Between Corks 'n Anchors - Erickar Avery

[lum]

The letter he had sent would arrive about a month later at a particular tavern in the South, and it was put in a sealed envelop with only a name on it written in a hasty yet not sloppy manner.

- Matthew Craig -

Inside, the letter was actually a small scrap of paper, as if the writer didn’t had had the time to come up with something better. The ‘letter’ featured crowded, sloped writing, the text cramped on the tiny page, the characters close and narrow, and a date was in the top right corner.


Matthew,

I be nay sure if ya remember me but I’m the one ya once fished up from the ocean, and the one ya dropped deeper into eastern territories than a beaked whale would dive into dizzying depths jist to get laid. I suppose ya didn’ expect to hear anything from me ever again, but guess what, I be still fecking alive, though maybe nay fer long. As ya can notice I nay had enough paper to expand on things, neither did I be havin time fer it, but I could use some help disappearing again, preferably somewhat more in the ‘outbacks’ in the South. Mi ship will sail out on the same day this letter was sent, yet I’ll be doing a few necessary detours and hope to arrive at the small landing beach west of the Serpent Bay over two months. Hope ye’re still alive so I git a chance to pay ya back. I already have collected enough sins, foes and years, and I nay be needing numerous debts on top!

In the last part the message featured ascending lines, the final one going straight uphill.

PS: I be bringing someone.
Ric

[lum]

A few tendays later their ship arrived at an island that couldn’t have been more than three or four miles wide and across, and for a change the endless turquoise ocean was replaced by a seemingly impenetrable scene of vegetation. The bay where the small harbor was nestling amidst soft golden sand glistening in the sunlight, was ridiculously beautiful. The greater waves were significantly cut in force and height by colorful coral reefs, and behind the small, primitive settlement, huddling into the exuberant verdure rich with colorful flowers and exotic trees, they could perceive huge and majestic waterfalls further inland, their water being broken on a massive three-step staircase of rocks into a mist of fine droplets that fell down like soft white silk. A few enormous mountains loomed behind, their heads wreathed in clouds.

With my mouth still slightly ajar I placed one foot out from the wooden boat. And when my other foot followed, my feet decided to sink deeper in the wet sand. It was as if I couldn’t blink ever since this island had come into sight. I was totally awestruck by a sight so marvellous and relaxing that even my worst thoughts disappeared in no time. Around us the shimmering blue water sparkled in the presence of the later afternoon sunlight, and my heart was immediately at peace by the sound of the tiny crashing waves down at our feet. I looked a moment at Rosabel, witnessed her eyes widening as the gentle breeze played in her hair and sent fine wisps of dark hair across her cheeks.

It was by looking at her beauty amidst of all... this beauty, a huge moment of deja-vu came crashing down on me, the sight of her in this wonderful setting and her scent reviving the moments we had spent together on a similar island so long ago. Fragments of memories showered down on me, making me feel weightless as I found true fascination by the way how my whole body was conscious of that shape of hers, and by how she slowly peered up at me, blushing. I guess she too recalled the time when the last rays of the sun illuminated our warm, naked bodies.
Then, my heart sank to the bottom of my feet as another thought came crashing down on me...


Crap… we’ll only be staying here for one fec-kin’ night…


With a slight grin on his face like he was experiencing some inside joke, the former sailor-assassin motioned her along, and instead of heading towards the small settlement he chose for a path leading away from it, albeit not too far. A small semi open hut sitting between the beach and some single trunked palm trees would be their spot for the night. A number of mats were leaning against the side and Ric went inside to lay some of them on the ground as well as hanging a few between a pair poles.



For too long, she had been alone. It was easy letting Ric take charge and he did have contacts that she did not have. But he was also keeping secrets. Had it been her anxiety driving him, he would have shown a degree of caution. But this level of planning, the circular routes, the numerous changes of boats,... no, the rogue… her rogue was keeping secrets. He has had his own reasons for running. But then how could she judge him when she was keeping a few secrets of her own.

This island that would be their refuge for the night was beautiful. The scent of the sea combining with that of the foliage and sun-warmed sand was a feast for the senses. The sun was warm against her skin, skin that had not felt the kiss of such warmth for a long time. The clothing she wore was not her own, instead it was a mixture of flamboyance and practicality. Breeches hugged her shapely legs, the boots coming up past her knees. The shirt, what there was of it, was richly colored in crimson. His smile when he had tossed those garments at her revealed how he remembered her love for bright colors. Colors that she had avoided for so long...

