AU - Aboard The Provocateur

[provocateur_king]

They'd taken harbor of the north shore of the Dark Kingdom, quietly doing some trade in the fishing village. Quietly. For pirates.

Bond was on deck at dawn, watching his sailors crawl back from a night of drink and flesh.

"Hurry up, hurry up. We'll miss the tide," he called.

And then he saw the sailor he'd been watching for.

"Klaus, I was wondering if you'd be gracing us with your presence," Bond said, teasing a bit, but his sharp criticism was something Klaus had earned over the years.

Comments

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus has been with Bond since he could remember, but he still couldn't always tell his mood.

He walked, back from a night of drink and... more drink.

"Captain?" He said, trying to steady himself. "Could you...whisper?" He asked, tentatively.

[provocateur_king]

"Oh, I'm so terribly sorry," he mocked, his voice lower.

"Did you commune with too many spirits last night?"

The men on the dock snickered but they all knew it wasn't wise to upset someone with the magic Klaus wielded.

Only Bond was so bold.

"Get on the ship, mate. Get comfortable. We'll be needing you at your best in a couple days."

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus didn't consider himself particularly threatening. In his view the crew were just friendly and they liked him.

He nodded, dutifully. He knew his magic was all that kept him aboard. He knew he had to make that effort. Even if... it was hard.

"Where are we going?" He dreaded.

[provocateur_king]

"Lonely Island," he said.

Where the markers for those lost at sea were lined up on the gloomy hillside. Where sometimes those claimed by the deep walked ashore.

"I need you to conscript an army, to be called upon when we need them."

[seanceinfurs]

"... 'When we need them'?" Klaus asked. He knew not to show his fear here, but couldn't hide not being happy about the request. "And... when's that?" He wasn't looking forward to having an army of dead pirates nagging to him, bored and mad at being awakened from their eternal slumber, until Bond decided he needed them.

Of course, Bond did know that Klaus' wasn't reliable enough to raise an army on the fly and this was the only way he could use Klaus' power.

[provocateur_king]

"I need you to be able to call on them when we go to battle," he replied. "If we go to battle. With the plans I have set, they may not be needed, but I'd rather have them. Just in case."

He gave Klaus's cheek a pat.

"Go sober up, my boy."

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus nodded. He wanted to do good by Bond. He wanted to please the captain. But also.... he really didn't want to have an army ready. "Can you at least tell me what you'll need them for? That might make them... easier to convince."

[provocateur_king]

"We're going to war with the King's Realm," Bond answered. "And the dead will be our secret weapon against their armada. I'm counting on you, Klaus."

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus nodded. "Of course, captain," he said. "I'll sober up." His promises were not to be trusted, but right now he really did think he would be able.

[provocateur_king]

"That's a good lad. Now get some rest. You'll be sober when you wake up, and by then we'll be halfway there."

He gave him a solid smack on the back, comforting but too hard. Enough to jostle his entire aching head.

"You're in the crows nest at six bells. Find me when you wake up."

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus nodded and groaned at the pat on his back. "Yes, captain," he said.

He loved the crow's nest; it was quiet and peaceful and sure he had to be sober for it, but still. The quiet won.

He slumped to his hammock and fell to sleep easily.

The next morning he was there, sober(ish) and a little late, to meet his captain again.

"Morning, sir."

[provocateur_king]

"Looking refreshed, sailor," Bond said.

He was fond of Klaus, everyone was aware. He'd taken a liking to him almost as soon as they'd hauled him out of the ocean. All the men knew Klaus could get away with things that would have them flogged.

Bond rarely beat his gift from the ocean.

"Good morning, Klaus," he said. "Your orders. You'll need the spyglass. Today...you're watching for dragons. When we get closer to the Shoals of Wreckage, you'll come down and impress me."

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus was shit at taking orders, but there was something powerful about Bond that just commanded to be complied with. And... he was very handsome. Maybe he had a bit of a crush, though he would not show that. Bond wasn't the sort you just flirted with if you wanted to keep your head.

He nodded. "Of course, captain," he said. Dragon watch duty. Maybe he could wish for a dragon to swallow him before they got to the Shoals.

[provocateur_king]

The threat of dragons was real and constant, though attacks were rare. Someone needed to watch, and Bond knew Klaus sort of enjoyed the solitude. And he'd give him all he liked because he understood what he was asking him to do, to speak to those the sea claimed as prize.

When they passed peacefully and came up on the shoals, Bond blew his whistle to tell Klaus to come back down.

It was time to work.

