Princess of the Blood Moon Pirates

Treated just like a common prisoner is what I've become. I admit this does hurt not just physically but emotionally as well. I'm the firstborn of one of the most renowned pirate groups in the seven seas yet I'm being treated like a rat. So much for being the princess of the Burning Moon Pirates. I don't deserve this. I will never deserve this. My arms and legs are starting to go numb with the chains shackled to them. What can I do to relieve myself of this despair? Think. Think or die before I can even prove myself to everyone, especially to myself.

          The containment chamber is located at the lowest level of the ship where the other cells also hold other captives from the last raid. Normally, they turn those prisoners into hostages to extort more wealth from their families. Also, prisoners from less fortunate lineages are being sold off as slaves. Although I'm from a great line of pirates, I can't help myself to think of the worst. I love Pa as my father but as a captain, that's a totally different story. The tension building up in me intensifies as the constant darkness lingers in this area. Not to mention the horrid smell and the haunting whispers from other people being held in this place.

          The thick, wooden doors to the chambers suddenly open, revealing three silhouettes entering. There's no doubt that the figure walking ahead of them is the captain: Pa. The other two steady figures walking behind him are my brother and the first mate's son. A few of the torches illuminating the place offer them light towards my cell. Their auras are intimidating altogether but I won't question that their individual presences bring shivers from everyone's core. I now understand why these people are being feared not just by their own crew but everyone else.

          "Unchain her and take her to the interrogation room. I'll handle her myself." Pa instructs, talking to my brother and his friend but looking at me sharply.

          "Captain." The two men respond in agreement.

          The first mate's son unlocks the cell then my brother handles the chain linked to my limbs. The two of them crane both of my arms around their shoulders. As tall as they are, my feet are barely touching the ground as we head towards the interrogation room. As always, Pa leads the way. The whispers and muffled cries follow us as we leave the area. Curious eyes land upon us as some of the crew watch me being held like I'm about to be euthanized. What does Pa plan to do with me? Did he finally decide to end my life? Even though I'm the eldest child, I'm the disgraced one in his eyes. That I can tell for sure.

          "Chain her to that seat!" Pa commands.

          In no time, I'm chained again but in a sitting position this time so it's more comfortable. The interrogation room is just like any other room but the only things in here are a long table and the chairs placed around it. I believe this can also serve as a meeting room. I was placed at the end of the table farthest to the door while Pa sat at the opposite chair so he was facing directly at me. My brother closed the door and joined his friend as they were now both standing behind Pa's seat. The way my brother moves isn't what I'm used to. He's sturdy, strong, and unfazed. He's not my little brother anymore. I might be wrong thinking that he's still the weak brother I used to know.

          "Explain yourself." Pa's voice breaks the brief silence in the room. I flinch unlike my brother and his friend.

          "Pa, –his fists curl, shaking– Captain, I wished to be a part of the raid." I admit. I can feel the pounding in my chest intensifying with every word. "I wished to offer my help to you and to the rest of the crew. I wish to become a pirate, P-Captain!"

          The intensity in his gaze towards me didn't falter but his fists relaxed so that's something. "We've talked about this, dearest. This isn't your place. You're better suited back at home where the other women are."

          My palms strike the wooden table, making me stand up. "You sound just like Ma." He grins but I obviously didn't mean that as a compliment. "You always think less of me like I'm some kind of a fragile flower or something. I can be more than that, Pa. I just know it!"

          He's not fazed. He never was. Whatever I do, I'm always the frail rose in his thorn garden. "No child of mine would dare to break our traditions. Do you hear me, Portia? No child of mine will defy the will of the Gods!" There it is. The commanding voice everyone fears but I mustn't back down.

          "Or what, Pa? Or what? Will you denounce me as your eldest born and sell me off like a slave just like your prisoners?" My eyes start to water in rage. I can almost feel like I can be able to break these chains myself if this keeps up.

          "You know I won't do that, dearest." He calms down. "I just want to protect you from –he gestures around him and looks back to me– all these. This is the part of our lives that will haunt you until your last breath. Your Ma and I, and even your brothers –I look at my brother and sends me a warming nod– want the best for you that's why…" He pauses, probably contemplating if this is the right time to say it.

          I didn't let him finish what he was about to say as I already knew what it might be. "That's why you've already arranged my marriage, right?"

          "Pa, what is she talking about?" Although still standing straight as a solid wall, I can see the flustered expression on my brother's face. "I didn't know about this."

          "What did I tell you about calling me that while we're on a mission, boy?" The sternness in Pa's voice is undeniable.

          "My apologies, captain. It won't happen again." My brother lowers his head slightly then flicks his gazes back to me again. The concern in his eyes didn't leave.

          "How did you know about that, Portia? No one knows about it. Even your groom is still in the shadows about the matter." Pa pointed out.

