Shanghaied
Someone was berating at her. Or wait…were they lecturing her? The voice enveloped her mind like a vicious whirlpool, and then its owner gave a firm smack across her face.
"Whaaat the devil…" Flora slurred as she woke up to blurred vision and a sloshing stomach. She went to move and a hammer smashed into her skull. The sailor groaned and kept still, but it did nothing to ease the quaking headache, or the bile threatening to hurl out of her gut.
The hung over teen lay there for what felt like days, but was most likely a few minutes. Her eyes flicked back and forth as she tried to get a sense of her surroundings. Creaky floorboards, that much she could make out without vomiting. Floorboards and…was that Stephen?
Flora focused on the crab as much as possible. It was glaring at her, its claws snapping angrily. "Wheeere were you when I needed you…?" Flora mumbled before a tiny part of her acknowledged the pain across her face. She touched her bruised cheek, recalling the smack she received during her intoxicated slumber. "Was that you…?"
The crab chirped in an irritable tone that strangely sounded like "YES."
Before Flora could debate on whither she actually heard that or not, a door opened.
"Ahoy, me hearties!" A grueling, Spanish tinted voice drove another hammer into her head. "Up and at 'em! Time to get to work!"
A choir of pained groans and surprised yelps replied in kind. "What in the-world?! Where am I?!"
"Oh bugger me, not again!"
"Again?!"
"Oi! Where's my musket?"
A few distressed complaints were hollered in different languages, but Flora barely noticed. All of the noise was making everything worse…
"All hands on deck!" The demanding voice continued, "Make up the leeway ya scurvy dogs!"
Something was missing. There was an emptiness that Flora couldn't place, but ooww…her head…
"No dawdlin'!" There was a massive splash and someone cried out. By this time Flora's vision had started to clear, and it took a moment to register the sight before her.
Multiple civilians were either pulling themselves up or being dragged to their feet within sleeping quarters no different from the Glory's. Some were hung over like Flora, others bore bloodied bandages around their heads, and a few were soaking wet, having refused to get up and had buckets of water thrown on them as a result. And she was about to be next.
The teen straightened out of her hammock, fell over, and groaned as she stood up on trembling legs, her stomach swashing side-to-side.
"Good on you, Squidling!" The owner of the voice, an olive-skinned man with a ponytail, complimented with a grisly smile. "Now, get goin'!"
SQUIDLING?!
Flora jerked her head up and nearly keeled over from her hangover. He'd called her by Jolly Roger's nickname! Why?! And gods damn it, what was this emptiness…?!
The flower rubbed her temple and tried to battle her malaise as she was rounded up with the other unfortunate souls. Their voices bounced off each other like echoes within a cave, all of them confused, agitated, and miserable as Flora. What was going on? What were they doing there?
Where was here?!
One word stuck out from the rest, and when it was heard a silent agreement was made between each individual within the hull.
Shanghaied.
The revelation sank in as Flora shuffled along with the other abductees and her blood began to boil. She'd been shanghaied! Tricked! How could she let this happen!?
Through her alcoholic daze, the memories of last night made themselves known. Tortuga, the Faithful Bride, the pirate captain known as Riley Beaudrick, and…Oh good Lord, how much did she drink?!
The headache pounded into her temple again, and a low, shameful growl seethed between her teeth. How could she have been so stupid? Why did she let her guard down so easily in the presence of corsairs?!
You idiot! You bilge-sucking idiot! The sailor berated herself as she'd been during her drunken slumber. Ya lowered your guard and made yeerself vulnerable to pirates! Now look where we are!
Sunlight pierced through her vision as if on cue, and Flora squinted as she and the others were led outside.
They were standing on the upper decks of a ship at sea, a dark brig sailing under a black flag, though it was the strangest one Flora had ever seen, even compared to Athair's.
Every wooden plank and floorboard had numerous slices, cracks and splinters in them, some small and others so large Flora was surprised the boards haven't broken to bits already. Half of the crew-pirates all-raced across the deck with spare planks at the ready, hammering away at the broken woodwork to repair the damage as fast as possible.
The teen flinched each time a hammer struck its mark, the battering worsening her aches and pains. Bloody hell….
