Chapter III - Slaver Brig, The Coastal Breeze

A pocket to use as a latrine in the back was filling inside of the hold. The smell was terrible and the heat was getting to me, as well as everyone else.

Water was poured through the grate of the ship, leaving us all to huddle around with our faces upwards. Catching the water in our mouths left us with wet faces and slightly less dry throats. Food was old bread loafs thrown down for people to fight over.

Those fights would end soon due to the big guy, a darker skin man, with big muscles, and around six feet. Bald on the head covered in fresh cuts. I heard from talk he put up a fight before he was captured by the slavers. His name was Matthew Lankers, he was the voice of reason with the power to enforce that voice. Taking the bread by those who fought over it, he would fairly ration it giving the women bigger shares. Then he went to giving the weakest the most and the stronger the smaller rations.

I was deemed not the weakest and given a piece that barely filled my hand. Chewing the hard bread made it seem like I was eating more than I was, my chipped teeth ached when I bit into the bread. I'd have to suck on it till it got soft enough for me to eat.

Days passed and I spent my time sleeping and waiting for food and water. The others in the hold would talk amongst themselves, their accents were odd to my ears. They had an annoying habit of putting emphasis on popping letters.

I guess I wasn't the most worldly person but I knew what I liked to hear and what I didn't like hearing.

"You there stranger"? said one of the men who was sitting with a group of men. "Why are you here? I don't recognize you from town".

I wanted to keep quiet but I didn't need the suspicion so I moved closer to him. Planning to tell him a somewhat less detailed account of my life so far.

"Well my name is Toddwilling McSwillinns", I didn't get past my name before they started to laugh.

The man who was talking to said between laughs, "if you don't want to tell us fine but don't make us names".

After the laughing was dying out I continued, "that is my name and trust me it isn't the first time hearing that response. I took a ship to Croater Island from my home island, once there I tried to get hired onto a ship. Instead I was seduced by these harlots at a pub. Seems to long ago, the next morning they told me my tab was more than what I had, so they held me at pistol and tied me up".

A voice came from one of the men, "I bet they did, things got real interesting brother". Everyone was laughing again a few others didn't laugh, a little more found what he said distasteful.

I then thought why bother hiding anything from these ignorant foreigners. They looked too strange to me and their accents somehow made their mocking of me more painful.

So I continued forgetting to leave details out of my story, "that was when they sold me to Captain Blood Teeth".

That made the hold pause as no one said anything but then again a lot of them started laughing again. Then someone said while laughing, "that is a good one brother. What happened did you sword fight him on the masts"?

He then stood up and moved around like he was fencing with someone. That gathered a louder roar of laughter from the others.

"Why do you bother asking me about me when you laugh at everything I suffered through? Its true I was sold to Captain Blood Tooth that accursed bastard of human scum"! I said it has serious as I could, I wasn't lying! This was my life and they were going to hear it all the way through.

After seeing my face the man quit laughing and the others got the idea that it wasn't a joke.

"That pirate put me to work as soon as I was on board, I never worked on a ship before. So when I failed I was sent to the kitchen to work for the fattest man I've ever seen and clean out his chamber pot. After he cursed me with the mark he had his men assault me in my sleep. Its not something I'm proud of you cackling baboon"!

My words seemed to have wrapt the hold in a kind of spell. I was given full attention from every man and woman there, was it my conviction? The subject? Or was it that they were bored otherwise.

From the back Matthew said something, "Captain Blood Teeth is the most infamous pirate living today. Very few ever escape his crew, how did you"?

Examining me with his dark colored eyes I found myself being examined with great insight. Something about it seemed to focus onto my entire form. Nothing would go unanswered I figured if he was listening to my story.

"It was during a storm, almost a week ago I was using the darkness to escape in a rowboat. Then there was a flash of lightning he saw me, he almost caught me but I smashed a near by lamp in his face. I must of hurt him because he let go and I got the rowboat into the water. The storm sent me away from the Tropic Cancer. After the storm passed I saw by the stars I was in the Gulf of Orion".

I paused as my throat was tightening talking this long without water was making me thirstier. Still I enjoyed the attention I was receiving, reminding me of those at my island. The storytellers, those of grand adventures who had everyone wrapped around their fingers. A feeling of pride in my deeds, I was indeed one of those adventurers. Grant my was more out of the horrors I had suffered but still it was an adventure. Misadventures must count as adventures anyway I figured.

"How did you get to Babylon didn't the Navy or Coats get ya", said one of the men from the group.

"Well yes", I said as I began to recount more of my tale. "A man or woman, I didn't quite know which she or he was saved me from a giant scorpion like sea monster. She-he had a woman's voice and bodily features but a mans face. Saying that I had the mark of a pirate I was then captured. Putting me in shackles she took me to Fort Dagon. There I was thrown into prison to await my death sentence, since for some stupid reason marked pirates get burned. I didn't commit a single act of piracy yet they decided to sentence me to death. Those jackasses had merpeople in their dungeons also, it so flooded that they swim up from the sea. I still remember them dragging men from their cells into the water. Also their enchanting voices but terrible lyrics. After getting a handful of men they came to me, quick thinking I sang back at them. Chasing them away, I like to think my song voice was too overpowering. However the jailer on duty said it was my horrible singing voice".

That gathered a laugh or chuckle from most of the people there except Matthew. Looking stern faced at me he looked as though he wanted me to hurry up with my tale. So I continued to tell them of my blowing of the walls of the fort by my dumb luck. Going out of the hole in the confusion and being chased into the jungle. Falling into the bog, then the run in with the tiger.

"I managed to grab onto the tigers paws as the force of the swing swung me up to the branches. Climbing up high the tiger left after falling into the bog water. That was when I went towards the light up ahead. Once there I saw a hut, at first I knocked at the door but nothing happened. Until it swung open and a gust of wind came by and blew me inside. That was when I saw a table full of food and wine. Eating like a glutton I think the food was drugged because I saw colors and heard voices I couldn't make out.

"That was when the two headed person came, the boy was different on either side. One a beautiful dark skin woman, the other a foreign man".

Hearing gasps from the people around me I relished in their surprise. Even Matthew was drawn into my story leaning forward intently listening to my tale.

