#I have a cunning plan milord

[ghosts-uk-us-showdown]

one of the secret awesome things about these polls is that I’m luring in a bunch of ghosts fans and now have a list of blogs to look at for content

[love-little-lotte]

My Ranking of Outlander Season 4 Episodes

Season 4 is over, and now I’m experiencing my first Droughtlander. I found out about the show last November, when the fourth season just started. It seemed like it was only yesterday, and now I can’t believe that thirteen episodes had passed since then. 

As most shows with more than three seasons, Outlander had its ups and downs. The show has been running for more than four years now, so I understand that the producers and writers are going to have a hard time making sure the viewers stay. Plus, it’s difficult to fit a really long book in just thirteen episodes. 

There were times I wasn’t impressed by it, as many fans have ranted in social media. I can’t count how many times some moments felt forced. But, of course, there are also swoon-worthy scenes that took my breath away. This is Outlander we’re talking about.

So, here is my personal ranking of Outlander Season 4 episodes. This is my opinion, and my list. If you don’t agree with my choices, then you can leave a polite message about it. Just don’t be mean. We’re all entitled with our opinions, aren’t we?

And on a side note, let me just say that I haven’t read the books so I may make comments that will go against it. I’ve only read the first two, Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber. But I’m writing about the show, not the book, and yes I should take the source material in consideration but I guess I’m still free to talk about the show without reading it. 

#13: Episode 8 - Wilmington

First off, I just want to say I really try to like Bree and Roger. There are times I’m so infuriated by them, and sometimes I feel their pairing is super forced. However, they’re kind of starting to grow on me. Especially at the last part of the season. This episode didn’t really help, though.

This was the show’s 50th episode, and I had such high hopes for it. Also, this was Bree and Roger’s first reunion episode! I thought there was going to be more of it. More spark and chemistry, I guess? The handfast scene felt off and rushed, and in my opinion, their first sex scene really tried hard to sample Claire and Jamie’s wedding night scenes. Actually, a lot of scenes were super rushed in this episode, and it really pissed me off. I get that they want to fit in more scenes as possible, but it just came out super wrong. And I’m really trying to like Bree and Roger, believe me, but their scenes in this episode didn’t do much for me. 

Claire and Jamie were the only highlights of the episode, and I may be really biased because I really love the both of them. Claire fangirling over George Washington is funny (and quite creepy, too, if you think about it). Plus, Claire being the iconic feminist boss that she is was a delight to watch. Jamie rushing off to save Murtagh and friends was also fun. Sadly, not even Claire and Jamie could save this episode. 

On the other hand, Bree and Bonnet’s scenes were difficult to get through. I’m not really good with scenes like that (as I have mentioned a lot of times), so I was kind of relieved that they didn’t actually show the whole attack. Still, I felt really sorry for Bree in this episode. 

#12: Episode 11 - If Not For Hope

Lord John Grey appearing is my favorite thing in this episode. I just really love that guy! As Bree quoted once in this series, “It’s impossible not to like you.” (Or along those lines.) And I couldn’t agree more. He saved Bree from a forced marriage, even though she blatantly blackmailed him about his secret (which she apologized for later on). 

Anyway, this episode is all about Bree coping with her pregnancy. We finally get to see her and her pregnant belly!  It was delightful to see the men Jocasta invited fighting passive-aggressively for Bree’s attention. I’m also surprised to see a familiar face: Billy Boyd from The Lord of the Rings franchise. I was half-expecting him to ask about the second breakfast. 

Fergus and Murtagh was also very good to watch in this episode, as well as Fergus’ devotion for Marsali and their bairn. It’s very Jamie-like, and I love that about him. Milord will be very proud of wee Fergus.  

And of course, we get to see Claire and Jamie forgiving each other. Their apology to each other was sweet and tender, and it was good to see that their communication is still present, even though they’re an old married couple. I love how that they can still open up about their insecurities to each other. 

However, this episode was just a bit draggy for my taste. The pace was very slow, and there were times I was bored out of my mind. I know the show doesn’t have to have action every time (this is a drama, of course), and I understand they need some “filler chapters” to build up the plot. 

#11: Episode 12 - Providence

A lot of people had negative feelings about this episode, but I actually thought it was okay? Probably because I lowered my expectations after the previous episode. Yes, we only had glimpses of Jamie and Claire in this episode, but I’ve finally accepted the fact that this time, it’s not just about them. There are other characters now, and I just have to live with that.

First, let’s discuss Roger. I understand his anger and frustration in this episode. I mean, who wouldn’t? I get that he regrets most of his decisions because he suffered a lot from it. Thankfully, Fr. Alexandre was there to make Roger reflect more about his decisions. Fr. Alexandre’s story was actually really, really sad, but also really annoying. I mean, I get that he’s a religious guy and that he wants to do the moral thing. But he’s going to die if he won’t baptize the child. ANYWAY, Fr. Alexandre’s death scene was brilliant, though. Because of it, I discovered the musical score “Adagio for Strings” and it’s super beautiful and haunting. I love listening to it now.

Moving on! Bree and Lord John’s scenes are really cute, to my surprise. Their friendship may seem really unlikely to a lot of people, but I don’t know, Lord John’s just really drawn towards Jamie’s kids for some reason. *shrugs* Hats off to Bree in this episode as well. It takes a lot of gut to talk to Stephen Bonnet after what he did to her.

My favorite scenes in this episode was actually Fergus and Marsali. Especially Fergus. I wish there were more scenes with Fergus and Marsali. Their relationship is kind of like Jamie and Claire, but less problems thrown in their way, I guess. And that little scene where Fergus was leading the Regulators to rescue Murtagh? ICONIC.

Maybe the only fault that I can see in this episode is that it’s the penultimate episode of the season, and it’s just treated like it’s a normal episode. There was no build-up for the rescue. I guess I expected more.

#10: Episode 3 - The False Bride

We have two parts of the story in this episode. This is probably the first episode Bree and Roger showed up in this season. Let’s talk about that first.

Though I’m not a big Bree/Roger fan, this episode actually did justice for them. At the beginning of this episode, at least. I get to see more of their bonding, and I love how playful they are with each other. Their festival scenes were cute, and Roger singing while looking at Bree was actually really sweet! But then, he had to ruin it by proposing to her and Bree turned him down because obviously, she’s not ready. Ah, if Roger just didn’t open his stupid mouth. But he’s a guy from the 70s, and yes, times were different so I half-forgive him.

Claire and Jamie had a more uneventful night, as they leave River Run. There was a storm, and friggin’ Clarence the Mule got frightened and ran away. Claire chased after him and got lost, but found some weird things - like a skull that might belong to a time-traveller, just like her, and will probably be more important in the later episodes.

But it was actually destiny that they got separated because when Claire and Jamie finally meet each other again, they discovered their future home: Fraser’s Ridge! It reminded them of the Scottish highlands, and it felt immediately like home. It was a beautiful moment, and no one can do forehead-touching better than Claire and Jamie. 

Nothing really bad in this episode, I guess. There are just better episodes.

#09: Episode 5 - Savages

I feel like I should put this episode more high up. Probably because one of my favorite characters returned: Murtagh! He’s one of the best supporting characters in the first two seasons, and I was really sad when I thought he’s not coming back. But due to popular demand, he did! And thank you Outlander producers for that. 

However, it was not an easy reunion. Murtagh’s part of a group of Regulators, something like an organization against the redcoats. It’s what he does best, I guess: fighting off redcoats like they did back in Scotland. 

Claire and Jamie talking about Bree in this episode is really sad and sweet at the same time. Love how Jamie talks about Bree to Murtagh, though! Like “my daughter’s in college and she’s super clever and all!” Ah, Jamie as a proud dad is indeed very appealing! 

This was also a very devastating episode for Claire and her friend, Adawehi. When I saw how they interacted in the previous episode, I thought that they were going to be really good friends all throughout the season but nope! This German dude had to kill Adawehi for revenge. Which, of course, wrecked Claire. 

This was a good nostalgic episode. Love Murtagh whistling the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy when he met Claire in the last scene. 

#08: Episode 2 - Do No Harm

Finally, we get to meet Jamie’s Aunt Jocasta in River Run. One episode in and you’ll definitely see the MacKenzie trait in her. She’s manipulative and cunning, just as Colum and Dougal was. They’re undoubtedly related. Needless to say, she was an interesting character. It’s always nice to meet Jamie’s relatives. They’re full of surprises and Jocasta didn’t fail. 

Jocasta planned to leave her estate to Jamie. Though Jamie deserves it, since he proved to be a great landowner, he and Claire is not too happy with the fact that they’re going to own slaves. They tried to talk to Jocasta about freeing them and paying them for their work, but, of course, this was frowned upon by Jocasta. They also tried to save Rufus from an unlawful execution, but that didn’t really go well for them. 

This episode is probably the most controversial (not sure if that’s the right word, but it sounds fitting?) episode in this season. It tackled slavery, which is a very sensitive topic even now. Some people said the show could’ve done better. However, I think the show handled it as best as they could. They handled it very well and very carefully.

Also, you can’t blame Jocasta for her actions in this episode. Remember, this was the eighteenth century and she was only acting like a regular woman in her time. She was just doing what she thinks is the best for her estate.

