The Unexplored Territory

                                    

                                              
             
                          
All the troubles, worries, and pressures of leadership could not pierce the euphoric feelings that I had after meeting with Camphoria.  I headed up the stairs enroute to the navagator's post.  
                          
"Good morning Mr. Pulsey.  What news do you have sir?"  I cheerfully asked.

                          
"Morn'in, yer Majesty.  We be on course and make'n good time."  Granite Pulsey responded.
                          
"What is our current location, Mr. Pulsey?" 
                          
"Part o' the way between Meridian of Granberry and Tempston in the Kingdom of Starfold, Sire."
                          
"Very good.  When will we arrive at Tempston, Mr. Pulsey?"
                          
"Eh, my Lord?  Tis not our destination.  Do ye recall ye gave the order to go to the safety of the rebellion headquarters?"
                          
"Right you are.  How long will it take to get to 'you know where'?" I asked, not wishing to reveal my ignorance of not knowing where the rebellion headquarters resides.
                          
"We should be to the place that 'we cannot mention' (wink, wink) by the 11th bell."  Mr. Pulsey replied with a smile.
                          
I mentally did the math.  I had just heard the 8th bell so that left me plenty of time to get caught up on getting to know all of the guests and crew on board, and to actually find out where the headquarters was from my grandfather.
                          
I stopped by Mr. Bragg's post on the forecastle and opened a conversation. "Good morning to you, Captain Bragg.  Do you have a moment to chat?"
                          
"Of course yer Lordship."
                          
"Wonderful.  Would you mind telling me a bit about yourself then?"
                          
"Not t'all yer Majesty.  There's but little to tell.  I was a merchant captain n' sailed nearly the world over. I'd seen the good and the bad.  But mostly had a good go of things.  Then one day, the Overlords ships detained me and my crew for supposedly aiding the rebellion. They confiscated my ship with all its contents.  I was not part of the rebellion then, but that is what turned me to join it."  He paused as he unclenched his fists and did his best to keep his emotions under control. "Twas just after that, my wife left us, leaving me, my daughter who was a baby at the time, and twin boys of four years.  I ne'er laid eyes on her since that ill-begotten time."
                          
"Thank you for sharing with me your story."  He was right. Though his tale was sad, it was short...too short.  Was there something that he was not telling me?  I probed for more information, "So that would make it roughly 17 years ago that you joined the rebellion.  Am I right?"
                          
"Aye, m'Lord."  
                          
On a hunch, I asked, "What kinds of things were you carrying the day that your ship was confiscated?"
                          
"Er, it...well...it was mainly rock rum, m'Lord." Captain Bragg looked a bit fearful as he revealed this.
                          
Rock rum was hard to come by and the Overlord placed severe penalties on those who tried to get around the tariffs and taxes.
                          
"Black market rock rum?" I pushed more.
                          
"Aye m'Lord.  Tis obvious secrets cannot be withheld from ye.  Ye see m'Lord, I was a pirate, or if ye prefer, a more civilized term, a privateer and we had just acquired a shipload of rum and were headed to the shoals to trade it in for supplies and arms."
                          
I tried not to look shocked.  This was way more than I had thought he was hiding. "A pirate?  I cannot imagine you as a ruthless and bloodthirsty pirate!"
                          
"If ye parden me m'Lord, the term of 'pirate' be much maligned in my book.  Daring we were, but we were not for kill'n nor did we lack for mercy on our victims.  Ay we did plunder, but we never took it all and we only harmed those what did not see reason. Among ourselves, that be another matter.  Only the strongest pirates could lead the others and that required ye ta be vigilant and wary at all times."
                          
"You were their leader and you defected?  That must have caused a bit of confusion!"
                          
"Once again, m'Lord you astound me with your insightfulness.  Aye, I was their king and my wife their queen.  And none of them took my decision to leave well, least of all my wife.  I made my escape and I have kept a weather eye out for trouble from them ever since."
                          
"How many pirates are there and where are they located?"
                          
"There be a good number, nigh unto ten thousand. Most of the pirates take berth on Islands and shores in the west, the unexplored territory...where we be heading at the present moment."
                          
"Since we are headed in that direction, what do pirates think of the resistance, especially given your departure from their ranks?"
                          
"Pirates be a non-political folk.  They try to keep a neutral stance seeing as their clients may come from varying political persuasions. Tis bad for business ta take sides."
                          
"Why did you take sides? The Kingsmen certainly have taken ships from you before?"
                          
"Aye, the Kingsmen, that be a ruthless and bloodthirsty lot.  In the name of the grand overlord, they kill and maim without remorse.  According to their rule of law, they destroy with vicious hunger, everything they touch.  I had reached my fill and determine to rid the world of them."
                          
"We have the same goal then. Last question Captain Bragg.  Who knows what you have told me? 
                          
"None but yerself and the pirates that be alive. Not even my boys nor Camphoria know the truth." 
                          
"Your secret is safe with me, Captain Bragg. You have been of immeasurable help these last few days.  It is good to know that I can count on your support and trust." I shook his hand and made my way to see my grandfather.  We had much to discuss.