[lum]

She started gathering driftwood while remembering those days so long ago, when the ex-pirate next to her introduced her to romance, pleasure, and love. The days were always warm, but the nights could grow quite chilled. She knew he would create them a shelter of sorts. It would not be the luxury that she hungered for, but it would be a damn sight better than many nights she had spent… alone. The hut was therefore a more than pleasant surprise.

Her eyes kept drifting towards him, seeing the sun glinting in his hair, turning the strands burnished brown. There were worse fates than to be stuck alone for a night in a such a place with a man like her rogue. And where did that possessive “her rogue” just come from? She glanced down at the ring that was now on her finger. Could they return to where they once were? To loving and trusting each other, without doubts? And did she have to worry every little detail to death? Why couldn’t she just enjoy one night? Especially when they really did not know how many more would follow.

So, she tugged off her boots and buried her toes in the warm sand, her eyes drinking in the sight of the only man who had ever touched her soul.


Ric made sure there was food for the night, skillfully catching a few crabs between the rocks. Without haste, and as if to give her a good looking, he had stripped off his shirt in the sun and hard and flat muscles forged by swordplay and crawling the rigging were at a display. At some point he stood on one leg to pull off his boot, and even from a distance his balance seemed as steady as the giant rock he was standing on. The second boot came off and was put aside just like the other.



I knew she was watching me, but for now my pants would stay on. Otherwise I didn’t think we’d be having a meal tonight. And an ex-sailor like me was always starving. I glanced at her, cast a grin and offered her wink. But damn... I’d be starving anyways if I didn’t return soon. I raised my hand and waved at her before climbing over the rocks leading towards the rock peninsula that acted as a groyne when the seas got more rough.

Today however the ocean was nearly smooth, only very small waves gently lapping at the sandy beach behind. Meanwhile I couldn’t help my mind drifting back to that one night of love making we had had ever since we got parted so many years ago. I’m certain Franky’s aunt must have heard us and I bet the old relict had been encouraging us in her thoughts and prayers. She had been kind though, and was a good woman, and very cleary intending on putting me on the ‘right track’ again. As if I could have helped it at all what all had happened.

As if she could help me…

If she even knew all the things I have done...


I shrugged off the past and forced my mind to think on the future. What would be we doing once we reached the South, once I made contact with Matthew? Back in the days with Rosabel I had dreamt of a place like this, our little private island where we could run around butt naked and cry out during sex as much as we liked. Why couldn’t we just convert our current situation into that delightful sounding reality?

Oh right… too idyllic...


I glanced over the glass-smooth bay, sighing wishfully. For sure it would have been a most wonderful and glorious spectacle. Yet… the ocean just wasn’t always this peaceful, and just like life she tends to be restless. It can churn -sometimes in merely seconds- into a fecking windswept chaos of currents and combers. Yep… best to keep scanning those horizons and stay alert.


And so he did briefly watch that horizon...

[lum]

Sitting there, waiting for him to return, her mind drifted back. This island was such a reminder of their brief time together, she assumed she should not be surprised that the past seemed to play behind her eyes. She remembered that very first day they met, the memory so intense that she could feel the terror, smell the smoke...


Her clan had booked passage on a ship, heading to some festival. She had made friends of sorts with the first mate, a good man who claimed she greatly reminded him of the daughter he lost. The fear in his eyes told her all she needed to know as the pirate ship bore down on them. He had pressed a knife into her hand, urging her to be strong, to comfort the others as he quickly ushered all the females of her clan into the hold. They were to stay down there until someone came for them. But he was not very good at masking his thoughts. Deep down, he believed he was sending them to their graves but that death would be preferred to what they would have faced on deck.

It was so dark in the hold...the only light came from small gaps in the planking. But that did not stop the sounds. They all could hear the screams, the sounds of battle, the fast snapping of the ballistas. The ship rocked violently as the other vessel crashed into theirs, making the others cry out in fear. She did not cry out. She waited, keeping her head clear as possible. The ship was listing to the side, water slowly seeping in. Somehow the pirates had blown a hole in the hull with a bomb. She could smell smoke and blood, ash and cinders slowly started to rain down from above.

Suddenly, their doors busted open, pirates rushing in to salvage what goods they could under the command of a male so handsome and compelling that she did find herself staring. Her fingers held the knife so tightly that her knuckles were white with strain. The other females were screaming, crying, showing hysteria.