Jamie and Claire had agonizing choices to make, and I can’t blame them, too. Jamie inheriting the estate is good, but I also understand Claire’s hesitation in keeping slaves. I also get that they want to help Rufus but it wouldn’t be easy, given the circumstances. Everything’s just very complicated. But in my opinion, I think the show handled showing both sides (Jocasta’s views vs Jamie and Claire’s views) fairly. 

#07: Episode 7 - Down The Rabbit Hole 

Without a doubt, this is Sophie Skelton’s best episode yet. I have to admit that I was not a big fan of Sophie’s acting in the previous seasons, but this episode (and most of this season), she got better and she’s starting to feel like Bree.

A lot of fans don’t like Frank, and I get that. I, too, am not a big fan of him. But I understand Frank and Bree’s relationship and why he was included in this episode. He was a bad husband to Claire (she’s also not a good wife to him, might I add), but there’s no denying that he was a good father to Bree. He was her father for most of her life, and she looked up to him. And that little scene in the port where she turned around and saw him and they did that nodding thing? That really touched me. It’s as if she made peace with him, and promising him that he will always be his father, even though they’re not really blood related.

Though I don’t like the part that they showed Frank knew about the fire and didn’t tell Claire anything! Like, umm, you should’ve told your wife about that, Frank. It was good to see Tobias Menzies again, though. He’s a wonderful actor. (Can’t wait to see him in The Crown!)

Also, a lot of fans were not happy to see Laoghaire (hopefully I spelled that right). It didn’t stay true in the books, and Bree didn’t get to spend enough time in Lallybroch like she’s supposed to. Again, as I haven’t read the book, I’m going to let this pass. Laoghaire and Bree’s interaction at first was all right, until the former found out that the latter was Jamie and Claire’s daughter. This, of course, made Laoghaire flip and start spewing lies to Bree. Thankfully, Bree’s smart and finally realized that this was the woman who tried to kill her mother before. Ahh, I can’t stress enough how I was thrilled to hear Bree tell Laoghaire that Jamie never really loved her and he was never hers. Yes, gurl, tell that bitch the truth!

It was great to see Old Ian again because Steven Cree’s amazing. But it was sad that Jenny wasn’t there. I would love for Jenny to see her niece. Plus, this is probably the first episode (ever?) that Jamie and Claire didn’t make an appearance so that was also really sad, too. I missed them in this episode. 

#06: Episode 10 - The Deep Heart’s Core

Did somebody say family drama? Because this episode definitely delivered a good family drama. I mean, this is Outlander we’re talking about! No one creates good family drama more than Outlander. Well, probably Downton Abbey. 

This episode started off really well, with more scenes of Jamie and Bree bonding. I especially love their conversation about Bree’s pregnancy, and how they opened up to each other’s trauma. Jamie was able to comfort Bree, telling her about how he coped after what Black Jack Randall did to him. (Side note: I wonder what would Bree think about Frank if she knows he looks exactly like Black Jack.) 

And just as Jamie and Bree’s relationship began to flourish, it was finally revealed that the Jamie attacked the wrong man. All because of friggin’ Lizzie. I know it’s not entirely her fault, but ugh! Anyway, Bree just started screaming and slapping Jamie and Young Ian, which really stressed me out. And telling Jamie “you’re nothing but a savage”? That’s a tad too harsh, Bree. 

Claire’s also felt helpless because she doesn’t know what to do. She’s mad at Jamie, but she can’t really blame him for acting like a normal father. (But she gave him the cold shoulder, which annoyed me because they could just talk about this.)

So, yes. I was more or less frustrated the entire episode. But it made me feel things, so I ranked it higher. The episode actually delivered all the drama and I just love it. 

#05: Episode 1 - America The Beautiful 

Outlander started the fourth season very strong. It had romantic cute Jamie and Claire moments, thrilling action, and of course, a very sad ending that gutted me. I couldn’t ask for anything better. 

After they were shipwrecked in the Season 3 Finale, it looks like the Frasers and their company were well-adjusted in America. Though their friend was executed for a crime, which was very sad, life goes on. Fergus and Marsali announced they’re expecting a child, which is thrilling for them. Jamie’s been offered a land by Governor Tryon, which is quite problematic because if he accepts, he’ll be swearing loyalty to the English Crown, and, as Claire reminded him, the English would be defeated by the American Revolution in the near future.

We also finally get to meet Stephen friggin’ Bonnet. If you think you can’t hate on another Outlander character more than Black Jack Randall, then think again. This thief is just an ungrateful asshole who, after being saved and shown mercy by the Frasers, decide to rob them and even kill one of their companions.

And despite the weird CGI in the river scenes, we are given a cute Jamie and Claire moment as Jamie gifts her a medicine box for their wedding anniversary. It was just so cute and romantic and aahhh, Jamie knows how to make a girl swoon after being twenty-four years of marriage. Claire is one lucky gal. Actually, this episode had a lot of cute Jamie and Claire moments, like the one when they were talking about the American Dream. The one with the medicine box was my favorite, though. 

And even though the ending was really dark and horrifying, I just want to point out that Caitriona Balfe’s acting was exceptional. The expression she made when she realized that the ring Bonnet took was Jamie’s ring was so heartbreaking. Honestly, Stephen Bonnet is such a piece of shit. 

#04: Episode 4 - Common Ground

Remember Tryon’s offer? Obviously, Jamie accepted it, and they - him, Claire, and Young Ian - start to build Fraser’s Ridge in this episode. It may sound really tiring, but it was great family bonding, trust me. It’s amazing how it only took them one episode to build their cottage because in the next episode (Savages), they already had furnitures and other house stuff. 

So, as the Frasers begin to settle in their new land, the Cherokee were still wary of them. I can’t blame them, though. I mean, it’s their land, too, you know. Jamie tried to earn their trust, offering them goods through John Quincy Myers, one of Jocasta’s friends, who is close to the Native Americans. 

Book readers were also surprised to see a major difference from the source material. There was a scene in the book in which Jamie wrestles a bear. However, the show changed it into a man wearing a bear get-up. Apparently, this man was banished from his tribe, lost his mind in the woods, and began to attack people like a bear. This guy is feared by the Cherokee but when Jamie killed him and brought the corpse to them, they dubbed him “bear killer” and finally formed a truce.

As much as I want to see Jamie wrestle a bear (how cool would that be???), I understand that TV shows don’t have enough budget like a blockbuster film. So, it was definitely all right for me to see Jamie wrestle a regular guy. I’d choose that rather than see him wrestle a bad CGI bear. Ugh. Also, I miss seeing Sam Heughan in action sequences, just like in the first season. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Especially when Jamie carried Claire princess-style and told her about his plans for Fraser’s Ridge. It was so romantic and sweet. 

#03: Episode 6 - Blood of my Blood 

Lord John Grey’s first appearance in this season! Ah, that guy really knows how to make an entrance. In this episode, he said he “happened” to pass by Fraser’s Ridge, but of course we all know he just wants to see Jamie. You’re not being subtle there, Lord John. 

He also brought Willie along, who prefers to be called William now. Of course, William doesn’t know about Jamie being his father, which is probably very torturing for Jamie. As they were about to leave the next day, Lord John fell ill and Claire tends to him, as Jamie takes out William so he can’t catch the measles, and of course, to spend quality time with each other. 

Jamie and William are so cute together and it makes me wonder what could happen if Jamie was the one who raised him. It’s sad to think that Jamie never really gets to raise any of his children. He didn’t even get to see Faith before she was buried. And to think, all he wanted was to have a big loving family. (Wait, I’m straying away and I’m getting emotional.) 

ANYWAY, Lord John and Claire also has a heart-to-heart talk with each other. I actually love the both of them so much. Caitriona Balfe and David Berry work so well with each other and it’s amazing. I know what’s going to happen to Claire and Lord John in the future (I accidentally read it in a comment thread ugh) so it’s good to see that both actors know what they’re doing. 

The ending with Jamie giving Claire a new ring is so romantic and just plain swoon-y. I love it so much. Jamie and Claire romantic moments will never get tiring, I swear. 

I also love the title of this episode because it could mean both things. First, it could mean Jamie and William because he did mention that “his blood is my blood” when the Natives was about to punish them because William took fish from their waters. Also, it could mean Jamie and Claire’s wedding vows because he presented her another ring as a symbol of his love for her. 

#02: Episode 13 - Man of Worth 

It was totally worth the wait. One of the best finales Outlander ever did. It had just the right amount of action and romance and drama. Everyone did a good job, and I’m so happy with it I can almost cry. I wasn’t too happy in the previous two episodes, so it was relief that the ending was just so good. 

They finally rescued Roger, even though they had to exchange Young Ian for him. Young Ian’s actually one of my favorite characters, and he’s such a sweet goofball that I’m so sad to watch him go. It was the brave thing to do, and it was so good to see him grow up. He’s no longer a boy; he’s definitely a man of worth. 

The whole scene with Jamie, Claire, and Roger in the woods was definitely fun to watch, all because of their exceptional acting, particularly Sam Heughan. His protectiveness and devotion for Bree was very apparent, as he wanted Roger to accept her, even though she was pregnant and all. It was such a Jamie thing to do, and I love that about him. 

I’ve also read a short excerpt that’s been going around Facebook - the one when Bree gave birth during Drums of Autumn. Turns out her parents were present in the book, and it was such a sweet scene, and I’m kind of upset that it didn’t make it in the show. I’d love to see her and Jamie as she was giving birth. Still, I’m okay with how the show did it. Would’ve been nice, though. 

