A Tale That Could Not Be

“Load the cannons and gets your weapons ready; we’ve got pirates to kill!” the captain bellowed. He waddled across the deck, jabbing his finger at anyone not working fast enough, and then huffed and puffed his way to the quarterdeck. His quartermaster, a dark-skinned man with a toned and fit body, took his hands off the wheel and unsheathed two cutlasses, ready to engage the enemy.

Jack watched how the quartermaster stayed close to his captain, standing before him protectively. It now made more sense to him how a man who could barely walk across his own ship’s deck without taking a break could command such a vile crew. His quartermaster was the only reason no mutiny had taken place yet. Jack eyed Sinbad helping Hook patch up his injured side and knew that situation was quite different between those two. There was trust, loyalty, and a strong bond of real friendship between them. That was worth more than any amount of gold.

“This daft fool is going to get everyone killed,” Hook growled, his eyes on the rapidly approaching brig in the distance. “He’s got a dozen cannons on the whole ship while that vessel there has twice that number on a single side.”

“Let’s not forget that impressive ram,” Sinbad added as he rolled up the last pieces of bandage before placing it in a pouch hanging from his belt. “A solid hit from that and this ship splits open like an egg.”

Hook watched the pirate ship approach for a few more moments before storming off toward the quarterdeck. The merchant captain’s quartermaster saw him coming and brandished his blades, warning him to stop where he was. Hook did so and pointed a finger at the captain cowering behind his intimidating protector. “Just let the pirates take your loot and they’ll be on their way. I’ve dealt with this pirate captain before and he does have some sense of honour. Show him leniency and he shall do the same.”

The captain laughed heartily. “Honour among pirates? I thought you were a pirate hunter? Don’t you make a living chasing these heathens across the seas and giving them a watery grave? You have done a marvellous job, I have to admit, but apparently you missed one. If we show this fool that we will not tuck our tails between our legs and give up without a fight then he will leave us be. He gets to flee with his shame and I get to keep my wares. I will not surrender everything without taking a few pirates down with me.”

“Your cannons are small and few in number, your ship is slow and unwieldy, and your crew lacks fighting skill. You are no match for these pirates. Trust me when I say that sometimes the wisest decision is not to fight with blades but with words. Reason with him and you may yet leave with your life.”

“And what of my wares? I am to just let these brigands take them all?”

“A life is more important than any shiny bauble.”

“Not to me, Hook.” He then pointed to the crewmen standing beside the six cannons on the main deck. “Fire whenever they get in range, men! Sink them to the bottom of the ocean!”

There was cheer from the men before they excitably set about loading and aiming the cannons. Jack watched as Hook returned to him and the others, his head shaking in disbelief.

“I tried,” he said before he clenched the gunwale and watched the brig move into attack position, its sails full and its ram aimed at the mid-section of the merchant vessel. “I suggest you all hold on to something.”

Jack and Red wrapped their arms around the bulwark and knelt down, bracing themselves against it. They could hear the splash of water as the rapidly approaching brig cut through the waves on its attack run. There were six sudden, successive pops as the merchant ship’s tiny cannons fired their shots. Jack watched the approaching brig and saw four splashes thrash water up like small geysers, a few pieces of wood crack off its side and then heard a loud knock and whistling sound as the last shot ricocheted off the brig’s side. He shook his head much as Hook had. The former captain had been right. The merchant ship’s cannons were much too small to do any real damage.

There was rapid movement on the brig as the pirates aboard it rapidly began furling half of the sails, reducing the ship’s speed but increasing its maneuverability. The threatening ram veered aside as the brig changed its course and revealed its broadside. The merchant ship’s crew fired another pitifully useless volley that annoyed the pirates more than anything as the brig lined up its cannons.

“Heads down!” Hook called as he lowered and shut his eyes. Sinbad, Red, and Jack did the same, their bodies tight and fixed to the bulwark like barnacles on a hull. The pirate ship unleashed its vicious volley, the thunderous booms of its powerful cannons cracking the air in a cacophony of imminent destruction. There was a brief moment of silence before the starboard side of the merchant ship exploded. Debris flew outward, splashing into the water and littering it with broken planks of wood, destroyed furniture, and the occasional crewman.

“Jack!” Red called out after the volley, her voice barely audible over the cries and screams of the panicking crew. “Cindy, Belle, and Bigbad are down there!”

