//------------------------------// // Chapter 1. "Precious" Cargo // Story: Mainsail, Captain of Legend // by KonceptKarma //------------------------------// In the year of 1600 we took to the open sea For the glory and the name of the East Griffin Company We sail to friends and neighbors and bring all prosperity For the glory and the name of the East Griffin Company From Equestria to Cierva it's for all the world to see For the glory and the name of the East Griffin Company The glory and the name of the East Griffin Company The sailors aboard the Valiant chanted the shanty to themselves as they loaded the cargo for their venture. The Valiant was a barque, an East Griffin Company trade vessel. Among the group of sailors, one pony felt discontent. "Hey," He said to one of his crew mates, "do you ever wonder why you signed up for this job?" "No Mainsail, I don't." They responded. Mainsail gave him a surprised look, "Really Marco, not even the slightest?" "No," Marco gave him a confused look, "why do you ask?" "Because I constantly wonder why." Mainsail stopped loading, and leaned against the deck railing. "Really? You didn't take this job for a love of the sea?" Marco asked rather mockingly. "Oh no, I did. It's just that, I want something more out of it. I don't want to be stuck as a deckhand for my whole life." Mainsail kicked the railing as he lamented. "Well, get used to it," A deer crew member piped in, "because it probably won't change any time soon." "What makes you think that Ayudante?" Mainsail asked. "Look at who you're working for. The East Griffin Company only takes the rich and powerful as their officers. If you want to get anywhere, you need to become a privateer." Ayudante pointed out. "Hey, you lot," The quartermaster yelled, "get back to work!" The sailors went back to chanting and loading as a carriage pulled up to the dock where the Valiant was moored. Inside the carriage, a young Celestia and her father, Seraph were conversing. "So it's just going to be the two of us Father?" Celestia asked. "Yes Celestia, your mother is teaching your sister how to control her power. She didn't catch on as quickly as you did." Seraph pointed out. "Right," She looked disappointed, "it's just that, I wanted Luna to come with us." "I know, and she wanted to go too, but she must learn to control her powers soon. It could be disastrous if used improperly." Her father spoke sternly. The carriage came to a halt, and the two climbed out. "Hey, Mainsail, do you see who's getting out of that carriage?" Marco asked in disbelief. Mainsail turned to see who it was. "If you think you're seeing things, then I must be too." He added. "That's King Seraph and his daughter, Princess Celestia." Marco gawked. "Aye, but what are they doing here?" Mainsail asked, eying them curiously. The captain of the Valiant approached the two royal family members. "Your highness," He bowed in front of the king, then turned to Celestia and bowed again, "my lady." "You must be Captain Driftwood." Seraph extended a hoof to the captain. "Aye, that I would be." Driftwood extended his own hoof courteously. Celestia looked around at the barque, ignoring their conversation completely. She'd never seen a ship before, let alone one of this size. "Is this the ship we're going to be sailing on, Father?" Celestia interrupted. "It is, and it's not polite to interrupt." Seraph motioned to Driftwood, who stood there sheepishly. "I may interrupt him if I wish." Celestia looked impudently at her father. Who glared at her sternly. "I apologize for my daughter's rudeness," Seraph spoke to Driftwood, "I don't know what's gotten into her today." "Oh, it's quite alright your highness." Driftwood bowed again, "You have to admire her tenacity." "Tenacity without humility is nothing." Seraph glared at his daughter as he spoke. After a moments silence, Driftwood spoke up, "Well, I'll have the crew fetch your belongings." The captain chose Mainsail to fetch Celestia's belongings, which she had a lot of. He slowly trudged towards her cabin, and wrapped on the door three times. "Who is it?" Her voice called out. "I've got your belongings here milady." Mainsail grunted under the weight of her luggage. "Right, enter." She responded. Mainsail opened the door, revealing Celestia sitting on her bed, staring out the porthole. Mainsail couldn't hold up anymore, and collapsed under the weight of her baggage. Celestia gasped, "Good lord. What have you done?" "Apologies milady," Mainsail pulled himself up, "it's just that, there is a lot of it." "A lot of it? You drop my belongings on the floor, and you say it's because there's a lot of it?" She huffed. "Well, yes milady. There's a lot of baggage." Mainsail spoke sheepishly. "A lot... of baggage?" Celestia fumed. "Yes, a lot of baggage." He said flatly. He then turned around, and trotted away. "Hey, where do you think you're going," She followed him out the door, "don't you ignore me. Get back here a clean this up!" Out on deck, the rest of the crew prepared to set sail. The Valiant was fully stocked, and ready for its voyage to Cierva. Mainsail trotted up to Marco and Ayudante with a scowl on his face. "What's wrong with you?" Marco asked, chuckling slightly, "I'd think you'd be happy, given that this is the first time our rusty old tub has carried such precious cargo." "Aye, precious is the right word." Mainsail huffed, "All I did was drop her luggage, and she looks at me like I insulted her mother." "Wait wait wait," Marco stopped him, "you dropped the princess' luggage?" "Aye, but what does that..." Mainsail was interrupted by his friend's sudden fit of laughter. Ayudante clonked him on the back of the head with his hoof. Marco stopped laughing, "I mean, yeah, what's her deal huh?" He covered his mouth to hold back more laughter. "Mainsail!" The howl of the captain echoed out across the deck. Mainsail turned to see Driftwood trudging up to him. "Yes, sir?" He asked. "What are you trying to pull?" Driftwood spat and he got up in Mainsail's face. "Nothing, sir." He responded flatly. "Oh really," Driftwood twitched in anger, "well I think you're trying to make me look bad in front of the king! You're lucky I even let you on this ship you bottom-feeder, and if you pull something like that again, I'll throw you into the sea!" As the captain angrily trotted off, Ayudante got Mainsail's attention. "How is it that you're the one who always manages to piss the captain off?" He asked. "I suppose I just have a natural talent for pissing off authority." Mainsail responded, the group all burst into laughter at his plight, including Mainsail himself.