"That two headed man-woman thing dealt me three cards to form a triangle. Each one I picked reflected my life, one was me as a crab and Captain Blood Teeth. A foot on my crab back, it shook me up that I dropped the card and it turned to black dust. Then the second card, was a picture of two island. One was my home the other was Rock Island. One was stormy the other clear, my home was clear but had a crab under the water. Rock Island was stormy and I was there in a rowboat, rowing towards it; a woman was chained under the water. The last one was me killing myself with the same dagger Blood Teeth marked with it and blood came out in the shape of skulls. Afterwards I found I couldn't move but the two headed man-woman bent over me and put something in my pocket".

Reaching into my pocket I pulled out three cards and showed them to everyone. Looking at them in amazement some cowered from them, others wanted to see them.

"I woke up after they whispered something to me but I can't remember the words right now. I found myself out of the jungle and near a beach. Near the dock I was captured as a slave. I was looking for a way to leave the island, and that is why I am here".

After I finished they all looked at me judging my tale. A lot sounded true but it was too fantastic to seem real.

One woman near the end whispered something but the person beside her husked her as if it was something taboo.

"Liar"! said one of the men pointing at me standing up and getting into my face. "You didn't do all that, and you didn't meet the Twin Gods either". The man was skinny and had a real angry look in his eyes.

"Blasphemy I say", he continued showing his anger to the others. "He is trying to hide the fact it is his fault we are here, he was the reason why the navy didn't save us. They were looking for him, wasting their time allowing those slavers to capture us so easily. I say we kill the pirate now! Unless he brings misfortune to us all, whose with me"?

The man seemed to gather great support as blame for their situation was put on me, and the heat was getting to them. Little food and water didn't make them into a mood to care much about what I had to say anymore. The call of blood was given and those delusional people wanted to it spilled.

Before things got too far thankfull Matthew said loudly, "stop"!

Quiet filled the hold as everyone halted any ill intentions towards me, as he made his way towards me; looking at me sternly he reached over and grabbed the cards I still held in my hand. Seeing each one he examined them thoroughly in his hand.

People crowded near him to see the cards also, all seemed surprised as he Matthew looked at one in particular. Still I wish I knew what was going to happen, and what did they mean by the Twin Gods? Did I have a vision by a divine being? Is it possible that I was given a task by omnipotent powers?

My chest felt tight as Matthew turned to address the hold.

"This man Toddwilling has indeed been given a message from the Twin Gods. Behold brothers and sisters the card that lead this man to us and this ship".

Everyone gathered to see the card, it was the card of the Coastal Breeze. Luckily for me I still had those cards, the slavers could of taken them or I could've lost them. Everyone looked at them as if it was the word of the Gods themselves.

"Peter Walkers your the manus of our church what do you make of these cards? Are they a message from our Gods"?

A man with long legs, balding hair and a dirty vest walked towards the cards. Taken them in his hands he looked at them front and back. Examining each one closely. Closing his eyes he breathed in as he rubbed the cards between his fingers.

Opening his eyes he handed the cards back to me, I took them as he gave me a soft look, as if I was his son. Although my father never gave me such a look, he was a cold man. My grandfather came me such looks often. It reminded me on how much I miss him, wishing he was back with me again.

"The cards have an aura", said Peter as he was walking as if dazed. "I do think this man was visited by the Twin Gods, but I think he doesn't realize what his tasks are quite yet".

I was confused, "tasks? What do you mean? Who are these Gods? I never heard of them".

To this Peter merely gave a weak chuckle and looked upwards as if he was sharing a joke with someone. Licking his dry lips he turned towards me and gave the hold a look that made me feel nervous.

"The Twin Gods young brother are brother and sister. They are worshiped by those who life on the Twin Seas. In a ancient texts they are Gods of insight, granting direction to those who are meant to change the world. Since the beginning this new world they guided people putting them on the path they always dreamed to walk upon. The deck they use have countless cards, each one is the possibilities of life for everyone.

"The cards in your vision were something that will happen, something that might happen, and the choose. Those cards in your dream is what the world is conspiring for you. With the cards in your possession now you can reach the best outcome with their guidance".

I was even more confused, so my vision or dream was reality? Visited by a two headed god to decide my fate, a fate that will affect something that might change the world. Sceptical I wasn't sure what was happening with my life.

Was I going to become a crab? Will I see Blood Teeth again? The thought of both happening worried me deeply, it was like bees were buzzing in my brain.

"Toddwilling relax my brother", said Matthew as he put an arm over my shoulder. "I belief you have been chose by my Gods", he said while putting upwards. "So I will help guide you to your destiny. Our lives were meant to be intertwined my brother. You'll see things will turn out".

After saying that I was a little more relieved as hostility towards me ceased for the most part. Instead it was replaced by a mostly odd feelings of worship. They were acting like I was heralding the Gods will, that might be trouble.

Matthew and Peter sat near me along the wall talking to me and involving me in their discussions. Somehow hearing my tale made them closer to me in a way. Although I must admit I didn't feel anywhere near what they felt for me, they were still strangers. To them however I was like a relative or close friend they haven't seen in awhile.

"So what do you say brother how do you feel about all this? Being led by the Gods and all that", Matthew said. Giving me a joyous smile as if he knew me for the longest time.

"I am not sure I get it all, such things I've never heard about or experienced on my island. One thing I must ask though, why do you people keep calling me brother"? I now figure what I said might be considered rude but at that time it was a genuine question.

Matthew and Peter smiled and laughed.

Peter then said to me in a happy tone of voice, "we call everyone brother. As long as they wish us or done us no harm. Our people come from the Twin Seas there we follow the belief of total harmony. Live and let be, we often say. What happens we hope will be good, and try to make as many friends as possible".

Matthew smiled and elaborated on Peter, "he is getting preachy eh Todd? It is our way of saying friend".

Nodding in understanding I however corrected on one thing, "it's Toddswilling, not just Todd".

Hearing this Matthew gave out a roaring laugh deep and loud. As Peter gave an amused chuckle.

"Sure thing brother", said Mathew. "Your name I'll call it anyway you'd like".

