The Curse Of Maraqua : My Version
By: Rosewoode13
Summary:
Garin couldn't believe how his greed had overtook him and forced him to do something as stupid as this. Running through the beach with a horde of Maraquan soldiers chasing him, he cursed his gluttonous ways and wished he could give up all the riches he'd plundered over the years, just to get out of this situation alive. Although, the princess draped over his shoulder was well worth the fight…
Disclaimer: This is my version of the Curse of Maraqua Plot, and it's loosely based on Pirates Of The Caribbean. Nothing you recognize belongs to me.
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Chapter One: A Pirate's Life For Me
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The young blonde Usul sighed contentedly as the soft breeze whipped the scent of saltwater around him, leaving his nearly shoulder-length hair in that tousled disarray that women can't seem to get enough of. He stared over his shoulder and flushed with pride, watching as his crew worked diligently to keep The Black Pawkeet, his own ship, in tip-top shape. Riches from the crew's last plunder still lay scattered about the deck; coins, gold crowns, silver chains, gemstones. He remembered the first time he'd ever stolen something willingly; the sudden rush of exhilaration he felt was overwhelming. As he dwelled on the thought, he realized that he never would've even thought of piracy had it not been for one person… The persistent breeze sent small flecks of saltwater into his face, but the Usul didn't flinch. Instead, he let himself be whisked away into the photo album in his mind, reminiscing about the day he realized that a pirate's life was for him…
The eight-year-old Garin was a natural-born troublemaker. The girls at his school kept their hair in tight buns fastened at the napes of their necks; if they didn't, they'd most likely find a bug or some other unwelcome creature crawling around in it. Nobody dared bring spaghetti for lunch; they knew for sure they'd find a worm in it, blending in perfectly with the limp bits of pasta. And any self-respecting teacher always remembered to look in their seats before sitting (at least since Garin's arrival). I doubt teachers enjoyed walking around with uncomfortable tacks in their rears. As capable as Garin was of carrying out his mischievous trickeries on his own, an accomplice was always helpful.
Garin's partner-in-crime, as well as best friend, was none other than fellow troublemaker Jacques. It was a perfect combination because no one ever expected the shy, quiet little Kyrii to be behind such devious schemes. Together, the two of them scoured the school, waiting for an unsuspecting victim or someone with their backs turned. Most of the school became accustomed to Garin's roguish personality, and refrained from trusting him with many favors, but they knew he wasn't bad of heart.
One morning, while Garin was being his usual riley self, his teacher Ms. Linn walked in rather excitedly and practically shrieked (in a happy note) to get the class's attention. Garin and Jacques exchanged furtive glances; the only time Ms. Linn shrieked was when something really exciting was taking place.
The cheery young Korbat cleared her throat and pressed on.
"Great news, children! We've got a newcomer today! He comes all the way from Krawk Island! Though he's a bit older than you all, his parents insisted that he get somewhat of a proper education before leaving to… oh what was it he was going to again? … Actually… I don't think they told me…."
The class, though wrapped with attention for the most part, began to lose interest when the forgetful teacher seemed to have… well… forgotten what is was she was announcing. The children were beginning to get restless and start blurting out random suggestions, hoping one of them would jog her memory. But Ms. Linn's memory didn't need jogging.
As if on cue, a tall, almost gangly looking Shoyru entered the classroom with somewhat of a swagger. Garin couldn't help but watch in amazement at the pre-teenage boy leaning casually against the wall, looking extremely bored and waiting for a proper welcome.
"Hmm… well I must say, my memory isn't what it used to be…" Ms. Linn muttered to herself, not noticing the wayward boy behind her. Her statement was awfully hypocritical, for the woman wasn't a day over twenty-six. Then, finally acknowledging the newcomer's presence, she jumped slightly and rambled on.
"Oh yes! Forgive my awful memory!" she apologized to no one in particular. "Everyone! William Turner here will be spending a few school years with us. Now, I know it's hard for children nowadays to accept a strange-looking newcomer, but I want everyone in this class to treat Will with respect. Help him catch up with our curriculum and don't hesitate to build friendships with him. Oh and one more thing-" at that exact moment, an old-fashioned telephone began ringing somewhere from Ms. Linn's muddled desk, most likely underneath one of the many tottering stacks of papers balancing miraculously on the wooden surface.
