Basil slowly awoke to the distant call of seagulls flying above the ship. He groaned and suddenly sat up with a jolt as his thoughts came rushing back to him, startling Dawson who sat on a stool beside Basil's hammock in the crew's quarters as he had been tending to him since he'd been unconscious. "Steady there," Dawson cautioned. "You're alright. I've no idea what that creature did to you, but somehow you're alive."
Basil's hand flew to his chest where his shirt had been unbuttoned, touching the area near his heart where the bullet had pierced his skin yet not even feeling so much as a scratch. His face flushed in anger at remembering how Ray had shot him. However, only one person mattered to him right now. "Where is Amber?"
Dawson's ears folded and he sighed sadly. "I'm afraid Captain cel Rau took her, along with Ray. Though it looked as if Ray went of his own accord-" The doctor was cut off abruptly as Basil leapt up from the hammock and ascended the stairs, rushing onto the deck of the ship. Dawson hurried to keep up with him as the younger mouse stormed into Ratigan's cabin, startling his first mate Bill as the two were consulting a map. "What the blazes-?!" Ratigan muttered, not used to crew members bursting into his quarters unannounced. Flicka, who was curled up inside a birdcage sitting on a side table nearby, looked up at hearing Basil's voice and chittered happily.
"How long until we catch up to him?" Basil demanded.
Ratigan sighed in annoyance and looked to his first mate. "Mr. Bill, kindly remove this mouse from my cabin."
Basil only shrugged out of the lizard's grip when Bill grabbed his arm and stormed over to the captain, slamming his hands down on the desk so hard it made the bottle of ink and quill clatter and almost spill over the maps scattered about. "When will we catch up to the bastard that took Amber?!"
Ratigan frowned at the impudence of the younger mouse before him. "Never. With any luck he's slunk back into whatever hole he crawled out of and we'll never see him again."
Basil's jaw fell open in shock. He hadn't expected Ratigan to actually give in to Fane's orders to leave the Black Pit so easily without even so much as a fight. "But we must go after him!"
Ratigan rose from his chair, practically towering over Basil as he glared down at him, meeting Basil's rage filled emerald eyes. "Perhaps you've forgotten, but I am the captain of this ship, so I must do nothin'," Ratigan sneered. "I make the decisions around here!"
"And you've decided to just let that monster sail away with your entire treasure trove?!" Basil accused, attempting to at least goad the captain with the desire to recover his stolen possessions. However, Ratigan saw right through his scheme.
"Don't test me, boy," Ratigan warned, moving from around the desk to leave the cabin in order to get some fresh air in an attempt to calm himself before he decided to flay the hide off the insolent mouse. "You only care about the girl. In the hands of Fane cel Rau, she's as good as dead."
"I refuse to believe that," Basil retorted, following behind right on the rat's heels.
"Believe what you want," Ratigan said as he took his place at the helm. "It won't change her fate and neither will you if you were to attempt a rescue. Death follows that mouse. It's a fool's errand."
"I'm fool enough to fight for her," Basil hissed in reply, gripping his hands into fists by his side.
"Well, I'm not a fool, and I won't risk my ship and crew to go gallivanting off to rescue a damsel in distress! So you either shut yer mouth and sail with us to Krawk Island or you jump ship right now and swim after him yerself!"
Basil opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted as two of the crew, Tommy and Jones, approached the captain carrying a barrel between them that they had retrieved from the hold of the ship. To Basil's surprise, a mermaid's head was peeking above the rim of the barrel filled with water, and she gripped the edges to remain steady as the two brutes jostled the barrel between them unsteadily while grunting and grumbling insults to each other as they argued over the other not pulling their own weight. Instantly recognizing the mermaid, Basil was about to address her himself when Ratigan rolled his eyes and sighed loudly. "What now?!" the rat demanded irately.
"Caught her tryin' to crawl out of the hold," Jones explained as they set the barrel down before the captain. "Somehow got the lid off and wiggled out."
"Didn't get far, though," Tommy grinned. "Flapped 'round like a regular fish out o' water, she did!" he joked, causing the pair to guffaw loudly.
