Is that alright?-
May 1636
Queen Elizabeth
As he opened his eyes, he noticed that was in the common area; the men were scattered around healing their wounds. Candles enlightened the room. It was night. He was unaware of how long he had been unconscious. But certainly it was too much.
Maes was stitching his wounds, he stared at him for a moment without articulating a word and tried to sit up.
"Don't move," he scolded him, forcing him back onto the bench. "You've lost a lot of blood. You've been unconscious for over twelve hours."
"I have to go after her," he said, pulling his friend's hand away from his wound. "I've already slept too much."
"You have to rest, Roy." Maes crossed his arms and looked at him sternly. " You can't solve anything like that."
"Don't talk nonsense," he sat on the edge of the bed gripping his side trying to endure the pain as best he could." She doesn't know where the treasure is."
"I think you owe your men an explanation, Captain," he emphasized looking around. "They've knocked us well. We deserve to know why we've been beaten up. Don't you think?"
"There is no time, Bradley is going to hurt her," he replied, standing up. "Tell it yourself if you want" he set him aside to pass but had to stop, the pain wouldn't let him advance."
"Roy, enough,rushing won't fix anything, you don't know where she is," he grabbed his friend and forced him to sit down again.
He covered his face with the hands, dejected. The silence in the room was uncomfortable. He had the crew's eyes set on him. Feeling as if he had misled them.
"What's up, boss?" Breda asked, sitting next to him. "Why did they take Riza? What do they want from her?"
"That's not her name, neither is Swallow, her real name is Elisabeth," he said without lifting the head between his hands. "Elisabeth Hawkeye,"
"Hawkeye? Is she Berthol's lost daughter?"asked Jean as he couldn't believe it.." Is Riza a mermaid?"
"What are you mumbling, idiot?" Breda looked at him in disbelief and kicked his shin to shut him up.
"According to the tale, Hawkeye had a daughter with a mermaid." Havoc massaged his leg and mussed his hair in a tense gesture.
"Cut the crap, Havoc," Maes rubbed his temples and sighed exhausted." It is a serious stuff."
"I'm nervous, fuck, I'm concerned about her, I'm sorry boss," he replied embarrassed.
Roy waved his hand to downplay what Jean had said. Unable to add another word, he looked at Maes who snorted again.
"Is it true about the huge treasure?" Fuery hobbled towards them, he had a hideous wound on his leg, but he hadn't complained at all. "Does Riza know where it is?"
"No, nobody knows," Roy answered, resting his back on the backrest.
"But..." "If no one knows... Why did she say she would bring them to the treasure?"Fuery stuttered unbelieving balancing his weight to compensate for the pain." Why? Why would she do something like that?"
"Berthol tattooed a map on her back or rather a code to decipher the map leading to the treasure," he replied taciturnly. " She did something stupid... And now Bradley knows."
"He did what?" Armstrong asked incredulously. " To his own daughter? I'd heard he was ruthless, but this is cruel."
" He was."
"Did you sail under Hawkeye's orders? It's as if the legends came true," Fuery looked at him with an gaping in disbelief.
"Yes, I am an orphan. I grew up in the streets of Jaijing, survived stealing in the streets. I had nothing to lose, so when I was ten years old, I stowed away on the first ship I found appealing. And the Arrow has always been a beautiful ship.
Riza discovered me in the hold and telling no one she became my complicit. She used to bring me food and sit next to me telling stories," Roy smiled for the first time since he had woken up. "I thought she was a little boy, with her dirty face and torn pants. She was eight years old, and was a sweet and brave little girl.
They quickly discovered me; you know what happens to stowaways. They wanted to throw me overboard, but she fought, cried and begged to be allowed to "keep me" as if I were a puppy. Our helmsman saved my ass, if it comes to Hawkeye, I would have been fish food." He sighed again, massaging his forehead." Good Old Will would have done anything for her. There's not much else behind it, they gave me a mop and that's where I stayed."
"Then... you were there when Bradley attacked the Arrow, they say it was a bloodbath... no one survived," Jean muttered.
"Someone helped us run away," Roy explained, relating the whole story of what happened that night." Hughes found us on a beach. He saved our lives."
