I wanted to release this a little earlier, but then I suddenly realised I know absolutely nothing of sailing.

So, after some extensive research on square sail sailing, I'm here.

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

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Swing open the door to the cargo hold, showing a rather plain room. With only a few boxes and barrels scattered around.

What interests me however, is what’s in the locked chest in the centre of the room.

Even from here, I can feel a terrible aura pulsing from within.

This isn’t the first dark relic I’ve come across, but it is certainly the strongest. Making those I’ve previously found seem more like petty trinkets.

However, that is exactly what purpose I intend for it. Too easily could this be used for greed and slaughter.

All I have to do is get it to the docks and it’ll be off to a new home. Nothing but a fascination in a collector’s vault.

I hear footsteps steadily approach, the wood creaking as they near me.

Taking a glance backwards, I see Hestia walking up besides me. With her usual grim expression plastered across her face.

Though I’ve known her long enough to interpret that as being content. She can’t be mad all the time, right?

She stops besides me, offering a grunt as a greeting.

“Was a pain to get that thing. We lost 8 of our crew doing it too.”

I give a solemn nod and respond in a soft tone.

“It’ll be worth it Hestia.

We’re getting 5 platinum Denars when we drop this thing off.”

“Bah! I jus’ don’t like the feel of this thing. Damn well gunna curse the ship with this thing on-board.”

Actually, some curses would be pretty cool.

Captain Jones! Forever cursed t’ sail the sea on ‘is unsinkable ship!

As I exit my delirious fantasy I realise Hestia is scowling at me.

Perhaps it’s because I’m grinning like an idiot. I should probably fix that.

The she-orc narrows her eyes and spits a question at me.

“Capt’n, is there somethin’ wrong with you. Y’ get that stupid look on ye’ face all the time out of nowhere.

Y’ need to be careful or else you’ll end up in a madhouse.”

After hearing that I can’t help but chuckle. Sure she’s definitely not joking, but I can’t help picturing me locked up with a butch of insane folk, muttering about how ol’ Davey Jones was suppose to be getting a curse from a evil crown…

I’m sent another piercing glare, that knocks me out of another of my daydreams.

“Y’know Hestia, sometimes I think you ought to lighten up.

A bit of humour is sure to brighten your day!”

My enthusiastic comment is immediately met with a deep scoff.

After a small pause, Hestia uncharacteristically is the one to break the silence.

“The Roldium Kingdom is goin’ to be pissed at y’ from now on. But I think y’ know that already.”

I maintain my jovial atmosphere, and walk out of the room. Briefly turning to respond.

“Well, I’m sure they can find something else for their power grabbing scheme.

Their king was an arsehole anyway.”

I walk past the scarce number of crew that are still eating and make my way above deck, taking in a deep breath of the fresh salty breeze.

With a few hours of sunlight left, I’ll read a little more before I get some sleep.

I move into my cabin, pick up the half read novel and lie down in bed.

I only get through a page before I hear someone shout.

“Sail ho! Starboard side!”

I guess I better check this out. Though, as we get closer to port, we’re going to be seeing more and more ships.

Likely being either a patrol ship or someone transporting goods.

I walk across the room and root around in a box, eventually finding my spyglass.

Moving out onto the deck, I lean against the starboard railing and extend the spyglass.

Looking at the ship, I can’t quite tell what flag it’s flying.

But the ship itself looks no bigger than a Caravel.

A patrol ship perhaps, though this is too far out a sea for it to be from a city.

So, it could be a part of a military escort, but for whom?

I retract my spyglass and move up to the helmsman, an aging muscly sailor called Kyron.

As I approach, he gave a brief nod before redirecting his attention to the ocean ahead of him.

“Kyron, continue tacking unwind until I say otherwise.

This ship likely is an escort for a merchant ship or something.”

“Aye captain.” He responds without hesitation.

And so I leave him to his business, taking out my spyglass and scanning the horizon for any sign of other ships.

One thing is for sure, the ship is vaguely heading in our direction.

Not straight towards us, but not too far off.

If it continues getting closer, I’ll finally be able to make out what flag it’s flying.

We continue on course for the maritime city of Yaris.

Rather than approach us as it looked to be doing earlier, the unidentified ship instead circled around us. Maintaining the same distance.

I hear our cabin boy, the young son of Garven the gluttonous dwarf, shout out a question.

“Hey! Why are they going around us?