At first I must admit I didn't care for their differences like their accent and skin but I grew to like them better. I suppose they weren't so different from my own kind of people. As soon as I thought that however I took that back, my people weren't nice. They were ugly, cold people who lacked any kind of emotion. My grandfather was the exception.

Matthew must of read my expression as I thought of my grandfather.

"Toddwilling, what's the matter? Why you look so sad"? Matthew asked looking worried.

I didn't want to unburden a painful memory to someone I still just met so I kept quiet. That wasn't something I was willing to reveal to anyone.

"Nothing just feeling worn out, the heat isn't helping either", I said rubbing my eyes to enforce what I was saying.

Giving me a look of scepticism he nodded and said smiling, "yes this heat is indeed terrible. They do this to keep us weak so we can't fight back. Even if we did brother they have us out armed".

Peter nodded and said, "I would prefer to die then be sold to governor Rochester". Bitterness was in his voice as his face seemed vacant.

Others who heard that name seemed to share the sentiment as a gloom hung over their heads.

I asked Peter curious why they didn't like this governor so much, "Peter why are do you dislike this governor"?

Giving a look like he couldn't believe I asked such a ignorant question, "brother you can't must've never heard of him. Governor Rochester is the governor of the Twin Sea. He is a gluttonous tyrant who has been known to eat slaves who don't meet their quota for the week. The only former pirate to be given the title of governor in all the seas".

That seemed too horrible to be true, "how can a pirate be made a governor"?

Peter continued after starring as if he wished there was a better answer, "pirates can't unless a minister elects him. Former minister of the seas Anne Halthe, she made him governor because he took her husband hostage. Exchanging a title, pardon, and land for his safe return. Since then Anne and her Husband stay on Babylon island in fear of Rochester".

I interrupted the story to ask a question, "what does she have to worry about Rochester? I thought a minister was more powerful than a governor".

"They are" continued Peter, "but if she died to poison in her food, an unknown assassin, or reason unknown Rochester would be governor. To evict a governor from office a minister needs to have him voted out by majority seats in the council. However Rochester is rich from his pirating days and controlling majority in the spice market. So he pays off the majority of the ministers to vote against having him removed from office. Years minister Halthe has been trying to lobby for his removal, investigating corruption. All the while he has been controlling everything in the Twin Sea".

That was horrible, how could someone who holds such power abuse it? To allow human suffering to such a grotesque degree, was loss for words.

"The man's wicked", Matthew said sitting there all the while keeping a blank expression. All friendliness lost in his face. "He's the reason our people flee the Twin Sea he imposes taxes too high to pay off. So he enslaves you in the name of paying off your debts. Acts of such cruelty continue but his wealth leaves him beyond prosecution. Having in his service a fleet of slaves ships almost equalling the navy at Babylon he has them scour the seas for slaves".

"If everyone knows he is doing this why don't they stop him"? I said feeling like something so horrid shouldn't be happening.

Matthew looked at me in the eyes and said to me without a trace of emotion, "because he is a governor. The navy doesn't care even if people are snatched on Babylon Island sure they'll sink the ship but the slaves no one cares. Money, gold, silver that is what people crave even minister Anne wasn't such a saint. Even though she opposed slavery she was notorious for her luxurious expenses. What she got was through taxing tradesmen and honest people".

Disgust came to my lips, what kind of world was this? I find myself wanting to see the world, but truth is I wanted to see less.

"Once there we'll be put to working on his plantations on the Swift Wind Isles", said Peter interjecting in the harsh silence. Matthew and me were soon brooding over our fates, "hopefully we'll get on the island furthest from his manor".

Matthew nodded and stayed quiet, our talk had sprung talks and dread to the others. Hearing of this made situation darker and more unpleasant. I felt bad for even talking about it, things quieted down in the heat of the noon sun. Extra water was sent down the grate, afterwards the top was lifted.

A rope ladder descended, we were all shocked by this as none of us knew what it was for, then came a voice.

"Toddwilling Mcswilling please come up on deck. The capn' wants a few words with you"? Said a raw wet dripping voice.

At first I hesitated, worrying why would the captain want with me?

"Get up here or I'll give you thirty lashes"! Yelling out the hoarse gruesome voice.

Fear of the pain made me grab onto the hot ropes, climbing up I almost fell down. I was weak, but Matthew came over and helped me climb up the ladder.

After popping up on deck the man who had a missing arm grabbed me and threw me up on deck. Then he pulled up the rope and two other men closed the grate.

Roughly the two men then dragged me to my feet and started shoving me to move forwards. "Come on you lazy scut", said the one armed man, "get moving captain waits for no man".

Hurried down the hot deck my feet were being cooked by the sun heated wood. Dark red timbers were used and it made me feel like I was walking on scolded red iron. After being half pushed down some stairs beneath death the pain left my feet. The first thing I saw ahead was a long hallway and a wall. If memory served me right that was the wall that held the slaves. I was being pushed down the opposite way where there were two open doorways.

The other two had closed doors one was guarded by two men, with swords in their belts and a chest strap. Those straps held six pistols, they seemed extremely armed.

As we were being brought down the wall I read the sign over the door. Again I was using my lips to sound out the words, it was an unconscious thing I did but it seemed to gather notice. The one arm man looked back and saw me sound out the words, it spelled armoury.

"What are you saying there? Getting any funny ideas you mumbling bastard"?! Said the one armed man with a hoarse voice.

Shaking my head I didn't want to anger him and get lashed. Looking me over he opened his mouth and inside was blackened teeth rotted to the gums. Breathing foul smelling breath into my face, then he dragged me onward.

Coming to the other door he opened it and pushed me inside following soon afterwards with the two men. Inside looked like the captain's quarters. Sitting at a ugly desk with many papers on it, made of roughly shaped wood. Behind the desk sitting in a throne like chair was the captain.

"Captain Slur sir", said the one armed man "I've brought you the cargo you requested".

Captain Slur looked like a naval officer he had a curly white wig. Clean shaven and dressed in a proper captains outfit I remember seeing on a passing naval ship. The captain on that ship was standing on the upper deck standing next to the wheel straight and firm. This man seemed to have the same dignified appearance. Except for one thing a expensive looking crutch and a thick stump of wood used as a peg leg.

