Pirate Days - Part 2

The ship rocked back and forth on the swirling waves, and Arthur slept soundly in his bed. The deck was mostly quiet, save a couple of shouts from the men who were in charge of keeping the so called "Bloody Angel" on course. The sky was slightly overcast, and the few rays of sun that made it to the working pirates were gray. As the ship passed a rough spot on the sea, it swayed more than usual, and the sleeping pirate groggily opened his eyes.

"Alfred…?" Arthur mumbled, blinking and looking around at his room, which was tidier than any of the other men on the ship kept theirs. He sat up and rubbed sleep out of his eyes, feeling the empty bed next to him with his other hand. Of course, he had told the boy to leave once it had gotten late. The pirate let out a small yawn, standing up and turning around to make his bed. The other men would joke about his cleanliness behind his back, and the ones he did hear were quickly punished. Even if he was a pirate, he still enjoyed coming back to a clean room.

Once his bed was properly made, the sheets smoothed down, he grabbed his pirate hat from off of his desk and placed it neatly onto his head. If he had a mirror, he would've looked at himself with a smirk. Even though he was the youngest of all of his brothers, he was by no means the weakest, and anyone who got in his way would surely see proof of that. He grabbed his sword before strolling out of his room and onto the deck, getting a couple of hellos from the men who were working. The ship was sailing forward at it's own pace, the wind making the sails snap, and letting the salty water of the sea hit the faces of the men. Arthur made his way across the deck, finally coming to a stop at the bow, where a young man was studying a map. "Good morning, Black." He said, nodding at the man.

The man, Black, looked up from the map and gave Arthur a toothy smile, "Ah, ello Captiain. You're up right early, 'nd a good thing to. I was meanin' ta ask you somthin'" He replied, grinning with his yellow teeth showing. He always seemed to be dirty, his hair holding enough grease to cook all of the crew's meals in, and this fact earned him the nickname "Black". No one knew his full name, and he himself never used it.

"Ask away then, Black. I haven't got all day." Arthur replied, staring with distaste at a tooth in the others mouth that had turned brown. The man stumbled over to a large map that laid over a wooden table, and pointed to a section of it that had been marked and circled. "Y'see Capitan, you've given us orders ta go o'er here to this land… but that don't make no sense, y'see, becaus- " He was interrupted by Arthur, "Because that's Spain, yes. I know." He answered, looking down at his fingernail, "What of it?"

"Well, sir…" Black answered, looking up at him with an eyebrow raised, "Those be Antonio's waters, y'know that…" He watched as the pirate chuckled, resting a hand on his sword hilt, "I believe you mean those were Antonio's waters, Black." He said darkly, "And I don't care if they belonged to the bloody devil himself, I'm going there." Black stared at him with confusion, "But… if ya don't mind me askin', why sir?" Arthur was about to answer, when suddenly Alfred ran up behind him and grabbed hold of his hand, smiling and sounding cheerful, "Arthur!"

Arthur's eyes widened and he quickly pulled his hand away, brushing his coat off in mock disgust, "Don't ask questions, Black, just do what you're told." He replied, before grabbing Alfred's shoulder and dragging him away from the confused man. Alfred protested for a bit, before giving up and simply following Arthur to a quiet place by the bunkers. The pirate let go of the youth and put his hands on his hips, glaring at him, "Alfred, how many times have I told you not to call me Arthur in front of my men? You'll call me Capitan, and no grabbing my hand!" he scolded, not wanting his men to think he had gone soft.

Alfred looked down, pouting, "Geez Arthur… I just wanted to say hello, that's all…" He mumbled, shifting his feet. Arthur sighed, and put a hand to his face, "I know that… but you've got to be careful! I don't want them to thi- er.. I don't want you to be in danger! There are some odd people on the ship…" he reasoned, trying to sound apologetic. "It's fine if you wish to speak to me informally when we are alone, but be careful of how you address me in front of my crew."