Before she could make sense of what was going on, a sharp CRACK beneath her feet made her jump.
Flora backed off, and her fellow captives followed with horrified looks as more fissures cracked open and spread from where they stood. It was like a spider forging its web, only this web threatened to come apart with each terrible rift that formed. On top of that, an ominous green aura shone dimly between the cracks before fading, momentarily, and then gleaming through again.
Multiple oaths were uttered in different tongues. One captive made the symbol of the cross around their chest, while another scrutinized the expanding fissures before muttering, "That's something you don't see every day!"
Flora only narrowed her eyes. The dim green aura looked awfully familiar…
"Look alive, gents!" The caller that aroused everyone from their sleep ordered. "Captain on deck!"
The crew straightened out, and the abductees swiveled around as Captain Riley Beaudrick emerged from the captain's quarters of the breaking vessel.
"Foul git." Someone muttered, while another one swore "Cheating bastard!"
Flora remained still, a deadly scowl on her face.
"Thank you for the introductions, Eric!" Riley addressed the caller, who tipped his hat in appreciation as his captain turned his attention to the new crew mates. "Gentlemen! Ladies! Welcome aboard the Wolf's Nail!"
The Wolf's Nail…Flora looked around with the other abductees before her gaze landed on the bow. The figurehead of a snarling, leaping wolf occupied the prow, and like the rest of the ship, the wolf was covered in green cracks threatening to tear it apart like rot.
"I apologize for bringing you aboard in such a rude manner." Riley continued, gold teeth gleaming. "But it's my preferred way to bring in recruits."
A chorus of outrage followed this statement. Flora decided not to join in, especially when a spur of drawn swords, daggers and pistols from the crew quickly shut the outcriers up. Half of her focused on the captain while the other half searched for the source of the emptiness driving her mad.
Riley waited for complete silence before continuing, "Let me assure you, none of you were chosen by chance. I sought you all out for a reason." All eyes fixed on the pirate captain as he declared: "We all have a score to settle with the bilge rat spreading terror across the seas: Jolly Roger!"
Flora did a double take and examined her fellow captives. Riley's revelation had rendered them hesitant and docile like a spell. Each of them turned to each other with new eyes as the same question rang through their heads. They've all dealt with the likes of Jolly Roger?
It makes sense since the war is worldwide…The young sailor thought before a terrible realization struck her. If Captain Beaudrick brought these hapless souls aboard because of Roger then did that mean….
"You've all had dealings with that black ilk and in the end it cost you, dearly." The captain fixed onto the refugees. "A wife and child."
A man wearing a farmer's hat shifted with a mournful expression. "A father." Two young men, twins with ginger hair and freckles, gawked at one another. "A promise." An ebony skinned woman's eyes flashed with murder.
Riley continued to name each of the abductee's plights until at last, his gaze landed on Flora. He lingered on her for sometime, and when she glared at him he only grinned. "A home and family."
The teen's heart skipped a beat. How did he know what happened to her?!
Because ya told him, you dolt! The answer struck her like a lightning bolt. What else did she reveal to the pirate during her drunken trance?!
Captain Beaudrick turned away. "You are not alone. I too have my own plights with Roger. And that is why you are all here." He spread his arms out. "I am giving you all a chance to take revenge!"
"How?" One of the ginger twins spoke up, "by shanghaiing us into piracy?!"
"On that note, mate, some of us aren't even sailors!" the other twin started. "Now how do you expect to work around that?"
Riley's lip twitched. "You'll learn, whither you like it or not," He simply replied. "Ye'll be surprised how far the desire for revenge will take you. As for your service into piracy, I'll repay you each in kind in time."
The crew snickered at their captain's final word, and an aura of fear engulfed the stunned captives. Flora glanced at the surrounding crew from port to starboard, fury seething through her veins. She'd had enough; she had no plans on helping pirates who would press gang souls into service like this! Whither Beaudrick's plights truly involved Jolly Roger or not she will not have this!
You know me. The unknown emptiness fueled the fury, filling the young sailor with a deep seeded strength and hatred she never felt before. But you will not have me!
