“Then as the waves grew higher the captain cried out “full speed ahead” they were not losing that treasure for anything. Waves crashed onto the deck, people hanging onto the edges of the ship as the sea mercilessly attacked the ship. Showing the crew just how awful the sea could be. For there are always two sides to everything.” his mother sweetly said as she retold him his favorite tale.

“Tell me the part where the captain gets his treasure!” Erick said eagerly as his mother tucked him into bed.

“Ah yes, the captain's treasure. Every captain has one thing they search for, for this captain it was the fair maiden of The Whispering Reef, a magical little village just past the Shipwreck cay where the most violent storms are. That didn’t stop the captain, he was determined to claim his treasure. Then finally the sea let up and they made it through Shipwreck cay." His mother said his imagination sparked with the images of the crew and captain bravely fighting their way through the storm.

“And the treasure?” Erick asked, his small eyes filled with curiosity and joy.

“Well the Captain gladly claimed his treasure, forever sailing the seas with the beautiful maiden.” his mother said as she gently nuzzled his cheek making him giggle. “Now off to the sea of dreams with you my little swashbuckler.” his mother said lovingly as she gently ruffled his hair.

“Sing me a song first?” he whispered as sleep tugged at the back of his eyes.

“Of course my little sailor.” his mother said as she gently patted his head.

“Set sail for adventure upon the great sea, a loving place of mystery. Take your crew in tow and sail upon her crystal waters, but remember the sea has two sides. One loving and calm, one cruel and unforgiving. Keep your sights on the horizon and fight for the treasure of your own as you set sail for adventure upon the sea.” His mother sweetly sang as he drifted off to sleep, dreams of ships and treasure filling his head. 

“Set sail for adventure upon the blue sea,  with a hearty crew in tow, set sail for adventure and live a life of luxury.” Erick sang out into the blue waters as the waves gently rocked the hammock he had set up upon the masts.

This had been the life he always dreamed of. Sailing the world, meeting new people, trying new food, and his favorite of all new kinds of alcohol. Of course, life hadn’t gone as he had planned, he originally wanted to be a regular sailor, working for the queen and her crews. However, he soon realized that he would rather hunt for treasure instead and live a life of no rules and restrictions. When he turned twenty he bought his own boat and got his own crew and sailed for the adventure he so craved. Sadly there had been many setbacks, such as sailing off course, getting stranded in the water, making enemies on land, and losing almost his entire crew because they claimed he was too reckless. They were pirates, reckless was in their blood, in his opinion you were either a reckless pirate or a dead one. Besides The Sea’s Treasure was one of the finest ships on the waters, they were just missing out on a life of luxury and riches. That just meant more for himself, so what if those cowards didn’t want adventure he had everything he needed to do it without them anyway.

“Set sail for the Burich Islands!” Erick shouted as he slipped down from the mainmast and landed on the deck.

“Captain, I'm not so sure that's such a wise idea, those islands are full of thieves and the worst kinds of people you can imagine,” Westley said as he stared out at the dancing blue sea before them.

Erick smiled as he stared at his first mate. His fluffy light brown almost blond hair waved in the wind, as he stared at the sea with his bright green eyes, the sun shining across the freckles on his face. Westley had a decent enough build for a sailor but he didn't show it. yes he was strong but it didn't look like it, Erick always made jokes that he might blow away with the sails one day if he didn't bulk up.

“Now Wes.” Erick began as Westley huffed and stared at him.

“It's Westley Captain, not Wes.”

“Ah right, well Wes I’m the Captain here therefore I’m in charge. So therefore we will be sailing to the Burich Islands.” Erick said as he leaned up against the railing and smirked at Westley. Westley sighed and walked up to the wheel and gently changed course.

“As you wish, captain, we've known each other for 3 years and yet you still can’t get my name right.” he huffed under his breath as he manned the helm.

“Good lad” Erick beamed as he stared out at the sea.

Yes, this was definitely the life for him, no responsibility, no rules, just sailing the oceans waters and exploring the world. As long as he had the wind in his sails and a bottle of rum nothing could ever be better.

 “Don’t you just love it out here Wes? No rules or responsibilities.” Erick sighed happily as Westley rolled his eyes as he came down from the helm.

“Maybe no responsibilities for you. You dump them all on me.” Westley huffed as Erick laughed and wrapped his arm around Westley’s shoulders.

“Oh you're a riot Wes, Maybe at Burich, we can put that comedy to work for a good old bit of coin,” Erick said as Westley just shook his head.

"Now why don't we relax as we sail, the chores are done for the day and I do have a second bottle of rum with your name on it," Erick said hopefully as Westley smiled and shook his head.

"you know what Captain, a drink might just do me well today," Westley said as Erick went down below to fetch him a bottle.

Erick smiled as he weaved his way through the bottom of the ship to the cellar. Westley was good company, far better than those deserters who abandoned their ship. they didn't need them anyway. Honestly, if it wasn't for Westley and rum he probably would have lost his mind out here upon the seas crystal blue waters. he quickly grabbed two bottles of rum and closed the cellar as he popped the cork off of his bottle and made his way back to the main deck.

"here we are, the finest and only rum on the ship!" Erick chuckled with pride as he handed Westley one of the bottles.

"we're running low I'm guessing?" Westley asked as he popped his cork into the blue waters below.

"right you are lad, that's why we're going to Burich. out of everywhere, we've ever been they have the best rum around." Erick said smugly as he took a swig of his drink.

"what about the Ivory chain? They had a pretty wide selection. I was fond of the fruit flavors they had there myself." Westley said as they gently rocked along with the ship.

"They had good flavors but the actual alcohol was diluted and you had to drink about ten bottles just to feel a buzz. I'd hardly call that a good drink. besides the Ivory chain isn't so fond of us." Erick said as he began to reminisce about their old adventures.

"yes if i'm recalling it right they found you making out with their "town jewel" and were were chased by a mob with pitchforks back to our ship." Westley laughed as Erick shook his head.

"how was I supposed to know she was the mayors daughter? besides she came onto me." Erick said as he laughed along with him.

They had such fond memorys upon these waters. from all the different places they had been to the people they ran into on the water. Every adventure had been better than the last, with twists, turns, fights, and rum. All in just three fun years.

"or what about when we vistited Durfolk?" Erick chuckled as Westley laughed and gently pushed his shoulder.

"god almighty don't bring that up, Durfolk was very different for the both of us." Westley said as Erick leaned up against the railing of the ship.

"I seem to recall a southernbell and a burning barn." Erick said with a smirk as Westley gasped and shoved him harder.

"shut up! I said were not talking about Durfolk!" Westley laughed as he took another swig of his drink.

Erick smiled Westley always got easily drunk and tented to be more sociable and less uptight when he was. yes Westley was sociable when he wasn't drunk but he embodied Erick's personality when he got drunk, and what could be better than more of him?

"just think of it not as were going to Burich and instead as were going on another one of our exsilerating adventures!" Erick said as Westley leaned against the railing.

"aye aye captin." Westley said as he tipped his bottle in the air.

"Now, lets set sail for adventure!" Erick cheered as he leaned over the railing.

"We're already sailing captian"

"Yes, Wes. I know. I know. That was just for dramatic effect."