Alfred looked up at him, "Alright, I'll be careful," he grinned, "But your ship is amazing! I was walking around and I saw some awesome stuff! There was this guy with no teeth, and these huge barrels full of beer, and a huge sword-" He continued to go on before Arthur put a hand up, stopping him, "Alfred, I know, it's my ship." He chuckled. Alfred continued to bounce around, and pulled Arthur's hand, "Come on! Show me around your ship! Please?" He asked, looking up at the pirate with wide eyes.

Arthur sighed, "Alright, I'll show you… but behave yourself."He said, taking his hand back, and putting it Alfred's shoulder, "Otherwise I'm sending you back home, understand?" Alfred nodded and smiled, "I understand, Arthur! Come on!" He raced down the small hall and out of the bunkers, Arthur simply shaking his head and following behind.

The sun still hadn't made its way through the clouds when Arthur emerged onto the deck, and he watched as Alfred raced around, and peered over the sides of the ship into the waters below. The British flag soared above they're heads, flapping in the wind. Arthur smirked, tipping his hat to it, and chuckling. This armada… he looked around and over the gray waters towards ships that were sailing across from them… it was all his. He was snapped out of his momentary pride when Alfred popped up in front of him with a grin on his face.

"Art- er, Capitan!" The youth said excitedly, bouncing on his toes, "Can I steer the ship? Please please please?" he looked at the pirate with pleading eyes and clasped his hands together. Arthur blinked, his eyes widening, "Absolutely not!" he stuttered, "By no means! You are much too young!" Alfred looked down, pouting. "I'm not that young…" he muttered, his brow furrowing, "I'm almost sixteen." He crossed his arms, "That means I'm old, like you!"

A man who had overheard them while sweeping the deck chuckled softly, before being silenced by a glare given by Arthur. The older man sighed, "If simply being Sixteen made a man mature, then I'd have many more men to run my ship," he said with a dry voice, "No, you may not drive the ship… however, I will gladly show you around other parts of the shi-" He was cut off as the youth became excited once more and grabbed his hand, "Great!" Alfred said, running with the Capitan in tow, "Then show me where the food is!" he said, licking his lips.

Arthur shook his head, but chuckled lightly. This boy was always hungry, of course it was to be expected of a growing boy. He sighed lightly under his breath. A growing boy… Alfred was definitely growing. He got stronger and more daring every day, and would constantly want to adventure off on his own. Arthur did his best to keep him close, even going as far as keeping him inside, so that he wouldn't see how things could be on the outside of his house. Of course, some of this was to protect him, and yet Arthur couldn't deny that there was a part of him that didn't want to let go of the little one. He had found him and raised him as his own, and loved him more than any treasure he could find. Alfred had brought him light, and a reason to return home after long trips oversea. This being said, the fact that he was here on the ship gave Arthur a nervous feeling. Surely he would want to explore, it was in his nature. However, Arthur would have to make sure the youth was satisfied, and remained unchanged at the same time.

The pirate allowed himself to be dragged room by room across his own ship, stopping every now and again to explain something to Alfred. "This is where you can stand to see the armada following us," he would say when they had approached the upper deck of the ship. They had almost had trouble in the eating quarters when Alfred had 'mistakenly' eaten another man's food. Thankfully the man had let it go, however , it was probably because Arthur was there. He was forced into showing the young boy everything on his ship, from the top of the mast, to the lower levels. Thankfully, Arthur had distracted Alfred before he had asked about the prison chambers. If Alfred had seen that… well Arthur wasn't sure he would have been able to explain it. Only ones whom Arthur despised, and who deserved a fate worse than a quick death by blade, were enclosed there.

The hours grew, and the sun that had peered through the clouds in the morning sunk lower. The torches were quickly lit, and the pirates headed towards the eating chamber for a round of drinks. The laughter was heard from inside, and Alfred paused. He had been dragging Arthur back towards the wheel of the ship, trying to convince him to turn it once, when he had heard the noises coming from the room. "Hey Arthur…" he asked, keeping his eyes on the torches that burned outside of the door, "What are they doing in there? It sounds like they're having fun!" he grinned and looked at the pirate who was looking towards the noise as well, "Can we go in? Please?" He asked.