Jack’s flesh went cold and his mind raced for a strategy to save his friends. If he rushed down there to alert them he risked getting killed from cannon fire or unpredictable crewmen. So long as Cindy remained with Bigbad and Belle within her room she would receive no harm from the men but Jack didn’t think the huge wolf or Beast, strong as they both were, could withstand a cannonball. He gazed down the deck of the ship, his eyes settling on the hatch that would lead him below. Something had to be done.

“Remain here,” Hook ordered, apparently overhearing Red’s cries. “As devastating as that volley was it was only a scare tactic. Those pirates want the wealth on this ship thus they will not sink it. If the captain doesn’t surrender they’ll fire again but I don’t think they’ll have to.” Hook nodded toward the quarterdeck.

Jack looked in that direction and saw the ship’s captain crumpled on the ground, blood surrounding his body and a splintered piece of wood protruding from his chest. Beside him lay his quartermaster, also dead. Most of the crew were running about frantically, terrified and confused as to what to do. Some were on their knees praying, some were leaping into the ocean and taking their chances with the fish, some were simply running to and fro, and a select few were standing their ground, weapons at the ready. Jack turned his head and eyed the brig, surprised to find it much closer than it had been before. Some pirates were twirling ropes tied to grappling hooks, readying themselves to throw them when their ship came in range. As the brig repositioned its sails it gradually drifted toward the severely damaged merchant ship. Minutes later it came within range of the grappling hooks and they were all thrown. The hooks landed on the merchant ship’s deck and the pirates that had tossed them pulled on their ropes until they snagged on the bulwark and went taught. They then began hauling their ship toward the larger one. It was a slow process but before long it was over and the brig was securely tethered to the merchant vessel.

It did not take long before the first pirates climbed aboard.

Hook and Sinbad placed their weapons on the ground and stood straight. Jack did the same, his body cold and his heart battering wildly. Red, with some hesitation, placed her crossbows and knives on the deck and stood erect, making no sudden movements. The pirates climbed aboard and began rushing about, shoving panicking crewmen to the ground and quickly killing any that fought back. Several pirates ran belowdecks and Jack could not help but tremble slightly. He wasn’t worried for Cindy or Belle but terrified of the damage Bigbad and Beast would do to the pirates, potentially ruining any chance at reasoning with the pirate captain and getting out of this alive.

Several of the pirates surrounded Hook, Sinbad, Red, and Jack but did not attack. They took note of the weapons on the ground and relaxed slightly, keeping their own weapons in their hands, at the ready. A crow flew over everyone’s heads, circling Hook a few times before flying amidships, where it settled itself on the shoulder of a middle-aged man with a black beard showing hints of grey, a bulbous nose, hazel eyes, a weathered face, a wide tricorn hat, broad shoulders, and a wooden peg for a leg. Under the armpit of his right arm was what looked like a small bore cannon with a metal bar protruding from its midsection. The man grinned at Hook and his company and then walked over to him. His peg leg knocked against the wooden planks as the thin cannon, being utilized like a crutch with the pirate’s hand gripping the handle, thudded dully. He glanced at Jack and Sinbad briefly, paused a little longer on Red, and then fixed his gaze on Hook, eyeing him intently.

“Well, bless me greyin’ beard, if it ain’t Hawkins in the flesh, and all grown up too!” the captain said, his voice slightly high-pitched and rough with a jovial tone to it. “You’ve even got yourself a fancy little beard. Would you look at that? Ha ha!” The pirate smacked Hook’s shoulder and beamed, as if he reacquainted with an old friend. “How long’s it been, Jimbo? I’d say it’s damn near been twenty years!”

“Fifteen, to be exact,” Hook replied flatly.

“Ah, yes, fifteen. You was always good with dates. Not like meself, I rightly don’t even remember me own birthday! I could be a hundred years old and I wouldn’t have the slightest clue!”

“What will you do with us?” Hook asked, getting right to the point.

The pirate captain seemed disappointed and sighed. “Aye, all right, I get yer meaning, lad. Well, as you be well knowin’, I’m a pirate, the great Pirate Captain Long John Silver to be exact to those who don’t know me, and I’m here for a little loot, if you get my meanin’. Seein’ as you behaved and put your weapons on the ground— right noble of ya’ to do that I might say—I’m persuaded to leave you be. I’ve no quarrel with ya’, old friend, and if your friends here behave as well as you I’ll be leaving them be too.”