"And so you brought her above deck to aid her chances of escape?" Ratigan growled angrily, already annoyed enough by Basil's impudence. He was not in the mood to deal with these two bumbling idiots on top of things. The laughter instantly died in their throats as the two mice gulped and shuffled nervously.
"N-No, cap'n, of course not, cap'n!" Jones stammered.
"Told ya this was a bad idea," Tommy grumbled as he elbowed Jones in the side. "Shoulda just shoved her back in and nailed the lid shut!"
"I said I'll do the talkin', peabrain!" Jones hissed.
"Stop yer blabbering and out with it then!" Ratigan shouted, causing nearly every mouse aboard to flinch at his outburst. Tommy and Jones exchanged nervous looks before Jones shakily answered.
"S-Said she wanted t-to speak to you, cap'n. Said it was i-important!"
Ratigan glared at the young woman in the barrel, who met his gaze evenly even though he could see her trembling just slightly. Good. He was already in a foul temper and not in the mood to play games with a mermaid. "And just what's on yer mind, missy, that warrants such an interruption?"
The lady glared at her captor angrily. "You've kept me locked down there for days now, feeding me scraps of fish like some sort of wild animal! I am not your pet and I demand that you release me at once!" She flinched slightly when Ratigan suddenly let out a harsh laugh in response.
"You hear that, lads? The lady demands it," Ratigan chuckled, the laughter spreading to the rest of the crew as they quickly joined sharing his merriment as they knew better than to ignore him.
The mermaid simply glared back in return, holding her head high and meeting the captain's gaze evenly. "If you continue to hold me captive or sell me or whatever is it you're going to do to me, I assure you that it will not end well for you."
Ratigan's smile grew darker as he strode toward the barrel holding the mermaid while some of the crew sniggered at her insolence. "Was that a threat, poppet?"
The mermaid met his gaze evenly. "It's a promise," she retorted, meeting the captain's gaze evenly. A few collective "ooh"'s came from the crew at her reply as they knew just how much their captain hated any amount of insubordination. Ratigan opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted as Basil pushed himself through the little crowd that had gathered to get a closer look as his curiosity finally got the better of him.
"Your Highness, is that you? How on earth did-" Basil paused when he saw Kitty shake her head frantically. Unfortunately, the astute captain had already caught on.
"'Highness?'" Ratigan repeated with a curious arched eyebrow. Guilt flooded Basil, his ears folding when the mermaid stared defiantly at Ratigan despite the wicked grin spreading across his face. "So you are royalty. I knew that wasn't just a fancy trinket upon yer pretty head," he added, pointing at her tiara made of pearls and shells.
Turning back to Basil, the rat continued. "The lass has refused to speak ever since we captured her. I take it this is one of your and Lehmann's rescuers since you two seem to know each other." His grin widened as Basil gave an apologetic look to the mermaid. "Well, the cat's out of the bag now, yer majesty," Ratigan chuckled, his tall form casting a shadow over her as he came closer. "So tell me. Are the legends true that merfolk of royal blood have the ability to control the sea? Is that how you saved those two whelps?"
"She and her friend simply helped push our boat to land," Basil quickly intervened. Ratigan scoffed in return.
"Aye, a simple task to be sure for two young mermaids to push a heavy boat with two grown men inside. But not so difficult with the power to manipulate the very waves themselves, eh, lass?"
"That's highness to you, filthy pirate!" Kitty shouted as her tail swished angrily.
"A thousand apologies, princess," Ratigan sarcastically replied, bending forward in a mocking bow. The rat glanced up at Basil and frowned. "And what are you still doing here? Back to work, the lot of ya! Especially you, Basil!"
Basil shook his head and scoffed in disbelief while the rest of the crew hastily scattered. He wasn't going to give up that easily and continued to goad the captain. "I can't believe you'd give up the Black Pit so easily, letting that pirate get away with the treasure you've hoarded all these years. What kind of pirate are you, anyway!"
