Rose Sweetsail wants nothing more than to escape Overo Island, but when her one chance at freedom is taken in a devastating betrayal, the mare is launched on an epic journey of revenge on the high seas.
Exploring new lands, adventures on the high seas, and finding great fortune are all things Rose Sweetsail dreams of. The trouble is, no one takes her seriously. As a part of the Sweetsail family, all she's ever been allowed to do is make sails for the lucky ships that get to sail away. Her sweet look and gentle voice do her no favors either. But the unicorn's true talent lies in ship architecture, and it is this that catches the attention of the dashing Captain Swashbuck. They strike a deal. Rose designs a ship that can do what no other has done before--sail to the legendary land of Equestria. In exchange, Swashbuck allows her to sail with him as his boatswain.
Of course, that isn't how things go. Who wants to read a story where everything goes according to plan, after all? No, no... This is an adventure of swashbuckling danger in an epic quest of revenge. It's also the fantastic tale of how one sweet pony comes to be the most feared pirate on the high seas.
This is mostly an OC pony fic, though canon characters are planned for the future. Moderate blood and violence, some sexual suggestion but nothing graphic. Alternative Universe in the obvious ways, and also to ignore certain major canon events, as well as to ignore that IDW comic where the Main 6 play at being pirates with Hoofbeard. Some LGBT themes, though they aren't central to anything. Some gore, but only as much as you would expect in a pirate life. Yar.
Rose Sweetsail was fascinated by ships. She was fascinated by the sea and the inherent freedom that came with sailing it. She was not fascinated by the wild sea tale that the world once had things called 'continents'. After all, how could it? For as long as anypony could remember, the ocean covered most of the known world, leaving only scattered islands to live on. But as the sea tale went, the world had once been far more dry and varied, with lands that stretched as far as the eye could see, and ponies living in every conceivable space. These ponies supposedly had vast cities that made up a kingdom, and it had been called “Equestria.”
Pish posh, Rose thought primly. What a silly thought!
The tale went on to say that a great and terrible beast, ominously named the ‘Beast of the Deep’, wiped this old world away, swallowing it with his oceans in a hungry bid to possess everything with his essence. Supposedly, it was thanks to the brave efforts of six ponies that the ponies of today even had islands to live on. The Beast of the Deep had been denied his complete victory. According to the legend, the villain’s rage manifested itself in powerful storms and rogue waves...because of course it did.
Superstitious nonsense.
It wasn’t that Rose hated sea tales. As stories went, it was an interesting one. But with other sea tales, there was at least some grain of truth in them. But this? There was nothing tying it to reality. It was a legend out of touch with the world, as far as she was concerned.
I wish Swashbuck would see that...but I suppose there’s nothing for it. After all, what’s the worst that could happen?
Swashbuck was a handsome brown stallion that washed onto Overo Island’s shores two years ago, half dead and half mad. None expected him to amount to much of anything, Rose included.
“The sea takes its due of another poor sailor. Aye, that she does,” the local sailors had murmured grimly.
But then Swashbuck regained his strength, nursed back to health by his countless mare admirers. With his health restored, the stallion was swift to repay the island for its kindness, providing his services wherever possible. The older mares nickered that never had they seen such a miraculous turnaround. Rose, like many of the other young mares, found her heart fluttering at the sight of the dashing Swashbuck cantering by, his roguish black mane and sleek powerful body barely exerting itself as he pulled a wagon heavy laden with the latest port shipments to town. On his sculpted flank, his cutie mark showed a tattered flag rippling in the wind, crossed sabers on its face. Flashing on his chest was also a necklace with a bronze medallion.
The town’s opinion of him remained fairly positive as time wore on that first year...that was, until he started his talks of setting out to sea.
By that point, it wasn’t the idea of Swashbuck becoming a captain that was ludicrous. After all, he practically had the town eating out of his hoof. No, the whispers started when Swashbuck revealed just where he wanted to sail to.
“Equestria?” The harbormaster had repeated a year ago, eyes wide and mouth askew.
“Aye, that’s what I said. I want to know of somepony who can design me a ship to get me to the land of Equestria!” Swashbuck said with strained patience.
That fateful day, Rose had been shopping for a present for her mother’s birthday at a nearby jewelry stall. She peered sidelong, one ear turning in the direction of the burgeoning conversation.
“Swashbuck, Equestria doesn’t exist,” the harbormaster explained with exaggerated slowness. “And even if it did, there isn’t a naval architect alive who could draw up a ship that could sail that far! The sea has swallowed any sailor fool enough to try.”
“It can be done,” Swashbuck argued, his ears going flat.
“Haven’t you learned your lesson the first time you were shipwrecked? Give it up, lad! You’re better off finding yourself a nice mare and just settling down.”
The stallion snorted, his eyes narrowed as he turned from the harbormaster and trotted away. When he passed behind Rose at the jewelry stall, the mare took a deep breath and without turning around, she cried out loudly, “I can do it!”
Swashbuck froze, his head whipping this way and that. “Who said that!?”
With a hard swallow, Rose turned around, her head dipping down shyly. “I--I did…”
The stallion approached her slowly, his warm shadow swallowing her whole in the evening sunlight. Up this close, the mare could finally make out what his bronze medallion showed: a long menacing serpent, circling to the center.
His eyes took in her slim, petite body, her rose pink coat that lightened at the legs, her thick midnight blue mane. His gaze traveled from her spiraled unicorn horn, to the green ribbon on her head, to the slim green choker on her neck, and to her curly feminine tail. He craned his neck to the side, gazing without reservation at Rose’s flank. Her cutie mark displayed a ship emerging from a horizon, a rose in bloom on its full milky sail. The mare flushed with heat at his audacity.
Swashbuck straightened and raised a brow, “What makes a pretty lass like you think you can help me? I thought your family only worked with cloth.”
The Sweetsails had worked with cloth since anypony could remember, their primary income coming from the creation of ship sails, though they dabbled in other practical cloth work, such as upholstery. Rose was good with a needle, but it wasn’t her destiny.
Ire straightened Rose’s back as she glared softly up at the stallion. “I’ll have you know my true talent lies in designing ships. I’m only helping my family until such a day that I can finally sail off this island and live my true calling!”
“And what’s that?” Swashbuck asked with a patronizing chortle.
“Sailing. Exploration. Adventure. I was meant to be out at sea, plying my talent, and experiencing life to the fullest!”
The stallion shook his head, already turning away. “I don’t think so.”
Rose’s ire grew to full on insult, and she hurried to cut the pony off, hooves skidding in the dirt as she did so.
Swashbuck blinked at her in surprise, his head reared back as she shrilled up at him with neck stretched, “Now you listen to me, sir. I am just as good, if not better, than any of the boatswains here! I know how to design ships! I know how to maintain them! If you want to convince a shipwright to build a boat for you, you’ll need somepony who knows what they’re doing, and I am that pony!”
Swashbuck chuckled, but it was with exasperation this time. “Er, Miss--sorry, what was your name?”
“Rose. Rose Sweetsail.”
“Listen, my dear Miss Sweetsail. Let’s assume that you actually can do all that you say. There’s one other problem we would have to contend with.”
“Which is?”
“You. What sailor in their right mind would trust the work of such a delicate cloth working filly as yourself? Why, I would be laughed off the island for even suggesting it!”
Rose snorted, lifting her nose high. “Well what does it matter if you are laughed off the island, so long as you are laughed off on my ship? I thought the main point was in sailing away?”
“First of all, it would be my ship. Second, you’re missing my point. I can’t convince--”
“Well you would just have to find a way wouldn’t you?” Rose interjected with narrowed eyes. “Or is your resolve so easily done away with?”
At this Swashbuck’s jaw clenched. “All right,” he bit out. “You design me a ship capable of crossing the world, and I’ll get it built. Now what did you want in exchange for your work?”
“I thought that was obvious! I want to join your crew as your boatswain.”
Swashbuck groaned with a sardonic grin, his eyes slipping shut. “Of course.”
“It’s that or nothing, Mister Swashbuck.”
