//------------------------------// // The Cat O' Nine Tails // Story: The Road to Ornithia // by The FraudulentBrit //------------------------------// The Road to Ornithia Part 11; The Cat O’ Nine Tails *Crash* The thunder rang out as the rain poured onto the deck. Lightning provided most of the only available light to the sailors who performed their duties. As the rain continued, Angel Wings struggled to keep the rain out of her eyes. Not even her hat could keep the water out, especially as the rain began to come down at a slanted angle. It was the fourth day since the Hawkins landed on the ocean surface, and though it very early in the morning, it was already clear that this wasn’t going to be a particularly fun day. “Miss Wings! Mr. Ishmael!” Old Silver called out as he approached the two, his voice noticeably stuffy. As he stepped forward, Angel Wings could tell something was off. Even in the poor light, she could tell Silver’s face was noticeably paler, his eyes were bloodshot, and his nose was red and it looked like it had been running. “I need you two to keep order up here.” Silver ordered. “I need to have a word with our new houseguest.” “Silver…. I mean Cap’n Silver, you feeling alright?” Angel Wings asked. Silver raised his metal wing as he replied, “Aye, just a wee cold. It’s why I’ll be having a chat with Major Andre instead of Wyvern.” Angel Wings nodded as she nervously replied, “Well, don’t push yourself too hard.” Silver simply nodded as he gave her a confident smile as he quipped, “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” Silver then immediately turned his head and sneezed into his wing. Ishmael playfully quipped, “You better get below deck before the storm gets worse.” Silver let out a playful sigh as he replied, “Aye aye sir.” The metal winged Pegasus then made his way to the stairwell and descended to the lower decks as Angel Wings and Ishmael resumed their duties in the storm. The Brig Silver was certainly surprised by what he found in the brig. On the other side of the cell was Major Andre, his new “houseguest”, wiping an old chessboard with a rag. As the satyr realized he had company, he began to speak. “Ah, captain. anything I can do for you?” “For starters…” Silver began as he pulled a chair over to the cell. “I want to know what Admiral Ecks’s strength is.” As Major Andre set down the chessboard on the table in his cell, he answered, “Well, before I deserted, Ecks had acquired thirty Mare-O-Wars, around a hundred ships of the line, two hundred and fifty frigates, four hundred and seventy brigs, give or take a hundred, and too many schooners and sloops-o-war to count.” “That’s….” Silver began, absolutely flabbergasted at the revelation. “That’s quite the armada.” Andre nodded as he added, “I know. Just about every yeti and satyr that ever fought under the Storm King’s banner has rallied under him.” Silver felt his legs give out as he realized how bad the situation had become. He already knew that from the moment that if Ecks was involved, he could expect at least a few encounters with ships bearing his colors. But to hear that he had a force that powerful simply took the strength out of him. “Captain Silver?” Major Andre asked as he began to worry about his jailor. Silver managed to rise back to his hooves as he answered, “Aye, I’m alright.” He then let out a sneeze, leading to Major Andre teasing him. “Well, I’d say you’re certainly the spitting image of health.” “Don’t push your luck.” Silver quipped back. As he managed to wipe the sweat from his brow, Andre asked, “So, if I may dare ask, would you humor me with a game of chess?” As he set the chessboard on a table in his cell, Andre continued, “I mean, considering the fact you don’t look like you’re in the best shape for intensive manual labor.” As Silver began to approach the cell door, he asked, “You don’t mind possibly gettin’ a cold, do you?” Major Andre shrugged as he replied, “I’m certain your friend Aquamarine would appreciate it.” Silver, unlocking the cell door and entering, replied, “I wouldn’t worry about her.” He then closed the cell door as his face morphed into a deadly serious glare as he warned, “Just a piece of advice Major. You try anythin’ and I will NOT hesitate to kill you.” Andre, already placing the chess pieces on the board, replied, “If so, you have permission to end my life.” As Silver relaxed (as well as sneezing again), he simply asked, “In that case, you prefer black or white?” Mid-Deck, At the Same Time… As Angel Wings and Aquamarine began to inspect one of the mid-decks, the latter couldn’t help but be impressed by the crew’s skill. “I gotta say, these guys