“There are more,” Hook said, his expression as grim as it had been upon the arrival of the Captain Silver. “There are three more of us belowdecks.”

The pirate captain nodded. “Aye, I’ll go fetch them for ya’.”

“Bigbad,” Red said as she stared at Hook. “I need to be there to calm him down. He might…well, misbehave.”

“What’s that pretty little thing talkin’ about, Jim?” asked Silver.

“A big wolf,” replied Hook. “He’s the size of a work horse and if your men aren’t careful he’ll rip them apart. I suggest letting Red here go down with your men so she can keep him calm. I assure you that it is no trap.”

The pirate captain eyed Red for a few moments and rubbed his chin hidden behind the thick beard. “Aye, I’ll be believin’ you, Jim. I’ll let her go below with three of me men. If that animal tries anything, though, I’ll be having its hide as a rug.”

Hook nodded and Red stepped forward as three pirates hurried to the open hatch that would take them belowdecks. With a glance back at Jack, Sinbad and Hook, she quickly followed them.

“Is she your woman, Jim?” the pirate captain asked as he watched Red disappear down the hatch.

Jack noticed Hook lose his composure ever so slightly. “She is a friend.”

The captain studied Hook for a few moments before nodding. “Aye, that she is. Now that I think of it, if I recall you were blabbering on about this fisherman’s daughter or somethin’ or other. What was her name again? It started with a J, I’m right sure of it. Janice? Joanie? Jennifer? Julie? Julia! AH! That’s the one, eh? Julia! Aye, the way you talked of her I’d have thought you’d marry her when the time came. It’s a shame that never happened.”

To Jack’s surprise, Hook elaborated on the sensitive subject. “We did get married.”

“Ah! You did, now did ya’? Well that’s being just grand, Jim! I’m happy for ya’, old friend, I truly am.”

Hook inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly. Jack could feel the tension in the air and almost felt sorry for the Captain Silver. He was treading on thin ice and judging by Hook’s attitude lately it would be no surprise to anyone if he lashed out. Instead, surprising Jack yet again, he spoke softly. “She was pregnant when she died.”

The pirate captain’s eyes widened with genuine shock and Jack could hardly believe it but it seemed as if he was truly sad. He was sure he was imagining things but he could almost swear to the gods that he saw a tear in the man’s eye. Captain Silver took a deep breath and removed his hat, placing it over his chest. “I be right disrespectful and rude to be talkin’ that way, Jim. Can you see it in your heart to forgive an old fool? It pains me to know that such happiness was taken away from you. You were meant for greatness, I always knew that. If you be givin’ me a small courtesy, would you tell me what happened?”

Jack was truly wondering just how much history the two men had. That Hook had dealt with the pirate before was obvious but it almost seemed that they had once been good friends. How could a pirate hunter ever be friends with a pirate? It made no sense whatsoever.

Again, instead of giving in to rage, Hook spoke. “She was attacked and thrown overboard, where the sea took her. I failed in protecting her.”

The pirate captain pursed his lips and shook his head again. “A right shame, that is. A right damned shame.” He then furrowed his brow and looked up, his gaze hard. “What fiend would attack a pregnant woman?”

This time Jack saw Hook’s face redden and his fists clench tightly. Here it was. Captain Silver had asked one too many questions. Another fight was afoot, Jack knew for certain. Hook took a deep breath and, to Jack’s continued shock, opened his mouth to speak a single word. “Pan.”

Captain Silver’s face contorted into an expression of disgust and he spat on the deck. The crow on his shoulder cawed angrily as it ruffled its feathers and spread its wings. “Ack, I shoulda’ known for meself it was him. I’ll die a happy man if I never have dealings with that hellspawn. He makes me old Captain Flint seem like a righteous saint, he does.”

“I am on the hunt for him,” Hook said, raising his right fist. “I need him dead. He’s taken another friend of mine and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him have his way with her. That monster has sailed the seas long enough already!”

Captain Silver stomped the deck with his cannon crutch and growled, making the crow on his shoulder hop about. “Aye, I be agreein’ with ya, lad! Were I to see him now I’d rip those pointy ears off his head and skewer his eyes out with ‘em!” The captain composed himself somewhat and glanced around, biting his bottom lip. “You’ve no ship to do this, though, Jim. This one here be too beaten and sluggish to be of any help to ya’. Seems to me like you need a set of sails to get ya’ on this quest, eh?”

