Anonymous: Sonic absolutely cares about caching in a very fine ransom. She's a princess, after all. Maybe not as much as a king or a prince, but still worth a lot. As for Knuckles and the dreams… there is a bit more to be discussed on that end, and more to be revealed. A change in perspective might be good to understand what is going on.
Vanilla does have a motherly relationship with Sonic, and that will be tied in later as well… if the story makes it that far.
/*-*/
The nun was very hospitable in her own way. She provided Blaze with more context about the captains on the island. Yet she continued to return to the blue hedgehog. Vanilla must have known that Blaze was resistant to any interaction with him. She did not like him, not at all.
"I understand your plight on working with him, but please consider him." Vanilla, the nun asked. The young rabbit who assisted her stepped forward.
"Mr. Sonic is a very good man. He'll help you." Cream smiled giving a diligent nod, "He brings us medicine, which lets us help the poor."
Blaze saw the young rabbit's innocent smile, and remained unmoved, "He captured the ship I was using, killed the captain, and has sabotaged the most important diplomatic mission of the century!" Blaze was not wrong in not desiring him around her. Furthermore, he was a pirate, and by nature, likely to sell her out if the opportunity arose.
There was also the fact that she was his prisoner. He would not help her, it would be foolish to do. If he took her anywhere, Blaze could use that opportunity to escape. Sonic likely knew this.
Vanilla shook her head at Blaze in a condescending way, "Princess, you may not like him, but he is your best option for getting off this island with your body and chastity intact. The others all have questionable history and motives. While they are better than most, that does not make them good."
"Sonic is not good." Blaze countered, breathing heavily.
"He brought you here, did he not? He at least valued your life enough to save it. There are not many pirate captains I can say for certain would do so." The nun scowled at her.
Blaze frowned. In fairness, he had been good to her. He had taken care of her in her sickness, and taken precautions to protect her from other forces.
Blaze sighed in annoyance, "I suppose I will have to bargain with him, and perhaps we might salvage this mission."
"Do not worry about that. I will speak to Sonic on your behalf. He will listen to me, provided the mood is right." Vanilla smiled at Blaze, giving her a pleasant bow of her head, "He respects half of what I say."
Blaze nodded, and sighed. She was not happy. This plan was not a victorious plan for her kingdom. Still, it needed to happen, and she would be late for her wedding if things did not turn her way, "Very well, I will retrieve him and bring him here."
"I would advise against that, Princess." Vanilla stated, tensing up and moving in front of the doorway.
Blaze glared at the nun, who now tried to imprison her, "Why do insist on helping them?"
"Those are pirates out there." The nun stated firmly, still challenging Blaze, "They will smell that you are fresh, chaste and young. I can not guarantee that they will respect you or spare you any hardship."
Blaze stopped as she came to realize what the nun was speaking of. Blaze scowled and sighed, "So, shall I remain here, surrounded by nuns and children?" She was firm, but taking care not to mock the nun.
"I suggest you wait for Sonic. He will be back soon, and you will not need to fear the other pirates on the island." Vanilla the nun insisted.
Blaze felt herself tense up at the mere name, "Must I wait for him? The man who kidnapped me? The one who sank my ship, and has kept my kingdom at war?"
"You need to learn to forgive, princess. It is good for your soul." Vanilla insisted, clasping her hands together, before smiling, "He will try to take care of you, and protect you. That is all I can assure."
"I see. I do not care for the idea, but I see its value." Blaze sighed, snarling to herself, and sitting down in the pew, and sat up straight. She still needed to carry her dignified presence of royalty where ever she went. Blaze still carried the pride of her people, even as a prisoner, or whatever she was.
The door opened and the blue hedgehog walked into the church, "Sister, is she well enough to travel?"
The nun turned back to the pirate captain, "She is, though I must ask that you be easy with the princess. She will need a calm journey back to the Sol Kingdom."
"And she'll get it… once I get my ransom." The hedgehog stated firmly, glancing at Blaze with a lack of sympathy.
It felt strange to Blaze. Part of her liked it.
The nun frowned, "Are you still intent on that? Surely you know the Lord rewards compassion and charity."
"Indeed, which is why he'll reward the Sol kingdom for being charitable to my store-chest." The Pirate Captain grinned at the nun.
