Chapter 3. Porica

"And what of my boy"?  How is he getting along? asked a man. John was walking along the beach with the man. They have been reminiscing, talking of future plans and confiding in each other.  "He's doing fine. He sticks a little to close to Annie for my liking but I have Marco looking after him to toughen him up. "Isn't Annie the toughest one of all of us?" said the man with a chuckle. "Come on now, Bellemy. Annie has her moments I'll admit, but I believe the boy needs a different point of view that only a man can show him. You know, a true father figure to look up to."  Bellemy didn't reply. He wore a worried look on his face as he pressed on. Waves crashed softly along the shore as they walked on. The sun was setting into the sea and the wind was starting to pick up.

Bellemy turned and faced John and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't be too hard on him. I believe in the end he will find his way. Just don't let him make the same mistakes we all took."  John smiled back and gave Bellemy a pat on the shoulder. " I promise that I'll look out for him." Bellemy continued to smile and hold his gaze on John for a few moments more before looking up at the evening sky. John looked up to see what he was looking at only to realize that the night had suddenly fallen right before his eyes. He looked down to share his amazement with Bellemy only to realize that he was gone. John looked around clutching to himself as he suddenly caught a chill. And once again he realized he was alone.

The sound of rain awoke John from the dream that he was having. John sat up from his bed and let out a groan of pain that came from his stiff back. "This isn't getting any easier." he said aloud to himself. John took a moment to get his bearing of where he was. For months he was stuck in that dreary town trying to save Bellamy from the gallows. The dream he had was still fresh in his mind. He remember telling Bellemy of how he got the crew together again and how they were off to Porica. It seemed that all that Bellemy was worried about was his son. John believe that Elliot was a bit to young to come along the ship but he knew that Annie would eventually get her way if he refused to have him aboard. He left his quarters to head for the ships galley for breakfast. He was surprised when he realized that he was the last one to arrive.

"Aye, Captain! I already brewed you some coffee." Shouted Marco. "I believe it's still warm. Marco turned the cup towards himself and squinted one eye to look at it's contents. John made his way towards Marco, passing Annie and giving her a quick glare to acknowledge her.  He noticed her roll her eyes in annoyance and return to drink from her cup. 

"What time is it?" John said as he gave a long stretch after sitting down to join both Marco and Elliot. "Nearly noon" replied Marco. "And why didn't you come wake me?" said John. "You had a bit to drink last night." Retorted Marco. "I figured I'd let you sleep it off." "No, No I'm fine." John said as he rubbed his eyes and buried his face into his hands. "You don't look fine." Stated Elliot. John shot a look at Elliot. "Just you wait boy, this is how we live. This is how we survive."

 Elliot gave John a shocked look before quietly returning to his breakfast. Marco shook his head in disapproval. "We live by making use of the time we're given Capt'n. We survive by looking out for one another." John chuckled and leaned back into his chair. " Well, I'm not sure this conversation is the best use of my time right now." Marco shrugged. "You are free to spend your time however you like, but in my interest to see you survive, I'd wish to see you go a bit easier on the drink. Trust me, I've been there. Live as long as I have and you see the lot of them come and go. My father was buried at sea, along with many good friends I once knew. And as hard as it was, I knew a drink wasn't going to bring them back."

 "I'm not sure if I'd want to bring anyone back." retorted John. " I know that once it's over that's it. We're just a memory of all the people who once knew us." Marco let out a deep sigh. "I know this isn't you. And I'd hate it to be what I remember you by." Marco got up and walked over to where Annie was sitting to start chatting with her. 

John sat back in his chair and started to mull over what Marco had just said. He looked over to Elliot who was just finishing his breakfast. " Elliot, my boy. Come with me. I want to show you something." Elliot quickly took a few more bites from his breakfast and got up to follow John. 

John lead Elliot back to his quarters. Once inside he made his way to the left side of the room where a door was. Before he opened the closet he paused. "I'm sure Marco has been telling you plenty of stories about your father no?" Elliot slowly made his way towards the door where John was standing, keeping a cautious distance. "He has only told me a few capt'n." John looked over his shoulder and smiled. "Did he mention how great of a marksman he was?" Elliot looked a bit puzzled. " No sir, he didn't." John chuckled and turned back towards the door, opening it up wide. Inside was an arsenal of various guns.

