Love On The Seas

[Arya Price]

Sophy Walters sat in her father's cabin, a place where she spent most of her time when her father was on deck. Her father was one of the best officers in the British Royal Navy. She had spent most of her in her father's cabin. She had always been sheltered by her father, as her father had always said that she was the last reminder he had of her mother, Lady Elinor Walters, whose first name was Sophy's middle name, who had died while giving birth to Sophy, and she was the last gift she had given him and he would not lose the only thing he had left to her and the last present he had given her.


Sophy had become close to her father over the years. Sophy was definitely her papa's little girl. She had seen him every day of her life, which was probably more than could be said for other girls who had father's who served in the military. She was a very lucky young woman, to have such a kind, caring father. She knew that some father's might blame the child for the death of the mother, but she was lucky enough to have a father whom she loved and who loved her in return.


Sophy, resembling her mother, both in looks, with forest green eyes and blonde curls, and in her sweet and timid personality, was her father's greatest treasure. Whenever they stopped at port, he made sure to pick up a new dress or a new trinket for her, and while Sophy always appreciated them, as what he picked out was always beautiful. she always longed for something more.


Sophy had always longed for a taste of freedom, a taste of adventure, like in the many books she had read, as reading was her favorite activity, though she would never get it. She knew hen her father decided that it was time for her to get married, he would take her back to England to find her husband. She had very little experience off the ship. Sometimes, her father would even scold her if she got too close to the railings of the ship, as she looked out onto the sea.

 

[Balrier]

They Seabound Queen cut through the ocean waters, clean crystal waves all that she left in her wake. With the smell of the salty sea in the air and the gentle, cool feel of ocean mist, Obsidian was content. He'd long since made his home in the sea, loving the feel of a ship rolling over waves and the sound of a crew abiding to his word like law. When wreaking havoc, it was safe to say Obsidian Corgan was a fierce opponent and a mad-man of all sorts, but on his own ship he was happy to just feel the wheel sliding beneath his palms.


After successfully selling their stolen goods to a fence in some small, obscure port, it was back into the waters for the crew of the Seabound Queen. Their pockets were heavy with coin, the barrels below stored to the brim with all sorts of rum, and a sea of treasure waiting for them, most couldn't complain. Even now they performed their tasks heartily, singing songs into the wind that was off-key yet welcome.


From where he stood on the quarterdeck, Obsidian could see the horizon around him, blue skies meeting blue waters. He enjoyed it as it was - unblemished by ship or land. Just a smooth collision of dark and light. Yet, not a moment later, a spot punctured his view. It was a ship, it had to be, northeast of them. They were too far to see, but it's size was nothing to scoff at. That didn't daunt Obsidian, scavenger of the seas, from turning the head in the direction of the ship. It was time for their next haul.

 

[Arya Price]

"Sophy." Sophy jumped at the sound of her father's voice, and she looked up from her book and turned to her father, her forest green eyes wide with curiosity. "There is a ship approaching. We don't know what the outcome will be, so I'd like you to stay in here and keep quiet until it's been determined whether or not the ship is a threat."


"Yes, Papa," said Sophy dutifully and obediently. She had no plans to leave her father's to leave her father's quarters, as she rarely did. She found her comfort in the books she had, and it was always too noisy and many of the men could be a bit too rowdy to read on the deck of the Pride of the Sea. It could get a bit lonely, sitting in her father's quarters with only books to keep her company, but they usually brought her to a world she knew she would never view.


Commodore Walters kissed his daughter's forehead before leaving his quarters. Sophy smiled as he did so, but she became worried, as she always did when her father warned her to stay in his quarters. There had been a few fights in the past, and Sophy had always stayed in her father's quarters away from the action, but her father always came out with only minor wounds, at most. She hoped that this time would be no different and that her father would be done with whatever contact with this ship soon.

 

[Balrier]

"Captain."


Obsidian tore his grey eyes from the ship growing into their view. His Quartermaster, Cobalt, stood before him. Obsidian dipped his head in acknowledgement of his equal and long-time friend before facing the sea once more, brows furrowed as he scrutinized the clearly naval ship.


"Crew wants orders," Cobalt said. His voice was rough, gritty, and worn from use. Despite Obsidian's rank as Captain, it was often Cobalt issuing out the orders in his stead. Even now, with the enemy ship looming ever closer, he stood patiently. Obsidian always admired Cobalt's patience, but he never needed to say so. Their mutual respect was enough.