certainly take pride in their work.” Aquamarine said as she observed several of the crew scrubbing the deck. At that moment, the two mares heard the sound of Skibby screaming. Sure enough, a familiar blue Pegasus crashing towards them on a particularly slippery brush. Angel Wings and Aquamarine were able to get out of the way just in time, leaving Skibby to crash into the ship’s hull. Angel Wings made her way over to Skibby and offered him a hoof to help him up. Skibby accepted her help, saying, “Thanks ma’am.” Angel Wings asked, “Your bad luck again?” Skibby simply let out a resigned sigh as he replied, “Aye. Put too much force on the bloody brush.” Aquamarine immediately interrupted the two with a very harsh, “Oi, get back to work boy!” Skibby immediately gulped and backed away before quickly returning to his duties. Angel Wings asked, “What was that for?” Aquamarine replied, “You have to be tough on ponies like this. If you let discipline go soft, you get problems like your little dance lesson fiasco.” Angel Wings found herself cringing at the memory of when most of the crew challenged her authority when she had tried to teach them some dance lessons to alleviate boredom. Aquamarine continued, “In the marines, you learn to keep order by being a tyrant.” Angel Wings nervously replied, “Uh, that sounds kinda rude. Silver doesn’t command them through being a bully.” Aquamarine took offense at the implication and defiantly responded, “We aren’t bullies. We just have to maintain discipline at all times, and fear and punishment are the best tools to keep order.” Unknown to the two mares, Arrow Bolt and several others had finished scrubbing the immediate area of the deck and were moving past them to begin another section. As they passed them, Arrow Bolt purposely and rudely bumped into Angel Wings, giving a sinister chuckle as he sarcastically apologized, “Sorry ma’am.” Angel Wings gave him a glare as she called out to him, “Mr. Arrow Bolt, if you do that again I will tell Captain Silver.” Arrow Bolt didn’t say anything, simply turning slightly paler as he continued with the others. Aquamarine, on the other hand, said, “That’s exactly what I’m talkin’ about. Silver is too soft on these ruffians.” Angel Wings defended the others, saying, “They’re not all ruffians. The only one who really causes any trouble is Arrow Bolt.” “Arrow Bolt, huh?” Aquamarine asked. “In that case, I think it’s time to set an example.” She then turned and called out, “Mr. Arrow Bolt, come here!” Arrow Bolt hesitated for a moment before he began to slowly walk over to the two mares. “Well well well.” Arrow Bolt began, his usual cockiness oozing from his very essence. “What do you two ladies want from little old me?” He then shot a very unpleasant smile at Angel Wings, barely able to mask his unhappiness at her being made his superior. Aquamarine immediately began to speak. “You have been a major nuisance to the officers of this ship and have openly challenged the authority of one the captain.” Arrow Bolt gave the Staff Sergeant a confused look as he replied, “You mean that scuffle a while back? You weren’t even there.” Aquamarine didn’t budge as she continued, “Firstly, Silver told me all about you after the dance lesson, and I must say you lack discipline and respect.” Arrow Bolt realized Aquamarine was starting to challenge him. He stepped forward and asked, “Well, what are you going to do about it?” Within a few moments, he would regret what he had just said. Aquamarine immediately darted towards him and restrained his wings and one of his hooves as she coldy said, “I think the lash will teach you respect.” Arrow Bolt began to grow noticeably paler. “Th-th-the lash?” He asked, starting to panic. “But….. you don’t have one.” It was then that Aquamarine pulled something out of her hair with one of her wings. It was a small piece of rope that branched into nine different ends. Arrow Bolt’s eyes shrunk as he began to beg, “Look, you don’t have to do that. I was just messin’ with her. I’ll behave, I promise. I promise I’ll behave! I swear!” Aquamarine didn’t budge. She turned to Skibby and called out, “Skibby, I need your help with somethin’.” As Skibby approached the group, Angel Wings asked, “What are you gonna do?” Aquamarine simply replied, “I’m goin’ to teach Arrow Bolt here respect.” Arrow Bolt simply whimpered as he turned a ghostly white. The Brig, Thirty Minutes Later “And Checkmate!” Major Andre smugly said as he moved his queen on the chessboard. Silver took a closer look as he realized his king was trapped by not only the queen, but both of Andre’s rooks. All in all, he could only reply to his