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.

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[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."