"Tell Orgid to ready the cannons. I want them stuffed with gunpowder before we reach the navy ship," Obsidian said, idle hand fingering the sword strapped to his belt while the other guided the wheel steady. "I want every able bodied sailor ready to fight, since I'm sure our navy friends have quite a few weapons of their own." He grinned at Cobalt, knowing even his stoic Quartermaster enjoyed a good fight just as much as the rest of them. The ship was coming ever closer, no match for the Seabound Queen in speed. Hopefully, it'd be no match for her artillery as well.

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy returned to her book. She needed something to distract her from the battle she was sure would soon occur. Usually, a book helped her keep her mind off of things.


This time, was different. She usually had a bad feeling in her stomach when he fought, but now it was worse than it normally was. She feared for her father's safety, as she normally did. She would have nowhere to go if he died. She could not stay on this ship if he did. But Sophy tried to reassure herself that he would be fine.


She tried to reassure herself that he would be fine, and that the whole crew would be, too. She adored the crew, even though she didn't spend much time up on the deck. She took a deep breath and waited to hear the muffled sounds of fighting, and the sounds of swords clinging together. She tried to think a positive thought that perhaps it was not an enemy ship, but perhaps merchants, but deep down, she knew that she would not be so lucky.

 

[Balrier]

The ship was mere meters away, close enough to see the other crew readying for battle. A few watched the Seabound Queen approach, jaws tight and hands readied on swords. The ship was just as large as Obsidian had first guessed, big enough to require some effort on their part.


"Cannons are ready!" a voice called from the din of the ship. Obsidian lined up his own ship with the enemies, figuring they'd likely fire cannons at the same time. The first bout was always the messiest one, but it usually was to damage the ships rather than the crew. That would come later.


"Fire!" Obsidian called out, his voice heard even above the shouts of countless men. Cannonfire rang through the air as the huge cannonballs whistled through the air. The ships were close enough to see the splintering of wood and the waves roaring over being disturbed. They'd have to get closer in order to board the ship fully, but already a few men swung over on ropes with their swords drawn.


Leaving the wheel for the sailing master, Obsidian also drew his sword and joined his men on the main deck. His mouth was in a snarl, ready for whatever enemy came at him.

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy let out a small squeak as she heard cannon fire ring out. She hoped that this fight would not last long and that her father would come out victorious, as he usually did. She tried to focus on her book, but found she couldn't. She was filled with worry for her father and the only family she had ever known.


She tried to think of something else, anything else, that might possibly take her mind off the fighting going on on the deck. No such thought came to her mind.


She tried once again to focus on her book, trying to let the words take her to a completely different place, far from her own, but she couldn't. Her thoughts were filled with worry.


She had hardly ever worried for herself, and now was no different. She could not think of her own safety when the lives of so many others were at risk.

 

[Balrier]

The ships were planked to each other, ropes and other things allowing men to fly at each other with brutal ferocity. The sound of metal hitting metal rang through the air, a tribute to how many sailors fought. Obsidian was no exclusion as he drove his blade through the heart of a nameless man, watched the life drain from his eyes. He yanked his blade out and dove for the next man, hearing the body hit the deck with a sickening thud.


Even as he fought, dodging and assaulting with his sword, Obsidian kept an eye out for anything of interest. Whether it be a storage room or a high ranking soldier, Obsidian was keen on finding it.


Obsidian became distinctly aware of a set of double doors, close to the quarterdeck, that the navy soldiers were determined go unscarred. If his own ship was anything to go by, this would be the main quarters. High rank. His own men fell before even coming close, always getting distracted by battle before seeing the doors. It was there that Obsidian set his focus, cutting throw two men and slipping past others before reaching the doors.


His hand was on the handle when a blade impaled itself through the wood, clipping his fingers and leaving a nasty cut. Obsidian whirled around just in time to parry a man with one blade in his hand, the twin - if Obsidian were to guess - was lodged in the door. With a few swings from both of them and a cut to the pirate Captain's arm, Obsidian had the man pinned to the floorboard with his own sword.


Determined to see what, or who, was in the main quarters, Obsidian turned around again and opened the doors, sword drawn and eyes wary.

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy continued to try and focus on her book, rather than the fighting going on outside her father's quarter's. Still, she could not focus. She was wracked with worry. She had always been worried during fights with other ships, but she could not recall ever being so worried before, and she did not know why.


Her reason to be more worried appeared in the doorway of her father's quarters. Sophy stood up, and her body tensed, her book dropping to the floor. She did not scream or cry simply because she was too afraid to do anything.


