Limitless Seas, Chapter 30.

Chapter 30.

The next few days were spent training the crew while they waited for Lord Mox to show up. Their losses from the battles were given a small ceremony that Shada officiated, their bodies were sewn into sailcloth and weighted to sink down into the depths. Their enemies received no such formality and were simply dumped over the side to feed the sharks and other things that had lurked around the vessels since the battle. Around noon, the day before the deadline, a sail was spotted on the horizon.

“Looks like a patrol bireme flying the colors of Stratwall Harbor, sir,” Quix called down from the crow’s nest. The newly minted marine seemed to claim that spot, which was fine with Larson since he had racked up quite a kill count during their fights perched up there with his crossbow.

“This looks like who we’ve been waiting for, but just to be safe, clear the decks for action,” Larson ordered. The men, who had been well drilled at this point, hustled to the armory where they were assigned weapons, armor, and ammunition to prepare for a possible fight. With their depleted numbers and lack of a siege engine, any fight against an actual warship would be a short and deadly one they didn’t’ wish to participate in.

Larson kept the two ships tied up together, choosing to appear less threatening by not maneuvering to meet the approaching ship. The approaching ship was twice the size of the Sea Venom and as it closed to hailing distance, Larson could see a heavy ballista training toward their ship. The weapon was loaded and ready to fire, but the crews were more relaxed than they would have been if they truly believed action was imminent.

The bireme pulled alongside and cast several lines to tie off to the Sea Venom. Extra-wide boarding planks were thrown down, magically attaching the ships. Larson idly thought he would have to see about acquiring some of those when they made it into port again. A squad of marines in the livery of Stratwall Harbor boarded, looking confident until they spotted Bug Bartholomew with a disturbing grin on both faces and a small ballista mounted on one arm.

“Ahh, good Captain Larson, I take you have accomplished your task?” Lord Mox said as he boarded the Sea Venom with another well-dressed man that Larson assumed was Lord Buxton. He had earlier sent for both lordlings to be brought onto deck. They had tried to clean up Jonathan Mox, but the young man still looked a bit ragged from all the work they had put him to at the oars.

“Greetings, Lord Mox. We’ve done as you asked. The pirate threat is ended and your son, I believe, is very excited to go home,” Larson said, motioning the two boys forward.

“Thank you, sir, for everything,” Theodore Buxton said, pausing to shake Larson’s hand as Jonathan pushed past, glaring at the pair.

“It was a pleasure to have you aboard Theodore. I heard good things about you from Tarley, if you ever fancy taking to sea again, you’ll have a berth waiting for you here,” Larson said. His statement wasn’t fluff and pandering, the young man had proven a hard worker and was quick to learn the tasks assigned to him.

“Before we conclude our business, I trust the pirates were all eliminated?” Mox asked.

“Of course, there were a few prisoners among the low-ranking sailors, but all the officers and high-ranking crew sadly refused surrender and had to be eliminated,” Larson replied. He would have liked to keep the prisoners secret, but both the young men he had just returned knew of them.

“I don’t suppose there was any correspondence or indication of the pirate’s motives?” Mox asked.

“No sir, I searched the captain’s cabin and found nothing but some trinkets, not surprising as pirates aren’t known to keep evidence of their depredations,” Larson replied. He could see suspicion on Lord Mox’s face, the man calculating what he wanted to do with Larson and his crew.

“Enough pestering the good captain, Thurston, our sons are returned safe and sound, give the man his prize,” Lord Buxton said. Mox plastered an insincere politician's smile on his face and dug a rolled-up scroll from his coat, the gilt seal of the Free Isle gleaming in the afternoon sun.

“Of course, Lord Buxton, the man should receive his just rewards. Captain Larson, with the blessings of the Free Isles, Rockwell Warf names you, your crew, and any vessels under your command as privateers in the service of the isles. May you reclaim our seas from piracy and strike hard at any foes who dare encroach upon our waters,” Mox said, passing over the scroll.

“We will endeavor to serve the Free Isles well, thank you for this opportunity,” Larson replied.

“Well, this unfortunate business is concluded, we’ll be on our way now,” Lord Mox said, motioning for them to return to their ship.

“Thank you again, Captain Larson, I look forward to hearing about your further adventures,” Lord Buxton said as he went back aboard the warship, the monster vessel was named the Retribution and it was one ship he had no desire to tangle with anytime soon. The magical planks were deactivated and raised as the lines were cast off and the Retributionpushed away from the Sea Venom. Larson watched them depart for a long while, fearful that Jonathan Mox’s treatment aboard the Sea Venom would goad Lord Mox into ordering the ship to come about and destroy them for their temerity. He finally relaxed as the ship passed beyond the horizon.

They had done it; they were now free to operate as privateers under the full blessing of the Free Isles. Plans formed in Larson’s mind, many paths were now open to him and he intended to make the most of every one. He was ready to make his mark on this new world, he wouldn’t take the opportunity his new gave him for granted.

“Captain, your orders?” Tarley asked.

“Set a course for Rockwell Port, let’s get the crew back on dry land and give them a chance to spend their prize money before we begin our next voyage,” Larson ordered. As soon as the men heard him mention prize money, the crew cheered their captain and their ship. The vessels separated and sails filled with wind, pushing them back toward port. Larson stood alone at the bow of the Sea Venom, enjoying the afternoon sun, the sea scented air, and the feel of a ship under him.

“I’ll tame you and the lands around you, the name of Larson and the Sea Venom will be both feared and revered across this world before I’m done,” Larson said to the sea around him. It was a perfect moment; one he knew he would remember for this lifetime and hopefully, for any that might follow.