//------------------------------//
// Ch2 Crimson Sails 
// Story: Under Crimson Sails 
// by Priceless911 
//------------------------------//

20 Years Later

“Mast on the Horizon!”
After hearing the call from the pony in the crow’s-nest, the ships quartermaster pulled out a spyglass as he looked at the approaching ship. As he observed the vessel, the ship’s captain approached, “Mr. Tan? What is it?”
The quartermaster replied with an uneasy reply, “She isn’t flying any colors captain? And her sails are red… I would guess them to be pirates, but I don’t recognize her just yet. As the quartermaster passed the spyglass to the captain, the captain took one look at the vessel as he replied, “Those sails aren’t red… they’re crimson… That ship belongs to Captain Crimson Sail.”
The quartermaster was nervous, “You mean… the Bloody Tide?”
The captain nodded, “Aye… that’s the one. What they are doing out here, I haven’t the slightest.”

Far off on the Bloody Tide, Captain Sail stood next to the helm on the upper deck as a pony called from the crow’s-nest, “Capt’n! Ship off the bow! She’s flying Guppy colors sir! Must be the ship we’ve been looking for!”
Captain Sail smiled, “Aye… The Float’N Guppy, of the Guppy Trading Company.” He looked over his crew on the lower deck, “All Loose!!! Catch the wind and chase her down!”
The crew replied with a cheer as they all hurried to release all sails as Captain Sail looked back to the crow’s-nest, “Mr. Keg! Strike the colors and get your plot down here! We need our master gunner at the ready!”
The pony in the nest smiled, “Aye Capt’n, Right away!”
With that, the sailor raised the flag of the Crimson Pirates and hoisted it to the top of the mast.

As soon as the black flag reached the top of the mast, the wind opened it straight out as the black flag revealed two sabers stretching out a crimson sail with a skull on the middle. A unique pirate flag, but an unmistakable one. Shortly after the flag was raised, the quartermaster on the traders ship spoke, “Captain… her colors are up. She is a pirate ship!”
The ship’s captain nodded, “Don’t think me a fool! Everypony knows that the only pirate bearing crimson sails is the very pony himself! Now leave them be and help the crew.”
With that the captain looked over his ship as he called, “ALL HOOVES ON DECK!!! Bring in the sails and prepare to be boarded!”
Thinking he heard wrong the quartermaster grabbed the captain’s shoulder and turned him toward him, “Captain Arthur? What are you doing?”

Captain Arthur replied, “Captain Sail is known for being a merciful pirate. According to rumors, he never attacks ships that ain’t flying navy colors, or unless he is looking for them specifically. If we aren’t his target and we show no signs of hostility, he will sail right by us and leave us be. But if we are, the best thing to do is surrender and he will be merciful once he gets what he wants.”
The quarter master asked, “And what does he want?”
The captain shook his head, “That I haven’t the slightest, but if we have it we will kindly hand it over and be done with it.”
With that the captain turned back to his crew as the quartermaster drew his sword and placed it against the side of the captain’s neck, “I can’t take the risk captain.”

Without expecting it, the captain slowly turned his head to the quartermaster, “What are you doing? Are you daft?”
The quartermaster replied, “I won’t let you surrender our lives to pirates so easily captain. So if you won’t do anything… I will.”
Seeing that the surrounding crew was in agreement with the quartermaster, Captain Arthur gave the second a dull look, “So what do you intend to do Mr. Tan… Fight back with a cannon-less ship? You wouldn’t last two second against her.”
The quartermaster pulled the captain’s sword from his side and handed it to another sailor as he replied, “We cannot fight back, but we can flee. So that’s what we will do.”

The ex-captain chuckled, “Bah! Nopony can outrun The Tide! Her cannon can fire as straight as the horizon, and they never miss. If you continue, then the last time you see their ship, it will be above you as you sink to the depths.”
Mr. Tan shook his head, “No… I won’t.” He looked around, “Open all sails! Let’s leave these cutthroats in our wake!”
With that order, a few sailors restrained the ship’s ex-captain as the rest opened the ships sails as the vessel caught the wind and started away from the approaching pirates.”