Sophy could not do anything but stand there. A million thoughts ran through her mind on what to do: run, scream, try to fight. None of these happened. She simply stood there, frozen in fear. She could not run or scream, he could easily kill her if she did. She could not fight him, she had never had any sort of training to fight in her life.


Finally, she was able to do something. Her voice was timid and quiet and it shook as she asked,


"Who are you?" Sophy asked. She sounded absolutely terrified, like a mouse cornered by a cat. She waited for his answer with a look of anticipation on her face.

 

[Balrier]

Obsidian stepped into the room and closed the door behind him with his free hand, never taking his eyes off of the girl. The sounds of fighting became muffled and distant, but Obsidian had long since grown capable of ignoring it.


His clothes were stained and dirty, skin covered in both filth and blood, black hair messy from the wind, and eyes alight with the fire of battle. He had a feeling he didn't look very friendly. The girl's fear was reasonable, but unwanted. Obsidian didn't want to deal with that, especially if he had any hope of capturing her.


"The Captain," he said simply, walking towards her slowly. His shoes clipping against the hard wood below was the only sound in the quiet room, made louder by the wooden walls. "Am I to assume you're the daughter? I can't imagine you being a wife already." His voice was syrup, his smile unfamiliar on his own face. He doubted she'd go willingly, most never did, but first impressions were everything.

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy took a step back as he entered the room and she nodded at his question about being the daughter, unable to find her voice again. She did not scream, for fear of what he would do to her if she did.


There were two options at that point, Sophy thought. He would either capture her or he would kill her. She hoped he would not kill her. She did not want to die. She hoped that he would capture her. If he captured her, he would possibly hold her for ransom, and if he did, she had hope of seeing her father again.


He was frightening to look at, and Sophy could not help but to cast her forest green eyes downward, something that happened when she was scared or nervous. She waited for what he would do, scared to see what would happen.

 

[Balrier]

Obsidian had every intention of toying with her fear, but a body slamming into the door reminded him about the time constraints. He strode forward, clasping a hand over her mouth while the other two pressed the broad side of the sword into her stomach. "Don't make a single sound or draw attention to yourself or else I'll have everyone on this ship killed. Including you." His voice was steely now, cold and hard like the sword he used to fight with. He wanted this girl to get the idea that, should she make this difficult for him, he would make her suffer.


With that, he scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder, free hand holding her there while he made for the door. If the faith he had in his men was well placed, then Obsidian would have no trouble making it past the deck and onto his own ship. Then he'd call his men back and they'd make off with their stolen goods - and the girl.


The door opened easily, the body that had slumped against it falling to the floor. Obsidian stepped over the man and trotted past the few fighting men left and over the planks that connected their ship. A few of his men were already there, wrapping bodies to be tossed over the side. Much to Obsidian's delight, there were only a couple.


With no place to take prisoners, Obsidian was forced to deposit the girl in his own quarters. The door could be locked from both sides, but only with Obsidian's key. It made for an adequate place to keep someone. It was fine enough for a navy captain's daughter, he liked to think. He wasn't one for sleeping in an unkempt room.

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy let out a small whimper as he clasped the hand over her mouth and as he pressed the sword against her stomach. She was sure he was going to kill her. She closed her eyes and waited for him to slash her stomach. She breathed a small sigh of relief when he made it sound like he was going to kidnap her. She slowly nodded her head as he told her to stay quiet. She was not going to do something stupid that could result in her getting killed.


Sophy let out a small gasp as he lifted her up. She was not going to fight him. She was not going to do something stupid. She knew that most of her father's crew members would be to engaged in battle to realize she was being taken, but she knew that once the battle was over, her father would go to check on her and find that she was not there.


Sophy was utterly terrified as he took her to his ship and to his quarters. She had no idea what was going to happen to her or when she would be home, or even if she would go home. She could only hope that she would. She was terrified what would happen to to her while she waited for her father to pay the ransom, or if the ransom would be too high for him to pay.

 

[Balrier]

With the girl before him, his crew returning to their stations and leaving behind the barely floatable ship, Obsidian knew he had won. It was a great accomplishment and they could no doubt get countless gold coins for their troubles. The girl alone would fetch a handsome price for ransom, or even if he sold her to slavery.


"What's your name," he asked, leaning against the wall across from her. His door was closed. No intruders would disturb them. Obsidian would tell her of her knew life and continue on with his duties.


She seemed well behaved enough. He'd captured a few hostages in his time, all sniveling little brats begging for freedom. She at least had the common sense to remain silent. A good choice.

