Dark Clouds Over Yonder

It had been two days now since Wavechaser had departed from Baltimare. Twilight and her friends had been given a small cabin to sleep in while on the ship. It was a tight fit, but all six of them managed to fit in. Sadly there were only four beds, so two of them had share a bunk. Rarity offered to share a bunk with Applejack, who politely refused, remembering what had happened at Twilight's library during their sleepover. In the end Rarity and Fluttershy got their own beds while Twilight and Applejack share one bunk and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie shared the other one.

During the day they had been given various jobs to do to earn their keep. Rarity was given the task of repairing the sails. While glad to work with fabric, she was much less enthusiastic when she found out that she'd be working while the sails were in use. This meant that she had to climb up with all of the supplies and work in less then ideal conditions.

Pinkie Pie was put work in the galley. Wind Jammer introduced her to Wavechaser's cook Mutton Chop, who was an earth pony with a brown coat, black mane, a large build and one hell of a temper. It wasn't long after Pinkie had started working that she started singing a merry little tune. She stopped soon though as a knife flew past her head into the wall. Mutton Chop growled and stated that if she insist on singing, she can jump off and go sing with the Seaponies. But in his kitchen ponies didn't sing, they worked. He also added that if he heard so much as a note, he'd aim better next time.

Fluttershy was sent to the sickbay where she would be assisting the ship's doctor, a griffon by the name of Darius. Unlike other crew members, Darius was much more open and hospitable. He talked a great deal with Fluttershy and showed her some tips on how to better treat the sick and injured. Fluttershy wondered why Darius was the only griffon aboard the Wavechaser, but thought that it'd be too rude to ask about it.

Rainbow Dash was sent to the crow's nest to keep a lookout. She shared this job with another pegasus, a youngster named Calm-Before-Storm. He was exited to finally have someone to talk to while up in the nest, and the fact that it was a pretty lady as well made it even better. Rainbow herself was less enthusiastic about the whole thing, but gritted her teeth and went along with it. After all, this was the only way they could get to Coltalla right now. The ponies had asked Wind Jammer if he knew anything about Coltalla's current situation. He had told them that all access to the island had been cut off, and that there were constant patrols to prevent any and all entry be it by sea or air. This was unpleasant news to Rainbow especially since she would have rather flown to Coltalla then having to take a ship.

Applejack had been instructed to go below deck and into the cargo hold. There she was introduced to a unicorn who was hard at work moving, securing and inspecting the cargo. Wind Jammer told Applejack that he was known as Storage Unit. The unicorn was glad to have an additional pair of hooves to help him and it didn't take long for Applejack's strength and tenacity to impress Storage.

Twilight's job was in the captains cabin with Wind Jammer. She was to assist him in plotting a course to Coltalla and anything else that he needed help with. While Wind Jammer knew the way, he wanted to know if Twilight had any ideas or suggestions. Twilight was unfamiliar with navigation, but she had read a few books about it. This proved useful and it didn't take long until the two of them had figured out a more or less optimal route to the island kingdom.

Being in the captain's cabin made it possible for Twilight to ask all sorts of questions from the captain.
''So Wind Jammer, how long have you been sailing?'' Twilight asked.
''Close to five years. Two of those as the captain of the Wavechaser.'' Wind Jammer replied, not even looking up from the map laid out on the table.
''Have you always been on the Wavechaser or did you serve on some other ship before this?''
''This lass has been home to me for as long as I have been at sea. So no, I have not been on any other ship other then very briefly.''
''Who was captain before you?''
Wind Jammer looked up from the map and groaned. ''I sincerely hope that you aren't going to keep asking me questions for the entire trip Miss Sparkle. Because if you are, there's room in the brig.''
''I'm sorry if I'm bothering you. I just want to know what our captain is like.'' Twilight explained.
Wind Jammer chuckled. ''You are not formally a part of my crew, so you don't need to refer to me as 'your' captain. Just captain will suffice.''
''Understood, captain.'' Twilight said with a chuckle.

