Two weeks later, I had already learned a lot about surviving on a pirate ship. Justice meant nothing here. You just had to be more ruthless, or you wouldn't even get a proper meal because someone was always trying to undercut you. How had they managed to live without killing each other until now? Olma really put me to work, making sure I stayed busy most of the time. Poor Bob had to cooperate with me since, technically, he was responsible for me. He grumbled a lot but I noticed that if he tried to please Olma, he might get a chance to wield a sword. Of course, I didn't rely entirely on the approval of any swordsman on board; I trained alone using a broomstick or any piece of wood I could find. I exercised whenever I had the time, though I was always doing some task that demanded strength—strength I sometimes lacked.
I also learned the crew's names: Captain Baltazar; the medic Geany, who was dating the cook Tereza—I think they were married. First mate Tobias rarely spoke, a strong, tall guy who seemed young compared to the others and treated me relatively well. Tim, who taught me the dice game, was the helmsman. There were also Ulisses, Kelp, Don, Frida, and Eric, who maintained the ship. Guto, Demi, and Trisha were the sharpshooters, always keeping watch. The navigator was Madra. Olma and Fátima were the swordswomen. The ship's name was Little Penelope. There were other young crew members responsible for general chores, and I was one of them. And the guy I disliked most: Remus, the one who tried to attack me and got his arm cut—I kept my distance from him.
Life was calm. I'd drunk rum for the first time two nights ago, and it was a dreadful experience. As the only omega on the ship, I was a sort of unspoken taboo. I knew it was risky, but the idea of being left behind in some town filled me with panic. I preferred the sea. In the first days, I felt a bit seasick, but it wasn't so bad—the rocking of the waves was soothing, and the food was good. Not like the tasteless porridge I ate while bedridden.
— You play with Olma every day and think you can win? — Bob leaned on his broom, staring out at the sea.
— Yes. I'll figure out the damned trick and beat her. — I sighed deeply. Every day I challenged Olma. I had already won eighty dracons, which meant some decent savings once we reached an island. I'd buy new clothes for sure, and something to help with my hair.
I wanted to grow my hair out. I had curly brown hair, brown skin, green eyes, and some freckles on my cheek. My body was slender, not very muscular, with more curves than I liked. I also had some marks on the back of my neck—three dots that Bob said looked like stars. My birthmarks.
— You doing a good job? — Olma approached as we chatted. — This floor won't clean itself.
— We're almost done, ma'am. — Bob said quickly, returning to his frantic scrubbing.
— Darcy, the captain is calling you. — Olma said, seemingly indifferent. I just nodded, handing the mop to Bob, giving him a knowing smile, and left before she could complain.
As I climbed the stairs toward the helm, I could hear Madra talking with the captain.
— We shouldn't change course. We'll delay the delivery. — Her calm, slow voice.
— Doesn't matter. It's necessary. I don't want to risk a week for nothing. — The captain sounded irritated and impatient.
I was soon noticed. Madra passed by me, squeezing my shoulder gently in a conspiratorial gesture before returning to the map room. Curious, I continued up to where Baltazar was.
— How are things, boy? I heard you've been playing and drinking now? Think you're turning into a real pirate? — He asked disdainfully, drinking rum but still staring at the horizon as if I weren't there.
— I like it here. The music, the games, the people. — It was true. Every day felt like a celebration when the sun disappeared on the horizon. We had meal times, duties, and fun too. Even though we could sleep whenever we wanted, it was expected that we'd wake early, so it was best to sleep early.
— Yeah, the others are getting used to having an omega on board. — The captain said, as if disapproving.
— Is my gender really that important? — I asked innocently, already knowing the answer.
— Damn. — His laugh made me want to sink into my words. — If there's an accident, you'll want to wake up the next day in a port and never step on a ship again. Even though most are betas, it's still a risk.
— … I'll do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen. — I didn't want to be abandoned. I didn't know why I felt this sudden, almost supernatural fear, but I didn't want to leave. The captain just sighed and gestured toward me.
I didn't understand the point of the conversation. I went back to Bob, who was putting off his work, so I just helped and chatted with him. Bob had joined the crew only a few months ago and had the chance to witness a major raid on a ship from a kingdom carrying spices for a noble. It was thrilling and violent. The details were truly brutal. I found myself more interested as Bob told stories about what he'd experienced during his time aboard. I wanted to live all of it—sea adventures, facing monsters. But I was curious about my own past. What was I running from? From what Baltazar said, I was a noble. I didn't have much interest in remembering, yet there was still a lingering curiosity about why I had fallen off the cliff and who was the person who shouted my name and tried to grab my hand? It would be foolish to think I had simply slipped.
Late in the afternoon, after finishing my chores, I saw we were approaching an island. Was this the stop Madra mentioned? Why did we need to dock at the port?
— What place is this? — I asked Bob.
— Vescoci Island, still part of the Kingdom of Raviera. — Bob looked puzzled. Our next stop wouldn't be until next month. We still had a long way to go at sea.
The only ones to disembark were the captain and Tobias; the others stayed aboard.