[seanceinfurs]

The whistle meant work. It meant the end to this silent bliss. It meant summoning the dead and having them... at the ready, nagging at him, wanting their say, wanting their peace, which he wouldn't be able to give them, because he needed them.

"I'm ready, captain," Klaus assured him.

[provocateur_king]

Having been kept from the rum up in that basket all day, Bond knew Klaus was probably miserably sober.

"If this works, the surgeon has some opium," he said, knowing Klaus did like a little nod when he could get it. That should be a good bribe, he thought. THen added-

"And an extra ration of rum."

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus smiled. There were always goodies. And he did love opium. "Thank you, sir."

He sighed and made his way yo the focsle of the ship.

He could feel them already. It was always stronger when he was sober.

His hands began glowing a bright blue. The pirates knew what was coming, but some still offered a little prayer to their Gods, just to be safe.

When he was in place, he stretched out his hands and focused. He focused on the voices and the torment that he could feel. He focused on the depth and slowly but surely, the ocean too began to glow.

[provocateur_king]

The sea glowed and began to boil, then out of it rose a captain, a spirit, but visible to all men on the ship. Bond stood still, watching.

"Who drags me from my deep slumber?" the dead captain accused.

He answered his own question when he saw Klaus.

"Why have you summoned me?"

He rose higher, then began to walk in the empty air until his feet touched the deck. As soon as he was aboard, the sea boiled wildly and hundreds of souls condemned to the deep rose up to see what was happening.

[seanceinfurs]

It was so damned loud in his mind. The captain, the crew members coming up from the deep.

"I need you at the ready," Klaus commanded. He was a shit commander, but he had to fake it to keep control over them. "We're going to war."

The captain snorted, looked around and to the current Bond. "So... you think you can replace me?"

[provocateur_king]

Bond stood straighter and squared his shoulders.

"Join me in defeating Arthur's fleet. Our numbers combined would have an easy victory. Let's put the past behind us and ally," he said.

He wasn't a terrible diplomat, but Bond often thought talking was a waste of time.

[seanceinfurs]

Talking was certainly a waste of time, but the Captain wasn't going to let the past slide as easily. He looked over at the scrawny pirate that had summoned him. "You. Make me tangible."

"What?" Klaus said. He looked at Bond; the only man he took orders from.

"You summoned me, now make me tangible. I can't fight like this."

"You're not supposed to fight now. Just... later. When we- when I command you," Klaus said, trying to be commanding and failing miserably.

"You little..." The Captain angrily charged towards Klaus, who ducked. But rather than getting punched, or pushed, suddenly, the Captain vanished inside of him...

And suddenly, his body was no longer his own to command, but the Captain had taken over.

"Bond," the Captain, now in Klaus' body, said with a mischievous smile. "Now we can talk." He meant fight.

[provocateur_king]

Bond sighed heavily. This wasn't according to plan.

He lifted his saber.

"This isn't a negotiation. I can just as easily have him put you all back in the cold depths," he told him.

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus' hand made a little wave and he laughed. It was his voice, but not his laugh. "I don't think so. I rather like this body. Full of youth. And alive."

[provocateur_king]

"You can't have the lad," Bond said firmly. "ANd if you want my ship, you'll have to take it."

He drew his saber and held it at the ready.

Gods forgive him, this wasn't how he'd wanted Klaus to find out about this.

"And if I win, you and all your fleet will help me take on the King's Realm for the throne."

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus grinned. "And if I win, I get the ship and the title."

Now, Klaus did not like swords, and therefore didn't typically carry one (also, he didn't really need one.) But as this was clearly a challenge; there was a sword ready for the captain.

He took it and accepted the duel.

[provocateur_king]

The dead captain and Bond were well matched. The battle raged all across the deck. Bond took a slice to his arm and blood seeped through his linen shirt. He took a step back.

He looked at his arm, then looked at Klaus.

Bond had hoped Klaus would never need to know the extent of his abilities. Had hoped to keep from him that when they'd pulled the boy out of the ocean, he had been dead. Drowned and gone. Bond had meant to take him to shore. Surely someone must miss him. Instead, Klaus woke up. Back from the dead, fresh and unharmed. Bond had never told him, never told the crew. He'd simply taken the lad on as cabin boy and seen to it he was as fine a sailor as he could manage to be. The entire pirate empire knew that Klaus was Bond's favourite. He could do no wrong.

But now he stood before Bond, possessed by the spirit of a captain Bond had already killed once. If he had to best him again to get his allegience, then Klaus...

Klaus would have to die.

Bond found he was fine with that.

When he charged again, his blade sank into klaus's chest and exited his back.

"I win," Bond said coldly, jerking the saber back and letting Klaus's body fall to the deck.