Flora checked her belt as Riley went to assign stations to the reluctant recruits. Her belongings were still miraculously in place, including her sword. Blaggard forgot to take them it seems. She smirked before she thought, then what is causing this emptiness?
The sailor grimaced. She'll dwell on the void later; she needed her full concentration on this.
She battled the hangover. As she pushed through the alcoholic fog to the best of her ability, she reached out and grasped Athair's lessons on clairvoyance. It worked similarly to the unease she often felt with incoming danger; only this was an ability she could control with enough training and patience. And in time, she may be able to use it without having to concentrate at all.
Flora reevaluated what her mentor taught her. Then, when she was ready, she cast her mind out to sea.
It was a frightening yet inspiriting feeling. A part of her consciousness broke away like a puzzle piece and dove into the ocean. Weightless, she scoured the dark blue depths, an invisible awareness melded with the tides, until she found what she was looking for. Jerry.
The serpent was trailing after the Wolf's Nail, searching for his lost friend via her scent. In this state, the door connecting their minds was easier to open than ever.
I'm here! Flora hollered when she opened her door. I need help!
Jerry lifted his head and snarled, the message coming through loud and clear.
The serpent quickened his pace with a thrash of his tail, and Flora closed the mental barriers as she returned to her physical form…
Fatigue struck her first. The moment she reconnected to her body, Flora collapsed onto the deck. A seizure followed, and the abductees backed away as Flora twisted and convulsed in a ghastly manner. More fissures crackled and spread beneath her as this occurred. She shouldn't have done that she wasn't strong enough! She should have waited until Athair told her she was ready like he said!
Her limbs shook and her sight became muddled again as the unnatural weariness mixed with the hangover. She blinked multiple times, fighting the terrible ailments as she tried to focus. Both captives and crew were gawking at her, some terrified and others concerned. Someone called for the naval surgeon, only for Riley to belay the order. He was watching her, waiting, expecting…
"On your feet, Squilding!" The man called Eric marched over, grabbed her coat, and hauled her up. "Before the deck gives way!"
Squidling…Flora clenched her fists until her knuckles cracked.
Now! Show them what you are!
The teen gathered the remnants of her strength, and elbowed Eric in the gut.
The pirate 'oofed', painfully, and Flora followed it up with a swift punch to the jaw. Eric reeled off clutching his face, and a call squalled from the Nail's stern: "Seize her."
Riley's order was dry and composed, yet it was enough to send a number of armed crewmates after her.
RUN!
Flora bolted for the railing, her movements sluggish as she tried to avoid the pirates' onslaught. Make it to sea! She ordered herself. Let Jerry catch you, then you can pass out!
The sailor ducked and stumbled as she dodged multiple limbs reaching out for her. One latched onto her arm, and she bit into it until blood was drawn. The limb's owner yowled and released Flora, giving her enough time to climb up the port railing and grab hold of the nearby rigging to stay standing.
The Nail's crew charged, believing they had her cornered, and then the sea exploded.
A geyser of foam and spray erupted from the ocean behind Flora as Jerry arose from the abyss, his crimson silhouette eclipsing the sun. The sea serpent glared down at the now frozen and soaked crew, and his second jaw thrust out as he roared.
Chaos descended upon the Wolf's Nail as both pirates and captives alike shrieked and scrambled across the deck, some running for weapons, others to hide.
That's right. See me. Fear me.
Flora grinned at the groveling pirates, the blood from her bite staining her teeth red as Jerry's skin. She basked in the sheer terror emitting from the crew, embracing it, reveling in the fact she was the one in power now, and not cowering and hiding as she once did.
Only Captain Riley stood firm before the present danger, his expression impassive and calm. Was he not scared witless as the others?
Flora wiped the blood from her mouth. The pirate's eerie confidence was irritating, further fueling the fire. It was time to change that.
"Let me go…right now." Her dark coat and scarf whipped against a sudden wind. "Or I'll have the beast rip this stinkin' excuse of a vessel bow to stern and you all along with it!"
Jerry snapped his jaws. One word. One word was all he needed, and now everyone knew it.
The crew stared, a combination of glares and wide tear-filled eyes. Some, like Eric and the ebony woman, had grabbed hold of weapons and were ready to fight, but didn't move regardless. No one knew what to what to do.
