TW// Violence, murder, blood, gore

The crew had grown fond of Elias. They would allow him to sit with them when they were eating, they didn’t chase him away when they were gathered on deck, they would include him when singing songs and telling stories. The mocking stopped entirely and some who used to tease him even became admirers of Elias.

Now the crew was willing to show him how things were done instead of expecting Elias to know it from the first time they would show it to him. He would also say a word or two or even hold conversations with some of the crew. Gerold’s lessons were growing less frequent, and they would spare only every third day.

One windy evening as they practised under the oppressive grey skies Elias once again disabled Gerold and celebrated with a little smirk. His teacher couldn’t resist a proud smile, mirroring the content of his pupil, as he refastened the sword to his belt and reached into his inner coat pocket.

“Never had a student as great as ya.” He pulled out something wrapped in fabric and presented it to Elias. “Here, for ya kid.”

Elias placed his two swords on the ground and gingerly took the object from his hands. Elias carefully unwrapped the cloth, revealing four elegantly shaped throwing knives. He looked up at Gerold, mouth agape.

“Two swords suit ya,” he winked, despite the patched eye. “But yer aim with daggers is even better than mine.”

Elias struggled to find his voice. He looked down at the knives in awe, delicately tracing them with his fingers. “T-thank you.”

Gerold placed his hand on Elias’ shoulder. “No worries kid. I’ve taught ya everythin’ I could. There won’t be any more lessons.”

Elias wrapped the knives back, straightened his posture and genuinely grinned at Gerold. “Thank you!”

Before Gerold could say anything else Elias went below deck to his hiding spot. He pulled out the knives, throwing them from hand to hand, trying to familiarise himself with them. Then he started throwing them into the nearest wall.

They were perfect - the size and shape, the weight, everything!

He threw them around for an hour until his hands would shake from tiredness, then finally placed them on the belt with his dagger and ran up on deck for dinner. As he was rushing up the stairs, he crashed into someone.

“So-” He choked up mid words as he looked up at who it was. “-rry.”

Pit was watching him, just like the night he first noticed him and like he did every time Elias caught him lurking in the corner of his eyes. His gaze was pinning him down and Elias felt as uncomfortable as ever and inexplicably disgusted.

“Sorry.” Said Elias again in a whisper trying to stifle the discomfort in his voice and moved past him towards the already gathered crew. As he sat beside Gerold, he could still feel Pit’s eyes on him.

When they finished their meals, some stayed and talked, but as the wind got colder the crew dispersed down to their nets. Elias stayed on deck by himself, leaning against the railing looking out onto the sea. The only other soul on deck was Kian up in the crow’s nest.

The cold wind that blew through Elias’ short hair felt good, almost as if it was clearing his mind. He was thinking of the past two years with the crew. It was anything but easy, yet far away entirely bad. He always thought of pirates as barbaric vandals, but that image was a complete juxtaposition to some of the crew, like Nick, Gerold, Theo and Filp. If it weren’t for them Elias would despise this place.

His eyes were becoming heavy so he stood up with a big yawn to go to sleep. When he turned around he saw something on the horizon in the darkness. Elias figured out it was a ship sailing towards them just as Kian shouted to Elias.

“Get the crew! It’s one of the kingdom's ships.” He grabbed the rope by the bell and pulled hard on it. The bell echoed through the ship. “Now!”

Elias without hesitation rushed down to the Berth shouting. The crew had already heard the bell and were on their feet, running up on deck. Gerold was walking towards him, two swords in his hand when the first cannon ball hit the ship. It rocked it hard, but both Elias and Gerold managed to stay on their feet.

Gerold pushed the swords into Elias’ hands. “Think of it as me and ya fightin’.”

Elias nodded and Gerold pushed past him, sword ready for the fight. Elias took a big breath.

You can do it!

Just like Gerold said, it will be like me and him fighting.

He gripped his swords and ran up on deck. The crew had already prepared the canons, waiting for the order to fire. The kingdom’s ship was almost beside theirs now. Elias could clearly see their flag - orange and purple with a lily in the middle. It was a ship from The Kingdom of Naydawin.

In the past years Elias learned this kingdom didn’t sit well with The Rose Sparrow for whatever reason. They were long time enemies.

