Valerik's elbows leaned hard against the maple edges of the ship. The open sail rippled with the wind, untied ropes bouncing to and fro across the ship. The morning sun began to rise, peeking over the blue horizon. Valerik was startled when a door slammed. The captain had come out of his cabin, the same foul smile plastered across his face like always. He ignored the vampire, walking past him to the post were the main mast hung. The vampire's gaze followed the some what chubby pirate. The captain grabbed a rope, and then ferociously banged it back and forth. Immediately, a obnoxious ring spread across the ship. The noise was so loud it seemed like it could stretch across the entire Palanen ocean.
Almost simultaneously to the ring of the morning bell, all the doors began to open and slam shut, a horde of pirates swarming out on deck. The all formed a line in front of the grubby captain. Each one held a weapon against their side, or across their backs. The steel of their blades all were rusted, some splashed with blood from previous battles. Valerik strode over to the line, not bothering to hurry like every other pirate on the deck. The captain merely glared at him, his tiny eyes following him like a hawk following its prey. Valerik did not react.
"Ar," the captain began, as a traditional pirate would, "I'd be captain Eli Jenkinworth, and you would be me crew," he said, his finger sweeping across the entire group, "Some of ye might not recognize sum faces," he said, glancing slightly at Valerik, and then continued to sweep the crowd with his beady stare. "We're in search of a chest. It is on a remote island that only several people in all of Arda have. I have one of them maps. My rival, Digaroy Darksails has one of the others. And the final map rests in the hands of a group of wizards, who believe that the chest contains magics," he said. "These sissys are ALL gonna try and take that treasure. But WE will be successfully," he roared. A uproar from the crowd bustled across the noise of the sea.
"I have hired some extra help. Mercenaries. Be nice to them," he said turning around and heading back into his cabin. Immediately, the crew began to work. Valerik sighed, not even sure why he accepted such a mission in the first place. Pirates were dirty, filthy, disgusting, and not to mention, traitorous. His mind flew back to the day he had been hired.
The vampire was wandering the dark docks of the port. A shadow was approaching him. The chubby figure put his hand out in front of Valerik, his figure and face becoming visible from the expanding moonlight. "Ar," he started, "I need the help of yer kind," he said, his voice trembling, "If ye could help me, I'd pay ya many coins!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms out like an excited child. Valerik nodded, muttering his agreement. "Oh, and I know about yer..." he paused, searching for an appropriate word, "Curse. Can ye keep it secret to the crew? Don't want them spooked," he said with a false chuckle. "I'll provide..." he paused yet again, trying not to disrupt such a delicate situation, "food for ye. Be at the Crimson revenge tomorrow," Valerik nodded, and prepared his gear.
He let out a huge sigh. A voice shot through the air, "AYE! COME HELP ME!" a pirate roared, pointing at Valerik. The vampire strode over, helping the man pull at a rope at the main mast. He could already feel his muscles getting sore. This was going to be a long mission.