The handsome male flashed a wicked smile their way and made a mocking bow. “Sorreh ta intrude, lassies, but th’ ship be goin’ down. I do believe ‘t be time t’ leave th’ hidy hole…’nless ye fancy bein’ snacks fer them sharks?” His smile was charming, but it was also strained. He snapped towards his men , some who started towards her and her clan members. “Booty first, boys, ya cin get th’ rest wet afta we be out…”

Water was wetting her skirts and she knew that it was either comply or die. But as she started directing the others to the door, a massive cracking was heard. One of the beams above was starting to show threads of orange and red, ash and smoke falling quicker. The appealing pirate featuring a sun-kissed skin yelled, “GIT GOIN’, NOW!”, even as the beam began to crack. This pirate...this amazing devil, he braced his shoulders beneath the burning beam, urging his men and the females of her clan off...and he did it still smiling. “Git yer pretty as’ses goin’...!”

His men fled, tugging what treasures they rescued. The females of her clan poured out of the hold, into the clutches of waiting pirates...all who were fleeing the sinking ship like rats. She too moved toward the doors...but she could not step through. The handsome pirate was watching her, his smile strained, pain showing on his face. Even if he could make it through the door, she feared his injuries would slow him down.

Time seemed to stand still as she made her choice. She rushed back to his side, ash and cinders raining down on both of them. She tugged his hand and they both ran as the ceiling was collapsing around them. “Lass, what th’ feck are ya…” He stumbled as they made it to the door and she looked at him and placed a finger to her lips. Then, her hand glowed as she channeled as much healing magic to him as she could. She remembered how she grew weak. Then, she was swept up in his arms, the flames and the wood of the passage rushing past. The air above deck was only slightly cooler, smoke still swirling. “Hold tight, lass...I have ya.” His arm was liked a band around her as they were flying through the air, swinging on a rope to the pirate ship.

Even once they landed to the cheers of the crew, he did not let go of her. The ship was sailing quickly away from the wreckage, the captain was looking over the loot and the females. She saw the bodies of the dead floating in the waters. She felt the captain’s eyes crawling greedily over her form. But the handsome male who held her, merely threw a few pieces of jewelry on the pile and stated boldly. “I be claimen’ tis lass.” She had an eye for jewels, and what he so casually tossed aside would have fed her entire clan for a whole winter.

His words sent a wave through the crew. She heard the whispers. “Tha coxswain jist claimed ‘n captive… fer himself?” She looked up at his soot smeared face, his dark honey eyes twinkling as he looked into her own. His fingers tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and he flashed that “devil may care” smile again. And by all the gods,... she thought she started falling that very minute…



She recalled how they days later sat together on that island, apart from the rest of his crew at some lovely remote beach. The pirate, who didn’t exactly come across as a pirate -at least seemed so unlike all those others-, had shown his gratitude as well as his feelings. Sort of…

She mused on how he had cupped her chin in his hand, offering it a gentle squeeze and had looked with those stunning eyes in hers. He had seemed so genuine, so truly affected by her appearance and presence, and then that charming pirate had placed his lips upon hers, infecting her with the very thought he truly wanted her. Their hearts seemed to entwine as his lips caressed hers like a gentle summer breeze. He had leaned only back slightly, those attractive eyes staring in hers, like mysterious pools of warm fire and filled with desire. And below those…there had been that smile like silver, shining oh so bright.

In their secluded spot down by the beach, and later -on- that beach, she and the pirate she barely knew had made love. After, and up to deep into the night she had listened to his whispers as his hand ran up and down her at first paralyzed form. Never had she held it for possible that she’d give her body and her heart to a complete stranger. But when she finally had fallen asleep… she just seemed to tumble into yet another dream that involved him, the touch of his body against hers and his seemingly presence in her mind present till morning’s light…

[lum]

It was just so sad that that magic went away so soon. Belle looked over in the direction to where that ghost of the past had disappeared to catch them a meal.


Me and Belle have had a ball in the past and even while I didn’t see her for several years, presuming she was dead, I always have been able to see her face so vividly that it actually hurt physically. I sure as hell know that I never before had felt anything like that about anyone before. Well, except for the face of my dying mother, but that was a story completely different from this. Although…

Just like with Belle, a hatred had grown in my heart, and just like then it had created an aversion to certain groups of people. The rich and wealthy the first time, and this new… ‘generation’ of pirates the second time. And then, there was also that moment when my captain had been murdered. Each time after I had sworn things to myself, and after I thought Belle had been killed I had sworn to never get engaged into a person like this ever again. Yea sure, I visited a working lady a few times, but well… it just didn’t work... heh.

