"Wow, what a day, huh?"
Rainbow leaned back against the railing with satisfaction. It had been one day since they raided the Royal Convoy. They still relished in the memories of yesterday, some times even reenacting the scenes. Berry leaned next to her more athletic friend. She did not participate in the raid as much as Rainbow, but that did not mean she did nothing.
"Do you think Caramel doesn't like me?" Berry asked suddenly.
"What?" Rainbow raised her brow. "Why'd you think that?"
Berry shifted on the rail uncomfortably. "It's just that whenever he needs a task done, he calls ya up. Never does that with me."
"Sure he does." Rainbow rebuked.
"Oh yeah? When?"
"That....uh....well....I guess he hasn't." Rainbow rubbed her chin.
"I don't understand why..."
"Well, not to brag or anything, but I am more athletic, drink less, and most likely more skilled than you at....most things. I think he just rather have someone like me out there doing something dangerous because I am more likely to come out of it alive."
Berry looked down and did not respond. Rainbow bit her tongue in regret. Her words came from her deep honesty but they certainly did not feel clean to say. She then sighed knowing that it was too late to take the words back.
"Sorry, Berry. Sometimes my bluntness can be aggravating, I know."
"It's fine." Berry waved it off. "It's pretty damn true. Ever since we met, I've been livin' off you like a parasite. Drinking away whatever you brought to our little alleyway. Yet ya kept coming back with more. I started to think you weren't getting bits for yourself anymore but for me since you's smart enough to know what I would do with them. I guess it was some kind of Loyalty to me."
"Heck yeah." Rainbow said proudly. "Did you ever think I would just abandon ya on those streets?"
"Nope."
Rainbow had to stretch her arm out to pat her friend on the shoulder. Berry smiled down in her usual lazy way. As the ocean rolled around them, as the pirate waved quickly in the breeze, and as the fresh salty air filled they noses, they shared a quiet moment together on the brig.
"But ya know," Berry began, "I think I'm tired of being the parasite."
"Land ahoy!"
"Ah, there she is!"
Caramel gave a hearty cheer as he spied the lone island that the observer before him spotted. Through the evening light, Rainbow could see an island with one large hill and a few huts and abodes that lined the crooked shore. There were only a few ships that were anchored in the cove-like entrance.
"That be Sepulcher, a place my father discovered for men and women like us." Caramel explained. "Quite the place to meet some interesting people. Miss Punch, Miss Dash, welcome to the Ragnarok's home!"
The crew gave a loud cheer and the brig slowed down. The royal sails were hoisted up and the men began to relax a bit as Caramel guided the ship the rest of the way.
Tall palm trees on white sands were some of the more breathtaking parts of the island. There was not much to it, but it was a pleasant sight to behold. As they drew closer, the figures of sailors on the pier that jutted out of the beach could be seen. The village that called the place home was small, but there was no lack of people walking back and forth from their jobs and chores.
"Bring her in lads n' lasses! Nice and easy." Caramel ordered.
The main sails were pulled up and the Ragnarok coasted to nice stop by the beach. The brig was one of the larger vessels along the wide beach as most of the others were no bigger than schooners or fishing boats. The anchor was dropped and the crew began to become chatty once more.
"Can't wait to see me gal again!"
"It's felt like forever since we've been here last."
"I hope my son is getting his legs."
"Gonna eat good tonight!"
Caramel walked down from the forecastle with Zecora right behind him. They separated at the bottom of the stairs as he entered his quarters and she marched on towards the bow of the ship. The crew lowered a rowboat in the shallow waters. Most of them laughing all the while.
"Keep control of your body." Zecora reminded them. "Lest we have to restrain them regularly."
"C'mon Miss Dash!" Neon gestured to her. "We should get going. I'll give ya two a tour."
Rainbow ran over to him with Berry behind her. In the corner of her eye, she could see Caramel come out of his quarters with the mysterious box he acquired from the Royal Convoy. She did not take much heed of this and hopped in the rowboat with some fellow crew members.
"We should make Rainbow row." A pirate guffawed.
"Oh please, you guys." Rainbow rolled her eyes.
"Can she even reach the oars?" Another mocked playfully.
Rainbow frowned at the size insult. This only made the men laugh harder.
"Look at her face!"
"Haha! Only my daughter can match a face that adorable."
"Guys!" Rainbow steamed.