"I did nothing extraordinary," he replied, embarrassed.
"Whatever, since a few months ago Riza had stuck in her mind to recover the Arrow, we argued several times, but she is a fucking stubborn and did what she wanted. She put herself and all of us in danger. She was mistaken. So I understand that you do not want to be part of this; it is risky."
"Whoa... Whoa, Cap, hang on, we're part of it," Jean interrupted. "She gave herself up, so we wouldn't get hurt."
"We have to rescue her; she's our boatswain," Armstrong rumbled, placing his fists on his hip." No man is left behind... a woman in this case""
"She's our girl," Breda said shrugging his shoulders. "Anyways, without her we're just a bunch of morons dealing with rum from one port to another."
"Thank you," he muttered in gratitude.
"Do you have any idea where they might have gone?" Breda asked thoughtfully.
"I don't know, I don't tell what its in her mind," he stood up leaning on Maes." She places her hand to the heart..." His crew looked at him not understanding what he was speaking." To the pendant, I don't know, maybe it's crazy, but I gave her that necklace on a beach in Aerugo... there were caves there, where it's simple to ambush. It is possible she can fool Bradley and take him there. I don't see how she's plans to escape, but maybe we can do something."
"Are you sure about that?" Maes looked at him worried grasping his shoulders.
"No," he replied without conviction. "But it's the only option I can think of."
"On the way then" Breda jumped up and grabbed Fuery by the shoulders." I'll take over the helm."
"You have heard the captain. Heading Aerugo. All men to their posts," shouted Maes helping him stand. "We sail as soon as possible."
The men ran up the stairs, and they left the two of them alone. Maes led him to the bench and aided him sit down.
"You have to rest. We'll take care of everything, we can sail without our captain," he smiled, placing his hands on his shoulders. "Everything will be all right."
"Hughes... Bradley is a sanguinary," he stood up again and staggered to pick up his weapons that were leaning against the wall. " If he discovers she has no idea where the treasure is... It's going to hurt her. He will have no mercy. I don't even want to think about it."
"Well, don't think about it," interrupted him by snatching the sword from his hands. " Riza is strong, she can take care of herself. Not like you right now, you're being reckless. You want to see her again, don't you? Then do your part. Recover. We must fight again. You almost bleed to death if you're numb you are no help to anyone.
"This makes me sick, Maes," he covered his face with one hand and sighed." We should have done better."
"I know, my dear hopeless romantic," he placed his arm over his shoulder." You're not alone, pal, but you're going to rest now."
"Well enough," he grumbled in his teeth.
...
The Arrow
Bradley thrusted her into the cell and with no consideration locked in. It was muggy and smelled like a dead body. It was freezing cold in that cell.
But all she could think about was Roy. On his blood-covered shirt. His body lying on the floor.
On How unfair she had been to him.
In the fact that she had denied him a hug.
She hugged his knees down. She had spent her life thinking about how cruel her father had been, but she was not good either. Not even fair. She was a damn selfish, risking what she cared most about.
That she had endangered her family. Her way of life. Roy's dream. What if Queen Elizabeth had been taken?
She deserved nothing but rot in that cell.
He had to be fine. He had to be. He was strong. The wound had not been so severe.
It was fucking painful. She couldn't stand it. She stuck her nails in her hand until she bled. She needed to make pain goes away.
She didn't know if it was night or day in that darkness. She had not slept at all. Her muscles hurt because of the dampness. He was freezing, but none of it mattered to her.
Someone opened the cell door, but she didn't budge an inch. The approaching steps tensed her.
Then the seaman kicked her legs and hoist her by force, taking advantage of the moment to rub her. She said nothing. She only gave him a furious look. She would not give them the pleasure of complaining.
He knew Bradley needed her alive. But she had significant doubts about the intentions of the rest of the crew.
The pirate snatched her by the arm and without asking, hauled her out of the cell. The crew laughed as she passed. Throwing kisses and making obscene gestures.
Kimblee, with his dagger still stained with blood in his hand, waited at the captain's cabin door.
When she noticed him, she unleashed her hand and, without thinking about it, punched him with all her force.
"Son of a bitch," roared in anger trying to scratch him." I'm going to kill you."
