Caleb’s heart raced as he fought his instinct to flee.

He hadn’t felt this way since encountering the Swallower of Ships. Or the dragon hidden aboard the Taipan. Or the time the undead pirate Halton Vayne had grabbed his wrist.

In any case, he’d see it through, as he always did. He steeled his resolve and prepared to do what must be done.

Doc Harper, looking as pretty and proper as ever, spoke in a clear and firm voice.

“And in conclusion: Will you both swear, upon the oceans of Lir and the rivers of Danu, to be honest, faithful, and loving to each other for the rest of your days?”

Sienna looked over to him, her beautifully coiffed gold-brown hair flashing in the sun. Her expression was blissful and utterly calm, as if she’d expected this moment all her life.

Caleb spoke as one with her, uttering the words that would link them forever.

“We so swear, Lir and Danu be our witnesses.”

Harper O’Breen beamed. “Then as one of the crafters who works to bind flesh, wood, or steel, I pronounce you bound together as one before the Gods of Avalon.”

A roar rose from the assembled Arrenmar, Roshannon, and Brethren Pirates. As per Avalonian custom, Caleb and Sienna turned to face the crowd as they applauded their approval. Tavia let out a delighted neigh, while next to her, Shaw made an approving roar. Daffodil, perched high above everyone else in the rafters, clapped her forepaws enthusiastically.

Though he tried to ignore it, Caleb couldn’t help but read the latest update that popped up in his Quest Window.

New Expert Adventurer's-Level Quest:

Gain the heart of Sienna Sheahan, complete the ceremony of marriage, and be a loyal, loving husband to her. STATUS: ONGOING.

Lir and Danu’s Helpful Hints:

1. Congratulations on fulfilling the first two requirements of this quest. The final one, alas, is the longest, most difficult requirement, but also the most fulfilling one.

2. We highly recommend you keep things harmonious with your newlywed spouse. Confrontation may lead to violence and/or death. It is still recommended that one avoids these things whenever possible.

Harper’s mother, the elderly Evie O’Breen, burst into tears, as did the equally aged Noack Miley. So did Ferris Pender, who for the first time in a long while, was left completely speechless. Donal looked happy as ever for his sister, though his less-than-covert glances in Harper’s direction hinted that the doctor might not be single for much longer.

Livia Martin did her best to shush little Caleb, who started crying as everyone continued to make more noise than he liked. The crowd had done their best to fit within the confines of the smithy that had employed Quaid MacMorrow, though little more than the support beams and the roof had been replaced so far. Rumor had it that Livia had used Quaid’s portion of pirate gold to purchase the smithy outright. Whether true or not, she’d already attracted the cautious attention of multiple suitors.

The newlywed couple stepped down from the ceremonial platform and waded into the crowd, accepting congratulations and shaking hands. Most of Caleb’s crew bore a mark from the last fight, some more serious than others. Aiden and Ethan, the two boys who’d stood lookout duty aboard the Spitfire, had come through with only bumps and bruises. Decklan Patrick on the other hand had to limp forward on crutches to extend a hand.

The Murray brothers were a bit more downcast when they gave their congratulations. Their eldest, Rory, had taken a pair of pistol shots to the chest upon boarding the Stone Angel. A heroic death, but one that had reduced the triplets from three to two.

Finally, the Pirate Lords of Boruta made their presence known. The Pirate King stood before the couple, his arm still bound in a sling. Flanking him were the stern-looking Constance Nance and the tattooed form of Kenzo Otachi.

“My congratulations to the newlyweds,” Zeddicus said expansively. “Your service to the Brethren has been without measure. For this reason, we have decided to bestow two gifts upon you.”

The Pirate King snapped his fingers. The slender form of Dasher Sartori emerged from one side. He brought out a small handheld chest, which he opened before giving to Sienna. She gasped as she took out a necklace of fiery opals.

