I somehow managed to burn through several chapters of this so the next few will be coming along soon. Also Jax is a lovable ass.
Chapter 21 – The Veteran and The Rookie
Ryo descended the stairs down into the kitchen. Hook had a point… it is getting a bit crowded in here. A scraggly looking member of Hooks crew stood chatting with Mr. Smee as the old man re-filled his bowl of soup. Grub scrubbed out the stack of empty bowls beside him with a light smile on his face. He seemed to take joy in simply being of use and keeping busy. The tall imposing form of Bill Jukes pushed his way through the door outside with both arms filled with firewood. He added it to the stack in a small alcove beside the fireplace. From the quick glimpse outside it remained dark and overcast, but from the looks of it the rain had let up significantly. Beside the kitchen fireplace Buttons hung half in half out of a small wooden bowl sitting on the counter next to Klyeln. The dark haired boy continued his reading, unbothered by the loud slurping.
Smee gave her a bright smile when he noticed her and hurried over to great the woman, "Mornin Ma'am I saved you a bit a soup. Those lads have quite an appetite." He handed her what was left and Ryo nodded gratefully.
"Thank you Mr. Smee. I hope you and the crew slept well enough. It sounds like the worst of the storm is over."
"Oh aye, lad was right unhappy after yesterday. Poor lad had a mighty bad day," Smee said with a weak smile.
"The lad could do with a few bad days... Make up for the misery he left us all in," Hooks deep voice held an annoyed edge to it. Ryo watched him descend the stairs now full armed and exuding his usual confidence and egotism. "Make sure the crew is prepared to leave by noon. I will be heading out for a few, there's some business I need to attend to before we go."
Kly lowered his book and listened in on the conversation. Ryo raised a brow and eyed the Captain suspiciously, "Business, what sort of business?"
Hook smirked down at her as he passed, "None of yours."
"It is if it's in my castle Captain," She snapped back with a hard glare.
"I've used this castle to store my possessions for far longer then you've been here. Unless you've laid claim to that as well I'll be taking it back." Ryo bristled a little at his condescending tone.
The dark haired boy smirked slightly and returned his attention back to his book as he spoke, "We already found the stuff in the secret room upstairs."
"A good pirate has many hiding places for his treasure," Hook said with a smirk.
Klyeln glanced back up at the captain, "Don't keep all your eggs in one basket...smart thinking."
Hook gave a snort and grabbed his coat from next to the fireplace. Kly closed his book after he dog-eared his page and hopped off the counter. He nonchalantly wandered into the common room and pulled his brother aside. Jax perked and his eyes flashed in the Captains direction as his brother whispered in his ear. The Captain didn't seem to notice, but Ryo did. She also noticed the boy slip out the door a few moments after Hook left. She gave him a disapproving frown as he passed and he returned it with a grin and a wink.
Hook crept through the lower levels of the decrepit castle. The torch in his hand lit the halls that remained black as pitch in the windowless ruin. He hoped the tide would be low enough to access the cave system that winded below the castles foundations, but there was no guarantee. He moved with the practiced ease of a lifelong thief. The quiet little shadow that followed him did the same but he had many more years of practice. Hook knew he was being followed, but he was admittedly impresses by the lads' prowess. He was waiting for the boy to slip up and reveal himself but that didn't look like it was about to happen.
Hook came out of the corridor to stand below the large stone statue that loomed over Skull Rock, the shackles and chains rattled as the low tide washed over them. Each wave that passed the rocks did so lower than the last and the small dark entry to the cave could be seen. Hook frowned. It wouldn't be low enough of a tide to keep from getting soaked again. Hook slipped off his boots and socks then lowered himself down onto the sand. There were some personal items he couldn't afford to let fall into anyone's hands and it would only be a matter of time before the hoard was found. He had no intention of underestimating the woman and her lads' cunning again, even if they seemed more than willing to remain in good standing with him... though it was a rather cold alliance at times. He certainly couldn't blame the woman for her caution. He'd be more willing to cross her if she wasn't... if for no other reason than to teach her a lesson.
Hook timed his move as the tide pulled out exposing the narrow entrance. water lapped at his knees as he trudged through the sand and slick gravel carefully so not to lose his footing and extinguish the only light he'd get down here. Once out of the waters reach the cave widened significantly. A cunning grin spread across his face and he jammed the torch between some rocks just after a bend in the caves tunnel. Slinking back into the shadows near the caverns entrance he waited for his follower to arrive. Soon enough the teens dark shape came into view. His now waterlogged tennies making loud squashing noises as he struggled up the sandy path. He was soaked up to his waist and the weight of his clothes dragged him down. Hook smirked as the boy cursed quietly and plopped down onto the sand to remove the soggy shoes. The Captains bare feet didn't make a sound on the soft sand as he slipped into the shadows behind him.
"I don't believe I invited you on this little expedition." Hooks voice resonated off the dank walls. Jax jerked in surprise and scrambled away from the silhouette that seemed even darker then the blackness surrounding it.
"Jesus!" Jax gasped breathlessly and went limp against the caves rocky wall, "You scared the shit outta me! You're a real thing of nightmares you know that?"
"That seems to be my purpose here yes..." The dark forms tone was one of amusement.
"Ya well… you got that shit down." Jax let out a long sigh. He rose to his feet and brushed the moist sand off his rear. He seemed to have calmed significantly.
"Perhaps not as well as you say. You seem rather calm for having a 'thing of nightmares' standing before you. What's to say I don't gut you now and save myself the trouble of dealing with you later?"
Jax scoffed and offered him a wiry grin, "If you ever wana get laid again in your life I'd avoid pissing off the Boss."
Hook gaped at his blunt reply, "Are all children so crass these days? I outt' to flay you raw myself for that kind of talk."
"Just say it like I see it Capt'n," Jax said with a shrug. "Soo... you gonna show me your loot or what?"
He looked mildly annoyed, "So you can steal it? I think not."
"Ya didn't exactly make it subtle what you were doing. I heard treasure, I came runnin'. What did you expect?" Jax said sarcastically. Hook huffed and started heading down the tunnel towards the torch light.
Jax grinned brightly, "Does that mean I can come?"
Hook couldn't quite force away the grin that found its way to his face at the sound of the boy's excitement. He didn't bother to turn back to Jax, just gestured for him to come along, "Just keep out of the way." Jax bounded after, practically dancing as he caught up with the man.