Then the silence was broken by the most unexpected sound to hear in this predicament: Applause.
Jerry growled as Riley's slow, clapping hands broke the spell of tyranny. "Well done, Squidling, well done!" The pirate captain praised before he gestured to his crew. "You see lads! This is exactly who we need for our plights! This is how far one will go for vengeance!"
He returned his attention to Flora, his expression a mix of bliss and malice. "I would not be going anywhere if I were you, Squidling. Or would you prefer I call you Miss Barton or Flora?"
The flower glowered. What are you playing at…? "I can leave anytime I want, Captain Beaudrick." She growled, "There's nothin' you can do to stop me!"
"Oh I have no doubt of that," His smile broadened. "But don't you think you're missing something?"
Riley reached into one of his coat pockets, and drew out a familiar, silver and turquoise locket.
All thought and emotion dissolved out of existence. Flora gaped upon the locket in Riley's hands and reached for her neck.
It was empty.
"We have a conundrum now don't we?" The captain declared, "You desperately want to leave, and yet here I am, holding your heart. What will you do now?"
The world began to darken and blur until Riley and the only memoir of her family remained. This was the source of the emptiness: her locket! And he took it.
He TOOK IT!
The rage that enveloped Flora expanded and distorted until it was unrecognizable; a shapeless, eldritch thing that coiled around her being and tightened until she knew nothing else, wanted nothing else.
She hunched forward, slowly, precariously, her mind a black maelstrom and her vision blurring red. Dark clouds suddenly shrouded the clear morning, the air growing thick with humidity before cracking with the threat of lightning and rain.
"Give. That. Back!"
Her voice, her fury melded with the sudden roar of thunder. If the pirate crew and captives weren't afraid of her before they certainly were now. Most were backing away to the starboard railing as much as possible, clinging to charms and uttering prayers, desperate to flee the jarring, abnormal figure standing over them. Even the braver ones were hesitant.
Jerry snapped his jaws before swaying a little to the side of the fuming, malevolent thing his friend had become, undeterred enough to stay with her, but frightened enough to stay out of her way.
None of it mattered to Flora, not anymore. All that mattered was the captain of the Wolf's Nail, and the precious memento she once swore never to lose.
Riley glanced at his petrified crew and then at the roiling storm above them. Lightning bloomed, and his smirk grew wider. "Exactly as foretold," he muttered before addressing the aggravated flower. "Very impressive, Miss Flora!"
The teen's response was a feral snarl. "There's no need to bring the apocalypse on my ship for this, however!" Riley gestured to the captain's cabin. "Come inside. Let's talk this out, man-to-man. Or woman-to-man if you prefer."
His tone was reasonable, fearless despite the monstrous sight, but Flora wasn't buying it. "Come señorita, you are tired, angry, and bitter at the world!" Riley continued, "I swear on my beloved ship that no harm will come to you if you come along. Let's talk it out now, shall we?"
There was a note of desperation in his voice now, which brought some satisfaction though it was strangely squandered. Flora tilted her head as Riley's words sank in and turned back to the shriveling crew. Their fear wasn't as delightful to relish in anymore. In fact the very thought was suddenly revolting. Why did she do that to begin with? What was she doing right now?!
The flower held onto her chest, cursing and loosening her grip on the rigging as her fury began to ebb away. The storm above eased and then dissolved as if it never was, and slowly but surely, the world she knew was back to normal.
Jerry rumbled as he moved closer to his friend, and was there to support her when she nearly fell forward in faint. Flora held onto his snout, both hating and missing what she had become a few seconds prior. She glanced at the still uncertain crew, and then at Riley before letting out a small, bone-weary sigh. "Very well…"
The captain's cabin of the Wolf's Nail was larger than it looked, and darkly lit despite the light of the day, but that was just fine for the young flower.
Flora sat at Riley's desk with hollow eyes. Now that the moment of tyranny and power was gone, the effects of her actions and hangover were back in full force. Her head throbbed, her stomach squirmed, and every inch of her body ached and twitched to the bone. The ruthless creature of the wind and sea was long gone. She was Flora again, at least the human-side of Flora. A hapless teen on the verge of adulthood who wanted nothing more than to escape and fall asleep in the deep, but was trapped and at the mercy of the pirate captain standing beside her instead.