Seeing their prize fleeing, Captain Sail sighed in disappointment as Pinpoint spoke, “Looks as if the fear got the best of them, ay captain?”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye… and so it may be the death of them.”
Captain Sail looked to the pony in the crow’s-nest as he climbed down from the top of the mast, “Mr. Keg!”
Powder Keg turned to the stallion and smiled, “Aye Capt’n?”
Captain Sail replied, “The prize seems to be fleein’ so what would my Master Gunner and sniper suggest?”

Powder Keg looked at the fleeing ship as he looked back to his captain and replied, “Load the chase guns, chain volley across her deck and clip her sails?”
Captain Sail replied with a nod, “Good lad… make it so.”
Powder Keg smiled sinisterly as he replied, “Aye aye Capt’n!” He turned to the bow of the ship, “All hooves to guns!!! Load the chase guns and ready chain shot! Fire across her deck colts, we want this prize intact! No need to feed the reef with her lumber.”
Down below the sound of shuffling hooves could be herd as the ponies in the galley below quickly loaded the cannons, and exposed them out the chase gun ports as all four bow cannons aimed directly ahead of them, pointed towards the fleeing ship.

As soon as the cannon were ready, Powder Keg looked to his captain as he spoke, “On your order Capt’n!”
From the upper deck, Captain Sail looked over his ship at the fleeing vessel in front as he smiled, “Fire!”
Relaying his orders, Powder Keg looked to the bow and yelled, “FIRE!!!”
With that order the large vessel jerked back twice as the four cannons fired in synchronized volleys. First the two cannons in the center of the bow, then the two on the far sides, as their recoil pulled the cannons’ bores back into the ship and jerked against the support ropes.

Back on the fleeing ship, the mutinous captain saw the flash from the pirate’s cannons as he called, “INCOMING FIRE!!! HIT THE DECK!!!”
Hearing the warning, most of the ship’s crew laid down on the deck of the ship as the spinning chain shot flew over the top of the upper deck, hitting and killing the ships helm colt as it took the helm right off the deck before causing severe damage to the ships mast. As soon as that was seen, the new captain of the fleeing vessel picked himself back up as he looked at the missing helm which still had the blood of the helmscolt on it as the old captain spoke, “Ya see! I told you there was no escaping him. Now wise up and surrender now before you doom us all!”
Seeing no alternative to the situation, the new captain sighed, “All hooves bring in the sails! And lower the colors to signal the surrender! This is one fight we can’t win.”

Back on the Bloody Tide, Powder Keg looked at his captain as he asked, “Should we ready another volley capt’n?”
Captain Sail looked to the merchant ship, but before he could say yes, he started to see the small vessel quickly tying up its sails as their flag was lowered leaving nothing but the damaged sailed on the ships mast. Seeing this Captain Sail smiled, “Belay that… they aren’t gonna pull anymore tricks on this day. But to be safe, load two of the upper deck guns on the port side. We will pull to her starboard and if she tries any funny business, we will be ready.”
Powder Keg nodded, “Aye capt’n, what type of shot should we load?”

Captain Sail started trotting down from the upper deck as he replied, “Better make it solid. We will be aboard her so better to avoid harmin’ our own.”
Powder Keg nodded, “Aye, no grape, no chain, and no explosive got it.”
As Powder Keg relayed his orders to the gun crew, Pinpoint spoke to Captain Sail as he asked, “Do ya think we will be needing it captain? We already took the ship.”
Captain Sail adjusted his black tricorn hat as he replied, “Any sailor worth their weight in coin knows to stand down against me to keep his hide safe. So if this captain is brave enough to flee… then I'd like to know what he was thinking before trying to cross me.”

Pinpoint asked, “Do you plan on killing him?”
Captain Sail smiled, “Only if I see it nessisary.”
Though his expression said he didn’t approve, Pinpoint didn’t say anything as he watched Captain Sail give his orders, “Get out the hooks and reel them in!”
With that order, the ponies on deck rushed to the left side of the ships as they each threw out a grappling hook as they hooked the rail of the surrendering ship and pulled them in to tie the two ships together. As the two ships met, the crew started tying them to one another as Captain Sail and a few of his pirates stepped onto the captive ship as he called, “All hooves get in ranks!!! Don’t make me say it twice!”