As Ms. Linn started moving thick stacks of forgotten assignments aside in pursuit of the phone, Will pushed himself away from the wall and lazily took a seat, earning wondrous stares from his younger peers. Garin was delighted when Will sat in the vacant seat right next to him. Everything about this new student screamed 'cool'. The way his weathered brown boots clicked on the floor, or the way his lone golden earring swung back and forth in a hypnotizing notion. The Shoyru was clad in proper Krawk Island attire; the fairly ragged white shirt, unbuttoned low enough to let females gawk at his slightly matured chest and with the sleeves rolled up, the maroon vest that covered it, worn black slacks tucked into his boots, a single gold medallion hanging from a tatty black string around his neck, various chains and scarves tied loosely around his waist, and even a creased black bandana tied around his forehead.
Everything about his appearance appealed to Garin; he wanted to be just like Will. Seizing the teacher's lack of organization skills as an opportunity to introduce himself to the confident-looking boy, Garin leaned over and whispered, "She's not the best of teachers, but she's terribly fun to mess around with."
The Shoyru, Will, gave him an amused glance, which seemed to satisfy Garin enough. The young Usul contemplated what he would say next but felt a quizzical glance on him. He turned to meet the mahogany eyes of Will, scrutinizing him. Garin suddenly felt foolish clad in his school boy shirt and neatly ironed shorts. He often complained to his mother (who just so happened to be the exact opposite of Ms. Linn) about how childish he felt wearing such primped clothes.
"How else is a child supposed to dress if not in childish clothes?" The mother Usul often snapped, sending Garin to his room in a bad mood.
Trying to break the uncomfortable silence that had settled over Will and himself, Garin asked a rather blunt question without thinking.
"So… are you a… a pirate?"
Garin wanted to smack himself on the head for being so forward. The question just kept plaguing his mind ever since Will walked into the room. He had the very essence of a pirate; how could he not be one?
Garin had always had a mild interest in the life of a pirate; how they made a living off of stealing and how they could always take as much as they wanted. He liked how people had a certain fear for the misunderstood Neopets, mistrusting the Jolly Roger flag that always flapped wherever the pirate resided. So you can imagine his initial shock when Will said, "What's it to you?" in a politely curious manner.
"Oh…uh… I dunno. They just seem really… cool…" Garin felt abashed at his loss of words, and he wasn't one to get embarrassed easily.
"Cool? That's it?" replied Will, looking slightly offended. The Usul was feeling more and more inferior to the Shoyru by the minute.
"Well, I mean… I don't know what it's like to be one… but I've always liked their… their way of life, you know?" he grew confident as he realized that Will was listening intently.
"They're just so carefree… as if nothing can hold them back, and… well, it would be so awesome to meet a real pirate…" Garin rambled on until he was suddenly cut off by a soft cough.
"Listen, you seem like an eager fellow… how's about I give you a lesson or two about piracy, and we'll see if you really want a pirate's life or not?" Will suggested, his voice barely above a whisper.
The excitement that coursed though his veins unsettled him, but made him excited all the same. Everyone knew Garin was bound to become either a joke shop owner or something along those lines, but what would they think if they saw him as a pirate? Just imagine… all the riches you could want… just waiting for you to snatch it away from unsuspecting wealthy folk… it all enticed Garin very much. So, with much eagerness, he and Jacques (the two were hardly ever separated) followed Will home that day, eagerly awaiting their first lesson into piracy.
Only after one lesson, Garin was entirely convinced that he was destined to become a pirate. He loved everything about it; the sword fighting, the rugged attire, the rowdy language, and all the riches he could obtain. It was all like another world he never even knew existed until now. He even got Jacques hooked to the strange way of life.
The three boys spent the next year practicing the ways of a pirate. Will turned out to be a great instructor, and Garin and Jacques were both enthusiastic apprentices. As the training sessions wore on, the three boys found themselves in a close friendship. Gone were the days when Garin spent his study hall plotting pranks with Jacques at his side. His new obsession had taken him over completely, and instead, he spent his time perfecting and honing his pirate skills. After months of grueling training, Will decided to give Garin an early ninth birthday present. He'd blindfolded both of his students and led them toward an abandoned dock, where one lone ship lay. It bobbed up and down slightly in the soft rolling waves. Will untied the blindfolds and chuckled when the two gasped.