"One who knows when he's been beaten!" Ratigan growled, teeth bared as he slammed his fist into the mast right beside Basil's head. Heart racing, Basil stared as the rat panted for a moment before regaining his composure. "A good captain knows when to choose his battles," Ratigan remarked in a low voice. "And Fane cel Rau is not one to be trifled with. Besides, I've got her," he added, inclining his head toward the mermaid, "along with that squirrel that healed you, plus some other baubles in the hold. The beginnings of a fine treasure hoard, or at least something to barter and trade with on Krawk Island."
"You dare speak of me in such a manner?!" Kitty protested angrily. "After what I did for you!"
"What the blazes are you talking about, girl?" Ratigan shouted back. "I've never laid eyes on you in all m' life!"
Kitty looked taken aback by his outburst. "You… you really don't remember me?"
Ratigan opened his mouth to retort, but something in her eyes made him pause. Why did those eyes look so familiar to him?
"You don't remember my song?"
Ratigan's eyes widened suddenly as pieces of memories from only a few years ago flooded through his mind of a beautiful angel with a melodic voice singing gently to him, rescuing him from the brink of death. "It can't be," he remarked quietly. "No, that was a dream. It couldn't have been you. Could it?"
Kitty smiled softly. "I watched him throw you into the sea, helpless and bound. I couldn't just leave you to die. Even us merfolk know of his evil deeds. I thought any enemy of that monster must be a good man." Her smile suddenly faded and was replaced with a bitter frown. "Guess I was wrong."
Ratigan's eyes widened in surprise at her sudden change in tone. "My father was right," Kitty continued, looking away and hugging her arms across her chest as she sank slightly lower into the water. "He warned me of how dangerous surface dwellers could be. When I saw how you stood up to the Scourge of the Sea himself, I believed you were different. What a mistake that was." The fire returned to her eyes as she glared at Ratigan and pointed an accusing finger at him. "Fane cel Rau will be the least of your worries when the army of Poseidon attacks you for holding me captive!"
Kitty realized her mistake too late as she gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth. Both Ratigan and Basil's mouth had fallen open in shock, with Basil being the first to find his voice again. "Poseiden?" he stammered. "Poseidon, the king of the sea, is your father?!"
The captain quickly recovered from the surprise and grinned evilly, letting out a harsh laugh. "See there? No need to chase after the likes of Fane. How much do ye reckon a mermaid princess's ransom would amount to, eh? I'd wager it'd be more than what the Black Pit could even hold. Or perhaps we could make a trade?" Ratigan smirked. "The trident for the princess."
"Trident?" Basil repeated questioningly.
"The trident of Poseidon is said to hold power over the elements," Ratigan explained. "Whoever holds the trident gains the power to control the sea and the winds. You could conjure a hurricane to drown your enemies, literally hold the sea in the palm of your hands!"
Basil shook his head incredibly. "But do you really think it wise, captain, to tangle with Poseidon himself?"
"Father and my two very overprotective brothers will send you and your ship to the bottom of the ocean before you could even open your mouth to negotiate!" The mermaid suddenly smirked. "It won't be difficult to find you, after all. The day you caught me I wasn't alone. My friend saw you take me and knows your ship with it's blood red sails. You will never be safe on the sea!"
"Told ya I saw two mermaids!" Lefty interjected proudly as he passed by carrying a coil of rope, but his enthusiasm dissipated immediately when the captain glared at him dangerously and he quickly hobbled away, whistling nervously. Ratigan had overlooked Lefty's remark that day Kitty was captured, but now he regretted leaving a witness behind. He then sighed, realizing that unfortunately, the whelp was right. Tangling with a mermaid king probably wasn't the best idea at the moment, especially given the state of Ratigan's affairs at present. He wasn't eager to be so easily beaten a second time.
"Fine. Best to be rid of you as soon as possible then. A mermaid will fetch a hefty price in a place like Krawk Island, crawling with pirates from around the globe. Especially a royal mermaid with abilities such as yours."
