Press Ganged

[Zen]

Some time during the 1st turn of the Pass.

The ship was theirs, the crew of the Cloud Runner had been subdued, for the most part. A few men still fought a futile battle but would shortly be dealt with. Treyjen made his way around the ship with Karosh, Jusikar, and Nalyra while any survivors were rounded up on the main deck. Blade in hand, he led the way below deck, wary of any crew still lurking about waiting for the chance at an ambush. There were sounds of movement coming from a slightly ajar door and Treyjen held up a hand in warning before he moved forward and pushed the door open. On the floor, a man was hard at work trying to stem the bleeding of one of the ship’s crew members and didn’t look up when he entered the small store room.

“I wouldn’t waste your effort, mate,” Treyjen spoke, eyeing the wound in the dim light and deciding rather quickly that the man was beyond saving. Even a proper healer might not be able to help him.

“I can save him,” the man replied in a desperate sort of tone, “I have to… I have to try.” Treyjen watched him for another moment more before crouching down to shove his knife up into the dying man’s throat. “NO! No… why… I could have saved him!”

“Only a healer might’ve been able to save that one,” he replied as he wiped off his blade on the dead man’s shirt.

“I AM a healer!” That got his attention. Treyjen stared at the man, who looked like he was about to start crying, honestly, and who still wasn’t paying him much attention, his gaze locked on the dead body before him. He cast a glance back at the door where Karosh still stood, Jusikar and Nalyra apparently having moved on to continue their search of the ship. The healer’s voice was weak with despair over his failure, “I could have saved him….”

“Well aren’t we lucky,” Treyjen grinned as he stood, and the healer finally looked up at him as if really realizing he was there for the first time.

“Please… don’t kill me… I just want to help the wounded…. I won’t cause you trouble,” he held up his hands in a gesture of surrender and Treyjen laughed.

“Why would we kill a perfectly good healer?” He held his hand out to help the man to his feet, “What’s your name, healer?”

Looking rather confused, he took a moment before grabbing his bag and hesitantly accepting the offer up, “My name… ah… Lorenz… s-sir.”

“Captain Treyjen,” he introduced himself, then gestured toward Karosh, “And that’s my second, Karosh. Well met, Lorenz.”

“Ah…,” he couldn’t exactly, truthfully, say the same, considering the circumstances, and considering the fact that Treyjen laughed, it seemed he understood that quite well.

Treyjen clapped him on the back and gave him a push toward the door, “Let’s get you up on deck and put those skills of yours to use, aye?” Up on the deck, Lorenz turned quickly away from the sight of so much needless death, but as much as he’d like to retreat back below deck, Treyjen was there to stop him, “I’d think a healer’d have a better stomach for blood.”

“It’s not the blood I can’t stomach,” he muttered, shooting a disgusted sort of look at the captain at his tactless teasing.

Treyjen shrugged, unaffected by the healer’s judgment, and gestured toward one side of the ship where several men sat propping themselves up against the deck wall or each other, “A few of my crew could use your services.”

Lorenz stiffened as he forced his gaze to travel around the deck, assessing who was most in need, which weren’t the members of this pirate’s crew, that was for sure. “There are others I should see first. If I could just-”

“You’ll see to my crew first,” Treyjen interrupted him, “Anyone that’s still alive when you’ve finished, you’re free to help. So I suggest you hurry.”

The healer paused, his gaze settled on a few men he was quite aware he probably wouldn’t be able to save, particularly if he couldn’t see to them first. He looked down at his feet, “Does it even matter…? Are… are you going to kill them anyway?” The man’s eyes came up to meet Treyjen’s, perhaps all the better to assess if he was telling the truth or not.

“That is generally the plan,” Treyjen responded easily, “However… you are in quite a unique position, Lorenz. I’ve been waiting quite some time to find a healer for our crew. Your lot seems to travel by dragon more often than ship, so your being here is quite fortunate for us-”

“I won’t join you,” he turned fully to face the captain, his voice full of disgust at the very idea, “I… I don’t care what you do to me. I won’t help you.”

Treyjen chuckled, “You haven’t even heard my entire offer yet.”

“I don’t care. There’s nothing you could offer me-”

“Join us and I’ll let these people live,” he finished, gesturing broadly at the survivors that had been for the most part gathered in the middle of the deck now. That finally shut the healer up. “Good, I seem to have your attention now. As I said, I was originally going to kill, well, most of them… the vast majority, probably. But I want you in our crew, Lorenz. So I’m making you this one time offer. Come with us and everyone that’s still alive on this ship will be spared. The ship itself will be spared. We’ll just take the cargo we need, take you, and we’ll be on our way. And you should know I don’t make this offer lightly. Survivors spread word of us around, you see… and that can cause us trouble. So I’m taking a risk for you, Lorenz. You can join us and save these people… or we’ll take you anyway and kill them all. I’d much rather have your cooperation in the matter, but I can find ways around it if I have to… and I don’t think I have to tell you that my alternative methods of persuasion will not be pleasant for you.” Lorenz was quiet for a long moment as he considered this, and Treyjen glanced over at one of the men from the Cloud Runner’s crew that was still bleeding out on the deck, “The longer you take, the fewer lives you save, healer.”

