Authors notes: Sorry for taking so long. I was done in about an hour but I've been sick for a few weeks so here goes. Shout out to SleepiPanda, so far my only follower. But hopefully pick up soon once i start updating regularly. So here goes.
Chapter 1: Lessons Learned
The spray of the sea passes over my face and I smile contently. It's been over six months since I arrived in Thedas. Six months away from home. Six months of being a pirate. I never thought I'd say it but it's been quite fun. The sea has a calming effect on me and I feel almost at peace. Almost…
I left everything behind. My family, my friends. Hell, I even miss my teachers! All I have is my uniform I was wearing and the things in my pocket. I don't even know how I got here. All I remember about my last day is being at school, going out for lunch and then… blank. I think that's what I have to remember. If I can figure out what happened to me, maybe I can find a way back home. The pirate's life has its charms, but it's not real. None of it.
My first night here, I cried. Don't judge me, you would've bawled if you mysteriously woke up inside a video game, all alone and lost. I kept hoping that when I went to "sleep" I would wake up. I didn't. I'm still here. And I'm surviving. Barely.
"Mister Sparrow," called a voice behind me. I turned and saw Isabela with her trademark smirk. I gave her a little salute.
"Captain?" I asked steadily. Some of the others turned to look, discretely. Isabela ran a tight ship.
"Have you finished your duties Mister Sparrow?" She glanced at the spectators and they quickly hurried to their tasks, not wishing to incur the wrath of the Pirate Queen.
"Yes Captain, I finished cataloguing the bounty from the last raid, looked over their maps and marked a course for an ambush spot where we can come alongside a lovely little frigate that seems to have little to no defensive capabilities. Reports hold that she's a trading vessel, most likely carrying produce and livestock that'll fetch a pretty penny." I stand straighter and try hard to let the smile on my mouth not spread. After she discovered I could read and write, and knew how to count – apparently a rarity in her line of work – she had gotten me to sort out the more administrative parts of the ship to free up her to do more… whatever she does. I soon learned not to brag about my education. Isabela's all for pride, but not too much. You don't want to send the impression that you think you're above the crew...
"Good. Go to my quarters and wait for me there," she said as she arched an eyebrow. I almost grimace.
"Ma'am," I saluted as I turned towards the Captains quarters. Despite what many of the more crude sailors thought, I was not sleeping with the Captain. No, it was much worse. As I closed the door behind me I smiled for a second. Isabela was decadent, that was known to everyone, and she pulled no expenses in furnishing her quarters. The finest Orelesian rugs and wine, the softest Antivan bed and chaise longue, a massive oak writing desk apparently from Tevinter, Rivaini incense burning to give the room a smoky air… Yes, this was Isabela. Then I remembered why I was here and grimace.
I removed the heavy black frock coat that I was wearing, revealing my waist coat and unbuttoned shirt. Seeing as I've adopted the name of Jack Sparrow, I thought I'd go with the outfit. Isabela was only too eager to get my out of my school uniform –har har har – and gave me a tour of her wardrobe. I decided against a lovely tricorne hat I saw, thinking that it's usually a captain thing, but I got the rest sorted. All I need is dreadlocks and lots of trinkets, maybe some eye shadow, and I could be the real deal. Oh, and the belts. Isabela said until I knew how to wield a blade, I wasn't allowed to carry one.
"You can still have a wooden sword," she had mocked after seeing me eye some of the rapiers, "But I think the crew won't be nice about it."
Which brings me to where we are now. Lessons. I supress a shudder as I hear the door open and close.
"If it isn't my whipping boy," Isabela crooned, making her way to the weapons rack. While she preferred daggers, she was giving me the basic rogue training. Which meant starting with a sword and using my weak hand. She tossed me my sword and, to my relief, I caught it easily enough. I give it a little flourish and let a small smile creep into my expression.
"Don't get cocky," she said, noticing my smirk. She looked over me with a grave expression. "If you get cocky, you're dead. Until you've got the skills to back it up, you stay away from any fight."
With that she leaps forward and tries to run me through. I hastily step back and knock her blade off course, spinning to the side to avoid being sliced. She spins as well and I deflect the sword, barely, as it makes an eager pass for my throat. Isabela is a tricky one to fight. She's a duellist, quick and agile. In close combat she has the advantage. But anytime I put distance between us, she quickly closes the gap and strikes. But I have an idea. I've been on the defensive in all our sessions. Time to see if I can go on the offensive.
I feint a step back and she rushes forward. I kick off my back leg and drive my shoulder into her. I see a momentary look of surprise as she tries to correct herself before I attack. I swing the sword two handed and she shakily blocks. I have to be quick before she rights herself. I bring my blade over my head and bring it crashing down onto her hastily erected block. We stay in that tableau for a few seconds before her eyes glare at me. I step back, flourishing my blade as she stands, her sword at her side and looking pissed as hell. I now realise how screwed I am as I stand towards the pirate queen.
She lunges forward, almost quicker than I can follow. What I do follow is her sword as it sweeps towards me. I try to block but my arm falters, still not strong enough. I try to lean back to avoid the blade but it still rakes along my chest. I hiss in pain as I fall to the floor. Isabella stands over me, sword to my throat as she prepares to end my life. She smirks.
"That was a good move," she says in a sultry tone. "If only you could capitalise on it." She lifts her sword and replaces it on the rack as my heart pounds in my chest, blood dribbling down my front. Bah, tis only a flesh wound.
"That concludes todays lesson."
A/N: So, "Sparrow" got his ass handed to him, imagine that. To be fair, he did try to beat the Pirate queen after six months of training. No-one could realistically pull that one off. Please read and review, let me know what you guys think of my insane rambling.