Mutiny (Finished)

[Merik Dragmire]

Pirate's Bay, the nigh impregnable fortress of Merik and his pirate followers, was a man-made island city within the remnants of a volcanic crater nearly five miles around. Large enough to dock dozens of ships with room for many more to lay anchor within the bay. The only way in was through dangerous tunnels within the crater walls; unfortunate for those who had tried to breach the core as even skilled captains who had made the journey hundreds of times could find themselves in a quickly sinking ship. With all the people who lived there, the shops and taverns that dotted the island and all the pirates who came and went the island was constantly being supplied allowing them to withstand a siege for years without difficulty if it ever came to it.

Near the center of the island was Pirate's Keep, Merik's stronghold away from the Gerudo Desert and the seat of power for his sea-based empire. Business requiring the Pirate King's attention was attended to there and it was very important business that had brought Merik back aboard a stolen dinghy.

Seated upon his raised throne the Gerudo stared down the stone floor, rather wishing that he didn't prefer to use Flamestrike in these situations as a clean floor didn't convey the sense of impending danger that he wanted to send.

Ah well, nothing for it I suppose...unless I want to purchase new clothes every time I perform an execution...[/i]

His musings were interrupted by the appearance of another man who quickly removed his hat, revealing his fair hair and pointed ears, but noticeably did not bow.

Of course it would have to be a Hylian that was the last of them...[/i]

"Captain Nohansen, I would like to thank you for coming to meet me on such short notice." he said very polite, not wanting to arouse suspicion just yet.

"It is really no problem Merik, though I'm afraid I won't be able to indulge you for too long I'm needed to help supervise the unloading of my ship down at the docks..."

Why you stuck-up, traitorous bastard...you aren't even trying to hide it are you? Well if you aren't even going to try and act innocent I suppose there is no need to play the game...

"By which you mean meet with Captains Kofu, Nobodo, Ciela, Kagoron, Fado, Melari, Tijo, and Laruto to discuss your upcoming rebellion to separate me from my crown...and my head." the King replied with a smirk at the shocked expression on the Hylian's face. "Don't act so surprised, it is my fault really; I act kindly towards all of you, help you make fortunes, but it seems if I don't kill someone every now and then, you all forget who I am..."

He rose and descended the steps to the floor, Flamestrike appearing to bat aside the other captain's sword as it swung at him. He didn't attack but simply blocked each strike, speaking as elementium crashed against steel.

"I'm Merik Dragmire; grandson of Ganondorf Dragmire; King of the Gerudo; Captain of the Defiant; King of the Pirates..." After the last words he twisted and disarmed his opponent. "And without me you and your mutinous companions would still be nothing but bilge-sucking rats praying to avoid the Knight's attention while you tried to gather the guts to attack a fishing galley. I gave you power and now I'm taking it back, just like I did for your companions."

He didn't hesitate for a second as he spun and decapitated the Hylian; smiling as he heard the body drop to the floor behind him. After a few seconds he turned back to his throne and looked at the still relatively clean floor.

"You see if you had come in and seen the floor soaked with blood, you might have put up a much better fight." he said as Flamestrike dissipated and he strode back up to his throne.

Next on the agenda...

[Caramon Zero]

I fly into Pirate's Keep and walk to the doors of the throne room and knock.

Captain Merik, King of the Gerudo and Lord of the Pirates, I am here as requested.
May I enter?[/i][/b][/size]

[Merik Dragmire]

"Of course Caramon, please come in." Merik said as the doors opened for the large Hybrid. The other man had arrived a bit quicker than the Gerudo had expected and so the body of Captain Nohansen had yet to be cleaned up. "Don't mind the Captain there, I've been rather busy with these mutinous bastards today and I'm giving the guards a break from body disposal every few minutes. Anyway, Caramon, do you know why I've invited you here today?"

[Caramon Zero]

I walk into the room and step around the pools of blood leaking from the mutineer's cadaver and kneel at Merik's feet, then I stand again and look him in the eyes.

In all truth sir, I have no idea as to why I was summoned, yet it did seem somehow... different.[/size][/i][/b]

[Merik Dragmire]

"Yes, apologies, but as I said I've been killing people all day that I thought were loyal to me. It has me more than a little upset and on edge." Merik replied as he noted, with a large amount of irritation, that he had gotten a fresh bloodstain on his pants.

"Well I'll tell you that it does have to much to do with my 'friend' over there on the floor...and the reason that I've chosen to remove you from the Defiant. We'll start with that because I'm certain once you've figured out why I pulled you from the crew you'll connect the dots between you and him." The King was really being just a bit of an ass here, he could easily just tell the Hybrid the answers but he wanted the other man to get as close to the truth as he could so that he'd understand that Merik truly felt he was going to get what he deserved.

[Caramon Zero]

I kneel by the corpse on the floor and look at his face.

Begging your pardon sir, but I don't know this man.
All I know of him is that you referred to him as a Captain when I entered.[/b][/color][/size]

I stand once again and walk back in front of the throne, then I smile.

Not to seem rude, so please forgive me if it comes across as such, but I actually wanted to see you sometime to give you my Stone, as I'd actually been considering leaving the Pirates for a short time now, I was just too indecisive to decide what I'd do, so I thank you for making up my mind for me.

In all truth, I would like to keep my Stone so that I could help one of my old comrades if they are in need of assistance, but I suppose that's just selfish of me, so I will give it back if you ask me to.[/b][/color][/size]

I kneel, stand, and then bow.