defeat with all the dignity that one owed someone who had beaten them fair and square. “You cheeky little bugger.” Silver said, tongue firmly in cheek, as he extended his hoof to Andre, who shook it firmly despite the awkwardness his hand cuffs caused him. Silver then offered a more appropriate, “Well played Major.” Andre replied, “It was my pleasure Captain.” It was at that moment that the two heard an audible crack. Major Andre asked, “What was that?” Silver replied, “I dunno, but I don’t think that was thunder.” There was another crack, this one slightly but noticeably louder. Silver added, “That sounds like a whip.” He would have continued, but was interrupted by a sneeze. The crack happened again, this time followed by the sound of a muffled scream. Andre began to puzzle his chin as he asked out loud, “A whip’s crack and a muffled scream. Tell me Captain Silver, you don’t employ flogging do you?” “Flogging?” Silver asked, almost offended. “Why would makes you think….” He stopped himself just in time to hear another crack followed by the faint scream. It was impossible. Silver made a promise to himself he would never, under any circumstance, employ flogging. He’d only ever experienced it once, but he realized why it had such a nasty reputation, and he wouldn’t allow anyone else to go through it. The cracking and muffled screaming continued, the gaps in between each growing shorter. Silver realized what was going on and, rising to his hooves, angrily muttered, “Oh shit.” He stormed out of the cell, too distracted to lock or even close the cell door. Major Andre simply sat on his chair and called out, “So, I’ll be right here when you get back, alright?” The Gun Deck *Crack* Another blow from the whip struck Arrow Bolt’s back, making the gray Pegasus scream in pain, or at least scream as much as he could with the leather belt in his mouth. Angel Wings, however, was absolutely horrified by what she was witnessing. Arrow Bolt was bent over one of the cannons, his limbs tied down to prevent him from moving and leaving his back exposed. However, what was far more disturbing was the fact that Aquamarine was striking his back with the whip. Each blow left horrifying scars on his blow, and by now it was far more red than the dull gray of Arrow Bolt’s normal fur color. “Uh, Aquamarine?” Angel Wings asked. “Don’t you think he’s had enough?” Before she could reply, Arrow Bolt managed to squeak out from behind his gag, “Please stop! I’ve learned me lesson!” “Fat chance Arrow Bolt.” Aquamarine replied. “Your actions demand seventy five lashes, and so you’ll get seventy five.” Angel Wings immediately called out, “But he’s already had twenty! Don’t you think that’s enough?” Aquamarine turned to Angel Wings and coldly replied, “Not until he’s had the full sentence.” For a brief moment, Angel Wings didn’t know what to. As much as Arrow Bolt had been an unrepentant jerk, this was in no way an acceptable punishment, especially for something as insignificant as a rude bump. And as much as Aquamarine was trying to “maintain order,” She knew this was wrong. The final straw was the fact that, if her eyes weren’t deceiving her, as Aquamarine continued to whip him, Arrow Bolt’s eyes were actually starting to tear up. “That’s enough!” Angel Wings shouted as she charged towards Aquamarine and reached for the whip in her hoof. “Give me that whip right now!” She shouted as she began to pull on the instrument of pain. “What do you think you’re doin’?” Aquamarine incredulously asked. “He’s a trouble maker and a repeat offender. If we don’t do this, then he’ll keep doin’ it and show the others that there aren’t consequences for misbehavin’.” At that moment, Silver threw the door open and stomped onto the deck. Within only a few moments his worst fears had been confirmed. Arrow Bolt had had his jacket ripped off him, been made to kiss the gunner’s daughter, had his mouth gagged with a rolled leather belt, and clearly received several blows from a cat o’ nine tails. It didn’t help that the sudden burst of energy he’d adopted in his anger was giving him the mother of all headaches. The worst part was the sight of Angel Wings trying to wrestle the whip away from Aquamarine, who had clearly been enforcing the “punishment.” Silver began to angrily stomp over towards Aquamarine, his face turning as red as Arrow Bolt’s back. As he made his way, the other sailors very wisely stepped out of his way, most having never seen their captain this furious before. Angel Wings noticed Silver approaching and released the cat o’ nine tails, quickly moving to place herself behind him. As Aquamarine turned to face Silver, she realized