Worried for their lives, the crew of the merchant ship with their captain included, wasted no time in quickly lining up on the deck as they sat down showing that they would show no hostility. After the crew was in ranks, Captain Sail and a small number of his pirates slowly made their way down the ranks looking at the defeated and worried expressions on each sailors face. As he did that, the rest of his crew wasted no time in boarding and searching the merchant ship for valuables as Captain Sail spoke, “Afternoon gents, now I don’t figure ya know who I am, seein’ that you decided to run from me and all, but would any of ya take a fancy in makin’ a guess?”

As he trotted along the ranks, Captain Sail’s eyes narrowed on a random sailor as he spoke softly, “How bout you sailor… any hint or clues as to who I be?”
Nervous, the sailor avoided eye contact as he replied, “Are… are you… C-Captain Sail… of the Bloody Tide?”
Captain Sail smiled, “So… ya do know who I am…” He looked over the crew and spoke, “So I'd be right in guessing that the rest of you lubbers know the same don’t ya?”

Averting their eyes the captured crew remained silent as Captain Sail continued, “Then why, pray tell, did you try to flee? If ya know who I was then you know that by runnin from me you’re only making things worse for yourselves… so why risk it?”
The crew remained silent as he nodded, “Well then… perhaps I should be askin your captain this question. Well then where is he? Bring him forward!”
Still nervous, nopony amongst the captured crew said anything as Captain Sail looked back at the sailor sitting next to him as he spoke to him as softly as before, “Well sailor?... where is he?... Who do you sail under?... who on this sorry hunk of wood, do you call… Capt’n?”

The sailor didn’t reply, instead he only hesitated slightly as he slowly turned his head and looked at two ponies. First Captain Arthur, then the mutinous quartermaster that sat beside him as they both sat silently amongst the captive crew. Seeing the nervous sailor actions Captain Sail looked at the two ponies he looked at as he smiled, “Much obliged.”
With that Captain Sail trotted down the line of sailor till he approached both suspected captains as he stood in front of them and spoke, “So… which one of you is captain? Speak up, make yourself known.”
The ships original captain looked up as he replied, “That’s a good question captain, let’s see.” He turned to the ships traitor as he replied, “So… Mr. Tan? Who is the ship’s captain?”
The mutinous sailor replied with an angry but nervous tone, “You are… captain.”

Captain Sail gave the two a funny look as the ships true captain replied, “Captain Sail… May I address you properly?”
Captain Sail took a step back and replied, “If you’re the captain, then it be your right! Stand and address me!”
Captain Arthur stood up as he replied with a proper stance, “I apologies for how we greeted you Captain Sail, but I’m afraid my ex-quartermaster took it upon himself to commandeer my command as soon as we spotted your colors.”
Captain Sail gave the traitorous sailor an unamused glance as he replied, “Really now?... I see.”
Nervous the sailor lowered his head in shame as the original captain replied, “Aye, it was my decision to stand down, but I’m af-”

Captain Sail raised his hoof to silence him as he replied, “Nuff said… so it was your incompetence as a captain that caused this whole mess is it?”
The captain felt nervous as he replied, “I… I suppose so…”
Captain Sail smiled sinisterly as he replied, “Fine… I s’pose I shall do your work then. One moment.”
With that Captain Sail turned away from the confused captain as he spoke to the traitorous sailor, “You… Mr. Tan was it?”
The nervous sailor replied, “A-aye sir…”
“Stand… Address me properly quartermaster.”

Still nervous, Mr. Tan stood up as Captain Sail looked back onto his ship as his called, “Mr. Keg!”
Powder Keg replied from the deck of the Bloody Tide, “Aye Sir!”
“Front and center lad!”
Powder Keg rushed to the other ship as he approached Captain Sail and replied, “Aye Capt’n?”
Captain Sail whispered to him, “What cannon on the top deck are loaded?”
Powder Keg replied quietly back, “Three and six Capt’n… why?”
Captain Sail nodded as he replied, “I got some fodder for six… if you make it ready.”
Knowing what he meant, Powder Keg smiled as he replied loud enough to be heard, “Aye then… white or red?”
Captain Sail smiled as he replied also loud enough to hear, “Better make it red… an occasion such as this is better due for red wine.”
Powder Keg nodded, “Aye, aye, Capt’n.”

