I do not own nor claim to own any of GRRM's works, nor am I profiting off this story
Sorry for the late update, very busy weekend. Please enjoy!
The ship was called Azuree, but it wasn't as nearly as pretty as name made it sound. An the decks and sails were filthy from neglect, and the amount of oil stocked for lantern fire was scare at most. From the first days they had cut through the waves like a knife through warm butter. A northern breeze had floated down from the frozen shore beyond the wall, and although it was freezing the backs of every member of the crew, it also filled the sails with enough power to get them far away from Bear Island. Within a few days, they were already completely out of reach. Getting enlisted on the ship had been easy enough. Both Jagare and Tommo were formidable warriors, much needed with the increase in Ironborn raids. Wendel had shown off his skill with chartering and navigating, instantly earning him a place in the bridge. Lyanna had to reluctantly admit that she was able to cook and clean onboard, though Jagare knew that was not why the captain had taken her on. Two other women also came on board, and they served one very obvious purpose that was not to do with sailing.
The captain had not been seen by anyone since the voyage began, but they all felt his presence looming over them. The shifts were tough, and the rests were short. Rations were scarce and the ale was watery and stale. On the fifth day, since they set sail, they were passing the Stoney Shore and the captain made his first appearance. Wearing nothing but a sleeping shirt and an old dusty cloak, he strode onto the rear deck underneath the helm, breathed deep, and yelled to the crew that he wanted fresh fish caught that day and anyone who did not bring him one would be given the night shift until Flints Finger. The winds were high, and the fishing rods were old and mouldy. No one wanted the night shift with winter approaching and by the end of the day, there had been three fights, five stolen fish and one man who jumped overboard when he saw a plaice. Apparently, he had been dropped on his head as a child. The four of them rarely got a moment to discuss their plans, so they decided that none of them would catch a fish, earning them all the night shift.
"W-whatever your p-plan is, p-please tell me were g-going to e-enact it soon" stammered a chilled to the bone Tommo, who was shivering persistently in the night's air. Jagare himself had huddled with Lyanna next to one of the barrels, keeping the torch they had lit as close as possible. Lyanna was half awake, half asleep tucked into Jagare's chest. Even though the four of them had been raised in the North and wore a large number of furs cloaks and leathers, none of them could stomach this cold for much longer .
"It's simple" stammered Jagare. "We bring out the anger in the crew. This cold may even do some good for us." He felt Lyanna clutch even tighter to him and spoke muffled against his furs.
"I can talk to those that work in the kitchens. Wendel is on officer duty in the bridge, while Jagare and Tommo get around the men."
"See simple right." She raised her head slightly and kissed Jagare's chin, the small spot of skin growing warm for a moment.
"I've heard that the both of you are both quite well respected after yesterday." She looked up at him and Jagare felt the torch grow slightly warmer at her smiling face. The day before a gust had picked up and had yanked a sheet out of one of the crew's hands, sending him flying forward overboard, and the sail flapping like mad along the mast. Tommo had slid across the deck and grabbed the man just as he went overboard while Jagare leapt from barrel to barrel in order to catch the rope and pulled it back down to the deck for others to help him tie it down. That night both of them had received a double rum ration and were praised by the crew. The captain had merely nodded when told and showed no sign of gratefulness that a member of his crew and potentially his ship had been saved. This had hardened their resolve against him, with the both of them muttering amongst the crew about the unfairness of life on the ship.
"Well, its certainly doesn't help we're heroes" muttered Tommo with a frozen smile. A wayward icicle then fell from above them and shattered on Tommo's head, causing them to burst into laughter. "Fuck!…who's idea was this again?" He glared at Jagare who rolled his eyes.
"We are not heroes. We're mutineers, remember that."
The next day, Jagare and Tommo had made sure that every conversation with whoever they talked to was focused on the ineptitude of the captain. Muttered curses were strewn about the ship that day, and the fact the captain had no desire to leave his cabin only greatened the spread. Wendel had informed them that the captain had around ten sellswords loyal to his gold on the ship, but even the quartermaster was sick of the captain's antics and many men were willing to revolt. Tommo had tried to convince Lyanna that she was the best to spread the word, rather than the stuttering nervous Wendel.