The stallion gazed down hard at her, his slate gray eyes piercing. The mare shivered, but tried to keep her expression resolute. Inside, however, her heart hammered. This could be it, she thought with great anxiety. This could be my chance at freedom!
After a long pause, Swashbuck heaved out a sigh. “Very well. You may be my boatswain.”
Rose rose up and clopped her hooves gleefully, her eyes sparkling with sudden tears of joy. “You truly mean it?”
He smiled. “Yes, Miss Sweetsail.”
“Hoo-ray!” she cheered, hopping about the stallion like a filly. When she remembered herself, she giggled nervously and tried to resume a more graceful pose. “Ahem... I mean… Thank you very much for this opportunity Mister Swashbuck. I shall start on the designs straight away.”
“See that you do,” Swashbuck said with a grave nod. “I wish to depart as soon as possible.”
Rose started to back away, nodding eagerly. “Of course, of course! As do I!” She turned, ready to hurry home.
“And one more thing!” he cried behind her.
She paused, looking back curiously.
Swashbuck, with a dazzling white smile, winked at her. “From now on, it’s Captain Swashbuck.”
Rose’s knees grew weak and she chuckled awkwardly. “Er, yes. Quite right. Goodbye...my captain.”
As she galloped away, Rose’s face pulled long with horror. Did I just say MY captain? What is the matter with me!?
It wasn’t until later that she realized she had forgotten her mother’s birthday gift that day. She was very sorry for it, and her father was quite displeased. But even this could not stifle her joy.
Freedom! Freedom at last! she had thought rapturously.
Now, one year later, and the ship was finished. When pressed by Rose, Swashbuck admitted that only a small portion of the ship's construction had been funded by his own accounts. Most of it, he had explained, had come from his wealthier mare admirers on the island. Rose disapproved of this form of sponsorship, but she couldn't deny the results. Still, she wondered if even this could possibly have been enough to achieve their goals. There was no way for Rose to check. Swashbuck had ordered most of the needed supplies off-island given Overo's moderate resources. She had even asked her captain if he'd kept a ledger of some sort to keep track of the expenses, but the stallion just laughed her off.
"Why is my boatswain so concerned?" he chuckled, touching her chin with his hoof. "Have faith in your captain!" And with the blood burning her features, Rose could only nod demurely.
It appeared her doubts were for naught anyway. The ship was complete, after all. Their vessel was called The Briny Neighsayer. It was a mighty galleon ship with three great masts, massive stores capable of holding months worth of food and supplies, and enough cannons to defend against the greatest of sea beasts. Galleon ships were not new, but were certainly uncommon. Most ships were no bigger than schooners, as most ponies only ever had to sail to neighboring islands. The Silvershoe Merchants Guild, whom Swashbuck had ordered much of their shipbuilding supplies from, were the only ponies who made regular use of galleon ships. Not even the local militia had one of their own.
The sail date for the Neighsayer had been set for three days from now. Rose savored the looks other ponies gave her--a mixture of bemusement and admiration. No one had expected them to get this far, and yet there sat their ship in the harbor, the most impressive anypony at Overo Island had seen in years.
That evening, Rose was at the far end of the harbor, gazing at her masterpiece. At this hour, the island's mountain cast a long shadow over the piers, cooling the air and giving the space a considerably somber feel. The unicorn closed her eyes and took a breath. Softly, she sang:
Come and go, come and go, Grab a line colts, heave ho! The sea she pulls, the sea she flows Fickle is the love she knows.
Yo ho! reign in that sailor, Yo ho! reign in that sailor, Save him from her salty favor Or lose hooves to her manner
The mare gave a start when a seapony further down the harbor joined her in the last two verses. He was in the rigging of a schooner, and waved a hoof at her.
Smiling, she continued with his shaky baritone complimenting her smooth soprano.
All ye sailors, heave-to, Stamp a hoof and pull true The Lady Salt wants her due. Deny her kiss, and heave-to
Yo ho! reign in that sailor, Yo ho! reign in that sailor, Save him from her salty favor Or lose hooves to her manner
A throat cleared behind her. Rose whipped around with a squeak. Standing there on the pier was Captain Swashbuck. He sat on his haunches, a smirk on his lips as he regarded her with tilted head.
Rose blushed and lowered her gaze. She had convinced herself that she and Swashbuck could never be, not only because she felt plain and unattractive, but also because she reasoned it would be imprudent to strike up a relationship with somepony who was essentially going to be her boss. That didn’t stop her heart from leaping every time she laid eyes on him.
“Rose, have I ever told you that you have the voice of an angel?” he said smoothly.
The unicorn cleared her throat and shook her head. “Um, no. I don’t believe you’ve ever heard me sing before.”
“Well you are lovely at it. It’s a wonder your cutie mark isn’t related to music!”
She pouted at him. “Oh, don’t! It seems every time we meet, you keep trying to suggest I’m meant for something else besides sailing.”
Swashbuck shrugged, his smirk still in place. “I just worry for you, lass.” The stallion stood and slowly drew closer, his eyes turning half-lidded. “Such a sweet, delicate thing like you out at sea with all those ruffians? And for such a long time, at that! Why, should the other seaponies hear your honeyed singing, they might try something…” Swashbuck stopped just scant inches from Rose. “Unscrupulous,” he finished in a murmur.
The mare was shivering, but she resisted stepping back. Willing herself to look the stallion in the eye, she whispered, “You mean to tell me that you would let them?”
Swashbuck chuckled, leaning in to whisper into her ear with hot breath. “Whose to say I wouldn’t be among them?”
That did it. Rose shoved the stallion back, her eyes flaring. “Now see here, Captain! I--”
Swashbuck threw his head back and laughed raucously, cutting her off.
“Peace!” he managed to chuckle out. “Peace, my dear Miss Sweetsail! I was only having fun with you!”
She hmphed and turned away from him, trotting at a brisk pace toward the other end of the harbor. “I do not find it amusing, Captain. What vulgarity!”
Swashbuck followed her, still chortling. “Oh you’ll hear that and worse with these seaponies!” He galloped till he was trotting at her side. “So I would take these next few days to prepare yourself!”
Rose hmphed again, and turned her nose up in the air.
“Er, Rose?”
The mare glanced at Swasbuck sidelong.
The Stallion slowed, a wry grin on his face. “I believe your father is waiting for you at the stairs.”
At this she groaned. Looking, Rose did indeed see her father, Tailor Sweetsail, waiting for her. Her father was sporting a deep scowl.
Rose sighed. There was only one way off the pier, so she had no choice. She had to face her father now. Neither had spoken more than two words to each other in months. Tailor disapproved of her association with Swashbuck, and called their plans, “Foolish.” It stung that he didn’t believe in her, but when she was feeling charitable, she could concede that she was essentially abandoning the family trade. She only wished that her father could understand that cloth work wasn't her calling.
“I think it best if I go the other way,” Swashbuck said with a wink as he backed off. “Don’t forget to meet at The Seadog’s Flagon later!”
Rose nodded at him. “Yes, I will be there, Captain. Good night.”
His gaze lingered on her, his grin shrinking some. “Good night…Miss Sweetsail.” He turned and walked away.
The unicorn swallowed hard, a pit forming in her stomach. She almost hated it when he said her name like that.
Almost.
Rose turned forward again, her eyes resting on her father. With a bracing breath, she approached Tailor, ears turned forward. “Hello, Father,” she greeted reservedly.
“Hello, Daughter,” he returned in kind.
They both gazed at each other in drawn out silence. Tailor was an average-sized stallion with a neatly combed mane and tail, both a similar dark blue to Rose’s. His coat, on the other hoof, was a darker wine red. His unicorn horn was straight and pointed to Rose’s rounded spirals. His cutie mark was that of a needle and thread working through what looked like heavy linen cloth. The Sweetsails had worked with cloth since anypony could remember, their primary income coming from the creation of ship sails, though they dabbled in other practical cloth work, such as upholstery. Tailor took sail work very seriously, devoting much of his time to it, even at the cost of spending time with his family. It was unusual to see him outside of the cloth shop.