"Saint Francis, grant me your patience." The nun sighed in agitation, "You surely do not wish to keep this wounded soul locked in a cage as a prisoner when you free so many. She is a child of one of God's chosen kings."
"Bah, Kings aren't saints and I'd never pray to them if they were." The pirate captain growled at her.
"But you can not seriously consider captivating this poor girl whom you have already hurt and robbed." The nun bartered on Blaze's behalf.
Blaze remained quiet throughout the conversation, not finding anything good to say to the kidnapper.
"I'll keep her as long as I wish. Her family can pay the bloody ransom, they're good for it. Lord knows I've paid enough." The pirate complained with a loud tone.
"You are not a bandit, you do not kidnap people." The nun insisted, holding out her arms.
"Woman, I will keep her hostage for as long as I need!" The pirate Captian Sonic growled back at the nun.
Blaze was certain that diplomacy failed, so she saw no reason to remain silent. Blaze stood up and pointed at the hedgehog, "I will not be your prisoner! I will burn your body to cinders and watch you descend into-"
"Not in the house of God!" The nun, Vanilla exclaimed standing between the two.
Blaze realized what she had done, and bowed her head in shame, "I apologize, this was very rude of me, and I should not permit myself to act this way."
The Nun nodded, "All is forgiven, child." She then turned her head to face the Pirate captian.
"I did nothing wrong. She's my prisoner, and she'll be my prisoner until I get my ransom." The pirate captain Sonic stated firmly, "You can't change that, and you won't change that."
The nun's form shifted. She raised her head and turned around, "I can't help you. You are so stubborn, you've chosen this path, and you will pay for it. I am going to prayer. Goodbye."
She walked away with a clear sign of anger on her face. The Hedgehog had a different face, one of pain and regret.
Pirate Captian Sonic shook his head, "Alright, lass, let's get you back to the ship." He turned around and walked to the doors.
Blaze was tempted to burn him, but instead opted to not do anymore damage to the church. So She followed him outside.
Then she set fire to her palms and rushed at the Hedgehog Captian as they started walking down the hill. He promptly turned around and vanished, right before she engulfed the grass she was standing.
The Princess promptly turned around as the pirate captain's hand closed around her wrist, "Alright, that's enough out of you, lass. You've had your fun, now it's time to be serious."
"I will not be-" Blaze shouted as she sparked her palm with fire.
She felt the sudden lurch of a hard metal on the back of her head. She staggered forward and struggled to stay standing.
Sonic groaned, "Come on, come on, take a nap."
Blaze felt the world spinning as she walked forward, staggering and stretching out her arms as the world began to spin. The dirt rushed to her face, but she was stopped by a chest catching her and wrapping arms around.
"Come on, go to sleep, don't make my life any blood harder than you have to." The hedgehog whispered as Blaze's vision faded to black.
/*-*/
Sonic set the princess's head on a cloth inside the brig, "Ok, lass, let's set you down, don't make my life difficult." He slowly pulled his arms out from around the cat's waist and head.
Sonic let out a sigh, for some reason. The princess wasn't very heavy, in fact, Sonic was almost worried she wasn't eating enough. He would have to bring her some extra food. Didn't want her starving before he could get his coin off her.
As he turned around, he looked at the racoon who was tied up to the bar, giving her a nod as he walked by.
Sonic leaned out as her legs to kick him, before he stopped and looked at the floor of his ship… which was sort of wet and damp. There was a leak somewhere, "You know, it's hard to let you go when I have to worry about you starting trouble with me and my boys."
"Fuck you ya greedy bastard! I be plenty happy kicking yer arse fer a year!" The racoon growled, swinging her legs at Sonic. Then she stopped and raised an eyebrow at Sonic, "Wait, yer not seriously thinkin' a lettin' me go?"
"Of course, I don't really see you giving me anything more than a few pence. I'll let you go if you promise not to cause me or my boys anymore problems." Sonic offered her, "I got plenty of goods from the plunder, even with our little… issue."
Sonic felt his jaw lock as he thought about how much he lost. He growled, "I don't see much of a reason to keep you locked up. I don't think your company will pay much for your release. So, are you going to play nice?"