Kimblee just laughed and the other sailor held her again.
"Don't worry, wildcat," he scoffed, opening the door. "When you take us to the treasure, you can go to hell and join your pathetic captain."
"Not if I kill you first, you fucking snake," she spat out in rage.
"I'll be waiting for you," he mocked, slamming the door shut.
She stood in the room's middle, watching Bradley challenging as he read unperturbed, a thick green book.
"Do you have to be so outrageous? You're annoying," he said closing the book uninterested.
Riza didn't answer, she stood firm, with her arms behind her back and a solemn face.
"Since you've been a good and obedient girl, I want to give you a gift," he said, pointing to a chest next to him.
He urged her to open it. She approached and knelt hesitantly to the casket. She opened it with a certain curiosity. She had to contain a scream when she discovered her father's head, mummified inside that box.
"You're a tough girl," Bradley muttered. "You haven't even blinked."
"You are repulsive," she said, standing up and closing the chest to take that terrifying vision out of her sight.
"If you don't take us to the treasure, you will accompany him," he stood up and approached her, took her chin and examined her like a piece of cattle." You look so much like your mother..."
"Stop dirtying her memory with your filthy mouth," she pushed him away, and he laughed.
"Dirty her memory... You think so? You have no idea, don't you? I think it's fair to tell you I loved your mother, more than I was able to love anyone afterwards. But she... had other preferences. Her heart was a blast of ice. I guess that's why she fell in love with a monster.
"So, you could not accept a woman rejecting you?" she snorted facing up, unafraid, despite being unarmed. "This is your stupid revenge. You couldn't gain her heart and..."
"Your mother was a whore," he interrupted by seizing her shoulders and shaking her. "She didn't have a heart, just a wallet."
"And yet, you're here almost twenty-five years later, crying for her," she shook him off and tapped his chest with her finger." You have no idea what love is. You lost in some kind of competition, and you're furious. You didn't love her, don't lie to yourself. That's not love."
"You are shameless," he gave her a severe slap and grabbing her by the arm he jerked her to the door."Kimblee, lock her up in the cell, don't allow her out of there until we land, let no one visit her or bring her food."
"Aye, Captain," he replied servile.
...
Costline
The Queen Elisabeth moved closer to the coast, and they noticed a few meters from the shore that the Arrow was floating on the tide.
Roy breathed the fresh morning air, observing the movements of the waves in the boat's hull. Thousands of memories returned to his head. He had spent half-a-life on that ship. He had grown on it. There, he found the sea was his passion. In the Arrow he dreamed of becoming captain of his own ship. He learned everything he knew. On it, he met Elisabeth.
At the bottom of his heart, he understood her, that ship had been their home for years. And it was gorgeous. With a magnificent and intimidating aspect. The sails roared with the wind and swayed, almost as if dancing on the water.
"Are you all right, Captain?" Armstrong stood beside him and passed him the telescope. "I merely identify a couple of men on the boat, and the lifeboats are missing."
"Very well, we have to plan our movements," he leaned on the ratchet stick and place the telescope in his jacket." Let's drop the anchor behind the cliff, so they won't perceive us and let's do the best we can."
The bulky man patted his shoulder and left him alone again. He was scared as hell. He had to be cold. Any mistake could be fatal. He hoped she was okay. Riza was intelligent, she knew how to take care of herself. His best option was to be upset with her, otherwise he would freak out.
They walked along the beach, Bradley followed by at least twenty of his men behind her in procession.
The charade would soon be over, the play had kept her alive for days but it wouldn't last long.
She was exhausted, starving and all her bones hurt. Alone and unarmed against Bradley's entire crew was an uneven fight.
She tried being aware of every step she took in the sand. They didn't even talk to her. Saying she was scared was not enough.
Aerugo's coastline was complicated to navigate. Mountains were immersed in the sea, giving origin to a lot of cliffs. It was irregular, the bays, the coves, the capes and islets followed one another in the few kilometers of land. It was a rough sea, which had eroded the mountain, filling it with caves.
It was crazy Bradley would have believed her. She would endure the lie until she found a way to escape or until they killed her.
...