"Yes fine mister Dogal please stand aside I wish to speak with the slave", said the Slur in a proper speaking voice. With authority but not looking up from his papers, giving a dismissive back hand wave.

"So McSwilling is it"? Asked the Captain as he raised his head and looked me in the face.

The eyes seemed disinterested but it masked a heinous nature which seemed to make the room cold.

Throat dry and still weak I just nodded.

That was when the one armed man behind me kicked me in the back of the knee, "speak up! You're speaking to the Captain". Saying it in a voice that sounded like he was choking on a wet, slippery, live fish.

The captain gave him the came back hand wave to have him stand at attention. "I'd take it you are McSwilling by that gesture then", he concluded writing something down.

"You may or may not be surprised by this but I like having a man keep an eye on my cargo. Particularly my live cargo, one thing that was said there was interest to me", he said dispassionately and cold.

"Apparently you were a disserter of a former associate of mine, captain Blood Teeth".

Hearing those words made me woozy, I would've collapsed if the one armed man didn't hold me up by the back of my neck.

"Don't go passing out McSwilling, God forbid you should come to harm. At least until my good old associate can reunite with his lost little crab", he then gave an amused smile at his wit.

If I wasn't being hung up by the skin of my neck I'd would've fell onto the floor and stayed there in dread.

"He happens to be not to far off of the Swift Wind Isles. He'd gladly come out in person to meet you once we send word. Imagine the delightful surprise on his face. Full of joy and gratefulness he'd pay handsomely for your return".

Giving himself an amused chuckle he cracked a smile that also seemed very disinterested. My worse fears were coming true, the bane of my life was going to make me suffer for escaping. Absolutely more since I burned his face with that lamp. Air didn't seem to want to come into my breathes as I wished I could just die.

"Last time I saw him", said Slur after watching my response "his right side was terribly burned. Black and charred, told me a traitor on his crew did it in his escape. He told me that his name was Scrappy but he has had a need for nicknames, because he has a dreadful habit of forgetting names. So I figured since you fit his description and what you said in the hold matched his accounts, well you can see what I'm saying.

"He doesn't take traitors lightly young man. He'll turn you into a crab for sure".

A image of the card from the vision of the Twin Gods, with Blood Teeth and me as a crab.

"What do you mean? I don't understand"? The words barely came out of my dried throat.

"Oh, you don't"? Said Captain Slur in a mockingly disinterested voice. Which I thought wouldn't be possible but he pulled it off neatly. "Well mister McSwilling you may have heard him mention the devil a few time, hm? What you may not realize is that Captain Blood Teeth is a priest of the Cancer Sect. I rather don't go for such unsavoury beliefs so I'll give you a brief explanation".

Standing up Captain Slur limped as he moved through his cabin and into a cabinet. Once there he opened it and pulled a rolled up piece of paper. Tied with a golden sash he untied it and opened it up for me to see clearly.

The paper held up a chart with five images on it, each one was an odd image. Three I recognized, one was a woman from the card that was chained under Rock Island. There was the giant crab from the card. The other one of my Gods Barthos, a God servant to the greater ones. Barthos is also gives good bounty and messages to mortals he appears as a giant green whale.

The other two was another crab but it had spikes on it shell and sharper, jagged claws. Finally there was one that looked like a mass of tentacles, disembodied but formed a shape. Hard to explain it was like in its lack of form it made itself a form.

"This is the chart of the main sects and beliefs known on the sea. Based on the old constellations", he said as he held up the chart. "The crabs are Herathinos and the devil in his bodily form Cancer. Good and evil, but some debate which is which, to me it isn't much of mystery. The squid is Rai'lek he is supposed to God of all the sea, the king of them all. Only tradesmen and sailors bother praying to him".

Saying it as he pointed to the tentacle one, it surprised me that Rai'lek seemed so unnatural. Even though such a man like Mac Myre lead a prayer to him.

"The whale is Judas a betrayer", that was when I interrupted him with a correction.

"No", I said but the one armed man tightened his grip bringing greater pain to my neck. Almost choking the captain waved his hand to him, loosening the grip he limped closer towards me until he stood in my face.

"Pardon me sir", he said with his disinterested look but he had some annoyance in his voice. "What do you mean no"?

Swallowing hard I cleared my throat and said, "that isn't Judas the betrayer, he is Barthos messenger and bounty giver".

Taken a look that seemed foreign to his unemotional face Slur looked like he ate something sour. Sucking his lips inward he closed his eyes in discomfort. Turning his back to me he limped away. Facing me his face was back to being disinterested.

"I see", he said hold up the chart again. "The last one is the Goddess Pontus, mother of the sea and the world. She is wife of Gaia father of lands and the world. If you are such a scholar you'd know that the one you called Barthos betrayed Gaia to his death. At the hands of Cancer during the forming of the new world. Afterwards Pontus was so disbonded over her loves death she didn't hear Cancer sneak up on her one night".

The evil inside Captain Slur flowed out of him like a vapor then, something was off with him I could feel it. Still he had the cold face, but he seemed to have more invested in the religious stories than his face would let you know.

"Some beliefs say she died at the hands of Cancer, others said even Cancer couldn't kill such beauty. Some would even go as far as to say he loved her that is why he killed Gaia. So to keep her to himself he tangled in chains made by the Cyclop Titans. They were cursed to make her sleep for as long as they were wrapped around her body. Then he tied her to a large rock so he could forever have the women he loved at his side".

The foulness seemed to dissipate as a sense of longing and loss filled my senses. Was he sad? I wasn't sure but it seemed like that to me, even if he didn't change his expression.

Rolling up the paper he tied the sash around it and put it back as he limped back to his desk.

"Somehow mister McSwilling talking to you has given me a headache, please second officer Harme please return him to the hold". Done talking to me Captain Slur rubbed his head as the one armed man legged go of my neck.

Giving the captain a salute he grabbed my neck again as he was taking me out of the cabin.

"One moment", said Captain Slur. Stopping Harme in his steps he turned to see what the captain wanted.

"McSwilling there was one thing I have been meaning to ask since I found out you were marked by Blood Teeth. Why isn't your skin red"?

That was an odd question, I didn't answer right away. Confusion must of been evident on my face.

