Black Sea

Chapter 3

I followed the Captain to wherever he lead me. The energy around us inflamed again with every sailor working meticoulously. Some were cleaning the deck, others storing supplies and barels of rum. Of course, most were shouting and cursing, each one of them wanting to command. I never paid too much attention to those men. I didn't care at that moment. Instead, my eyes were focused on the Captain.

He walked like an emberor, his head never abandoning the target. As the busy crew caught sight of him, their eyes potraited a mixture of respect and fear, that was his influence. Not even once did he greeted back at them, only a nod or smile.

The door of the captain's quarter was ahead of us. He opened it, the intoxicated air hiting me, and made space for me to walk in. The first thing I caught with my eyes was a table with burned candles, empty bottles and papers all over the place. Behind it was the large window that occupied the whole oval wall. Despite the dirt and dust covering them, the vastness of the ocean we were about to cross was inevitably visible.

The Captain sat between the desk and window on a leather and old chair which legs were squeezing at a single movement of his legs.

“Mr Turner,” the Captain called out gaining my attention. His eyes weren't looking back at me. Instead they followed his tanned hands as they revieled another bottle of liquid that was placed in front of him. Only then did he locked eyes with me. I kept the distance from the desk and crossed my arms behind my back.

“They say I'm powerful. They say I'm darkness. They say I instill fear into the hearts of many. It is even said that the devil himself is afraid of me.”

Inside the short pause that followed, I worked my jaw and tangled my thumbs behing my back. His eyes were filled with pride and somewhat arrogance of his achievements.

“Everything you've heard about me is true.” He leaned back, relaxing his strong body on the squeezing chair. With him, he dragged the square bottle from the thick spout. “I'm one of the few lucky that managed to witness my hair growing gray. And I owe it all to the things being said.”

He put the bottle in his mouth, and took three generous gulps of his drink. His eyes closed only temporary with an exhale of pleasure. I shared that need of alcohol right then.

“Why are you telling me all these Captain?”

The Captain considered for a few moments, working my appearance with his light eyes.

“You've got what it takes for the path you chose. But it will take everything you've got to survive.”

“I'm willing to give everything-”

“Yeah, everybody says that. I don't really care mr Turner.”

His last sentence brought me to his world. Apathy. They cared and sacrificed for the men they spend their lives with only for personal profits. When things became difficult and threatening, they just didn't care.

“I must inform that this crew has enemies. Equally feared. If you come with us, if you truly accept being a quartermaster, you're in this life for good.”

A life as a pirate. I had heard stories back at home, plenty of them. They said they had no morals, no fears. Their barbarous actions echoed in the streets of Aeredale for at least a month. I had suffered the results of their emotionless actions repeatedly. And never did I understand their motives, never wanted to. But fate had led me there, in need of their power.

“You protect and fight for the crew. Here, everyone is equal. Don't expect to be treated any differently. The sea doesn't have preferences. Savvy?” His words were clear and sharp, giving an overrated amount of attention to what was being told.

“Yes, Captain.”

Captain Rackham leaned back in satisfaction and nodded slowly.

“We set sail at noon. Before that there's a sailor I want you to meet.”

I didn't know why that could be a bad thing, but according to his tone I should be petrified. I didn't move when he shouted for the man to walk in, nor when the door opened behind me and enlighted the room. The petrifaction appeared at the sound of the sailor's voice. A quite feminim voice.

“Did you call me, Kane?”

My head moved without my command. I peeked over my shoulder only to spot a form coming closer till it stood pridely beside me. The attire was consisted of male clothes, similar to mine, including a hat hiding the face. It didn't take long for the person to lift its head and reviel a fox faced woman and her two dark eyes judging me.

“Yes, Anne,” she stared back at him. “I want to introduce you to mr Turner.”

I received another judgy look and I offered one back.

“And why is this introduction-”

“This introducion is important since both of you will sail together as... quartemasters.”