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy felt extremely nervous being in this mans presence and she was afraid that anything she did would be wrong and end up costing her life. She was not going to be stupid and think it brave. She only hoped that if she obeyed everything that he told her, he would treat her well, or at least not overly cruel.


"My name is Sophy Walters, sir," said Sophy timidly. She had always been naturaly shy and always afraid around people she did not know. This was a whole new level of not knowing someone and it was much worse than normal.


Sophy only hoped that she would be home soon enough. She knew that her father would pay whatever ransom he asked for and she would be home again.

 

[Balrier]

The telltale feel of the ship rocking into motion started, the sounds of shouting men ceasing. Obsidian glanced out of one of the small windows in the room, seeing the other ship disappear.


At being called "sir" Obsidian chuckled. "Tell me, Miss Walters," he began, pulling out one of his daggers and toying with it. "Do you consider your father an honorable man?" His voice was smooth once more, like it was on the navy ship, but Obsidian kept his eyes on the dagger twirling between his fingers.


Obsidian already knew the father would pay the ransom. The girl was kept out of harms way, so he obviously cared for her. He just wanted to hear it from the girl. It was humorous to him, a joke for him alone.

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy nodded at his question about her father being an honorable. She knew that he fought for the king and that he did his duty. In Sophy's opinion, that made her father an honorable man.


She saw him playing with the dagger and she immediately looked down and began fiddling with her fingers, something she had done since she was a little girl. She did not know why, but it helped calm her down. This man was terrifying, there was no doubt about that. "Yes, sir," said Sophy, her voice still timid. "He is an honorable man."


She listened for whatever he would ask her next, scared for what it would be. She tried to think of what a joy it would be when she was reunited with her father. It was a happier thought than the reality she was in.

 

[Balrier]

Obsidian nodded knowingly, as if he was familiar with her father and suspected it all along. The knife steadied in his hands, balancing atop an outstretched finger.


Looking at Sophy, Obsidian let the silence linger a moment longer - to the point of discomfort - before snatching the knife off his finger and tossing it right by Sophy, close enough that she likely heard the metal cutting through the air. It slammed into the wall behind her with a thud, the blade humming with the force of the throw.


"My name is Captain Obsidian." His voice was cold once more, any trace of his previous humour gone. "You are aboard the Seabound Queen and are to regard this ship, and her crew, with the utmost respect." He hadn't moved from his spot by the wall, seemed frozen in fact. It was similar to a cat before they punched, the stillness of focus and predatory watching.


"You'll be assigned duties, just like the rest of us. Do them well and you'll be treated just the same. Do them poorly, and, well..." Obsidian's eyes flicked over to the dagger in the wall. "If and when your father pays the hefty sum for your life, we'll release you. If we want to." His grin was feral, wolfish. Promises were a malleable thing to him, nothing permanent.


Obsidian stepped over to the door and held it open, sweeping his hand in a mock gesture of nobility. "Ladies first. It's time you met your new crewmates."

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy let out a small shriek as the knife flew past her hear. She was practically frozen in fear, too scared to move. She breathed a small sigh of relief when the knife missed her.


Sophy nodded at his request, which was more like a demand, to treat the ship and her crew with respect. She nodded again, this time, looking fearful when he told her to do her duties well, as when her forest green eyes turned towards the knife. They were wide with fear. They widened when he told her she might not be going home to her father and that she might stay aboard this ship.


She hoped that she was just trying to instill fear in her by telling her she might not go home to her father, and that he might keep her. That he was just trying to make her worried that she might not go home. If he was, it was working.


She started to worry about preforming the sort of tasks he wanted her to. Despite being raised on a ship, she was raised to be a lady. She knew that when she married, she would probably have servants do the work around the house. And there wasn't much skill that she would need in the home that she would be able to learn on a ship.


When he opened the door, she walked towards him, her eyes downcast, stopping before she exited. "Sir?" Sophy asked timidly. "What will happen if my father does not pay what you ask him?" She did not want to add what would happen if he decided not to let her go. She did not want to believe that he would do that.

 

[Balrier]

Obsidian looked down on Sophy, considering the question. "Your father would likely regret that decision." His voice was final and that was all he was going to say on the matter. In truth, he had t entirely decided. Their was plenty of ways the girl could become useful. There were some men in a northern port who paid well for slave girls. Regardless, Obsidian would get his money.


"You should focus on the here and now," he said, flicking his eyes out the door to where crewmen rushed about doing their tasks. It would take about a week to have the messenger deliver the ransom note, another week for the navy man to respond. Maybe a few more days for him to gather the payment or try and convince Obsidian to reconsider things. They always seem to think that Obsidian would want to change his mind. That was unlikely; he'd been doing this for years.