"Coffee?" The sailor grimaced and turned away, the sudden bitter scent making her stomach knot. "Heh, ready for rum but not yet ready for coffee." Captain Beaudrick sneered. "I like that." He took a long, sobering drink from his tankard of coffee and then sat down in front of Flora as he did in Tortuga.
They sat there for some time, their silence broken only by the occasional creak and crack of the splintering hull. Flora slowly turned to the wall beside her, noticing for the first time that there were a number of trinkets hanging from it.
"You have many questions, I can tell." Riley started when he saw this. "Ask away, and I will answer as much as I can."
Flora turned back to the pirate with a muddled expression. She should ask how he knew her and how her locket was special, but the cabin trinkets remained on mind. "The ship. What is wrong with her…?"
"Surprising, but a good one to start with," Riley shrugged. "Take another look around. What do you see?"
The teen grumbled and glanced back at the hull. It wasn't only this section of the captain's cabin, but the entirety of it. Every corner, knob and shelf she could see was covered in various charms, baubles, and even writing. Some she recognized from her worldly ventures while others were completely foreign to her.
"The Nail is cursed, as you've seen." Riley explained, "I bear no talent for magic or witchcraft, and so I've relied on outside sources to keep her afloat for as long as possible." He sighed, for once sounding grim. "I've done all I can. Every crypt and curse imaginable has been used to save her, but it's of no use. No matter what the crew and I do, my beloved wolf will flounder."
A cloud of pity welded up in Flora's chest, but she refused to acknowledge it. The captain wasn't going to win her over that easily.
She scrutinized the trinkets and the fissures behind them, about to ask how and why the Nail was cursed when the green aura within illuminated again. The flower recoiled in her seat, the answer coming to her then. "Roger…!"
"Aye señorita. The rotten seadog didn't take lightly to the part I've played in his war." One of Riley's fingers tapped ominously against the table. "The Nail was once part of the fleet of a retired Pirate Lord. She led the charge and defended a handful of isles ripe for the taking from Jolly Roger's army. We were victorious, until the fleet and I went our separate ways. That's when the blaggard made his move."
The tapping stopped. "Instead of sinking her and leavin' me for dead, he poisoned my wolf with his black magic, and took most of my crew for his own."
Flora shuddered at that last sentence. "So that's why you sought out a new crew…" She turned back to the captain, frowning as she recalled the captives tricked into his service. "What of the superstition claiming women are bad luck to bring aboard sea-faring vessels?"
Riley raised a brow, "I don't take that one seriously. I've brought plenty of damsels aboard in the past and nothin's come of it yet."
She did not want to know what Riley meant by that!
The teen shook her head and immediately regretted it when it started swimming, "How do-" She paused, dizzy, and then forced the words out, desperate to change the subject. "How do I know yer not lying to sway me?"
"My my, even after I gave my word you still won't trust me." Riley's lips curled. "Smart on your part, but you needn't worry. I've nothing to gain from lying right now."
There was no unease telling her otherwise, but then it was hard to tell in her condition. Flora drank the words in, waiting for her senses and intuition to reply. When nothing came about, she groaned. Riley must be speaking the truth.
Disappointment coiled in the flower's gut, and she moved on to her next question. "You…spoke of a dragon back in Tortuga," she said. "What did you mean?"
Riley tilted his head and then laughed, "Not a literal dragon, though that would be mighty helpful right now!" He smacked his hand against the desk as he cackled, causing Flora to wince. When he finally calmed down, he cleared his throat. "As far as I know, there's no evidence of real dragons skulking about. No, I speak of a galleon. My wolf's replacement that I have yet to obtain: the Crimson Dragon."
The pirate opened up one of the many shelves occupying his desk, and drew out a weathered looking scroll. Flora watched, weary but intrigued as Riley unraveled the scroll, revealing an old ink wash painting within.
The teen glowered. "Ya said there was no real dragon involved."
"Said it and meant it," Riley said. "But what you see here is the inspiration for the Dragon's birth."