With a tilt of his head, Rose’s father murmured, “You’ve been gone a lot these past few days.”
“Yes,” she replied neutrally, though inwardly she braced. This conversation was already looking to head south, fast.
“You know that we have other orders in place. These are very important for our livelihood.”
“Yes, Father, I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy.”
Tailor’s scowl deepened, his emerald eyes darkening. “Busy? What, pray tell, could be more important than the well-being of your family?”
“Oh Father, please don’t!” Rose protested, unable to keep her exasperation restrained. “You know as well as I that I am not needed in the shop. You and Mother are perfectly capable of handling whatever orders that are placed upon you. You also know very well why I am busy!”
“Oh do I?” Tailor said dangerously.
“Yes! After all, I’ve only mentioned it dozens of times that the ship I designed from bow to stern with my hooves is finally setting sail at the end of the week!” Rose snorted. “Ah, but of course. I forget. You’re always working, so you must not have heard.”
“Why can’t you see that you are not meant to sail?” Tailor hissed through bared teeth. “Why do you insist on chasing this silly dream?”
“It is my talent, Father! Look at my cutie mark! You cannot keep denying it!”
“All your cutie mark shows is that your talent lies in making sails. You are the best of us all at that, and we need you at the shop.”
She shook her head. "It is unbelievable how narrow-minded you can be!"
Tailor pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. "The zebra carpenter is late on the couch frame we were to upholster. The least you could do is--"
Rose shook her head, skirting around her father and up the stairs. “I have something I must do, first. I will have to do work for the shop some other time.”
“Rose…”
“I must go!”
“Rose. Rose! Rose Sweetsail, I am talking to you!”
"Goodbye, Father."
"Do not return home until you've seen Isingo at the carpentry shop, you insolent filly, or I shall lock you out! Do you hear!? Rose!"
But the unicorn did not stop. With tears clouding her vision, she marched up the trail that led into town.
I will show you father. I will show you all. I am meant to be at sea, and nothing will stop me, now that I am so close!
In Which a Cannonball Opens a Door, and a Ship Sails Ahead of Schedule
Rose ended up meeting Swashbuck at the tavern, and after a night of interviewing sailors, she was quite ready to retire to bed. First, however, she had to run that errand for her father. Tailor Sweetsail was many things, and merciful was not one of them. He had locked her out of their home before, and he would surely do it again if she failed him.
The unicorn's jaw clenched at the thought of her father. Once, they had been close. She could still remember the warmth of him as he stood behind her as a filly, showing her how to use her unicorn magic to weave a needle and thread through cloth. The split between them had begun early, when she had started sneaking down to the docks at night to watch the sailors working. On the island, she was known as one of the best teleporters, and it was because she had honed her skills popping in and out of hiding spots during her nightly dock visits.
It was on one such visit that Rose had discovered Tailor had also slipped away to the docks, but not to watch the sailors and the ships, as she had.
It was to meet with his secret lover. She was a young mare that Rose had seen around town.
Confused by what she was seeing, the filly had emerged from her hiding place behind some shipping crates, her eyes wide and her body trembling.
"Father?" she had called.
The look he gave her... Pure shock. Then anger. As if it were somehow her fault he had gone there to philander with strange mares.
Tailor took her straight home after that. There, he beat her flank with a switch until her skin bled and her screaming had reached a fever pitch. Rose's mother stood off in a corner, bewildered at the savage punishment.
Over and over, she asked, "Tailor? Tailor, my love, what are you doing? Stop! Stop!" But she did not intervene. Rose didn't really blame her mother. The stallion had been beside himself that day.
Since then, all Rose could think of was escaping. Her obsession with the ships grew. She lost herself to studying them, asking about them, drawing them. When her cutie mark appeared, her destiny seemed clear. She was to design a ship that could take her away from everything.
These days, Rose was fairly certain that Tailor was no longer going behind her mother's back. Still, she could not stifle the resentment that rose in her when he spoke of loyalty and commitment to family. Never had either pony spoken a word of what had been witnessed that night out loud, but it stood between them like a thick wall.
Rose sighed wearily as she approached the carpentry shop, its position at the corner of a crossroads in the heart of town. The business did not appear active, which worried the unicorn at first, but when she neared, she spied a warm light emanating from further inside. That meant somepony was there.
I hope it's Isingo, she thought as she tried the door. Open. She pushed her way inside.
The shop smelled of freshly cut wood and wood stain. The L-shaped sales counter blocked off customers from the work stations behind it. Each station held a wooden work-in-progress. All the carpenter ponies were absent except for one, near the center of the shop floor.
Isingo was a tall zebra with small beaded braids in his dark mane and tail. A gold earring flashed on his flicking left ear, catching the light of his lantern as he craned his neck inside of what looked to be the couch frame Rose's father was waiting for. On his flank was a cutie mark displaying a shadow of what was two crossed hammers. The unicorn had seen the zebra about the town before, but they had never formally met. She had always thought him an interesting character, but he was reserved and always looked dreadfully serious. From what she heard, as far as zebras went, Isingo was a bit of an eccentric.
Rose stepped through the flap gate in the middle of the sales counter. "Pardon me. Isingo, was it? My name is Rose. A pleasure to meet you! My father, Tailor Sweetsail, sent me to check on the progress of the couch frame."
The zebra did not look up as she drew closer. Distractedly, he murmured in his lyrical accent, "Progress is a tricky thing, when deadlines become challenging. The frame is not cooperating. The pony who ordered this complicated piece, wished it with a wood that splinters instead of keeps. Unburden my hooves, and give your father what he wants? Or keep my honor as a carpenter, and see to it a solution be sought? Tell me sweet Rose, what would you have me do? Finish my work, or pass the buck onto you?"
Rose batted her eyes, nonplussed at the zebra's odd form of speech.
At her silence, the zebra sighed and pulled his head out of the frame. When he straightened, Rose took an involuntary step back. Even when stooped over, the carpenter was tall, but at his full height he struck an intimidating figure. His long, slim, exotic face was an expressionless mask, and the soft lantern light played illusions with his striped features. His cerulean eyes held hers with intensity...and something else. Rose couldn't put her hoof on it.
"Apologies," Isingo said softly. "I do not mean to overwhelm. It is a traditional form of speaking amongst my people, though I'm hardly bound by it. Sometimes, in the late hour, I forget that other ponies find it disorienting."
The mare shook her head earnestly. "Oh no! Don't apologize. It only took me a moment to catch up with your meaning. It's a lovely way of speaking."
Isingo gave the faintest of nods. "Tell your father I'll need one more day. By then, the couch frame will be ready for your family's good work."
Rose cleared her throat and started backing toward the door. "Er... Well, thank you for the information. I'll let father know you're doing your best. Good night!"
Another small nod.
When they started to leave, Isingo cleared his throat. "Rose Sweetsail. Is yours not the mind The Briny Neighsayer sailed from? The work was exquisite, I should know. I worked on it some."
Rose looked at the zebra in surprise. "Oh! You participated in the ship building?"
"I came to Overo in the summer heat, penniless and with nothing to eat. No one would hire a zebra they were too scared to meet. Thanks to you, this challenge I was able to beat."
The unicorn offered a smile. "Really? How wonderful! I'm glad my designs led to such a positive end for you."
The zebra lowered his gaze. "It is for this reason that I feel I should say, I fear for you Sweetsail. Be wary on your sailing day."
The mare laughed uneasily. "I'm sure I'll be fine." She turned and started for the exit. "Now I really must be going. Goodbye!"
Except she didn't reach the door, for a startling blast rocked through it, ripping apart the door frame and the surrounding wall. Glass shards and wood splinters pelted Rose, who screamed in shock. Isingo leapt forward, grabbing Rose around the neck and forcing her down. He covered her head with his hoof.
"Shhh!" he hissed.
Rose stared at the floor, her body shivering hard. There was a ringing silence, punctuated only occasionally by the crack of hot wood and sprinkling debris.
Then another blast came.
It was somewhere nearby, and out of sight. Isingo stood, his head whipping this way and that as he surveyed the street through the windows.