With that Powder Keg rushed back to their ship and returned with a bottle of wine as Captain Sail looked to another member of the crew, “Ready a table for a new recruit. There.”
With that, Captain Sail pointed at a place in the middle of the merchant ship as the rest of the crew cleared away the sitting sailors on the spot and placed a barrel with two stools on opposite sides. As soon as the area was clear, Captain Sail trotted to the barrel and sat the wine bottle on top before pointing to a stool and speaking, “Mr. Tan… I have a proposition for ya. Please take a seat, and join me for a drink.”
Completely confused, The traitorous sailor slowly trotted to the stool and sat down as Captain Sail Sat down in the stool on the other side of the barrel as he poured them both a glass and spoke, “Now then, from my understandin’, you held a mutiny while under the stress of bein’ chased by pirates. Now that takes some fine leadership and some real solid shot. So, what were you thinkin’ while doing it lad?”

Although he felt at ease enough to reply, Mr. Tan didn’t drop his guard as he spoke, “I… um… I felt… worried. In all honesty sir, I didn’t know how it would progress.”
Captain Sail shook his head, “Nah… you knew exactly how it would progress. In fact ya knew it so well, that ya used the fear of the rest of your fellow sailors to ensure that this mutiny would go unopposed. Now it’s actions like that, that ensure the path of a pirate… so I ask ya… how would ya like to join the Crimson Pirates?”
As the question was asked, Mr. Tan was drinking the wine as the unexpected question caused him to cough in surprise as he wiped the wine from his face, “W-What?”
Captain Sail smiled, “I asked if you would join my crew? A bold sailor like yourself who can use the fear of his fellow crew mates, now that be the mark of a true pirate, so what do ya say?”

After confirming what he thought he heard, Mr. Tan replied, “Well… I-I guess I can. If you will have me.”
Captain Sail smiled as he raised his glass, “Well then, welcome to the crew laddie. But before we accept you, I wanted to know if you have ever been to the far lands over in the north Atlantian Sea?”
Mr. Tan shook his head as he replied, “The Far Lands… I’m afraid I haven’t sir.”
Captain Sail took his tricorn hat off his head and tried to shape the brim as he replied, “Well… There in the Far Lands, there is a pagan religion that speaks of traitors and mutineers. It says that when those of sin die, they go to a dark depth of a world set ablaze by the sins of those who pass. And in this world, there are nine circles, each one more horrifying then the last.”
Hearing a bit of darkness in his voice made Mr. Tan feel nervous as he replied, “Do they… and… what of this religion speaks of Traitors and mutineers?”

Captain Sail continued bending the trim of his hat as he replied, “They say, that in this hell, the deepest and darkest ring of this fiery realm, is meant for traitors and mutineers. Meanin one simple thing.”
Mr. Tan replied as Captain Sail sat his hat on the barrel and took a sip of his wine, “And that is?”
Captain Sail finished drinking from his wine as he sat the glass down and gave the sailor a look of unamused evil, “You won’t be seein’ me, when I arrive lad.”
With that Captain Sail grabbed his hat and spoke loud enough for others to hear, “Fire in the hole!”
Quickly realizing the order, the traitorous sailor looked towards Captain Sail’s ship as he noticed that Powder Keg was standing behind a cannon that was aiming directly at him from less than twenty feet away. Knowing what was coming next, Captain Sail raised his hat to shield his face, as the cannon went off hitting its target and scattering a splatter of blood onto Captain Sail’s hat, the barrel, the wine bottle and across the deck of the ship as the target took the full power of the solid cannon ball before being tossed through the railing on the opposite side of the ship as he fell onto the sea leaving only the pieces of the shattered stool floating on its surface.