They were crouching behind the rocks, watching as the group walked along the beach. The waves erased their tracks. She was alone, unarmed and walking to a certain death.
Roy gave the telescope to Maes when he saw Riza disappear into one of the caves. He wanted to rush out, but Maes, who had always been wiser than him, gripped his shoulder.
"I know, I know," he had said before his friend mentioned anything. "We'll stick to the plan."
"We're going to win," Hughes grinned and stood up." Let's wait ten minutes and go after them."
The others nodded, his heart was pumping frenetically, he had never been a patient man. Especially when it came to the people, he loved. Jean smiled with one hand on his back.
"We're going to get our boatswain back," he whispered, leaning over to him. " We're gonna return home."
"I know, Havoc, but we've got to be extremely careful, they won't play fair," he snorted, bringing his hand to the wound on his side.
"Neither do we."
They advanced along the beach without making a sound. He wasn't quite recovered yet, and maybe this whole plan was absolutely crazy. He was leading his men into a hard battle. He was as reckless as she was. But he would not leave her, he wasn't abandoning her.
When they arrived at the mouth of the cave, they positioned themselves behind the rocks hiding from Bradly and his men. From his position he could note the stress on Riza's shoulders, which had run out of time.
He raised his hand when everyone was prepared, in silence counted up to three with the fingers, and they fired.
The sound of the shots was thunderous. The walls of the cave amplified the noise. Some of Bradley's men fell to the ground, and they ran out, ambushing them against the walls.
...
Bradley turned when he perceived the sound of gunfire, and she took the chance to pull one sword out of his belt and stand guard.
"Clever girl, you don't waste a moment," he took the other sword off his belt and with one hand behind his back, he leaned in an elegant bow." What can you offer me?"
"I'm going to die fighting, Bradley," she muttered.
"As you wish," he give a quick step toward her, throwing a thrust at her that she deflected.
They crossed the swords, moving elegantly between the rocks. She hoped the advantage of age would aid her because Bradley was better and faster than her. Not so agile, and she expected him not to maintain so much resistance.
She couldn't tell if the screams and the sounds of gunshots distracted her. She didn't know who might be hurt. Nor who was gaining that battle.
Seizing the moment of distraction Bradley flung a sword at her that cut into her shoulder. Without demonstrating it any importance, she rose and gave him back the lunge. That he dodged an agile movement.
"Who taught you to fight?" he asked as he crossed steel with her. "Your skills are incredible."
"Never mind, you probably killed him or one of your own," she deflected a direct cast and took a step to the right to attack from another side.
One shot caused Bradley to shrink in pain and blood gushed from his arm.
That didn't seem to pause him. He threw himself at her full of rage and caused another cut on her side. She withdrew to obtain air. It didn't look critical. But she hadn't reached him in any of her attacks yet. And Bradley didn't even look tired.
...
Kimblee smiled jumping in front of him. It was time for the second round.
"Coming for more, Mustang?" he smiled drawing his sword and stood guard.
"Captain Mustang, please," he replied with cynicism. "A little education, we are pirates, not wild animals."
"Are you in a good mood or fear makes you talk nonsense?" Kimblee approached him, pointing his sword at him. "Captain," he mocked, scornfully.
"I've always liked to fight with assholes like you. I feel like I'm granting a favor for humankind,"
"How generous of you," ambushed him with the sword, but he jumped to his left dodging the blow with a precise movement." II didn't know you were a philanthropist""
They began to fight. Trying to keep a calm head. Kimblee played dirty, any mistake could be fatal. He had already managed to injure him once. He had to be careful. The terrain was rugged, and that owes him some advantage.
"There's no gold. You know that, don't you?" he explained mockingly." Not here, at least."
" No gold? In that case when I defeat you, I'll get out of here.
They crossed their swords again. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed such a fight. A rival who challenged him and made him set everything he had into a fight. Kimblee had always been a cruel jerk, but he was a talented fighter.
"You smile because deep down you like a vigorous fight, cabin boy."
"I've never denied it," Roy replied, throwing himself against him and piercing his shoulder with his sword. Kimblee took a couple of steps back and both took the time to take their breath. "You won't be able to bother me with your insults, call me whatever you want."