Flora leaned in for a closer look. The painting beheld a red serpentine dragon akin to the Long of Eastern mythology flying above a pale blue ocean, its claws raised and teeth bared at a mass of tentacles rising from the depths to meet it. Behind the beasts was a lone vessel making its escape before it could be caught in the upcoming duel.
Flora examined the painting with wondering eyes, drawn to its intricacy and detail. "This mural is supposedly based on real events that transpired long ago. "The Dragon that Defied the Sea" it is called." Riley drawled, "The story goes that a man of the doldrums made a deal with the Devil. But when the time came for him to uphold his side of the bargain the man fled, too frightened to fulfill his debt, which earned him the mark of death upon his palm."
"The idiot boarded a vessel set for the open sea, believing he could make it to his homeland before death arrived to claim him. That's when said death arrived half-way through the voyage, taking the form of the Kraken."
Flora glanced at the pirate captain, and then back at the painting. Whither it was a result of her grogginess or not, it looked as though the mural was moving along with Riley's words. "That's when the most peculiar thing happened," Riley lifted a finger as he continued. "Before the Kraken could devour the ship, another beast appeared and attacked the Devil's behemoth as if from nowhere. Some say the beast was a great dragon of Eastern legend coming down to protect the marked scallywag. Others say it was a sea serpent in a foul mood because the Kraken ventured too far into its territory." The pirate sneered, "I'm more inclined to believe the latter theory, especially after getting a good look at your friend outside. Obviously the artist of this mural thought otherwise."
Flora's mouth dropped open, slightly. Now that she thought about it, the dragon within the mural did resemble Jerry in more ways than one. From the red scaly skin, the bulbous eyes and the yellow tendrils, it was nearly a mirror image. "In the end, no one knows why the serpent attacked the Kraken." Riley said, "All that's known is that the beasts met in battle within reach of the fleeing vessel. What a sight that must have been to witness…!"
The pirate chuckled. "The marked man got his wish as the ship was able to escape, but at the price of the serpent's head." He traced his finger across his neck. "It's said the Kraken ripped the poor beastie's head clean off and ate it for breakfast within an ocean of blood."
Chills wormed down the young sailor's back as she envisioned the headless sea serpent drifting down into the Locker, and shuddered when she unwillingly imagined Jerry meeting the same fate. Ease down, it will never happen!
She exhaled a small breath, and listened as Riley brought the story to a close. "That tale has been passed down in the centuries since, though it remains mostly obscure compared to others. However, it did reach the ears of one modern ship designer, inspiring him to create a galleon in the serpent's name and image with some help from the East. Thus was the birth of the Crimson Dragon. She awaits us within the Caribbean Sea, being used to transfer prisoners when she could become a legend in the making!" The pirate grinned down at the flower, his teeth gleaming like the promise and greed in his eyes. "What do you think, señorita?"
The sailor lifted her head; her own eyes beaming with temptation. If a ship really existed that was created in the name of the heroic serpent of legend, then she had to see it. At least once to see if it's birth was true. If it is…then it could be what I need against Roger!
Under the command of this thieving ilk? Her inner-self reminded her of the pirate still smiling at her.
The temptation eased down as she remembered her current situation. "Hrmph! An impressive tale," Flora feigned indifference as she tried to straighten out. "But what does any of this have to do with me?"
"Do with you?" Riley startled as though the answer were completely obvious, "My dear, it has everything to do with you!"
Her heart leapt into her throat when the captain suddenly leaned in dangerously close to her. "We both need a ship and crew, and we both seek vengeance against the wretched Roger! With your power and your pet, we can both accomplish our goals and get what we want! We can single-handedly win this war together!"
Your power…Flora bared her teeth, a hand reaching for her knife. "How-do ya know about my power?" She asked the questions she should have started with, hoping her disdain hid her nerves. "How do you know anything about who or what I am! Is it because I told you?!"
Riley's eyes gleamed with hunger as he peered down at the knife in Flora's hands. "Very good…" He muttered before backing away. "To answer your question: No. Your little banter last night only confirmed who you are."
