Chapter 4: Bad Ideas
The smoke from several cigars and pipes filled the air of the already crowded tavern. The barkeeper was constantly busy cleaning glasses, pouring various amounts of brown liquid and filling the orders of all the customers. Drinks were being served by pretty bar maids to sloppy drunk customers. Customers who became all the more grabby and friendlier with each shot an alcohol.
Men were placing bets and gambling at a table near the back of this establishment. The entire tavern was abuzz with activity and every table was filled even all the seats at the bar. All around the people were drinking to their heart's content and laughing loudly.
With the exception of two gentlemen one dark-haired man and one blond-haired man, engaged in a quiet conversation at the bar. They tried to blend in with the crowd but it was no use, they were out-of-place and they knew it and so did everyone else not to mention the fact that neither of the men had touched their orders of scotch.
The coal haired man leaned in close to his companion. "I told you this was a terrible idea, Arthur. We shouldn't have come here. This entire trip has been a waste of time." Merlin stated.
"I know I just-
"You just what? Listen we've been hunting for any information on Helios Blackwater for almost twelve weeks. We've been to every bar, tavern, inn and other lowlife place in the kingdom. After all of that the only new information we have on Blackwater is that he is a Spanish Ambassador. We don't know how to find him or even if he knows anything about your mother."
Arthur runs his hands through his blond hair. "I know we haven't made any progress but I'm sure this will all work out. Trust me."
Merlin laughs. "Trust you? And how is this all going to work out? Do you think some one's just going to walk in here know who Blackwater is and give us a ride to meet him?"
"Merlin its -"
Arthur completely blanks out mid-sentence at the mention of a name he has just heard from two men talking and standing up beside them. Arthur turns his head slightly to hear the conversation between a very large shaven headed man and his shorter friend with dark shoulder length hair better
"Yeah we'd better head the ship if we want to make this delivery to Helios Blackwater on time." Says the tall man.
"Let's go you know how the captain can be." Says the shorter man downing his drink in one swallow.
Both men head to the door and leave the tavern. Arthur arches his eyebrow at Merlin. Who opens his mouth completely dumb struck. A wide grin is plastered to Arthur's face.
"See I told you." Arthur says to his cousin.
Merlin finally closes his mouth. "That was luck and it doesn't count."
"Come on it totally counts. Let's see if they will give us a ride maybe we can offer them some gold coins as payment for transportation to meet Blackwater." Arthur says standing.
Before Merlin can even think of a rebuttal Arthur is already out the door. "This is a bad idea." Merlin says to no one in particular as he leaves a tip for their untouched drinks and follows his cousin outdoors. Merlin is surprised to find his cousin waiting impatiently just a few feet from the entrance searching for the two men who just left tavern.
Arthur is standing on his tip toes trying to get of view of where the two strangers could be over the crowd of people walking around. He climbs to stand on a pile of crates hoping to get a look over the large crowd of people. He spots the pair of men heading in the direction of the pier where the ships are docked.
"There!" He exclaims in excitement to his cousin. "They are going towards the docks. Come on Merlin keep up." He yells as he runs after the two strangers.
Merlin rolls his eyes and begins to jog after his cousin. "If I told you this was a really bad idea would you listen to me?"
Arthur's eyes light up with a twinkle. "Not a chance. Merlin this is the first lead we've had on Blackwater I can't just ignore it. I think its fate."
"Fate. Don't tell me you believe in fate now."
They slow their pace to a brisk walk as the strange men stop to speak to an old woman. "Think about it just when I thought maybe we should give up, just when I almost lost hope of find the truth about my mother. Someone mentions Blackwater and is heading to meet him now. That cannot just be luck."
Merlin sees the hope in Arthur's eyes; he has never seen his cousin so passionate about anything before. Arthur is determined to seek out the truth about his mother whether it is good or bad.
"Okay Arthur if this is what you really want to do I'm with you." Merlin says clapping his hand on his cousin's arm.
Once they reach the docks Arthur and Merlin wonder which ship the men are heading to. There are several different types of ships docked in the pier. The strange men slowed down as they approached what appears to be a fisherman's boat and they speak to several crewmen aboard this ship.
"Fishermen." Arthur thinks. "This should be quite easy then I'll just give them a couple of coins and we'll be on our way."
The strange men start walking again after a few minutes of talking to the ship's passengers.
Okay well not fisherman then. Arthur decides as the men turn away from the ship
They continue walking on as a larger merchant ship comes into view. It's a medium size ship, and the crew members are currently loading several crates of various sizes aboard the vessel.
Arthur and Merlin stop a few steps behind the men they are following. Not wanting to be noticed as they again stop and speak to members of this ship. The shorter man boards the ship and they watch as he shakes hand with a member of the crew. The larger man follows his companion aboard the ship.
Arthur turns his back away from the ship as the larger man sees them watching. "Oh merchants are not as easy to persuade. They will certainly want more coins than the fisherman would have want. I'm sure they will use our presence aboard the ship to make a sizeable profit. How much do we have to give them Merlin?" Arthur asked.