Rolling his eyes Captain Slur sighed, "everyone he marked has their skin turn red. They start a particular change. Tell me why haven't you? He always marks his men so I know it isn't that, please give me some insight".

After thinking it over I did notice everyone on the Tropic Cancer had red skin. It never seemed off to me until Captain Slur mentioned just then, I shrugged.

"I don't know Captain", I said politely.

Giving me a blank stare, he didn't give me any indication how he felt. Then he rubbed his head again and waved for me to be taken away. As I was being brought to the hold questions rolled around in my head, nothing seemed to make sense. That was until I got distracted by a almost full barrel of water on deck.

Almost mad with thirst I couldn't help myself. Leaping like a mad man from Harme's grip I went face first into the water. Even as he tried to pull me from the water I kicked him hard, somewhere really soft. As I guzzled water, lukewarm it was still good to feel around my face. More men came to try and get me off but I was insane from thirst. Kicking, biting, and punching I fought them off until the struggle caused the barrel to tip.

Water was sent all over the deck, and some trickled down the hold grate. The would be slaves down there were excited to have water come the third time that day. Even as Harme brought a whip to my back I didn't care. I wasn't thirsty, after giving me a bloodied back he had the grate open. Tossing me down roughly I hit the bottom hard, the impact stung my sore back.

Matthew and Peter were at my side quickly, "brother" Matthew sounding like he didn't know if I was alive or dead. "What happened up there"?

To which I responded with a smile, "I got a drink".

That earned me immediate congratulations from those in the hold. As the downpour of water was graciously accepted with their dried lips and throats. A pool of the water was soon lapped from the bottom of the ship. Those grateful praises turned to whispered hissing though as Captain Slur decided to punish everyone for what I had done.

Sending Harme to give us the news in person with his sadistic joy ringing in his voice. "Captain said since you wasted a barrel you get no more water, any of you until one of you dies".

That sent Matthew in a tirade of enraged gesturing and stifled rants of anger. Trying not to let the captors above from hearing in fear of causing more repercussions. Matthew and Peter were the only ones who didn't blame me for no water. Truth was they admitted they'd probably do the same thing, but I knew that wasn't the case. Matthew with his size could over power the men above and get to the armory. Peter although wouldn't be so aggressive would've knocked the barrel over the grate for everyone to enjoy.

I saw my own selfish desires reflected back at me, I wish the hold was filled with Matthews and Peters instead of strangers. Even though I barely knew Matthew and Peter they were the gentlest people I've met on my misadventure.

The rest of the day I felt my body ache with pain from the beating they gave me above. Peter with a damp rag from his clothing cleaned the moist scar on my back. The cut stopped bleeding from the whip but it still was raw.

Later that night as I was half asleep in the dull humid night and my aching body Matthew woke me awake. I made a startled noise but he muffled it with his hard palmed hand.

"Quiet brother please" said Matthew with his lips pressed to my ears. Fearing obviously of being heard from above, I told him about Slur's listener above earlier in the day. I didn't think he took it to heart until I heard him speak in such a worried tone.

Obviously he was afraid of what might be heard, dragging further away from the grate he whispered more. "We are planning to take the ship. You've been above where is the armory if you've seen it".

That made something snap into my brain, a epiphany hit my brain. Was me going to meet Captain Slur pre-destiny, were the Gods guiding me to a moment of triumph. If we took the ship I could easily persuade Matthew to take me to another island or even home. All I have to do is prove to him and the others in the hold that I can contribute to their escape from slavery.

Putting my mouth to his ear I told Matthew how the wall of the hold was near the armory, two men guarded it and near there was Captain Slur's quarters. After saying this Matthew laid me down and allowed me to go back to sleep. I wanted to help but I was to tired from my weak body to care.

Sleeping soundly I could recall hearing sounds as I slept, which turned into voices, then loud commotion. Still I didn't awake, ever as I heard the sound of metal clashing. Not until a woman from the hold kicked me on my bruised side did I awake with a body rocking pain. Not knowing what was going on I smelled smoke, my eyes were foggy from sleep. Again a kick came and words that didn't seem to ring in my head. A woman with long thick braids of hair knelt down and was talking to me frantically.

"Wake up Toddwilling, the men are on deck and they need all the hands they can get. Go fight with them"! She commanded as she and another woman brought me to my feet. Still not fully awake I stumbled, crouching I tried to focus my eyes.

The smoke made it more difficult and the women kept bringing me to my legs. I didn't find strength to keep myself on my feet till the third attempt to give me footing. On my feet I cleared my eyes and saw that the hold was in darkness, with fire light breaking through the shadows. There was a hole in the wall of the hold. A rough push from the woman behind me sent me through the hole. "Hurry brother and fight for our freedom".

Brave talk from the women, they should fighting too to even the odds. Giving a monstrous yawn I was walking and almost tripped over a dead body of a one armed man. Not sure if I recall seeing the body clearly but afterwards I figured it was Harme. Getting killed firstly after they broke through the wall, some bodies of familiar faces in the hole were around also. A bloodied trail to the armory, it looked ransacked, the door ripped off and no weapons inside. Lit by a lantern left on the ground inside, I went down the hall to see if there was something I could use to protect myself.

Looking left I saw that Captain Slur was not in his quarters. It looked ransacked everything was knocked over and wrecked. His desk was smashed down the middle, and one dead body of a crew member was on the ground. A wound in his stomach bled out onto the floor. Cries from above grew more fierce and the ship rocked in the waves of the ocean.

A shiver went up my spine as I felt cold winds blow down into the decks below. Going into the armory I found only one curved dagger like weapon hung from a weapons rack. Taking it I unsheathed it from its black leather holster. Walking out of the armory I saw a crewmember with a cutlass was walking out from a doorway to my left.

Once he saw me he took a moment to analyze his chances, seeing my weapon he pointed his blade towards me and charged. I moved into Captain Slur's quarters as the blade missed me by inches. Moving back I leaned back as the crewmember slashed the blade at my neck missing barely.

Picking up some wood I threw it at the sunburned man with his thick bulbous chin and muscular arms. The piece of wood hit his face and allowed me time to stab him in his exposed thick neck. The cutlass he held was swiped towards me in surprise, the blade cut into my side. Under the skin some to cause bleeding but nothing lethal. The blade stuck there and dropped as the black blade of the dagger pierced his muscular neck. Causing him to choke and gag for air, falling back he seemed to be suffocating.