The thing is… would I be able to handle it if anything happened to Belle now? I have sworn to never get a girl again and now just look at where we are. I’m getting involved once more, even though it’s the very same lass over whom I have sworn never to do this again.

Dammit… why did sex had to feel so good?



Things had certainly changed since the last time they had been together. Back then, she had been young, frightened and easily led. Now, she was far more capable. She forraged for fruit and some edible roots, using broad leaves from a tropical plant as plates. Regardless of what her ex-pirate caught, they would be fed. She let time drift as she tested flora and fauna for medicinal uses until finally she just leaned against a crooked palm tree, watching the waterfall with a pensive expression. Soon enough she was startled by arms closing around her from behind and warm lips pressing against her neck. She knew his touch, she knew the scent of his sun drenched skin. She could smell the sea salt in his hair and the faint scent of the rum that he so enjoyed drinking. His voice was a low rumble in her ear. “Silver fer ya thoughts?”

Taken off guard, she answered without thought. “Wondering how the world could be such a cruel place when such beautiful places exist.” She found herself leaning against his chest, letting his arms surround her.

“Ya be readin’ me mind, Belle… ya be readin’ me mind...” he crouched behind her and held her for a while as they gazed at the water and the gentle waves.

After a while the pair got up and prepared dinner. Several hours later they sat in their shelter, Belle cuddling on his lap. “Me thinks divin’ be excellent ‘ere’... “ her pirate suddenly rumbled as his fingers ran through her hair.

Belle gazed up at him as he spoke, her eyes admiring the very rough stubble on his face......




Two weeks later…

Matthew Craig stood on the cliff side at Serpent Bay, his back towards the jungle behind him as he looked out over the expanse of the sea that formed the horizon with endless islands dotted all along the Crowded Sea, allowing the warm sun to soak into his dark skin. He breathed the salt air in deeply. He'd never be able to get enough of that smell. The sound of beating feathers drew his attention back towards the tent behind him as a delivery owl landed and deposited a letter before departing on it's way again. Matthew always wondered who trained those birds and how they knew where to find people no matter how many times they moved around. Perhaps Lurue Herself guided them? He shrugged at his own musings and wandered through the grass back towards his tent. Taking a final drag from a smoke he'd been enjoying, he flicked the butt over the the hillside his tent was perched on and expelled the smoke lazily from his lips as he retrieved that one odd looking note. His curiosity was peaked now and his assumptions it was some tax collector calling was happily crushed.

Inside his tent, he brushed his hand over his wife who was still dreaming away. He reached out and snatched up an apple, then snatched up his bag. Getting comfortable on a pillow, he laid out his writing tools, and pulled the note open. He raised the one eyebrow that still remained on his scarred face as he saw the jigsaw writing, turning the note as he tried to read it. He smirked a bit as he envisioned the man he hadn’t seen for years.

"Ric.. Ya wanker.. that bein’ yers?"


Matthew's wife, Eline, awakened and heard him talking to himself and called over. Matthew sunk down deeping into the pillow. This was a part of his life he didn't share much."Nothin', Love!" He finished reading before taking a big cracking bite from his apple. Apple juices sprayed onto his chest. He glanced over to his wife to make she hadn't noticed the juice bath he was giving himself inadvertently, gently wiping off his bare chest. He peered outside the tent, realizing at how his life had seriously chanced since his days in the Alliance of Freesailors when him and his crew fished Ric out of the drink. How the hell was he going to explain how a man who said he'd never marry or settle down with one woman, have a family, or ever give up that life had done exactly all those things. Well.. almost. He'd never give up the sea or fighting.

One more week.. probably a few days less now. And he's bringing another miscreant with him, hm? This should be fun.. hopefully. If Ric gets me killed he'll have to deal with Eline.

[lum]

Matthew Craig waited silently at the top of the beach, dressed in full gear. Serpent’s Bay was quiet and peaceful, and had not been far from the place where he and the rest of his crew had set up camp when the letter arrived, passed on by the owner of the inn up north in Fahhas. He had told his wife that he was to pick up an old friend from the past, but he didn’t truly knew this man. He was just someone who he picked up from the ocean and dropped off later. Sure, Ric told a bit of his story, and they had spent some months at sea, but Matthew sensed there was way more than meets the eye with this lad. Not necessarily bad, but intriging he was at the very least.