"Look, you're a pretty lass, and men are more like to listen to you than to a gruff lad like him" he pointed his thumb at Jagare who frowned.
"Fine, fine." Lyanna scowled but carried out the task to the best of her charming abilities. That night, all those who had taken interest met in the hold. Sat amongst the barrels and the crates, there was little light apart from a few lanterns. Tommo had volunteered to stand guard, claiming that he had the power to stall people with conversation for at least an hour on his best day. None of them had any doubts about that statement whatsoever. The crew of the ship numbered roughly around sixty men and around thirty had joined, an assorted mix of sailors, navigators, riggers, and swabbers. Jagare sat in the candlelight, his pale face illuminated from the small flame as those around looked at him expectantly.
"I think that everyone who wanted to come would have. Shall we begin?" A quiet chorus of aye's came from the room and Jagare spoke clear and soft. "We have come from all over Westeros, Oldtown, Lannisport, Seaguard, Bear Island. We are seamen, men of the ship, sailors destined to spend our days waging war against the water to bring back gold for our families." A round of soft cheers came from the men. "But, due to a certain Captain Marcus Flowers, we will likely freeze or die of starvation before we ever get to port." A varying of grumbles filled the air. "Now I don't know about you, but I'm rather looking forward to arriving in Lannisport and spending my coin wisely" he added in an ironic voice, another louder chorus of jeers filling the air. He remembered his father lecturing them once about how a commander could double his forces in morale alone through a good speech. "A CAPTAIN" he continued, silencing the men. "Who thinks we are little more than slaves to do his bidding, run his ship while he fucks as he pleases in his cabin!" One man in the back spat on the floor.
"Fucking twat thinks that we are nothing more than Ironborn. No honour in the way he runs the ship!" A old greybeard grunted in agreement and stood up as well.
"He would have us on a crust of bread and a mug of water a day if it filled his coffers a little more." Another low cheer went up and Jagare smiled to himself.
"We are sailors of the Sunset Sea" he proclaimed, knowing full well that he had never sailed these waters before. "Proud men who risk their skin against the great sea gods out west! Who is he to treat us as such?" A louder cheer went up, then Wendel stepped forth looking nervous. Jagare nodded at him and continued "My friend here works as a navigator on the bridge, and he has found that the captain is hoarding furs and blankets, and extra casks of ale from us." The muttering turned to low cries, and he felt the anger seeping through the hold.
"It's true" stuttered Wendall. "I-I saw them when I bought maps to his cabin. He and his two whores lying there amongst furs and drinks, and documents showing ten crates of pelts in the hold!" One of the men stood up with a cruel smile.
"I think it's time for a new captain on this ship!" A cry went up from all of them and Jagare stood his hands raised.
"I agree my friends I agree. But let us be smart about this. We may be many, but we must work together to pull this off." He paced among the men towards the door, leaning against the wood. "It needs stealth so that we can take out the captain and his loyal men before the rest of the crew have a chance to choose sides. We need to be strong, and ferocious, to overwhelm the captains sellswords. We need-"
"You need to back those words up boy" rumbled a deep voice. One of the men, a tall balding man with a long scar down his cheek stood and faced Jagare. He was truly massive, with a great knotted beard and arms as thick as Lyanna. Truly a bruiser of the North. He looked at Jagare with small, anger filled eyes.
"What do you mean?" Jagare asked slowly, his voice low.
"You talk a lot boy, but where is the action. You seem ready to lead this mutiny, yet all I hear from ya are empty words. You caught a rope, well done you. Gonna have to do more than that to convince me yer worth following." Jagare raised an eyebrow and then walked over to the exit. Twice he banged on the wooden door. A second later, someone burst through, falling to the floor with a grunt. One of the captain's sellswords. Behind him, came Tommo smiling broadly.