The pain in his neck and lack of air made him turned a dark purple in his face. He was suffering, dropping his cutlas I picked it up and stabbed him in the chest. I didn't know if I hit his heart but after a few more moments he stopped moving.

My first kill, I figured it would've been more heroic, instead it felt guilt ridden. A man who I knew as a enemy was killed due to our circumstances. He was a slaver, me a would be slave. I wanted to make poetic sense of it but it just seemed to be justified. Even if I didn't want it to be, what kind of crime is it? To murder yet feel no responsibility for it but guilt for having to kill another man.

The Gods of my island spoke of murder never being just in any case. In self defence it was treated as a rare and often avoidable sin, could I have disarmed him without killing him?

Probably not. I wasn't in my capabilities of that time, taking the cutlas I touched my side and felt the dampness of blood on my skin. Such pain I was used to, being with a pirate captain, in a dungeon, and on a slave brig it was a normal feeling.

So long since I had a decent meal, a time where I didn't feel pain or fear of death. My life was pain, feeling depressed I stealthily went up on deck. Smoke burned my eyes lowering my head I put my cutlas down on the deck as I rubbed at my eyes. Smoke burned my throat, I tried going back down but I was kicked down onto my stomach.

A member with a fresh gash in his left eye and blood dripping from his mouth was attacking me, grabbing for the cutlas. Looking at his thin face and bleeding mouth reminded me of Captain Blood Teeth. It also reminded of the thin face of one member of his crew who during those nights I was assaulted took extra pleasure. Touching my sensitive area with thin needle like fingers, making it bleed from rough handling. Laughing at me and making crude jokes afterwards during the day.

Reaching for the sword I didn't let him get his hand on the handle. I was just enraged, I didn't know what happened between. All I saw in my eyes was that skinny red skin man and Captain Blood Teeth. Those nights seemed to have done something to me as I familiar grip on my shoulder brought me out of that flashback. Coming out of it I saw I had torn the skin off of his face and had torn out the other eye with my longer finger nails.

Throat bleeding it looked like a razor blade cut back and forth along the skin. Matthew pulled me up off the dying man and was saying something to me but I couldn't hear.

My second kill was more of a first kill, because it still haunts me even today. I didn't kill him for my life, I did it for revenge. Something was was being torn from my more and more the longer I stay away from home. Was this what becoming a man was about? Love making and the thrill of adventure was becoming more and more like a degrading illness. Ruining my health and bringing a empty feeling into my life. This feeling was like a dragon that eats at your insides.

Only such a demon could bring such ruin to my existence. A dragon the worst kind of demon, if I had known I could've picked a different creature to associate with my emptiness. Facing the real life equivalent of the emotional hell one lives is like waking up from a nightmare to another nightmare.

"Don't worry brother, it will be alright" Matthew told me firmly. Holding a axe in his other hand stained with blood. "The ship is nearly ours, the captain has taken the rest of his crew to a barricade near the steering wheel. Just sit back and relax brother".

Sitting me down low behind the mast he gave me a comforting stroking on my shoulders. After seeing if I was alright he went to join the rest of the surviving men. I was in a mute stubour, only able to witness events but not comprehend or act on them. My entire self was ruptured twice over from the bloodshed, my wounded body, and those nights on the Tropic Cancer.

So engrossed in my turmoil I was numb as I saw Matthew, Peter, and the other men form ranks. Carrying axes, clubs, spears, and cutlasses they prepared to charge a barricade of barrels and crates. Down the deck of the ship the members of the crew and Captain Slur had dwindled losing more than half of their numbers. No more than six of the men in the hold must of died.

Such a difference in numbers, the crew must died just waking up to the alarm. Or in their beds, how the captain made it on deck being so close to the armory? I wasn't sure. Perhaps he was already on deck?

Reflecting on those events I can ponder such things, what I was doing at the time was just observing. Unthinking, unfeeling, just drained. Worn from my past, future, and present I couldn't think and didn't wish to I was set to be consumed by my own self pity. Under the cloak of my feelings of nothing was sadness derived from self pity.

Sacrificing just a few moments of feeling nothing I took a nearby piece of clothing and tore off the bloodied part. Then I placed it on my side with the cut and laid back to absorb the nothing. From where I sat I wasn't in direct view of anyone behind the mast and crates. Between those crates I could see what was laid out ahead of me, Matthew behind some crates. With the rest of the men from the hold, as I saw the crew hide behind their barricade.

Something was happening though I noticed uninterested in my state. Yelling from behind the barricade and sounds of screaming and cracking. The kind of cracking like when a oyster is opened. Screaming came soon, the only words I could hear shrilling in the night came from a member of the crew.

The man had his left hand missing and he was holding it up over the barricade in pain. Screaming in horror, "he's coming out of me! He's coming out, God help me"!

The hand started to drip white and red foam from the tip as the skin peeled back and the muscle fell off the bone. Leaving it exposed the bone started to pulsate like a throbbing blister. Captain Slur and the others started to force him over the barricade as the man screamed and begged for help.

Trying to seek help from the others of the crew they shunned him as he fell to his knees begging for help. Matthew, Peter, and the others of the hold looked on in horror. Not sure if they could risk helping the man or let him to his grizzly fate.

Soon it was over for the man as his stomach exploded in watery crimson bursting onto the deck. A large clawed foot was poking out of his open gut. Unable to rationalize the pain the man fell over and whimpered as the foot stretched out of the opening in his stomach. Clawed toes, purple scaled leg that shimmered in the fire on deck.

The man's handless arm exploded and another clawed foot poked out from the hanging shreds of flesh. Both feet began stretching in opposite ends pulling the man to opposites ends. Finally tearing off his limbs leaving a torso with a head still conscious. Somehow he was alive by some evil power that most likely enjoyed his suffering. What that man was thinking I only thought briefly after my mind was not so numbed and emotionless.

I didn't dwell on it, due to my sympathy for the poor man lead to a deep pain, a bitter reminder of my own predicament now. The man didn't last long as the rest of him stretched outwards. His torso and head seemed to inflate and burst as more clawed feet and a head of a purple scaled demon came out.