"Wh-What do you see?" she whimpered, daring to lift her head just high enough to peek over a work station.
"Nothing," he said with a scowl.
Rose mustered up her courage and rose to her hooves. Looking out the windows, she saw this was true. They couldn't even see where the other blast had occurred.
Isingo went to investigate the rubble near what used to be the shop entrance. The sea wind howled in through the opening, whistling mournfully. After a moment, the zebra knelt down, his lips pursing.
"It's cannon fire," he announced grimly.
"Cannon fire?" Rose said with a bewildered look. She trotted closer, looking at where the zebra was. She gasped.
Nestled into the guts of what used to be the front counter was a heavy cast-iron cannonball.
Rose drew back, her eyes batting. "But the only ship capable of firing on the town like this would be..." Her face drew long in horror. "Oh. Oh it simply cannot be!"
"Miss Sweetsail?" Isingo reached a hoof out to her, but the mare shot out the ruined shop entrance at a full gallop, her mane flying behind her. "Rose! Wait!"
Her mind became hyperactive, trying desperately to come up with some reasonable explanation that could assure her that The Briny Neighsayer was still docked at the harbor. Even with the town being fired upon, she and Swashbuck could salvage whatever was left and return to sailing shape in no time. But if somepony was stealing it...?
Rose pushed herself even harder, her teeth bared as she exerted herself like never before.
Behind her, she could hear somepony's hooves hitting the cobblestone road hard. In the next instant, Isingo appeared beside her, panting heavily. Their eyes met a moment, but neither said a word. Rose wasn't entirely certain why the zebra would concern himself with joining her, but she didn't have time to question it. Her ship was in danger.
As they ran, the chaos blossomed around them. Ponies, roused by the cannon blasts, emerged from their homes. Some appeared merely confused, not fully cognizant of the damage that had taken place elsewhere. But then they passed a house whose roof had collapsed and somehow caught fire. A mare stood outside of it, covered in plaster, soot, and splattered blood. She screamed through gut-punching sobs that her husband was dead.
Rose slowed, conflicted by the tragic scene, but Isingo bumped her side, urging her to keep running. Surprised, she followed him after just another moment of hesitation.
"We cannot stop," Isingo grunted at her. "That was only the first volley. More will come."
And they did come. There was a distant thunder, and soon following it an ominous whistling. Seconds later, the same thing happened again. Buildings were torn apart. One cannon ball even clipped a building and struck a street lantern, knocking it across the street just as Isingo ducked to the side, plaster pelting his body.
"Are you all right?" Rose shrilled. The zebra gave a sharp nod.
When they made it to the harbor, the harbormaster could be seen shouting and cursing outside of his office. Guard ponies and sailors yelled, dashing to and fro in a frenzy. Some hopped onto a handful of sloops and schooners that were pulling out of the harbor.
It was no use.
At the end of the piers, like a great sinking void, The Briny Neighsayer was not at the place it should be. It was in the bay and turned broadside.
Rose stared, eyes wide and teary, as the ship she had designed to fend off sea beasts instead fired upon the innocent people of Overo Island. The moonlight struck its full sails, brightening them eerily. The thieves didn't light the deck--why would they, after all? It would only make it easier for the island fort and the pursuing ships to fire on them. As she thought this, she hung her head. The ponies going after the galleon ship were brave, but it was a futile effort. They couldn't hope to bring down the menacing vessel.
But Rose frowned, gathering herself for a gallop down one of the piers. Distantly, she registered that Isingo was still following behind her.
Those sailors and guard ponies... I need to tell them to turn back. I can't just sit idly by and watch the ship I helped create destroy them and my home! Her jaw clenched. I might even be able to reach the ship... Could I sabotage it in some way? Make it dead in the water?
Glancing as a sloop passed her, the unicorn's horn glowed green, and with an emerald flash, she teleported to it. The sailor steering the vessel let out a whinny of surprise. Rose turned to him and shouted, "Turn back! That ship has over a hundred guns! You don't stand a chance of fighting it!"
The pony blinked at her. "Fight it? Filly, I'm running!"
Rose blinked at him. "Oh. Well... Good!"
"Rose! What are you doing? We must find shelter!" Isingo shouted from the pier.
The mare ignored him. All that mattered was getting to her ship. Somehow, someway, it would just be okay if she could just get her hooves on the Neighsayer. After that? Details.
Looking ahead, Rose focused on another sloop that had pulled out before the boat she was on. She focused on it, and with a flash she was there. Again, she cried out the same warning to the sailor aboard. Sweat beaded on the unicorns head as she looked ahead to a schooner and did the same. She had never done so many teleportations in a row before, and the effort took its toll on Rose. After the fourth teleport, her head felt as though it were being cleaved in half. Her vision tunneled and her breath came in rough gasps.
Her latest ship was a schooner, and she was near the foremast. The ship was close enough to the Neighsayer that she thought she could make out faces, but with her vision wavering, she wasn't certain who she was seeing. Looking at the bridge, all she could make out was that a dark pony seemed to be in charge. Galloping toward the bow, Rose dodged a number of surprised seaponies, before her legs struck onto something low and hairy. With a yell, she toppled head over hooves, her face scraping painfully along the deck before she flipped onto her back. Groaning, she saw a pony with a very hairy head look down at her, his broad face tightened in a scowl.
"Oy! Now what's this all about? Where did you come from, lass?" he asked roughly.
Rose wasn't sure if it was that she had struck her head, or perhaps the deck was poorly lit, but she thought the pony was awfully close to her face for having his neck lifted back. When she rolled over to stare at the sailor, she realized why.
The pony was only three feet tall. He was all black and remarkably hairy, his coat very thick and wild. His mane was long and wavy, and his chin even had a wiry beard.
"Hey! I asked you a question, little thing!" the dwarf said with flattened ears. "We don't need a filly getting underfoot with all this going on!"
Little thing? Getting underfoot? He must be joking! I tripped over him!
Other seaponies--of a regular height--came forward, their expressions menacing.
Rose backed up on her hind legs, front hooves held up. "Everypony, please! I only wish to warn you--that ship has you outgunned! You have no hope of fighting it!"
"And what should we do then?" A sailor barked as the ponies closed in a little more. "Let those pirates destroy our home?"
Rose opened her mouth to say something when she realized it was pointless. These ponies were set on fighting back, to the death if necessary. That left her with just one task she could act on.
Turning, the mare galloped toward the bow. Behind her, the sailors gave chase. With practiced deftness, Rose was halfway up the bowspirit before hugging her front legs around the wooden spar. Her trips down to the docks as a filly involved a great deal of up-close investigating, including climbing the rigging when she could.
Ignoring the growing protests of the crew behind her, Rose tried to get a look at the one steering The Briny Neighsayer at the bridge.
Who is that at the wheel? Rose scooted further up the bowspirit, straining her eyes.
As the zippy schooner closed in on the galleon ship, the mare craned her head higher. Is that...? Her eyes widened.
Swashbuck. The brown stallion was barking orders at his crew, the very crew she had helped him to hire.
Without thinking, Rose pushed herself up higher with one hoof, her hind legs straddling the bowspirit.
"Swashbuck!" she screamed. "Swashbuck, what are you doing!?
And for a breathless moment, the captain's head turned her way. He had one hoof raised, his chest expanding as he took a deep breath. Rose waved at him frantically. "SWASHBUCK!"
Then the stallion brought his hoof down in a hard drop, a single word tearing up his throat.
Rose's heart stopped, her pupils dilating as comprehension struck. Swashbuck hadn't seen her. Or perhaps he had. Either way, he'd just ordered for the Neighsayer to fire its cannons.
With terrifying thunder and lethal flashes, the side of the Neighsayer lit up as they rained cannonfire on the smaller ship. Rose screamed and shielded her head as the tip of the bowspirit she clung to was blasted off, raining debris over her quivering body. Simultaneously, she felt a cannon whiz by her, rustling her thick mane.
"Mare's tits!" she heard a pony cry out in a panic behind her.
Rose dared to look back and was surprised to see the dwarf pony hanging onto the bowspirit by his hooves and wrists, his short stubby hind legs struggling to lift up.