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy's eyes widened when he said her father would regret that decision. She knew that her father would probably pay, though. She knew he would most likely not risk his daughter's life. She nodded hopelessly as he told her to focus on the here and now. She just hoped that the money he was demanding would come soon enough and she would be home again.


Sophy knew that she would most likely be here for a few weeks. She had gotten a glimpse of her father's ship. The ship was not in condition to go after the Seabound Queen and go through another fight. She took a deep breath before walking out the door. She did so slowly and fearfully, he eyes still downcast. All she could do now was do what was expected of her and hope that the next few weeks went by quickly.

 

[Balrier]

Obsidian followed close behind Sophy, clasping a hand on her shoulder and leaning over once they were in the center of the deck. "Like what you see?" he asked, eyeing the crew that stared at her with unbidden interest.


Obsidian's crew were good men, but none of them were very familiar with etiquette. Even Obsidian had nearly forgotten all he had learned as a child. He didn't stop them from their curious stares, though.


"Miss Walters, say hello to your new family for the next few weeks," he said with a raised volume. Those wepho weren't too busy with important tasks gathered to watch, muttering to each other.


Cobalt was near the stairs, leaning against a post with a bored look on his face. He never had any lasting interest in the girls Obsidian stole away, but he knew to let the Captain get in his mocking of his "guests" in the first day. Besides, Obsidian hated being interrupted.

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy stiffened when she felt Obsidian's hand on her shoulder. She contemplated shaking it off, but decided against it, for fear of what would happen if she did.


Sophy's eyes darted to the floor when she saw their curious stares. While there wasn't anything wrong with curiosity, the thought of these people was very unnerving to Sophy.


When she heard Obsidian speak again, telling her to say hello to her new family. She simply dropped into a small curtsy, something she had been taught to do upon meeting new people.


"Sir?" Sophy asked quietly, turning to Obsidian slowly. She looked quite frightened and very nervous. "May I ask where I will be residing during my stay?"

 

[Balrier]

The lads chuckled at the curtesy, but saw that as their cue to disperse back to their own jobs. Obsidian rounded Soohy and stood before her again, hands clasped behind him.


"Well, I-" he began, eyes twinkling mischievously at the question.


"I should think it obvious."


Obsidian sighed as the voice interrupted him. It was, as always, a Cobalt. Come to steal his fun no doubt. "Yes, I was getting to that, Cobalt." His voice was snappish, but not nearly as cruel as the one he had used with the girl mere moments before.


"No sense dangling the answer over her like a toy," Cobalt said, stepping closer. He didn't look at Sophy, entirely disinterested in her presence. "We have no spare rooms, so Imsuspect you'll have her in your quarters."


Obsidian smirked at Sophy as Cobalt answered her question. "That was the plan, yes," he drawled. "I've been told my bed is quite comfortable." While true, it probably wasn't the information she wanted, which is precisely why Obsidian said it.


"Will you be getting her a wench?"


Obsidian rolled his eyes, irritated. "Must you always ask the boring questions? Yes, of course I am. I've no interest in seeing to Miss Walters at all hours of the day."


Cobalt frowned at Obsidian but pressed on. "We have that captured girl from the last town over. The girl who lied about being a cook." Cobalt a voice had deepened in distaste for over the girl, but Obsidian had refused killing her and insisted she could be useful elsewhere. Apparently he'd been right.


"Ah, yes," Obsidian said, remembering. "Sprightly little thing. She'd do just fine." He looked once more at Sophy, figuring it was time for her input. Her opinion would be discarded regardless, but hearing her agree was a nice formality.


((You're welcome to use the girl as a side character if you're interested. I just figured it might be more interesting for you with more to do since right now it's Sophy VS a whole ship of crew members. Lol))

 

[Arya Price]

Sophy seemed a bit unnerved by the thought of sleeping in the same room as a man. She had been taught to never sleep in the same room as a man until she was married. She would be sure not to sleep in the same bed as him. That would be very scandalous and very uncomfortable, and it would not be right.


She did not say anything at the moment, for fear of how he would react. She had no intention of sleeping in the same bed as him. She would sleep on the floor, if necessary.


When Obsidian mentioned that she would have a wench, she was a bit confused. She knew that it was a term for ladies of the night or a servant. She finally spoke when he looked at her. "Do you mean like a ladies maid, sir?" Sophy asked, her voice nervous and quiet.


(All right)