 "We have it all, my boy. Pistols, rifles and the deadliest weapons from around the world. Elliot came to stand beside him, gazing inside in wonder. "Your father and I collected all of these over the years." He walked inside and made his way to a row of pistols. "This one here was made by the French. A bit too heavy for my taste but it'll knock a rhinoceros down in one shot. Elliot grabbed the pistol and weighed it in his hand. " What's a rhinoceros? Elliot asked as he handed the pistol back. John stood there for a moment, thinking of a way to explain. "Think of a big cow that has a single horn on it's head." John motioned his arms to resemble a large animal before pointing to his head to illustrate a horn. "So a fat unicorn?" Elliot chuckled. "A unicorn?" John said taken aback. "What? No! Those do not exist. Elliot walked over to a rifle, picking it up and looking down it's sights. "Annie believes in them. Replied Elliot. "She talks about them all the time. John shook his head in disapproval  "Annie has a bit too wild of an imagination if you ask me. But enough about Unicorns boy, come here you are holding that wrong. Hasn't anyone ever shown you how to properly hold a rifle?" Elliot look John in the eye. "No, sir." John looked surprised. You mean your father never shown you how to hold a gun?" Elliot looked embarrassed. " No." He replied. "I never even shot a gun before. I always wanted to but he always said that they were dangerous." John stood there for a minute looking very displeased before he rushed over to put up the French pistol and motioned Elliot to follow out the door. "Bellemy, you fool." John said out loud as he opened the door to the deck. "Bring that rifle with you." John said.

 John and Elliot made there way to the bow of the ship. Marco and Annie were nearby talking and paused mid conversation to look over at what they were doing. John paused and looked up into the sky. Seagulls flew high above their heads. He shielded his eyes against the red sun as it sank into the sea. They were nearing Porica. "Perfect!" John said with a smile. John walked over to Elliot and pointed to the seagulls. "You see the flock of seagulls flying overhead? Try out you aim and knock one of them out of the sky." Elliot looked excited and aimed the rifle up into the sky towards the birds. " Remember to keep both eyes open, boy. Squint your eyes. Control your breathing, and let that bullet fly!" Elliot took a moment to adjust his posture. He tracked of the birds for a moment before firing off a shot, missing. "That's alright my boy! Reload and try again. Annie walked over to chime in. "Shooting birds now are we? Was this your idea?" John put a finger to his lip to hush her. "Let the lad shoot in peace. And besides, what else do we got around her to fire at?" John said in a hushed voice. Annie fought back a protest and looked on with her arms folded, visibly upset. Elliot finished reloading and pointed the rifle back towards the seagulls. He tracked one across the sky but hesitated shooting. The wind had picked up a bit and his hair has blowing in his face. He lowered the weapon and peered into the sky before running full sprint towards the central mast, scaling it's ladder. By now, most of the crew had gathered around to watch Elliot and what he was about to do next. "What's got into him?" Marco asked John. John admiringly watched as Elliot made his way to the top before looping his arm around a rope and leaning against the mast to take aim at the birds. "Not sure mate, But I have a feeling that we don't want to miss this." Elliot took aim and and waited. All the crew had their eyes on him and all was silent except for the creaking of the ship and the crashing of the waves that surround them. After what seemed to be a minute or two, Elliot fired off a shot. A small cloud of feathers exploded in the sky sending two seagulls plunging into sea.

 On the deck below the crew erupted into cheers. "What a shot!" One shouted. "The kids a natural!" Said another.  The cheers continued on as Elliot climbed back down to join the crew on the deck. John came over and patted Elliot on his back. " Well done my boy! You're a natural. Just like your father. I had a feeling you had it in you." Annie walked over with a rather impressed look on her face. "Fancy shooting there love. Very impressive." Elliot beamed as he was patted on the back by everyone around him. Marco made his way over and pushed through the crowd. " Way to go lad. I haven't seen shooting like that in years. I'm going to have to stick by you if we ever get into a tizzy." John watched as the crew took their time congratulating the boy before heading to the front of his quarters.

 "All right mates!" He shouted addressing his crew. Everyone went silent and turned their attention to him. "Tonight, we land at Porica! Though it's been a while we still are hungry dogs looking to make our next meal. A silver piece earned is as good as a silver piece taken. We make our wealth with each other and for each other. We have lost some of our own, yet gained a greater crew to carry on with. Let there be no fear among us. Let the empty treats of Barnett and Rodgers ferment in your minds. To hell with them! Let fear be the anchor in their hearts! You know the land, you know the caper. Tonight this one's for Bellemy!"

 The crew shouted in unison and quickly dispersed to prepare for the night ahead. John watched as Elliot made his way up to him. "You ready for this, Elliot." Elliot held his head high in a new found confidence. " I'm ready, Capt'n" John grabbed him by the shoulder and nodded his head in approval. "Good lad. Find Marco and Annie, They should be forming a group below the deck. Stick with them for tonight. And show no fear. You are one of us now after all." Elliot nodded before running off to find Annie and Marco. John cast a look towards to growing land mass the was Porica off in the distance. Such riches lie there. He knew that the only way to have it was to take it. What ever means necessary.