#evil captain

“I am part of the King’s Royal Guard.” 

“Leave my things alone.”

“You are under no authority-” His voice suddenly dropped and when he spoke again his voice was laced with fear and wariness. “Of course… I can give you a pardon…” 

“Get out of here.” Jay listened as the guard ran back from the way they came. He let out a soft breath. Wondering who had so much authority to stop someone from the Guard. “Cane, Benjamin! What are ye doin’?! Get these blasted crates on the boat, now!” 

“Yes, captain!” 

It took much too long for Jay to process that people were headed his way. And by the time he tried getting out, it was too late, the boxes hiding him were taken away and he was left without anything to block himself if he tried to escape. A man lifted the barrel upright and clothes and boots were thrown inside and on top of him. The last bit of light disappeared as the man took a thin piece of wood and nailed it on top. 

Jay meant to say something. He really did, but his chest filled with a sense of dread. He pushed the clothes down as he tried sitting up before the barrel was lifted sideways and he fell over. He was lifted off the ground and with each step further away from the land, his thoughts spiraled more. If he said something now they’d kill him, wouldn’t they? If the captain put his hands on someone from the royal army, why wouldn’t they slit his throat just for fun?

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Darius kept his face neutral as he walked into the captain’s office. “Yes Sir. Is something wrong?”

“What took so long this time?” 

“Hm?” Darius tilted his head, striding over to the cabinet that was full of rum. Getting out a bottle and a couple of glasses. 

“We were here for three extra damn days. What took so blasted long?!”

“You need a drink.”

“What. Took. So. Long.”

“Oh well, you know capt’n. Just some of the men looking for some companionship.” His voice dripped with honey as he set the glasses on the table, ready to pour the first one. The captain snatched the bottle from him, taking a swig from it directly as Darius watched. A smile danced from his lips. “Was I taking too long Sir?”

“Shut up. I hate this damn city. I had to deal with that stupid Guard all week. And one idiot was snooping around our things this morning. A guard. Claiming he was looking for some thief. I know he wasn’t. Likely sent from the King, getting suspicious of us again. I know we shouldn’t have stayed so long.”

Darius cut in. “But can you blame the men? They just wanted a little fun-”

“YES, I CAN!” He yelled, slamming the bottle down on the table. “I can do whatever the hell I want!”

He stared at him indifferently. “Careful captain. You might break the glass.” 

“Pour me a bloody drink.” He grumbled as he sat back in the chair, kicking his legs up on the desk as he watched Darius calmly pour two drinks, handing him one of the glasses. He took a slow sip, staring out the window as they slowly moved away from the docks. “Blundering idiots. They see a woman and they lose all sensibility. You need to take more responsibility for them.” 

“Perhaps. Or you can do your job better.” Darius snipped. 

His eyes snapped over at him. “You need to get your mouth under control.” 

“Or what?” He knew those words were wrong the moment his mouth opened, he should have stopped himself but he couldn’t. It’d be the death of him one day.

The captain stood, grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him close. “Or maybe I should tie you to the shrouds and flog you myself. Fix up your attitude Ree, do you understand me?” 

He took a breath, not daring to show an ounce of fear. “Yes, Sir.”

He pushed him back. Growling while grabbing the bottle again, despite his glass not being empty yet. “I want you to take inventory.”

“Someone did on shore, Sir.” He spoke slowly. 

“I know someone did. I want you to take inventory now. I want the report before you go to sleep.” 

“Sir, that could take hours…” He tried to reason.

“I understand that. I think you need to learn some manners though, perhaps you should take on some real responsibility.”

He gritted his teeth. “Yes. Captain. I’ll do as you ask.”

“Damn right ye will.” He finished the bottle. “You’re dismissed.” He carelessly waved him out of the room. 

He sighed while going out, getting a couple of men to help him as he recorded all of the information. Taking crates down and opening them. Moving on to chests. Then the barrels. Most were empty, though a couple had nailed lids on, they’d have to take them off to open them up. Getting them till there was one left. “What’s in this one?”

“Just some extra clothes.”

He sighed. “Go ahead and open it.”

Two of the three nails had been pried off before a yelling voice interrupted the men's work. “YOU IDIOT!”  

“At least I’m not a goddam coward!”

Darius frowned while looking over as the two of them pulled out swords. Running over to break up the two men without getting nicked by the sharp edges.

The two men helping him left the barrel, running over along with half the crew, excited to see a duel commence.

By the time Darius had split the two up the final barrel wasn’t a concern anymore. “You said clothes?”

“Yes Sir.”

“That’s all I need to know. He doesn’t need to find out.” He sighed while writing it down.

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Jay let out a breath of relief. He had no clue what he would have done if he had gotten caught. The boat was beginning to sway. He felt sick. Heat building up inside. Being constantly shifted up against the sides and walls of the barrels. Trying to avoid feeling nauseous, closing his eyes as voices surrounded him at all times.

He was getting further from shore each minute. Maybe if he escaped at night when they were all asleep he could jump off the boat and swim back to shore. 

He quietly rubbed the necklace he had in his pocket. He closed his eyes, trying to rest. 

When he woke up he was hot, nearly sweating, but it was quiet. He counted to 60 once. Twice. Three, four, five, six times. He didn’t hear anyone. Any footsteps. 

This was his chance.

He had to escape now. 

He pushed at the lid and managed to pry it open.

He sat up and stood shocked as the wind bit at his skin. His legs tingled alive and he had to wait for a couple of minutes for his body to stop seizing in pain. His skin was burning to the touch and yet the cool sensation of the wind made him feel sick all over again. He looked around but there was no one in sight.

He stood and carefully climbed up and out of the barrel. The boat lurched, and so did his stomach. “Nnh.” He held his head. He fished the necklace out of his pocket, glad to see it was still there. He went to one of the boat’s railings, looking out. He frowned before running across the ship, it was a lot bigger than he thought. He looked that way, but nothing. No lights anywhere.  

He looked around as his brain began speeding up and he went into a panic. His hand worked around the necklace, fidgeting nervously. Where was he… how was he supposed to get home? He bit his lip before going back to the barrel. The boat jumped with a wave and he tripped over a box and fell, hitting his head. “Ow.” He mumbled, moving to get up before feeling a heavy boot land on his back, pinning him there. “Oh no-” He whispered, barely making a sound. 

Darius tilted his head thoughtfully as he stared down at the boy.