A few days had passed since Crow had sailed off with his crew, or the Crimson moon, whichever title he now prefered to be addressed by. The first few nights had been unnervingly quiet, having been accustomed to the sounds of his breathing or shifting in his sleep for the few weeks he had been aboard my ship. I put down the now empty jug of ale on the wooden table, the tavern we had sat down in for the second night in a row was just as filled with drunks and whore’s as the previous. Hanging off of each other in drunken stupor, breasts hanging outside the corsets of the women for filthy sailor hands to grab a feel to their heart’s content, for a small fee of a few shilling. I didn’t mind the sounds and laughter from the patrons of this tavern, if nothing else they aided in my attempts to rid my head of my own thoughts. 

- Stop brooding, you overgrown puppy.

- I am not brooding.

- Are so. You have yet to crack a smile at any of my jokes since the princeling fucked off across the ocean.

- Maybe you’re just not funny enough to make me laugh.

- Quiet, the both of you. I cannot listen to your bickering, drink or go back to the ship and sleep it off.

I couldn’t help but pity David. He was the one who had to put up with the two of us nagging at each other. Alex had been rightfully angry at being kept in the dark regarding the Crimson crew, though to both mine and David’s defence, time was not in our favour that day. The whole day Alex had been throwing daggers with her eyes across the ship at me, accusatory and rightfully betrayed. Her mood did improve once I had realised Crow had left us a map crudely attached to my desk with a knife, dead centre on one of the smaller south-west islands of Ireland. He had apparently kept his promise of showing us towards the destination of riches.

- David, my love, are you perhaps in the mood for some company tonight?

- Do not patronize him. If he were to need it he would just tell you.

- Aye, stingy much? Perhaps you should take up my offer as well. Wouldn’t be the first time we all share accommodation.

I couldn’t help but snort, sure she was correct in her statement, but having the two of them for the night was the last thing on my mind. Though in reality it would likely do me well in taking up Alex on her offer, but I had other things to busy my mind with. There was no real interest in indulging in such nightly activities, at least not tonight.

- I might take you up on that, don’t see why not.

- Ah, good man David. Perhaps our dear Captain will change his tune once we join him in the cabin then.

- Or you two could fuck off in David’s quarters, theres a fine enough bed there as well.

- Don’t be like that, Icarus. The more men, the more fun? No?

- Aye.

I lifted my newly filled jug of ale in a half-arsed greeting. We had been stationed at this port for a handful of days now, fetching supplies, making minor repairs and trading some goods that were due before we set sail once more towards Ireland. Hoping if nothing else, that the treasure would be easy to find from the crude instructions left by Crow on the map. 

- Is it only me, or are people being unusually quiet now?

- What?

- They were a lot more jolly a few minutes ago. It has become more tense.

I hadn't noticed the change in atmosphere due to being engaged in conversation with my fellow companions, yet now that I took a moment to look around, I too agreed. The air inside the small murky tavern had turned much more subdued than earlier. People had begun to gather in clusters, speaking quietly between one another, seemingly worried or apprehensive about something.

- Hey, you young lass!

I looked over at the young girl, holding a few jugs of ale, watching her come closer to our table as Alex waved her over. She looked to be unusually young for tending a tavern, but for all I knew she could be the daughter of the owner.   

- Aye, what can I get ya?

- Nothing but information sweet lass. What is the matter with everyone? Why is the jolly banter no longer filling the tavern?

She looked at us, her smile slightly forced, before looking back around eyeing the other tenants of the small tavern.  

- I believe people are growing weary, it has been many moons since a ship such as theirs came to our harbour.

- Who?

- The Crimson Moon and his crew. They were spotted by some sailors who laid anchor not long ago. They say their ship will soon join us within the hour.

- Is that so.

- Aye, that was some time ago, they might already be in town now. Walking around doing God knows what.

If I had thought the atmosphere had dampened before, it was nothing against the complete silence that now consumed the small tavern. All of a sudden, all the muffled voices and hushed whispers died out, only for the thump of heavy boots now walking across the wooden floor filling up every corner of the old rickety building. I looked past the young dame whose face was frozen in dread, rosy cheeks drained of their colour, eyes locked onto the table where our newly filled pints stood untouched. The footsteps upon closer inspection belonged to a handful of the men I had seen no more than a few days ago, Warwick in the very front of the small group now walking straight toward our table. I couldn’t help but let out an exasperated sigh. What could possibly be the matter this time.

- I hope we are not interrupting your evening.

- You are. Whatever you have on your mind, save it for someone who cares to listen.

An audible gasp could be heard from multiple of the patrons of the small tavern, including the frozen girl still not facing the men who had walked up behind her. Warwick seemed anything but bothered by my remark, likely finding my annoyance to some form of amusement. 

- I see. Well I ought to ask you once more, for some of your time.

- If it is Crow that wishes to speak with me, tell him I am not interested.

