Under Loyalty's Flag

by Gapeagle


Chapter 5: A War of Secrecy

"So long, fair lads n' lasses of white! Hope we never see ya again!"

Caramel waved at the unfortunate Assassins who stood on their motionless ship. Since all the masts were torn down on the Assassin corvette, they were stranded on the sea. The Ragnarok slowly gained speed as the brig separated from the other ship. The pirates cheered and waved their hats at the Assassins as they left them. One Assassin or two yelled curses at them, only to be received graciously by the rogue sailors. Even Rainbow joined in the fun of mocking them.

"Alright lads." The captain addressed his crew. "We be off for Baltimare now. We have the Element of Harmony right here!"

The captain held up a decent size golden box. The box was lined with blue stones on the corners. The lid had the picture of an elaborate unicorn head with several circles around it. The crew gave a hearty cheer at the sight of it. It didn't look like much to Rainbow. Certainly not something worth fighting over.

"What about the ship sir? She took many blows during the fight. Ya think we should dock in Fillydelphia for repairs?" A sailor asked the captain.

"The brig's a strong one. I think she'll last the trip. We'll fix and upgrade her in Baltimare unless she gets worse or we meet trouble on the way."

The sailors nodded in silent affirmatives. Some sailors went about their constant errands and others began to chat on the main deck. Rainbow heard a whistle from the captain. She looked at him to see him gesturing for her to come over. She jogged up to the quarter deck. Caramel gave her a mischievous grin and let go of the wheel.

"Take it." He gestured at the wheel.

"Uhh...Ya sure about this? I could crash her."

"Oh, Miss Dash, do you see anything out here that you crash into?"

"Well...No."

"Then have a go."

Rainbow walked over and placed a hand on the large wheel. There indeed wasn't anything out there in the sea for them to hit, so she was confident in her level of survival. Besides, she boarded a ship and won. How hard could this be? Rainbow smiled in confidence until a very agitating problem arose as she stood there.

"Cap'n....I can't see over the wheel."

Rainbow glared at the captain as he began to laugh and hold his sides. It seemed that this was his plan all along. Her shortness was the butt of a joke yet again. She growled loudly and stomped over to the captain. He wiped away a tear from his eye. The young woman slammed her foot on Caramel's toes. The captain kept laughing, but now held his foot in severe pain.

"That wasn't my intention Miss Dash, I swear." He said through his laughs and grunts.

Rainbow angrily walked down the curved steps. The Ragnarok went with the waves and wind as no one was controlling her. The girl walked to the middle of the main deck. Caramel was still clutching his foot on the quarter deck. Some sailors laughed at their captain's pain. Though discreetly and well out of his hearing range. Rainbow couldn't help but grin. She walked down the steps to below deck.

"Hmm...I wonder if there's anything to eat." Rainbow uttered when her stomach growled.

Rainbow started to make her way to the chef's quarters. Her feet dragged through puddles of water. Those puddles weren't there before, so this wasn't a good sign. Rainbow turned to see a couple of sailors walking through the water as well. She pointed at the water and raised a brow at them.

"Where did this come from?" She asked them.

"There's a leak somewhere. Cannon must've blown a hole in the hull. Don't worry, we'll find it and fix it." One of the sailors replied.

They swiftly passed her on their mission to find the hole. Rainbow continued her way to the chef. The chef and Zecora were talking with each other in the chef's quarters. The Zebran leaned on a barrel while the chef was filleting a fish. Both of them took notice of the young woman. The chef grumbled and pointed her knife at a barrel.

"If ya hungry, there are some biscuits in there. Otherwise, you can leave." She said harshly.

"Now hold on a bit, Miss Dash, would you take this to the prisoner's pit?" Zecora asked.

The first mate handed her a plate of food. Rainbow looked at it curiously. Zecora pointed down the hall.

"We always like to make the prisoners feel welcome. And that we are not so felon."

"Alright. I'll take it to her." Rainbow said.

Rainbow turned and carefully balanced the plate in her hands as she walked through the puddles. The Assassin prisoner was held in the brig of the ship. The crew did not refer to the brig as the brig much since they were on a brig ship. So many referred to it as "the pit," "scurvy hole," or "the cage." Rainbow made a left turn in the hallway and into the darker part of the ship. It did not take her long to reach the pit, but the water made it less than easy.

In the dark room were two cells. One was empty while the other held Silverspeed. The Den Master sat in a dry spot in her cell. Her arms were crossed and her silver hood was over her face. A single shackle was on her left foot. The chain was attached to the wall of the ship. Rainbow walked over to the cell and tapped on the iron bars.