Murtagh and Jocasta was a surprise, but it was a good one. Let’s throw in another major couple, shall we? I think Murtagh deserves a good love story, so I approve of this pairing! Wish to see more of this, too. 

Love Roger and Bree’s very dramatic reunion. Of course they’re going to run to each other as music builds up. This is Outlander, after all. I just hope that they have better scenes together in the future seasons. 

#01: Episode 9 - The Birds and the Bees

I mean, seriously. This is what we’re all looking forward to in this season. Jamie and Bree was the major highlight of this episode, and I love every moment they share. It was just a beautiful first-meeting scene. And I’m just so happy for the both of them! Finally, they get to meet each other! Sam Heughan and Sophie Skelton actually had good chemistry. They play the father and daughter duo perfectly. 

I also love Jamie talking about Bree to Claire. This is what he’s wishing for a really long time: to actually get to spend time with his wife and his daughter. He gave them up so they can be spared from the Battle of Culloden, and now he finally gets to be with them. I’m a wreck in this episode, to be honest. Especially when he took her hunting and Jamie told Bree to call him “Da”. It was honestly the best thing ever. Can you just imagine the possibilities if Jamie actually saw her grow up? (Actually I can, and now I’m sad because it’s not true.)

Claire meeting with Bree was also sweet. Claire’s reaction when she first saw Bree was so pure. She’s been missing Bree for a really long time, too, and she thought she’s never going to see her again, so it’s just a miracle for her to see her daughter in the eighteenth century. 

Though it’s quite sad when Bree admitted to Claire about being raped, it was a good mother-and-daughter scene. Claire’s maternal instincts kicked in, and she’s honestly just destroyed that she couldn’t protect her daughter from all the dangers in the world. 

Ah, yes, this episode ended quite badly, as Lizzie (friggin’ Lizzie) had mistaken Roger for Bree’s attacker. Because of this, Jamie beat him up and Young Ian sold him to the Mohawks. I’m not a big fan of Roger, sure, but he does not deserve those punches. 

Still, this episode was well-executed. It’s my favorite in this season, all because of the reunions, the smiles, and tears. 

There you have it! Season 4 may be messy and rushed, but I was entertained and I had fun for the most part. It was fun looking forward to Monday (I watch it in Netflix, and it arrives a day later in my country) and now, I have no idea how to spend my Mondays. 

It’s not the best season, in my opinion, but I’m glad that they have expanded the story to other characters. As I said earlier, this is not Jamie and Claire’s story anymore. It’s now going to be about their extended family, too. I’m honestly looking forward for the next seasons, though I wonder how they’re going to make Jamie and Claire look like real grandparents. 

Your grandparents could never. I mean, look at them! 👇

[syrahnbloodfeather]

Circled by the Wolves Pt 1

Ten minutes after leaving the warmth and embrace of his beloved wife and Ijiro was already regretting this journey. The roaring applause of the pounding rain drowned out bells ringing in the north and the east, with a heavy cloud resting lazily on the whole of the city. What would have easily been a howling blizzard melted into an angry rainstorm thanks to the Eternal Summer’s grip on the High Kingdom, but that only made it more dangerous; if the aqueducts failed for whatever reason, the lowest rungs of the Outer Sprawl would suffer from some serious flooding. Those folks have already endured enough this year. Ijiro did his best to remain vigilant, but in this weather he couldn't see anything beyond a few meters in any direction; all he could focus on was the lantern in his son's hand, which seemed to do more harm than good. Zeth’romas turned the corner and began walking down a flight of stairs, compelling his father to finally say, “Are you sure you know where you’re going? I can’t see shit in this fog, and the rain ain't helping.”

“You probably need glasses, old man. I can see just fine.” He spoke over the rainfall’s chorus. “We’re almost there.” Ijiro opened his mouth to protest, but he couldn’t muster the effort to shout over the rain; he didn’t like being out in the open, especially when he was practically blind by the orange glare of the lantern and the choking morning fog, but he trusted his son more than most. Before long he recognized the long marble pillars arching over his head, and the familiar sound of a thousand raindrops striking leaves and grass instead of cobblestone. He hopped over a puddle large enough to bury his boots in and stepped into the domain of House Hearthdust.

The manor itself was massive. Barely half as tall as the Amber Castle but easily twice was wide, it had to have at least three hundred rooms. When Ijiro and Zeth’romas approached the main door, the nearby guards seemingly ignored their presence until they were close enough to be guided in without a word. “Welcome, esteemed guests.” A slender woman was waiting for them inside, likely told of their coming. “Please, allow us to take your coats and any weapons you may carry. I will escort you to the masters of this humble abode.” Ijiro gave his son a peculiar look, but decided against commenting; he was just happy to bask in the warmth of the nearby fireplace and rid himself of his absolutely drenched cloak. “Right this way.”

Lord Pathis Hearthdust had the foresight to wait in a room near the main entrance. There was a gold encrusted scroll in his hands that certainly looked important, but when he glanced up to see his invited guests, he quickly rolled it up and safely tucked it into his robes. “My sincerest apologies for requesting your presence at such an early hour and under such dreadful weather… but time is of the essence.” Lord Pathis paused only long enough to squeeze himself into a chair clearly not built for an elf of his stature. “Do you know how House Hearthdust amassed our fortune?”

“I don't.” Ijiro pulled out a chair near where Lord Pathis sat and made himself as comfortable as he could. “The story is your house made it by cornering the tavern market, but only fools actually believe that to be true.”

“Correct. Running a network of taverns is certainly a lucrative business, but it's all a front. In truth, we are information brokers. We essentially sell secrets to the right buyers.” A thin smile flashed across Lord Pathis’ lips, but Ijiro wasn’t amused.

“You tell us this now, instead of when you were supposed to? Why?”

“We… didn’t think it was important… at the time.” Lord Pathis nervously scratched at his chin. “We pay twice the tribute - and gladly so. We planned to inform House Bloodfeather once the Amber Glade joined the rest of the Horde to wage war with the Alliance. Truthfully it was your erm… threat… that changed all of that.” With a snap of his fingers the doors behind Lord Pathis opened. Ijiro furrowed his brow at the young boy who entered, a child no older than eight. “This is V’ydaras, my baby brother.”

“M-milord…” The boy squeaked, bowing awkwardly.

“After the attack on the Glade, and your men swept the streets hunting down the Void Elves that ransacked our domain, Daras was the only one with the cunning to look where others didn’t. And his men found this.” Lord Pathis nodded to his little brother and leaned back in his chair. Vy’daras shuffled over to Ijiro’s side with an envelope in his hands. Ijiro turned to give his son Zeth a cautious glance before bringing his attention to the black wax seal keeping the letter closed.

“I don’t recognize this sigil.” He finally admitted, setting it back onto the table.

“It belongs to House Duskthorn. A new house, barely a year old.” Lord Pathis waved at his brother, who scurried to his side. “A Ren’dorei house, Lord Bloodfeather. They are the ones that orchestrated the attack on the Glade. One final question remains… who commanded them?”

“Final question? No… I have quite a few questions. Am I supposed to take your word? Trust you’re telling me the truth, yeah? How do I know you didn’t write this letter, invent this seal yourself, and make up the name of some house I won’t even remember a day from now?” Slowly Ijiro leaned forward to stare at Lord Pathis and his little brother V’ydaras with his single remaining eye. Zeth noticed his father’s right hand was under the table, clutching the hilt of a dagger he likely ‘forgot’ to hand over; he was close enough for a kill, if his wounds haven’t slowed him down enough, but they would never make it out of this mansion alive. “How do I know you didn’t send those men through the breach to find and fuck my wife to death…?”

He was as pale as a ghost, and his little brother looked no better. “I-I…”

“I meant what I said when I addressed all of the great houses.” Anger hung on his every word. “I promised blood. How can you prove this letter is genuine? What are you willing to do to prove your loyalty?”

“Whatever you need to p-put your fears to rest, Lord Bloodfeather…” Lord Pathis stuttered, briefly glancing sharply at his little brother for him to leave.

“Even if it means taking your sister into custody, yeah? What is her name? Alayn, is it?” Ijiro studied his face for any trace of deception; ever since he learned how to play poker so many years ago, he found he had a knack for reading people’s faces.

Lord Pathis was already covered in cold sweat. He swallowed hard before muttering, “Whatever it takes. My Lord.”

[faintblueivy]

“She’s hot but she’s evil.” BoruSara

Hi everyone again! This time it’s Borusara Detective/thief AU! This is my first time attempting something like this so I hope it was not a mess. Do tell me if you enjoy it. @ameerahzafar1313 This is for you, sweety!

Princess RED

“Shit! Are you kidding me?! We lost them again?!” Boruto screamed, glaring fiercely at his subordinates.

“And not just we let them go,” Shikadai drawled lazily, although, the frown over his brows and sharpness of his eyes let otherwise, “We even let them steal the Musgravite stone.”

The young men trembled with fear in front of the raging man and felt their hands getting clammy at the intensity of his boss’s fury.

Boruto turned around and rammed a fist against the table top letting out a sound of frustration. After all, this would definitely be the biggest blotch on his up till now sparkling carrer.

Boruto Uzumaki hated losing more than anything!

He was one of the youngest detectives ever with powerful instincts, a sharp mind and an unconventional way of thinking which allowed him to find ways to perform necessary antics which even left the most shrewd thieves speechless. But the biggest reason of his success is his amazing team, a group of competent individuals capable of accomplishing anything.