"It's all good fun, Rainbow." Neon assured her. "You'll have much more fun tonight, I bet." He paused. "Though you should remove your hood."
"Why?"
"This island has seen its share of Assassins. Last thing we want is you to be mistaken for one of them."
"But Caramel..."
"Caramel's Caramel. Everyone here knows him, lass. He can get away with his Assassin robes."
"Fine."
Rainbow removed her hood and they rowed to shore. It was not much of a trip as Caramel anchored the ship very close to the shore, almost to the point of crashing it on the rocks that pointed out of the clear water. It was the sort of precision that only experience could perfect.
"First thing's first." Neon began. "The pier over there is new. Just installed it less than a few months ago. Sepulcher has been on the rise in popularity lately, so we've expanded."
"It doesn't look like much trade goes through here." Rainbow observed." Where does the money come in?"
"Good question, lass." A pirate laughed. "It comes from us!"
"Us?"
"Yes." Neon nodded. "We take gold and goods and deliver them here in bulk. We're not the only ones who do this, but by Luna we are the best! That's why Caramel will never let us return to this place empty handed."
"That means that all the sailors here are often away." A pirate added. "Man, I wonder what my wife does when I'm gone..."
"Wishes everyday that you'll never return?" Another playfully suggested.
A roar of laughter rang through the members on the rowboat. Even Rainbow couldn't help but giggle. Neon grumbled in frustration as he lost order on the small vessel.
"C'mon guys, I'm trying to give Berry and Dash the info on this place." Neon complained.
"Lighten up, Neo." A sailor waved a dismissing hand. "We've got all night to show them this place. And the day after that! Caramel won't leave here 'til the business is done. And you know how he likes to take his time."
"What is the business?" Rainbow inquired curiously.
"The shard of course." Neon said quickly. "But don't mention that to anyone! We're not like other privateers. Our business is far more risky and involved with these artifacts. There are no doubt Brotherhood spies and Templar goons here. They always sneak by us during our absences."
They departed from the rowboat and walked to the grassy lands right before the buildings began. Women and children started to appear from random abodes and scurry to them. The pirates responded by running to their respected families and giving them loving hugs. The only pirate other than Berry and Rainbow who did not have family to greet them was Neon, who watched his comrades with a smile.
"This is their favorite part about being back." Neon grinned. "Sometimes they don't see them for a year. I never know how they handle being away from their wives and kids for so long. That's why I'll never get a family going 'til I retire."
"What's up on that hill?" Berry changed the subject by squinting at the large single hill.
"That's where the fallen of the Ragnarok are remembered." Neon explained. "Pretty sobering place. Those who died serving this nation of ours is buried up there. If we don't retrieve their bodies, they still get a tombstone with their name and position."
Rainbow mouthed the word "oh" and stayed silent after this rather frightening bit of information. Neon noticed their sudden change of mood and his widened. With an awkward chuckle he placed a hand on their shoulders.
"But let us not think of such heavy topics. I'll show you guys the most popular place in town."
"Of course it would be the tavern..." Rainbow chuckled.
"What?" Neon shrugged. "Did you expect a library?"
"Nope. This is exactly what I was expecting."
"Me too." Berry nodded happily.
The sun was going down as the three drank the rum and cider at their table. The tavern was an open one with the bar being the only part with a roof. A violinist soloed in a corner of the boarded floor and was accompanied by merry revelers that tapped and danced to the music. Women and men laughed and banged their drinks together in joy.
"I know that gal." Neon pointed at the violinist.
"Yeah, uh huh." Rainbow played with him.
"Naw, really. But don't think that way. Even if I wanted her, she's out of my league."
The violinist finished her song and was received with an applause. She returned the applause with a great bow and a warm smile. She then took a swing of water from a nearby mug and breathed tiredly.
"Hey, Fiddlesticks! Guess who's back?" Neon called to her.
"Neon Lights." She huffed confidently. "When did you arrive?"
"Just an hour ago. Come sit with us!"
The violinist brushed her bluish hair back with a quick hand before walking over to them with a proud stride. Her red lips were in a devious smirk and her eyes focused on the pirate with a playful glare. She then twirled her bow gracefully before sitting in the empty chair at their table.
"These your girls?" Fiddlesticks pointed at Rainbow and Berry. "You can do better mate."
"New recruits from Manehatten." Neon chuckled. "They're novice sailors, but they learn quick. Muck quicker than I."