Lorenz glared at him, “How… how can I trust that you’ll let them live?”

“Well I suppose you can’t,” Treyjen admitted, “But I am a man of my word, and I swear to you I’ll let them live.” That was hardly reassuring, and Treyjen knew it, but there was no way to prove his word was good.

“Let me… let me treat the worst wounded first. If you let me do that, then… then I’ll do as you want,” Lorenz met his eyes again with a quiet determination.

Treyjen laughed, “Amusing that you think you’re in a position to barter.” He waved his hand dismissively, “Go on then. I’ll grant your request. But if I think you’re using them to stall, I’ll make your job easier so you can get to my crew sooner... just as I did below.”

With a sigh, Lorenz turned toward his first patient, “I’ll work as quickly as I can.” He still wasn’t sure if his efforts would amount to anything, if the pirates would just kill all the survivors anyway, but for now he clung to the hope that he could make a difference.

Treyjen watched him move off and crouch down beside a man who he himself was entirely certain was a lost cause. It looked like he’d lost far too much blood to be saved. He may not be a healer, but he’d gotten pretty good at recognizing when there was hope and when he needed to put a man out of his misery. He was glad to see when the healer stood again, clearly coming to the same conclusion, and with a quick glance at him, moved on with visible reluctance to the next worst case.

“Are we really gonna let them go, Treyjen?” Karosh asked, standing at his side and watching the healer as well, “Y’said y’self… he’s coming with us either way. Y’not gonna let him talk y’into letting all the future ships we capture go, are ya?”

“O’course not,” he shot back, casting a mildly offended look at his friend, “But there’s little enough harm in letting one ship go, if it buys me a bit o’good will with the healer. We’re already starting off rocky. If I can prove t’him I’m a man o’my word, it’ll be a start toward something better. And wouldn’t y’rather a healer that doesn’t hate you?”

“I dunno Treyjen… that’ll be an uphill battle for sure,” Karosh frowned as he watched the healer working, “Y’really think he’ll ever come around?”

Treyjen shrugged, “We’ll just have t’see… but there’s no harm in tryin’.”

Karosh made a displeased grunt, “He’s goin’ t’be a pain in the ass for a long while, y’know. We’ll have t’watch him constantly if we don’t wanna lose him.”

Treyjen scratched at his beard thoughtfully, “Aye… but having our own healer’ll be worth it. He may need t’be watched, but I want him treated well. We’re the one’s’ll have t’earn his trust and loyalty, rather’n the other way around. Who knows when we’ll get another opportunity t’have a healer onboard.”

Karosh sighed, “I get the point, but it sure won’t be easy. N’your threats aren’t helping much, I’d say.”

Treyjen laughed, “Well, I said I’d prefer his cooperation, but there’s no use pretendin’ he’s a choice’n the matter. I want t’earn his trust, so best t’be upfront, aye?”

Karosh grunted, not quite agreement or disagreement, “Whatever y’say, captain.”

[Zen]

“I’m not planning to jump,” Lorenz spoke dryly, still watching the Cloud Runner grow smaller as the Storm’s Eye sailed on away from her. The captain had kept his word, surprisingly, and he felt at least some satisfaction that he was able to spare the remaining lives aboard in trade for his own life.

“Captain’s orders, healer,” the man growled back, standing at the deck wall with him and giving him no personal space at all.

Lorenz sighed, looking down into the water rushing below. No, he had no wish to end his life… even with the circumstances he now faced. He could do far more good alive than dead, after all… even if it was aboard a pirate ship. If he just bided his time, perhaps he would be free again soon. For now he would simply have to find a way to stomach his new life, serving as a personal healer to pirates. So many thoughts had already occurred to him, things he could do to cause illness among the crew, make it easier to escape, and yet… he couldn’t bring himself to intentionally cause harm, not even to these… people. They were still people, after all… terrible people, but people. What more but selfishness and greed could ever drive a man to piracy, after all? How many countless murders had they committed, and for what? Fabrics and produce? He couldn’t even begin to wrap his mind around it. It was senseless. “Well you can tell your captain that he kept his word and I also intend to keep mine,” he glanced over at the man then, but received a shrug in response.

“Tell’im y’self, fer all the good it’ll do ya.”

His eyes narrowed slightly and he turned back to the water, speaking again after a moment, “What was your name again? You’re so charming it’s a wonder I’ve forgotten.”