"My GOD he was not a talker. Such a boring fellow, not fun at all." He smirked and at seeing the man starting to rise, gave him a thorough kick in his head. The men let out a mixed laugh and Jagare was smirking at the bald man who looked shocked.
"Tommo here was tasked with fetching one of the soldiers when he heard a group of men planning a mutiny. I told him he should keep him listening as long as possible and then get him in when I knocked." Jagare cocked his head. "Is that action enough for you?" The man's face split into a grin and he held out his hand to Jagare.
"Lemnos the Vast, Snow. I would be glad to serve a man of action such as yourself." Jagare took the hand smirking slightly. The other men cheered him, and Jagare felt something swell through him as he turned to face the prisoner. Was it, pride? Lyanna had crouched behind the man and pulled off his helm, pressing a knife to his throat as he looked wildly around at the room. Jagare sat down on a barrel of apples and leant towards him, gazing at the man's fearful eyes.
"What's your name, friend." The man glared at him.
"I ain't givin my name to anyone who tries to mutiny against our captain. I am loyal to him. Not to a treasonous cunt." He spat on Jagare's boot and Tommo planted another kick in his stomach as well as Lyanna hissing at him.
"Enough" Jagare spoke calmly and leant down further into the man's face. "You have two options here, and I can assure you that I don't mind which is chosen. You are loyal to the captains gold, not him. At the next port, I will make sure that you leave this ship unharmed and with your belongings, able to take work somewhere else. I'll even throw in some silver, if, you help us take the ship." The man's voice stilled, and he looked around the room again. Jagare shrugged. "I can assure you; everyone here would be very happy to chuck you overboard at a moment's notice."
"Yes! With rocks tied to your legs and salt in your mouth" cried one of the men. The sailors jeered and Tommo sighed like a maiden.
"Oh, It would be like watching a mermaid thrashing beneath our boat. Always wanted to see a mermaid. Tell me boy's, ARE THERE SHARKS IN THESE WATERS!" The men cheered in approval and the man's face went even paler.
"Fine, fine! Bloody hell fine…the captains not moved from his cabin and his guards practically line the hall in front of it. He might be an ass but he's not dumb. He knows how he runs the ship. He's prepared himself for a mutiny." Jagare shook his head.
"Not against this mutiny he hasn't." Giving the soldier one last kick he turned to the rest of the crew and grinned. "I have a plan. A plan to rid us of the captain and bring sanity and safety back to this ship. If we succeed, furs and ales for everyone! Will you follow me?" A cheer went up from the men and Jagare raised his axe in the air. "Take your riot to the decks! Draw out the captains men, get me a path to his cabin, and by sunrise, he shall be feeding the sharks and you shall be drinking his wine and fucking his women!" Another roar went up, and the room emptied as they swarmed onto the deck.
"A simple distraction plan," remarked Lyanna. "Short and sweet." Jagare turned to the three of them and nodded at them. "Don't think you guys have no part to play as well." Tommo drew his sword and rested it on his shoulder.
"Wouldn't dream of it, my friend. What would you have of us?" Jagare clapped Tommo and Wendell on the back.
"Wendall, I need you to secure the bridge. Take Lyanna with you and make sure that the charts, maps, and equipment are kept safe, otherwise, we are lost out here." Wendel sighed and his hand drifted towards the mace slung across his shoulder.
"Don't worry" Lyanna spoke, taking Wendall's arm in hers. "I'll do the fighting if need be."
"I shall join you!" boomed Lemnos. He looked at Jagare, who nodded back.
"Keep her safe, and you will have proved your loyalty." Lemnos inclined his head and the three of them departed, leaving Tommo with Jagare. They smirked at each other and walked towards the door.
"I suppose we will be taking the captain himself out of the picture then" Tommo spoke excitedly, swinging his sword around as they made their way onto the deck.