he was far angrier than any pony she had ever met. Taking a deep breath, she began to speak, “Sir, I must report that….” “Don’t you EVER DARE try to strike any of my crew again!” Silver shouted at the top of his lungs, practically forcing some of the sailors to actually cover their ears. Aquamarine actually found herself backing away in fear, dropping her cat o’ nine tails. Silver bent down to grab the whip, only to start swaying as his headache continued to strengthen its grip. Silver stepped forward to Aquamarine and, to every-pony’s surprise, used his metal wings to restrain her. Taking a deep breath, Silver coldly stated, “You will be detained to the brig for the rest of today as well as tomorrow. Am! I! Clear?!” Aquamarine gulped as she nodded yes. When Silver released Aquamarine, he turned to Skibby and Barricade as he ordered, “Escort Ms. Aquamarine to the brig, then escort Major Andre to my quarters and keep watch over him. Am I clear?” Skibby and Barricade nodded as the former replied, “Aye aye sir.” They proceeded to restrain Aquamarine as they began to lead her off the gun deck and towards the brig. Silver’s attention was soon diverted to Angel Wings. He turned to her and asked, “I take it you feel the staff sergeant over reacted?” Angel Wings nodded as she replied, “Arrow Bolt was being his usual rude self, but this….” She pointed to Arrow Bolt, who was still tied to the cannon, but now had spit out the leather belt and was openly weeping. Silver turned back to Angel Wings and said, “Thank you for tryin’ to stop her.” Angel Wings nodded as she replied, “You’re welcome Silver.” She began to perform the usual motions of a quick embrace and a kiss, but Silver raised his wing as he cheekily replied, “I don’ne want to give you me cold.” Angel Wings let out a gentle chuckle as she replied, “Good point.” Silver returned to his attention to Arrow Bolt. He slowly walked over to the broken stallion, bent down, and began to use his surprisingly sharp fingers to slice the ropes holding the dull gray Pegasus down. After managing to cut the last of the ropes, he extended a hoof to Arrow Bolt. The flogged Pegasus didn’t hesitate, and quickly but weakly grasped Silver’s hoof, struggling to stand on, then remain on his own hooves. As Arrow Bolt continued to wobble, Silver began to feel incredibly weak himself, the adrenaline wearing off and his cold consuming every inch of his body. Silver turned to Angel Wings and said, “Take Mr. Arrow Bolt to the Galley and tell Bully Beef to give him the half n’ half. He knows what it means.” Angel Wings nodded and lead Arrow Bolt up to the galley. Silver then turned to the only important pony left, Perry. Perry began to nervously explain, “Look sir, Aquamarine began to do everything and I don’t think any of us were in a position to challenge her and…..” Silver raised his wing, particularly his index finger, to Perry’s mouth as he began, “Mr. Perry.” “Yes sir?” Perry replied. Silver, sweat now evident dripping from his brow, simply said, “I feel terrible.” Silver immediately collapsed, his headache and sore body now simply too much to bear. Perry managed to catch his captain and friend, and quietly whispered, “Alright sir, let’s get you tucked in.” The Galley As Angel Wings set Arrow Bolt down at one of the galley benches, she couldn’t help but let out a sigh as she realized how heavy he actually was. Once she had him resting, she realized her back was slightly soggy. She turned her head to see that Arrow Bolt’s blood had seeped itself in her jacket. Letting out a sigh, she said to herself, “Oh bother.” As Angel Wings removed her now blood soaked jacket, she heard the sound of hoof steps. Bully Beef entered the galley, a concerned look on his face. He noticed Arrow Bolt’s back and turned to Angel Wings. The mare began, “Uh, Arrow Bolt has been injured. Cap’n Silver requested he receive the…” “…. The half n’ half?” Bully Beef interrupted. Angel Wings was momentarily surprised but quickly regained her composure as she replied, “Yes. That. Is it like a coffee drink or something?” Bully Beef didn’t say anything as he pulled a mug and began to pour a liquid with an interesting odor into it. Angel Wings took a whiff of it and was able to tell that whatever it was, it was alcoholic. As Bully Beef approached Arrow Bolt with the liquid, he began to speak, “Alright boy. Per the Captain’s orders, pint of best rum, half n’ half.” He placed the mug in front of Arrow Bolt’s lips, which he took and began to gulp down. After a large gulp, Bully Beef calmly said, “There’s the half in your belly.” He then took the now half empty mug, and, to Angel Wings’s surprise, poured the rest on his back. “And there’s the half on your back.” Bully Beef said. Arrow Bolt groaned and grunted as the rum began stung his wounds. Angel Wings turned to Bully Beef and asked, “What was that for?” Bully Beef shrugged as he replied, “An old tradition. They say the rum helps disinfect the wound.” Angel Wings turned to Arrow Bolt and back to Bully Beef, giving him a look that practically screamed, ‘Seriously?’ Bully Beef simply shrugged as he replied, “Well, it is a tradition. I’ll go get a some bandages and disinfectant.” Once Bully Beef was gone, Angel Wings found herself alone with Arrow Bolt. A week or so ago, the prospect of being alone with the large bully would have filled her with a dangerous brew of fury and fear. But now, all she could feel for him was pity. Arrow Bolt had been strapped to a cannon and mercilessly whipped. Seeing him break, begging to be spared, flipped the switch in her. It made her thankful that her own mother never lifted a hoof against her, let alone use an instrument. “Hey filly!” Arrow Bolt called to her in his usual, dominating tone. Angel Wings’s sympathy began to disappear as her usual disgust of him returned. Rolling her eyes, she bluntly asked, “What do you want?” “Were you the one standin’ up for me?” Arrow Bolt asked, his usual rudeness giving way to an emotion she didn’t expect; genuine gratitude. Taking a moment to hesitate, Angel Wings replied, “Aye. As much as you’re a right up jerk, you didn’t deserve that…. That whipping.” “It’s called a flogging.” Arrow Bolt stated. “Navy used to use it for discipline. Clearly the Marines didn’t get the memo.” Angel Wings hesitated for a moment before she asked, “If you were so terrified of it, does that mean you’ve been…..” “Oh bleedin’ heck, I’ve never been flogged!” Arrow Bolt angrily interrupted before he looked at his back and said, “Least not ‘till now.” Angel Wings let out a sigh before she quipped, “Hopefully now you’ll finally keep your nose out of trouble.” Arrow Bolt simply shrugged as he let out a pained laugh, remarking, “For now anyways.” A few more ponies led by Nelson made their way into the galley. The quartermaster stated, “Mr. Arrow Bolt, Cap’n Silver would like a word with you.” Arrow Bolt sighed in resignation as he managed to rise back to his hooves. He said, “Well, best not keep the boss waitin’.” As he left though, he turned to a familiar pink pony. “’Ey Angel Wings.” Arrow Bolt said to her. Angel Wings was worried he’d try and insult her again. Instead, he simply said, “Thanks.” With that, he left with the others. Angel Wings was taken aback by his manners. He was the last pony she ever expected to show proper manners, and yet there he was, offering a simple thanks. It wasn’t much, and in truth she still had a feeling he was still a very unpleasant pony. Still, Angel Wings had a feeling that if he could show her that kind of respect, maybe the others would too. The thought of that made her spirits soar, hoping that the rest of the crew would see not as some approved stowaway, but truly as one of them. Silver’s Quarters Arrow Bolt entered Silver’s quarters exactly how Old Silver expected he would; slowly, carefully, and careful not to put too much stress on his recently damaged back. Silver rose from his bed and said, “Good to see you Mr. Arrow Bolt.” Arrow Bolt was certainly surprised to see his captain without his coat, hat, and especially his wings, which he had slipped off since they weren’t entirely comfortable to sleep in. Silver then said, “I take it you’re wonderin’ why I called you?” Arrow Bolt replied, “I am sir.” Silver swiped the sweat from his brow as he said, “Forgive me, I’ve a cold. I understand you may have received an impromptu lesson in humility.” Arrow Bolt nodded as he found himself beginning to angrily growl. Silver immediately and firmly ordered, “You will not exact any form of reveng’e on Aquamarine. She has been confined to the brig.” Arrow Bolt began to ask, “So where is the monkey?” Silver pointed at a corner of his cabin, and Arrow Bolt was surprised to see Major Andre sitting in a corner reading a book. Arrow Bolt simply let out a mildly surprised “Oh ok.” Silver then began to take off his shirt as he began, “I guess now we have somethin’ in common.” As he turned around, Arrow Bolt asked, “What do you mean by that sir?” It was then that Arrow Bolt was horrified by what he saw. Silver’s back was covered in scars, far more than were forming on his own back. The fact that they formed lines with surprisingly even spaces in between each other could only mean one thing. Arrow Bolt could only ask one thing. “Sir, you’ve been flogged?”