“Griggik,” the man replied simply, and Lorenz could feel how the man’s eyes bored into him, never leaving him, like he’d dissipate like mist in the midday sun if he took his eyes off him for half a heartbeat.

“Mm… a charming name to match,” he cast a sidelong glance at the man to see his jaw working in annoyance at the insult, but he seemed to have better sense than to say or do anything in retaliation. Lorenz was, after all, the only healer they had access to. It would be a poor move indeed to get on his bad side, wouldn’t it? It struck him rather suddenly just how much leverage he had here, among these pirates. The captain may have threatened him with what sounded like torture to coerce his cooperation if he didn’t give it willingly but it wasn’t like anyone could make him do his job. He had power here and he intended to determine just how far he could push it. “Speaking of the captain, I think I would like to have a word with him. Since you seem bound and determined to stick to me like a burr, perhaps you’d be so kind as to lead me to him?” A quick look about the deck hadn’t revealed the man so he wasn’t really sure where he might have gone.

Griggik grunted his assent and gave him a push away from the deck wall. “No need to get so physical,” Lorenz sniffed, but Griggik kept him slightly in front of him, with a hand on his back to lead him where he wanted him to go. Lorenz glanced back at him, “Perhaps it would be easier if you fashioned a collar and a leash and led me about like a canine.”

Griggik’s gaze narrowed, “It just might be, healer.”

Oh. Well. He didn’t like the thought of that actually happening at all. Perhaps he had already pushed too far. Deciding that his mouth was liable to get him into more trouble, he kept quiet and let Griggik guide him below deck, down into the ship’s hold where they found the captain. He was surprised to see a young woman with him as well. He hadn’t expected there to be any women aboard.

“Captain, the healer said he wants t’speak with ya,” Griggik called, and the captain and young woman both turned to look at them.

A friendly grin spread across Treyjen’s face but it seemed more like mockery to Lorenz, “Lorenz, just what can I do for you?”

“Ah…,” Lorenz was momentarily distracted wondering if the girl was also a captive, and apparently he’d been staring quite obviously.

“Forgive me, I’ve yet to introduce you to my sister, Nalyra,” Treyjen glanced at the girl as Lorenz forced his gaze away from her, realizing how long he’d been staring at her.

Nalyra tilted her head slightly, her gaze appraising, “So you’re the healer?”

“Uh, ah, yes…,” Lorenz dipped his head slightly, rather at a loss as to how he ought to treat her. The captain’s sister. So she was a pirate, right? She was here by choice? “Are you… um… well, good lady?”

Nalyra burst out laughing, much to his surprise, “Great Faranth, I hope you’re better with your hands than your words, healer.” She shoved the ledger she was holding into Treyjen’s hands, thankful for any excuse to escape inventory duty, “Here, if he wants to speak with you I think I ought to leave since he can’t seem to find his words around me.”

With a grin she brushed past him, and Lorenz felt his face redden from embarrassment, glancing away from her pointedly and clearing his throat. He was thankful when the captain seemed to brush off the entire encounter and move on.

“So then, what did you want to speak with me about, Lorenz?” he gestured for the healer to follow him as he moved among the cargo, making notations now and then. Griggik hung back and waited for their conversation to end.

Shells, what had he come here for again? He followed after the captain, glancing around at the crates and barrels. “Ah… you kept your word,” he blurted rather ungracefully as he recalled just what he’d wanted to talk about with the man.

Treyjen raised a brow at him briefly before continuing his work, “Aye. I make it a point to keep my word, and not to make promises or offers I can’t see through.”

“Hrm, yes… and I, also, intend to keep mine…. Must I have a… guardian who watches me so closely? I would appreciate a bit of breathing room,” he cast a glance back toward Griggik, “As I told your… friend, I’m not planning to leap into the sea any time soon.”

“Perhaps not, but every new man that joins us is watched for a time. I’ve had crew members attacked when we trusted too early,” Treyjen explained simply, absently, as he continued making notations.

“I would never attack anyone,” Lorenz insisted, “I am a healer. Causing harm goes against my very nature and would be an affront to my calling.”

“I’m inclined to believe you,” Treyjen replied, giving him a quick look, “But where the safety of my crew is concerned, I don’t take chances.”

“If you were concerned about the safety of your crew, piracy seems rather antithetical to me,” he narrowed his eyes slightly at the captain, calling him out on the hypocrisy of his statement when compared to his actions. That, at last, finally made the man turn toward him and give him his full attention, which he suddenly wasn’t sure was a good thing, taking a half step back as he wondered if his mouth had gotten him into trouble again.

