Chapter 8: On the Evils (and Joys) of Piracy

"Well, what did you expect? Seriously?" Giles sighed, leaning back on his cot as he talked to Arrien, who was curled up in a tight ball on hers, Murgle the cat laying near her side, rubbing up against her side and purring furiously for attention.

"I don't know," she pouted like she had just been scolded, "I guess I was just thinking about the stories of all the rogue pirates, wild and free on the open seas, doing as they pleased." She rubbed at the bridge of her nose, reaching down to rub Murgle behind her ears. The cat arched up happily at this and nuzzled quite happily against her hand.

"Yeah, and what they please tends to be taking whatever shiny things catch their eye," Giles sneered, "I've been a mage at see long enough to see what pirates do... rape, pillage, ransack... I hate to see what happens when the ships separate and don't have the Duke watching them at all times. He's not exactly the model of a wonderful human being, but he doesn't have the stomach to watch people do some of the things I've seen."

"But the Captain gave me a home... I can't just turn my back on them," she said weakly.

"And you and I both know that with the exception of the stealing from those who don't 'deserve' to have things stolen from them, you are all for most of the pirating life," Giles smirked.

"There is a certain element of fun in a lot of what we do... the adventure," Arrien giggled softly.

"To tell you the truth, Arrien, I was always more of the mage you always talking about being so boring," he rubbed at his neck and closed his eyes, "I always just wanted to study... still do, really. There's so much to learn."

"But what's the use of learning all the spells and hearing the legends without really seeing it all?" Arrien protested, "I have a gift... and I want to use it. I like setting things on fire," she giggled.

"That reminds me... the captain said that whenever we do get some coin, your share is going to burn repairs on the deck," Giles laughed, "apparently, whatever you did to those murlocs did a number on the wooden planks that make up the ship... flammable wood, imagine that."

"Indeed!" She grinned impishly, "did he seem too upset?"

"I think he's just glad that you were on our side, otherwise the ship would probably have been burned down to its frame."

"I'm a pyromancer, what can I say? I enjoy my art..."

"It's more like a mania with you sometimes, I think... I've seen the gleam you get in your eyes when you wield flame, you become a madwoman."

Arrien rubbed at her freckles, blushing furiously, "Well... maybe I give into my ability just a little bit sometimes..."

"You're very talented, don't get me wrong, but just be careful... someday it could land you in trouble."

"I can handle trouble," she smiled sweetly.

"We'll just have to hope you're not hungover next time it comes," Giles laughed just as Arrien hurled her pillow at his head.