Chapter 3: Meeting the Mentor
As The Scarlet Serpent reached the harbor of Port Royal, I couldn't help but feel a feeling of excitement. I've heard tales of this town during my old life from my crewmates: it was the most popular city of the Golden Age.
"Mister Amir, the captain wants to see you," the quartermaster told me.
"Aye-aye, Sir," I replied. (That was probably the first time I said that.)
Captain Eliza Blackwood was standing near the exit point of the ship, waiting for me. I approached her with utmost haste. "Ahoy, Captain Blackwood!" I greeted her.
"Ahoy, Mister Amir. Are you ready to take on the sights of Port Royal?" Captain Blackwood asked me.
"Sure, I'm ready," I replied.
"Alright then, welcome to Port Royal," she said as we disembarked from the ship.
[Port Royal, Colony of Jamaica]
As I stepped onto the soil of Port Royal, the bustling harbor town, my senses were overwhelmed by a kaleidoscope of vibrant sights and sounds. The streets were packed with merchants shouting their wares, while the sweet aroma of exotic spices wafted through the air. The sun beat down on me, casting long shadows across the colorful wooden buildings that lined the waterfront.
Captain Blackwood led me through the vibrant streets, her stride confident and purposeful.
"So this is Port Royal..." I said in wonder. "The great hub of the pirates."
"Yup," Blackwood replied. "Life is really buzzing here, especially at night."
The streets of Port Royal were alive with a vibrant energy that seemed to pulse through the air. Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, their intricate patterns catching the sunlight and casting brilliant patterns on the cobblestone streets below. The chatter of merchants filled my ears, their enthusiastic voices hawking their wares in an attempt to capture the attention of passing customers. It was truly a sight to behold, this lively tapestry of humanity woven together in a bustling hub of trade and adventure.
As the trek continued, Blackwood said to me, "There is a tavern I know whose regular is an old friend of mine. We used to be crewmates together, until I got myself my own crew. Ready to meet him?"
"Sure. Maybe I can learn a thing or two from this individual. Is he a pirate like you?" I said.
"Of course he is," Captain Blackwood said. "His name is Blake Hawkswell, an Englishman just like me!"
As we entered the tavern, the cool and dim interior provided respite from the scorching sun outside. The atmosphere was thick with mirth and revelry, as pirates and locals alike filled the space, their laughter mingling with the clinking of tankards.
We then headed to a table seated by one person. He was a handsome-looking man with well-kept brown hair, olive eyes, and decent-looking clothes fit for a pirate captain.
"Ahoy, Miss Blackwood. Long time no see," the man greeted.
"Call me 'Captain', please," Blackwood exclaimed.
"Sorry, gotten used to it~"
"So, this guy is-" was all I said before Blackwood interrupted me.
"Blake Hawkswell, as I live and breathe," Captain Blackwood exclaimed with a warm smile. "It has been far too long, my old friend." Her voice held a tinge of nostalgia, her eyes sparkling with memories.
Blake chuckled, his olive eyes crinkling at the corners. "Eliza Blackwood, the famed captain of The Scarlet Serpent. It's good to see you still in one piece." He extended his hand towards me.
"Nice to meet you... uhh..."
"Amir, a pirate from the future," I replied. "Nice to meet you, Captain Hawkswell."
"Nice to meet you too... Wait, did you just say 'from the future'?"
"Amir is a pirate who hails from a distant land called 'Somalia' and has been displaced from his time in the future to ours," Blackwood explained.
"Uhh... It's a long story," I added.
As I took a seat at the table, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. This man, Blake Hawkswell, was not just an ordinary pirate. He was renowned and respected in these treacherous waters. The way he carried himself, the air of confidence that surrounded him, spoke volumes about his experience as a buccaneer.
"So, yeah, you're Ms. Blackwood's-"
"CAPTAIN BLACKWOOD!"
"-Captain Blackwood's new man, huh?"
"Yeah, I am," I said. "I was sent by Captain Blackwood on a special meeting between the two of us."