Her heart plummeted back in place, taking a clump of dread along with it. "Do ya recall my mention of outside sources?" Riley asked as he moved along towards a shuttered window. "Many of them be witches, priests and priestesses of varying religion, voodoo users, sorcerers, all the like. All those more…accordant, lets say, with the world."
He cracked one part of the shutter open to peer out at the waters beyond. "Many have told me the same thing: a child of the sea had been born. Raised by the Brits despite her unnatural birth and lineage, and wanders lost in the world with nothing to spend her great potential."
Unnatural birth and lineage…Flora dug her nails into her palms, Despite her best efforts to hide until the timing was right, others knew of her existence then. They had sensed it, somehow, and perhaps they knew of her mother and father as well! While I still remain unaware…! "Did these 'sources' of yours tell you who and where I am birthed from?"
Riley gave her a sly side-ways glance. "Oh they certainly did. It is another reason why I sought you out, but I'm not allowed to tell you."
Flora slammed her head into the desk, screaming internally. "Don't blame me, blame the ones who don't want you to know." Riley moved back to his desk, undeterred by the immature act. "Either way, there are many besides Jolly Roger and myself that know of your existence, and would love nothing more than to get their hands on you, Miss Flora, for good or ill but mostly ill I imagine. Be glad I recovered you first."
The young sailor lifted her head back up and gave the captain a murderous glare. "Why should I be glad of it?" she growled, "I have no plans on consorting with pirates."
"Heh. That's what they all say," Riley chuckled ominously. "But loose cannons seeking freedom and desires like you usually turn to piracy in the end despite all their efforts." At this, he drew out Flora's locket from his coat and placed it on top of his desk.
The aching, ravenous emptiness returned, and it took every fiber of Flora's being not to snatch her memento back and run for it. "Unlike those who desire you for more unsavory reasons, I am willing to make you a deal señorita." Riley clasped his fingers together as he did on Tortuga. "Join me on my venture. Help me acquire the Crimson Dragon, and in return…"
He slid the locket closer to her, "I give you yer heart back, and I grant you as much freedom as you want. Swim around with your beastie, practice whatever powers and skills you carry, the like. I only ask that you return to the Nail by nightfall and get along with the crew, as much as possible at least." The pirate's eyes narrowed until they became white slits, as though he had become a shadowy serpent judging her from the dark. "What say you, child of the sea?"
Flora narrowed her eyes back at the pirate captain. She didn't answer right away as her thoughts were drawn elsewhere.
Don't blame me, blame the ones who don't want you to know.
Why? Why wasn't she allowed to know who her mother and father were?! Would the difference it'd make be too great? Was the truth too much for her to handle?
Or perhaps Mother and Father don't want me, after all…
Flora clamped her eyes shut at the doubt Gretchen sewed inside her long ago, and pushed it aside so she could focus on Captain Beaudrick's offer.
The young sailor rubbed her temple beneath her bandana, eyeing first the pirate and then her locket with a sunken gaze. There was truth in Riley's words, and his proposal held more promise than she anticipated. As much freedom as she wanted, including time to hone her skills and powers, and spend time beneath the sea….
You'll still be working for corsairs who will stab you in the back for their own gain the moment the tides turn!
Her insides twisted and she sighed. She'd resigned herself to working under a black flag in Tortuga. Arguing with her morals won't get her anywhere right now.
Flora glanced back at Riley. Could she trust him? No, never, not fully, but she was tired. She didn't have the time or energy to search for a new ship and crew, in fact just thinking about it made her want to collapse. This was her only option. Bollocks…
The teenager thought everything through once more to the best to her ability, and then reached for her locket. She grabbed hold of it, its shape and texture already bringing warmth to the emptiness, and met Riley's malignant gaze. "We have an accord, Captain Beaudrick."
Riley sneered and stretched out his hand to shake hers. "Well then. Welcome to the crew, Miss Flora."
Ahh, I hope I did good with this one. It took much longer to complete than I thought. I couldn't resist throwing in that little kaiju battle, even if it was only mentioned as part of a story based on true events in that world.
Well Flora is part of a pirate's crew now, much to her regret. Now she's on a venture to acquire a new ship since the current one is on a time limit and won't do much good in the war. How long will this take? At least a few more chapters that I hope I can do well. Wish me luck.