A dragon! Demon from the old history that even my own isolated island had believed in as a destroyer of men's souls. Sailors who came to my island told ghost tales of horrors on the sea. The scariest ones were about dragons, who are describe in many holy books as I understand it as a demon. A demon that walked on shore as the world was changing and caused death and destruction.

The beliefs on my island is that the dragon is the sole evil deity of the universe. Once it had the form of a sea serpent who ate the demons in the ocean. Then they swallowed a demon who didn't die inside of them but grew legs and became a traited being of evil. Named Dragon perverted by ancient tongue it is a name given to demons of the greatest power and evil.

Dragons can only enter the souls of man if they consume the body of mankind. They are summoned through the flesh of those it consumed or by chanting inside caves and underground caverns. Since they live in their lairs under stone and rock in ancient cities and temples.

That dragon had purple scales, out stretched leathery wings that were red and dripped blood. The claws were long sharp, and had a appearance of black stone. Teeth pale white that foamed blood and green mucus. The genitals on it were foaming and had outstretched a slimy spike that was covered in iron spikes. A thin whip like tail like a snap curled and snap out as it waved around in a morbid frenzy.

Eyes were empty sockets of pure blackness but from within came a light that shot outwards. A blinding pale white light that revealed all the darkness leaving anything and anyone in its sights bare.

Once the dragon appeared my eyes began to blur like the world was melting. Forming a unfocused translucent display in front of a backdrop of darkness. My head ached and my nose started to bleed and so did the gums in my mouth as the taste of metal made me shudder. Still I lacked the will to care as I saw through my fading eyesight the men fight.

The only ones I could recognize in the blur was Matthew and the Dragon. Most of the men began to run but were caught off balance by the rock of the ship. Wind had come with a forceful gust and thrown the men off their feet as a storm suddenly began raging. Powers of the Dragons were legendary to cause storms and bring about tidal waves and floods. Water flooded on deck and took some of the men in a rush overboard. Like the water came overboard only to grab onto them and drag them to the depths below.

Some got on their feet to fight others tried to run afterwards but the tail of the dragon caught snatched those running away. Wrapping around them like a rope it tightly grabbed them by whatever part of them was caught in its tail.

Sometimes I still think it was a dream but that is only fooling myself. In front of my eyes I saw them one by one being shoved into the maw of the Dragon. Matthew was the first to charge with the axe held high. The blows he struck on the Dragon's head and around its eye did nothing. Ignoring Matthew and his futile attempts to stop its feeding. Matthew even put the axe into the mouth but it the Dragon's tongue wrapped around it and caused Matthew to lose his footing.

Head first Matthew fell near the mouth of the Dragon, who leaned towards him and with its sharp teeth bit off his head. Leaving the headless corpse to fall to the ground. That death made all the other men run under deck as the Dragon finished eating the men it had wrapped around its tail. One of the men who later I found out was Peter still stayed on board deck. Watching behind some barrels. With the deck deserted Captain Slur gave out a cry that was inaudible to me and his crew went on deck. Avoiding looking at the dragon they picked up the weapons dropped and preceded below deck.

Peter was captured by the men as he was hiding and Captain Slur said something to him. Then his men got a rope and took him up the mast where they tied him to it, and left him there in the rage of the wind and rain.

That was when Slur saw me, sitting upwards my vision and sense of being warped inside my mind. Talking to me I couldn't comprehend much except, "...try this one…".

The Dragon with its blinding lights came towards me and I couldn't see anything I still sat in my daze. I felt a muscular wet muscle grab hold of me it lifted me upwards. Then it squirmed around me, as if he was tasting me to see if I was decent for its palate.

When I once again thought about those events I am most grateful for being rejected. Setting me back onto the deck I heard speak that made my apathetic mind shiver in my skull. It was like a voice that echoes even after it's been silenced. Kept in my mind those horrible words.

"Ta-ah, kaak, lo-aak", those were the best I could rationalize those words in my mind.

Afterwards all I could see was light and my mind was trapped in a blindness of light. Pale light, I could've been dead, I might've been in a deep sleep. All I know is I thought nothing, felt nothing, and when I awoke it was morning. Looking around I saw the hold where there was women and some of the men. Hoping I looked around and saw no Peter or Matthew. The wall that was smashed through during the mutiny of the ship was boarded up; through the gaps I saw men guarding it on either side.

"What happened"? I asked aloud mostly to myself as my head throbbed in pain.

A woman heard this and stood up and walked over to me kicking me a hard slap to my face. Leaving an aching pain through my mouth, the rest of my body started to feel pain again. Bruises, sunburned, and cuts. Hunger and thirst were also on my mind but the numbness in my stomach kept hunger down. Thirst was becoming natural to me at that point.

"What happened"! said the woman exclaiming my words, "you just sat there as men, brave men died. Peter is up there burning in the heat because of you, you should be up there not him".

The women was obviously irritated and I thought I recognized her as the one who urged me to go out and fight.

"What could I have done"? I asked still fuzzy about what happened. "There were things that…" I tried to finish my sentence but couldn't.

She looked like she wanted to hit me again but she didn't. "Good men died" she said, "and why a pirate like you lives makes me feel unhappy. There should be a good reason that you lived and Matthew died".

I remember his head being bitten off by the Dragon and a terrible pain gripped my chest. "I'm sorry", I said with my whole self trying to come to terms with remembering more gruesome details of the night before. "He shouldn't of died" I continued as I hid my face not wanting them to see me hold back tears.

Satisfied with my reaction she left me alone, so did the others in the hold. Water was given to us again so was food, no one left me much bread. Without Matthew there it was a royale to see who got what, he really should've lived.

The day passed with silence, only the sound of mourning for the dead and those that brought comfort. I looked up at the grate and saw Peter up high on one of the masts, he looked like he was dying.

Later in the afternoon he was brought down and put in the hold. He was alive and those there tended to his sun burnt skin and wounds.

Half conscious he could only manage to say in a brief moment of full consciousness, "he has no head".

The meaning of that didn't come till we reached the Swift Wind Isles, where Rochester's lives. Took us nearly a week to get there, the winds blew us swiftly and the seas were calm. In that time I spent mostly sleeping and getting my hands on enough bread to keep myself alive.

