Jab, Cross, Hook, Cross

One.... I take my first jab at the hanging target. The lifeless body of the kid who tired to take my coin. Two... right hook, square across the jawline; not bad for a non-moving target. Three, four... jab jab, seems my sailors knots still are in shape. Five... cross, blood splattered on my blu- no, not blue. Tan. Why did they change me? I wonder while sending an array of attacks squarely into the figure hanging by its next before me.

Hours later, the suns are fading, I'm still beating this lifeless corpse with every ounce I have. I have to get stronger. To much on the line for another fuck up, just more enemies. I want to remember, I really do... am I fated to never know my killer or will I be guided there.

I scream. Birds fly in all directions and I send a forceful right hook directly to its stomach. It sways, mocking me. Mocking me like everyone else. At least Chelle believes me, if that is even worth the time, one moment shes acting like shes going to swallow up my manhood the next moment shes trying to kill me. In a way, it does turn me on. For some reason I couldn't keep myself from laughing at that thought.

Finding my way over to a stump have I have seat and wipe some sweat from my face, only smearing blood over myself in the process. Its times like these I loose hope and just want to walk out into Ylessa's arms. That is not my purpose though, they sent me back. But why?

I'm not skrell anymore, this race I am now. Someone my age ... its harder to move. Why did they change me?

I've got so much shit to do, I'm over loaded now. The Grocer takes care of itself since Kunglar vanished, leaving me with his fortune to do with as I please. That is the closest thing to a lucky break I've had in ages.

My thoughts won't stop spinning.

At least I have a couple pleasant thoughts. First and foremost.... The Crimson Sky. Me, the leader of a guild... let a lone a Merc guild. Oh what this city is in for. I can't help but laugh at that thought.

Soon I'll be a noble to this city. Soon they will give me more power than they thought. Soon they will be foolish enough to grant me a ship. Soon.... I will be free.

Waking from a dream...

(Thoughts of Captain Trygon Avoura)

Its so relaxing, like being pulled away to a place where I can finally be at peace. The wind is calm, the sky is blue, nothing seems to be wrong anymore...

Wait... where am I? Looks like the Shrine in the slums... I guess I was dreaming....

Where is my hat? Where are my things!? ...

...

I feel different ...

...

What happened to me?!

...

...

The Pirate Code

(A note from Captain Maxwell Shil's Journal)

Children be the lot! Yellow bellied fools who think we Pirates are nothing but shallow, murdering, raping villains! Childish fools who believe whatever tale comes over them, whatever story washes to their ears.

No Pirate is without his honor! No Pirate is without the Code.

People don' know much on the pirate code, they believe it to be fake rules from some play that 'as been seen city to city. Shameful that bit. There is a Pirate Code, more than every man for himself. More than killing for joy and taking what you want, shit, those aren't even rules.

Every man shall obey civil command: Captain, Priest, First mate, healer, Carpenter, crew

If any Man shall desert or keep any secret from the Company, he shall be punished to the will of the Captain and the Majority of the Company

If any man shall steal any thing in the Company he shall be punished to the will of the Captain and the Majority of the Company

Shares are to be divided equally among the men aside from the Captain, priests, first mate, and healer.

The Captain receives two shares

First mate and Priests and Healer shall receive one and one half shares

If a man loses a finger in battle, he is to be paid his share and half

If a man loses a hand in battle, he is to be paid two shares

If a man were to lose a limb in battle, he is to be paid three shares an may live upon the ship at rest as long as they please.

If a man should strike another whilst these laws are in force, shall receive no less than forty lashes by whip

If a man shall not keep his arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit.

He that shall be found Guilty of Cowardice in the time of engagements, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and the Majority of the Company shall think fit

If at any time you meet with a woman, if you take her without her Consent, shall suffer no less than death.

If a man of high ranking requests that he is brought to the Captain of the ship for Negotiations, he is to be brought unharmed and unbound. (Parley)

If a man of no ranking requests that he is brought to the Captain he is to be brought unbound and unharmed though locked away until the Captain's pleasure. (Parley)

If a man has not returned to his ship when it is time to set sail, he will be left behind.

All activities shall be suspended on Yelsday as the day shall be spent in rest

These bits would be a great deal more useful if every damn captain on the sea would follow them exact. So many make their own, but most of them are decent ones. Others who take worse routs are taken care of.

Thats the most of them, the Pirate Code, simple rules really. Many people look upon these as though or even childish, but shit... whatever it takes to survive.

- Captain Maxwell Shil

Ramblings of a Drunk

I wondered into a Tavern the other evening, it wasn't the finest I've ever found though they had... well, they had ale. Upon entry I made my way to the bar and took a seat, order my drink, and went about my notes from a class I had earlier upon the art of Alchemy. It was a good class, teacher was a slight boring, though fair.

A few drinks in a man came in, smelling more foul than a dog left out in the rain for weeks. I cringed slightly at the sight of the man and sadly, I believe that was what obtained his attention. The fellow made his way to the stool right beside me; even though the rest were near empty. Smiling a toothy grin he looked down upon me, “Good evening, boy.” he chuckles, his breath was horrid and I nearly fainted. Smiling I nodded, stuttering, “Good Evening, sir.” that made him laugh

After a few drinks the man looked back to me, raising a brow, “So, lad, ye' ever 'ear the tale o' the Crimson Scourge?” he asks as he takes in a long drink, “I use ta be a 'and on the deck o' that ship. What a beauty she was, dark red and cutting through waves.” he turns his head up, seeming to remember the ship. I moved to speak though before I could the man began again, “Not only that, blessed with a Captain who some say even spoke to the Goddess Ylessa 'erself!”

My eyes shot open wide! I had never heard of anyone speaking to a god before! I was stuck from this point on, horrid smell aside The man nodded his head and begin to speak again, “I be said that one night a storm hit the seas, the Scourge in the middle o' it.” he man frowned, “Captain Trygon Avoura was the first ta make it to the deck.” he pauses and leans over, “And the last.”

I held up my hand to stop the man and began to ask him a question but before I could he continued, “He moved along the deck an tried ta gather the men, though none came, he kept screaming for them, but he was drowned out by the waves.” he then motions upwards, “Then a wave 'it, takin the man to 'es knees.” he leans over and takes another swig from his cup, “An then the good Captain looked upward ta see another comin down, large enough to take the Scourge whole.” he wides widen and he holds his arms out to the side. I have to admit, at this point I couldn't look away.

Becoming quite the man leans in, “Though when the captain opened 'es eyes he noticed that the wave had completely stopped jus a before it crashed into the ship. Nothin moved, nothin made a noise but the Captain 'emself.” at that my eyes grew wide, nothing can stop the flow of water... especially when its that big!

“Captain Avoura made it to his knees when 'e 'eard noticed somethin moving. Just before the wave mist began to form into the shape of a beautiful woman.” the man placed his hand on his chest and looked off in a loving gaze, “It was the spirit o' Ylessa.” he smiles as he leans forward again, “She looked to the knelt man and said these simple words....” he pauses and smiles, “'Captain Avoura...' she began 'the sea will never let you die...'” at those words I nearly fell out of my seat, that is wonderious.

Smiling the man began to wave his hands before him as if he were wiping something away, “An she vanished in the same way she came. Captain Avoura closed his eyes an 'e said when 'e opened them the sea was calm an not a cloud in the sky.” sighing the man nods his head, “Was a good Captain Indeed.”

After a short while of talking to this man it hit me, what I was going to ask him at the beginning of the story, “Sir?” I began, “Isn't this Captain Trygon Avoura a Pirate?