literature

.:The Pledge:.

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Watching dawn break over the ocean had always been my favorite way to spend the morning. The forge normally took a while to heat up, so while I waited I'd hook my mandolin around my shoulder, climb up a tree to the roof of the smithy, find a comfortable spot and greet the sun with a soft tune. I could see everything from my vantage point, from the multitude of cats who lived near the docks to the people who came and went as ships would drop off cargo and passengers.

In my opinion, though, the greatest view ever seen from the roof of my family's blacksmith was the silhouette of a pirate ship against the dawn horizon.
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Months ago, I was happy with my life here on Baterilla. Content to live the rest of my days working in the smithy, the soot-covered daughter of the greatest blacksmith on the island.. Pirates and sailors alike came and went, asking for repairs on their cannons, their weapons, their guns. Life passed day by day... and then I met the Black Fedora Pirates. They were like none I'd encountered before - they carried a different sense of honor, of loyalty, of adventure. I found myself hanging off every word they said whenever they'd come by our smithy. I envied them. I wanted to join them.

The day the Sangue-Padre departed, I asked my parents about the possibilities of joining a pirate crew. To no one's surprise, they were against it. The seas were no place for a young woman, they told me. The pirate life was dangerous, full of gunfights and swords and mutinies, they told me. I should stay on Baterilla, find a nice boy, settle down. I tried to argue, telling them that these pirates were different - I'd prove it.

During the next few months, every second of free time I had was spent researching the Black Fedora Pirates. They weren't just about finding treasure. They were the embodiment of camaraderie, of loyalty. Pirates they were, but they were pirates with morals, values. Again, I approached my parents - who had discussed things between themselves, it had seemed. They asked me quite seriously if this was the life I wanted for myself. It was, I assured them. We talked for hours on the subject, though they seemed to had made up their minds long before we had even started talking. If the Sangue-Padre returned, and Chenbeard would have me, I was free to join the Black Fedoras. I began to prepare myself for the return of their ship, and I made a habit of watching the sun rise, hoping for their arrival.
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And so, here I was, watching the sails of an approaching ship. I froze momentarily, shielding my eyes with a hand as I tried to make out the shape of the sails. Was it really the Sangue-Padre? Had Chenbeard and his crew really returned?

Sliding to the edge of the roof, I swung my mandolin over my back and reached for a tree limb. I eased to the ground and stepped into the smithy. The forge was beginning to roar, so I partially blocked the fire before scurrying to the chest where I had stored my travel things: a leather knapsack, a cloth cover for my mandolin, a dagger, my ammo pouch, a change of clothes, and my hand cannon. The last I had built myself, and had practiced tirelessly with it in preparation for Chenbeard's return.

I stuck the dagger in my boot and hooked my hand cannon in its holster near my hip. I had one final thing to do...

A rolled tube of paper peeked out from my knapsack, and I removed it. My goodbye note. Unrolling it, I scanned the writing on it, smiled to myself, and rerolled the scroll. Quietly I left the smithy and entered the connected house, and made my way to my parents' room. Both were still fast asleep, as I knew they'd be, so I didn't dawdle. I set the paper on the small table beside their bed, briefly pressed my lips to my father's forehead, and made my exit.
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I stood motionless on the dock as the ship approached, eyes wide and watching. The Sangue-Padre was breathtaking in the dawnlight, and I could do little but stare in awe as she came into harbor. Dockworkers worked diligently to bring the ship close, and at last a ramp was set up to connect the dock with deck. As crewmembers descended, I suddenly found myself panicking. I didn't know how to ask! What to say? What if I stumbled over my words, and he refused me?

"Good mornin', Lass."

I jumped, startled. In my frantic worry, I hadn't noticed Chenbeard himself approaching!

"Oh! I... Uhm, that is to say-- Uh-- G-good morning, sir!" Inwardly kicking myself for flubbing this crucial moment, I snapped what I hoped was a clean salute.

His eyes smiled at me, and I prayed that he couldn't feel me shaking as he patted my shoulder. "Look like yer headin' out on a fine adventure, Lass. Might I ask where ye be headin'?"

I swallowed. This was it. "W-well actually, Captain Chenbeard, uhm, Sir. I w-was wondering if... wondering if y-you--"

"Easy, there. Deep breaths, Lass."