He led them onto the ship, where masses of burly-looking and much older pirates were awaiting them.
"Such young folk you've brought us, Will?" asked one pirate from the crowd in a mocking voice.
"These young ones could show you up in duel right now." Will commented simply, seeming to have quieted the conceited pirate.
A circle formed on the deck of the ship, trapping the two younger pirates-in-training within its confines. Garin gave a questioning look to Will, but comprehension dawned on him quickly. Every pirate knows that you can't officially become a pirate unless you've passed the Examination into Piratehood. Then you've got to be branded, more specifically, tattooed, with your own special symbol, and after that day, you've made the oath official. There's no turning back.
What appeared to be the Captain stepped into the circle and drew his sword.
"I'll take the blonde one first." he said in a menacing grunt. Garin readied himself and unsheathed the sword that Will had given him a while back. He'd cleaned and polished it every day, warding off any signs of rust. Now, the blade shone with ethereal brightness. Garin positioned himself into the proper stance, and that was merely the beginning of his exam.
For any normal Neopet, the exam into Piratehood would've murdered them. But Garin wasn't a normal Neopet. He was more driven into piracy than any other apprentice Will ever had, almost even more driven than Will was himself. He was astounded at how easily Garin passed the exam. He brought shame upon the Captain, easily defeating him in the sword fight. Garin also one-handedly steered the Captain's ship to the testing location, showing extreme accuracy and skill. As if that wasn't enough, his knowledge of famous pirates and language amazed even the most skilled pirates. And the young Usul didn't even wince when the brander etched the tattoo into his upper right arm. When the brander asked Garin what symbol he wanted, the Usul answered without hesitation, as if he'd prepared for this moment in his mind.
Garin told the brander very clearly that he wanted a traditional pirate sword crossed with a Jolly Roger flag, forming a material 'X'. Above the picture, he wanted the words "FEAR OR" , and beneath the picture he wanted the words "BE FEARED!" in Gothic script. The elders and Will were impressed by his choice.
Garin waited patiently while Jacques was tested, receiving encouraging remarks from the other pirates on board.
"He's gonna be famous, that one."
"He might even be able to find that city of riches of underwater. The city that no pirate before has been able to find."
"The lad's definitely got the skill to do it."
"Boy's sword skills are even better than mine!"
Garin glowed with pride at each comment, appreciating Will more and more for showing this world to him. He quickly turned around when Jacques exited the gates. Garin felt a sinking feeling when Jacques frowned at him, but his feelings soared once the sly Kyrii broke out into a large grin.
"I passed!" he exclaimed, as if anyone needed assurance. Jacques brandished the Jolly Roger flag on his arm like it was a holy mark, kissing it and thanking the Father of Pirates for this miracle.
The entire ship was celebrating, gladly accepting its two youngest members. Of course, Garin and Jacques were much too young to start sailing the seas. They decided that they'd depart on their ocean adventure once they turned sixteen. All being agreed to, the three boys headed home, slightly drunken from the festivities.
Over the course of four years, Garin and Jacques quickly rose to the top ranks of Piratehood, right along with Will. The three had become inseparable, almost like brothers. The two younger ones hadn't completely given up their prankster reign; they played a simple prank once in a while, letting Will join in on the fun. But other than that, they grew up into more mature albeit rowdy teenagers.
Then, one day, while Garin and Jacques were fifteen, Will didn't show up at school that day. Being an official pirate, he had many errands to take care of, but he was never gone for longer than a day. The boys thought nothing of his absence, thinking he would be there tomorrow. When he wasn't there, however, the two decided to visit him, just in case. What they saw when they passed his house shocked them indeed.
The entire residence was empty; not a shred of evidence that anyone was living there was left. It was almost eerie. There were no pieces of debris, no trash to indicate life, nothing. Will had simply vanished.
Garin was hurt by his abrupt departure; could he not even afford to give them a simple goodbye note? Feeling angered and falling under the impression that Will no longer had room in his schedule for the talented Usul, he gathered Jacques and went in search of a fine crew with which to sail a ship. After finding many likely candidates, only few were chosen. The elite crew got together under Garin's command and began building a ship. For a few apprentice pirates, the ship was amazingly detailed and efficient. Garin, waiting for this moment since he was eight, donned his feathered pirate's hat and stood next to the steering wheel of his newly built ship, The Black Pawkeet. He gave each crew member, as well as his first mate Jacques, a serious look.