I stared at the port. There were a few people and their boats, nothing too flashy or elaborate. Remus approached in a not-so-discreet manner.
— Have you said goodbye to everyone, boy? — He asked with a smirk. Apparently, the cut on his arm hadn't been enough to leave me alone.
— What do you mean? — I asked, my voice slightly tense. My heart tightened completely in that moment. The conversation drew the attention of some other pirates who gathered nearby. I stepped back until I was pressed against the ship's railing.
— Haha. You really thought an omega would stay on a pirate ship unless they were a prostitute or a companion? What kind of world do you live in, kid? — Remus grabbed my shirt hard, pulling me toward him, almost lifting my feet off the ground.
— I'm staying! — I said firmly, struggling to free myself.
— I'm going to help you make a smarter choice. — He pushed me toward the water.
The fall sent a chill through my entire body. When I hit the water, it felt like hitting concrete. For a few moments I sank, realizing that if I did nothing, I'd drown. I swam up against the icy shock coursing through me. I took a deep breath as soon as my head broke the surface, reaching for air.
When the salty water cleared from my face, I looked at the heads watching expectantly, waiting to see me emerge. But no one moved to help. I looked toward the port, knowing that if I swam there, I'd never get another chance on the ship. Everyone silently agreed with my departure.
— Go, Darcy. — Olma shouted. — Just live your life like an ordinary person. This place isn't for you.
— Live your life as best as you can. — Geany was smoking a cigarette, seeming to enjoy the spectacle.
— No. — I answered back and headed toward the anchor area. Everyone followed until they finally realized what I was trying to do. I began climbing the chains, but the slime made it difficult. I slipped countless times before finding a grip. My body shook, and I felt like I was freezing to death. I noticed my own breath. Night was falling, and everyone was holding lanterns, watching as I refused to give up. Arguments started among the crew above. I understood there was disagreement about whether to help me. Some wanted to intervene; others prevented it.
I preferred to die of cold rather than set foot on that port. It was a strange feeling—as if death was inevitable, so I'd rather it happen there.
Once again, I tried, finally getting out of the water to the small hatch "guarding" the anchor. But it wasn't big enough, and I couldn't get inside. Someone would have to throw me a rope. I hung there with little hope, watched like some circus animal. Some told me to give up, others disagreed, and a group silently enjoyed the scene with sadistic eyes. I knew what they thought of me. But I wasn't weak. I wouldn't give up. I'd pass out if I stayed longer with my wet clothes and the cold wind biting my skin. My lips trembled, teeth chattered, and my breath was visible in the cold light. Exhaustion and hunger began to sap my strength.
Until someone threw a rope in my direction. I held on firmly and was pulled upwards.
— You're crazy. — Olma said while Bob helped me step onto the ship.
— I want to stay. — My voice was barely audible.
— We noticed. — Bob placed a thick blanket over my shoulders.
The pirates' gaze had subtly changed. Everyone seemed impressed by my perseverance and willpower.
— You have what it takes to be one of us, Darcy. — Olma let out a laugh.
I wished they had realized that before the indirect assassination attempt I'd suffered. I certainly didn't want to go through similar tests in the future.
Soon, I noticed lights approaching. It was the captain with two guards. They hid me in the pantry. They simply shoved me towards the potatoes and onions. I stayed quiet, wrapped in the blanket, trying to warm myself minimally after spending hours in the icy waters off the island. I could hear arguing and the captain's irritated voice.
— Where is he? — his voice was like intense thunder.
— He jumped and headed towards the port. — Olma said indifferently.
— You want me to believe the boy just jumped into the water and swam to the port? Where is he? — Baltazar's voice grew stronger and more powerful. But no one, not even Remus, gave me away.
I even tried not to breathe as I felt the tension so intense it was palpable in the air. Baltazar didn't buy the crew's story and seemed determined to send me away with the guards. My heart was pounding, and I feared someone might hear. No one dared to utter a word.
— You damned mangy dogs. — the captain concluded. — Looks like the boy is gone, just get off my ship, I need to leave. The delivery is already delayed.
The guards grumbled something and left. I don't really know how long I stayed in that room smelling of onions. But I could feel the ship swaying more intensely when the captain started roaring again.
— Where is he?
That's when they finally pulled me out of the pantry and placed me in front of a furious man.
— Boy, I hope you understand the implications of your choices. You are a mangy dog of my ship. No privileges, no nothing. If you had a past, from now on you have none. — He roared, and everyone seemed to celebrate the situation. — It doesn't matter what you were, only what you are now. Are you convinced of this?
— Yes! — I said without hesitation, and everyone began to applaud. They threw a bottle of rum at me, and I drank because I needed to warm myself. The alcohol flowed warmly down my throat and helped.
Olma tossed a sword in my direction with a prominent smile on his face. I held the sheath firmly against my body, just like the bottle of rum.
That day we had a feast. After changing clothes and managing not to die of hypothermia, we drank, ate, and celebrated. There was nothing to tie me to the past; I only had my present and my future, and that was what I wanted. This was my family at that moment, and I would stay on that ship, no matter if something I couldn't remember came to haunt me. Well, that's what I thought, at least.