"We have plenty but Arthur I don't think this is their ship look." Arthur turns around to see the men they have followed take a small crate, and leave the ship. Arthur turns away again to address Merlin.
"Okay not merchants. Well, where the hell is their ship how many ships are even out here?" Arthur asks looking around. "Maybe the next ship they get to is theirs."
The two strangers finally approach the largest ship docked on the pier. They are greeted with laughs and shouts by the members of this ship. They set down their crate and walk below deck.
"Merlin have they finally boarded a ship? Merlin.. MERLIN!" Arthur looks at his cousin an expression of shock and fear plain on his face. What in the world had gotten into his cousin? "Merlin did you hear me?" Arthur asks.
Merlin grabs Arthur's shoulders and spins him around. Arthur turns to see the largest ship he has ever seen the ship is exceptional. He has to stretch his neck up to see the entire view of this vessel. He takes in the massive hull, the incredibly wide sails, the large canons eight on each side, the three masts, and the crow's nest. It's the most amazing ship he has ever seen never in his life never has he seen a ship like this one.
At the very top of the ship he almost misses it what he sees next makes him do a double take. There at the very top of the ship flying high and proud from the main topmast is a big black menacing flag with the emblem of a white skull and bones contrasting on the front.
"Oh my god. Pirates." Arthur says in barely a whisper.
Merlin gives his cousin a half smile. "So do you still think we can pay our way to meet Blackwater?"
"No of course not. Pirates cannot be reasoned with. They would probably take our money and kill us any way."
"You're right of course maybe we can find someone else who knows Blackwater. Come on we can find another way."
"My thoughts exactly." Arthur says in an evil grin.
"Oh no I know that look. I'm not going to like this am I? Every time you get that look I know you have a terrible idea."
Arthur brings his voice to a whisper and Merlin leans in closer to hear his cousin. "We're going to sneak aboard."
"WHAT!"
"Shhhhhhh."
"Sorry. Did you say were going to sneak on board a pirate ship. Do you have a death wish Arthur?"
"It'll be fine trust me."
"If you say trust me one more time."
Arthur was already walking toward the ship and Merlin unwilling followed. Merlin is completely terrified. "Arthur if we get caught I don't know you."
They climb aboard the ship the deck is completely isolated all of the crew are either below deck or have yet to board. They needed to find a place to hide and quick. But where glancing around the spot a pile of assorted crates and barrels some of the containers look large enough to hide in.
"Quickly Merlin this way." Arthur heads over to the barrels and lifts the lid off two of the barrels both empty. "These are empty slip in and put the lid back on top. Remember to stay quiet." Merlin reluctantly climbs inside his barrel; Arthur is about to crouch down inside his barrel when he sees Merlin's face he's totally petrified.
Hoping to offer some words of comfort. "Merlin we're going to be alright trust me."
Merlin laughs a little. "I don't trust you Arthur this is an awful plan. But I told you I'm with you and I am." Arthur smiles over at his cousin so glad that he came along with him. "Unless we get caught then I'll deny I ever knew you."
Arthur laughs as the replace the lids to both of their barrels. They wait patiently for about an hour and then hear the sounds of the crew moving around. They hear the gruff orders to lift the anchors and hoist the main sails presumably from the captain of the ship. "He sounds like a big dude." Arthur thinks I hope we can sneak off the ship with meeting him face to face."
Movement next to the barrel Arthur is in causes him to tense up nervously. A moment later the lid of the barrel is removed and a large hand unceremoniously yanks him from his hiding place within the barrel. Arthur blinks at the sun shining bright in his eyes and see Merlin eyes wide with panic, being held by a tall man with curly hair. Arthur turns to see the same large man they followed earlier was holding a firm grip on his arms. As if on some unspoken cue both Arthur and Merlin were thrown to the ground.
"Well what do we have here? Thieves, murders or stowaways? You too must be very simple indeed or perhaps you would like a quick death." Says the same deep gruff voice Arthur heard earlier. "Who the hell are you and what do you think you're doing on my ship?
A figure appears from behind Arthur and Merlin. They turn their heads to see the speaker. The captain is of a medium to heavy set build dressed in a fine navy colored velvet coat with black trousers and tall black boots. His hands are covered by black leather gloves and his face is covered in a black embroidered mask and his neck is covered by a thick scarf. He is wearing a black hat trimmed with navy detailing accented with a navy colored feather. His hand is resting on a long sharp board sword at his side.
"Don't even think about lying, my men alerted me that they were followed so we set a trap to let you board. Why do you think it was so easy to gain access to this ship? NOW tell me who are you and what are you doing here?" The masked captain asks again. "SPEAK!"
Merlin opens his mouth to answer but fear grips the words right in his throat. Arthur looks around at the Captain and at the crew. "We are not thieves or murders. We only seek passage and transportation we desperately need to speak with Helios Blackwater. We can pay our way we have money."
The Masked Captain is silent for a while. "You think me a fool boy. You snuck on my ship so you can speak to Blackwater? That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard you must be lying, kill them." The Captain orders.