"This is the first day of the rest of your lives, gentlemen. From now on, there will be no going back. Promise me that I have your faith and loyalty as a Captain, or leave this ship now." Garin said in a much more mature and noble tone than what was normal for him. None of his crew hesitated. He set sail and began his ocean adventure, ready to rob the world of its riches.
Thus, the legend of Garin was born. For three years, the Black Pawkeet scoured Neopia's seas, robbing anyone that Garin thought too rich to be owning such treasures. Younger pirates aspired to be as great as him, while older pirates wished they could've been like him. Currently, the eighteen-year-old Garin stood upon the upper deck of his ship, letting the memories wash over him. It's been three long years, and as exciting as they were, Garin felt slightly put down that he couldn't tell about his goals to his old mentor. He hadn't heard even a faint whisper of William Turner, and tried to forget about him for the most part. But it was impossible to forget the man that introduced him to the world Garin now resided in. He longed to see the brother-like figure once again, but was quickly shaken from his thoughts by a shout from one of his crew members, a jolly little orange Wocky.
"There be a fine looking' weddin' on that there cliff, sir!" exclaimed Talak, a recent addition to the crew. The Wocky threw a telescope into Garin's outstretched hand, and the skilled Captain caught it with ease. Placing the tool to his eye, Garin spotted a peaceful beach not far away. Upon the beach was a large cliff on which there seemed to be an elegant affair taking place.
"Alright men, looks like Talak here has found us another haul. Shall we go for it?" the Captain cried.
"AYE!" the crew cried back. Garin turned on the spot and began steering the ship and maneuvering it so that it was completely hidden by another cliff. The anchor was dropped, and he, along with seven other men (including Jacques), decided to collect the treasures this time.
The eight men crept along the beach, hiding behind large pieces of debris while hoping not to be spotted. Garin mouthed for the rest of the crew to stay at their spots while he snuck up to the cliff. On his signal, they would join him.
The sly Usul crept skillfully, until he was standing behind a tree right on the edge of the cliff. From this position, he could eavesdrop on conversation and wait for the right moment to strike.
While he waited, he listened in on the conversation of an elegantly dressed Cybunny and Uni.
"Doesn't Linda look gorgeous in her wedding dress?" the Cybunny cooed excitedly.
"I suppose," the other answered resentfully. "But of course, she wouldn't have been able to get it had her darling daddy not paid for it!"
"Cathy! It's the girl's wedding, for Fyora's sake! Give her a break!" the Cybunny exclaimed. The Uni merely grumbled under her breath, earning reprimanding looks from the Cybunny.
"Anyway," she pressed on, "Did you here the rumors going around about a special guest coming?"
"What? What rumors?" the Uni asked, feeling a sudden interest rising within her.
"Well, you didn't here this from me but,-" the Cybunny peered around to make sure no one was looking; Garin held his breath, wanting to here more about this 'special guest'.
"I heard that the Princesses of Maraqua are coming!" both Neopians shrieked and giggled like little school children, but Garin simply slumped behind the tree, his mouth agape.
Ever since he'd begun to sail the five seas, he'd been hearing tales of a legendary city called Maraqua. This city was said to be very prosperous and wealthy at one time, until the infamous Scarblade cursed it and sent crashing into murky ruins deep beneath the ocean's surface. Rumors that the city was being rebuilt in secret were circling around various pirate towns, though luckily Scarblade had passed away before any of these rumors reached him.
The fantastic stories told about the newly built city made Garin very eager to find it. Though he was an extremely talented pirate, probably the best of the best, no one had ever discovered the secret location of this miraculous city, and it was doubtful that he would. It was said that the city had many underwater caverns and chambers in which intricate riches and expensive underwater gems were piled all the way to the ceiling. Even their artillery was unmatched. Though a few brave Maraquans were seen here and there, no one could ever prove they'd actually seen one of the mysterious sea creatures. To be able to find the location of this city would be like discovering a never-ending pile of treasure. If only Garin could be the first to discover Maraqua; he'd be remembered for eons to come, with his name put down permanently in Pirate history. He was entertaining the thought of being able to find the city of Maraqua when a startled scream reached his ears. It was the jealous Uni, and she was pointing to the ocean with a trembling finger.