“You’re so quick to judge, healer, when you know nothing about which you speak,” the captain’s voice was low with warning, “There are some paths that crumble behind you once you choose to take them and no matter how anyone might wish otherwise there is no turning back. Until you’ve taken such a path, I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself.” The dark mood that had settled over the man seemed to lift almost as soon as it had come, but his grin was anything but friendly, “However, I imagine you’ll understand soon enough.” He returned his attention to the ledger in his hands, “Is that all you wanted, healer? To cast judgments while you beg for more freedom? You’ll be granted more freedom when you earn it. You’re too valuable to us for me to leave anything to chance where you’re concerned.”

Lorenz drew in a deep breath and lifted his chin slightly, steeling himself. He didn’t really consider himself a particularly cowardly man, but being held captive by pirates was enough to try anyone’s courage. “I don’t have to treat your men.”

Treyjen sighed, glancing over at him again, “I thought you said you were going to keep your word? Besides, wouldn’t letting others suffer go against your nature and… be an affront to your calling?” He eyed the healer a moment longer before returning his attention to the ledger, “Any more empty threats to make?”

Lorenz felt rather deflated at the captain’s response. Of course, it had been a long shot at best, and he had rather expected to be threatened with torture or something for threatening to withhold his services, but the captain had quite handily called his bluff using his own words against him. He didn’t know exactly what else he could do. Apparently he just had to swallow the constant babysitting for now and figure out how he could ‘earn’ more freedom. Asking wouldn’t hurt, he supposed. He blew out his breath, “You’re right, captain… I could never sit by and watch others suffer if there was something I could do for them. I… it was an empty threat, as you’ve gathered.”

“Aye. And it hardly endears me to you, healer. I much prefer a man that means what he says,” he made a few more notations, his tone like something Lorenz might expect from a disappointed parent.

“How might I then… endear myself to you? What is it you expect from me, outside of treating your crew when they’re ill and injured? How might I prove myself worthy of more freedom aboard your ship?”

A slight frown tugged at Treyjen’s lips as he looked over at him again, “My crew. My ship. You are detached from these things. I would expect as much for now, as you’ve only just joined us, and not at all of your own choice. However, that is the answer to your question. Until you prove to start thinking of this crew as your crew, and this ship as your ship, you can expect little allowance of personal freedom.”

Lorenz stared at him incredulously for a moment, “Are you… are you saying you want me to make friends with these-” he cut himself off as the captain raised a brow at him, as if daring him to finish that thought. Clearing his throat, he continued, a bit less heated, “With these people?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” he replied simply, “For your sake as well as ours. Your life is here now, Lorenz. The sooner you accept it, embrace it, and make the most of it, the better.”

“That’s easy for you to say, captain… but how do you expect me to embrace a life I had forced on me?” he asked bitterly.

Some odd look flickered over the captain’s face as he gave Lorenz his attention once more and he actually seemed… remorseful, perhaps? “I don’t… like forcing this on you, Lorenz. Whether you believe me or not.” He added at the obvious look of disbelief the healer shot at him, “The freedom to make what you will of your own life is important to me… and I know I’ve taken that from you. I know….” Another odd look flickered over his face, but it was there and gone too fast for Lorenz to discern just what it was, “I know I’m treating you as a commodity, rather than a person. I am valuing your skill set above your humanity. But as a pirate, as the captain of this ship, with a crew I am indebted to and have a duty to serve and see taken care of, this is how I must think of you… and everyone that is not counting on me for leadership and protection. I hope, one day, I can value you for who you are rather than what you are. But right now… I just can’t. And I am sorry for that, but it changes nothing. My crew comes first, and right now… you haven’t proven part of it.”

Lorenz wasn’t entirely sure what to make of the captain’s explanation. There was a brutal sort of honesty in it and he couldn’t see a reason why the man would have said any of it if he didn’t mean it. It was a lot to think about, really, though it hardly made any of this any better. At least the man knew what he was doing was terrible, but did that make it better or worse? Lorenz would have assumed that maybe he thought he was in the right, somehow, as many villains seemed to think they were, both in stories and real life. But then there was some of that, wasn’t there? He had been captured in order to improve the lives of his crew. So there was some loyalty in him, at least… he was a man that saw himself as a provider and a protector of those that served him, which was noble enough, if he wasn’t so willing to go to such drastic lengths to see his duty through. With too much to think about, Lorenz only sighed, realizing he wasn’t going to get anywhere in his pursuit of a little more freedom, “You’ve given me a lot to think on, captain… I’ll leave you to your work.”

With a smirk, Treyjen turned back to his inventory, “Try not to have too much fun with Griggik, healer.”

A displeased noise escaped Lorenz before he could stop it as he glanced back at his babysitter, his tone dry, “I’m so glad you have a sense of humor, captain.” A short laugh from the captain followed him by way of farewell as he made his way back to his unwanted companion.