"Aye, that's the plan" grunted Jagare, taking in the view. Around twenty of the crew had joined forces with the soldiers to try and subdue the riot. Not many real weapons were circulating in the fight, apart from a few fishing spears and long planks of wood. The captains hired swords were slowly pushing back against the unarmed onslaught of sailors, their oaken shield causing trouble for the unarmed rabble. Jagare had to act quickly before their superior weaponry ended the mutiny. The pair darted up the stairs to the entrance to the captain's cabin and encountered two sellswords at the top. Both of them had half plate with swords and shields drawn. Tommo swung his blade to meet one of their blades, as Jagare parried against his own opponent and body-slammed him down the stairs. He got up however and prepared to face Jagare again. But as he readied his axe, but Tommo yelled to him.
"GO! I'll hold them off, you take the captain." Jagare nodded and gave the man Tommo was fighting a kick in the leg before disappearing behind the door into the cabin. Imminently, he felt a pain crash against the side of his head that sent him stumbling into a book cabinet. His vision was blinded by pain, but on instinct, he bought up his axe to block the incoming blow from whatever had hit him. A force crashed into the axe, and he yelled against the pain and pushed forward, stumbling into a figure, and toppling to the ground. A few seconds after his vision returned, he tilted his head to the side to see a man dressed in nothing but breeches picking up Jagare's axe and snarling as he bought it down towards his head. Rolling aside, he struck out with his leg and a grunt confirmed that he hit the target.
"Ungrateful BRAT!" screamed a voice as Jagare stumbled to his feet, pulling out the knife he kept at his belt. His head still ringing, he registered the captain charging him with the axe raised. Jagare waited and then at the last moment surged forward, whilst also keeping low. Sidestepping, the wild axe swing, he buried the knife into the captains gut, and with a growl, twisted it forcefully. A spluttering sound was followed by the axe hitting the floor. Jagare grimaced as he pulled out the knife and stood shakily. The captain's body fell to the floor with a thud, and a whimper sounded from across the room. Jagare turned to see the two scantily clad whores hiding behind the large fur bed in the corner of the cabin. Exhaling heavily, Jagare walked past the moaning captain and wiped his knife on a tunic that had been discarded on the floor. Sheathing it, he then picked up the axe and twirled it in his hand a couple times before sheathing it in his bed. He dabbed his fingers against the left side of his head and drew them away to find blood.
"Fuck" he muttered, giving the captain a good kick in the side. "Cunt." He then let out a groan and yanked the captain up by his neck to many wails and moans. "I would advise staying in here for now ladies" Jagare spoke hoarsely, his head still throbbing from the blow the captain had inflicted on him. "The men's blood is up, and I wouldn't want either of you to get…hurt." The two of them nodded soundlessly, and he turned towards the door moving slowly for both the pain behind his eyes and the heavy form of the captain. Just as he reached the door, it swung open and smacked him right on the forehead.
"MOTHERFUCKER" Jagare stumbled backwards seeing stars, and the captain let out a yell as he hit the floor. Tommo had burst in through the door and looked frozen in shock.
"Oh, Jagare thank the gods your alive, I heard a cry and…you know your bleeding…right here." He motioned to his forehead. "Oh and…" he motioned to the left side of his head with a wince and Jagare growled menacingly.
"Am I now." Slowly raising himself back to his feet, he motioned at the quietly whimpering captain. "Help me move him, let's get him on show for them." Tommo unfroze and moved to grab the captains arm. Both of them hauled the large man out of the door and onto the deck, where the fight was still going strong.
"SAILORS" bellowed Tommo at the top of his voice. On both sides, they all turned to look at them, and immediately stopped their movement. Jagare stepped forward and threw the captain down on the deck.
"I believe I promised that you could feed him to the sharks." A small grin spread over his face as the crew cheered and bellowed. Those who had been against Jagare slunk to the back of the ship, looking nervous. Before Jagare could say anything more, Lemnos had hauled the man above his head and with support from the rest of the men, had tossed the screaming form of the captain over the side. The only remains of him was a few stains of blood that spattered the deck. He felt a tiny nudge of pity and hoped that the stab wound would kill him quickly. Jagare had bigger issues though. Only around half of the men on deck were loyal to him, and the other side still had a few good fighters. He forced his way through the mutineers and faced them, speaking loudly and clearly.