Blake Hawkswell studied me for a moment, his piercing gaze seeming to search for something within me. There was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, as if he was intrigued by the mystery surrounding my unusual origins. He leaned back in his chair, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
"Alright, I'll tell you my story. Born in 1980, a lot of years from your 'now', I was a poor man from Somalia who landed a place with the pirates off the coasts of Mogadishu. We were renowned throughout our pirate community for our tenacity. But a failed major mission cost me my life; suddenly, however, I ended up in 1684, floating in the wide expanse of the Caribbean. That's when I was saved by Captain Blackwood and her ship."
"So, Amir from the future, eh?" Blake said, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Quite the tale you have there."
I took a moment to collect myself, my mind racing as I tried to comprehend the gravity of my situation. Here I was, face-to-face with a legendary pirate who not only accepted my fantastical tale without hesitation but also seemed genuinely intrigued by it. The air around us hummed with anticipation, and I could feel the weight of Hawkswell's gaze upon me as he awaited my response.
"So, yeah, Captain Blackwood sent me here today so I can be trained more in the ways of the buccaneer, and be molded based on your experience."
"Ah, a training session with me as another mentor, eh? I can arrange that..."
As we exited the tavern, I prepared to be taught some lessons from another captain himself, the brave Captain Hawkswell.
"I must say, Amir from the future, your tale is quite extraordinary. To think that you were transported back in time to this era of piracy... It's almost like something out of a fantastical adventure."
I nodded, a surge of gratitude washing over me. "Indeed, Captain Hawkswell."
With each step I took beside Captain Hawkswell, my anticipation grew. Here I was, a Somali pirate who had somehow been thrust back in time to the era of swashbuckling buccaneers, about to be trained by one of the most respected pirates in the Caribbean. The streets of Port Royal sprawled before us, filled with a bustling crowd that seemed to ebb and flow like the tides themselves.
We continued walking until we approached what looks like another galleon. "Mr. Amir, say hello to my ship, the Amazing Siren. Ain't she a beauty?" Captain Hawkswell said.
"Yeah, it is," I replied. I can feel Captain Blackwood going, "I know, right?" right now.
"This ship was once my home, when I worked for Captain Hawkswell until I earned myself my own crew," Blackwood said, a feeling of nostalgia in her voice.
Upon hearing Captain Blackwood's words, I couldn't help but glance over at the impressive galleon before me. The Amazing Siren stood tall and proud, its mast reaching towards the heavens like the outstretched arms of a goddess. The ship was adorned with intricate carvings along its hull, depicting mythical sea creatures and ferocious battles against rival pirates. The morning sun reflected off the polished wood, illuminating every detail in a dazzling display of craftsmanship.
"And welcome to my special mentoring session," Captain Hawkswell said.
I was then given hours of lectures about the art of piracy (during that time, that is), responsible rationing of supplies, how to handle weapons properly (I was introduced to this awesome weapon called a "blunderbuss" at that point), detecting real treasure (which Captain Blackwood took notes carefully), and various other lessons in the way of the buccaneer.
"Well, that concludes all the lessons. That took some time, but we finally managed to complete them all. Anything you learned?" Captain Hawkswell asked me. The sun was about to set on the exotic Jamaican sky.
"Yeah, I really learned a lot, and so did Captain Blackwood, I guess," I replied. Captain Blackwood let out a chuckle.
As the sun began its descent, casting a golden hue over the horizon, I found myself reflecting on all that I had learned in the past few hours. The knowledge imparted to me by Captain Hawkswell was vast and invaluable, each lesson carving its mark into my very being. My mind swirled with a whirlwind of information, thoughts buzzing like bees in a field of flowers.
"So, are we ready to explore more of the way of the pirate?" Captain Hawkswell said.
"Aye-aye, Captain!" I replied with great enthusiasm.
"Alright, let's go explore the pirate underworld together!"
And so, as we disembarked from the Amazing Siren, the two captains and I went to the outskirts of Port Royal, perhaps to go to some secret pirate settlement.