"Look!" she cried. Everyone at the wedding swiveled their heads and gasped as a massive tidal wave rose higher and higher into the air, nearly blocking out the sun. Though the wave was very distant, Garin could still tell that it was strong and large enough to destroy an entire city. The wealthy folk were growing alarmed for the wave showed no sign of decreasing in size; then, with a sudden drop, the wave crashed down to meet the ocean it came from. The collision sent torrents of smaller less harmful waves rolling across the azure ocean.
Dark shapes could be seen underneath the water's surface, and Garin couldn't stop himself from gasping as about twenty or so Maraquan soldiers rose from their watery residences. The soldiers were all heavily armored, as if ready for battle, in gear that seemed near impenetrable. Long swords remained sheathed at their sides, while pointy helmets donned their heads. The two creatures that rose after them however, were the ones that got most of the attention.
Rising after the Maraquan fleet were probably the two most enticing Aishas that Garin had ever laid eyes on. The first Aisha had pale mauve colored skin, the wetness on it causing the sunlight to give her an ethereal sheen. Her hair, though wet and sticking almost seductively to her neck, was an even lighter shade of mauve, and had a shimmering gold crown encrusted with pink diamonds and amethysts resting on her purplish locks. The top she wore seemed to be sewn by gems; a dazzling array of pale purples, sky blues, and light pinks adorned her slender frame. Her brilliant purple tail, that looked as if it were hand-painted by a skilled artist, had many gold chains wrapped loosely around it, giving the impression that the Aisha was literally made of precious stones. She looked up at the crowd gathering by the edge of the cliff with large eyes that put even the brightest amethysts to shame.
Tumultuous applause greeted the first Aisha, most likely the older princess, but the second princess held Garin's gaze much longer than he'd like to admit. She was a divine creature with soft aqua skin, and extremely pale blue hair that cascaded down her back in wet tendrils. Atop her head was a slightly smaller silver crown, adorned with sapphires and emeralds. Her own innocent eyes challenged the aquamarine stones on her dangling necklace, and the top she wore was strewn with shades of blues, greens, and deep azures. Her deep aqua tail glistened even more so because of the silver chains embellishing it. To make things simpler, the second sister wore the colors of the sea.
Both sisters were the adopted daughters of King Kelpbeard. Though most would expect the sisters to be spoiled and haughty because of all the wealth and servitude bestowed upon them, it was quite the contrary. Both sisters cared deeply for the rebuilding of Maraqua; they were survivors of the furious battle that broke out with Scarblade. King Kelpbeard's heart melted when he found the two girls wandering amongst rubble with wide, fearful gazes, not knowing a hint of what was going on. He took them in and nourished them, restoring them back to health. By then, he'd become so attached to them that he couldn't bear the thought of turning them out to the cold, cruel world. So, for most of their childhood, the Princesses of Maraqua lived life quite comfortably, though never boasting about their riches or being cruel to their people.
"Isca and Caylis look even more amazing in person!" an aristocrat exclaimed.
So… Isca and Caylis are their names., Garin pondered, wondering which one was which. He watched with awe as the two mermaid-like creatures swam to shore, letting their tails rest on the pure white sand. Then, the two sisters held hands and muttered a spell that was incoherent to everyone on the cliff. Suddenly, the two magnificent tails that the sisters sported were transforming, shaping themselves into legs. Layers of silken cloth emanated from the bodices they wore, turning their gem-covered tops into refined gowns. The Sisters of Maraqua looked nothing short of stunning.
Kidnapping just one of those princesses alone would bring me more riches than stealing from every person here combined., the thought struck Garin suddenly. He peered back down at the beach and saw that the guards now sprouted legs as well. The entire party made its way slowly toward the cliff, where the applause still hadn't subsided. Garin watched in wonder as the princesses came closer and closer, feeling completely floored by their beauty. If this is what the royalty dressed like on simple occasions such as weddings, just imagine how wealthy they must be!
As Garin stared transfixed at the princesses' gowns, he couldn't fight down the pirate in him that seemed to be shouting at the top of his lungs. A ludicrous idea came to him, and he wondered if he was still drunk from last night's plunder. The gemstones were almost to lustrous for him to ignore, as well as the Neopians wearing them.