The Racoon stayed still for a moment, before growling, "Go ta 'ell. I be not abandonin' the princess! Tis me duty as a proud sailor for the Kingdom of Sol!" She bore her fangs at Sonic, showing off her fierce personality.
Sonic felt his throat tighten at her little comment.
"Well, I admire your loyalty to your crown. I hope it serves you well, Lord knows there are a lot who got nothing for it." Sonic growled at her, biting his tongue as he marched out above deck, before running straight to the tavern to wash the bad taste out of his mouth.
He arrived and found his crew already sitting at the bar, ordering drinks on a credit they could barely scrape.
Sonic saw Miles sitting there with his back to the bar, and waved Sonic over, "Ov'r here Capt'n!" He clearly saw the boy, and took his seat next to them.
There were at least some good spirits, Sonic could see that. The only problem was that they came from that black hedgehog's crew. His crew was cheering at their tables, raising their cups while the arrogant bastard sat there with his smug, stoic look plastered across his face. He sat with his armored muscle.
The bat and the pink Hedgehog were talking, with miss Rose looking rather nervous from her posture. The boys around her did not make her feel comfortable at all. In fact, they seem to add to her woes, unlike the bat, who played her hand masterfully.
"That damned whore, I be in the right mind to give 'er a thrashin'" Knuckles grumbled, balling his fist, "She be lying to client, who does that?"
Sonic couldn't believe he just heard the words leave Knuckle's lips. That bastard was really about to play everything off like it was nothing.
"Yes, who would do something like lie to some they see in their regular bloody lives." Sonic growled, tapping his fingers along the bar counter. Of course, his complaint was drowned out by the sound of Shadow's crew cheering up with their drinks and boasting.
"Hello, might I in-interest y-ya in a d-drink?" Miss Rose finally came over, "Or perhaps… s-something m-m-more?" She lightly tugged her dress in a way that made it look less seductive and more corrective, as if it was slightly uncomfortable. Then again, she probably was uncomfortable with the attention.
"Just some grog, all around." Sonic grumbled, taking the last of the silver he had on hand and placing it on the counter.
"I b-be back with… yer orders." The pink hedgehog walked away with her head held low.
"Everything alright, Capt'n?" Miles asked, leaning over, "Did the big lug do something?"
"You heard that?" Sonic asked, astounded by the idea that Miles could hear anything.
"I be a fox. We have good 'ers." Miles raised a finger and stroked the tuffs of fur sticking out on his hears, "It be quite loud in 'ere." Miles mumbled as the drinks returned.
"T-thank ya, boys." Miss Rose returned, carrying wooden tankards in one hand.
Sonic nodded, "Good pay for good work." Sonic raised the tankard to his lips and drank the watered down rum. It was… good. It tasted great when he was in a torrent of emotions.
They were… not entirely down. Sonic had that one nest egg, but he still needed an excuse, and he certainly wasn't going to announce he had it with so many pirates around him. Sonic needed an excuse to get some money.
"Miss Rose." Sonic called out as the girl turned away. She turned back to him and Sonic smiled slyly, ready to use a dirty trick, "I might need something… more."
The girl's eyes grew distant, and her face went cold. Sonic shook his head and clarified, "I need you to tell me if you've heard of anything… interesting. Something magnificent."
"Well…" the pink hedgehog looked rather hesitant. She needed some motivation.
Sonic leaned over to his first-mate, "Miles, loan me some silver."
The fox looked at him for a moment, and handed Sonic his pouch. Sonic pulled out ten silver coins, and placed them on the counter.
The Pink Hedgehog looked at the silver hungrily. She was thin, which told Sonic the whoring business was not paying for a girl so shy she couldn't even speak. That was silver she needed.
"T-there be talk of a treasure, b-buried under the tallest palm on Arrowhead Isle." The pink hedgehog then reached over to grab the coins.
Sonic stopped her hand, by grabbing it, making the girl freeze and quiver. She gulped and slowly recovered enough to look around, but still shook with fear.
"How good is the information?" Sonic demanded with a scowl at her, "Where did you hear this?"
Miss Rose shook a little, before whispering, "A Captain… a captain told Miss Rouge… S-she gives o-out rum w-when she at-attends her… m-men… l-loosens the l-lips."