She turned to Caleb, a silent question on her lips. He nodded and took the necklace from her trembling hands. Then used the golden clasp at the back to secure it in place from where it hung, flashing with the colors of the rainbow, from the base of her neck.

“It’s so…beautiful seems an understatement!” Sienna gasped. “Thank you, Commodore!”

Zeddicus bowed at the compliment. He then signaled to Sartori a second time. The haberdasher beamed as he brought out a brand-new, triple-plumed pirate hat. This one was pure black, with a gold brim and a set of three purple plumes.

Caleb removed his old hat, which had been stained by saltwater, charred by gunpowder, and shorn of one plume by Delacroix’s sword. But while Sartori took the old hat, he handed over the new tricorn to the Pirate King instead. Caleb looked up in surprise.

“Captain Ledger,” Zeddicus intoned, “For your invaluable service to the Brethren as a wizard, a pirate captain, and as a Master of Monsters, I offer you a place at our table. Join us as the newest Pirate Lord of Boruta.”

Right then, a new screen popped up in Caleb’s Quest Window. Zeddicus watched the movements of Caleb’s eyes with a knowing look, and gave him time to read the display.

New Epic-Level Achievement: You have been offered the position of a Borutan Pirate Lord. Accepting this achievement will give you the following advantages:

1) Free repairs in Boruta Port’s shipyards (currently under reconstruction)

2) Free claim to any prizes or derelicts taken along or in the major oceans of Avalon.

3) Free drinks at the Mermaid Tears for the Pirate Lord and his or her major officers.

4) At least one share of treasure in any major plundering adventure taken on with at least one faction of the Pirate Lords.

5) A share in the protection of the island of Boruta, as well as gaining the protection of the other Lords in return.

6) A major say in the governance of the island of Boruta.

7) Self-governance of the pirates who’ve sworn loyalty to your faction

8) 75% bonus in any dealing with Borutan-based pirates, Borutan-aligned nations, or any faction favorable in some way to the Pirate Kingdom.

WILL YOU ACCEPT THE OFFER TO BECOME

ONE OF THE BORUTAN PIRATE LORDS?

YES / NO

That’s a pretty good deal, any which way you look at it, Caleb considered. Yet my priorities have shifted a bit since that last battle. Is there a way I can shift this towards what I want?

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

He let out a breath. He could do no worse than to try.

“Commodore,” Caleb said, “I’m inclined to accept. Yet I’d like to ask if I can claim a special position amongst the Pirate Lords.”

Zeddicus raised an eyebrow, while Nance and Otachi traded a surprised glance.

“Go on, we’re open to a little palaver,” said the Pirate King.

“I may be the Pirate Wizard and the Master of Monsters, but I’d like to add a title: the Defender of Boruta.” Caleb went on before any of the pirates could object. “You see, while I and my crew have gotten rich off plunder, it was never the end goal for us. The Arrenmar and Roshannon accepted my command in exchange for finding them a home, and I think we’ve found one.”

Zeddicus let out a laugh at that. “Very well, this is unexpected. Go on.”

“Boruta’s a big island. It’s secure against the Myrkur, now that they’ve been annihilated. And it just so happens that there’s a vacant village about a day’s sail north of here, by Grayson Ridge. I want to claim that place, the surrounding fields and forests, as well as its sea-inlet, as a new town for my crew, and any who wish to settle there peacefully. We’ll keep watch over the island and protect her if anyone decides to look in while you’re out pirating.”

The Pirate King threw a look over his shoulder at the two remaining Lords.

“Aye, that’s a fair piece,” Nance said.

“Having the Master of Monsters watching our base port? That’s a bargain and a half!” Otachi chuckled.

“And I like the idea as well,” Zeddicus concluded.

Caleb touched the YES entry on the screen before him as Commodore Zeddicus raised his voice once more.

“As the Pirate King of Boruta and the founder of the Borutan Brethren, I hereby declare Captain Caleb Ledger as our newest Pirate Lord, the Defender of Boruta!”

