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Whoof, finally was able to get another chapter out. Here ya go!
Chapter 12: Hoist the Colors!
Finally, the day of departure arrived. Davy, Billy, Smelly, Sam, and Matt got up extra early that day to get to the Shadow King before the crew. They were all very excited, but quite nervous as well, as they should be. It was still dark outside, as the sun wasn’t due to rise for another two or three hours. There was a light fog that rolled in from the sea, onto the island of Tortuga. It was cool, and the air was crisp and refreshing. As the group left the shack, they couldn’t help but look back. They had spent years of their lives living in there, and now they were leaving. Leaving their small, isolated lives, into the real world, the open sea. After a few minutes of watching, they finally turned their backs, not looking back once.
The group reached the docks after a short walk. Davy looked at his companions. Sam was quiet, as was Matt. There was a tear in Billy’s eye, likely from having to leave his home that he had lived in for so long. Smelly whimpered.
Billy… he is so young… Davy thought. Then he realized it. We all are… Look at me, I’m only nineteen, Sam and Matt are about the same age. I am captaining a ship of experienced pirates, and I have never so much as told a crew to open fire. I hope this all works out.
The group arrived at the Shadow King, and climbed on board. Her decks were deserted, as they should be. Sam went down to check the provisions they had. They would need a lot to feed a large crew for however long they would be gone. He came back up after a few minutes, reporting that everything was ship shape, with a small smile at his little joke.
After another hour, they had fully checked the ship for anything wrong. Everything was fine, but when Sam checked the food supply again, he found he was missing a steak. He found Billy in a corner eating it, mumbling something about how much he loved meat. He dragged him up onto the deck, the steak still in Billy’s mouth.
Davy looked at him and shook his head, a small grin on his face. He pulled the steak out of Billy’s mouth, much to his protest, and slapped him with it. Then he gave it back. Billy ran off into a corner and continued gnawing on it. Then Smelly came over to him and gave him a small whimper. Billy sighed and handed him the steak.
“Everything ready for the crew’s arrival then?” Davy asked the group.
“Sails, wheel, and other parts of the ship are intact Davy!” Billy said with his hand held to his head in salute.
“All tools, furniture, and livestock are present sir!” Matt exclaimed.
“All provisions are accounted for… minus one steak…” Sam said, mumbling the last part.
“Good then, lets prepare for the arrival of our crew,” Davy said.
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The crew arrived late, just as Davy and the others had expected.
Of course they did, Davy thought to himself with a small smile. They are pirates, I don’t expect better from them. I should be glad they remembered at all.
They started piling on board the ship about a half hour late, so about 5:30 in the morning. Davy watched from the poop-deck as the crew, his crew boarded the ship. Most of them had packed light. Just a small little bag that they carried over their shoulders. Probably a change of clothes, or a prized possession, maybe some gold in case they ever needed it at port.
They filed onto the ship and went below decks to stow their items. Davy made a point as they were coming up not to steal each other’s belongings. Any harassment towards members of the crew would result in hull scrubbing the first offense, being tied onto a mast for five hours the next as well as hull scrubbing after that, and finally being left at port.
After about an hour, the whole crew had arrived and set their belongings below deck. They all came up to the main deck for Davy’s opening speech. Davy stood next to the wheel of the ship, with his friends at his side. He looked at the crew in front of him, all looking at him eagerly, awaiting their first orders aboard this new ship. Davy cleared his throat, and began.
“Welcome aboard the Shadow King mateys! This is the ship that we will all be spending the next chapter of our lives on, where we will fight battles, laugh, cry, eat, sleep, and perform our every day duties upon! As I told you several days ago, ye will treat each other with respect, or face the consequences! You have been given your assignments as you entered our ship, so you should know your stations mates. Are there any questions?”
One person, a woman, called out. “Aye! Where is the rum!?”
The whole crew burst out laughing. Not the kind of laughter that makes fun of the person, but the kind that you make when you just realized something so obvious that you didn’t think of.
Davy smiled. “The rum you ask? Why would you want any rum?”
The crew started yelling, laughing, and throwing curses, each interpreting Davy differently. Davy put his hand up in the air, silencing them.
“Don’t worry lassie, we have a whole stash of rum, but remember, don’t drink too much now, or you won’t have any later! Now, any other questions?”
The crew was silent, except for the sound of someone belching, and the people around him slapping him on his back chuckling.
“No? Very well then. Are you ready for your first order? Hmm? ARE YOU?!”
The crew roared in reply, a sound that likely woke all of Tortuga. Hats flew into the air, pirates cheered, like the perfect moment… Then, through the deafening noise, Davy shouted three words.
“HOIST THE COLORS!!!”
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