“Hold the fire!” Elias looked up at Kian standing on one of the masts. “Hold.”

Elias looked to the ship almost parallel with theirs. He gripped his swords, heart racing in his chest.

“Fire!”

The canons blasted at the royal ship, just in time before they could fire at them. Elias had to cover his ears, still not used to the sound of an explosion. When the initial shock wore down, the soldiers from the royal ships started jumping on The Rose Sparrow.

Elias thought he was ready. He thought he got over it. He thought he was strong enough to do it.

But then he heard the firing of pistols, the clanking sound of blades hitting against each other. The blood dripped and sprayed around and onto the ground, bodies were dropping and he couldn’t tell which were worse; the ones that fell, but were alive just enough to squirm violently on the floor while producing the blood curdling screams of agony, or the ones that fell lifelessly to the cold black wood, their glassy eyes staring directly into his soul.

Elias thought he wouldn’t see them again.

Their bodies.

Ma and pa, falling down, dead.

Elias dropped the knives stumbling backwards. His body began to shake and all he could hear was his heartbeat in his ears.

“Elias!” The sound was muffled, Elias could barely hear it until Filp stepped in front of him and pushed the sword back into his hand. “Ya have to fight”.

Elias could only manage to hysterically nod away. Filp opened his mouth to speak, when his eyes widened, and he vigorously pulled Elias aside just before a knife could find a place in his body. He looked sternly back at Elias. “Fight or ya die.”

Elias nodded. He didn’t really know why; he wasn’t sure if he could even do anything. Despite his mind blanking, his body moved automatically or more like avoided everything and everyone that it possibly could. He had to hide.

He couldn’t get below deck as someone fighting Gerold was blocking the path. Elias frantically looked around, desperately searching for a hiding spot. Finally, he noticed a dark corner under the stairs. He impetuously ran towards it, just barely dodging a bullet aimed in his direction.

When he reached the cramped place under the stairway, he pushed himself deep into its shadow, hugging his knees tightly to his chest, covering his mouth with both hands, trying hard not to make a sound.

He could’ve closed his eyes, but he feared he might’ve missed someone noticing or approaching him. So, he was forced to watch the massacre taking place before him. Elias tried to not see his parent’s faces in the befell men. The stench of blood in the air made his stomach twist, he had to push down the urge to vomit.

The battle suddenly subsided when Kian shouted. “Stop ya morons. We got yer Captain!” Elias looked at where Kian was standing, holding a pistol to a man’s head in a purple uniform with orange embroidery and a silver lily pin above his heart. “Make another move and he dies.”

Everyone stopped, an insecure silence spread through the ship. Elias only now realised how loud his breathing really was. Hell, even his heartbeat felt like a drum in his ear.

“Drop ya weapons!” he said while pushing the Captain of the royal ship on his knees, still pointing a gun at the back of his head. Elias could see from where he was hiding that the man’s hands were tied behind his back. “Now!”

It was followed by the sound of metal scattering to the ground.

“You filthy fernties! The Kingdom of Naydawin will hear about thi-”

There was a loud bang of doors opening. Everyone looked at Sabur, his face still mysterious in the shadow of his cabin. He slowly made his way towards them, the metal leg dramatically thudding with each step.

“The Kingdom will hear about what?” he drawled deliberately, his low voice echoing through Elias’ bones.

“T-that… About-” Sabur stopped in front of the unfortunate daredevil. “Uhh… The Kingdom-”

Sabur looked at Kian and asked. “Where’s the boy?”

Elias’ heart sank. Sabur was going to beat him up.

“W-what boy?” Said the man kneeling. “There’s no k-kids on that ship. Who would b-bring a boy on an army ship?”

Sabur didn’t pay him any mind as didn’t Kian. “I saw him up on deck when the cannons went off, but after that I haven’t seen him. He must be hidin’.”

Sabur slowly nodded and then without a warning he shouted. “Elias!”

Elias almost jumped out of his body. He had to press his hand firmly over his mouth to not let out a cry.

“Come out here kid, I need you to do something for me!” Elias felt burning tears trying to free themselves in the corner of his eyes. He should get out. If he doesn’t the punishment will be even worse once they so find him. “ELIAS!”