A huge swell of applause ran through those assembled. Zeddicus placed the new tri-plumed hat atop Caleb’s head. It fit as if it belonged there the whole time. One more message blinked into existence as he looked around, buoyed up by feelings of triumph and gratitude.

Congratulations, Soul Traveler! You have added a new entry to your Class heading. You are now an extremely rare quad-classed adventurer, with a new set of enhanced skills!

Class: Wizard / Corsair / Duelist / Faction Founder

Faction Founder Specific Specialties: Enhanced Loyalty, Town Builder

“All right, everyone!” Zeddicus roared. “Enough with the ceremony, onto the drinking! The damned cultists never got around to burning down the Mermaid’s Tears, so the rum’s on me tonight!”

To Caleb’s complete lack of surprise, the cheers for the free booze were even louder than those congratulating his marriage.

Or his ascension to Pirate Lord.

Most everyone spent the remainder of the evening taking full advantage of the free rum that night. Many wanted to celebrate their joy at surviving the battle for Boruta Island. Others wanted to forget that they’d lost more than a few comrades that day.

Caleb wouldn’t forget the crew he lost in the battle. But he set their memories and those of Alejandra Vega aside for just a moment. He and Sienna spent a blissful, rum-drunk honeymoon night together in Zeddicus’ penthouse cabana atop the Mermaid.

The next several weeks were spent in a flurry of activity. Boruta Port ended up being rebuilt in record time, though the place ended up looking odder and more colorful than before. Mostly, this was due to the building material used. Expeditions were launched by the townspeople to reclaim the still-usable timbers from the Brethren and Myrkur wrecks that dotted the harbor.

Caleb arranged for several shiploads of timber to be shipped north up the coast. While Boruta Port busied itself with repairs, brand new foundations for docks and houses sprang up along the seashore at the base of Grayson Ridge.

Grimshaw and Tavia asked for and received the tower set high upon the ridge itself. The unicorn mare loved the dark, quiet forest that draped the slopes, while her griffin mate had his substitute aerie to fly from. Scarcely a day went by without those below spotting Shaw as the drake circled above, riding the thermals in long, lazy circles.

The Infidus was repaired, and it turned out that her merchant-sized hull was especially useful. She became a sort of armed delivery service, bringing up yet more supplies of whatever that the growing community needed. With everything paid for and hauled up from Boruta Port, from cut lumber to planting seeds to fishing nets, Caleb’s community settled into place in record time.

The town became a haven for a specific kind of pirate. Ones who’d finished their adventuring but were still willing to defend their homes with sword and rifle. A couple dozen were quickly vetted and blended with the community, more than making up for the losses fighting the Myrkur. Women looking for a quieter life than Boruta Port offered also arrived, which meant that Doc Harper was kept busy tying matrimonial knots for a while.

The original, abandoned fishing village below Grayson Ridge had never really been called anything. So their new locale was soon renamed Rosharren by Sienna, and the name stuck. Mostly. To Caleb’s amusement, those living in Boruta Port called it Monster Town.

Summer arrived, hot and steamy. On one particularly fine warm day, he finished the last repairs made to his house’s roof. He climbed down the ladder, where Daffodil met up and held up a bottle of rum.

“Well, that’s a nice gift!” he said. “What’s the occasion?”

“I just wanted to say thank you,” the little dragon said. “For fixing the roof. And letting me have the loft, too. I’ve never had my own room before!”

“So long as you can stand the sound of Sienna and I snoring below,” Caleb joked. “You’re welcome to stay with us as long as you like.”

“Yippie!” Daffodil did a little dance, her tail wagging enthusiastically. “I’ve got another fewmet on the way too, so I can even pay you rent!”

“That’s not necessary, Daffodil, but it’s welcome. That way I can always make sure I have some well-polished silver for you to munch on. By the way, where’s Sienna?”

“She’s down at the market, they just set up some new stalls to sell vegetables. She’s got something special in mind for dinner tonight.”