"Hold on!" The unicorn shouted, turning carefully on the bowspirit as the ship rocked and sent sea spray into her face.
When she was fully turned, she slid along her belly until she could reach a hoof out. The dwarf donned a bewildered look to see the mare trying to save him, but he reached out to her all the same. Rose held her breath, her vision still fuzzy at the edges, and the salt water in her eyes did not help. Glancing up, she could see the schooner was in a bad way. The foremast was cracked, and there were ponies prone and bleeding onto the wet deck as the remaining sailors worked in a frenzy.
From the Neighsayer, Rose could hear the barking cries of the villainous crew. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest.
When I designed that ship, even I couldn't have possibly imagined how quickly it was capable of firing! Blast!
As she thought this, the dwarf managed to hook wrists with her. But when she tried to pull him up, she moaned.
"You're too heavy!" she shouted.
The dwarf's amber eyes held her gaze, and a silent understanding passed between them.
I won't be able to lift him in time. If we stay here when the ship fires again, surely we'll die.
Terrified, Rose did the only thing she could think of.
She lifted her head, looked at the The Briny Neighsayer, and teleported.
Flash.
The mare collapsed onto the deck, too weak to even cry out, her head hurt her so. When she tried to open her eyes, her vision was blurry and doubled. Still, she could just make out a set of dark hooves approaching her.
"Well, well... Look who decided to drop in." She didn't recognize the voice.
Rose tried to push herself up, but the speaker slammed a hoof into her back, forcing her down.
"Oh no, no, lass. I think I like you right there."
"Let her go, Inky," she heard Swashbuck say.
Inky dug his hoof in, making Rose whimper. "But cap'n!"
"Now."
A moment later, Inky's hoof lifted, and Rose lurched to her feet, stumbling back into the railing as the natural motion of the ship sent her careening that way. Panting anxiously, Rose tried to focus her gaze, but the teleportations had taken too much out of her. Her vision wouldn't clear.
She didn't need it to see that Swashbuck was approaching her now. She must have teleported to the bridge.
"Hello, Rose," he said, smirking at her in what appeared to be amusement.
"Don't you touch that filly!" Roared the dwarf pony.
Rose's head snapped in his direction, where he'd landed near her. She had intended for the pony to teleport with her, but somehow she was still surprised she had managed it. "You're all right!" she exclaimed with relief.
The dwarf slid in front of her. She stared down at his hairy head, uncertain of what to make of this situation. She didn't even know the seapony's name, and he was defending her?
The captain stopped before the little pony, his gray eyes winked with mirth. "How brave."
Then in a blur, Swashbuck swatted the dwarf aside, his eyes flashing with an eerie energy. Rose was stunned. Did the stallion just use magic? But he's an earth pony! How could--?
Swashbuck looked at her, his smirk morphing into a more somber smile. Somewhere in the periphery, Rose was aware of the dwarf pony being collected by the sailors on the bridge.
"You shouldn't have come, Rose. What did you expect to do?" Swashbuck murmured to her.
"You're leaving me," she breathed out in a whine. She reached up a hoof. "Swashbuck, how could you do this? After all I've done, how could you betray me? And the town! Please, oh please stop firing on them!"
"I have no choice," Swashbuck said coldly, his eyes narrowing.
She frowned, shaking her head unsteadily. "I... I don't understand."
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry, lass. I tried to bring you in, but... He didn't want you."
"Swashbuck--?"
The stallion turned away from her. "Throw her overboard and cut the dwarf's throat."
Rose stumbled after him just as two seaponies came forward to block her. "Swashbuck, please!"
"For your sake, I hope you drown, Rose," he said over his shoulder.
The mare's face fell as the sailors grabbed her about the front legs and dragged her backwards. She turned her head and saw the dwarf pony kicking and whinnying angrily against the two seaponies that held his legs. A third sailor approached him, a knife in his teeth.
Rose squeezed her eyes shut, screaming as she conjured up her magic. The pain was excruciating, and she could feel blood trickle from her nose. Opening one eye, she could see the green aura from her horn light up the faces of the sailors dragging her.
I have one chance at this... she thought weakly.
She focused on the dwarf pony. When an aura surrounded him, Rose wrenched her head back, willing the pony into the air. She heard him scream, and a moment later a splash could be heard.
The unicorn went limp, her face becoming cold and tingly.
"Blimey! She sent that dwarf into the drink!" a sailor exclaimed.
She heard Swashbuck laugh. "Well, well! My delicate Miss Sweetsail still has some tricks in her saddlebags! Too bad you didn't use it for yourself, lass."
Rose strained to focus her eyes again, but all she could make were vague shapes in her dark and rippling vision.
Then she heard the stallion yell, "Well what are you idiots waiting for? Send this wench over!"
Rose didn't fight as the sailors pushed her up and over the railing. She watched as the figure she suspected to be Swashbuck wheeled out of her view, replaced by the starry sky. When she entered the water's chilly embrace, she could see the cannon ports flash with smoke and fire yet again, the sound resounding even underwater. This was the last thing she saw before she passed out.
----------=====+++++=====----------
The unicorn coughed up water, gasping as air filled her starved lungs. She was on sand. Her eyes batted open, and they stung with salt water. Hovering over her was Isingo, his coat and mane dripping wet. This time, his stoic mask was cracked. His eyes were wide and his brow furrowed, a relieved huff leaving his open mouth. Over him, the sky was lightening to a warmer shade.
A moment later, the dwarf pony appeared over her, his face twisted with anxiety. "Och! Lass, I thought you were a goner!"
She rubbed at her eyes with her wrists. "Where... Where am I?" she rasped.
"You nearly drowned," Isingo explained in a calm voice. His stoic mask had returned. "Fergus brought you to a piece of floating debris. When you floated close to shore, I helped you both back to land."
"You didn't help that much," the dwarf muttered.
Isingo ignored him. "I then breathed air into your lungs."
She looked at the dwarf. "You're Fergus, then?"
"Aye. And you're Rose Sweetsail, right? That was your ship that sailed off, wasn't it?"
Rose sat up with a wince. They were on the shore just south of the docks. Looking out at the water, she could see the sun rising from the horizon...and The Briny Neighsayer was nowhere in sight.
"It's gone," she intoned.
Fergus nudged Rose, causing her to glance at him. He was looking at something behind her. "Er... That might be the less pressing of your problems at the moment, lass."
She frowned and turned to see a small, but imposing team of guard ponies marching their way. Leading them was the town's guard commander, Rightful Halberd. The commander was an austere looking pony with a white mane cropped short, and a stark blue body. On his shoulders were shiny metal shoulder guards that matched his broad chest plate. The latter was fixed with a harness, where over his back, his namesake weapon was strapped. His cutie mark was of a halberd and shield, circled by white stars.
Batting his dark green eyes, Rightful glared down at Rose, who was so stunned she couldn't bring herself to stand.
"Are you Rose Sweetsail, designer of the galleon ship The Briny Neighsayer, and close associate of the so-called 'Captain' Swashbuck?"
She stared at him. "I... I am Rose Sweetsail, and I did design that galleon ship, but--"
Rightful's eyes narrowed. "Seize her." He turned a sharp eye on Isingo and Fergus as well. "And take the others into custody as well."
"Oy, what did we do?" Fergus protested with a glare.
"At best, you two are material witnesses to a crime. At worst, you are accomplices. Until we sort that out, I'm afraid you will just have to cooperate."
"Or what?" Fergus snarled, planting his hooves wide.
"Or face the consequences of insubordination, dwarf," was the icy reply.
"And what do you want with me, then?" Rose shrilled as a guard pony forced her up to her hooves.
The guard commander cast her a hateful look. "You are under arrest for a great many things, Miss Sweetsail. Among them: fraud, theft, and piracy."
"P-Piracy?" Rose squeaked as she was hauled away. "But I'm not a pirate!"
Her cry went unanswered. As the guards hauled her away, she repeated this until she was almost screaming.
"I'm not a pirate! I'm not a pirate!"
