As long as many people can remember, a large number of islands, coastal towns, and cities have believed in the spirit of the sea and generations have passed it down and kept the belief alive. Every coastal civilization has some version of this belief that is unique to its region, and the encounters of the fishermen, pirates, and sailors continue to feed this belief. The stories are all true and the mysteries run deep.
Admiral James Williams was professional, straightforward, no-nonsense, and the best sea admiral Scotland had ever seen. The Scots decided to send Admiral Williams on a voyage to Port Cortry, to be appointed governor. Williams was to set sail and captain a brigantine fleet called the Gold Fleet. The fleet was made up of five brigantine ships all clean and pristine, built of beautiful oak wood, white sails, cannons, and a lower deck. The center/lead ship Gold I was where Admiral Williams quarters were located, and packed with the best crew. They stocked up on cannons, wood, double checked their map, and set sail on a July morning and were expected to sail for a minimum of thirty days.
Captain Henry “Hornswoggle” Albatross was known for his trickery, wit, and recklessness. Aside from his infamous trickery and wit Captain Albatross was incredibly handsome, but had a mysterious past. He grew up along the coast of Denmark, or at least that’s what he told people. He was the captain of The Filthy Rose, an extraordinarily fast and sharp galleon, made for cutting through waves, loaded with cannons, and had enough storage for many a treasure chest and barrels of rum. Made of dark mahogany, gray sails, and flying a Jolly Roger proudly, with Captain quarters and a lower deck, The Filthy Rose was a beauty, and Hornswoggle`s pride and joy, despite of course a pint of rum. Hornswoggle and his crew were in search of Ashford “Crazy Eyes” Milton`s long lost treasure believed to be located somewhere near Hallowind Landing. After packing the ship with barrels of cannons, rum, and voting to follow Hornswoggle`s map, they set sail from Port Gallantham, about a twenty-five-day voyage from Hallowind.
Now, in Albatross` brief history of pirating, he had crossed swords, and ships with Williams a few times, much to the latter`s dismay, and rather annoyance. Like Williams, Albatross was not one to back away from a challenge (escape, maybe but never in cowardice). A lot of times it seemed inadvertently they were always chasing after one another ( bit of a cat-and-mouse game if you will). Both of them focused on one way or another to up their ego and reputation in however way they deemed fit. For Albatross it was increasing his mischievous persona, and Williams was more political gain. They accomplished both of these things through their run-ins with the other. Both were master swordsmen and Williams, a rifleman and Albatross, a pistol master helped with some of these encounters.
Hornswoggle and his crew of thieves, misfits, and swashbucklers spent most of their time out on open ocean, and became a make-shift family for all involved but none of them would admit that. They were seen majority as equals unless they entered into a battle, then the power shifted to Hornswoggle. Admiral Williams` crew dynamic couldn`t be any more different. The power mainly rested on the Admiral`s shoulder and there was a very important hierarchy, and Williams was at the top. Giving orders, deciding on course, and decisions in battle.
For both the captain and the admiral, their voyages began on smooth seas, but as vast and untamable the mighty ocean is this didn`t last for very long. About halfway into both of their voyages, the Admiral and pirate captain`s paths crossed once more. Both ships were docked at Port Stonewall. The crews were resting and both Albatross and Williams were drinking in the tavern.
“Ah Admiral, always good to see you” Albatross smirked and bowed
“I wish I could say the same about you Albatross” Williams spat
Albatross sauntered away to grab another pint from the bar maid, but was quickly followed by Williams. The Admiral grabbed the Captain`s shoulder and whispered in his ear
“I understand we are both docked here with our crews and I can`t help but wonder what would happen if something were to happen…tsk tsk tsk”
Captain Albatross slurred “Well that would be a shame…” before quickly escaping Williams` grasp and found one of his crewmates, whispered something in their ear, and ran toward the storage room of the tavern. Williams quickly followed and both drew their swords. The clinging of medal began to echo and both seamen took aim at each other. Albatross narrowly dodged William`s blade by jumping over it and onto a barrel. From the ground, Williams swiftly moved his sword this way and that against Albatross` and carved a hole into the barrel Albatross was standing on. Albatross sliced through a rope and a bag of grain fell onto the hay-covered ground, but Williams dodged it. Albatross jumped and caught the railing of the walkway and flipped onto it. Williams jumped onto the barrel and repeated the same action and their swords crossed once more. Albatross noticed an open window near the roof and maneuvered himself and Williams toward it. Albatross hit a bale of hay and it landed right in front of Williams. Albatross leaped and grabbed the edge of the window before jumping through it and out of the tavern before Williams could notice. Albatross leaped onto a moving carriage headed towards the docks, where The Filthy Rose and his crew were waiting for him. They lifted the anchor and headed back into open ocean.
The ocean is a whole new beast come nightfall. The only light guiding you is the moon, and new danger lurks just below the depths. While Hornswoggle was steering the ship, one of his drunk crewmates dropped his pint into the sea. Soon, the crew erupted into song, and soon they were surrounded by these beautiful women, popping out of the water and joining the tune. A couple crewmates began to smirk, and bend too close to one of the women. She grabbed his shoulder, and almost pulled him out of the ship, but Hornswoggle, steered The Filthy Rose starboard and threw the crewmate back on deck. The Filthy Rose treaded on and into a cove before dropping anchor for the night. The next morning, the crew hoisted the anchor and Albatross steered the ship back into open ocean.
After a few days in the open ocean, The Filthy Rose met up with another pirate ship headed towards Hallowind, near Wharf`s End, one of the most dangerous parts of the sea for ships, and a few miles away from Hallowind Landing. This ship was made of dark gray wood and had black sails, the crew looked incredibly menacing and Hornswoggle began to give orders for cannon fire. Both ships exchanged fire. Smoke was everywhere and the gray ship had spurred a couple of fires. The booming of the canons echoed in Hornswoggle and his crew`s ears, and the gray ship`s crew began to jump onto the deck of The Filthy Rose. Hornswoggle gave the command to start sword fighting while he loaded one final cannonball and fired, sinking the gray ship into Davy Jones` Locker. The sky grew dark and stormy, and rain began to fall. Claps of thunder were overhead and a flash of lightning lit up the sky. The sea began to swirl beneath them and a huge wave crashed over the deck of The Filthy Rose. On a cliff nearby, a group of sirens began to scream, and sing a haunting song. Hornswoggle jumped onto the wheel and steered the ship away, but the ocean was still swirling and waves were crashing. Hornswoggle steered his ship through the storm. Eventually the clouds opened and they could see the docks of Hallowind Landing.
Admiral Williams and his crew had left Port Stonewall the day after Captain Albatross. One of the boats in his fleet, Gold IV fell off course and ended up in Kraken territory on their way to Port Stonewall. The ship was split in two and capsized. There were very little survivors, who escaped in a lifeboat but were quickly drawn into Siren`s Cove. One of the crewmates ended up killing one of the sirens and was thrown into sandbar. Gold I, Gold II, Gold III and Gold V eventually made it to Port Cortry, and Admiral Williams took his place as Governor. After a few months there, a massive hurricane hit and destroyed most of the port. Admiral Williams began working on rebuilding it with help from Scotland.
I tell you this story not to scare you, but to remind you that I am alive. I have seen it all. For all that I have told you is what happens when I am hurting and angry. I am wild, boundless, and free, and I deserve to be treated with respect I have given so many a home, and they too deserve respect. I have the ability to strike fear into the heart of man with a simple wind change. I am not all harm, though, I am beautiful and vast, and I have the power to calm even the most anxious of hearts.
A Beautiful Mess 