"There is a new captain now. Rest assured, under my leadership, men will have fair shifts, good rations, and enough rum to get us drunk four times over." He climbed steadily on top of a crate, giving them all his best attempt at his father's 'lords face'. "You are all still competent men on this ship, and I will need you. Swear loyalty to me and you shall all retain your positions and contracts on this ship. You will all be granted additional furs and will not be forced to leave when we make port. If you wish to leave however, I will not stop you. What say you?" The men who had recently thrown the old captain overboard now stood behind Jagare, glaring menacingly at the loyalists. Eventually, one of the sellswords sheathed his sword and stepped forward.
"Fuck this, I aren't dying for no dead man, especially a cunt one at that. You pay me what I was offered before, I'll swear my loyalty to you." The other four sellswords left followed suit, and soon Jagare was only left facing the crew.
"Your good men, all of you. You didn't deserve to have to work under such a shit of a captain. You should have had better; I can give you that." His eyes scanned the crew. "We make for Lannisport, and beyond that Oldtown. Do you wish to see your homes again?" There was a low muttering from them, but mostly a deathly silence. He took another breath and fixed them all with a more deadly stare. "Or, we can continue fighting, and most of you will feed the fish by morning." One of the men stepped forward, spindly and old with a ragged white beard to match.
"Mutiny is against the ship's code, any man who attempts it should be declared a traitor. A true sailor would know that." He shot glares at all of the men standing behind them. Surprisingly, a voice from above them on the rear deck piped up.
"It's also a ships law that the captain should treat his men as he treats his own sons. I saw no evidence of that from our former leader." Wendall's eyes were flitting nervously at the men standing at the bow, but he gulped and continued. "Jagare has promised us fair work, good pay, and food aplenty. I saw for myself the size of the captains personal coffers, and we all know how much food he was hoarding in the hold." A sizable grumbling came from the collection of crew facing Jagare, and a few started drifting over to his side even.
"Come, my friend, let us continue our journey as equals, not as enemies." A silence passed and eventually the man sighed and shrugged.
"It's that or die, and I'm not ready to go just yet." His eyes narrowed. "But don't be expecting me to bend the knee to ya or something." Jagare smiled faintly and shook his head.
"I'm a bastard whose been forced to kneel all his life. I Wouldn't dream of it." And just like that, the mutiny was over. It was past midnight, but still, Jagare ordered a feast of sorts to be held on deck. Barrels of salted fish, pork and beef were bought out, along with casks of ale and bowls of stew that had been cooked up in barely and onions. The men ate and drank heartily that night, while Jagare and Lyanna watched from the helm where Wendel was steering humming to himself. Tommo had gone to 'look after the two poor abused women' as he had put it, much to Jagare's groans and Lyanna's giggles. It had taken a while for it to sink in, but Jagare was now captain of the ship. He had scoured what was to be his cabin and found a chest filled with gold and silver coins, as well as a private store of silks and spices from Essos. As well as that, he found the captains garb. After examining the tunics breeches coats and hats, he simply decided to toss them all overboard. He was to be a different sort of captain than not just the one they had, but all of them. He would dine with the men and work alongside them. He knew that he was not better than them, not higher born. He was a bastard of the north and as such knew the thoughts and feelings of smallfolk for his was almost one himself.
A soft wind blew them soundlessly along and by mid-morning the next day they would reach Flints Finger, their first port. Jagare had assigned Wendel to check over their cargo, and when on land to make sure their trades were not unfair and scams. But Jagare barely thought of it all. The starry night sky looked back at him endlessly. He was a captain? It wasn't what he planned, but then what had he planned. He and Lyanna were to escape the North and live another life. Had they found it already. As if his thoughts had summoned her, she spoke quietly beside him.