Fuming with rage, the princess suddenly yelled as she swung her arms about and threw what could only be described as a long rope of water resembling a whip at the captain from the water in the barrel she was in. Ratigan managed to throw his arm up to shield his face just in time but stared wide eyed as the water wrapped around his forearm like a rope. Kitty yanked on the length of water in an attempt to throw the captain off his feet, but the rat didn't even budge. She cried out when he tugged his arm back instead, pulling her forward and causing the barrel she was in to tip over and spill her and all the water out of it. The whip made of water dissolved and fell into small puddles on the deck.
Hope filled the mermaid as she saw Basil take a step in her direction as if to come to her aid. Basil had intended to grab her and toss her overboard where she could escape under the sea, but Bill quickly stepped in and held him at bay with a cutlass pointed at his chest. Kitty desperately clawed at the wooden deck trying to crawl to the side of the ship, slipping in the water and face burning in embarrassment as the crew laughed in amusement.
"You were right, Tommy. A fish out of water," Ratigan grinned. However, the smile faded as the pirate captain had had enough disturbances for one day. "Get her back below deck and into something more secure. And bind her hands this time. No more tricks." Kitty did not miss the threat in that last statement and shivered as Tommy and Jones picked her up to carry her back down in the depths of the ship.
"Orders, cap'n?" Bill asked, standing at attention as Ratigan turned to him.
"Set sail for Krawk Island," Ratigan answered. "We'll set anchor there for a few weeks to rest and resupply before making sail again."
"Coward."
The entire crew froze, watching with baited breath as the captain slowly turned to face the accusation. "What did you just say to me, boy?" he said low, voice dripping with malice.
"You're a damn coward, that's what I said!" Basil yelled with fists clenched. Turning and gesturing to the crew, he added, "All of you! A bunch of spineless dogs running away with your tails between your legs! You gave up the Black Pit so easily, and now you're going to let Fane sail away with your entire treasure hoard that you spent years pilfering and plunging to get your slimy hands on it? You're just going to admit defeat and slink away to Krawk Island and drown your sorrows in rum? Start all that hard work over again from scratch instead of just stealing it back from the pirate who dared to steal it from you?!
"You don't know who you're dealing with!" Ratigan retorted angrily. "You saw how easily he took the Black Pit. He's even more ruthless at sea!"
"Maybe I don't, but you do! You sailed under his command once, didn't you?" Ratigan's posture stiffened noticeably at being reminded of that particular era of his life he'd rather not think about. "You know him. You know his strengths, his weaknesses."
Ratigan scoffed bitterly. "Fane cel Rau has no weaknesses."
"No man is invincible, Captain," Basil insisted. "If anyone could defeat the Scourge of the Sea, it would be Captain Padraic Ratigan." Ratigan let out a short scoffing laugh, but Basil could see the captain actually mulling his words over in his head. "I think Loran would believe the same."
A chill ran through Basil and he took a step back as Ratigan marched right up to him and grabbed the collar of his shirt, leaning in far too close for comfort. "You know nothing about Loran," Ratigan growled low.
Basil couldn't help swallowing nervously as he eyes the huge hand that had grabbed him, wondering if maybe he had been too bold. Yet he pressed on, desperate for any way to convince the captain to go after Fane so that he could rescue his love, knowing that he couldn't do it alone.
"I only know what little I've heard," Basil replied softly. "When Ray and I were on Fane's ship after you set us adrift at sea, before I escaped, Ray asked me to save Loran. I think Fane must have said something to make Ray believe that he was still aboard the Persephone. If there were even the slightest chance that Loran might still be alive, wouldn't you want to do all you could to free him from Fane's clutches?"
Ratigan was very quiet for several moments pondering that. Like Ray, he had given up hope of ever seeing his old first mate alive ever again. It had been nearly three years, hadn't it? Could Loran really have survived that long as Fane's captive? Well, Ratigan himself had survived after all. If he could do it, maybe Loran could as well. He frowned and shook his head slightly trying to squash that little spark of hope that had lit up inside him at the thought of rescuing his old friend from his most hated enemy. Best not to get his hopes up too high.