After the cannon went off and echoed into the distance, not a sound was heard as the crew of the merchant ship sat speechless at what they had just witnessed. With the ship silent as a mouse, Captain Sail took a cloth from his pocket and wiped the large amount of blood from his hat as he placed it back on top of his head and spoke with an angry expression, “In my crew, if you are or were ever a mutineer… you become cannon fodder.”
Captain sail stood up and looked at all the ponies staring at him as he called, “Let that be a lesson to the lot of ya! Nopony who dares call them-self a sailor will ever betray the loyalty of his captain. Unless ya be willin to explore the horizon of a cannonball.”
With that Captain Sail trotted back to the ships original captain as his sailors worked to clean up the barrel, wine and blood left from the unexpected execution. As he approached Captain Arthur, Captain Sail spoke casually, “Graces of apologies captain, I left your deck in such a mess. But I'll have ya know, I don’t look kindly on mutineers.”
A little nervous, the captain replied, “A-Aye… I can see that… but… did he really deserve a fate such as that?”

Captain Sail replied with a sinister smiled, “What would have become of him if I had left him be?... He would be locked in the brig, then faced a trial for treason for which he would hang anyways right? Well consider this a more merciful way of doin things. Better my mercy than having him dancin’ the hempen jig, aye?”
Feeling like he was being threatened, the captain replied nervously, “A-aye captain… I certainly see your point.”
Captain Sail smiled as he replied with a more upbeat tone, “Glad to hear it, now we can get down to the real reason I’m here. I didn’t search for your ship to do away with a mutineer after all.”
“Real reason?”
Captain Sail smiled, “Aye, the reason I sought you out, is cuz I found out that you recently employed a colt from the Griffin Port that you departed a few days ago. I wish to speak with this colt.”

The Captain looked over his crew as he replied, “I’m sorry captain, but I’ve employed many sailors at that port… could you be more specific?”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye… this particular colt is a survivor of an attack by a notorious pirate… Known as Captain Iron Hoof.”
As soon as he heard the name, the captain knew who he was talking about as he looked passed Captain Sail at the sailor who was still sitting in rank amongst the rest as Captain Sail added, “Do you know the sailor I’m talking about… or should I seek him out meself?”

As Captain Sail waited for an answer, the nervous captain looked over at the mess left from the pirate’s lass discussion as he looked back at Captain Sail and replied with an order, “Mr. Kail!... Make yourself apparent and step forward!”
As soon as the order was givin, the nervous sailor, stood up as he nervously trotted to his captain and spoke, “A-aye Capt’n?”
Captain Sail looked at the sailor and replied, “You’re Mr. Kail?”
The sailor nodded nervously, “Aye sir… I am.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Good, then might I request we have a discussion alone? This is a matter that shouldn’t pertain to your current captain or crewmates.”

Concerned, the sailor looked at his captain as his officer nodded, “It’s alright lad, better to do as he asks. Best not to agitate him further.”
Captain Sail smiled in a welcoming manner, “If you’re concerned with your life, don’t be. I have no reason to be killing ya. So best just answer my questions and I will be off on my merry way.”
The sailor was still nervous but nodded in a trusting way, “Aye captain. Then ask away.”
Captain Sail looked at Captain Arthur and asked, “Since he is your sailor, might we use your cabin captain?”
Trying to stay on the pirate’s good side, Captain Arthur nodded, “If you mean him no harm, I don’t see why not.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye, many thanks.” He looked at Mr. Kail, “Let’s be off.”

The captain and his suspected captive trotted across the deck towards the captain’s cabin as Captain Sail could see Pinpoint on the upper deck of the Crimson tide watching with disapproving eyes as Captain Sail ignored the glare and entered the cabin with his witness. As soon as he entered the cabin, Captain Sail locked the door as he and the guest sat at the table. As soon as they sat down, Captain Sail spoke, “So, it be my understandin that you had an unexpected crossing with a ghost of the sea… and as a sailor who enjoys an occasional ghost story, I’d be honored if you could entertain me with a tale of your own… So tell me… Was it you, who had crossed paths with Captain Iron Hoof of the Iron Wing and lived?”
The sailor replied, “It was… about three months ago. I was working on a fishing boat outside of the Hooviet Union. Normal day, normal catch… nothing different than usual. But then as the sun went down, we started gatherin our catch and began sailing back to port… but then?”