Hook nodded and looked at Sinbad, still speaking to the pirate. “Aye, I am in need of a vessel. Sinbad thinks his cousin in Sauradia can help me with that. I was heading there until you came and….well, slowed our progress.”

The pirate chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his neck. “Oh, did I now? Well, I be beggin’ for your forgiveness on that affront there, lad. I swears on me mum I had no intention of doin’ that to ya’. Seein’ as this here floating rock is of no use to ya’, what say you let me and me men clean her of whatever loot she be holdin’ and I give you and your friends here a ride to Sauradia, or at least as far as I can get ya’ before their navy sees me comin’? It would be just like old times, eh?”

Hook furrowed his brow in deep thought and took a long, slow breath. He turned to Sinbad and Jack and said, “Captain John Silver is indeed a pirate and I can see from the looks on your faces that you have a cargo hold of questions to ask me but we have few options ahead of us. We can go with him as prisoners or as passengers.”

Sinbad narrowed his eyes. “Somehow I fail to see the distinction between the two. Captain, I’ve been hunting pirates with you for years and forgive me if I am rather unwilling to place any trust in one, least of all one that just attacked the ship we were on.”

Hook nodded. “I understand, Sinbad, but Captain Silver is not like other pirates. He does steal and he does take lives and were the circumstances different I would be hunting him down but he is offering us a way to get to your cousin and if we ever hope to rescue Selvina and stop Pan we need to get to him.”

Jack could hardly believe what Hook was suggesting. “Yes, but captain, does that mean trusting pirates? Pirates of all people? You used to call them stains upon the ocean. Now you are asking us to put our lives in their hands? What if we agree and all Silver does is bind us up and sell us as slaves?”

“I know the risks, Jack!” Hook growled, growing frustrated. “What else do we do? Do we fight them? I understand Bigbad and Beast could probably take care of most of them but we don’t know their full potential. Would you risk the lives of your friends like that for a sliver of hope?”

“You’re asking the exact thing, captain,” Sinbad objected.

Hook clenched his teeth and took a deep breath. He seemed to calm down after a few moments and then shrugged his shoulders, appearing defeated. “I have no other ideas. Captain Silver’s ship, The Hispaniola, is nearly as fast as Jolly Roger was and would get us to Sauradia much sooner than this one ever could. We would not be in the company of pirates for too long.”

Sinbad and Jack exchanged uncertain glances. Jack could sense the comradery between Captain Hook and Captain Silver and wanted to believe that he could trust the pirate but just did not know if he could. It might all be a ploy for a fate worse than death. The pirate could kill them as soon as they let their guard down. Hook’s death would be wonderful news for all other pirates of Faeryum and Silver would be hailed a hero among them. There were so many risks involved that Jack simply did not know what to do.

There was a series of collective gasps from the pirate crew and Jack glanced to the side to see Bigbad, Red, Cindy, and Belle being led in his direction. The huge wolf had his ears bent back and his eyes were glowing red. The hair on Bigbad’s neck and back was standing on end and when a pirate gazed at him for too long he bared his teeth at them and growled. Red had her hand on his shoulder but Jack doubted she could do much of anything if the wolf decided to attack anyone. Cindy looked confused and yet awed while Belle walked with eyes staring straight ahead and jaw clenched. Jack assumed Beast was fighting to free himself but she held him back as best as she could.

Captain Silver eyed Bigbad and chuckled. “Ha ha, well you weren’t kiddin’ about the horse-sized wolf, now were ya’, Jim? He’s a right fine animal, he is. Look at that fur and those wonderfully pointy teeth. A right heap of damage he could do to someone. I be sure as hell hopin’ you ain’t thinkin’ of using him on me?”

Red replied, frowning. “He will attack you if I order him to and he doesn’t go down easy.”

Captain Silver grinned and winked at Red. “Aye, I don’t doubt ya’, little hooded lass.” He glanced at the crow on his shoulder and it was studying Bigbad closely, its inquisitive eyes fully focused on the huge predator. “Flintlock here finds him rather interestin’. Might you be lettin’ me get a closer look at him?”