Caleb hefted the bottle in his hand and considered. He’d earned a little relaxation.

“All right, the house is yours for now. Let Sienna know that I’ll be back shortly, okay?”

The little dragon straightened up and gave him her best version of an Avalonian salute.

“Yezzir, Captain!”

Grinning, Caleb left the house and decided to make his way down to the beach. In a few minutes, he’d found a secluded spot off the path, hidden amongst a cluster of palm trees. He settled down at the base of a coconut palm, kicked off his boots, and dug his feet into the sun-warmed sand.

A pop of a cork, a swig from the bottle, and he settled back to look over the small but bustling harborside below.

To his surprise, Breena emerged from the surf, a cigar-shaped baitfish held firmly in her mouth. The calico-colored splashcat spotted Caleb and padded on over. She consumed the fish in four bites, then settled down in the warm sand next to him to groom herself.

“Looks like someone else I know is happy right now, isn’t she?” Caleb leaned over to stroke the splashcat’s still-drying fur. A satisfied purr rumbled up from Breena as she did so.

He looked back out over the water. The Infidus had been anchored by the harbor mouth, her cannon rolled back but still ready to go into action. An unlikely event, but it felt good to know that the ship was there if needed.

Higher up, the clouds had broken up into layers that let the sun in. Shaw circled between those clouds, soaring on his giant eagle’s wings. It made Caleb feel even better to know that his friends were still close at hand.

Two of the clouds drew his notice. If he squinted, he could just imagine that he saw a kindly, bearded man and a woman with a long dress and longer white hair. Perhaps it was Lir and Danu checking up on his progress. He idly flicked a finger to see the last screen that had popped up in his Quest Window since helping Sienna found Rosharren Town.

New Expert Adventurer's-Level Quest:

Provide leadership as a key founder of your own settlement as a semi-retired Pirate Lord and Defender of Boruta. Potential Sub-quest: Be a responsible father figure for your children. STATUS: ONGOING.

Yeah, that’s going to be one quest that’s going to take some time. A lifetime’s worth.

He had another swig of rum and felt the sweet, dull warmth from the drink blossom within. He thought for a bit about what Danu had tried to teach him. About what Alejandra Vega had said to him, in her last moments.

“You know,” Caleb remarked to Breena, “I really did listen to what Goddess Danu told me. And what my former girlfriend told me. I didn’t let the evil in my past define me. I’ve made my own way. Made my own life. Maybe, just maybe, I’ve even made my own story. What do you think?”

A cultured, mature woman’s voice answered him.

“Yes, quite. It took a phenomenal amount of effort to become a multi-classed adventurer of your caliber. You deserve the plaudits that you have received thus far.”

Caleb sat up and looked around. He didn’t see anyone standing amongst the palms. Then he looked over to Breena. The calico kitty got up and regarded him with her shamrock-green eyes.

“Furthermore,” she said, “I predict that your partnership with the Brethren of Boruta shall produce a unique dynamic, one that to outsiders will appear quite flawed, but it shall come to benefit both parties far beyond any conventional paradigm.”

Caleb stared for a moment.

“Did…did you just…”

Breena rolled over on her back and clawed at him playfully.

“Miaow!” she exclaimed, before scampering back off into the surf.

Caleb got up, considered for a moment, then shook his head.

Why I am even surprised anymore, he laughed to himself. The world of Avalon is many things, but boring isn’t one of them. And who knows? Perhaps I’m part of this world’s story now, too.

With that, Caleb held up the bottle he’d brought along and brushed the sand off the glass. At that moment, he recalled the first pirate-related tune he’d ever heard, back on Earth.

He dredged the words up from his childhood memories, then sang a single stanza.

Fifteen men on a dead man's chest

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

Drink and the devil had done for the rest

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

A smile blossomed on Caleb’s face. He laughed, then continued humming the melody as he headed up the path to rejoin his wife for dinner.

THE END