Alrighty! Chapter 4! I know the going is slow, what with all the chatting, but things will spice up! Tiller meets the captain!

Tiller suddenly became aware of the chill wind that he had ignored while sitting with his shipmates. The fear of meeting his captain only made him colder. He didn't even know why he dreaded meeting his captain. Slitfang and Clipjaw had spoken of her in such a way that it seemed she was a definite ruler of her ship and crew, and she knew it, and used her position well.

A tyrant that rules off fear was not Tiller's idea of a leadership, being born and raised amongst humble, hard-working creatures that only wanted to be left alone. His former home was a fishing village on a small and peaceful island, of which belonged to a chain of other small islands. It was an isolated archipelago with an abundant food supply and trade market, and Tiller missed it very much.

He abruptly ceased his sorrowful thoughts, knowing it madness to show weakness in a place like this. He was a pirate now, and there would be no time to show emotions.

Tiller set his jaw firmly and breathed deep.

He set a shaking claw on the old wooden door of the tavern and took a quick sideways glance at his mates behind him. They were all watching him. Skivclaw nodded.

Once again taking in a deep breath, he effortlessly pushed the door open, it's rickety hinges creaking.

Tiller was greeted by a great blast of warmth and a strange scent of ale and filth. Voices hummed and droned in his ears as he blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the dim lighting of the tavern.

As everything slowly came into focus, he peered around timidly.

There were several tables seating various numbers of corsair and pirate beasts, all of which wore an array of ugly weapons, tattered clothes, and tarnished finery. There were lanterns hung from the ceiling, and glowing coals filled a blackened fireplace.

Tiller started as a cruel looking stoat leaped up from his seat and attacked a ferret in front of him with a beaker of wine. He shouted and threw the beaker, narrowly missing the ferret's head. It crashed into the plank wall in a shower of red droplets and dark glass. A single shard ricocheted of the stone hearth and flew at the ferret, lodging itself cruelly in his cheek. The ferret let a voracious snarl and in a flash was on top of the stoat.

Tiller looked away, not wanted to see spilled blood mingle with spilled wine.

Turning his head, he glimpsed a fox swaggering towards him.

Sneering, the fox stopped in front of him and looked him over with obvious disapproval.

"So, ye' be th' new beast?"

Tiller merely nodded, frowning.

The fox snorted.

"Ye' don't look like a pirate t' me. Don't see what th' capn' saw in ye'."

The fox grimaced again and motioned with his head for Tiller to follow him. The fox spoke as he weaved his way about the tables.

"Best watch yer tongue, lad. The capn' kin be..." the fox glanced at Tiller and smiled evilly, baring his yellowed fangs. "Grouchy," he said, chuckling darkly.

Tiller decided he didn't like this fox, and kept his distance. He looked to where the fox seemed to be leading him: a dark corner far back in the tavern. There was a single table set up with three chairs. In one sat a shady figure with it's back against the wall, slender claws fondling a tankard handle.

The fox stopped at the table. Everything seemed muffled here.

"Cap'n," he said curtly. "Here's the pretty liddle sailor ye' wanted." He motioned with his claws.

The figure slowly turned it's head and regarded Tiller. He didn't like the silence one bit.

"Go git yerself a drink, Riptail. I call ye' if I need ye'."

Riptail, who Tiller noticed had no tail, saluted smartly and strode off.

The figure swept a graceful paw over the table.

"Have a seat."

Hesitantly, Tiller took a seat across from the silhouette. He sunk slightly into his chair and waited silently.

The muffled noises of the tavern offered some respite from the uneasy silence, but nothing else offered the new searat comfort, especially not the splintery chair he was seated in. He fidgeted anxiously.

He was a little startled when the captain finally spoke. It sounded so out of place here.

"Don't say much, do you."

Tiller noted the tone of the comment. It wasn't a question. That only made him feel worse.

Still, he definitely didn't want to anger his captain.

