Ivy should have taken more stock into the dark clouds forming beyond the horizon, but there was something which held her back. As she continued training with Val the next day, she and the first mate would not stop sparring for a long while.

Her strength had left something to be desired, while her quickness had improved over the next few days. Meanwhile, Val paced the area, clucking her tongue.

"You were a quick study with the pistol," Val said. "But can you see why swords have fallen out of fashion here?"

"I think so," Ivy said.

"We should start you with some hand-to-hand combat," Val said. "Have you ever fought one-on-one?"

"I spent a spot of time on the streets," Ivy said. "If that answers your questions. I was young when I was that way."

"Were you," Val said.

"I was sixteen when I left home," Ivy said. "It wasn't exactly voluntary, and I wasn't exactly blameless for it. To this day, or when I was in my old world and I finally left, I still had no idea as to whether or not my parents were living."

"That's the way things go sometime," Val gestured at another crewmate carrying firewood down to the kitchen. "His parents left him behind, too. And that's because he killed his uncle."

"How did he manage that?" Ivy asked, peering at the man as he disappeared below deck.

"Long story, and I still think he was blameless for his actions," Val said. "His uncle had used his whip on the family dog, and then our crew mate here took his anger out on his uncle. He beat him bloody, to the point where the uncle never woke up again."

Ivy thought for a long second. Then, she let out a slow breath. "When I lived at home, we had three house cats. Coming to think of it, if anyone ever hurt any of my animals, I would be of the type to do the same to the perpetrator."

"It is what it is," Val said. "The thing about this life is that it doesn't matter where you came from, but it matters who you are right now. You could be considered a wretch in the normal world, but in this place, you're considered as valuable crew member. And that is why pirates exist here. Or rather, that's why my pirates exist. Also, when the empire fell ten years ago, many were found to be orphans. But starting an orphanage these days is costly, and it needs a government to back it."

"So without a king, or a central government, orphanages are impossible," Ivy said.

"It's a sour part of this world," Val said. "I didn't become a pirate because I love stealing; I became one because I like helping the lost. But I never had a taste for Queen Lavender and her styles."

Ivy glanced over the horizon, noting how there were deep clouds offshore, threatening to rain. The waves rose and fell.

"You might want to help us prepare for the oncoming storm now," Val said. "Our training session is over, but we will make up for it when we are no longer pressed for time."

Ivy helped them prepare the masts, and then she brought everything she could below deck, while also working with some of the other crew members. In thinking about what Val said, even at twenty-three, she still felt less alone on this ship. There was something comforting in knowing that almost everyone aboard this ship had come from a rough background. Not in the fact that she took enjoyment from someone else's pain, but in the fact that maybe, just maybe, she would be understood here.

The first big wave rocked into the boat. Ivy lost her footing and collapsed on the ground. She attempted to get up once more, but as she dropped to the ground again, she felt there was something else. She moved over to the side of the walkway, hoping no one would step on her. Worse still, she hoped that Captain Val, or the others, wouldn't take it as a sign of weakness.

But as the storm raged on, her head began to swim. She wanted to find a bucket, and to release the contents of her stomach into it. But as she did so, she turned back to what she thought of it. She had not lost her senses yet. But as the storm raged onward, she heard a scream coming from above.

The first mate ran down below deck, and he turned to Ivy. He gestured at her, whispering to another crewmate. Ivy wanted to protest, but she couldn't. She let him, and the other crewmate step around her, before one member lifted her up. Her heartbeat raced.

The man gently took her and placed Ivy back into one of the bunk beds. He had chosen one closer to the ground. The sound of a bucket came nearby, and it had been placed to her side. Ivy wanted to thank him, but she was too sick to. Any thought of speaking, and she was certain she would lose herself.

Eventually, she passed out from the excursion. By the time she reawoke, Ivy gave a long sigh, releasing a dangerous breath. "What?" She wanted to protest again, and to ask questions. But as she stood there, there was something strange about it.

The first mate came back to her, giving her a small batch of tea. "This should help you feel normal again. But I am afraid we have some dire news for you."

Ivy looked up at the man, wanting to ask more questions. Instead, she nodded, and then she took the bracing, spicy tea. The hot water was a comfort to her. As she stood once more, Ivy found her breath again. She wanted to beg for mercy, or to ask for forgiveness. But in looking in the man's face, there was something solemn about it.