"Bit surreal, isn't it. All of this so soon." She let her head fall onto his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"I didn't expect it, that's for sure. But then again, we didn't know what to expect." They stayed silent for a few moments, and Jagare felt a gnawing pit growing in his stomach. "What qualifications do I have to be captain?" He blurted out suddenly. "I mean, I sailed a bit when I was younger…but there are so many more capable, I just feel…" He stopped speaking and his arms trembled on the rails. Lyanna stayed silent and the only noise was the soft humming from the wheel. "I don't know If I can do this."
"Be a captain?" she asked. He shook his head and looked down at the crew, laughing and merry.
"This. Being free. Living life outside of someone telling us what to do. I mean, I'll be eight and ten in a few moons time and…well there's so much to plan, so much to think about, so much to consider. This isn't a game anymore, its real life" He let his head rest against the wood, the pounding in his heart growing louder. Lyanna stayed silent for a moment before taking Jagare's arm and pulling him away.
"What are you doing?" He mumbled, but she stayed silent and lead him into their new cabin. He had tidied it up as much as he could, but it still stunk of the captain's pungent smell. Lyanna however was unphased, her eyes were trained on Jagare as she led him into the room. Stopping before the bed, she lowered her gaze and spoke haltingly and quietly.
"We started this together Jagare, and I think the reason that you feel this way is because I haven't made you realise just why fate has led us down this past." She trailed her hand down his cheek and he lifted his own to hold it. "The reason we're doing this is because we are free. And sometimes there may be parts of it where we are unsure, and doubtful that we've had the right choice. But whatever happens, we'll move past it, and whatever happens, we'll do it…together." On that word, she pressed her lips to his own. A soft warmness filled Jagare, seeping from his lips all the way to his feet. He felt it now, through Lyanna's soft warm kiss. He knew why he was doing it. For her, for him, for the both of them.
Neither of them spoke as their kiss deepened, Jagare's lips parted as she gave him entry and their tongues intertwined. It didn't feel rushed by lust and passion. It was soft and sensual. Jagare cared for Lyanna…he loved her. He always had and he always would. And that gave him strength. He pushed her towards the bed and they both worked at each other's clothes, first their leathers, then their shifts until finally all that was left was their underclothes. Then they went as well. Jagare's breath hitched as he saw Lyanna unburdened, naked as her name day. He trailed his fingers down her body, feeling her shiver uncontrollably.
"It's not from the cold" she murmured, wrapping her hands around the back of his neck. "I'm ready Jagare."
"Are you sure" he asked, his voice so quiet he could barely hear it.
"Positive." He breathed out heavily, and pushed her back onto the bed, a fire stirring in him like never before. It was amazing, hot and frenzied yet calm and sweet. His hands searched every part of her body they could, urged on by her mewling's and gasps. They settled on her breasts for a while and she moaned into his kisses, her hands reaching down to his length.
"Do it" she gasped, and so he did. It was the greatest feeling he had ever had, and although it couldn't have lasted more than ten minutes, it felt like hours. At their point of release, he saw the nights stars swimming before his eyes as his body exploded in pleasure. After they had had finished, they lay in the bedsheets curled up as close as possible to each other. Her breasts pressed against his chest and her wetness was pressed against his leg, but he felt no lust, only love. It was as if he was rising from a delirious state, Jagare became vaguely aware of himself lying on the bed looking at the ceiling. Time had lost meaning for him and a warm fuzzy feeling was coursing through his body. Lyanna's naked form was pressed tight to his own, his strong arms pulling her as close as possible to him. His head rested on the top of his chest and her soft breathing ticked his skin. He felt complete. A thought of waking her for a further session entered his mind, but he just lay there and pulled her even tighter to him. He felt her arms tighten around him as well.
"I love you" he whispered.
"As I love you" came the soft reply.