''To answer your previous question,'' Wind Jammer said as he turned around towards the windows, ''the last captain was a tough old pegasus called Thunderstorm, or as most of the crew and his enemies knew him, 'The Eye of the Storm'.''
''Where did he get a nickname like that?'' Twilight inquired.
''Two things. First, he only had one eye. He had lost the other eye to the beasts that roam the oceans. Secondly, he would always attack his targets during a storm.''
''Did he cause the storm or did it come from somewhere else?''
''Most days he did it with some of the other pegasi on the ship. But sometimes, just to prove that he still could, he raised such a storm that it often sunk a ship before they could get to it.'' Wind Jammer said with a hint of a smile.
''Wait, he caused storms and attacked ships? Are you telling me that he was a pirate?''
''That is exactly what I'm telling you Miss Sparkle. Thunderstorm was one pirate you did not want to come after you. Every time he chose a target for us he made sure it was the fattest one possible. Made me real proud to be a part of his crew.''
''So you've been a pirate before as well.''
''I never said I quit.'' Wind Jammer pointed out. Twilight was about to inquire further, but she was cut off by Mutton Chop yelling everypony to come and eat before he threw it overboard. Wind Jammer told Twilight to get something to eat and then she could retire for the night. Before she could respond, Wind Jammer used his magic to push the alicorn out of his cabin. Twilight resolved to find out more about Wind Jammer, and tomorrow was another chance.

Early the next day Twilight entered the captain's cabin. Inside she found Wind Jammer sharpening a sword.
''You're here early.'' The unicorn muttered.
''Best to start work early so we can be done sooner.''
Wind Jammer smiled a bit. ''I guess that's true.'' He put the sword away and looked at Twilight. ''Am I right to assume that you are going to ask me more questions today?''
''If you are willing to answer them.'' Twilight replied.
''I suppose it's the best way to get you to work.'' Wind Jammer said with a sigh. ''So, what did you want to know?''
''Yesterday you mentioned that you were a part of the crew when Thunderstorm was captain, and that you had not quit being a pirate.''
''That I did. And it is true.''
''Why are you still living the life of a pirate?''
''The thrills, the spoils and the open sea. They are all I need.''
''You don't want more from life?''
''I'm quite happy where I am now Miss Sparkle. I am in no hurry to retire.''
''That's another thing that has been bugging me. Why do you keep calling me 'Miss Sparkle'? Simply calling me Twilight works just as well.''
''I may be a pirate, but I am not without manners. Guess that's one thing that stuck with me from childhood.''
''You had strict parents?''
''Miss Sparkle, you have no idea.''
Twilight was about to ask another question, but Wind Jammer shut her up and pointed out that they had work to do.

After working for a good while and having lunch afterwards, the two returned to Wind Jammer's cabin. Twilight saw that she now had another chance to ask Wind Jammer about his past.
''Tell me captain, what was your childhood like?''
Wind Jammer glared at Twilight. ''I may be willing to answer some of your questions Miss Sparkle, but not all of them. That's one question that I will not answer.''
Twilight was about to ask for a reason for this, but decided not to after she saw the unicorn reaching for his sword.
''I understand. How about you tell me more about the old captain. Thunderstorm was it?''
Wind Jammer calmed down and smiled a bit. ''I'll be happy to tell you more about the greatest pirate I ever met.''
''What happened to him? Where is he currently?''
Wind Jammer's smile turned into a mournful frown as he turned his head away from Twilight. ''He is where the wind decides to take him next.''
''He retired?''
''He was forced to retire. But he didn't like the idea of it.''
''What persuaded him?''
''Cold steel through the chest is surprisingly effective at changing opinions.''
''He was killed!?''
''Yes.''
''How?''
''Mutiny on the ship. Some of the crew felt like he was too old to be captain and they were afraid that he was losing his sight as well.''
''So they killed him.''
''Well, yes and no. He died because of the mutiny, but he was not killed by one of the mutineers.''
''One of the men loyal to him killed him then?''
''Yes.''
''Where is this pony now? Is he imprisoned? Or was he killed afterwards?''
''He has his own ship nowadays. Last I heard of him he was taking some ponies to some secluded kingdom or something like that.''

Twilight gasped, but before she could say anything a pony ran into the cabin.
''Captain! Come quick! It's a mutiny!''