Double Crossbones: Part 2

Garin climbed aboard the Black Pawkeet, dripping wet and chilled to the bone. Normally it wasn’t a good idea to swim at night in this part of the five seas, but since his lifeboat sank, Garin had no choice. He never had to worry about drowning though. Isca, a Maraquaian Aisha who predicted good and bad fortune in her dreams, had given him a magic necklace made of seaweed, which allowed the wearer to breath underwater. Jacques walked over threw a blanket over Garin’s shoulders to keep him warm in the night air.

“Let me guess,” he said. “You had problems?”

“Mm-hm,” said Garin. “But, as usual, they were overcome.”

“Not easily?”

“Nope.”

“Was there fighting?” Jacques asked.

“More than you can think,” said Garin.

“Hm. Sorry I missed out.” Jacques said with a chuckle. They walked into Garin’s cabin where he laid the map, which he managed to keep dry, on the table and unrolled it. He looked it over carefully, then pointed to a spot on the map.

“Here. This must be where the mine is,” he said.

“How many people do you think are there?” asked Jacques.

“No idea, but we have to work fast. I overheard Bloodhook and Carlyl talking; they’re planning to blow up the mine. And the workers with it!”

“Then I think there’s a lot of wind to be coaxed from these here sails,” said Jacques.

“Aye.” Garin ran outside and began ringing a bell that hung outside his cabin. “All hands on deck! C’mon crowd that canvas you dogs!” Talak, followed by the rest of the crew, ran from below deck as Garin continued to shout orders. “Go on! Get up there!” said Garin.

“Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever get to do some actual piratin’…” muttered Gordy.

“Aye.” said Bill. “But then again…”

“We’re not like other pirates,” finished Gordy.
                                                                     ~~~~~
Hannah couldn’t sleep the rest of that night, thinking about the first time she and Garin had met, when he had saved her life. Scarblade had kidnapped her because he needed her cave spelunking skills to find a large amount of treasure on Krawk Island, but Garin intervened. She walked into her room and saw Armin sleeping in his bed. He was a cream colored Bori, and he shivered in his sleep.

“He must be dreaming.” Hannah said to herself. And she was right, only Armin was remembering at the same time.

Remembering a pirate named Garin.
                                                                     ~~~~~
“Where are you going now?!” asked Jacques.

“Hannah’s back at that mansion Jacques. And so’s Bloodhook… She’s in danger with him there.” Garin said as he put on his seaweed necklace.

“Ugh.” Jacques rolled his eyes. “Since when did you start to care about a girl?”

“Same reason you care about Ann.” Garin said over his shoulder, right before he plunged into the water below. Jacques stood there for a moment, then realized what Garin meant.

“Oh no…” he muttered, then laughed aloud.
                                                                    ~~~~~
Hannah and Armin walked down the hall of the mansion, with Hannah glancing at every detail of the elaborate decorations, and Armin just tagging along, yawning from sleepiness. Hannah stopped at the door to Carlyl’s study.

“Armin,” she said.

“Yeah Hannah?” he asked.

“Out of all the rooms in this mansion, this is the only one we’re forbidden to enter. Have you noticed?”

“Yeah, so?” he asked. Hannah looked at him with an obvious look, then turned the handle. “Hannah!” Armin cried, but she walked in anyway. On the wall was a large map of Neopia, only certain lands were colored to match the island they were on, including its capital, and flags were stamped onto small areas, representing what appeared to be army camps.

“For the sake of Neopia!” Hannah muttered.

“Carlyl…? I don’t get it. Does he plan to invade all those places?” asked Armin.

“Apparently so,” said Hannah, as she walked over to the desk. “These files say he’s bribing soldiers using a gold mine--”

“Mined by people of our choice.” Hannah whirled around. Carlyl, and Bloodhook stood in the doorway, and Hannah was shocked to see Bloodhook.

“Bloodhook! So you and Carlyl are working together, eh?”

“Good to see you too, Hannah dear.” Bloodhook sneered.

“Don’t call me that!” Hannah growled.

“Why do you want all the land Carlyl?” asked Armin.

“I want power, and that’s all need be known,” said Carlyl. “Once the armies are bribed, they’ll get me the land I want, and with all that land, the former owners of it will be of no use.”

“Leaving you to rule,” said Hannah, who now stood by Armin’s side.

“Mm-hm.” Carlyl nodded, then handed a pistol to Bloodhook. “Sorry Miss Hannah, but you know too much… Finish them Bloodhook.”

“With pleasure.” Bloodhook cocked the pistol and took aim… right at Hannah “You first Hannah dear.” Hannah shoved Armin behind her and stood bravely, shutting her eyes and awaiting the musket ball to pierce through her heart…