Captain Sail finished the statement, “A dark vessel with sails as dark as leather appeared form behind along the surf.”
The sailor gave him a confused look as he explained, “I’ve heard this part before, she climbs from the stern like a corrupt shadow, then chases down her prey like a feral griffin. Then, she echoes out a chime as if she were ringing the dinner bell for the sea to claim the lives of her sacrificial prey before reducing their ships to timber, and leaves nearly a soul to tell the tale. But what interests me… is what happened after she destroyed your ship and crew… I hear tell that you were pulled aboard and held prisoner, a first for all the stories of that ship and her crew. So, discern that bit of information if you will.”

The sailor decided to skip to that part as he continued, “Well… after our ship went down, I managed to swim to the surface, but… I wasn’t there long before her ship began using the rest of us as target practice.”
Captain Sail was confused, “Target practice… cannon?”
The sailor shook his head, “No… those hoof cannons. You know, the illegal ones.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Muskets…”
With the expression on Captain Sail’s face that says he knew something the sailor asked, “What is it?”
Captain Sail shook his head, “Nothing… it just narrows my search a bit… what happened next?”

The sailor continued, “Well… to avoid getting shot I tried to dive underwater… but while I was under, I didn’t 
realize that the ship was coming right for me. I tried to evade its path, but as it crossed over, I got my hind hoof caught in what I thought to be some kind of net, but I found out that it was a rope from a pony they were keelhauling.”
“Keelhaul?...”
The sailor nodded, “Yes it’s when they tie a pony up and round them under the keel with a ro-”
“I know what keelhauling is lad… I just find it funny that they were doing it while attacking your ship.”
The sailor nodded, “Aye, and with their prisoner being dragged under, I was pulled with them until they finally fished and pulled us both out on the other side. When they saw me they were going to shoot me, but their captain said that it would be a waste of a bullet.”

Captain Sail immediately became interested, “Captain? You mean to say you saw Captain Iron Hoof? Well?... out with it Lad! Tell me what he looked like?”
The sailor nodded, “Well… he was pitch black, like a sunless sky, and his mane was white as a ghost. A tall earth pony with a rather unsunny disposition. Yellow eyes, and a scar along the left side of his face… actually that scar looked fresh, as if the stitching had just been removed.”
Captain Sail nodded as he pulled out a quill and paper and jotted down the info, “Good lad, anything else? Perhaps info on where they made port?”

The sailor shook his head, “Sorry captain, but they didn’t go to any port while I was aboard. All they did was imprisoned me and their captive for a few days before dropping us on a deserted island.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Aye, and what of their captive? Any reckoning of why he was a captive or where he may be?”
The sailor shook his head, “Nothing of the sort, She didn’t say a single word at all I actual thought she was mute at first.”
Captain Sail was now interested, “She?...”
“Aye… their captive was a mare… and a beautiful one at that. I don’t know who she was, but the sailors on Iron Hoof’s ship called her Siren.”
“Siren?”

The sailor nodded, “Aye, and she had the look of one too. Gorgeous she was. Fawn coat, with an azure mane. Blue eyes as clear as the very sea… the kind of maiden you could only find in your dreams.”
Captain Sail gave the sailor a serious but clueless look, “Fawn… Azure...”
The sailor felt a little embarrassed as he explained, “Oh sorry captain… it’s like a light tan coat with a very pale sky blue mane braided and draped over her shoulder. But with those eyes… Now that’s what trapped ya, like a snare lace with the prettiest sapphire you ever could see.”
As the sailor described her, he started to blush as Captain Sail nodded, “Alright, noted… now how about what happened next… why didn’t they kill either of ya?”