In Which Irons Are Clapped, Loyalties Solidified, and Revenge Is Vowed
Rose, Fergus, and Isingo were taken to the jail west of town. All along the way, they witnessed the aftermath of last night's madness. The unicorn stared, agog, at the destruction of Overo. When she and Isingo had first run through the town, it was only during the first attacks, and at the time they hadn't stopped to look at things. The destruction looked much worse in the daylight. Countless buildings had been blasted to rubble. Fires could still be seen burning to the north of the island, where the town's single fort had been. All around them, they heard the mournful cries of ponies who had lost loved ones. For those not blinded by their grief, the sight of Rose and the others being escorted by guards earned wrathful stares. Perhaps some knew of her involvement in the building of the Neighsayer. Maybe the guards and shackles just made them look guilty.
One stallion even fought to reach Rose, his teeth gnashing. The guards had to hold him at bay, and the mare stared at him, eyes filling with tears.
"You harlot!" the pony screamed. "You and your crew killed my foal! They'll hang you! Dirty pirate wench!"
"I'm not a pirate..." Rose whispered, her tears slipping unchecked down her face.
When they arrived at the jail, she was chained to a wall and left in a dirty little cell in the front room. The chains prevented her from putting her hooves to the floor.
"Everything is made from cold iron," Rightful informed her brusquely. "So don't bother trying your magic, pirate."
Isingo was placed in the cell next to Rose's, and was also chained. The dwarf, meanwhile, was separated and escorted away. The unicorn pulled at her bindings, straining to see where Fergus went. The small pony cast a look at her over his hairy shoulders before he was led through the back entryway and out of sight.
The mare's ears drooped and she allowed herself to sit on her haunches. The iron shackles bit into her wrists in this position, but standing was no better. In the corner was a dirty bucket that smelled horrendous. A guard pony sat facing the cell, his face like stone.
"Rose."
The mare turned to see Isingo looking at her. His frosty eyes held hers, "It could not be possible, nay it could not, that you were a part of that dastardly plot. The chaos had already started long before you entered the shop."
The unicorn smiled weakly at him. "Thank you, Isingo."
Much time passed. Rose guessed nearly two hours, but she couldn't be certain as the cell room lacked a clock. Her head ached, though it was nothing like what she had felt last night. There was much shouting and yelling from the back rooms, some quite scary, but she didn't understand what any of it meant. By this point, the unicorns front legs were feeling pins and needles, her wrists aching painfully. Somewhere in her ribs, she suspected a nasty piece of splintered wood had embedded itself during last night's blasts.
Finally, Fergus was trotted out. Rose perked up at the sight of him, but he only shook her head at her as if to discourage any speaking. His lip was cut and swollen, and he walked with a small limp.
"Stay strong," he mouthed.
Rose stared after him in alarm. Stay strong? Stay strong for what?
The guard pony who escorted Fergus returned for Isingo and took him through the back entryway. Rose's stomach flipped when she realized she was now alone.
Where is my father and mother? Are they okay? she wondered anxiously.
Some time later and the mare's forelegs were numb. Exhaustion made her sag, her eyes burning. Would she have to fall asleep like this? Just as the question entered her mind, Isingo emerged, escorted by one guard pony. The unicorn felt a heavy foreboding to see that he was sporting a swollen eye, his chest cut and crusted with blood. The zebra paused and looked at Rose in her cell, his face tightening but betraying no clear emotion.
The guard pony nudged him. "Come on, zebra! You're done here!"
The zebra turned to fix the guard with a cutting stare. "I would like a word with her."
Rose could see the guard debating inwardly whether or not he'd like to get into an altercation with the formidable zebra. His body tensed. Then with a snort, he looked away.
"Two minutes," he snapped.
Isingo returned his gaze to Rose, a great sigh escaping him.
"Isingo," she whispered, shivering. "What... What did they do to you?"
"Nevermind that." He stepped closer, his head dropping lower so that they were at eye level. "Time is short. I set aside custom to tell you... Stay strong. I fear the guards, despite my evidence to the contrary, will be all too happy to present the townsfolk a scapegoat."
"S-Stay strong? Why would I need to--"
"The island is under martial law, Rose. There is no one to judge you. All Rightful needs is a signed confession and--"
The guard pony shoved Isingo back. "That's enough! Or I'll have you back in a cell for conspiracy!"
Isingo clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes at the pony, but the zebra turned and left without looking back. Rose watched him go, her chest seizing.
Martial law? If Overo Island is under martial law then that means... Will I not get a fair trial?
Rightful appeared from the back entryway. He walked slowly to Rose's cell, his hooves hitting the floor heavily. With pursed lips, he turned to the guard pony on duty.
"All right. Let's get started."
----------=====+++++=====----------
Rose awoke in a small room with no windows. Her body was matted with sweat and dirt. She was shackled in cold iron to a wooden table, with her hooves stretched and spread-eagled. As her vision cleared, Rightful stepped into her view. His eyes were merciless as he beheld her broken form.
"Will you sign your confession, now? Or shall we add another hour to this ugly business?" he asked coldly.
Rose panted, and shook her head. "No..." she whispered hoarsely. Her words were thick and lisping, her tongue swollen and her gums throbbing with blisters. Speech was painful, and she could only manage broken phrases before it became too much to bear. "I'm innocent!"
"Innocent?" Rightful spat. "You designed that ship for that pirate devil, Swashbuck, then swindled the good merchants who supplied you the materials needed to build the blasted thing!" He stomped to a table where he grabbed a stack of papers with his mouth, only to return and fling them in her face. "Materials on credit, signed with your name!"
The unicorn stifled a sob, her head turning side to side. "I...did not know!"
"Pardon me if I don't take you at your word. Perhaps we should try the boiling water again? But with sugar this time?"
Rose's head snapped up, her heart racing as she strained against her bonds. "Why would...I allow myself...to be left behind...to take all...the blame!?" she forced out, wincing as her throat struggled to work. Her voice sounded different. Broken and phlegmy. Was it really only a few hours ago that she had been standing on a pier, singing a sea shanty in anticipation of her freedom?
"Swashbuck lied to me!" she managed to say next.
Rightful scoffed. "You pirates betray each other at every opportunity. No doubt, Swashbuck thought it best to distract us with you. But he's angered the Silvershoe Merchants now. They're after him as we speak."
"Then why...do you...need me?"
Rightful Halberd jumped up onto the table, much to Rose's surprise. Casually, he planted hooves on either side of her head. She turned her face away, shivering as he leaned down to her face. "Witnesses saw you with Swashbuck at the The Seadog's Flagon shortly before the attacks began," he breathed. "During the attacks, you threatened other ponies who were trying to save their families, then joined Swashbuck on his ship. It's common knowledge of the...closeness of your partnership." He bent his legs to lean in closer, his lips tickling her cheek. Rose whimpered. "Frankly? I couldn't care less if you knew what would happen or not. You designed that evil ship. You let Swashbuck use you. Now my town lays in ruins, and the townsfolk yearn for closure."
The stallion pulled back, flicking Rose's chin with his hoof. "And you, my wretched mare, are it."
Hopping off the table, Rightful walked away. Looking back, he said, "We will back, and when we do, I guarantee you, signing the confession will be all but impossible to resist. Especially after we add the sugar. Do you know what sugar does when melted over flesh wounds?" He tsked, the faintest hints of a sadistic smile crossing his lips.
With a jerk of the commander's head, the guard pony next to the door opened it, and the two ponies left, locking the door behind them.
Left alone, Rose broke down into painful sobs. Her entire body hurt. She felt bruises forming on just about every body part she could name, but the beatings hadn't been the worst of it. No, it was when they'd put some kind of hellish device on her head that forced her mouth open.
They had poured boiling water down her throat.
Now the guard commander was promising to do it again? But worse?
I must sign, she thought listlessly. I must, if only to end this hell...
Rose rested her head back, eyes slipping shut.
----------=====+++++=====----------
She may have passed out. She couldn't tell. The frequency of her losing time within the last day was disconcerting to say the least. Perhaps it all had been a dream? If so, Rose wondered if that hoof tapping her face was her mother trying to rouse her out of bed.
