The ship rolled up on the dock. That is when the anchor was dropped. The men were ready to got to the first brothel they saw when they started falling down one by one. Each one became a victim of their captain's scheme. At the end of it all, Only Neil, Nickeleye, John, Brill, Roman and Ian were still awake. Ian cackled before locking the door to his quarters. He moved towards the edge of the ship and was about to jump ashore when Nickeleye asked," Where are you going captain?"
" Questioning the captain is not allowed on this ship," warned Brill
" Don't bother Brill. It's his first time so I will at least answer him. I'm going to meet up with an old friend. His name is usually Blue but ye of the sea know him by his other name. Mistbane the frosted corpse," said Ian jumping ashore," Don't get into trouble John. I need you in tip top condition for tomorrow."
Ian leisurely walked into the bustling market before him and disappeared. Now Nickeleye stood there staring at the nightlife of the crook cove. Then the ship started to rustle and bustle. From multiple entrances appeared shadowy masked figures who picked up specific members of the crew dragging them down with them. Nickeleye was about to stop them when Brill warned him not to act." I wouldn't do that kid. The engineers will eat you alive if you disturb their work. They are already overworked but they still make time to take care of the crew. Plus, if they are strong enough to lift the anchor bare handed, then you can for sure bet that one punch from them can kill you," said Brill looking at the activity on the poop deck.
John was on the helm doing some shadow boxing without his gauntlets. He was locked in complete concentration. Nickeleye felt like he had nothing to do so he plucked a sword off the wall. Must have gotten stuck there while the crew was partying. He decided to do some practice swings to pass the time. Brill watched him closely and noticed something about the boy's technique. He jumped onto the poop deck and asked him," Where did you learn that sword technique?"
Nickeleye was caught a bit unawares but he still answered. He said," I was never taught. I learned by watching how the English soldiers trained."
Brill was visibly pissed by that statement but understood that under the situation he was in, he had no choice. He said," Okay, stand ready. I will teach you how to use a blade like a real pirate," as he pulled out his saber.
Nickeleye had a glint in his eye as he too raised his saber. He did not know the hell he was entering.
[ That following morning ]
[ 29th September, 1208 on the mythical calendar ]
Nickeleye fell to the ground in a pool of his own sweat. He was panting like crazy. The others joined in to watch as Brill forced him to get up. The massacre continued for a little while longer until the captain came back with a bevy of women at his side. The crew stopped watching and went to welcome their captain. He was chuckling with them before leaving them behind and jumping onto the ship; an insane distance but still capable for a man like him. As soon as he got aboard the ship, he asked for his breakfast. Roman came in with a mug of purple liquid. He held his nose and chugged it down in one gulp. Once it was all gone, his body developed purple veins. He foamed in the mouth but did not falter. Ten seconds of this and the veins receded back to normal. He raised the mug and said," Which poison is that now Roman?"
" That was Hydra poison captain," said Roman.
" That marks the strongest poison in all the seas. None of it can affect me ever again," said Ian as the crew cheered for him.
Then Ian noticed Nickeleye on the floor still panting. He walked over and asked Brill what was up. Brill explained to him that he was planning to take Nickeleye under his wing and train him in the ways of being a pirate. Ian laughed out loud as he walked over to the helm and found John on the floor completely passed out in a pool of sweat. He smiled at the scene before taking in a huge breath. He shouted," WAKE UP YOU MAGGOT!"
John jumped to his feet knocking away his sleep. Ian gave him the order of heading below deck and taking a bath. He did not want the people they were to see to think John is always dirty. Ian took over at the helm for the first time in over a five years. He called it," Raise the anchor. Set sail for Oulu," and the men scurried to their positions on the ship.
It was back to work. The other side of crook cove had a similar waterfall route and so Ian blew the cog shell. The water parted and off they went. They were now in Viking territory and there was no turning back. Roman brought over Ian's morning mug of rum and bread as Nickeleye joined John in the bath. Roman had only words of encouragement towards his captain before going back to his station. Ian looked off ahead as he rubbed the wheel of the ship thinking," Just a little longer, then you will have all you power Aegis Spear [ Skull Diver ]."
[ Noon ]
Neil called out to the men who were playing cards saying that Oulu was now coming into view. It was time, Ian moved his ship closer to the land and slowed down as much as the ship would allow. He called over Brill who came from below deck with five other men, including Nickeleye, who were dressed for forest exploration. Ian gave a nod to his men and they all, except Nickeleye, nodded back. They moved to the edge of the ship and each jumped onto the cliff that was within reach. It was now Brill and Nickeleye but the kid was now hesitating. Brill was having none of it, he tucked in his pistols and bit into the scabbard of his saber before grabbing Nickeleye by one arm and jumping with him in tow. He was told not to scream and to also clench his teeth or he would bite through his tongue. They landed with a roll and recovered almost immediately. Without looking back, Brill and his men were already running through the forest.
The Skull Diver moved back in schedule and was back to heading for Oulu. There was a port there where a bunch of Vikings were cheering for their arrival. Ian docked the ship at the dock and stood at the edge of the ship where the plank was lowered and waved at them. John stood behind him and heard Ian order," We have till sundown so make sure you win. You don't want to be the only crew member without a wife now do you? So win this!"