But since the day he’s taken up this case there’s been nothing but defeat on his hands.

This is the first case that they’ve been unable to crack despite taking months to reach any proper conclusion. It was not that they didn’t have clues but rather the opportunities slipped right through their fingers. Not because they were incapable, stupid or lax but rather their opponents were too fast and cunning.

And their infamous nemesis are - The Red Crown.

If you would ask Boruto what The Red Crown is, then he’ll say that they can be accurately explained as a band of female Robinhoods. They steal from rich corrupt people, be it politicians or businessmen and bestow the stolen capital upon the organisations dedicated to help the needy and poor people.

Boruto would not lie. He greatly respected these people for their incredible efforts to help and provide the society but sadly, in the eyes of law, these women were nothing more than a group of lawbreakers.

Though, he did not want to get them captured just for the sake of his career or for the flawed law system. Rather, he has his own reasons.

And the reason is… Princess RED. If you ask who is princess RED? Well the answer is, Princess RED is the rumoured leader of The Red Crown.

They say that she is the trump card for The Red Crown. A woman who can be best described as an embodiment of grace and beauty. Mistress of an attractive and charming attitude and the most enchanting smile that anyone would sacrifice anything for.

Weirdly enough, any person who has ever encountered her never remembered anything. Not her looks, not her words, not her voice. Nothing was attached to their memories regarding this woman except for her character.

She was like a nymph.

And Boruto… desperately wanted to get a glimpse of that nymph that people claimed to have seen but whose existence has never been confirmed.

“Boruto.” Mitsuki’s familiar voice jolts him up away from his thoughts.

“What is it?” His voice is muffled as a hand is placed over his face to hide is exasperation due to the failure in the recent event.

“I’ve checked repeatedly. There was no loophole in the security system or the plan. I believe this is the work of Princess RED.” His voice hints a bit of interest.

The speed at which Boruto’s head swivels towards him, Mitsuki wonders if his friend had a whiplash.

“Princess…RED?” His voice is nothing but a whisper at the revelation. So he almost had her? Another large groan escapes his mouth.

“Mitsuki. We’ll get them next time for sure.” Mitsuki does not fails to notice the new light in Boruto’s eyes turning them into a sparkling blue colour.

And he smiles.

…

It was past midnight when Boruto was going through a few papers when his phone rings and an unknown number is displayed. Boruto raises his brows but picks up anyway.

“Hello? This is Boruto Uzumaki speaking.” He says monotonously, still busy flipping papers of the file.

The voice from the other end is of a female.

“I know who this is. That’s why I have called…The Blue Sun.” The tone of the woman is definitely smug and Boruto actually drops the file.

“The…Blue Sun?” He breathes. The Blue Sun is the codeword that is used to refer to him and is a highly confidential information that is only reserved for him and his team mates and barely a handful of people outside of his team.

“Who are you?” His words are drenched in apprehension. Suddenly, it strikes him like a lightening bolt. “Wait! Wait! Wait! It can’t be! You… you’re Princess RED?” His heart is pounding faster than ever and he wonders if it was due to the thrill or anything else.

“Aaah! So, you’re as smart as people claim you are. I’m glad to know.” Her voice is not sweet and shrill. It’s deep, rich and velvety. And something twists in his stomach.

“So, why did you call me Miss. Red? To mock me at my failure?” He has no idea why he’s being rude to the woman even though she still hasn’t said anything to offend him yet.

And she doesn’t take his jab.

“Actually, it’s just the opposite Mr. Blue. I called you because I wish to meet the person who was just a hair breadth away from having us.”

Boruto finds his eyes widening and tries to track the number on his laptop as discreetly as possible.

The voice comes again, “I know you’re trying to track me Mr. Blue. But it’s useless. I’m currently sitting on your favourite table at your favourite restaurant. You have five minutes to reach.” And then she cuts off.

Boruto looks at his wrist watch and dashes down to the nearest thunder burger shop only bothering to grab a jacket. The rain pelts hard against his face but he keeps running.

He was going to see Princess RED? He couldn’t believe it. Although he still has his suspicions but he was not going to miss this opportunity.

Even at night, the streets were busy. He enters the shop in a frenzy and makes a mad run towards the corner of the shop, right infront of the large window and stops dead in his tracks.

He could only see her from behind, a curtain of pitch black hair cascades down her shoulders and reaches to the mid back. As she turns her head to look at the water striking the window panes he notices the red glasses over her eyes and she is sitting draped in a red knee length dress.

Definitely her name fits her.

And he then, after gathering his wits, walks to stand in front of her.

Deep onyx eyes clashes against brilliant blue ones.

The richness of her slightly red lips strike out strongly when combined with the paleness of her skin. Her lips quirk into something akin to a smile as she brings up her wrist and taps the dial of the watch.

“Four minutes and fifty seven seconds.”

“Huh?”

“You might’ve reached seven seconds earlier had you not stood up there staring at me.” She says, her smile now transformed into a full blown smirk.

Boruto feels the tip of her ears turn red but he simply drags the chair and makes himself sit infront of her.

She’s…damn. She’s everything he’s expected and even more. Now he knows what makes people putty in her hands but yet his admiration for her is still not enough to make him turn his gaurd down.

So, he asks, cautious and maybe slightly flirtatious, “What do I owe to receive the pleasure of your visit, milady?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m deeply impressed and interestesd by work, milord. I’ve never been challenged this way before so I couldn’t resist the temptation of meeting you in person.” She says softly but seriously, letting him know that she’s geniune regarding her intensions.

Boruto raises his brows, “You want us to continue with this game of cat and mouse?”

She laughs and Boruto immediately realises that the sound of her bell like laughter might end up haunting him for nights after.

“Definitely Mr. Blue. Let’s continue this game till one of us decides to give up.”

“Sure Miss Red. To be honest, I myself enjoy it.“ For the first time in the span of entire night, he smirks.

Following that, they talk like two old friends catching up, talking about everything and anything but yet cautious, never revealing about themselves more than the required.

Boruto doesn’t understand why would she willingly show herself to him. Knowing that he is her enemy she should not have appeared. It was stupid.

She smiles.

“Thinking about how I shouldn’t be here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“I trust you.” Her voice is soft and trustful. “You’re different. You don’t use or abandon people just for the sake of yourself. I’ve been studying you for a long time, you know? And now, I know enough to believe that you’re a man of honour. So I came.”

For the first time in a while, Boruto is completely speechless.

When the receipt arrives, she whips out some bills amounting more than required and falls on the receiving edge of Boruto’s questioning glance. She raises her brows and then points out a lad.

“You remember? This kid served us. He comes from a poor sick family, he wants to go to the college but the lack of money prevents him.”

The currency in her hand and the noticeable dark circles beneath the tired orbs of the boy reminds him that life is much more beyond what meets the eye. And his respect for her and The Red Crown grows by leaps and bounds.

When they exit the shop and come across a poor homeless man drenched in rain, shivering, the woman does not hesitate and immediately walks up to him and hands him over her umbrella. The man looks at her with wide eyes and Boruto comes to understand that humanity is the biggest law of the world.

His eyes follow the path of the rain drops falling over her skin, dragging themselves across her chin, neck and finally disappearing into the cleavage of her wet and tightly clinging dress.

Boruto groaned, was this possible to look this hot and sexy in such a modest dress. Because princess RED certainly pulled this off.

He kept his eyes on her all the time, staring at her and trying his best to crave every part of her in his memory.

Then she turned and waved goodbye at him but before he knew what he was saying, words tumbled out of his mouth, “Will I be seeing you again?”

She stopped in her tracks and gave him a smug smirk with a hint of evilness.

“I think you will. At Richard Johnson’s mansion on Friday night at the party. I’ll be waiting for you.”

As Boruto watches her vanishing into the night, he remembers again that at the end of the day, she is a thief and he is a detective.

As water drips down his golden locks he whispers to himself, “Be careful Boruto. She’s hot but she’s evil.”

Although an afterthought definitely follows after witnessing the smile of those two people she’d helped.

She’s kind too.

I’ve no idea about how this turned out but I do hope that you all liked it. Please don’t hesitate to tell me your thoughts regarding this oneshot.

I know, even though I’m slow in attending to your requests I promise to complete all the fics. And more of your ideas and prompts are always welcomed!

You can read my other stories here.

My ffnet and ao3 accounts are here!

[tatooine92]

Homeward, ch. 5 (POTC OC)

Synopsis: Eleven years ago, Adonia Barbossa was abandoned as a child by her father for no discernible reason. Now a pirate captain in her own right, she seeks him to finally demand answers.

Rating: T for language and any various and sundry innuendoes.

A/N: Fun fact--this is the longest chapter so far! It’s about twice as long as any of the previous ones. There was a lot to get through. Plus I got a lot of time to play with Thom the bosun. And use some more of Jim’s French. And introduce... The Big Bad.

Shoutouts: @soulventure91, @and-will-nice-hat

The first boarders to come over from the EITC ship were met with the echoing crack of pistol fire and the shing of angry steel. A half-dozen Company marines fell before they even had a chance to form up and fire on the pirates. In fact, they barely had a chance now, as Adonia's men rushed them, blades drawn, howling curses. Swords met bayonets with clangs like a broken church bell. Adonia lunged for the closest officer, a nondescript bewigged man wearing the blue and gold coat of the Company. She raised her cutlass to slash down across his collar bone, but he whirled, sword raised, to block her attack. The officer froze, immediately, his brown eyes wide with recognition, though for Adonia the memory of his face was faint, the way a dream became hazy upon waking.