Sonic blinked and let go, "You earned a little more… apologies for the firmness." Sonic placed five more coins on the counter, much to Miles' displeasure.
"Aye- That be me own coin. You be payin' me back when We get paid." Miles growled, pushing back on the chair.
"Of course, of course." Sonic smiled at his first mate, before turning around to the pink hedgehog who looked especially uncomfortable. He pushed the coins towards her once again, trying to calm her down. Miss Rose didn't seem to like conflict very much.
"W-well, I be listenin' to the pirates from over there." She almost raised her fingers to point.
"Don't point, just a quick nod will do." Sonic explained, raising his cup to his lips and taking a gulp of the grog while reaching out to rub the Pink Hedgehog's side. Not that he was trying to flirt, but it would be a way to not draw attention.
She immediately got flustered, before doing a less than subtle nod directly towards one of the tables of Shadow's crew. Particularly his crows nest men. They usually had good information.
Sonic gulped in the back of his throat, but maybe the grog had more of an effect on him, because it didn't sound so bad. Shadow was patrolling the Borava instead of actually going out to hunt for the treasure ships. Why not give him a hard time.
"Play it off, and keep your head down. I didn't ask for any of this information, you didn't give any, understood?" Sonic grumbled, rubbing up her side.
The whore shuddered but nodded and quickly moved away. Sonic played along just to be safe, and slapped her rear as she passed by him, earning a yelp.
She quickly scurried off, leaving Sonic to turn back to his crew, "So, You all feel like swiping a quarry?"
He really directed the words to Miles, as Knuckles was once again proving himself wrong by swaying in front of the bat once again. Sonic shoved his bitterness down regarding the echidna.
Knuckles did give Sonic that gem back. Sonic took a deep breath, and sighed, releasing his grudge. He would rather be a happy fool than a paranoid hermit.
"We be quick. I like the plan." Miles mumbled, giving Sonic a nod. The boy raised the grog to his lips, and let out a gasp.
Sonic nodded and raised his cup to his lips again. His men were drinking, but they all still looked rather melancholic. Sonic hadn't told them about Knuckle's theft. He was still thinking of a way to tell the others. He could have just outed Knuckles.
That would probably lead to a body on one side or the other… He didn't know what to do. He stood up, earning a surprised look from Miles.
"Capt'n?" Miles asked, giving Sonic a look of concern.
"I'm heading back to the ship, tell the men to not drink till their blind." Sonic growled, before zipping out the door and back to the ship.
Sonic waddled back onto the ship, before sitting down and looking up at the wool sails. I haven't stopped searching for you. I'll find you, I promise.
Sonic ran his fingers along the wooden post which held the sails, and turned to see his boys walking along the wooden deck of the ship.
Miles spoke first, "Capt'n, what be the plan?"
The others looked up at him, rather annoyed by the fact that they had to cut their bar time short. Knuckles and George were especially displeased.
"Gentlemen, I've had news of a tip, one that will bring us some actual coin." Sonic proclaimed, walking up to the top of his ship, "We are to go Arrowhead Isle, and digging up some buried treasure."
"That be what ya interrupted our time for?" George complained, still holding the tankard from the tavern. He pressed his lips to the top of the cup before turning it over and shaking it.
Sonic rolled his eyes, "I save you all from blowing your pay in one night, not to mention who else is going for it." Sonic grinned as his men's eyes lit up at the sound of his voice, "Shadow. Set to leave tomorrow morning. I say we beat him to it."
Knuckles smirked, "So, we be racin' against that bastard, steal his quarry, and be back before they know what hit them."
"That is my plan. Come on, lads, don't you want a little payback for him robbing us?" Sonic asked with a grin.
His men gave turned to each other and started nodding to one and other.
"Good, then lets set sail!" Sonic ordered, "Raise the anchor, and lets turn the Mermaid's Voyage around!"
They ran to their stations, and began to raise the anchor up by the crank. Once it was up, Sonic lowered the hemp sail, but left the wool one up. They didn't need a lot of speed to pull out from port. Sonics eyes were adjusting to the lack of light, and they were out on the open waves.
As they drifted, Sonic felt his coat pocket feel heavy. The Gem that Knuckles stole was still in there. His crew was excited, so perhaps the moment was on him to tell them, without prying rivals out to steal it from him.