"Hey, I got something for ya." She showed the Assassin what she was carrying.

"How nice of you." Her voice was dry and sarcastic.

"I don't need to give it to you." Rainbow Dash shrugged.

"I do not desire food, pirate, only freedom from this place."

"Well, as far as I can see, you're stuck here."

"It seems so."

Rainbow placed the plate on the floor and slid it to her through the bars. The Assassin did not move at all. Her frown remained on her face and the hood shrouded her eyes. Rainbow started to pity her. She was a pirate, this is what they do, she reasoned. However, the caged individual before her made her feel guilty. Rainbow leaned on the bars and tapped them to get the prisoner's attention.

"Hey, so, why the get up?" She asked.

"If are you referring to my robes, it is beyond the comprehension for someone as simple as you." Silverspeed snarled.

"Hey, no need for insults. I'm jus' asking."

"Hmph. I am a Den Master of the Assassin Brotherhood. These robes symbolize my rank and experience."

"What do you do?"

"Do you not know? You are an underling on Caramel's ship. I would think he would have informed you of us."

"Hey! I am no one's 'underling,' Miss Gloomy, now answer me."

"You're a bold one, rainbow-haired girl. My Brotherhood is one that works in the dark to serve the light. We wish to establish Harmony and Freedom to the lands that possess none. To rid the world of Chaos like you and Absolute Order from the Templar. We do so by killing those who seek humanity's destruction and helping those who cannot help themselves."

"Chaos? Nothing Chaotic about us."

"Really? Look at you, a vermin bent on ruining poor innocent sailors. Causing destruction and mayhem and for what? Bitpieces of course. The world does not deserve one like you."

Rainbow nodded. "Well, if there is one thing you Assassins love, it's to lecture people. Have a nice time in your little home."

Rainbow turned and started to walk away. The chain attached to the Assassin rattled. The young woman ignored it and kept walking. The splashes of the puddles were the only sound. Silverspeed called out to Rainbow in a rather desperate voice.

"You pirates do not know what you're getting into. This war is not meant for your kind. You should do well to back out."

Rainbow stopped and grinned at her. "Really? I have a feeling the Ragnarok and the Assassins are going to be well acquainted after this. If Caramel thinks you guys will pay so well for a little Element, you guys are basically walking money bags."

"Listen! Those Elements are not to be trifled with! They are beyond anything you know."

"You're right. It is. All I know is that I want to make a living for myself."

Silverspeed shook her head slowly. "What is your name, pirate?"

"Rainbow Dash. Do well to remember it."

Rainbow shut the Assassin up with those words. Caramel was right, these people were some religious freaks. They were folk that Rainbow did not want to be affiliated with. However, the warnings that Silverspeed gave her remained in her head. Caramel and her seemed to say the same thing about the Elements. What were they that they were talked about with such solemnity?

Rainbow considered this as she exited the prisoner's rooms and walked towards the steps. Besides the odd creatures of the wildness and the Two Sisters, the world seemed pretty "normal." There was nothing that seemed supernatural or out of the ordinary. Were these Elements supernatural? What exactly did they do? Rainbow asked these questions to herself as she walked onto the main deck. Seagulls swarmed about above her. She leaned on the main mast and looked out at sea.

Were the Elements that important? She asked herself this. They were only something to bargain with. They would be done with it soon enough and she will probably never see it again. Rainbow nodded in agreement with herself. However, the curiosity of it all nagged her further. She looked at the captain on the wheel. She could ask him about it, or she could ask Silverspeed. The latter did not appeal to her. The Assassin's self-righteous nature towards her made her almost nauseous. That only left Caramel. The young woman started to make her way to quarter deck.


"Ello Miss Dash! Came to apologize?" Caramel chuckled as she walked up the steps.

"As much as I would love to do that, no. I have a question for you."

"Anything, Miss Dash. Fire away."

"Who are these Assassins?"

He nodded his head slowly while he steered the ship. "Aye, the Assassins. They's a bunch of odd folk who preach Freedom and Harmony and also some Creed. They go about, killing anyone who disagrees with them. Freedom huh? Bunch of hypocrites, the lot of them. I've never been in their Brotherhood, but I hear they are strict and unforgiving. You see, they are the opposite of Freedom. Even their leaders, the Bearers of Harmony, don't have much choice. Most Bearers are forced into the Brotherhood."

"How are they forced?"