Arthur hesitated, looking away "Er… it's nothing interesting. Just having a drink." He gestured towards the sleeping barracks with a slight smile, "Why don't you head off to bed?" he said, noticing that the youth's face fell. "But.." Alfred argued, "Why can't I have a drink as well? I mean, you get to have one, so-" He was cut off as the pirate put up a hand and got a stern look on his face, "Alfred, I said off to bed. Go on, now." He said, gesturing once more towards the barracks, "We can talk in the morning."

Alfred glared up him with a slightly defiant expression, but after a moment he turned and trudged towards the barracks, mumbling under his breath. Arthur stared after him, a sigh on his lips. He hated putting him down like that, but he wasn't ready to start drinking… or rather, Arthur wasn't ready for him to start drinking. The boards of the deck creaked as Arthur headed towards the eating chamber. He would only have one drink, he promised himself. He wasn't one to hold his alcohol well, and would sometimes wake up on the opposite side of the ship with a headache after a night of drinking.

He quickly merged into the group of other pirates, being welcomed with a round of shouts and yells. He was handed a drink and lifted it up, toasting those who were standing near him, and laughing. The night wore on, and Arthur was soon caught up in the festivities, having not one drink, but three or four. He was on his fifth round, and giggling with a couple of his mates, when Black approached him from behind and tapped on his shoulder.

"Sir?" The man said, wringing his hands slightly. Arthur turned to look at him, a cocky grin on his face, "Ah, Black my good man!" he chuckled, holding out a glass, "Care for a drink? On me!" he laughed, and the others around him laughed as well, raising their glasses. "No sir, eh…" Black looked up at him, "I wanted ta 'ave a word with ya… if it aint too much trouble…" he looked up nervously at the pirate who nodded, still chuckling a bit, and handed his glass to another man. "Alright Black-" Arthur said, but stopped as the shorter man held up a hand, "Not 'ere sir, perhaps som'ere more private?" he asked, nodding his head towards the hallway.

Arthur shrugged, and followed him out into the hall, wobbling a bit and stopping once they had gotten a short distance from the door. "Spit it out then, Black. I have people waiting for me." He grinned. The other just looked up at him, still wringing his hands, "Well, y'see… we've made it into Spanish waters-" He was stopped as the pirate let out a laugh, "That's what you wanted to tell me, Black? Honestly, what sort of news is that to be dragged away from a good drink?" Arthur said, chuckling, "It's a good thing we've made it, I was hoping this wouldn't take too long."

Black looked at him, "But sir… we're gettin' dangerously close to tha shore… ya sure you wanna be this close…? Why're we 'ere anyway?" He asked, then quickly added, "If ya don't mind me askin'" Arthur smirked darkly, "Why, we're here to gain some territory, of course. I haven't come all the way to Spain simply to trade some coins." Black's eyes widened, "Sir… surely ya don't mean-" Arthur put up a hand, "I don't want to hear it, Black. Just do as you're told. I will take Antonio's land from him, and no one will stop me." He scowled slightly, his expression darkening, "No one… will stand in the way of my fleet. I will make my rise to power, and-" He was cut off as a loud array of laughter came from the room next to them, and much cheering was heard.

An awkward silence between the two followed, before Arthur chuckled lightly and looked back towards Black, "Anyway, continue on. Head inland, as I've specified." He didn't give the other a chance to respond, quickly turning around and heading back towards the room, announcing his arrival with loud laughter, and a cry of "You're Capitan has returned!" Black looked after him, and mumbled under his breath, but turned to go back towards his map and the wheel of the ship. Their Capitan was making a risky decision, even he knew that. Antonia wasn't bound to take the English Armada's sudden intrusion in his waters in a friendly way.

Arthur had a couple more drinks, and was quickly lost in the laughs and songs of the other pirates. "Antonio, here I come!" he laughed, dancing and spinning with a few others, before having his legs collapse under him. He laid on a table, chuckling to himself. He would be respected for this.. he would gain these waters… The room spun before him as he drifted off.

He would build his empire…