Sure, he owed him a debt for that, but most men in this world weren't to be trusted enough to actually leave your life in their hands. Matthew was still on his guard, his hand absently wandering off to the pommel of his scimitar resting at his hip. He gave Ric the benefit of the doubt but he was still going to wait in the background and see what landed on this beach. Him and the Freesailors had dredged up enough enemies over the years, so this could be anything. Still... Ric had done stupid things for a woman all those years back. Usually that was a good mark on a man in Matthew’s book, so he was there… and waited.

And eventually, in the far distance, a small dot became visible…


What I saw, the tropical islands, the golden beaches and the aquamarine sea... was real, But it was altered as if by a mind searching for a return to a former life. In a far distance all I could hear were sounds of parties, festivities but also fights from past times. My escape from the pirates had perhaps been remarkable in the eyes of some, but to me it had been hell. I wrapped my arm more tighter around the woman sitting next to me, the one who I thought I had lost returning my hug. Our sloop pushed its nose up in the sand of the beach and the first man out was I, with my large blade in one hand, and offering Rosabel my other. With the shift in my weight, my boots sank in the shifting sand as we together dragged our vessel up the shallow slope of the beach. For a moment I turned around and looked out upon the wide ocean behind the bay. -Nothing-

“Ric…”

It wasn’t Bel’s voice that had me turn over and raise my sword -ready to lash out with a deadly blow-, but the sound of a tiny stone cascading down the small cliff behind us. A sound that to me outdrowned the sound of waves lapping on the shore, the whistle of the wind against my ears, and even outdrowned the crying of the seagulls overhead. The sound was followed by the sound of quelchy sand crushed under solid, leather boots. My blade was ready to dispatch whatever would step from behind the rocky outcrop.

“You’re late…” a familiar voice sounded when a man with a long leather cloak, wearing a hat featuring an ostrich plume stepped into the bright light. I didn’t only recognize the voice, but also the eyes that were set deeper in a head than usual. His eyes locked on mine before he bowed at the waist before Rosabel, the white, starched wing collar of his shirt reached the middle of his cheek as he did. “Lady…” Matthew said with a lazy smile. “If I may, the emerald surrounding you, suits you well.”

I rolled my eyes as this was Matthew at his core. At least the Matthew I got to know during those few months at sea. But hell, he couldn’t have my Bel’. I flashed a grin, and then my eyes caught his hand, displaying a remarkable ring made of gold with a blue green stone that sat at his ring finger.

“Ya dam’ lucky bastard…” I mumbled.

Matthew saw me look and grinned. “It’s been quite a while, and I must say I’m curious about what brings you here.”

“Heh, I be rememberin’ ye said ye would settle in Zakhara once.”

“Oh, that tale about returning to a certain beauty I had met…”

“Looks like th’ lass got ‘er hooks in ya… but, were be mi manners. Tis ‘ere is my lass… Rosabel.”

I watched Matthew turn back to Rosabel and observe her curiously, and then turn back to me with an arched brow.

“Tis a long tale, but aye, tis be th’ one I talked about.” The one who I thought was dead. I lowered my blade and wrapped my arm around Rosabel. Gods it felt so great when she slid her hand over my belly. She could be really possessive, but the gods be damned… I wanted to be possessed.

“It’s a pleasure all the more even. So. In order to not waste any time, you wished to go underground from what I understand?”

“Aye… but…” I started.

“But?” Rosabel blurted, her head shifting against my shoulder as she turned to look up at me.

I sighed and turned to look at Matthew, avoiding Bel’s gaze. I unfolded a plan I had been developing on the way, taking in account any events that may havve occured on our way here. I ought this to be grounds of safety, and there was something I had to do, or at least to try, but without Rosabel’s involvement. She’d probably kill me over this, or kill me if something would happen to me. And indeed, when I explained the two about my plan how to buy my life, our lives, Rosabel nearly kicked me in the source of my genetic legacy. Matthew however was more understanding, and told me he’d do the same for his own family if he would have been standing in my boots.

“You dam’ son of a bit…” Rosabel started.

I was quicker, and blocked her foul-mouthed tirade with a kiss, ignoring the slaps (which didn’t seem too hard) on my cheek. I muttered inward, sensing how Matthew grinned at us.

The next day I found myself sailing alone to Mahabba. The place has been one of my previous stops when we came down here, and I wanted to check there if someone had checked the ‘proposal’ I had left. Rosabel I had left behind in Matthew and his wife’s care, and I prayed to all the gods she’d forgive me when I get back…