"That's where the Element comes in. You know why I ripped Silverspeed's robes? I was checking to see if she was a Bearer. Those Elements, six of them in all, embed themselves into the Bearer's chest and take over their minds. The Elements have a mind of their own, yes, born in witchcraft. If ya ever come across a Bearer, pity him or her."

Rainbow grimaced. "That's awful. Why do they use such things?"

He shrugged. "Religious aspect? I don't know. What I do know is that it gives them an advantage over their smug enemies: the Templar. These assholes want everything to be Orderly where there is no Freedom. Ya see the difference between 'em? Most Assassins are poor folk and the Templars are haughty rich folk. Not always though. However, as far as I know, the Templar don't use such methods like the Elements."

"Then what are we in all this?"

"That's a mighty fine question, Miss Dash. I have wondered it meself. I believe we are on no one's side. We are true Freedom. We do what we want and how we want it. No one is above in command. Everyone has a heavy say in anything and everything on this ship. The Ragnarok is a nation and brotherhood of its own. No kings or emperors to tell us what to do. The only Creed we follow is a simple one: Live to help, never to hurt. We never raid civilians on these waters. Only those who are living to harm others, like the Assassins, Templars, the Imperials, the Gryphons, thugs, ya get idea. And throughout it all, we make an income for our humble nation. All hidden from the eyes of the watching Sisters."

"Heh, I never thought of any of this when I signed up." Rainbow chuckled.

"No ya didn't, lass. You should be proud though, ya made it this far. Keep this up and you'll be a captain of your own nation."

"Nah, I rather stay a sailor for now."

"Heh, that means I get to keep ya. Well, Miss Dash, we are a day out of Baltimare by my bearings. The place is wild. The Assassins and Templar compete for the city everyday. So watch yourself. I don't need ya with a dagger in your back behind some tavern. I don't know how long we'll stay there. Until we sell the Element."

"Who are we selling to?"

"The highest bidder."

Rainbow nodded in understanding. She now understood the situation. Whole secret war and other crap. She was surprised that she wasn't surprised by all of what Caramel said. Maybe she knew something was up all along? Oh, not but how much of it really mattered? Caramel knew what he was doing and they would get a payday soon. Also, Baltimare sounded like a place Rainbow could get used to. Berry would love it too since the port was known for its spiced rum.

"Always the booze..." Rainbow said aloud.

"Indeed." Caramel nodded.

Rainbow forgot that she was standing next to him. "Uhh....Anyone there you know?"

"In Baltimare? Well, there is a gorgeous lass. Been sweet on her for nigh three years. She works at the "Black Dragon Inn." We should visit her."

That wasn't what Rainbow meant when she asked him. She turned her gaze to the waters that surrounded them. She could see tall mountains to the west as they went south. The seagulls continued to scream above their heads. All she could do was wait. Wait? She turned back to Caramel. He gently held the steering wheel in his left hand with his right by his side.

"Can I take the wheel?" She asked.

"I thought you'd never ask." He grinned and stepped away.

She walked over and took his position. She could not see over the wheel, but why did that matter? She had Caramel by her side and the other sailors to watch for her. Her ability to navigate did indeed rely on others, but maybe that was for the better. If she could trust others to guide her, then there were no issues. The steering wheel felt warm to her touch, as if the ship wanted her to steer. As she steered, she could feel the wind and the waves, all trying to push her off course. It did not take much to keep on course. She only needed to make minor adjustments here and there. Caramel stood by her like an officer. He was smiling at her. She grinned back at him.

"Not so bad." She remarked.

"Aye, that is until ya sail in a storm. Rogue waves and howling winds. These are calm seas."

"Can I dock her when we get to Baltimare?"

He hesitated before shrugging. "Uhh...I see no harm in it."

"Really? Alright!" Rainbow beamed.

"Oh Miss Dash, you're like a little captain already."

Rainbow glared daggers at him. He merely grinned mockingly back at her. She calmed down and continued to steer the Ragnarok. The brig sailed across the waters easily. To Rainbow, it was almost a work of art. It felt natural. It seemed like the world had faded away into an ocean and they were the only inhabitants. It was an interesting thought and one that Rainbow had never considered before. As she steered, she almost felt peaceful. She would certainly not mind taking the wheel more often. However, one question remained. Why did Caramel choose her to steer? She never seen any other pirate take the wheel other than Zecora and the captain. She opened her mouth to ask, but she didn't want to interrupt the peaceful feeling. She shut her mouth and gazed to the sides, as the only thing she could see in front of her was the wheel. Caramel stayed quiet as well and they sailed on. Sailed straight for the Baltimare and whatever waits them there.

~