Peter was still in a state of half consciousness which worried us as the callout was made. That we reached our destination made my skin crawl. Captain Slur made it a point to tell me before the he was selling me to Captain Blood Teeth.

As the anchor was weighed and the ship was swaying with the gentle waves it was time to prepare the longboats. That was when the grate was removed and a voice of a man asked for women first in pairs of twos at a time. Sending down a rope ladder the women climbed out most shaking and crying. The men on deck handled them roughly, I supposed they wanted the women out first to make it easier. Once the women were gone I heard the sound of a longboat being lowered into the water.

They probably tied them together and was preparing to row them out to the island. The man above then asked for the men to go up, and so pairs of what few men remained went up the ladder. I hesitated and stayed behind, as men went up and got prepared to be sent to the island.

The ones left in the hold was me, Peter, and two other men. When the next pair was called they tried to bring Peter up with them. My guess was they didn't want themselves or Peter paired with me as they gave me a look of disgust.

Going to the ladder a voice up above said very loud and clear, "you two leave that one below. No don't switch off now, keep together and leave him with the pale skin one".

They didn't seem to like hearing that as one gave me an horrible scowl as they ascended. That made me wish Matthew was there or Peter was conscious they would've eased my feelings of isolation. Moving over to the ladder I went and picked up Peter who was laid down on the floor. Putting his one arm around my shoulders I supported him onto his feet holding him there, he has lost a lot of weight. Looking like a skeleton with skin on I tried to not touch the more boney parts of the man.

Finally the words came, "ok the last ones get up here".

It was difficult climbing the ladder while supporting Peter but once I lifted him halfway hands of the crew reached down. Picking him up they brought him up on deck and dragged me afterwards. Once on deck I nearly fell over in shock. After I started to get over the sight I saw I rubbed my eyes hoping it was just the light of the sun on the deck.

The realism of the unnatural morbid sight made me gag and almost find something for me to vomit. Instead I had something sticky rise up and stick to the insides of my throat. Me and Peter were tied together with rope by the wrists and legs. Then placed side by side, with Peter hung at my shoulder.

Even while this was happening I still watched on as the headless body of Matthew walked up to us and dragged me and Peter to a longboat. Seated at the back with the rest of the men, four armed crewmembers were in the boat with Captain Slur.

"Mister Matthews you have the ship", said Captain Slur as if he was giving orders to any other crewmember.

The headless body bowed and motioned for the boats to be lowered. I was in shock what was happening to Matthew? Was it still him or a evil spirit possessing his corpse? Cleaned of blood and no sign of harm aside from his blackened neck where his head once was attached.

Was Captain Slur in control of him or was it the Dragon? The whole thing confused and terrified me, as it made me think that Captain Blood was going to do something similar. As revenge for me escaping and burning his face.

Once we hit the water the four men in the middle were given oars and told to row at the end of cutlasses. The rowing started towards the island slowly at first but the taste of a whip made them go faster.

Before we got too far I looked back and saw the headless body of Matthew gesture to the crew to get to work. Disappearing out of sight as he walked on deck I was at a lost. As we came closer to the island I felt a kind of relief, that my life may be over soon along with my suffering.

The island before us had two other islands close to one another, one could easily swim to each of them. Each one had a plantation compounds with huts and large fences. I could see people working those fields. The island we were going to had a large castle like estate. Made of gray stone like Fort Dagon on Babylon but this one looked more like a home. With windows a large garden around the front gate and banners.

While looking at the islands I saw in the distance a large pillar of rock in the water. Some leagues off from where the islands where, it looked familiar. It wasn't till I remembered the cards in my pocket did I remember seeing it before.

Going into my pockets I found the bent cards that the two headed man-women gave me; looking through them I found the one called Rock Island. I saw it had the same towering pillar shape like a monument erected from the ocean.

A hand reached out and grabbed the cards from me, I went to reached out for them but a hard blow on my head blurred my vision. Head bowed down the blow sent me in a head aching daze. I watched in double vision as the crewman who took my cards looked them over.

"Hey capn' come see what Toddwilling has here", he said as he handed them over to the outreached hand of Captain Slur.

With disinterested look he looked at each card but after examining them he raised an eyebrow. Wearing a large hate it made his face darkened in a shadow. A large poofy blue feather slanted with the wind, I didn't notice before but he looked like a fop.

Then he looked at me and said, "where did you get these mister McSwilling"?

I thought it best to answer within fear of getting another bash on the head. The men from the hold looked at me with a look that told me I should keep my mouth shut. I didn't though at that point I felt I owed them nothing.

"A two headed thing gave it to me, it was half man and half women. Matthew" the name made me want to gag, "and Peter called… it the Twin God".

What I said made his eyes open wide and I could swear his lip curled at the corner into a smile. However in the shadow of the hot and the bright sun on the waters I couldn't be sure. Returning to his uninterested face he pocketed the cards. The men from the hold gave me a snarling look like I committed an act of betrayal.

Catching me in a foul mode I mouthed an obscenity at them and looked out on the blue waters of the ocean. Made me think of the waters at my home. That little island, with my family who didn't seem so bad compared to those I've been meeting. If I could get home, if only I could would they welcome me back? Would I be welcomed with open arms? A slight scolding for my foolhardiness? Or shunned for running away from family and my responsibility towards them? Did they miss me?

I found myself missing them immensely and it ached in my chest, to the point of making me cry. I sobbed open in that boat and no threats from the crewmen dissuaded me from unbearing my grief. That was until I felt something grab my arm from out of the sea.

A slimey wet, blue hand with webbed fingers it looked inhuman. Pulling me from the boat, Peters was going over with me, the crewmen tried to stop me from going over. The boat rocked and I felt on the boat too much pressure was pushing upwards from below on the other side of the boat.

The boat tipped over and I was pulled into the water. The deep blue darkness of the sea made me blind. I felt the rope drag Peter after me, I felt the water part against my body as I was pulled at tremendous speed. The wet hand kept a tight hold on me as it dragged me somewhere, the need for air was too great. I was choking on water that filled my mouth and lungs. Making me feel like passing out, until I saw a light after preaching the surface.