"Captain Barbossa!" he gasped. His voice was warm and smooth with a proper gentleman's accent.

Adonia squinted at him. The cut of his jaw and the tone of his voice were... familiar... She knew she'd seen him before, but she'd never met a Company officer before, nor did she particularly enjoy the experience right now.

"Have we met?"

The officer opened his mouth to respond when a gunshot ripped through the air. Adonia yelped as it the shot tore into her shoulder, and she whirled away to fold in on herself, cutlass falling to the deck. The officer she'd almost killed rushed to her side, a hand on her back, and she shrugged him off, the heel of her palm pressed into the gaping wound. She heard Jim yell out "Capitaine!" before marines surrounded her, separating him from her. Adonia looked up to see a swarm of marines had flooded her deck, holding her men at gunpoint. Damn it!

"What a delightful buccaneer greeting," called a clipped voice from the other side of the deck.

Adonia turned, nostrils flaring with sharp breaths, to see Cutler Beckett striding onto her ship as if he owned it, hands tucked in the small of his back. His brown frock coat fluttered in the sea wind as he looked around, chin raised just enough to give him the appearance of leering at everything. Adonia forced herself to stand upright despite the fire ripping through her shoulder. She was a noticeable two or three inches taller than Beckett when he finally stood before her, his eyes narrowed with cold calculation and disdain.

"Is it yer custom, Mister Beckett, to fire upon any passin' ship which strikes your fancy?"

"It's Lord Beckett, actually," he sniffed, "and no, I'm quite selective. Which is why your little boat, Miss Barbossa, has sailed right into my harbor."

"It's Captain Barbossa, actually," Adonia growled in reply. Beckett gave her a tight-lipped smile.

"Of course. My error. How ever do you keep from being confused with your father, my, my." Beckett paced around her toward the deck rail to inspect the fallen mainmast. "He is why you're here, after all, is it not? A long-lost daughter seeking her elusive father, I believe?"

"I'm here because there are still parts of the ocean for free pirates to sail."

"Is that so? Hm. Odd, because I have a friend in Tortuga who was very adamant that you lapped up his information and were quite eager to be on your way here."

Avery. Adonia's eyes narrowed. That gutless, recreant bastard. She should have known. He was so quick to pass on vague information, and she latched onto it without her usual efforts to check authenticity. She had always been so careful, verging on cunning, but the one time her emotions leaped leagues ahead of her brain, look at the cost. Her ship, crippled; her men, captured. Never mind her own wound, blood oozing from the gash despite her attempts to hold her arm immobile. She leaned toward Beckett, eyes afire. A pair of bayonetted rifles crossed between them, keeping her back.

"Tell your traitorous swine of a confidant," she hissed, "that the next time I am in Tortuga, I'll be sendin' him to the depths myself, and I'll keep his tavern as recompense."  

Beckett sniffed. He took a step back as if to make it less apparent that he had to look up to meet her eyes.

"I would, except it is most unfortunate that you will be unable to exact your vengeance," he said. "You may not have noticed, captain, but I have taken your ship."

"What! No. I thought ye'd come over for tea."

Beckett's lips twitched as if contemplating a smirk. Adonia's face was unmoved, stone-cold and angry despite her sardonic utterances. This insolent twat thought he could take all he wanted on both land and sea? Adonia's nature was to fight and resist, but part of her was scared because she knew, deep down, that Beckett could do it. She looked past him at her crew. They were her responsibility, not her pride, not her sarcasm. She had to keep them safe.

"Fine then," she spat before Beckett could speak. "What d'ye want?"

"I have reliable information indicating that the Brethren Court plans to convene," Beckett said, "and your father, as I'm sure you know, is one of the pirate lords of the Court."

"Aye, but that hardly has a thing to do with me." Papa a pirate lord? Since when?

"Does it not? Perhaps I was mistaken. I assumed in your eagerness to locate him you would accept any opportunity to do so. And I'd hoped that he might return your sentiments and be equally eager to locate you. If that's not the case, then there's no reason to continue this conversation."

Beckett turned to go, and Adonia's gut dropped. No, no, she had to keep him talking, keep bargaining. Otherwise he'd broadside her little brig and it'd all be over. She wasn't going to do that to her crew. They trusted her. She looked at them and saw the panic lurking in their eyes, hidden by their stoic expressions.

"Lord Beckett!" She took a lunging step forward. The officer was immediately behind her, and the rifles crossed before her again, but she shouldered past them. She saw Beckett pause and continued toward him. "Ye've not explained your plan, milord. I can hardly come aboard if I can't find the ship you're sailing."

When Beckett turned to her with his calculating little smile, Adonia knew she was trapped. He had her cornered, like a kitten surrounded by hounds. She could hiss and arch her spine all day, but he had bigger claws and teeth right now. Perhaps he had never intended to open fire on her ship. He just wanted her to do exactly as she had done. Damn him!

"My plan, captain, is to rid these waters of piracy and make way for progress, as I am sure you have no doubt already observed. However, to effect this goal, I must know where the Brethren plan to meet. If you possess that information, I pray you, share it now and save me some precious time."

"...I do not," Adonia said.

It was entirely truthful. She had already been taken by surprise with Beckett's information that her father was a pirate lord. He must have been one already when she was with him, or else obtained the title after she was gone. If he had already been one, was that why he called her his sea princess? She knew nothing of the function or dealings of the Brethren Court; she had only ever heard the name, whispered as a relic from past ages. Did that make her pirate royalty? What a foolish, childish thought to entertain, especially now, here, with her and her crew's lives at stake! Yet there it was, lingering in the back of her mind, hungry for acknowledgment. With a title like that, she could be a person of quality, not just a common thief.

"That's unfortunate," Beckett quipped. "Ah, well. I'll continue with the rest of my arrangements, then, which do, in fact, include you. I cannot think of a father alive who would not go to great lengths to ensure his daughter's safety—or, in fact, any father at all, but that's neither here nor there...

"The point remains, captain, that your father, distant though he apparently is, will not be able to resist the lure to rescue you from my clutches the very moment he hears I have you. Then you shall receive the family reunion you so desperately crave—enough to accept information at face value, I see—and I shall receive the location of the Brethren Court.

"Therefore," Beckett went on, raising his voice to be audible by all, "you and your crew are hereby pressed into the service of the East India Trading Company, and your ship shall sail as my personal escort, to be captained by you as I order you to captain it."

Chills raced down Adonia's spine. Her crew broke out in roars of defiance and revulsion as they heard him, but she said nothing. Press-ganged to be bait for her father—nay, for the entire Brethren Court. She wanted to laugh and spit in Beckett's face and bark that her father would never come for her, that he had abandoned her to the seas over a decade ago and he'd not come back for her now. But she knew if she did, she would be signing her crew's death warrants. She'd not do that to them. No decent captain, no captain worth following, did that to his crew. She would not be doing it to hers.

"Don't do it, mon capitaine!" Jim yelled to her from where he was restrained. Adonia saw shackles clamped around his wrists and fumed. Jim had already come from chains; he would not go back to them under her watch.

"Fuck 'im and his orders!" Thom shouted too. "Rather we all die here than sail wit' his lot!"

"Do you agree with your crewmen, capitaine?" Beckett asked her, clipped and sneering. "Would you prefer death to my employ? That can be arranged, believe me."

Adonia looked at her crew again, helpless. Pain throbbed through her shoulder from the still-embedded bullet, but that was not why hot tears stung her eyes. At her side, she heard the officer with the brown eyes inhale slowly, as if discomfited by the situation. Part of her desperately wanted to break the tension of the moment and turn to him with glinting eyes and an easy smirk and ask "Your face seems all rather familiar; I'd not soon forget something so handsome," if only to relieve herself of this agony. Die here by sword and rifle and cannonade, or swear to sail, living physically but dying in spirit?

No, she thought, this bastard does not get the luxury of owning my spirit. I survive. It's what I do. And if he thinks I'll not fight to free myself, he doesn't know me half as well as he likes to pretend.

"What becomes of my crew, my ship, and me once you have the Brethren?" she asked, fighting to keep her voice steady in the face of her terrified men.

"Well," Beckett said with a slow smile, "that depends entirely on your performance—and your loyalty. I am not without mercy, captain; I reward those who serve well."

"...aye," Adonia said. "Ye'll not find a better crew in these waters. But if we're to serve then I demand a say in our treatment. If we're to be your bait for that father of mine, then I'll not have your men aboard my ship."

"You expect me to simply trust you? When pirates are so notoriously fickle with their loyalties?"

"Yes, and you know I'll scuttle this ship before you can take her if you don't trust me."

"You're hardly irreplaceable, you know."

"Am I? The daughter of a pirate lord, irreplaceable?" Adonia shifted her weight and squared her shoulders, lifting her chin. "So you'd prefer my father come down upon ye with fury and all hell to avenge my loss, rather than fall so neatly into your hands? Well, if there can be no agreeing between us, I suppose there's naught I can say."

"Your point is well taken," Beckett snipped. He drew in a long inhale, as if buying himself time to ponder. "Very well. My men will stay aboard your ship until it has been repaired and then take their leave. Is that your only condition?"