If he could successfully kidnap one of the princesses, he'd have Maraqua begging on its knees for her release. He'd be richer than the richest pirate anyone ever knew, not to mention remembered for all eternity as the first, and last, pirate to come across the legendary city of Maraqua.
Hoping that his senses would kick in and stop him from doing something stupid, Garin took no heed of his conscience and made his way toward a lone soldier standing guard on the far edge of the cliff. Making sure no one was around, Garin snuck up behind him and searched his beefy neck for a certain vein. Once the vein was found, Garin pinched it with the reflexes of a cat and grinned as the man fell unconscious without even a muffled thump. Removing the guard's helmet and sword, Garin found it almost laughable that the gear was two sizes too large for him. Still, at least he wouldn't look that suspicious. The curious Usul unsheathed the sword for a moment and marveled at how easily the blade slipped through he air. It seemed to be made of a metal not found on the surface of Neopia, for he'd certainly never seen the bluish-grayish material before. Deciding he would keep the sword (it was much better than his own), he placed it back in its sheath and made his way toward the princesses, barley being able to see because of the overlarge helmet.
"You! Stop right there!" growled an angry-sounding voice behind Garin. His heart stopped beating for several moments, but he sighed in relief when the other Maraquan guard approached him and said, "Is it your turn to guard their highnesses?"
"Uh… yes… yes sir." Garin replied hesitantly.
"Good. Keep an eye on them. Kelpbeard would murder us if anything happened to them." the guard said gruffly and walked away. Garin tried not to dwell on the thought of 'murder' and continued making his way toward the princesses. He gave them a slight nod when he stood right next to them, making sure to hide his face from view. The second one gave him a quizzical look, one that made him want to melt and panic at the same time, but said nothing more. He knew this would be the only chance. He'd have to be swift and clever if he wanted to get away with this alive. Edging closer to the princess (which one, he didn't know), he started to unsheathe his sword. All of the party guests were too excited by the Sisters' arrival to notice anything odd or suspicious.
Seizing the chance, he lunged for either of the princesses, grabbing a fistful of her hair and forcing her neck back. He held the blade to her throat, making sure not to pierce the silky flesh unless needed. Gasps resounded throughout the party, and no one dared move.
"Stop! Stop in the name of Kelpbeard!" the Maraquan soldiers cried out. They began to close in on him, but he used the girl as a defense.
"One step closer and you'll have nothing but a decapitated princess to show your king!" Garin called out bravely, feeling a slight pang of guilt when the girl whimpered. He loosened his grip on her hair slightly, but still held tight.
"Now… now listen here! Princess Isca has done you no harm! Release her at once!" said one of the guards in a controlled tone. By the sound of it, the other princess, Caylis, had been dragged away for safety.
"I don't think I will, thanks for asking nicely though." Garin smirked beneath his helmet, especially at the frustrated growl from the soldier.
"Then at least remove your helmet! You're not worthy of wearing Maraquan attire!"
"Alright, but it won't be of any use to you. You still won't be able to catch me, even if you know what my face looks like." with that said, Garin lifted the rather annoying helmet and cherished all the gasps and whispers that were exchanged when he did so.
"You're…you're that child prodigy! The one that became a pirate at fifteen!" exclaimed one of the sophisticated Neopians.
"Glad you noticed!" Garin replied, and with a wink, he threw the princess over his shoulder and zipped through the crowd with ease. What he didn't expect was for the Maraquan Army to be able to keep up with him. He thought their only strength was… well… strength, but he was horribly mistaken. The guards were right on his tail, almost literally, as Garin made a mad dash across the beach, yelling for his crew to run back to the ship.
"I'll have your head for this!" Isca screamed, causing Garin to grin. He liked her stubbornness, but he didn't quite enjoy her incessant pounding on his back. Still, he held tight to her as he ran, trying without much success to escape the guards. He immediately began to doubt his plan; how could he think he'd get away with kidnapping royalty? How could he let his greed cloud his mind and convince him to do something as stupid as this? Just when he'd lost all hope and his sides burned with a near unbearable pain, he spotted his ship only a few yards away. Gaining an extra spurt of strength, Garin pushed forward, exceeding the soldiers in speed and ignoring the protests of the wealthy folk. He loved how his crew seemed to read his mind, for they had already started sailing, knowing that their Captain would catch up.