Kimblee laughed, and they kept on fighting. Even though he was wounded, his opponent didn't lose the beat of his movements and gave him back every single one of his strokes. At that moment he saw everything clearly. He was going to make Kimblee eat that idiot smile.
Without hurrying he enclosed him against one wall of the cave when Kimblee's back hit the rock he smiled with disdain.
"You've got me."
"It seems so," he replied, smiting his enemy's hand hard with the edge of the sword. " You're unarmed, surrender."
He kicked the sword out of his reach and aimed at the chest with his own.
"You've won, but you don't have me," he said, throwing a handful of dirt into his eyes and rushing.
"Son of a bitch." Roy scremed waching him run away.
...
The screams faded around her; she wasn't sure of anything anymore. But she didn't want to give up. She would die with her sword in her hand.
Bradley was bleeding a lot, his movements were getting slower and slower, but he didn't lose his rhythm. She believed he wasn't human. His gaze was indifferent. He calculated each of his steps, and she had to move at his pace.
She stumbled on one rock guided by her opponent's rapid swings; she lost her balance falling to the ground. Bradley set his hand to his wounded shoulder, trying to recover his breath and without a moment's thought, she threw herself at him with all her strength. He didn't expect it. His eyes widened as she stabbed the sword into his heart. He looked at her smiling for the first time since the fight began.
"You win," he whispered, plucking the blade of the sword and nailing it deeper drew it to him. "She's alive."
"Who?" she asked, terrified, feeling his breath in her cheeks.
"I lied, I wanted to provoke you... but you don't know it, do you?" he gripped her arm tightly." I thought she..." he spat blood that stained her face." This has never been about gold... it never was."
"What are you talking about?" she stuttered, knocking him away from her. "What do you mean?"
"You have lived under pretenses," he said with a smile on his lips as he closed his eyes.
She drew the sword from Bradley's chest which fell to the ground lifeless.
When she was awere, she saw her crew still fighting with Bradley's men who, seeing their captain fall, fled towards the ship.
She dropped her sword to the ground, her hands trembling as if all the oxygen around had been taken away.
...
Roy slowly made his way to her. She was covered in blood. Her chest was rising and falling fast. She looked at him in surprise as if she were seeing a ghost.
"What are you doing here? You're badly injured. Why did you come here? ," she nervously stuttered taking a step back." You shouldn't be here...,"
"How could I not come?" he asked softly, taking a small step towards her.
Riza took an exaggerated gasp of air, and her skin reddened.
"I'm an idiot. You've been hurt because of me. I've put you all in danger," she remarked, raising her hands as if she wanted to push him away from her. "I've hurt you..."
She spoke fast and choppy; she didn't seem capable to breathe. She was clenching and opening her fists and trembling.
"All because of a ship I don't even care about," she muttered more and more anxious." In which I lived a nightmare..."
She took another anguished breath and could no longer speak.
"Riza breathe," he intoned, taking deep breaths, so she could imitate him.
She put her hand to the chest in anguish as if she wanted to tear her heart out. Her eyes were wide open. She didn't seem to breathe at all. He grasped her by the elbow to shift her hand away, and she looked at him puzzled. She walked away from him, terrified.
"Come on Riza, breathe, it's all over." he said, taking another step towards her carefully.
Riza struggles to keep from crying., her skin was red, she was shivering, and seemed like she wanted to run, because at every step he took towards her he gave another step backwards.
"Elisabeth." he whispered, holding out a hand to her. "Liz, I'm here."
Her eyes filled with tears, and covering her face with her hands, she burst out crying . Roy surrounded her with his arms, and she hid her face in his chest.
"How long have you been holding back those tears?" he sighed against her hair.
"All my life." sobbed cuddling in his arms.
"It's okay, Liz," he muttered. "You're safe."
"Why are you so kind? I don't deserve you. I've behaved badly," she slid her arms across his chest towards his back and grabbed him by the folds of his shirt. "I am a monster, like my father. I hurt you... Why do you love me?"
"Don't be so hard on yourself," He'd never seen her like this, so fragile and heartbroken.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she squeezed him hard, crying bereaved. "Forgive me. I acted like an idiot."