I thank you for allowing me to be of service all this time.
I want to help you one last time before I go, by helping you find the one starting all these rumors that are causing these people to turn against you.
Please at least let this be my last mission as a Pirate, before I fly my own banner once again, it's the least I can do for the kindness you've shown me, as well as having me leave instead of joining the man on the floor.[/b][/color][/size]

[Merik Dragmire]

"That right there!" Merik said with a smirk after Caramon finished talking. "That is exactly why I'm removing you from the Defiant you're too much of a good man. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad thing but it just doesn't mesh well with people like myself, or T.R., or Dekethorn, or some of the Gerudo; we kill on a whim, take no prisoners, show no mercy, etc, etc.

Keep the Charm, you'll need it because I'm not sending you away alone. If you'll have them I'm planning on sending Iadar and Volkin with you, they're little more than teenagers and I think they'll do a bit better under you than under me."

[Caramon Zero]

I nod as the Captain explains it to me, but my eyes widen after hearing of others going with me, yet I regain my composure and answer him.

I understand your decision, and I will do my best to look after them.

And please call on me whenever you're in need of aid, as I will not help you because you were my Captain, but because you're my friend, despite what you do, or how you are, that's a word I've always been able to use to describe you.[/i][/b][/size]

I contently smile and walk over to the wall, then I lean against it and I adopt a serious expression before continuing.

Are you planning on calling them here to tell them of your decision, or would you wish me to inform them instead?
Either way, I'll stay here and see if they turn up.
But if they don't arrive soon I'll go find them myself after packing the rest of my things from my quarters.
Whichever you wish to do my friend, I will be waiting in my room.

Please call for me if they arrive before I've finished packing, as I'd like to be present during your conversations with them if you don't mind.[/i][/b][/size]

[Merik Dragmire]

"Well, actually sorry I suppose them going with you is dependent on how you respond to my next question as I already spoke with them." Merik said cryptically as he watched Caramon lean against the wall.

"Down in the Bay is a ship called The Reaper, she's a sturdy vessel, has survived more than a few encounters with the Navy, and very, very recently her captain met with an unfortunate accident. Unfortunately from what I've heard the First Mate is also quite unlucky and could meet with an accident at any moment. So it shames me to say that one of the finer ships in my fleet is without a Captain, and I am in dire need of a replacement who'll treat her and her crew right. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

[Caramon Zero]

Oh, I'm glad to hear that you've already informed them, but I'm unsure as to their feelings on this, as it all matters to them if they wish to accompany me or not.[/i][/b][/size]

I turn to the body on the floor once again and think I understand what he means.

By the way you said that, I'd have to say that the man on the floor is The Reaper's old Captain, if I'm not mistaken, and that his First Mate will meet a similar fate very soon, if not today.[/i][/b][/size]

I ponder on all this for a second and continue.

So, from all you've said to me, you're asking me to be The Reaper's new Captain.
Am I right to assume this sir?
If that's what you wish, I humbly accept.

But why are you sending me away with such a marvelous vessel?
Didn't you say that I was to no longer be a Pirate, or did I jump to conclusions once again?[/i][/b][/size]

[Merik Dragmire]

"Not quite, but he was just as unlucky as The Reaper's captain, odd how things like that work." Merik replied offhand as he watched Caramon thinking it over.

"I never said you were no longer a Pirate, I believe my words were that you were a good man and off The Defiant. There are plenty of good pirates around who do crazy things like take prisoners, and allow surrenders. I'm just not typically one of them, occasionally but not often. As I said Volkin and Iadar are good kids and they don't need to be around that just yet, in a few years they might have jumped around a few ships and come back to my crew but for now I think they'll do much better with you Captain.

Oh and you can rename The Reaper if you choose, she's your ship now."

[Caramon Zero]

I extend my hand to shake his.

Thank you my friend for such and honor.
I will do my best to not let you down.
Those two'll be safe with me.[/i][/b][/size]

I release my grip and pace around for a short time trying to decide on a name, then stop and ask:

If it would be alright with you, could I tell you through my Stone after deciding my ship's new name with the help of my new crew?
I believe they at least have the right to help name her.[/i][/b][/size]

I pause for a few seconds before excusing myself.

If you'll excuse me, I'd like to go down and check on my new ship.
I trust you already have those two aboard, or somewhere else around here, waiting for me, knowing you my friend, so I believe I've kept them waiting long enough.[/i][/b][/size]

I turn towards the door, stop in the doorway, and turn back around.

Thank you once again for giving me this great honor.
I will do everything in my power to make my ship a ray of hope for all those who need it.[/i][/b][/size]

[Merik Dragmire]

Merik shook Caramon's hand before the Hybrid began considering names for his ship.

"You don't need to report it to me Caramon, the next time you come in I'll have it from the dockmaster anyway." the King replied with a laugh. "They might be with the ship or at one of the bars down on the docks, tough to tell with them. Now stop hanging around here and go inspect your ship."

He shooed his friend out the door before turning back to his throne and sitting down. The first thing he noticed upon doing so was the dead body still in his throne room.

"Don't you have anything better to do than lie there and annoy me? Why don't you go feed some fish or something; GUARDS! Get this body out of here, I'm tired of having it lazing about."

[Caramon Zero]

I laugh as I hear Merik yelling at the corpse and head for the docks, where my new ship and new crew await me.

[Exits]

[Merik Dragmire]

As the body was finally cleared up Merik decided to put the rest of his meetings on hold for the day and simply take a break down in one of the taverns.

[exit, I had other plans for this thread but I changed my mind so it's OVER]

[Nightmare Darklight]

Rupees given. Thread locked and moved.