Every Pirate Needs a Ship

The sun rose the following morning, signalling it was time for us to go.

Before we could leave, Bjørn pulled me aside.

“Although I approve of my daughter being a pirate, I want you to promise me you won’t let the accursed man harm her.”

“Accursed man? Is that like some sort of love chaser?” I asked, just assuming this was what he meant based on how often Bjørn promoted marriage.

“No, I’m not even sure he exists, but rumour has it he is a man twisted in such evil that the world itself fears him.”

“If by the world you mean the system, then what’s stopping me from being the accursed man?”

“Boy, I’ve never been more serious in my life.” The look on his face was grim. I realised it was no time for joking, so I nodded.

“Don’t worry, I’ll never let anyone harm Túta.”

After making this promise, Túta, Pippa, and I said our farewells to Unnr and Bjørn before we left. I had to admit I was a little sad to leave. We began our trek towards the town.

“So Túta, where are we?”

“What do you mean?” She looked puzzled.

“Where are we?”

“I got that bit. Why are you asking?”

“Because I never asked what this town was called.”

She stopped walking.

“Did I make a mistake coming with you? It’s not too late for me to return home,”

“Pwii!” Pippa nodded in agreement.

“No, don’t leave!” I pleaded. “It just didn’t occur to ask since I didn’t think it was important until now.”

“How is not knowing where you are not important?” She scolded.

“Just didn’t seem important when I was in pain and bleeding to death.”

“Don’t play that card, you had weeks to ask.” She sighed. “We are in Port Anglebar.”

“Where is that in relation to Luminoria?”

“So you see the mountains over there? Luminoria is beyond those mountains. It is about a week’s worth of travel via cart. It would probably be a bit less, but due to the rugged terrain, bandits and monsters, it takes a bit longer.”

“Got it.”

We reached the outskirts of town, making sure to hide the pirate hat adorned with a skull and crossbones.

“So if that way is towards Luminoria, if we set sail from here, where would we wind up?”

“It depends on which way we go.”

“Where would you recommend?”

She paused for a moment and raised her hand to her chin.

“I suppose if you want to put together a crew, going to Rummell Cove would be a good bet. It’s an island that’s pretty much run by pirates.”

“That sounds perfect. What do you think, Pippa?”

“Pwii!” Her eyes sparkled as she nodded. Pippa was always easy to please.

We walked through the village and down to the docks. The sea breeze carried on the wind, the smell of the salt filling my nose, so poignant that I could almost taste it.

The docks weren’t too large, which was hardly surprising for a small village such as this. The largest ship berthed was a fishing vessel, which was weathered from the elements.

A man laboured on the deck, hurling the captured fish overboard. Another man stood below, catching the fish thrown overboard and slipping them into the wooden cart next to him.

I slowly approached the men, resting my hand on the hull of the ship. Just from the brief touch, I could tell this worn ship had seen many storms, yet it was not showing any signs of retiring soon. It was a tough vessel.

“What a nice ship, I’m looking to get one myself.

“That’s nice,” the man on the deck responded, not showing any interest in continuing the conversation.

“How much might one be?” I asked, making several knocks against the wooden hull.

He briefly glanced over. His eyes reflected a mature weariness that could only come with hard work.

“Sorry, but the ship ain’t for sale.”

I could tell he wasn’t going to budge.

“I think you misunderstand…”

“We need it to feed the town,” the man on the jetty snapped. “Now move along.”

“I’m serious about looking for a ship.”

“You’re serious?” He stopped what he was doing and looked over at us, gripping the railing of the ship. “I doubt you’ve even seen the amount you’d need for it.”

Before I could say anything further, Túta stepped forward,

“Sir, could you let us know, even if we don’t have enough, we would like to have a goal to save up for.”

Nice assist Túta.

“Alright, well, a ship like this would be about five thousand gold.”

“Five thousand!” Túta quickly covered her mouth. “Sorry, you are correct, that is quite a bit of money. We will have to save up for it.”

“See, I told you. Now get out of my way, we have fish to move.”

We promptly left so as not to annoy the fishermen any further. An angry fisherman was more terrifying than any pirate.

“So what are we going to do about the money? Túta asked.

Of all the ships berthed, there was one in particular that caught my gaze. A lone vessel with a skull and crossbones.

“Túta, we’re pirates, let’s just go steal one. What do you think of that pirate ship?”

I signalled subtly over at the ship.

“Pwii!” Pippa squeaked, nodding enthusiastically.

Túta’s eye lit up, and an evil smile crept along her face.

“Well, it’s a little run down, but I suppose it’ll do.”

“We’ll get a better one later,” I reassured her.

“Okay, but what are we going to do about the pirates?”

“Why don’t we beat them up, hand them into the Guild Hall? That way, we can steal their ship and cash in on the bounty reward as well.” I suggested.

“Isn’t that a little simplistic? Besides, do you think the Guild Hall would hand out a reward to pirates?”

“They don’t know we are pirates.”

“I suppose that’s true,” she sighed before looking seriously at me. “So what’s the plan?”

“We will overpower the pirates, restrain them and hand them to the guild. Any questions?”

Túta raised her hand.

“Yes.” I pointed to her.

“Where is the plan?”

I looked at her, confused.

“What do you mean? That was the plan.”

“What sort of plan is that? You expect us to overpower a whole crew of pirates ourselves?”

“Yep.”

She sighed.

“You are insane.”

“Am I insane for believing in our combined strength?”

“Yes!” she responded with no hesitation.

▪──── X ────▪

End of chapter 13