"And just how do you expect us to defeat Fane, hm?" Ratigan asked, his voice taking on a sarcastic tone even though Basil knew he had struck a cord by mentioning Loran. "The Persephone is nearly three times the size of the Felicia. She'll blow us out of the water before we even reach her."
"But she'll be burdened down with your treasure trove, aye?" Basil quipped, an idea starting to form in his mind. "Now would be the ideal time to catch up to her while she's slow and weighted down. He'll be wanting to unload the treasure on his own territory, so we know he's headed toward his own hideout. Where does he make berth?"
"A godforsaken place called Insula Mortilor. 'Tis a rocky island much like the Black Pit made up of deep caverns with dead ends and deep pools. Any ship that has managed to find it has been dashed to pieces on it's jagged rocks, if Fane and his cursed crew don't destroy them first. It's nigh unpenetrable."
"Then we must catch up to him on the sea before he reaches it," Basil urged. He observed the captain carefully, hope rising in him as he could see Ratigan weighing his options. Even the crew seemed to be considering it, muttering amongst each other, though none dared to voice their own opinion aloud to the captain. Basil had been counting on the mention of his old first mate to tempt Ratigan with pursuing Fane, plus the chance to get revenge on his most hated enemy. And the chance to regain their treasures rather than restart from scratch should be motivation enough for the crew. It almost made him sick, the greed that filled these men. Willing to spill their own blood for nothing but chests full of gold...
A chest to be opened upon man's flesh.
"Captain," Basil said urgently as the witch's words came to mind as whispers in his head, "before I escaped, Ray also gave me this." Ratigan's eyes widened as Basil removed a key from his pocket, which Ratigan quickly snatched from him. "Ray stole it," Basil added, watching Ratigan's reactions carefully. "The witch on the island we were stranded on mentioned a demon of some kind that possesses Fane's heart and that he attempts to control it by locking his heart away in a chest. But stabbing the heart it possesses will kill it and I assume him as well. If this key unlocks the chest, then you can destroy Fane for good!"
Ratigan shook his head. "I know nothing of a demon. He and his crew are plagued with a different kind of curse, one that causes them to literally thirst for blood. But even if your witch's story is true, Fane could have hidden his heart anywhere in the world. Without the chest, this key is useless."
"But wouldn't it make sense that Fane would want it as close to himself as possible once he noticed that the key was missing?" Basil prodded. "It could be on the Persephone at this very moment. Now is the chance to strike, when he's at his most vulnerable!"
Several moments of long silence stretched out between them. Basil's heart was nearly about to beat out of his chest with suspense, but he could see that the rat was seriously considering his words. The crew continued to chatter amongst themselves, seeming terrified of the prospect of facing Fane cel Rau again so soon, yet greedy to get their hands back on their treasure and eager for revenge. Basil wondered just how loyal they were to their captain. Would they follow their fearless leader to the brink of death, or would they dare defy his wishes and even mutiny against him?
Ratigan was painfully aware of the dilemma facing him. His crew looked to him, their lives in the palms of his hands. They weren't the brightest lot, but he didn't think they were stupid enough to challenge him or betray him with mutiny. He was confident that they were more frightened of him than they were of Fane. After all, none of them really knew just what a monster Fane really was. They had only caught a glimpse of the feared pirate and knew that they're captain was wary of him. If they truly knew what horrors the Scourge of the Sea was capable of, they would mutiny right then and there and flee to the other side of the globe.
The thing bothering Ratigan was, was he willing to face his enemy again? Especially after such a humiliating defeat? However, his own lust for revenge was growing stronger by the second. He couldn't get the image out of his head of that damned bloodsucker on his knees before him begging for mercy. And he couldn't wait to deny those pleas and plunge his blade straight through the monster over and over and over…
"I admit you bring up some good points," Ratigan finally said at length. "It seems almost too easy." Basil's ears perked up hopefully. "However, I think there's one thing you've forgotten, Mr. Basil." Ratigan strode over to the smaller mouse, and Basil gasped when Ratigan grabbed his arm and yanked his sleeve up, exposing the burn mark on his wrist that branded him with Ratigan's emblem. "When this is all over, you still belong to me. In fact, you both do, you and the girl. That is, if she's even still alive. Don't expect to run off with your lover at the end of this to live happily ever after."