Red glanced at Hook, who nodded at her, and then eyed Captain Silver again, her frown deepening. “Try to hurt him and he’ll rip your arm off, pirate.”

Captain Silver spread his arms innocently. “Oi, what do you take me for? I’ve a soft spot for animals, lass. You’ve nothin’ to worry about me.” He hobbled over to Bigbad slowly and carefully, his eyes on the wolf’s. Bigbad watched him approach and began sniffing the air. Everyone watched as the pirate captain, the crow on his shoulder hopping nervously, walked right up to the massive wolf and extended a hand. Bigbad sniffed it a few times and Jack observed in amazement as his red eyes changed shade to blue and the ears lifted up as the raised fur lowered. He gave Captain Silver’s hand a lick and allowed him to pet his neck.

“He….seems to like you,” Red said, her eyes wide in shock.

“Haha, I told you, lass, I mean no harm to beasts and he’s a right fine one. He’s got a lot of smarts behind those color-changin’ eyes of his, I can tell. Flintlock might be bouncin’ like a flustered floosy but he knows your wolf here ain’t goin’ to hurt him. He’s a sharp bird too, and I ain’t be braggin’.”

Jack, as shocked as Red, watched Captain Silver scratch underneath Bigbad’s chin and then give the wolf a pat on the cheek before hobbling back to Hook. Bigbad was usually an excellent judge of character and if he trusted the pirate then did it mean that Jack could as well? Was he perhaps not as wicked as most pirates were? He eyed Cindy, who appeared unafraid and almost excited to be surrounded by pirates. She seemed trusting of them as well. Belle’s face was emotionless and Jack couldn’t figure out what her thoughts were on the matter. He glanced at Hook, who sported a wide smile.

“So,” Captain Silver started, leaning heavily on his cannon crutch, “have you and your merry crew decided what you’ll be doin’, Jimbo? I don’t be meanin’ to rush but I ain’t gettin’ any younger standin’ here waitin’ on ya’. Are ya’ comin’ along or are ya’ not?”

Hook glanced at Sinbad, Jack, Red, Cindy, and then Belle in turn, waiting for an answer. Jack decided not to put his faith in the pirate captain, but in the captain he’d follow into the fires of oblivion instead. If Hook believed it was a good idea then that was good enough for him. “I’ll come with you, captain,” he said.

Hook smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Jack. I knew I could count on you.”

Sinbad shrugged. “I won’t be seeing my cousin standing on this sinking ship so I’ll come too. I’m not about to abandon you just yet, captain.”

Hook nodded, still smiling. “That’s good to know, quartermaster.”

Cindy gave Captain Silver a small curtsey. “I would be honored to come along. I’ve never been on a pirate ship before and if Bigbad thinks you’re a good person then I have nothing to worry about.”

Captain Silver chuckled. “Well aren’t you a polite one, eh?” He removed his hat and then gave Cindy a sweeping bow. “A few of me men could learn a thing or two about manners. Maybe you could be teachin’ them on the way?”

Cindy smiled and shrugged. “I doubt they’d listen to me…”

“Well that’s when you just tell them it’s captain’s orders and they’ll be listenin’ to you right quick! If that don’t work then you come to me and I’ll set them straight!”

Red stepped forward and gave Captain Silver a firm stare. “I don’t trust you, pirate, and I don’t like you very much either. I can take care of myself quite well and just know that if a single scratch of harm comes to me that Bigbad will slaughter your whole crew by himself!”

“Bigbad, eh? That’s what ya’ called him? I like it and I hear ya’ loud and clear, firemane. There won’t be no harm comin’ to ya’, I give ya’ me word.”

Belle simply followed Red and said through stiff lips, “I go where they go.”

Captain Silver shrugged and then faced Hook again. “Seems like we’ll be takin’ a little voyage together, eh, Jim? It would do me good to do somethin’ noble and true for once, not that piratin’ be nothin’ but that, haha.”

Jack gazed at Hook and thought he saw true happiness in his captain’s eyes. It was as if he was remembering a fond moment from the past. He desperately wanted to know what had happened between Hook and Silver but decided against asking, at least for now. Jack just hoped that jumping on a pirate ship wouldn’t end up being the last thing he ever did. A vision of Selvina flashed in his mind and it renewed his resolve. He had to do whatever he could to get back to her. If that meant allying himself with pirates for a while then so be it.

He would get back to her, no matter what it took.