I looked back and forth between the pirates before me, Warwick showed no sign of what could possibly have made them look for me, but the loud man from the other day, the one named Gibbs who’d embraced Crow as if they were blood brothers, looked tired almost to the point of fatigue. Something seemed to be wrong, and though I wished that I did not care for anyone but me and my crew, I couldn’t quell the curiosity bubbling to the surface. 

- He did not send after you. It is why we are here. Do you mind if we continue this in private? Perhaps on the Spectral Dragon?

There were now low murmurs filling the otherwise quiet room, I could feel the eyes of every old sailor, drunken pirate and curious whore on me from all directions of the cramped tavern. I looked back towards Alex and David, both looked in different states of concern, though David seemed to also harbour an underlying curiosity, much like my own. David gave me a subtle nod, which was all the confirmation I needed.

- I suppose I could lend my ear at the very least, you must have travelled far to find us.

- Not so. You were not hard to find.

With that, Warwick and his crew turned to exit the tavern, I stood up to join them but before I had the chance I felt a tight grip on my wrist. I did not need to turn around to know who the grip belonged to.  

- I will come with you.

- No.

- No.

I looked over, watching Alex stab David a thousand times over with her fierce eyes. Though she dutifully released me, enabling me to join the handful of the Crimson crew now exiting the quiet tavern. Swiftly closing the door behind us and the prying eyes of the curious tavern-goers.

- This way.

I simply nodded in response, as I began to follow Warwick and the other men who led me down towards the harbour, a bit further away from the other ships that had laid anchor. The ship was even more impressive up close, the brief encounter from a few days ago had not done her justice in my memory. It was beautiful, showing both great skill and craftsmanship in every detail from bow to rear. A bit gaudy according to my own tastes, but each to their own. They led me onto the ship, showing me towards the back, where the captain’s quarters were located. As the doors were opened to me, I had imagined a smug Crow sitting, feet swung onto the captain’s desk, smile wide and eyes leering, but all I was greeted with was more gaudy interior decor, along with an otherwise empty cabin. 

- I told you. Crow did not ask for you.

- Then why am I here?

- He is gone.

I couldn’t control my eyes from turning into slits, eyebrows creased. 

- Gone?

- Yes. He was taken.

I couldn’t help but let out an ugly snort. Lips curling into a crooked smile, faint but enough to show.

- Again? I don’t see why that is my issue though. I did not take him.

- We know. We are here to ask for help.

How unexpected. I had not seen that coming. I looked between the other pirates, gaging if they were in on an elaborate scheme or joke, but no. They all seemed rather serious. Before I had the chance to ask any further, Gibbs handed over a piece of parchment, a letter or message of sorts. I took a hold of the thin paper, folding it open and letting my eyes skim through the letter.

Crimson crew, 

We hereby inform you that the captain you seek is no longer a concern of yours. 

He will be taken to the void, and as such he should be considered dead from this day forward. Do not take this as a threat for we assure you, it is simply the truth. 

Sincerely, U.

I did not know what to make of the letter. It was written with no care, as there were splotches of ink all over the letter, the handwriting hurried and sharp. It was likely written in great haste, which would be natural to assume since Crow seemed to have been taken, once again.

- Again, I do not see why thi-

- You can read it, no?

Finally it dawned upon me, none of the pirates before me could read nor write. 

- You wish for me to tell you the content of this letter?

- Yes. If you may.

- It says they have taken Crow, and that you should consider him dead as he has been taken to “the void”, it is also signed by one named “U”.

Warwick was seemingly much like David, in how he seldom showed in his expression what he thought or how he reacted upon hearing the contents of this letter. He simply looked over towards the other pirates in their crew, looking between each other for some form of confirmation. They seem to know what the letter meant, and who it was from. 

- Thank you.

- Is there anything else or am I able to leave and rejoin my crew?

- There is something else we would like you to consider, before going.

- What is it?

- We would like to inquire about your services, or help, in retrieving our captain.

- Why?

- In all honesty, we seemingly have no time to ask our allies, and so we knew you were close by. We will pay you of course, handsomely.

I looked over at the other man, Gibbs, his eyes almost pleading as he watched me, silently waiting for my answer, hopeful in his unwavering gaze. Alex will likely kill me.

- As long as it is paid half now and half after we have him, I see no issue in such an arrangement.

- As you wish. We will leave in a few hours.

After a few more details were worked out, the first half of the payment had been agreed upon. Warwick ordered for some of the crew inside the Captain’s quarters to carry the chest of the payment over to my ship, I could see before me the wrath of Alex the minute she realised what I had agreed to, but not before letting her eyes lovingly look at the contents of the payment, and the promise of another cut once the princeling was found. I also couldn’t help but hear the last words Crow had said as he boarded his own ship, Captain’s hat now perched atop his blonde locks, lilac eyes meeting my own. If fate makes it so, I believe we might meet again. 

I could not help but imagine, perhaps it was so.