunsmiths in Cool Ranch. I carry two with me. I could hit a yum bottle from 100 yards away"
And the third interested me. "My name is Blaze Lewis. I do not know where I was born for my parents could not tell me before they died. I was raised by tribal people who practiced the art of Hoodoo. I am a witchdoctor." I questioned the subject.
"What exactly IS a witchdoctor? " I asked.
"Well. We could sit here and talk or I could show you."
I agreed to his proposition. And he took me to his cabin. It was stacked with cloths and cotton. He made a quick push pin doll of an armada soldier. Then he showed me how putting a putting a pin into the doll would make it flinch and hold its leg. And he told me how an Armada soldier out there was in pain. It was pretty fascinating. The he showed me staff techniques. He could send spirits at someone from very far away. I was amazed at this subject. He could actually control people. So I decided not to get on his bad side. I didn't want to find a little doll of me controlling my every move.
It was around 7:00 now. And most of the men were up. I went from man to man learning about them a little. And telling my story. The most of them would ask what was planned for the Long trip ahead of us. And I would explain ship battles. But I hadn't yet talked to Leon about the schedule. At breakfast time I sat next to Martin and Leon. Benjamin just to Leon's right. And Blaze Lewis sat at the very head of the table on the far end. Me, Benjamin, Leon and Martin sat next to the head on our side which always remained empty to represent a captain who wasn't there. And then men and I started to feast. I asked Leon what was ahead and Martin stuffing his face with a turkey leg joined into my question.
"Were searching the lost Keys of Gregoro Simpilion De' Manela."
Martin dropped his Turkey leg onto his plate with a loud clanging sound.
"Who's Gregoro Simpleton De Manilla? I asked.
"Simpilion De' Manela" Martin repeated.
Just then some of the men who had been listening in went silent. Eventually the whole table did. There was something I was missing.
"GS De Manela was the richest pirate to ever live. However he remained silent to many of the people. For if anyone knew about the gold he hoarded he would go public. A select few know about him. And if you're a pirate at all you fantasize about his treasure every night. Many regular folk haven't a clue about the trillions of gold he has stashed on some island somewhere. And many pirates don't even know." Leon explained. "Almost every treasure seeker out there has tried to find The map to the key to the chest that holds the map and key to the map that's holds the key to the map to the key that goes to the chest that the map to the Key to the Gold is hidden." Leon took a breath. "But, William. I have the first key. And the Map to the Gold itself." Leon sighed. "Now we just need 4 more keys Mate. And that lump of gold is as good as ours."
The men aboard all got into immediate chatter. This Sail wouldn't be about looting ships. It would be about going after The Invisible Treasure, as Martin called it.
After breakfast Leon told Me, Martin and Benjamin to follow him. So we did. He led us down the stairs to the rear of the Ship. And up the stairs in the back. There were 2 decks up here on both sides of a roped off third floor with a cabin at the top.
Leon lifted the rope.
My jaw almost fell off. Was he going to have us meet the captain? I froze. I didn't actually picture it to happen this way.
We went under the rope and up the stairs. Leon knocked some intricate knock and one of the doors came open. He told us to wait outside. We did as he asked. He came out with a chest, in his arms. But as the Leon walked out, I saw a lanky boney hand holding the door with a ripped black cloak falling down to a pale wrist.
That was all I saw of the mysterious captain. There was a short deck in front of the Cabin and a table with 6 chairs around it. He put the heavy chest onto the table. And used a key on a necklace around his neck to open it. It was filled with a pile of Shining gold and red rubies. But on top was a small silver box and inside was a pure emerald Key. This was the key to a chest holding a map and another key. This continued like that for 3 more keys. There were 5 keys and maps in total. They say if you owned one key you were one step into nothing.
We had a start on the Hunt. Now we just had to finish it. I imagined we wouldn't be back to port in quite some time. Leon knocked the intricate knock again and handed the chest to a hidden figure. We couldn't see him because he was behind the door. But I and Benjamin reached our heads to try. I had belief that Martin knew the captain. Or Leon wouldn't have made him fourth mate so quickly. On this ship there were four mates. Leon being the first. I being the second. Benjamin being the third. And Martin being the Fourth. We were all highly respected by the men as captains ourselves.
I asked Leon once again about the captain. He told me that we would meet him soon enough. Also I had meant to talk to Martin a bit more about his ship switching. He had been with over 30 different ships.
"Well the last ship I was with was the Sky Queen. Led by a lady pirate named Captain Ruthless Iridian Blade."
"I have heard talk about the Sky Queen. I have heard it is a crew of unforgiving pirates."
"Well you have heard right Ay'. We best not run into them out on the seas. For I'm afraid the treasure hunt will become a treasure race if we do."
Martin Everret had an interesting take on the pirating life. He seemed almost to knowing about every pirate who sailed the spiral. About every shipmaster and captain who made and commanded ships. And about every name of every ship that has ever left a harbor. I longed to learn more from Martin but it had become quite late. However I wasn't to sleep just yet. I promised Benjamin I would take his Crow's nest shift from 10:00 at night to 3:00 in the morn. So I did. The night was warm. The breeze was pretty amazing. And the sights were as usual. Outstanding. There was no action out on the spiral seas. And no one had to be waken that night. I took the shift past 3:00 and went until Benjamin awoke at 4:30. Then I slept late into that day. I fell right to sleep and wasn't able to think about anything that night.