He walked down from the helm, once they were on open waters of course, and walked over to Miles, "Assemble the men."
"Capt'n, they mostly be below deck. Why not just go and talk wit 'em." Miles mumbled, pointing down below.
"We need someone up top to make sure we don't run aground, and I need everyone to hear this." Sonic sighed. What would he say? He needed a story, or it would look like he was trying to cheat them. He would never dream of something like that, but that didn't mean they wouldn't believe it.
If he went below deck, the princess and her hound could see the gem and try to steal it. Better to keep them out of it. That was the real reason he didn't want to go below deck.
Then again, they weren't exactly out of earshot in any scenario. Sonic was more than certain they would hear what was going on anyway.
"Alright-" Miles started, and walked to the bell.
"Never mind, We'll all go below deck." Sonic smiled and tipped his hat.
/*-*/
Blaze's entire head stung as the tapping of wood rattled her skull. She was… injured!
Blaze shot up and felt her eyes almost cross from the pain shooting through her head. She saw three of the pirate's crew standing around a candle light as the Captain made his way down the step.
"Alright lads, we need to talk." The Pirate Captain growled, walking towards the group.
They all turned to see him, and stopped what ever they were doing.
The wolf frowned, "What be the problem, Capt'n."
The hedgehog seemed to hesitate, thinking about something before smiling, "Well, gentlemen, I have good news. Shadow stole our gems, which were very valuable." The pirate captain paused again.
The wolf frowned, "That don't sound like good news."
"Well, no, but when he stole our gems, Knuckles..." The hedgehog started and looked at the echidna.
The echidna looked away in shame, and frowned. Blaze had intended for him to free her by creating chaos with his Captain. Things did not turn as she would have hoped.
The hedgehog licked his lips, "Knuckles snuck one away…" He then reached into his coat pocket, and pulled out the orange gem, which stirred a fire in Blaze's soul. She was bound to them, and she would always know when one was nearby, "-and brought it to me."
The pirate echidna seemed surprised, and looked over at the captain. He was lying, why?
"So you all need to thank him for his hard work keep this away." The pirate captian smiled at the echidna.
They passed their thanks to the echidna. The Pirate captain then explained, "No talking about this. We don't need shadow riding our bloody arse the rest of our lives. No words leave this ship."
"Aye," The crew mumbled in succession.
He had the gem, he had it. He was going to sell it still, and there was nothing Blaze could do to keep it out of… there was one thing, one thing to keep the prophecy from coming true… if it was real.
"Gentlemen, be patient, a good pay day in on the way." The Pirate Captian stated.
"Forty million." Blaze groaned, grabbing the bars. He had hit her hard on the head, and she had a nasty headache.
"W-What!" The racoon woke up, and saw that she was awake, "Princess?"
"Repeat that, lass." The captain demanded.
"Forty million silver coins, for the emerald to be returned to the kingdom of Sol." Blaze offered, slumping her head, "For each emerald… to be returned." It was a bluff, but one she could maintain if she steeled herself.
The Pirate captain froze, and walked up to the bars. Blaze steeled herself.
"Forty million for each. I thought your kingdom couldn't afford it?" The hedgehog inquired.
"We can afford… a few. All of them would have been an impossible task, but we will pay you." Blaze offered as the Hedgehog gazed her over.
Blaze had two options: either pull a bride price from the Acorns, or deal with the pirates once she had an opportunity to escape. Messy work, but Her kingdom's honor was at stake, and these were pirates, not worth her sympathy.
"Well, Gents?" The captain turned back to his men.
"More coin for us."
"Aye."
"A better buyer indeed."
The hedgehog turned back to her, and moved his hand through the bar towards her chest. She froze, tightening her form up. Then he stopped halfway through, "Shake on it."
Blaze stretched out her hand, and made a deal with the devil.
/*-*/
Well, lads tides be changin on me end. A new task be on me hindquarters, and time be tight. Still, I be working on this when the notes come in.
Leave yer capt'n a note, and tell 'im what ya think, or walk the plank! If a note be too formal, ya can always send a secret message, and the capt'n'll keep it quiet. Otherwise, the capt'n not be in the mood for sailin'.