Elias' legs moved without consent. He solemnly walked towards Sabur, afraid to meet his eyes, but knowing that he was watching his every step. Elias couldn’t hide the trembling of his body.

“Come here.”

Elias stopped beside Sabur, pale in the face and visibly quivering.

“Ha, pirates. Forcing children into all of this! You really are just some fernities.”

Sabur frigidly looked back at the Captain and he immediately shut his mouth. “Tell me, what valuables do you have on the ship?”

“V-valuables?” It would have been hard to look past his nervousness, clearly indicating he was hiding something. “There is nothing valuable on the s-ship. We’re not a merchant s-ship, we’re an army ship!”

Sabur didn’t remove his cold eyes from him. After a long couple of seconds, he nodded towards Kian. He moved towards the plank connecting the two ships.

“Bring me a sword.” said Sabur, eyes still on the Captain. Elias tried, with tiny steps, to move away. “Where are you going Elias?”

Elias froze. Someone brought Sabur the sword. He took it and waited. After some time, they heard someone screaming. Elias’ pupils narrowed - it was a child screaming. He met the same shocking face on the Captain. Any colour that was left in his face drained away in an instant.

“Leave me alone!” Elias looked at the royal ship. Kian was dragging a boy Elias’ age by the collar of his shirt. “My f-father will kill you if you hurt me!”

When they brought him over to The Rose Sparrow, the shouting stopped.

“Papa?”

“Son, it’s going to be o-okay.” Kian dropped him beside the man, his hands also tied behind his back. Captain looked at Sabur, anger and dread twisting his features. “Leave my son be!” His face quickly turned into a pleading one. “P-please. I’ll do anything. Just l-let my son go.”

“Elias.” Insecurely Elias stepped forward. Sabur gave him the sword and guided him towards the boy. “Kill him.”

Elias’ head snapped to Sabur, flurry of emotions crossing his face.

“Didn’t you hear me?” He leaned closer menacingly, pushing Elias’ chin towards the boy. “Kill him.”

“I-I… I can’t.” His voice was breaking, his throat felt awfully dry. “H-he’s a kid.”

“So?”

“I c-can’t.” Elias’ hands were shaking vigorously, the knot in his stomach thitened. “I…”

“Please don’t kill my son! Spare him, please!”

Sabur nodded towards Kian and he pushed a knee hard into his back.

“Papa!” The kid was shaking just as bad as Elias. He looked back at him, his wide brown eyes a reflection of Elias’. “P-please don’t.”

Elias stepped backwards, crashing into Sabur. He felt Sabur’s hard grip on his shoulders. “You have to Elias. If you let him live, he will come back to haunt you in a few years. They all do. They’ll keep you awake at night.”

Fat heavy tears started rolling down the kid’s face. It made it much worse for Elias.

“B-but, he’s a k-kid.”

“And?” Sabur’s voice bloomed through the night. “The resentment, his need for vengeance will be that much bigger when he grows up. Do it. I wasn’t asking you, it was an order.”

“P-please, I don’t want to.” begged Elias.

Captain, the father of the kid, was now imploring Elias. “Please don’t.”

The tip of Elias’ sword was right in the middle of the kid’s chest.

“Do. It.”

Everyone was screaming and begging at Elias, the voices were becoming overwhelming. It was all too much for him, he just needed quiet to think. He shut his eyes, trying to overhear the screaming, hoping that this was all a nightmare and he would wake up in his net, drenched in cold sweat.

“Papa, I’m s-scared!”

“Please, not my s-son.”

“KILL HIM!”

His voice was like thunder, startling Elias. He pushed his sword into the fresh skin. Elias' eyes jolted open. The kid was looking at him, eyes as wide in shock as his own. He looked down at the blade in his flesh and Elias followed his gaze. The blade was only a centimetre in his skin. Elias was still firmly holding the hilt of the sword.

“Finish it Elias. This is barely a scratch.”

Elias’ mouth opened, but there came no sound. His lower lip trembled, flabbergasted, and terrified of what he had just done. The pain caught up to the kid and he started howling and crying.

“I-I…”