"Ye'll not replace a single man of my crew with one of your own, but neither will we be treated as second-class sailors. The Dainty Lass is your bodyguard; we won't be treated as trophies or slaves. Furthermore, if you fire upon my father's ship before I as much as yell hello to him, I'll come aboard your ship and blow a hole in your skull. Do we have an accord?"

"You drive a hard bargain." Sarcasm dripped down his words like water off a gutter. "But yes, agreed. None of that will happen."

Adonia stuck out her hand to shake on it, and when Beckett gripped her palm, he shook just hard enough to make fresh pain spike through her shoulder. She grimaced but tried, too slowly, to hide it. Beckett gave her a cool smile as he turned to take his leave.

"Lieutenant Groves," he said to the brown-eyed officer, "see that this ship is set to rights."

"Yes, sir," Groves said. Groves, Groves—where do I know that name? He looked at Adonia with an almost sorrowful gaze before turning to order his cadre of marines and some Company sailors to action. "Step to, men! Haul up the rigging out of the water and prepare tow lines!"

Then he was gone, and Adonia inched away, shaking as she headed for the wheel despite being unable to do anything with it. When she reached the wheel, she slumped down against its housing, holding her shoulder and fighting tears. Maybe it would've been better if I'd had us all killed.

Footsteps on the deck boards made her turn her head without looking up. She knew she sound of Jim's boots, and she figured Thom was right behind him.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to them. She turned away, trying not to let them see her tears. They needed a strong captain, not one who was so easily cowed and who sat crying from pain. "You'd rather us all die than submit but—the ship—the men—I can't—"

"Hush up, capitaine," Jim chided her. "You're lettin' that bullet do the talking for you, here, let's see it."

He crouched beside her and took her arm, peeling back her coat, vest, and blouse to get a look at it. He tsked softly.

"Thom, fetch up the cap'n's kit," he said, and Thom was gone without a word.

The Lass's small crew often wore many hats. They were too few to have a dedicated barber and surgeon, so Jim often did his best. Under a previous captain, Adonia, too, had received rudimentary training in medicine, enough to remove bullets and patch up cuts. She and Jim shared the toolkit Thom had just gone to retrieve. She bit her lip as Jim prodded at the bloody hole in her shoulder.

"Doesn't seem too deep," he said. "Don't think anything's broken."

"No," Adonia said, her voice barely above a whisper. She took a deep breath and tried to force her way through the haze of confusion and throbbing pain. What have I done to my crew? Have I just delayed their deaths to another day? "It was just enough to stop me, not to really harm me. Really fucking hurts, all the same."

"Well, you did always have a low pain tolerance, n'est-ce pas?" Jim chuckled softly, a deep rumble in his chest, and Adonia smirked.

"Yes, yes, I'm weak," she said just as Jim returned with both the toolkit and a bottle of rum. He pressed the rum into her hands—she glared at it with disdain but popped the cork stopper and took a long swig to dull the ache in her shoulder—and the kit into Jim's. Then he crouched nearby to keep an eye out.

"That all's not what I'd've done, cap'n," he noted. He sighed and ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. "I'd've scuttled us."

"I know it, Thom. But I was not about to watch the lot of you die and have it be my fault. Even if I died with you, I couldn't live out me final moments like that." Adonia took another gulp of rum and grimaced as it burned down her throat. "Why don't we have wine on this ship... "

"Next port," Jim noted as he selected the tools for his work. "Hold still."

Just as he got to work—prodding inside the wound with a metal tool to fully locate the bullet—and Adonia closed her eyes so she didn't have to watch, Lieutenant Groves came up from the main deck.

"Captain Barbossa, the ship is—ah, ma'am, I'd be happy to take you across to the Endeavour for the ship's surgeon to help..."

"Jim's got it covered, lieutenant, thank you." She cracked one eye open, then both, to look at him. "We've met, aye?"

"Yes, we—we have." Good God, is he blushing? Whatever for? "Port Royal, about three years ago."

The memory surged in her mind as his face and voice fully clicked into place, and she laughed hard enough that Jim growled at her to sit still and shut up. She took a third swig of rum (better stop, though, or else she'd be good for naught).  

"And how," she chuckled, "are your shirts, lieutenant?"

Thom looked at her like she'd lost her mind. Jim rolled his eyes and sighed. Groves noticeably blushed and fidgeted with the large gold cuff of his coat.

"Just fine, thank you," he muttered. He cleared his throat and ducked his head. "Excuse me, I'll... leave you to your cure."

With that, he was gone, and Adonia leaned her head back, warmed through by the rum (despite the pain from Jim's surgery) and amused despite the day's terrors.

"...shirts?" Thom asked, a brow arched. Adonia grinned at him with the tense, tight smile of pain tempered by humor.

"I'll tell ye when you're older, laddie," she mocked with a bad impression of his brogue.

"Fuck you, cap'n," he snorted, though he gave her a smirk and a wink as he got up to get back to work.

"Aye, and same to you, bosun. Keep my ship afloat or I'll hang ye from the yardarm!"  

"Promises, promises!" Thom yelled back to her.

Adonia settled in quietly at that, eyes closing again while Jim chided her for moving. Of course she resorted to humor just now. What else was she to do? She felt the ship move under them as the tow cables were tied off and the Endeavour began to haul them away. This was only what she deserved for being such a fool, for entertaining such childish hopes of reuniting with her father. That was not like to happen. He'd not come for her because Beckett had her as a glorified hostage. He hadn't come for her in eleven years. Why would he start now?

At least this situation would afford her the chance to know more fully what was happening in the world. She hadn't known the Brethren Court planned to meet. Hell, she hadn't known Papa was a pirate lord. She hadn't known Groves had left the Royal Navy, or perhaps been press-ganged out of it. And she certainly hadn't known Beckett knew as much of her as he did. Things were not looking up for the Dainty Lass and her crew. But at least this way, she could gather information. She could buy and barter time. And then, someday hopefully soon, she'd be able to strike.

[castleofwarriorswrites]

The Dragonslayer

Fandom: Original Story

Length: 1626 words

Relationships: Original Character/Original Character

This isn’t a commissioned story, just something I wrote in my spare time. Enjoy!

A long time ago, in a land far from our own, where magic was at men’s fingertips and dragons ruled the skies, there lived an elderly old man by the name of Dan. Dan had no great deeds to his name, nor great wealth, or much land, but he did keep a herd of sheep, whom he raised tenderly. Dan’s wife had passed years prior, leaving him only with his daughter, and she was his everything. He taught her the ways of the sword and of the shepherd’s staff, of books and of the outdoors. His daughter’s name was Yael, and in his eyes, she was the most beautiful girl in all the land. For her part, Yael loved her father, leaning on him in her youth and supporting him in her adulthood, while still being free to seek out her own ambitions.

           It had just so happened that one day, when Yael had been very small, a dragon had attacked Dan’s herd of sheep, devouring them as they fled in terror. Dan had fought the dragon with the strength of a lion, laying the beast low with his sword. The dragon, dying on the earth, uttered its final curse. “As you have cut me down, so shall my brethren destroy you.” These words had frightened Dan, who spent the rest of his days constantly watching for more dragons.

           It also just so happened that one day, when Yael was sitting in a café, sipping from a glass of cocoa, that a charming young lady entered the establishment. This lady’s name was Leah, and she was the most beautiful sight Yael had seen in her life. Yael found herself unable to look away from Leah, and eventually gathered up her courage and approached her. While she had expected the conversation to turn awkward, Leah instead spoke in a friendly way, easing Yael into speaking with her. The two became fast friends, and over time, grew closer and closer, until Yael realized that she cared for Leah in a way beyond friendship, yet she could not think of any way to say it, for what could such a fine lady as Leah possibly see in a simple farm girl such as Yael? She reasoned that one such as Leah must receive tens of suitors a month, men and women from across the kingdom vying for her hand; what made her any different? In truth, Yael also feared that, should Leah not return her feelings, confessing them may ruin their friendship.

           That night, Yael slept poorly, and Dan noticed. He approached her in the morning and entreated her to tell him what the matter was. Yael told all her woes to her loving father, who understood. Yael having brought Leah over for dinner many times, Dan felt that he had the measure of both girls, and promised Yael that even if Leah did not return her feelings, their bond would not be sullied by the truth. And so, with new resolve, Yael slept well, determined to confess her feelings in the morning.

           But alas, neither knew that a dragon had been listening to their conversation. This dragon was not large or imposing, and ate rats and voles rather than sheep. But the little dragon was cunning, and planned to destroy Dan with what he had heard. And so, the dragon scampered off and called on all its great brethren. They stormed through the town, trampling shops and setting crops aflame, until they came across the great house on the hill that belonged to Leah’s family. They tore the rooftop from the house and plucked Leah right out of her bed, before taking to the air and flying across the land to the farthest reaches, where they built a great tower and locked the poor girl up.

When Yael heard the news, she was overcome with despair, tearing her clothes and donning instead a sackcloth and ashes from the fireplace. She would not eat nor drink, believing her beloved to be dead, and it destroyed Dan to see his daughter so distraught, so much so that the grief of it killed him, and so the dragon’s curse came to pass, and Yael mourned twice over, both for her father and her beloved.

Seven days she sat within her house, hiding herself away from the light of day, but when she emerged, it was with steel resolve, with her father’s sword at her hip and his breastplate upon her chest. She walked up the hill to the home of Leah’s family, and knocked upon the door. Leah’s mother answered, and, knowing Yael to be Leah’s closest friend, threw herself upon her and wept. Yael held the elderly woman for some time, before finally addressing her purpose in the visit; she would find the tower. She would slay the dragons. And she would rescue Leah. Leah’s mother, blinking back her tears, asked her how she hoped to do so. Yael simply replied that it did not matter how; she would do it.