The men grab Arthur and Merlin and push them along the deck. For the first time Arthur realizes that they are in the middle of the ocean. There is no land in sight how exactly where they going to get rid of them?
Arthur questions are answered as the Captains' men push him and Merlin toward a plank. Arthur is pushed ahead first as the large man unsheathed his sword giving Arthur a slight prick in the back.
"Please listen what I say is true. All we wanted is to speak with Blackwater nothing more. Wait listen I am Arthur Pendragon, son of Admiral Uther Pendragon we're just looking for answers."
"WAIT. "The Captain yells his deep voice booming over the ship commanding everyone to silence. "Did you say Pendragon?"
Arthur relaxes a little. "Yes I am Uther Pendragon's son, Arthur."
"Let them down." The Captain orders and Arthur and Merlin both breathe a sigh of relief as they are guided away from the plank.
"I almost made a terrible mistake young Pendragon. My men would have killed you on my command." The Captain pulls a revolver from his coat and points it straight at Arthur.
"When I should do the honor of killing you myself. Uther Pendragon murdered my father, The Great Pirate Tom Leodegrance in cold blood. I may never get the chance to kill Uther but at least I can die happy knowing that one Pendragon was slain by my hands. What do you think seems a pretty fair trade your father killed mine so, I think its only fair that I Captain Elyan Leodegrance kill the son of the bastard who murdered my father."
Arthur gasps terror gripping him like never before as he stares at the barrel of the Captain's gun. Merlin steps carefully beside his cousin in an attempt to bargain with the Captain.
"Please don't kill him Captain Leodegrance."
"And who are you? The Captain asks.
"I'm Merlin sir."
"Are you a Pendragon too?"
"Oh no I'm definitely not a Pendragon, I hardly know him."
Arthur's eyebrows arch high into his head almost. "What!"
"Well if you hardly know him why does it matter if I kill him or not?" The Captain questions.
Merlin sighs and looks at the masked captain. "Okay fine, he's my cousin please don't kill him I give you anything just name it."
The Captain still has the barrel of his gun aimed at Arthur. "Can you get me inside the Pendragon Vaults?"
Arthur speaks up again. "We don't have any vaults at Pendragon Estates."
"Yes I can get you inside." Merlin answers Arthur gives Merlin look disbelief.
"What are you talking about vaults we don't -" Arthur begins.
"Let me handle this, there are vaults below the manor Arthur. You were not meant to know of them until your 25th birthday. Uther promised to tell you-" Merlin is interrupted by the Captain.
"So can you get me inside or not? Because your life depends on it."
Merlin clears his throat I'll tell you everything you need to know including draw you a blueprint of the property on one condition." Merlin says.
The Captain laughs in a haughty voice." Do you really think that you are in a position to bargain with me on my own ship?"
Merlin thinks for a second. "Actually I do because you cannot gain access to the vaults with me."
"True." The Captain unwillingly admits. "But I don't see any reason to keep Pendragon alive."
"You kill Arthur and you will never access the vaults because he has the key." Merlin counters.
Arthur almost spoke again but a knowing look from Merlin told him he not to.
"I could just kill him and take the key anyway." The Masked Captain threatens.
"You could do that but I doubt you could find the key, then you will never get into those vaults. You want inside the vaults then here is my deal. You take me and Arthur along with you and let Arthur speak with Blackwater safely and I will give you everything you need to so you can get inside. Deal."
The Captain considers Merlin offer for a moment then he grudgingly complies he lowers his gun and stores it back inside his blazer. "Damn, it that sounds fair enough." The Captain shakes hands with Merlin.
"Merlin come, to my office we have business to discuss." Merlin follows behind the Captain and they head towards the Captain's quarters above deck.
"What about me, can I come?" Arthur asks the Captain stops walking and turns to face Arthur.
"Can you provide any help with me getting into the vaults?"
"Um no."
"Do you even know where the vaults are located?"
"Uh no. I didn't even know we had vaults."
"Well I think the answer to your question is no. Because I have no need for a useless Pendragon getting in my way. Although I do not tolerate a stowaway on my ship you will need to earn your stay onboard my ship. Gwaine!" The Captain yells and the dark-haired man with wavy hair, Arthur followed earlier walks up to the Captain.
"Take the boy, um Pendragon and give him a position on our crew."
"As what Captain Leodegrance?' Gwaine replies.
"Pendragon can be our new CB." The Captain remarks and walks away bidding Merlin to follow him.
"What's a CB?" Arthur asks the grinning man known as Gwaine.
"It stands for cabin boy. Come on Pendragon I'll show you around." Gwaine claps Arthur on the back to follow him. "Since you're a part of the crew now I guess I should show you around the ship." They step to the highest deck of the vessel. "Welcome aboard the Vengeful Wench."
Thank you for reading chapter four of The Vengeful Wench: The Bad Idea. I hope you enjoyed it ha ha Arthur's a cabin boy yeah it was just too funny in my head I had to write it. As always you know I love to read your reviews let me know what you think thumbs up, smiley face, good job or a virtual high-five I love to read them all. Next chapter will be posted next week!