Post by Zen on Mar 21, 2021 15:35:32 GMT -5
Immediately before Take My Past, I'm Never Looking Back
The deck was crowded with the crew that Treyjen had called together. It had been several days since they had been chased out of Southern and it had become readily apparent that the word had finally spread to ports around Pern that the Storm’s Eye was a stolen ship. Treylok would have been sure to make it well known, to give them nowhere to go. It was her fault. The reality of it was, if it wasn’t for her, wasn’t for Treyjen’s love for her, they wouldn’t be in this mess. She’d been part of her brother’s crew since the beginning, but even still she had been shocked at how many of them were willing to help them run and take on the consequences of those actions. They’d given up everything for her and she didn’t know how she could ever begin to repay that debt. So, she thought, it was about time she came up with a solution for once, wasn’t it?
There were ideas called out, questions, concerns, as she sat on the steps that led up to the quarter deck where Treyjen stood, listening to everything and considering their options. Finally Nalyra pushed to her feet and raised her voice, “So why don’t we just take what we need then?”
She wasn’t used to being the center of attention. It seemed like all eyes had turned to her, surprised as she spoke up, or maybe at what she said, or both. She stared up at her brother resolutely, “If the rest of Pern won’t have us then it’s fair game, isn’t it? Between with them, then!” She looked back at the crew, lifting her chin, “We’ll survive whether they want us to or not.” There were some calls of agreement, some looks of uncertainty, as it settled in everyone’s minds just what she was suggesting.
“Nalyra…,” she turned back to Treyjen as he spoke her name, the look on his face considering, serious, and mildly confused, “You… think we should turn pirate?”
A soft murmuring began at that, as Treyjen finally voiced it outright. She met his gaze solidly, “Why not? If the sea is the only safe place for us then we’ll need to make it our new home… and anyone that trespasses in our home is fair game.” Some more calls of agreement were given and Nalyra couldn’t help feeling a growing satisfaction. This would work. They would never have to rely on anyone but themselves ever again. Treylok could not turn the sea against them. They would make their own way. They would survive, they would thrive, in spite of him.
Treyjen surveyed the crew below him, watching their reactions, still considering, “There is no going back from this.”
Someone called out, “There’s no goin back from stealin’ a ship, neither!” A few more men agreed, and Treyjen couldn’t exactly argue with that. He looked to his sister again, still surprised the idea had come from her. Standing there, she looked more confident than he had probably ever seen her. Being away from their father had done her so much good. He’d never truly realized how repressed she had been until she was finally free to be herself without repercussion.
Taking a deep breath, he turned back to the crew below, “We shall put it to a vote then! I cannot make this decision for you. Stealing the Storm’s Eye was already asking too much of you all. This is asking more. It will not be an easy path… there will be difficult actions that must be taken. Each man must decide for himself if he can stomach those actions or not.” He paused as he noticed the uncertainty in several of the men, “It will mean taking from innocent people. That much must be recognized. There is no getting around it. Is this the path you want to take? I see little other way forward for us. We cannot sustain ourselves from the coastal smallholds alone, and there is no telling if word will spread to them as well. I already owe you all a great debt for your part in liberating the Storm’s Eye. If you would all rather find new ships to serve on then-”
“Oi! We ain’t jumpin’ ship now, not after all we been through!” There were several more calls, a few sounding mildly offended at the idea that they would abandon ship now that things were getting difficult. But Treyjen didn’t miss the men who were silent either, that shot anxious glances at each other.
He held up a hand and quiet fell again, “Then we vote. All in favor of turning pirate, move to port side, those against, starboard.” It became readily apparent that the majority were for piracy if it meant staying together, but there was no lack of opposition either. Some of the men that had voted for piracy began to shout angrily at those that did not, “Enough!” Treyjen called them off, waving his hand, “No man will be forced into this. If you cannot abide this decision, you will be given passage to the nearest smallhold. You must make your own way from there, it is the best I can do for you. I ask only for your discretion when you leave, and wish you all well.” He settled his gaze on the men at the starboard side of the ship, few of which could meet his eyes, and he sighed, “There is no shame in turning back. This life will not be for everyone. You’ve given me enough.”
His gaze shifted to the port group, “I want no harassment from you. They are free to leave in peace.” There was some grumbling, but it seemed the matter was settled. He just wasn’t sure they really knew what they were all in for. It was a noble ideal, to want to all stay together - thick as thieves, as the saying went - but Treyjen didn’t think they truly understood the gravity of what they had decided on. Or perhaps he simply underestimated the depths of their loyalty, to him and to each other. In which case he was an incredibly fortunate man, and a lucky captain. Now he would have to make it worth it, he would have to repay their loyalty, and it was not going to be an easy task. He might understand the gravity of their new reality, but he had no idea what it really took. He supposed he would soon find out.
Nalyra was at his side and he looked over at her, “Never would have thought such an idea would come from you, little sister.”
She shrugged, leaned on the rail overlooking the deck below as the men began to disperse, “I’m sick of him. I’m sick of him standing in our way, trying to control us. I’m sick to death of being controlled…. I won’t do it anymore.” She looked over at her brother, “Now we can do whatever the shell we want, and no one can stop us.”
Treyjen shook his head, “Whatever we want, except visit any major holds.”
She made a dismissive noise, “Who cares. Rules and laws and expectations are all you can find there. We’re free.” She turned to her brother, grinning suddenly, “We’re free, Treyjen.”
He studied her a moment. She seemed suddenly so elated, he was loath to point out the realities of the situation, “Aye… and do you understand the price we’ll pay for that freedom?”
“It’s worth it, Treyjen. Don’t you think so?” she raised a brow at him, confused that he wasn’t just as happy as she was about this.
He sighed, looked out over the water, “Freedom is worth any price.”
“Pff, so why do you look so unhappy then?” she shoved at his shoulder.
He turned back to her, “Because that is only my opinion, Nalyra. I have to think of the crew as well. They may not end up agreeing with the sentiment.”
“They agreed today,” she glanced back at the men below, returning to their work for the time being.
“Today, yes… but what about when they need to fight, possibly kill, to take a ship, to take her supplies… the reality is hardly romantic, little sister.”
“I know that, Treyjen,” she snapped, “I’m not romanticizing it. I understand what piracy means. I don’t care. Look at what they did for me! I… they’re my family, Treyjen. We have to stay together. I’ll pay any price for that.”
He sighed again, ruffled her hair, and she swatted at his hand, “It seems most of them feel the same way. We’ll see, I suppose… this will not be easy.”
“We’ll manage,” she replied with confidence, more confidence than Treyjen had about the endeavor, “Because we’re together.”