And so, with a skin of water, a rind of bread, her father’s sword, gold from Leah’s mother, and her faithful workhorse, Yael set off. Her journey across the land was treacherous, fighting bandits, beasts, and yes, a few dragons who hoped to keep her from the tower. But in the end, none could stop Yael’s resolve to rescue she whom she cared for most. After seven weeks of journeying, she arrived upon the tower at the head of the month, on a late Friday afternoon. Before her, curled around the tower, sat the biggest, vilest, most vicious dragon that ever lived and ever will live. This dragon’s name was Gadle, so named for his size. He lazily opened one eye and looked at Yael. “Little human, why are you here?” Yael, however, was clever, and knew that if she challenged the dragon head-on, he would merely eat her. Instead, she bowed low, and said, “Oh, great dragon lord, I am here to extend to you an invitation. This night, tonight, is both the head of the month and the seventh day. I would have milord celebrate these auspicious events with me.” The dragon Gadle was pleased by these words. “Very well, little human. I will celebrate these days with you. But ere there are three stars in tomorrow’s night sky, you must begone from this place, or I will surely eat you when the seventh day ends.”

Yael accepted these terms, and began preparing. She brought forth a meager skin of wine and a rind of moldy bread. The dragon snorted contemptuously. “You mean to celebrate the seventh day with these meager offerings? Allow me to show you the great wealth of a dragon.” And Gadle brought forth from within the tower great silver goblets of wine, each the size of a rain barrel, and a multitude of golden-brown challah breads, braided with care far beyond the skill of any weaver Yael had seen. And when the sun began to set on the sixth day, Yael brought forth two candles and carefully lit them. As she brought in the seventh day, her sword became trapped in its sheath, for the ancient laws forbid destruction and creation of any kind on the seventh day. She and the dragon then turned to the wine. She spoke the Kiddush blessings over the wine, and both she and the dragon drank. They followed all the rituals of the bringing of the seventh day, and neither attacked the other. Still Yael kept her wits, and did not rest until she was certain the dragon slept.

Throughout the seventh day, the dragon Gadle yearned to devour Yael, yet he did not as they prayed the songs of seventh day, and the psalms and hymns of the head of the month. Yet as they drank once more of the wine in the Kiddush of the seventh day, the dragon grew weary. He sought to kill the girl before her, yet she continued to offer him more wine, which pleased him. More and more he drank, until at last he had drained fifty of his great silver goblets of wine. As he looked to the skies, he saw three stars, but he could not stand. And the dragon Gadle slept a wine-sodden sleep, too drunk to kill. Yael lit the braided candle and spoke the blessings over the last of her own wine, and partook in the spices of the division ceremony. Then at last, as the seventh day passed into the first, Yael drew her sword and beheaded the sleeping dragon.

She entered the tower, and climbed to the very top, where she found the sleeping form of Leah. She gently woke the girl, and as Leah opened her eyes, she saw Yael before her. She yelled for joy and embraced her savior. Yael held her there, and at last confessed to her the feelings she held towards her, becoming overjoyed to learn that Leah loved her back. Delighted, the two lovers sacked the dragon’s tower of all Gadle’s great wealth and returned to their village. Yael mourned her father greatly, but in the slaying of Gadle, he had at last been avenged. And as she and Leah were married before the eyes of all in the village, she knew that the despair she had felt would not touch her again. The married couple grew closer with every year, until their hands were withered and their hair gray. When they died, it was in peace, content with life, and the two were buried together. Never again would the dragons come to that village, for legend says that the souls of the Dragonslayer and her Princess still watch over the fields and hills of that land.

[kassie-666-blog]

*NSFW!*

(SLBP Yaoi w/ bi-men)

Shared Custody

Special Prologue: Mitsuhide’s Page

Mitsuhide

We have a new addition to the Clan. A farmer’s young son, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He’s a very handsome young man (lithe and very agile), but Nobunaga’s main reason for taking him in is his cunning and ability to learn. Nobunaga wants me to teach him kendo so that he can become a samurai and, we’re hoping, join the ranks as a general. That is how I now have a new page.

We’ve just finished a training session and stop to take a break. As I take a sip of water, Hideyoshi brings me a towel to dry off. I hand him my cup of water as I pat myself dry and he eagerly drinks. When he’s done with his drink, I start going over the lesson, “Your skill is improving and you’re developing a good style. However, your arms are still too stiff, making your moves wide and easy to predict. Loosen your muscles and let your body move more fluidly. You’re very agile, use that agility and incorporate it into your kendo.” He sighs and apologizes, “I’m sorry for disappointing you again, Milord. I know you keep repeating this advice, I just don’t know HOW to loosen up the way you say. I thought I had loosened my body enough but, as you’ve pointed out, my efforts have been in vain.” I gently smile and say, “Don’t apologize. It took me a while to get the hang of it, too. And I grew up practicing the art of the sword! How do you think I felt when I got such criticisms from my Lord?” He asks, “Really? So, how did you finally learn to relax your muscles and fight so well?” I pause and consider my words before saying, “I was the retainer of a great samurai. He always had good advice for me. When I asked him to help me with my stiff movements, he showed me something that worked right away. The very next day, my skills improved ten fold.” Hideyoshi’s eyes light up and he asks, “Really?! Could you show me?!” I look him in the eye and say, “I can... it’s not something to be discussed in the open, however. It’s also very intense and will be quite painful at first.” He quickly says, “I can handle pain! I just really want to get better for you so I can be an asset to the Oda Clan! Please, show me this special technique, Milord!” I nod, “Alright. Come to my room after dinner and we can get started. Don’t talk about it- before or after- with anyone.” He nods emphatically, “Of course! Thank you, Milord!”

Hideyoshi

Lord Mitsuhide has promised to show me something that will help me improve my skills as a samurai. I can’t wait! He said his skills got way better overnight, so it MUST be an incredible technique!

I eagerly serve him through dinner as he sits beside Lord Nobunaga. Lord Nobunaga glances at me and asks how my kendo is coming along. Mitsuhide answers, “He’s greatly improved. He has a great deal of potential but is still struggling in some areas, such as fluidity and subtly. He is getting better, though. He just needs to relax his muscles and pay attention to the whole, instead of one spot.” Nobunaga nods and asks, “Are you planning on helping him in those areas?” Mitsuhide nods, “I am, Milord. In fact, I’ve made arrangements to start doing so this evening.” Nobunaga nods and says, “Knowing you, Mitsuhide, that could take all night. Go do that in the Samurai House. I don’t want to be kept awake.” Mitsuhide nods and thanks Nobunaga.

When I arrive at the Samurai House, the first thing I notice is how quiet it is. It is, as yet, unoccupied. When more samurai are recruited into the Clan, it will fill up quickly. I notice a lamp light at the end of the corridor and follow it. I knock lightly and call out, “Milord Mitsuhide? May I come in?” He gives permission and I enter. He turns from his desk and tells me to close the door. As I turn back to the room, I notice there are no practice swords or real ones for that matter. He notices my confusion and says, “We won’t be using swords for this.” I wonder how I’d be able to work on my swordsmanship without using a sword but I don’t bother questioning him. He tells me to take a seat in the middle of the room, where a couple sets of bedding have been laid out.

I sit nervously on one set of bedding and I can’t stop fidgeting. He must have sensed how nervous I am because he offers me some sake and bekko ame. As I munch on the candies, he pours some warm sake into a couple cups and brings them over to where I’m sitting. He tells me, “I’ve found that, if you put a piece into the warm sake, the flavors mix very well.” I try it and I’m amazed by the result. It’s like some kind of caramelized sake, adding a smokey flavor to it. I ask him what made him think of doing that and he gets a slightly sad look in his eyes for a second as he vaguely says, “Someone told me about it a while ago.” While he says this, he is squeezing the protection charm around his neck. It’s on a cord which matches the one on his scabbard, which holds a “strength and power” charm. I’m guessing, whomever it was, was lost to him. He shakes his head and stands up, “I’ll be right back. Go ahead and let the sake relax you. Just don’t drink too much or too fast.”

He returns a few minutes later, wearing bedclothes. I find this odd until I look outside and notice how dark it is. I start wondering when this training will start and suddenly he is sitting behind me. He places his hands on my shoulders and starts pinching and rubbing the muscles there, saying, “Right here is where you’re tensing up too much. If your shoulders are stiff, your arms will also be stiff and your movements won’t be as effective.” I nod as he massages the tension out of my muscles. I have to admit, it is starting to feel better.

Is this all? Why didn’t he just say so?

His hands start moving toward my neck and my collarbone. As they trace down my arms, I feel his body heat against my back. He slips his hands into the collar of my kimono and slides it and my under robe off my shoulders. I sit up a bit and he says, “Just relax. Don’t overthink things. That leads to mistakes. Just calm down and follow my lead. If it gets to be too much, feel free to say so. I will stop if, and when, you ask me to stop.” I drop my shoulders and nod.