          "I'm the princess of the Burning Moon pirates, Pa. I know everything." I look straight into his eyes and to my brother and finally, to his friend. "You've arranged me to be wed with him." I point at the first mate's son.

          Although I'm not looking directly at my brother, I can see in my peripheral that it's like a barrel of ice-cold water has been poured over him. I can sense the jolt of pain striking his core, his face reddens, muscles tremble, and his eyes start to water even though it's obvious that he's trying his best to stick to his duty and stand firm. The first mate's son was sent to disbelief himself. Both of them hide their true emotions very well but not well enough to hide them from me. I know what they're thinking and whatever it is, I'm with them.

          "Since that little secret is already out, there's no point in hiding it." Pa proudly responds, standing up and wrapping his arm around the first mate's son. "Dirkstra Ciglis, son of my best friend and first mate, Olaf Ciglis, meet your beautiful wife, Portia Yulbrok. You two will become the couple of the season. What can you say, lad?"

          Dirkstra looks at me with a confused expression. For a little while, he couldn't look at my brother but he eventually did with pain in his eyes. Being the son of the Pa's first mate has its own responsibilities and knowing Dirkstra, he'll put duty first before anything else. "If my father has already given his blessing to this marriage, I will gladly take your daughter's hand."

          For the first time in ages, I saw a tear fall from Dirkstra's eyes. We've known each other since we're just as small as tiny stacks of hay and I've never seen him cry once. My brother was always the bawler among us. When Dirkstra is wounded or being whipped as punishment, he always holds firm and laughs them all off like nothing happened. I must admit that I admire him for that. I thought I never see the day Dirkstra Ciglis would cry. On the other hand, my brother is surprisingly keeping himself together. His initial reaction has long faded and just looking straight at me and no one else. Not at Pa, not at Dirkstra, but at me. I didn't expect him to stay collected at a time like this. Maybe he's really not my weak brother anymore.

          "Is that tears of joy I'm seeing there?" He asks, laughing. He didn't let him respond and just let himself blurt out anything in his mind. "I always knew you had something with Portia since you were little. You even made my son here your best friend so you can get closer to her, didn't you? You sly dog. I commend your dedication. A man should always do what his manhood tells him to do if you know what I mean." He laughs so hard that he has to sit back down.

          Dirkstra is looking at no one else but my brother but my brother isn't looking back at him. I know he knows Dirkstra doesn't have a choice but to willfully follow Pa's wishes or only the Gods know what will happen to him and his father. I look straight back at my brother. He's so focused on my eyes that I'm not sure if he's blinking anymore. But, I know this look. He may not have the guts to go against Pa's wishes but I do. I hate to see my brother broken like this. He may not tell me exactly but I know he opposes this notion as much as Dirkstra, as much as me.

          "What about my brother?" My mouth moves on its own. My mind hasn't come up with anything plausible yet.

          "What about your brother? Should he have any say about this matter?" He asks, looking directly at my brother. "Do you have anything to say, boy?" My brother is lost for words as well. The silence is deafening. "Don't make me ask again, Braum."

          Before Braum can even open his mouth, I already made a somehow valid point. "Even I don't marry Dirkstra or anyone for that matter, Braum, as your eldest son, will take care of me. Isn't that true, brother?" No answer. Dirkstra's face radiates with hope.

          "Am I hearing you right, dearest? You don't want to get married?"

          "I do not want to get married. I want to become a pirate."

          "No woman has dared to be part of this business let alone aiming to haul great amounts of treasures with her leading an entire fleet. Don't be delusional, dearest. I'm saying this as your father and the captain of this ship: Know. Your. Place." The excitement in his voice from earlier has gone. "Braum, convince your sister to marry your brother-at-arms here. At least one of my children is following what the Gods have intended. Isn't that right, boy?"

          I look at Braum with pleading eyes. I know what he wants. I know who he wants. However, he's a man of faith himself just like any man –and woman for that matter–in our messed up society. My hope is he'll stand up for himself once but knowing them, I highly doubt that. The gears in my brother's mind are almost visible to me as he takes a little too long to respond to Pa's remarks. Will he really do it? Will he finally be able to actually man up and fight for what he believes will make him happy and not what makes Pa happy?

          "Congratulations on your m-marriage, sister." He almost choked but he caught himself right away. He approaches Dirkstra and pats him on the shoulder twice. "Congratulations, man. Take care of her." He's bidding his farewell. Before he lets tears pour out, he excuses himself out of the room.

          Staring at Dirkstra, I'm gesturing for him to follow Braum but he only shakes his head and looks down. What's with all these weak men? Braum and Dirkstra may be the best warriors in the crew but when it comes to their own happiness, they're too weak to let themselves seize their moment. Pa may be the captain of one of the greatest pirate groups on the seas but his ego is too fragile to acknowledge anyone else's true sentiments. These are a few of the reasons why I believe a woman's voice is critical in times like these. And that voice will be mine.