The sailor continued, “I don’t know… rather than killing us, they decided to give me a dagger and drop us on a sand bar. Said that if I let her, she would take the first opportunity she could to kill me, so they suggested I did it first.”
Captain Sail nodded, “And did you?”
The sailor shook his head, “If you were in the presence of an angel… would you?”
“Alright, alright she was pretty… I get it…”
The sailor nodded, “Well even if I wanted to, I couldn’t bring myself to harm such a beauty. But that didn’t stop me from watching her closely. Five days we sat on that deserted pile of sand and in all that time… she didn’t say a word. She didn’t even acknowledge me… all she did was stare into the horizon that the pirates sailed off into with a glare that could kill.”
Captain Sail was skeptic, “So… in the entire time you two were together… she never muttered a single word?”

The sailor shook his head, “No… I tried a number of times to talk with her, but every time she only glanced at me with a look of distrust and then back onto the horizon. As if she had a serious bone to pick with the Iron Hoof Pirates.”
“Aye… and what happened next?”
He continued “After five days, we were saved by a passing ship that was searching for my old shipmates, but when they found us, they knew what became of the rest of my fellow crew. The rescue vessel asked if there was a place we wanted to be dropped so I told them I wanted to go to the Griffin Kingdoms. There I offered to become a merchant and here I am.”
Captain Sail nodded, “And the lass?”

The Sailor replied, “She spoke for the first time… but it didn’t seem to make any sense. She asked to go to Pirate Cove… but there ain’t no telling where they took her.”
Captain Sail nodded, “Then that’s where I'll find her.”
“What? But… Pirate cove is nothing more than a ploy to lure navy to the sea isn’t it?... Surely it ain’t real.”
Captain Sail smiled, “It’s as real as you and I. But only a skilled pirate worth his fixin’s can ever step hoof there. Otherwise you better be sailing under one or else they will eat you up like a dragon on a rhinestone.”
With that Captain Sail stood up as he replied, “Thank you lad… I believe I have all I need from you now.”

Feeling a little nervous, the sailor asked, “Are… are you going to kill me now?”
Captain Sail shook his head as he put on his hat, “As I said before, there ain’t no reason to be killin ya lad. I ask ya a question and you answered it. For that, I'll drop you with your captain and leave you be.”
The sailor wasn’t trusting, “But… what about the rest of our crew?”
Captain Sail smiled, “They will be safe… however, for attempt in to flee we will empty your coffers and supplies. All but what you need to make it to the next port. But be grateful lad… Captain Sail isn’t always this merciful.”
With that Captain Sail trotted to the cabin doors and waited as the nervous sailor exited the cabin and trotted out onto the deck of the Float’N Guppy.

As soon as the two were outside, Captain Sail looked to his Quartermaster on the top deck of the Bloody Tide as he called, “Mr. Point? How goes the prize?”
Pinpoint replied, “The supplies are clamed and we left enough for them to return to port. Did you claim your prize as well Captain?”
Captain Sail smiled, “Aye I did. Now let’s prepare to make way!”
Pinpoint nodded, “Aye Captain.” He looked over the ship, “All hooves on deck! Prepare to make way!”
The pirate crew cheered as the pirates on the merchant ship quickly rushed back aboard the Bloody tide as the Captain Sail left the sailor and his caption alone as he trotted to the ships railing and stepped back onto the Bloody tide.

As soon as they were ready, the pirates unhooked all the grappling hooks as Captain Sail pushed the Bloody Tide away from the merchant ship as he called, “Thank you lads! You’ve been the finest of hosts but I’m afraid it’s time we part ways here! Remember my lesson, and perhaps it can save you in the future.”
With that Captain Sail stepped down from the railings as he trotted to the top deck of his ship and stood next to Pinpoint. As he stood there he could tell that Pinpoint was giving him a disappointed yet careless glance as Captain Sail spoke without looking back, “What is it Mr. Point?”
Pinpoint looked back across the top deck of the ship as he replied with sarcasm, “I can’t say captain… it’s not my place.”

Captain Sail looked at him and replied, “Then you have permission… say what’s on your mind.”
Pinpoint replied with a careless tone, “What would your father say if he were here?… about how you quote… Punished that mutineer a few moments ago.”
Captain Sail replied also with a careless tone, “If my father were here, then I wouldn’t be… so if anything, you should blame Iron Hoof. Besides… as captain it’s my duty to remind everypony in my and every other crew of what happens when I come across mutineers.”
Pinpoint replied, “You don’t have to be so abrasive about it though.”
Captain Sail nodded, “If you don’t like it… feel free to stay behind at the next port we come across. As I always say, any member of my crew is free to leave at any time, so long as they take only their share of the prize and not a bit more.”