His hands continue their exploration and massaging. I am finding myself relaxing more and more into his touch. I suddenly hear his voice, his lips right next to my ear, “Are you ready to start?” I turn to face him. I’m apprehensive but I nod. I close my eyes to mentally prepare when I suddenly feel his lips on mine. My eyes shoot open and confirm that this man is, in fact, kissing me. Oddly enough, it doesn’t feel weird. It actually feels kind of... good.

His hands guide me by my shoulders to turn to face him. When I am repositioned, his hands go down from my shoulders to my chest and then my waist. His tongue traces my lips and it feels so good, I open my mouth to moan. When I do, his tongue slides in and starts exploring. His tongue massages mine and I feel my heart speed up. A warm feeling washes over my entire body, even as I feel my kimono hang open and I realize he has untied my obi. He’s slowly removing my clothes. He sits up on his knees and lifts me along with him. Then he wraps his arm around my back and pulls me closer, pressing our chests together. The protection charm around his neck is pressed between us and heating up. His body is heating me up even more and my body is responding to his touch. I can feel his erection against my groin and I’m shocked that I actually find it arousing. I feel myself hardening. He pulls his lips away from mine and I quietly ask, “Milord?” His eyes travel up and down my body as he replies, “I want to look at you.” He strokes his fingers over my cheek and he brings his lips right in front of my ear, saying, “I want you, Hideyoshi. I want to feel you and I want you to feel me.” He pulls back a bit and continues, “If you don’t want to do this, just say so.” I’m so nervous from embarrassment, I cannot make my voice work as he looks into my eyes. So, instead, I respond by cupping his cheek in one hand and placing the other on his waist. I quickly place my lips on his and our tongues start tangling into each other again. I untie his obi and slide the robe off his body. He brings his hands to my back and presses our bodies together.

Then he moves his hand to my groin. He rubs around my erect penis and then slowly takes it into his hand and starts stroking my length. It feels so good I moan again. He pulls back and tells me to lie down. When I do, he starts touching my chest, planting his lips in various places. He gently runs his fingers up and down my legs, massaging inside by my crotch. My neck muscles relax and my head lolls as I moan again. This is all so new to me. I’ve been with a few women before but it never felt like this. I never thought I’d actually enjoy the touch of another man. He moves his head further down and I feel his warm, wet mouth on my tip. The feeling moves down my shaft and my entire body goes lax as the pleasure grows. He strokes me inside his mouth a few times before letting go and climbing up to hover over me. He sees the look in my eyes and chuckles, “Don’t worry. There’ll be plenty more of that, once your body can handle more of that.” He takes my lips again and then says, “This is your last chance to stop. I need to hear you say one way or the other.” My head is swimming and all I know is I want more of him. I move my hands to his hips and say, “I want to feel more, Milord. More of you. More of this. I want to feel everything, Milord. Please, keep touching me, Milord.” I am no longer too embarrassed to say that I want to have sex with this man. He smiles and says, “In that case, get on your knees, facing me.” I do as he says and I am greeted by his erection. He says, “It will be a lot less painful if I’m wetted beforehand. Take me into your mouth, Hideyoshi and rub your tongue around my shaft.” I grab his penis and open my mouth. With one last look up at him, I take his length into my mouth and close my lips around him. He moans as my tongue moves over the taut skin and the sounds he’s making are only turning me on even more. The more he moans, the more I lick, the harder I suck, the faster I move my tongue. I suddenly find myself eager- no, HUNGRY- for his dick. I’m trying to take more and more of this thick cock into my mouth. I move my mouth on it in different angles, trying to get as much of it as I can. I’m getting so close to coming, I can already feel my precome oozing out of my tip. Mitsuhide suddenly pulls away from me and holds my head still with a fistful of my hair in his hand. He looks down at me and tells me to turn around. When I do, he grabs my hips and I feel his hand, wet, rubbing over my anus. Then I feel him placing himself at my entrance. He leans in and tells me, “This will hurt like hell for a bit. Just relax and breathe. Before long, it will feel really good.” I gulp and nod. I feel myself stretching and think to myself,

Oh. This isn’t so bad. Maybe I am just better bui-

My thought is cut short when I feel the searing pain in my anus. It feels like I’m being torn apart from the outside in. Just when I think it can’t get more painful, the pain multiplies and I find myself unable to breathe.

Fuck! This hurts to much! He actually did this with his Lord?!

I start whimpering from the pain and he stops. He puts his hand on the back of my head and gently strokes, saying, “It’s okay. You’re doing well. Just breathe and relax. You’re almost there. Just a bit more. Let me know when you’re ready.” He continues to stroke my hair and I start to relax into his touch again. I nod and say, “Okay... I’m ready.” He starts pushing into me again and the pain feels even worse and I try to keep from crying at how badly it hurts. He says, “It’s okay. You don’t have to be quiet. That’s why we’re here and not at the castle.” At that, I let my voice go and I start openly whimpering, almost sobbing, at the pain. He keeps going, slowly pushing himself further into me.

How can there still be more? Just how long and thick IS Mitsuhide?!

After what feels like hours, I feel his hips against my ass. I exhale and he slowly rubs my back as he says, “That’s very good. Just keep breathing. Let me know when you’re ready for me to move.” He continues to rub my back and I feel my body relaxing. After a few deep breaths, I nod. He starts pulling back and then, when I think the stretching might actually stop, he pushes his way back into me. He uses more force this time and goes in one motion. I feel him move his knees a bit and then he pulls back again before thrusting back into me. This time, however, instead of agonizing pain, I feel a surge of pleasure course through my entire body. I moan louder than I was earlier and he does that again. Each time he moves inside of me, I moan a little louder. He continues at this pace, allowing me to get used to it. He places one hand just above my ass and the other on my shoulder. He laughs and says, “I think I’ve found your spot.” His lips come to my ear as he says, “Are you ready for me to move faster?” I nod as I moan and he pulls back again. This time, he pushes quickly and roughly back into me, going even further into my ass.

Mitsuhide

This is the first time I’ve been with a man since leaving Her, in Iga. Hideyoshi feels so good. Almost as good as she did...

I shake those thoughts from my head as I begin thrusting into him faster. My moves become more aggressive as my pressure builds up. I hold his shoulder to keep him still while resting my other hand above his ass for leverage. His body is so hard and lithe. His skin is smooth and sensuous. I love his lips. They’re so puffy and pink. I pull his shoulder and hold his back to my chest, wrapping my arm around his chest, my hand gripping his other shoulder. I continue thrusting into him hard and fast as I take his lips in a deep kiss. Our tongues tangle and he moans into my mouth every time I thrust into his tight little ass. I feel his body heating up, he’s covered in sweat and our slick bodies make obscene slapping noises as my groin hits his ass. I slide my other hand around his waist and down to his hard dick. Grabbing it in a firm grip, I stroke his length from base to tip. I go slowly at first and then move faster. He breaks from my mouth and moans louder, sounding more like a howl. The fact that I did that to him just makes me go even faster inside of him and on his hot cock. His moaning is getting so loud that it is echoing in the room. His body starts to lean away from me and I yank him back. I press my lips to his ear and lick the ridge. I whisper into his ear, “You feel that? The tension in your body? That’s your climax slowly building up. The tension in your body is about to snap. Once it does, every muscle in your body will feel like jelly.” He moans again. I ask him, “Are you ready?” In lieu of an answer, he adds his hand to mine on his tense dick. I slap it away, saying, “Don’t do that. It feels best if it’s entirely outsider pleasure.” He groans and his breathing gets faster. His moans sound more like yowls and I can feel his cock getting more and more tense. I bring my other hand down and hold his hip in place as I move my other up to his tip. I move my fingers over his head more rapidly and, after just a few tugs, he starts pulsing and he comes with a totally primal roar, shooting his come all over himself. I can feel the heat of it on my hand. The way his asshole tightened even more around me- which I didn’t even think was possible- made it very difficult for me to hold myself back and I have to stop.

Taking several deep breaths, I start moving again. His chest is dripping with his come and it reminds me of his saliva. I want to know if his come tastes just as delicious as his mouth, so I drag my index finger through it and bring it to my lips. Tasting it makes me moan. I gather up more and lick it off of my fingers, panting into his ear, “You taste incredible. Like a very fine macha.” I grab his dick and start stroking him again, making him hard almost immediately. He hoarsely moans. I thrust harder into him and I can feel my own orgasm about to snap. I pay special attention to his tip and then I cup his testicles with my free hand. He sharply yells and I press my middle finger right behind his sack and gently, yet firmly, massage that spot, just as She used to do to me. His eyes pop open and his body jackknifes as he comes even harder than last time. I quickly wrap my arm around his abdomen to keep him from falling as my own orgasm washes over me. I let out a beastly howl as I violently ejaculate into his ass. I pull out of him, panting and completely out of breath.

I grab a towel I’d laid out nearby and clean myself off. I grab a new one and go to clean Hideyoshi. He’s collapsed, face down, in a heap. I turn him over and start cleaning him up. He’s still panting. He hoarsely says, “I never would’ve guessed...”

I hand him a glass of water and ask, “Never would’ve guessed what?” He gulps the water and says, “I didn’t know that you... liked men. Or that I did, for that matter!” I chuckle and cup his cheek as I say, “The only thing that is simple about sex is consent. I like men. I also like women. Together is really intense. I suspect you’re like me in that way, as well. I used to know someone... a while ago... who said, in Europe, being sexually attracted to men and women is called being bisexual. The ‘bi’ part is a Greek prefix, meaning ‘two’.” As I explain this, I keep tugging at the protection charm around my neck.