Year 765 Hippocampus Rush

“What?”

“No chains. I will find some way to get your freedom documents if you join. However, I must make myself clear just this once.” He leaned into the gap between them to be at her eye level, getting sick of seeing her craning her neck. “I have no tolerance for weak loyalties, and you must follow my commands. Being a pirate is difficult. I can’t promise complete safety. What I can promise is money, food, clothes, and respect from everyone on the ship.”

Rhea broke away from their shared eye contact, shifting on her heels. There must be something keeping her from agreeing to these terms.

He was very glad not to have to force it out of her.

“What if your command brings more harm than good to everyone?” Rhea locked eyes on him, her honesty meant to offend him.

In most cases, he would turn away if someone questioned his resolve too much. There was only so much time and energy he was willing to spare for people, and he hated being inconvenienced. He must always keep a certain level of no-nonsense authority to accomplish his goals.

Yet here he was nearly losing the stoney façade. The corners of his lips would have shuddered into a smirk if he let it, finding her concerns fascinating. It was a completely selfless question, a trait that had surfaced out of this woman more than once in their interactions.

“You haven’t agreed to the terms, yet you question my authority as if you were part of the crew already?”

“Just answer me.” Rhea juts out her bottom bruised lip, losing the earlier tough edge.

“I will allow sound criticism. Meaning, you will have the right to question my command for due reason. If you cause a mutiny, then there will be repercussions.” Connor waited for her answer, diligently.

“Great. I do not even know what a mutiny is so...” Rhea’s answer dripped out of her mouth like sweet nectar. Her fist pumps over her chest as a salute of Kraxxian nature, those very eyes puffy from crying burned with determination. “Mister Connor. I, Rhea Nox, shall join your crew based on what is agreed upon. No mutinies, no deviation of the promises, no chains, and my respectful loyalty.”

Captain Connor is shocked to have her agree to the terms so quickly. Wasn’t it just a few hours ago that she hated the sight of him?

The huntress barely even understood what a mutiny was, so it worried the captain to have her agree to the terms without asking more questions.

What happened to her that changed her tolerance drastically?

This is what he knew for certain. Connor is going to have even longer work days just to get her at the knowledge level to function on his ship. Hours teaching her map reading, learning the language of sailing, solar navigation, etiquettes... The list keeps going.

Those are going to be the longest of days with how she is an antagonist of schedules, plans and proper etiquette. His mental fortitude would be at her mercy.

“From this day till we perish in Chemuk’s watery gardens or retire from this life, you will call me Captain around everyone.” He extends his hand out for her to shake, “In the meantime, the Nightmare Maiden welcomes you abroad.”

“Thank you. Mister Captain” Rhea took his hand and shook it; he noticed how small her hand was to his hand, begging the question if she could even handle the life of a pirate if he didn’t just witness her skills in battle.

Wait...

“Just Captain."

“Right. Captain mister?”

Is she just trying to annoy me? Patience. “We will go over proper etiquette tomorrow. Now come and meet the crew.” Connor released the handshake, fighting down the urge to correct her for the title butchering. Berating someone for their ignorance isn’t something he is willing to waste his time on. He had just started his mental count down on when such corrections would be most important.

“Right. They are all waiting for you.” Rhea pointed it out with a pensive smile on her face, following him close behind.

“Aye.” Connor let out this, not yet comfortable to show every side of him. It didn’t change the fact that his pride spread outward from the ship. He had nothing but pride in him when he thought of his crew, all meeting his rather high expectations.

Will she be able to do the same?