His crew was working at the sails and Hook was watching them. He could hear the whispers, could see the furtive glances they sometimes throw at him. He was trying to ignore them, to focus on the route they had to take. But he was quite worried. Mutiny was a very real possibility amongst pirates and if he drove his crew too far they would rebel, especially now that they were questioning his toughness. He could not lose the Jolly Roger now that he had already lost his chance at another life. No, don't think about that.
Hook shook himself.
He just had to fix this one thing he had messed up for the mermaid, then he would be able to fully enjoy the pirate lifestyle once more.
Hangman's Island would be a couple more hours of slow, careful sailing since they had to navigate quite dangerous waters. There were lots of strong currents and jagged rock formations on this side of the island. Only those who knew what they were doing and kept their heads cool would manage to reach its hidden bays unscathed.
The island was starting to rise up above the horizon more clearly. It's southern coasts were all high cliffs and tangled jungle but there would be hidden entrances into the island's interior amongst them. Of course it was also possible to approach the more tame beaches of the north side but that would take the ship quite close past the coast of the Enchanted Forest and its biggest harbor town. Hook did not want to risk running into any other ships this close to the mainland. A simple trader they would be able to handle but the fleet of the kingdom was also starting to get organized again, or so he had heard.
'C-captain?'
Hook did not bother to look down to his boatswain, 'Yes Mr. Smee?'
'Um, isn't it time for you to take over the wheel?'
He shrunk under the withering glare of his captain. 'I did not need a reminder, thank you Mr. Smee,' Hook sneered and walked away briskly to take his position. Killian did not trust anyone but himself to navigate his Jolly Roger through these dangerous waters. He knew the ship's reactions best and the route they needed to take through the reefs. If needed he would ask one of his lookouts for confirmation but otherwise he did most of the steering alone.
They were about halfway through the reefs when a messenger bird was seen approaching fast from the northwest. Smee was standing next to the captain and warily watched it approaching.
'Your friends from the Enchanted Forest sending you mail?' he asked Hook worriedly. He once more received a sharp glare but the captain then continued staring at the bird in a thoughtful manner.
'It does seem like something they would send.' Hook muttered as the bird landed on the railing. He impatiently waited as Smee was detaching the piece of cloth from the bird's claw, in the meantime both keeping an eye on the waters in front of him and pondering why Snow White, for that was who he assumed sent the message, would contact him. Should he even read the letter? He had been trying hard to get back to his old pirate life. If he got involved with the 'Charmings' again he would undo all he had achieved since arriving in the Enchanted Forest. Still, he found himself waving Smee over to bring him the message.
'Captain, this was also attached to the bird's claw,' Smee said swinging round a vial filled with some manner of potion.
Hook raised an eyebrow but focused on the view ahead once more. He held out his hand, holding the wheel with his silver hook. After Smee handed him the paper and the vial he immediately waved the man away. Whatever this was, he was convinced it meant trouble.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
'Alright mates, listen up, we have to get out of here as soon as possible!'
His crew stared up at him, baffled. They were gathered on the lower deck listening to the announcement the captain had called them over for. The Jolly Roger lay anchored just off the northern cliffs of Hangman's Isle.
'Here's the deal, I've heard from reliable source that a curse is coming to envelop the Enchanted Forest once more. However, I plan to out sail it.' Hook tried to look as convincing as possible, he was quite convinced the Jolly Roger would manage to reach the naval border of the kingdom within a few hours, he just wasn't sure how soon the curse would be coming. The note did not tell him much A curse is coming, find Emma and use the included memory potion in order to safe us once more.
Hook wasn't sure why he should believe what the note him was true but if a curse was indeed coming he would not want to hang around to see. And he really didn't need an excuse to go find Emma Swan… did he?
Starkey cleared his throat as he stepped forward. 'You speak of a reliable source sir, care to tell us what source this is?'
'Matter of fact,' Hook spoke, raising his voice, 'I don't care to do that at all. And I especially don't care for you questioning me once more Mr. Starkey.'
The crew was muttering now. Starkey looked over his shoulder and then back to Hook. 'First you drag us all over the seas to look for a treasure that most certainly doesn't even exist and now you want us to suddenly abandon this search and risk our necks on a mad flight from some unspecified curse? I don't think so.'
As the crew was nodding, Hook glared at them. 'Whoever doesn't like my plan may leave, take a boat and try your fortunes on the Isle. Just don't say I haven't told you so when that big purple cloud of magic is heading your way!'
'Oh I don't think we will be leaving either.' Starkey answered as he made a threatening step forward. 'You will, you have obviously lost your wits and are no longer fit to lead us… we are taking over the ship.'
A/N: Ugh seriously I am quite disappointed in myself! I had half this chapter written out and the my hard-drive completely broke down and had to be replaced (really this has never happened to me before I was so annoyed though). But afterwards it took so much out of me to just start rewriting it. But now the story is back on track! I am happy I finally managed to upload something again. Hope there aren't too many mistakes though, I just had to finish it! Thanks so much for reading!