"You would still hold her prisoner? Your depravity knows no bounds," Basil growled and attempted to yank his arm away, but Ratigan held fast.
"You flatter me," Ratigan chuckled darkly, his grip tightening ever so slightly. "And you know, if we do manage to rescue her, you will be in my debt since this little venture was all your idea. Is she really worth that much to you?"
Basil's ears folded and Ratigan felt the mouse shudder in his grip. But a moment later, he squared his shoulders and looked up at Ratigan, meeting his gaze evenly. "She's worth more to me than anything in this world. If a lifetime of servitude is the price I pay, then so be it."
Ratigan smiled grimly and finally released his hold. "So be it then," he echoed. Basil looked down at his wrist, staring at the scarred skin in his fur in the shape of the letter "R." He sighed sadly, all hopes of having a normal life shattered now. What was he thinking, anyway, believing he could ever be free from Ratigan? And besides, even if he could, he was still wanted for piracy due to helping Ray escape his hanging. That was no life for Amber. Still, he would at least ensure that she would escape Ratigan to be able to live a happy, normal life, no matter what punishment the rat decided to give him. Even if it meant that she would be better off with someone else instead of him.
"Well, gentlemen," Ratigan remarked, interrupting Basil's thoughts as he turned to face his crew, "what say you to a little game of revenge?" The crew of the Felicia was silent, and when they did not answer right away, Ratigan frowned and scoffed. "Surely that's not hesitation that I detect in my crew. No, not the fearless crew of the Felicia, the grandest pirate ship to ever sail the seas!" The crew watched spellbound as Ratigan strode about the deck, making eye contact with every single one as he addressed them.
"No, I have better faith in my crew than to believe that they're afraid of the likes of Fane! And I know you wouldn't dare give up the chance for revenge on the one who stole your treasure right from under our noses! Are we gonna let that bloodsucker and his vermin crew fritter away all the treasure that you rightfully earned?"
"No, cap'n!" came the resounding cries from the crew.
Ratigan nodded solemnly as he paced about the deck. "Aye, of course not. We've sailed through some dire straits over the years, haven't we, lads?" Ratigan paused briefly at the solemn, affirmative "Aye, cap'n"'s in reply. "And through all that," he continued, "did the Felicia even once run away from a fight?"
"No, cap'n!" the crew replied even more loudly this time, their courage returning as their captain fed their egos.
"Did we ever once think of surrender, be it to a rival pirate or even the British fleet itself?"
"Never!" The cries became louder and louder with each query from their captain.
Ratigan whirled suddenly turning to Basil. He smirked down at the mouse, causing Basil to take a slight step back, not liking the mischievous look in his eyes. The whelp wanted to play mind games to convince others to get what he wanted? Fine. Two could play at that game. "Are we gonna prove men like Basil right who dare to call us cowards?"
The crew practically exploded at that. Basil gulped nervously as they looked like they were ready to tear him limb from limb for daring to insult their courage, or lack thereof. It took several moments for them to quiet enough for Ratigan to speak again. "What do all the other ships see when they look to us? Frightened bilge rats who hide from their enemies? Or free men who control their own destiny?"
At that, the men burst into cheers and whoops of excitement. Ratigan gave a roguish smile in approval. "Then hoist the colors and make ready to sail!" The crew continued to cheer as the ship became a hive of activity, each man racing to their stations to make all haste toward Insular Mortilor...
...having absolutely no idea what sort of hell they were about to sail into.
Author's Notes:
Sorry for not updating this story in so long! Life happens, y'know? But thanks to the few who are still following it! I first planned that this chapter would be the dark one, but it's actually the next one. Forgot there were some loose ends to tie up on the Felicia first. But as we head back to the Persephone next, the following chapter will be... uh... painful. So be warned!
Also, the incident Kitty mentions where she saves Ratigan is written here- wingsofasong/art/Gift-The-Rescue-361037629