"That doesn't matter now, I'm glad you're alive," he kissed her head and hugged her back.
Riza kept crying until was able to calm down and her sobs faded away.
"How did you know I'd be here?" she asked separating from him.
"A hunch, you touched your necklace," he said, wiping away the tears that were still running down her cheeks.
"It was an unconscious movement. I do it every time I'm scared, it makes me feel protected," she placed her hand on top of his and closed her eyes.
"Why did you come here?" Roy asked.
"A hunch," she said smiling.
Roy smiled back and bowed to kiss her forehead.
"Let's go home."
"Yeah."
...
One week later
She knocked on the door and came in without waiting for him to give her permission. He was seated at his desk, writing something. He was focused, a pen between his fingers.
"Can I ask you something, Captain?" she whispered, closing the door behind her.
"Of course," he commented without raising his head from what he was doing.
"Can you leave me in Tortuga instead of the first port we dock at?" she asked without hesitation, looking straight ahead.
"What," he asked with a confused nod, raising his head to look at her.
"It's the only place where a woman like me can find work without being...," she paused for air and continued whispering. "In Tortuga I can work for Mama Midnight, without giving explanations."
"What are you talking about, Boatswain, ?" he rested in the backrest.
"Of the law, I have disobeyed my superior's orders, and the code says you should leave me at the first port we dock at," she explained in a firm voice, as if reciting from memory.
"Abandon you? In any port? Have you lost your mind? " He stammered, resting his hands on the table.
"It's the law," she said.
"Hell with the law, we're pirates," he raised his hands and laughed.
She leaned against the wall. She was sad and didn't dare look up from the floor.
"Do you remember that litter of kittens we found in the Queen's cellar when I bought it?" he asked getting up from where he was, moving closer to her.
She nodded without taking her eyes off her feet. And when he got to where she was, holding her chin with two fingers. He made her look at his eyes.
"I drove you and Maes crazy until we found a home for the kittens, do you think I would abandon you?" he grabbed her face with both hands and kissed her lips. "Don't you think it would be easier to talk?"
"I deserve nothing else," she muttered, hiding the face behind her mane.
"Listen, I know you were reckless, disobeyed, and put everyone in danger..." He pulled her hair from her face and looked back into her eyes. "But I should have listened to you, instead of refusing outright. I overprotected you. The memory of our first confrontation with Bradley has tormented me for years. I still have nightmares."
"You've said nothing," she whispered caressing his cheek.
"I don't think you're the right one to talk about keeping things to yourself," he slid his hands across her body and wrapped it around her back.
"I know," she leaned her head against his chest." You're too good to be captain of a pirate ship."
"So you think I should be sullen, distant..." he separated himself from her and put his index finger between her eyebrows and put them down. " To have a grumpy face..."
Riza laughed softly and grabbed his hands between her own.
"No, you're better, brighter, you're gentle and sweet, honest, a wonderful man," she released his hand, grabbed his jacket flaps and slipped her hands across his chest." Don't change into something worse."
"Liz, being wrong doesn't make you evil. Why don't you see the good things in you?"
"I don't think there are," she murmured embarrassed.
"Well, I think there are many," he put his hands on the wall and his head on her forehead.
"Well, I think you should find someone who loves you better," grumbled trying to run away from him who grabbed her arm.
"Do not be silly," he caught her in his arms again." And don't run away when you don't like things."
"I'm not running, I'm doing what's best for you," she placed her hand on his chest to pull him away and stared at him defiant." You deserve better."
"What if that's my decision?" He took her hand away and hugged her again. "I don't want you to change. I like the snarky Riza, I like that sweet and tender Riza is only for me, just... don't run away from me, talk to me when you don't like things..."
"You're a fucking charmer, Roy Mustang" whispered circling him with her arms. "You always know what to say... you always find the right words."
"No, I just know you."
Hello girls!
This chapter took me longer than I thought. Writing fights is very difficult and more in a foreign language. I did the best I could. I hope you enjoy it. :D
I am very grateful to Id9916, Gospeloak and spectaculardisartes: your comments, encourage me to continue writing. Thanks for the words and tips.
Enjoy.
a big thank you to the readers as well !
See you in the second part of the story.