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus was still in there znd ehrn the blade pierced his torso, it was Klaus' eyes that went wide.

Bond...killed him?

He spluttered and fell to the ground, lifeless and betrayed.

Without Klaus, the ghosts began to vanish as well, back to the depths... until...

Klaus coughed.

[provocateur_king]

Bond kept just Saber in hand, but knelt by the pirate to assure himself he hadn't been wrong.

And Klaus coughed.

"That's a good lad. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me," he smiled tenderly.

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus coughed again. He looked down at his chest and the hole there. A hole that slowly diminished until it was gone.

"I... you!... what?"

[provocateur_king]

"You're fine, Klaus," Bond assured him.

"I would have never run you through if I hadn't been sure you'd come back to me. What a magnificent Seance you are," he smiled proudly.

[seanceinfurs]

"You knew?" Klaus asked, confused. There was blood on his hands, there was blood on the saber, there was blood on his chest, but the wound was gone entirely.

[provocateur_king]

"I've known since the day we met," he told him.

Men were coming closer. That bond wasn't distraught made them curious. So much blood.

"Now let's get up, lad. You need to make the captain uphold his end of the deal. And...try not to let him possess you again."

He offered him a kind smile, then stood and offered him his hand up.

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus accepted the hand and stood, confused, conflicted, stunned.

He...was immortal? And Bond knew? And... damn, he was immortal?!

"Of course, sir," he told his captain. "Not now, though, right? Can I have...a moment?"

[provocateur_king]

"Take all the time you need, lad," Bond said kindly, then turned to look at Tanner.

"Drop anchor," he commanded.

And then he returned his attention to Klaus. The crew was still staring in wonder and amazement. They all knew what Klaus could do, but this was new and miraculous. Even Tanner had a look of pride at what a magnificent Seance Bond had raised.

"Come into my quarters," he said. "Tom will bring us some tea. And once you're done, something sweeter than tea to smoke, hmm? Let's go. All better, see?"

Bond kept a companionable arm around him and the crew went on about dropping anchor. They all knew Klaus was Bond's favourite. Of course he'd see to Klaus personally.

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus wasn't sure about any of it, but he did feel safe with Bond's arm around his shoulders. He leaned in slightly. Well, Bond always smelled nice and Klaus needed the comfort right now.

At the prospect of drink and smoke, he smiled. "Yeah, sure. I don't... even feel it." That was true. He wasn't in pain at all.

In fact, he rather felt... powerful. That was a first.

[provocateur_king]

"No, I can't imagine you'd have such a gift only to be cursed with pain," Bond said.

While Tom brought them tea and rum, Bond settled Klaus in a chair in his quarters and moved to a cabinet. He unlocked it, opened it, and took out another key for a lock box. Inside was the treasure.

When he returned to Klaus, he had an opium pipe and a small jar of a sticky black tar.

"Now, when you've finished your rum, you can finish the work, and then...this."

He knew Klaus's habits and he knew just how enticing the carrot he was dangling before the lad was.

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus' eyes went wide and he smiled, so very happy. "Yes, my captain," he said. He loved being Bond's favourite.

"The crew is eager to fight," Klaus supplied. "They can't be killed anymore, right? That's very appealing to them. The captain will come around," he promised.

[provocateur_king]

"Then I'm sure you'll charm him into agreement, Klaus. You remarkable creature, you," he praised.

He truly prized the young man. There were so few, and Klaus was more powerful than any he'd ever heard of. But he could see how the power took its toll on him, and Bond had little mercy for anyone...except Klaus.

Klaus, he would use, but he would also reward him and treat him with a gentle hand. Burden and blessing, Bond saw that Klaus was well cared for.

"Drink that. It'll steady your nerves," he assured him.

[seanceinfurs]

And Klaus, always craving for attention and approval, ate up whatever Bond gave him.

He drank and then asked, awkwardly. "So, how are things going here? I mean, besides the going to war thing?"

[provocateur_king]

"Swimmingly," he replied. "My wizard has had some impressive spells to increase the power of our arsenal, you are a dream come true, and from what I understand, our chief rival, Captain Syrene, is destined for the gallows. Things couldn't be better."

[seanceinfurs]

Klaus nodded and downed his drink. "And er... when do we expect to fight?" he asked, mostly because he wanted to know when he would be allowed the opium. Always after battle, never before.

[provocateur_king]

"The King Tide of the next full moon," he said. "I need you to get them to promise to fight then. Can you do it, Klaus?" Bond asked.

He came close and rested his hand on Klaus's shoulder.

"Of course you can do it. I have every confidence."