Pinpoint sighed as he replied, “Captain… you know very well I plan to stick with you till we kill this prize… but an attitude like that isn’t something you should be proud of. How many of the original crew remain? Two… maybe three counting myself. And all who remain the only ponies aboard that still know of your upbringings.”
Captain Sail nodded, “And?”
Pinpoint replied, “We started out with over forty ponies… and only three remain… the rest either gave up or died along the way. What I’m saying is that without my witness to Iron Hoof’s attack, there is no proof to his existence to keep the crew under control. Meaning that a mutiny could be inevitable.”
Captain Sail smirked, “And that’s why I decide to kill mutineers, as an example. To show my crew that if they ever attempt such an act that they will meet the same result.”

Pinpoint sighed as he looked back over the ship, “But without results to our search, we are only prolonging their patients.”
Captain Sail smiled as he replied, “This time, we have results. Look at this.”
Captain Sail handed out the sheet of paper as Pinpoint took the notes and read it, “A description?”
Captain Sail nodded as he too looked over the ship, “Aye, and a few leads.” He looked at one of his resources, “Mr. Keg! Make yourself known!”
Hearing his orders, Powder Keg rushed up to the top deck as he stood in front of his superior, “Aye Capt’n? What do ya need?”

Captain Sail took the sheet of paper from Pinpoint as he asked, “You’ve sold your muskets to pirates near and far, any recollection of a pony fitting this description?”
Powder Keg took the sheet of paper and shook his head, “Black coat, and white mane… not that I know of capt’n. He our next target?”
Captain Sail shook his head, “He’s our main target. But if you don’t know him, then perhaps one of your vendors.”
Powder Keg nodded, “I s’pose so, it’s been a number of years since I joined the crew and left the sales to a few of my clients.”

Captain Sail nodded, “Aye… the lass that was with him wanted to go to Pirate’s Cove. So if she knows of that place, then perhaps he or his crew are regulars there.”
Powder Keg smiled, “Aye and just so happens, two of my best vendors sell my arms there.”
Pinpoint nodded, “Aye… the Drib Twins.”
Captain Sail smiled, “Lay the course Mr. Point! To Pirate’s Cove!”
Pinpoint nodded, “Aye captain.” He looked over the ship, “Release all sails and be ready to make merry lads! Next stop Pirate’s Cove!”
Happy with the destination the crew quickly followed their orders as they cheered, “AYE! AYE!”

With a happy look, the crew readied the sail as the helms colt turned the ship to sail towards their destination. As the crew continued a sailor stepped out from below deck with a violin as he played and sung, “I once knew a filly, she acted quite silly, pink and giggly was she. But lo-and-behold, I’d left to find gold, so a couple we never could be.”
After that the entire crew went into the chorus of the sea shanty as Captain Sail smiled as he looked over his happy crew. As he watched, Pinpoint asked, “Captain? Do you ever think about it?”
Captain Sail was confused, “About what Mr. Point?”
The older stallion replied, “About Miss Mist… you know your bet-”

Before he could finish, Captain Sail interrupted by clearing his throat, “That ship has sailed Mr. Point… no need in bringin it up now.”
Pinpoint smiled, “Aye captain.”
Captain Sail sighed as he added, “I don’t know why you would bring that up of all times anyways… What’s done is done… Nothing more to say.”
Pinpoint looked at his captain, “Oh… do I detect a hint of resentment captain?”
Captain Sail shook his head as he replied, “What you detect is a memory that is long since forgotten. Take a note from this shanty Mr. Point. It says that for ponies like us, the sea and treasure is all we need to be happy. Try rememberin’ that.”
Annoyed with the conversation, Captain Sail stepped down from the upper deck and entered his cabin as Pinpoint sighed, “I would… but as a great pirate once said, not all treasure be silver and gold.”