"Someone died last night," Ivy said softly. "Who?"

"Captain Val," the man said. "A piece of the mast fell, and with the way it landed on her, well. She didn't survive."

A solemn pain coursed through her. Ivy wanted to ask more questions. She had wanted to make sense of it. But there was something dangerous about it. She had wanted to help out, and she wanted to find something more to fight for herself. But as she looked up at the main, she looked into his eyes. She wished her pleas could transfer.

"What does this mean for us?" Ivy asked. "I mean, forgive me for asking, and for being blunt about it."

"It's okay," the first mate said. "I am scheduled to take her place. Although, I must say. I'm glad you at least survived."

Ivy shook her head. She turned back to the bucket. "I didn't lose anything last night. But I wish I had been kinder. I was kind of short with her. But she seemed like a wonderful person."

"I mean, she fought to be in her current place," the first mate said. "At one point, she had done something dangerous. She was the original rebel from Queen Lavender's ranks. She saw what the pirate queen was doing, and she thought to protest."

"May she rest in peace," Ivy said, a tear slipping down her face. She turned away from the man. Never before had she cried over a death like this. Then again, she had not known any place to be as welcoming as this one.

"Indeed," the first mate said. "The other crewmembers are preparing her for her funeral. We will cast her body into the sea soon. Considering how you took a lot of damage during that number, I should tell you to rest a bit more, though."

"Okay," Ivy said softly. "I promise I will try to be there though."

She nodded at the man, hoping she would be able to convince him of that. Moreover, she wanted to convince herself of that. There was something sour in the air as she waited, hoping to find something more to add to the conversation.

When she finally arose from her bunk bed, she grunted. Ivy wanted to tell her forehead to still itself, but she couldn't. It still had a harsh memory from before, threatening to cause her to spill. As she looked over at the nearby landscape, Ivy found herself breathing in a deep breath.

The captain gave her a low, concerned brow. The man who had been the first mate would now be known as Captain Bill. She could accept that. It was acceptable enough as a name.

"Come," He said, pointing to the casket. "We must take her body, and we must cast it into the sea. Afterward, we will share some memories, and a drink of wine in remembrance." 

Ivy took her portion of the casket, giving a deep breath. To think that she had trained with the woman just the day before. And now, at Captain Bill's command, she shoved with the others. The casket fell into the water with a resounding splash which decorated the ship's hull. She then turned to the others.

One of the other crewmembers took out an accordion and played a soft note. Ivy soon understood, from guidance, that it was known as the hymn for the dead. The song was solemn, yet peaceful. According to a small poem, the lyrics and the melody wished Captain Val a safe journey into her respective afterlife.

The crew members would go around and share their memories of the woman. Meanwhile, Ivy stood in the corner. Finally, when it was her turn, she spoke, her cheeks turning red.

"It was Captain Val who taught me how to shoot a pistol effectively," Ivy said. She gave a loose, long sigh. "She also gave me my current pistol. May I use it in remembrance, and a thanks to her."

Captain Bill grinned, and then he nodded. Wooden kegs passed around the area. Ivy could hear some wine connoisseurs critiquing how they took their drink. But as she took a note of the red, fermented grape juice, she didn't care. According to the others, this wine had been acquired from a port across the sea. It had been among some of Captain Val's favorite finds.

"Now," Captain Bill said, his voice low. "We must do what we can to keep our ship, and our crew together. We have a long fight ahead of us with Queen Lavender at our tail. And now, I suppose we need a messenger to one of the main posts along the shore. We have to tell the others in the mainland that the great Captain Val is dead."

"I can help," Ivy said. "I will take my scepter with me. And this time, I haven't used my magic in two days, so I should have enough energy should we need it in a fight."

Captain Bill nodded, then he gave Ivy a low, questioning look. "You have already one strike against you, though. For being smart with Captain Val. I will continue to train you, but you have to understand that I will not be as patient as her."

"I understand," Ivy said.

The way things are now, it's going to be a challenge going forward. Just when I thought I had found some stability, it was taken from me. I say this out of shame and respect for Captain Valerie. Something tells me the next chapter of this pirate crew's existence will be vastly different.