Devil's Luck Pirates

On the next morning, after waking up and burying their dead comrades, they start to make preparations to set sail to the nearest island.

-So Pearl, in which direction you said this nearest island is? – William asks.

-Ah… It is sort of… Northwesterly?...

-Northwesterly… Hey Verona, have you ever turned in a north-westerly direction?

-Umm… – Verona wonders.

-Listen, idiots, I'm not a navigator! I don't know these kinds of terms! I only know that the island we need to go to is in that general direction.

Pearl says pointing in a north westerly direction.

-Sigh… Okay. At least that's something. – William says with a sigh.

After boarding as many provisions as the improved little boat can handle, the four men and girl get up on the ship and set sail.

William looks back at the small island where his previous pirate crew ended with a little bit of sorrow in his eyes. Then, he tips his hat and looks forward.

-Alright men! Yesterday was a very sad day for all of us. Our comrades died and our trusty ship was destroyed. But! We shall not think that this is the end! This is just a new beginning for the Emanon Pirates!

William can hear Pearl snickering in the corner

-You have to pick another name. That does not sound as cool as you think.

William just looks at her with disdain.

-Yes captain!

Responds Duros with enthusiasm.

-Aye aye captain…

Adds Verona with little to no enthusiasm.

Time passes as the group sails through the sea at a good pace. Little to no conversation to be had. Ragnar sleeping like a rock, Duros just looking at the ocean with a smile on his face, and Verona looking at his compass making sure they are on the right course.

Even now, William still doesn't trust Pearl very much. He keeps a constant eye on her in case she tries to do something drastic.

Always trying to hide her hands and head under her gloves and cloak. A very suspicious thing to do.

He watches as she keeps looking down at the ocean. Sometimes sticking her hand underwater and then bringing it close to her face.

After some time of just observing, William decides to question her.

-What're you doing there, Pearl?

His sudden question makes her flinch.

-Ah. I'm just… Cooking some fish…

She turns around with a sack full of roasted fish.

William looks at her with visible suspicion.

-Wow. That's amazing! Can you show me how you did that to my meat?

William and Verona look at Duros.

-What? I just want my meat cooked. Why are you guys looking at me funny?

-Yeah, I'm intrigued as well. Can you show us how you did it – William asks.

-Just don't ask. You can have some if you'd like.

Pearl says offering the sack of fish to the boys.

The three of them start eating the mysteriously cooked fish.

-Wow. It's delicious! You are very talented when it comes to cooking, dear Pearl. – Says Duros chomping down.

-Yeah, it's pretty good. – Says Verona somehow eating without taking his mask off again.

Pearl gets a bit flustered by this.

William on the other hand looks at her with even more suspicion.

-I must say, and I'm sure many of you will also probably have known of this legend. I've heard pray tale of those in the world with mysterious abilities. And I can't help but feel that you are someone with said ability. Would you be, perhaps?

-Must be some of those strange fruit powers. – Says, Verona.

-Yes. They're not very common but the story goes: you eat a fruit and the sea becomes your mortal enemy, yet you gain power beyond imagining.

-Abilities? Power? – Pearl says with sadness and anger in her voice – For me is more of a burden.

-It's alright. We all share many burdens, my dear lady. But together we share it as a crew and a mighty crew we have become!

William looks at Duros asking himself when Pearl became a member of the crew.

-So, if you wish to divulge upon us, we have plenty of time to spare.

Duros finishes his speech with an honest to heart smile. He really isn't fitting for a pirate.

Pearl for the first time since meeting the crew changes her expression of anger and distrust towards them to a look of genuine longing. As if she wants to tell them something.

-Umm… I'm sorry guys, I feel a bit uncomfortable talking about this.

She wipes a tear from her eye.

-I don't want to talk about this right now. Is that ok?

Duros smiles.

-That is perfectly acceptable to me. If you don't wish to speak, you will do it in your own time.

-Thank you, Duros.

After seeing all this, William decides to not inquiry about her anymore. He can clearly see that she's gone through some very traumatic events in the past.

-I can talk about the island we are going to if you'd prefer. – Says Pearl quickly changing the subject – It's called Gallows Island. Pretty apt name because they punish all criminals, no matter the crime, with hanging.

-The marines let them do it just like that? – Asks Verona.

-There is no Navy presence on the island. Which doesn't mean that they don't have any sense of justice. But the weird thing is that they love it. When I was there, they were doing a big event where they were hanging a few people. Everyone was cheering. It's crazy, some people there also commit crimes on purpose just to be part of the hanging.

-Oh my. – Says William.

-Yeah, that's why you guys will need a guide like me so you dirty pirates don't end up in the gallows.

Pearl says reverting to her usual annoyed attitude.

-Well, I guess we'll be in your care then.

After the conversation ends, Ragnar wakes up.

-Ahhh… I wonder what kind of island we're going to. – He says with a yawn.