I took his advice and paused, forcing myself to breathe deeply, to bottle up the nervous feelings, the worry, the fear. I closed my eyes and inhaled, breathing of the salty sea air and the damp wood of the dock. "Mister Chenbeard, Sir. I was wondering if you would permit me to join you on your adventures, as part of your crew." With every word I spoke, my eyelids clenched tighter, I could feel his eyes boring into mine, even while closed. He was judging me, he was going to refuse me, I could feel it.

"Mayhaps. What can ye do?"

Mayhaps. That wasn't a refusal. He was considering! I opened my eyes, surprised, and blinked. "What can I do...? Oh! I-- I work at my father's smithy. We do all sorts of repairs and whatnot for the town - but most of our business comes from the ships that come into harbor. Y-you and your crew stopped by a few months ago, and we repaired a couple of your cannons. Someone else had brought in a pair of swords that my father worked on personally and--" I stopped abruptly. I was rambling. "Sorry," I apologized hastily, panic rising in my chest once more.

The pirate captain chuckled. "I meant what can ye do for me crew."

"...Oh." Of course that's what he meant. How could I be so-- "I'm pretty good at repairs, Sir. I'm learning woodwork, since I'm not much of a carpenter, and I know my way around a forge pretty well. I'd like to think I'm a pretty good shot as well." I took my hand cannon from its holster and held it flat for him to inspect. "I made this myself. The barrel is three-and-half times bigger around than a normal pistol, and it shoots a round I formulated myself - a mixture of steel and lead. It's lighter than a normal lead round, but still heavy enough to really pack a punch!"

Chenbeard inspected my gun, turning it around to view it from all sides. "Made this yerself, huh?" I nodded. "And ye say yer good with wood an' metal... Can ye swim, Lass?" Again, I nodded. "An' yer stomach is strong enough fer any rough water we'll run into?" Another nod. He seemed satisfied. "I'll tell ye what." Handing my cannon back to me, he straightened his black hat and locked eyes with me. "Ye seem like a dedicated enough lass, and me crew could use a carpenter, or even a good cannoneer, yarr. But..."

My throat closed. But what? Was I not good enough? Was he going to refuse me anyway? "...But...?"

"Why d'ye wish to join me crew? Th' pirate life ain't for everyone."

I paused, then my heart swelled. I inhaled again, breathing in the sweet ocean air, the smell of the damp pier, the smell of the sea... freedom. As I exhaled, I told him what I had told my parents. I explained how I wished to adventure with the Black Fedora pirates, do be a part of the brotherhood they shared, to partake in their freedom. I wished to uphold their values, I wished to fight for all the right reasons, though I knew that not every good reason was a reason to fight. Every bottled emotion burst forth as I spoke, and as I fell silent I realized that my cheeks were damp and salty. Stunned that I had actually started crying in front of a pirate (Chenbeard, of all people!!), I turned away and wiped my eyes. "Sorry," I said once more. If I had had any chance of joining the crew, I'd ruined it. A crying pirate? I'd be the laughing stock of the crew.

As I forced down steadying gulps of air, a calming hand rested on my shoulder.

"We won't be in port for long, Lass. Best get you on the ship."

I was immobilized, staring at the ground with fresh tears running down my cheeks. I... I couldn't believe what I'd just heard. I had heard right, hadn't I?

The pressure of the hand vanished, and I heard footsteps resounding on the dull, damp wood. When they'd stopped, I turned to look. Captain Chenbeard of the Black Fedora Pirates was standing at the head of the ramp, silhouetted against the rising sun. Though I couldn't see his face, I knew he was smiling. His voice reflected his expression as he spoke the most joyous words I had ever heard.

"Welcome to the crew, Lass."
So, this here is a Proof of Loyalty to the most wonderful :iconwordofchen:. He's a rather fantastic writer, and I suggest that everyone checks out his gallery.

This was actually pretty enjoyable to write, and didn't take to long, though now that I'm looking at it, there is so much wordsssss... Ah, well.

I do so very much hope that this makes the cut. I wanna be a pirate, yarr!
© 2012 - 2024 Mikaioalani
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JoltingAdlaiR's avatar
:3 Beautiful Story there ~ Welcome to the crew !