"Rainbow Dash." Rainbow offered the woman a hand.
"And I'm Berry Punch."
"Fiddlesticks. Welcome to Sepulcher." The violinist returned before looking back at Neon. "So what was the haul this time?"
"Some biscuits and some pork." Neon said with a wink.
"Ah. Seems you guys get more of that these days."
"More than I liked to." Neon huffed. "But the pay is good. Who knew pigs were that expensive."
"Not me." She giggled.
"Sooo...." He took a long breath. "Anything peculiar lately?"
"Not much, honey. Except for a girl that arrived some days ago. Canterlotian by her accent and her pompous nature. She had the nerve to challenge me at playing the violin. Can you believe it?"
"Was she good?"
"Yes, but I still beat her. Haven't seen much of her since. She's searching for some girl she'll never give the name of. All she does is act mysterious."
Neon rubbed his chin thoughtfully and lowered his voice. "You think she's a spy?"
"No. I've been around spies, she's not one. The ship she came on left without her yesterday. I think that pissed her off. She's prolly stuck here."
"Where is she?" Rainbow jumped in.
"Right there, gal."
Fiddlesticks pointed at a lone table that was farthest from the bar. Only one person sat there and it was a gal with a black cloak and hood. Red and yellow hair escaped the hood and her pointed chin was all Rainbow could see. A lone mug was in front of her and she seemed pretty disinterested with it.
"I'll go speak with her." Neon said and stood up.
"Don't!" Fiddlesticks hissed. "I don't trust her. Ya should leave her be for now."
"I'll talk with her." Rainbow said.
"You crazy lass?" Fiddlesticks turned to her in shock.
"Yeah. She doesn't look like trouble to me. I've had my share of Assassin gals already. I'll know if she's one of them."
"Nothing's stopping you." Neon shrugged.
"Show time."
Rainbow got up and took one last gulp of cider before slamming the mug on the wooden table. Fiddlesticks blinked in confusion as she watched the young pirate walk by. Rainbow suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned around.
"I think I'll need this."
She took her cider mug with her and then returned to her task. The woman at the lone table was still there, seemingly staring at her hand absentmindedly. This made Rainbow feel a little awkward as she stood at the table with the woman not even noticing her. She cleared her throat and then gave a weak smile.
"So....What's up with you, miss?"
The woman jumped a little and looked up at her. Turquoise eyes peered at her suspiciously. She then weakened her glare and gestured at the seat in front of her.
"You can sit if you wish." She said softly.
Rainbow did just that. With a more direct view at the hooded woman, she could see that she had plenty of curls in her hair and her face was much fairer than most present. It was a face untouched by labor and a hard life. Not a speck of dirt was on her or her cloak. A single light green gown was hidden underneath the cloak. Finally, a necklace that bore Celestia's Sun was on her exposed neck, showing that she knew wealth as well.
"What brings a girl like you here? I can tell you ain't from these parts." Rainbow started.
"Was it because I don't smell of merda?" She questioned back with attitude.
"Yeah."
"Funny, you didn't ask me what merda was. I guess you were raised in Cloudsdale?" She crossed her arms curiously.
"Huh? Yeah, I was. Not all my years though." Rainbow said hesitantly.
"But enough to understand some Cloudsdalian latin hm? From Cloudsdale to here. Such is the way of being recruited into piracy."
"Rogue privateers." Rainbow corrected.
"Pirates." The woman hissed decisively.
"Alright. Alright. Now, what's ya name and why are you here?"
"I'm looking for a girl. My friend to be exact. She was kidnapped almost a month ago. I've been searching for her since."
"Alright. how 'bout ya name?"
"That does not concern you, pirate." Was the quick and harsh answer.
"Fine. Now, who is this girl?"
"She has dark purple hair with a magenta highlight. Loves books and falls for any deal from a shadowy figure." She added with a frustrated sigh.
"And so you think she's here?"
"Thought that, but she's not. Checked every corner on this bloody island. I believe the guys who took her were pirates and pirates go to the Labyrinth Isles. Guess that was a stupid assumption. Should have looked in Baltimare."
"What's stopping ya?"
"The ship that brought me here left yesterday. I have no ride now."
"Well, we are on the Ragnarok. Maybe we can help you."
The woman paused. "Ragnarok? Hmm..." She smiled, showing off pearly whites. "You can call me Sunny."
~