âShe is a unique ship, I figured she needed a name that fit her better. Something that would stick with others.â
Odessa nodded slightly in response as she took a bite of her fish, momentarily distracted by the wonderful blend of flavours. Suthers had really gone all out this time. So, did that mean Captain Dio was not the founder of his ship? Actually, it wasn't that uncommon, but the woman couldn't help but wonder as to the means of how he had acquired his position. Had it been inherited? Like hers would have been? Or was the last captain killed? If so, was Captain Dio the one to murder him? Somehow, Odessa couldn't imagine someone like the other Captain ousting his successor in a duel to death, like some practiced. He seemed to be more of the stab in the dark kind. A mutineer? She scoffed mentally at the fact, but that would be the most probable one. A man who was once the bottom of the ship's pecking order would know how to gain the trust and respect of the men who followed him. Still, a mutiny was mutiny, and to Odessa it was a deplorable act. There were more and more of the small time captains losing control of their crew, who had been lulled into a sense of security by the lapse in the ever constant struggle between pirates and the militia.
Still, Odessa couldn't deny that the ship was a beauty. The decor had been done with a refined yet wild taste, beautiful and terror inducing, much like the ocean itself. Not to mention, the extensive battle accessories that lined it's side only added to the overwhelming majesty of the ship. She couldn't even think of a ship that came close second, save for the Navy's parade ship. A whisper of a thought piped up, What about the King's Ship? Odessa smiled slightly in remembrance of her mother speaking of the elusive vessel. When I was younger, Her mother had recounted, cuddled up against Odessa in their ship's small bunk, the King would travel from the Center City to the Isles every week. He steered a ship unlike any other, with sails that gleams of woven gold, and the best wood from the fire mountains leagues away. 45 gleaming guns run down each side, ready to defend the royal family, alongside perches among the beams and rigging for hawk eyed archers to stand guard from. But one day, the King fell ill, and he was never the same again. They shut the ship away in a secret location, and no one's seen it since."
"But mama," A seven year old Odessa had whined, "a ship just can't disappear." Her mother only smiled.
"This one did, but it'll be a joy to see again."
But she never did. Even till this day, Odessa remained unsure of whether the ship had really existed, or whether it was a simple story told to give children beautiful dreams. A beautiful deception, The woman mused, spooning a spoonful of soup into her mouth.
âEh, those military ships are always breathing down our necks, never actually seen them put their money where their mouth is. Slimy bastards.â
"What can I say?" She remarked, "Fear makes cowards of the brave, and fools of the cowardly." Odessa would bet half her ship that at least a quarter of the military recruits joined just for the prestige. What prestige was there in bloody war and bloodied hands? Who knew what was going on in the land dwellers minds? Out of their population, only shockingly few had seen actual bloodshed, and most pirates fell in the minority. Coddled townfolk and nobles alike would hardly have any reason to soil their hands with murder or death. They knew of parties, satins and silks, and the pirates? Ropes, anchors and trade winds. Two completely different worlds, in the same regions of the Whispering Sea. Her eyes darted downwards to look at her fingertips, hard and dry from years of work and weather. What would her hands be like if she had been one of them? Pale white as porcelain, perhaps, and soft and pampered like Eastern silk. Odessa had once caught a glimpse of some ladies aboard a transport vessel. They wore their hair in an odd updo that must have taken hours to complete, and had their waists cinched to tiny proportions by a ridiculously puffy dress. The men were no better with their wigs and elaborate suits. Odessa felt much more thankful for her simple dress code and hairstyle at the moment. It was much more practical, so to say. "Still, the military are only doing their job." The woman spoke, having finished her portion of fish. "Has it ever occurred to you that the only good people are those that benefit us in a way?" Odessa toyed with a smile as she said so, raising an eyebrow at the other Captain. "That would explain the great disparity between our morals and theirs."
The military, Odessa felt, was fighting a losing battle. They were foolish enough to think that if they eradicated all of the pirates their waters would be safe. You could kill people, but you couldn't kill an idea. As long as there was oppression, greed and laziness, people like the pirates would appear. What remedy had the military for human corruption?
âSo what are you doing around here, I had chosen to anchor here because it was deserted.â
"It's a nice stretch of water, don't you think?" Odessa replied promptly, "Clear skies tonight, and a great vantage point to watch shooting stars. An astronomer I know told me there would be some tonight." She propped her chin up on her palm, "It's good to let the crew relax once in a while. There's only so much our minds can take." Odessa knew she had to be careful here. The trade ship could come at any moment, and if Captain Dio saw it, there was no doubt he'd mark it as prey as well. If she attacked it with him there, he'd definitely not sit by, but help. If he played his cards correctly, Dio might even be able to pull it off as a favour on his part. Stars help her if she owed anyone anything. The door of the room slammed open abruptly, bringing the conversation to a ringing halt. A lad rushed up to her and whispered a few words in Odessa's ear. Upon hearing them her expression took on a solemn but exasperated air as she pushed off the table. "Excuse me, it seems some of my hands got into a scuffle. I'll be back in a bit- start dessert without me." And she left.
Outside, Odessa let her facade loose and beamed as she observed the ship in the distance. It was the perfect type for a trade ship- bulky body for cargo, narrow tip for smooth sailing and only six cannons along each side, from what she could see. Odessa knew her ship and crew could take it easily. Upon closer inspection, Odessa saw something that caused her smile to dim. Too many motionless figures were standing around the ship. This ship was military guarded. Even though that wouldn't hamper her, the captain wanted to keep her ship off their black list for as long as possible. Anonymity was a weapon worth more than 12 guns. As she watched, someone from the other ship started flashing lights- B-U-S-I-N-E-S-S-? . A risky idea started to take tentative hold within her mind, and she hastily removed any articles that may give away her position as a captain. A crew member pressed a lantern into her hand and she nodded her silent thanks at her. Praying that she could pull it off, Odessa signaled back:
S-O-S P-I-R-A-T-E-S
She had positioned herself in front of her main mast, as to be clearly seen by the trade ship, but not so from any crew that may have lingered upon Dio's deck. Some of the figures on the other ship's deck started moving, and Odessa made a break for the dining room, returning her appearance to it's original state as she went. The woman shoved open the door in a manner that spoke of utmost urgency and said, "Captain Dio, a navy scout ship came along, recognized your ship, I think. It's preparing for attack. You'd best come up and see!" With that, she sprinted up the deck and discretely wiped her forearm with a hand, a signal for her crew to hide their weapons. Heavy footsteps sounded from behind her, and she knew the others would be joining her in a few seconds. If all went to plan, Captain Dio would have to defend his ship against the trade ship, and Odessa would help, of course. Even though Dio would claim the spoils for his own, Odessa would lodge a counterclaim, calling it as a repayment for her help.
That is, if everything went smoothly. But things hardly ever did.