Wouldn’t it just be quicker to pass us? Are they worried about us crashing?”

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Seeing that the rest of the crew ignore his question, I speak up.

“It’s probably because they don’t know if we’re pirates, or some other type of unsavoury folk.”

The stubby child’s face flashes with realisation, and he runs off to some other part of the ship.

It is the runt’s first voyage at sea with his father, since he’s normally on land with his mother. So he has been asking a mind-numbing amount of questions.

As I continue looking out from our starboard side, the spotter in the crows nest calls out.

“Sail ho, port side!”

I turn and run to the other end of the ship.

Another ship, the same size as the other and at the same distance.

By now, they have passed us and are beginning to circle behind us.

Hestia walks up besides me, wearing a scowl even nastier than usual.

“I don’t like t’ look of this capt’n, feels like we’re bein’ herded.”

I pause in thought for a second before responding.

“That, my fair maiden, is because we are being herded. And this most certainly is trap.” I make sure to add a light grin in a vain attempt to lighten the orc’s mood. I fail.

The helms man shouts out from behind me.

“Captain, do you want me to change our heading?”

I can’t help but laugh at the poor man.

“Nonono!

I’m afraid those two ships are too far behind us for us to turn around.

We continue onwards! Lets hope this trap isn’t a disappointment!”

A majority of the crew let out a groan, with some swearing and kicking random pieces of the ship.

In fact, the only one who looks even remotely happy is Hestia. Who now has the look she gets before she gets all stabby.

In an attempt to raise moral, I call out.

“Besides! Our destination is in front of us!

Now crew! Will we let these bilge rats have their way with us!?!” Some members of the crew give a hearty cheer.

Only some, but it’s an improvement I guess. I’ll take this as a personal victory anyway.

Ignoring the ships at our sides, I move to the bow of the ship and spy upon the horizon.

The dwarven child runs up to me, barraging me with yet another question.

“Captain, so is the reason they are staying away because THEY are the pirates?!?”

I give a grunt as response, not taking my attention from the endless blue before me.

“Why aren’t they attacking now? There are two after all, which is more than us. Since we just have one ship!

If they are going behind us, does that mean there are more pirates ahead of us?

Don’t worry captain, those cretin  shan’t get the best of us!

They’d need a whole fleet to have even the slightest chance!”

I ignore the little dwarf’s monologue, and soon his father drags the shrimp below deck, who still continued talking all the while.

He better be taking him down further than one deck, otherwise I’ll be hearing him ask me things from under my feet again.

“Captain! Can I get to fire one of the cannons at the pirates!

My father said no, but you’re his boss, so you can let me right!?!

Please, I’ll be the most deadly ship killer you have! I’ll  try extra hard and will even wait for your order to fire!”

Goddamn it Garvin.

Just as I was about to go down and gag to midget, I finally spot the ships waiting for us.

Three of them.

Judging by the size, they sure as hell aren’t some petty sea thieves.

“Right! Listen up!

Ahead of us are three men-of-war, I want everyone prepared to quickly come about and fight to the death if necessary.  

And Garvin, get your damn kid somewhere out of the way!”

I rush across the deck and weave between the scrambling crew, heading straight into my cabin.

Walking to the corner of the room containing my belongings, get my sabre and flintlock pistol. Taking a moment to find my black powder flask and lead shot bag.

I quickly load my flintlock pistol and walk back out into the open, receiving the stares of my crew who are waiting for their orders.

The helmsman respectfully steps aside as I take the wheel.

I take in a deep breath of the salty air.

“Clue up the mainsail and brail up the spanker!

Prepare to gybe!!!”

Most of the crew are already in position and rapidly carry out my order, taking up the two sails.

I begin the turn the ship’s wheel, making us slowly start to turn away from the wind.

As I do this, the crew gather around the main sail braces, waiting for my command.

Finally I call out.

“Brace and lift aft!” And a little later. “Brace up aft!”

The ships rigging creaks violently as the ship swing around away from the wind, completing our 180 degree turn.

We pick up speed hugely, putting a huge strain on our sails as we travel downwind. Towards the two smaller ship that circled behind us.

“Set the mainsail and haul out the spanker!”

The main sail is dropped, immediately catching the wind and speeding us over the waves faster than any cheap ship could manage.

It isn't called 'Swift Wind' for nothing.

“Alright crew, we have to get through these two caravels!

Make sure you're ready for combat, because there’ll be plenty of blood today!”