"Only when things need saying," he said silently before adding a timid, "captain."

He gulped as the figure leaned forward into the light.

His captain, like himself, was a rat. A female rat. Female pirates were not unheard of, but Tiller new they were uncommon. Especially ones with such power and supremacy over a crew. She held a strong air of dominance and respect about her, which was only enhanced by her measuring glare.

Tiller sank further into his chair.

"Well, aren't you a bold and brazen young fellow," she said. "Sensible, as well." Her lips formed a half smile. Tiller thought it was a pretty smile, a rare smile that lit up faces.

She narrowed her dark hazel eyes.

"Yet, boldness is not always a good thing, and is not always sensible, so I would take care how you say things if I were you. It could get you into serious trouble. Remember that."

"Yes, captain," he mumbled.

She smiled and was silent for a while. Tiller felt her heavy gaze upon him.

He raised his eyes as she spoke.

"You're new at this pirate business, aren't you."

Once again it wasn't a question.

"Yes, captain."

"Mmm. It's really quite obvious, you know," she stated. "For instance, instead of "aye, captain", you say "yes, captain", and you flinched away when that ferret over yonder attacked the stoat. Not to mention you look terribly frightened. Do I frighten you, lad?"

Tiller glanced up quickly and looked away.

"Everything frightens me these days," he muttered absentmindedly. He swallowed. "Captain."

She chuckled silently, her eyes shining.

"Really? Well, at least you're being honest. What was your name again?"

"Tiller." He was grateful it was a question.

"Well Tiller, being honest is a good thing, for good creatures. You are now a pirate, and being honest will get you killed. This a very different life from the one you're used to, I'm sure, but you'd best get used to it. I took you on because I saw a bit of my old self in you. An old memory, returning to haunt me. I know how it feels."

Tiller stared at her in confusion.

"That, and I can see you are a strong and agile young beast. I need someone like you. Someone who will put everything they've got into one task, and never stop nor tire till the job is finished. You're smart for a rat, and that's clear indeed, however..." she paused, as if to gather her thoughts.

"A few things worry me. First of all, you show your emotions. Your fear is most evident. You must learn to hide your feelings If you want to last. Second, you don't seem to like fighting or blood. Have you ever killed anybeast before?"

"Yes." He didn't like where this was going.

"And you didn't like it, did you."

There it was again.

He sighed.

"No, not really," he muttered gravely.

"Didn't think so. Which brings us to the third reason. Once again, you were honest. You could have said it was the best thing you had ever done. Learn to say the things that won't get you killed, not the things that are the truth. Fourth! You'd best learn how to kill and loot because for as long as you sail on my ship, you are going to kill and loot! Fifth! Learn how to talk like a pirate! I don't believe I need to give any reasons."

Tiller smiled.

"I'd expect you know the basics of sailing."

"Ye-, Aye, captain"

She grinned.

"There, see? It's not so hard, once you get used to it. Now you're probably wondering why I'm speaking like you are. Well the truth is, I was just like you. I was not born a pirate, but I became one and learned fast. That's how I got to be captain of my own ship. It's a very beautiful one, wouldn't you agree?"

Tiller, suddenly feeling more comfortable, put on an arrogant grin.

"No, I think it's the most ugly vessel ever to sail these seas."

The captain broke into a fit of laughter. She tried to speak through it.

"I think you've missed my point, Tiller! I said lie so you don't get killed! Sixth! Never tell a captain their ship is ugly!"

Even Tiller chuckled along with her.

"But you told the truth about you not being a pirate to begin with, so really, you've gone back on your own advice," Tiller stated pointedly.

The captain winked at him and drank from her tankard.

"You've passed your first test, Tiller me lad." She passed him another tankard.

"Welcome to my crew!"

The two tapped their drinks together. Tiller drank deeply, reflecting on his captains words.

Whoa! This is quite a bit longer! Anyway, you'll find out the captain's name and more of that stuff in the next few chapters!