Neither of them spoke again after that, simply lying there in each other's naked embrace. Pure completion was all Jagare could think. He would have happily died at that moment knowing there was nothing more in life he wished to accomplish. He was complete For a long time, yet not long enough, they lay there drifting in and out of sleep until the calls of seagulls were heard above them. Almost wordlessly, they disentangled themselves from each other and dressed, sharing embarrassed, timid smiles. When Jagare had pulled on his leathers, Lyanna walked up to him and kissed him. It lasted for a while but wasn't there to incite passion, but to remind him. He had a reason to keep on going. Exiting the cabin, Jagare was surprised at how tidy the deck was. Before he could take another step, a hand clapped him on the shoulder and Tommo forced himself in between the two of them. He looked at Lyanna, then turned to Jagare with a grin.
"Welllll…did you do the naughty?" Jagare snarled and thrust an elbow towards Tommo, but he had been expecting it and ducked out of the way, vaulting over the railing onto the deck as Jagare threw a punch at where his head had been. "OHHHHHH, you have NO IDEA how happy I am!" He squealed in excitement. And did a little dance on the deck.
"It's really not that much of a big deal Tommo" Lyanna spoke, but a flush had crept up her neck very clearly and Tommo simply laughed harder.
"You have NO IDEA how long I have been waiting!"
"You've known us less than a moon Tommo!" Jagare shouted down. "And that's your captain you're speaking to." Tommo did a mock bow at that but broke out laughing instantly.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever the fuck u say cappo. Oi, Wendell! You owe me a gold dragon." Lyanna and Jagare turned to see Wendel appearing from the bridge looking startled. He soon realized what had been being discussed and turned bashful at their accusatory stares.
"Well…I just thought…you were so good as you were…I'm not normally included in bets is all." Before he could stutter on any longer, the crew had started to troop onto the deck and were looking up to Jagare with expectant faces. Tommo climbed back up the stairs to stand behind him, and Wendel did the same. The four of them gazed down at the crew and Jagare felt a sharp feeling of love and pride for those around him. But he pushed it down and looked back down at the crew.
"Well! What are you standing around for? Let's get to work!" Cheerful shouts echoed from the crew, and he felt himself smiling more than he ever had in a long time. The next few days passed like a blur to Jagare. They had docked at Flints Finger to take on new cargo and offload what they could. They had luckily avoided any odd questions about the change in the captainship of the ship and so simply exchanged cargo and carried on. Jagare used a share of the old captain's gold to purchase extra rations for the men as well as a few more casks of ale. He had a small window to get the men firmly on his side, and fulfilling his promises was a good way of doing so. Most of the loyalists had firmly settled under his command, but others had been less than happy. One of the crew even heard them talking about reporting him to Lord Flint when they arrived in the harbour. After rewarding the keen-eared sailor with double rations, they had to discuss what to do with the potential malcontents. While Lyanna and Tommo were all for making an example out of them, Wendel proposed that they simply didn't let them back on the ship after they docked. It worked perfectly, most of the men were happy enough to simply leave the ship forever.
Rounding Cape Kraken, the next few days passed swiftly with a standard routine. It seemed to Jagare that the art of sailing was much more repetitive than he had anticipated. He met with the navigators in the bridge every morning and they discussed the winds and tides, how many reefs were needed, and which sails should be furled or hoisted. Their latitude changed sparsely, but they were cruising south further and further towards the Iron Isles. After charting their course for the day, Jagare made sure he spent the rest of the morning on the deck with the crew. Whether he was tying down ropes, adjusting the sails, or even just wandering the deck, he decided he must make sure he was a part of them. In the afternoons, he sparred with Tommo, Lyanna, and the crew, improving his skills as much as he could. When he grew tired of that, he studied. Watching the sailors go around their job, he was continuously still learning about the technicalities of the ship. Tricks to increase apparent wind, make quicker tacks, and swapping sails efficiently. When he sparred, he trained with Tommo mostly as he was the only one who could match him. At other times, he would spar with Lyanna and Wendall, but that was more training than anything. Lyanna was slowly improving with the blade, but it always proved that it was too heavy for her. Tommo's very professional opinion stated that 'The blade is simply too fucking big'. Considering the blade in question was only a short sword, it didn't bode well for Lyanna's martial future. She seemed content however to stay with the bow. Wendel was improving slightly. The mace was a good fit for him, but although he had power behind his swing, he was always deterred by the lack of confidence. Lyanna stated firmly and truly after a sparring session that his brother and father had robbed him of all his self-worth, and it was up to them to build it back up.