She opened her mouth to say, Mother, leave me alone! but all that came out was a painful croak. Gasping at the pain in her throat, Rose opened her eyes with great effort.
Fergus' bearded muzzle was near her face, his eyes wide. "Lass! Wake up, come on!"
"Fergus?" she rasped.
He smiled at her shakily. "Aye!"
"Did... Did they bring the sugar?" she sobbed pitifully.
He frowned at her. "What? Sugar? No, Rose. I don't know what you mean." He started to lift her up in a sitting position. "Listen, we have all of a minute to get out of here. Isingo is keeping watch, but we must hurry!"
Rose didn't argue. Fighting to her hooves, the dwarf draped her in a hooded black cloak and allowed her to support herself on his withers. Together they hurried toward the door.
Down a hallway and back through the entryway from before, and they were once again in the main front room. The pony that had been posted guard was knocked out and chained in one of the cells. Isingo stood watch at the entrance, peeking through a crack in the open door. When he heard them approaching, he looked up.
Isingo sighed heavily at the sight of Rose limping along. Gesturing behind him, he murmured, "Riots have broken out. There are looters everywhere, and the guards are distracted. Nopony will see us if we keep to ourselves."
Rose nodded weakly.
Together, the trio left the jail. Apparently an entire day had passed, as it was once again night out. It was utter chaos in the streets. So much was going on that none noticed their passing. The mare watched, doleful, as her home was reduced to anarchy. At one point, she saw a mare was trapped in her home as hooligans jeered at her, throwing liquor and flaming rags at the building. Elsewhere, two stallions fought over what looked like a tipped over basket of dirty turnips.
"What caused...this?" Rose rasped.
Fergus and Isingo exchanged looks. It was the dwarf who answered.
"Most of the island's food stores were destroyed," Fergus said grimly. "With more than half the schooners in the harbor sunk, and the others too damaged to carry word to neighboring islands, we're looking at a severe food shortage with no quick end. Add on to that how many ponies are homeless now and...well, it tain't good, lass."
"The martial law doesn't help," Isingo murmured darkly.
Fergus nodded. "Aye, no it doesn't."
The dwarf started to turn east, toward the harbor, but Rose halted. Curious, her companions looked at her as she pointed the other way. "My family. I wish...to check."
Another exchanged look between the two equines. The mare could feel her stomach tighten.
Fergus licked his lips as he ran a hoof through his wild mane. "Er...lass, I think this is something we ought to talk about when you're somewhere safe."
Breathing became a little more difficult, and the unicorn could feel her heart quicken. "What do...you mean? What happened...to my family? Are they... Are they alive?"
Isingo shot a glare at Fergus, who shrugged apologetically. With a snort, the zebra said to Rose, "They are alive, Rose Sweetsail. But you will not find them home."
"Why?"
He took a moment to answer, his lips thinning. Then he said, "Because Rightful Halberd seized all of their assets. I believe they are awaiting a chance to leave the island with the other refugees."
Rose gasped, her chin quivering.
My... My family is homeless? Penniless?
B-Because of me?
Rose felt her knees give out. Fergus grunted as he supported her, and Isingo hurried closer to help. With the two equines working together, the unicorn was carried, and they continued on their way.
----------=====+++++=====----------
It turned out the hiding place they had arranged for her was in the cellar of The Seadog's Flagon, the tavern that she had last met Swashbuck at before he betrayed her. Fergus was fairly good friends with the establishment's owner. Three-Eyed Buck was an older stallion with a shaved mane and short-cropped tail. His cutie mark displayed two flagon's overflowing with cider. Rose was familiar with Buck, and he had always been kind to her, but she didn't understand why he was going out of his way to help.
In fact, she didn't understand why Fergus or Isingo were helping her either.
I nearly got Fergus killed, so why is he doing this? And Isingo? The only real connection we have is that he worked on the Neighsayer during its construction, but I've only really known him formally for...how long? A day? Fergus, too! If the guards catch them with me, they'll be hanged for sure. It just doesn't make any sense.
Rose curled up on the cot Buck had prepared for her, shivering under her blanket. Overhead, she could hear the others talking about their next move. The unicorn couldn't even think that far. Fat tears leaked from her eyes as she thought of her mother being cast out on the street, denied even the right to pack a bag of clothes.
My parents must know of what I'm being accused of now. I wish I knew where they were so that... So that I could... she shook her head and sobbed. Oh, what am I saying? Father would chase me off. I'm a terrible daughter! What could I do now but croak at them like a frog?
The self-pity carried on for much of the day. The rest of the time, Rose just slept fitfully. Buck and Fergus managed to coax her to drink something cold and herbal to help with her mouth and throat pain. She managed a few sips, but refused the rest. Isingo sat with her through the night.
----------=====+++++=====----------
Rose was floating over dark waters, the sky above her churning in electric turmoil. The wind buffeted her, whipping her tail and mane in a frenzied dance. She felt immaterial, but more than that, she felt...hopeless. Weaved in with the howling gales was a long haunting cry. It sounded deep and vast, like a never-ending hunger. A tear leaked out from the corner of the unicorn's eye as a long serpentine shadow streaked over her.
----------=====+++++=====----------
Rose sat up with a gasp, sweat drenching her body. In the dark of the cellar, she could see Isingo's white stripes stir from where he sat on the floor.
"Rose?" he murmured.
The mare sighed and lay back down carefully. "Bad dream," she rasped.
At Isingo's lack of response, the pony looked at the zebra nervously. "Isingo?"
"Yes?"
"Why... Why are you here?"
"Because you are in need."
She huffed. "No, I--I meant--" She coughed, wincing.
Isingo stood to his hooves and drew closer. "Sweet Rose, save your energy. Come dawn, a healer will have your remedy."
Rose glared up at him, feeling angry for reasons she didn't entirely comprehend. "Why?" she hissed, pulling away from the zebra. She spoke slowly because speech was still agonizing. "Why do you...help me? We hardly...know each other!"
I'm cursed. I must be. Better that this fool see it than end up dead on my account!
The zebra frowned down at her. "I have already stated my reasons for helping. Would Miss Sweetsail rather I leave her like nothing?"
The unicorn maintained her glare for just a moment longer before it melted into one of regret. She turned her head in shame. "I am sorry, Isingo. I just...do not understand. You are...putting yourself...at risk...to help me. I just wonder...what you...are getting...out of it? After all...why else would...?" Her voice trailed off.
Isingo can't really expect me to believe he's doing this as an act of charity. This world is too wicked. It would make more sense that there is some kind of reward for him somehow.
Isingo snorted, his ears turning flat. "How sad. That an attempt at kindness would be seen as bad!"
Her ears drooped. Is it possible that I have gravely misunderstood?
The zebra's expression softened at her pitiful look. With a grunt, he sat on his haunches. "Very well, I shall tell you, Rose," he said flatly.
Isingo looked up, his pierced ear flicking absently. "It was before the work on the Neighsayer began. I was starving, and hopeless, without a solid plan. Then one day, while I sat hungry on the streets, who should appear, but you Rose, with sweets. You handed out muffins to the poor and besieged, apologizing profusely for the overuse of poppy seeds. You had baked with your mother that morn, and the surplus you wrapped up, sharing the leftovers with the forlorn. Later, when your partnership with Swashbuck was struck, I petitioned for work, but was out of luck. Your captain refused me, and called me a waif. You rebuked him, and changed his mind that day. In giving me a chance, others did too, and soon I found work as a carpenter true."
His eyes turned half-lidded. "These acts of kindness touched me deeply. And so, I came to...admire you. Secretly."
Rose blushed hard. "M-My goodness! I don't...I don't even--"
"Remember?" Isingo smiled wryly. "Yes, I know."
The mare stared at him, not even certain of how to respond.
When he says he admires me. Does he mean...?
"If it causes you discomfort, I will leave. Fergus can keep watch over you," Isingo said, his stoic mask resettling.