One night, after he and Lyanna had finished in their passions, Jagare had risen from the bed and walked over to the table in front of the porthole. After their first night together, they had taken to bed every night after, letting themselves fall into each other's arms and satiate their love and lust for each other. Lyanna was humming contently in bed as Jagare gazed at a map of the Sunset Sea in front of him. It was eloquently detailed, with coasts coves and cliffs all drawn on. He heard Lyanna turn in the sheets and her sweet voice flowed across the room.
"Come back to bed, Jagare. Come keep me warm." He turned his head and smirked slightly. Lyanna had shifted the covers and her leg was bare in the dim light of the moon. Smooth pale skin enticed him, and the soft, seductive smile she sent his way would have melted him into a mere pool of lust, if not for the main worry on his mind. He shook his head and turned back to the map.
"I'm worried Lyanna. We're entering Ironborn territory now. We've already met them before, and I don't particularly want to see any again. Especially as where in their element now" Lyanna shook off the covers and walked towards him. He felt her breasts push into his back and inhaled sharply and he felt her lips on his neck. Her arms wrapped themselves around him and he took one of her hands and kissed it.
"You worry too much Jagare. Come back to bed, be with me." He allowed himself to fall into her embrace once more for the night. The next day, Jagare's usual routine was interrupted by only one change. After he had re-appeared on deck clasping his axe, one of the crew came up to him. It was Lemnos, and he came forth with a smug look on his face. Since the mutiny, the giant had become a vocal supporter of Jagare on deck, especially after a few tankards of ale.
"Captain, might I spar with you this fine mornin" he rumbled, his eyes gleaming cheerfully. Jagare had just been getting ready for a bout with Tommo, but he put up his hands and leaned against the rail while smirking at Jagare.
"This I want to see. Go ahead my large friend." Tommo was not exaggerating, Lemnos must have been around six and a half feet, taller than Jagare and much more built out. Jagare looked around and shrugged nonplussed.
"I am willing to spar with any member of my crew should they wish, and you will for sure be a most challenging combatant." Lemnos grinned.
"Boys in the village thought so" he spoke in the rough brogue of the North. Lyanna spoke up from the Quarterdeck.
"I would like to see this as well, go on Jagare. Show us the captain's strength." Jagare shot her a glare and she smirked at him.
"Do you have a weapon, Lemnos?" He shrugged and then almost sheepishly turned to Lyanna.
"I…I had noticed that the lady carried a blade, might I borrow it?" Lyanna laughed and made her way down the stairs. She approached him and drew her blade, flipping it in her hand and handing it to him hilt first.
"Swing strong and true, Lemnos the Vast." The big man took the blade and grinned at the moniker, giving Lyanna a small bow before turning to face Jagare. A bit surprised at the turning of events, Jagare nonetheless sunk into a fighting stance. Much of the crew had gathered around them to see the duel, and he could even see money changing hands.
"Go on captain" shouted a few voices, whilst others cheered for Lemnos. Just as Jagare was prepared to make the first swing, something over the starboard side caught his eye and he froze. Lemnos chose that time to swing and Jagare barely parried before shouting at the top of his voice.
"STOP!" The crowd went silent as Jagare forced his way to the starboard railing and his breath caught heavily in his throat. A large shape was powering towards them, even from there Jagare could see the speed it was moving through the water and knew that they would never be able to outrun it. He felt his heart thumping faster and faster in his chest before whispering one word to the worried looks around him.
"Ironborn."
Again, sorry for the late upload. New character joins the crew and Jagare gets his first real victory...and then Ironborn