Rose thought about it seriously. I was wrong. I feel his words are sincere. How terrible that my grief and frustration nearly chased him away! She squeezed her eyes shut as she ground her teeth. All those days and he never once spoke to me... I hate that things are only coming to light now. What fool of a filly I was, letting myself get caught up by Swashbuck!
Heaving a breath, she settled back down, her eyes opening again to rest on Isingo's. "No," she said after some time. "Please stay."
He nodded. She held his frosty gaze for a while longer before the exhaustion overcame her again, and she let sleep take her.
----------=====+++++=====----------
Just as Isingo had promised, the healer had come. She was a yellow mare with amethyst eyes and mane. Her cutie mark displayed three hearts, one red, one blue, one green. She looked very nervous to be down in the cellar, jumping at every sound. Fergus, Isingo, and Three-Eyed Buck were there to watch.
The healer pony pointed a hoof at Buck and said sharply, "This makes us even, Three-Eyed!"
"Yes, yes," the tavern owner replied impatiently. "Now get on with it!" He glanced up at the cellar door, where above guard ponies could be heard shouting from the streets.
The yellow pony growled and stepped up to Rose's cot, her eyes narrowed.
"I'm a healer," she hissed. "That doesn't mean I like healing a pirate like you."
Rose didn't respond, her eyes batting sleepily at the pony. She had been roused from her rest for this particular event, and was only just gathering what was happening.
The healer sighed, her head hanging. When she looked at Rose again, it was with a professional mask. "I'm about to cast a spell that will heal the burns in your throat...but it will not be pleasant. It's essentially a time spell for the flesh, speeding up the natural healing process." Her eyes narrowed. "The dead skin will slough off, and it will not be pleasant. It will also hurt. There is nothing I can do about that. I suggest you make every effort to cough up the old flesh, or you may become stomach sick. Do you understand?"
Rose nodded, her eyes now wide. She was looking forward to the pain in her mouth and throat leaving her, but this sounded no more pleasant than when the guards had first poured the boiling water.
The yellow pony stepped back. "Then sit up." She looked back at the others. "Will two ponies hold her front legs? No doubt, she'll need help staying upright."
Isingo and Fergus stepped forward. The healer pony looked at Buck next.
"Bring a big bucket," she instructed the tavern owner with a grimace.
----------=====+++++=====----------
The healer had not been lying. The spell was horrible. Rose would have screamed if she hadn't been gagging on the old flesh and thick mucus her body was producing. She tried to cough up what she could, but her throat was healing so fast that she couldn't keep up. She swallowed some, and soon after felt very ill. She wasn't sure if she should be grateful that she was able to throw it all back up, or dismayed.
When the nasty spell was done, the other ponies allowed Rose to collapse back onto her cot. The healer pony left in a hurry, telling Buck heatedly, "You and me are through!"
"Sure, just remember to keep your mouth shut," he jeered back.
When the yellow pony had left the cellar, Fergus patted Rose's cheek. "Are you feeling better, lass?"
Rose smacked her tongue. When this felt normal, she did a small swallow. She smiled at the dwarf and nodded weakly.
"Yes," she said. But...something about her voice was wrong. It was deeper, and still raspy. The unicorn frowned and put a hoof to her throat. Tentatively, she asked, "Do I sound different to anypony else?"
The others reactions varied. Isingo only gave a short nod. Three-Eyed Buck coughed and shrugged, though his expression was uncomfortable. Fergus tried for an awkward laugh.
"Ha! If only those damned guards could hear you! You sound like a real pirate now!" he chortled.
She looked at him, aghast.
Isingo covered his face with a hoof as Fergus' laughter died.
"Er, that is--I didn't mean--" he fumbled.
Three-Eyed Buck came forward, putting a hoof on the dwarf's shoulder. "Best to quit while you're behind, mate."
Rose kicked off her blanket and sat up, her eyes brimming with angry tears. "Blast it! How did I get here? I'm hiding in a cellar like a rat, vomiting up wasted flesh with my voice turned out---all while my family have been cast out of their home! Swashbuck is sailing away on my ship, and yet Rightful Halberd is more than happy to serve me up to the townsfolk to skewer!" She slid to the edge of the bed and stomped a hoof on the floor, her eyes flashing. "Damn them all!"
Fergus glanced up nervously. "Keep it down, Rose. This place tain't exactly soundproof!"
Rose cast a livid stare on him. "If you fear for your safety, then you'd best be off then! Nothing is holding you here, Fergus!"
The dwarf's chest puffed up and he glared up at her. "Now hold on, Rose Sweetsail! You saved my life, twice, and I am prepared to repay that debt, whatever the cost! But I will not bother myself if you'll not appreciate it!"
The two ponies beheld each other, almost as though they were in a silent contest of will.
Rose made the first move. She nodded. "Very well, Fergus. If that is your wish. I do appreciate it. Immensely." She smiled, but it was stiff, like her features were still quite keen on maintaining their furious scowl.
Fergus eased off, his nostrils flaring as he exhaled hard. "Good. Because this seapony has yet to leave a debt unpaid!"
The smile already gone from Rose's face, she looked at them all. "I am branded a pirate," she said grimly. "I am wanted by the guards for being a filly stupid enough to trust a stallion with her destiny. That is my true crime. Everything else...it is lies and exaggerations. But because I am an easy target, my family has been rendered with nothing, and you, my...my friends, have been forced to hide." She pushed herself to stand on all hooves, her teeth baring as she stomped the floor. "There is no clearing my name! Rightful revealed to me that he doesn't care about the circumstances of that night. Under his rule, Overo Island is devoid of its fairness... So I say, horseapples with fairness!"
"Hear, hear!" Fergus said, stamping his hooves.
"They call me a pirate? Fine. I am a pirate. But this pirate is going to get off this island, find Swashbuck, and take back her ship, or I shall cut my cutie mark off and fling it into the sea!" Her voice had turned almost gravelly in its anger, the ferocity in it indeed sounding like that of a pirate's.
And so, I am transformed... she thought darkly.
Rose looked into each of their faces. "I don't expect anypony to follow me. Perhaps I'll fail before I can even achieve anything. But I have nothing left in my life now. My reputation is tarnished. Soon the other islands will hear of me, and I am no longer welcome at Overo. I have nothing but this. Nothing but my revenge."
"How will you get off the island?" Buck asked critically. "The guards have taken control of whatever ships that have been repaired by now!"
Rose raised a brow. "What else does a pirate do when they lack a ship? They commandeer one!"
"And Rightful Halberd?"
The unicorn's lip curled. "If given the chance, I'd feed him his damned sugar!"
Buck shook his head, incredulous. "Where would you go? Even if you managed to steal a schooner, you can't go after The Briny Neighsayer with it!"
"There's a cove I know of," Fergus piped up. Rose looked at him with ears pricked. He had an eager smile on his face. "It's a pirate haven. Stolen ships are sometimes sold there. You might find yourself a nice brig and a crew to go with it!"
"This is mad..." Buck said, shaking his head. "I'll have no part of it!"
Isingo frowned at the tavern owner. "Surely you'll let us stay in the cellar until we can act? On that, we can at least make a pact."
Buck snorted. "Aye. I suppose. It's not like I haven't already put my neck on the line for this mare." He turned and started to climb the ladder back up to his tavern. "But don't include me in your plans! I draw the line at that!"
When the old stallion was gone, Rose looked at the other equines with a wrinkled brow. "Are you two sure? Even trying to get off the island could get you both killed!"
Isingo and Fergus gave her dry looks.
The dwarf sat on his haunches and cocked his head to the side. "Lass. We've gone this far with you. Why in the great blue deep would we turn back now?"
She smiled, her eyes misting with tears. Her chest filled with warmth and affection at their loyalty. "Thank you," she murmured.
"I do wonder, though," Isingo ventured quietly. "What do you wish to do, should we catch up to Swashbuck and the Neighsayer?"
Rose's expression darkened. With ears turned flat, she looked up, where the light of the tavern filtered through the floorboards. "After taking back my ship, I'll show Swashbuck the same kindness he afforded me." She smiled humorlessly, a touch of mania in her eyes. "I'll throw him into the sea, and hope he drowns."
