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In 1678, at the age of 12, Ian Gallagher was sold by his father to join the pirate crew of Captain Jack “Raider” Keetes, for a bag of coins, and a bottle of Caribbean rum. The boy had hair like fire, and a few sailors crossed themselves against the bad eye meeting him. He was hoping to become a privateer. For now, he was an apprentice, lower rank, lower place, bound to the hardest and filthiest chores.
He had to share his quarters with a boy of the same age, but who had been sailing all his life. Nobody keeps baptism registers on the sea, and there is no nobility, but it was said that the boy was from a lineage of one of the cruelest and most vicious pirates of the area. Name was Mickey, he would learn later. Behind his back, people called him the Rat, but the last one who dared to say it to his face lost an eye.
Ian tries to introduce himself. The boy cuts him.
- ”Look a’ me, an’ I’ll kill ya.”
Ian bows his head on his bucket and starts to mop again. A little taller and stronger than him, Mickey has dark hair, blue eyes, and a dirty face. He also has blood under his fingernails, and his blade close at hand.
Ian tries again, later, at night, above the ridge of their hammock.
- “Good catch you did with the Spanish galleon, I heard. You good.”
The boy spits on the floor, but the half smile is a reward.
Despite the rocky beginning, they became close. They learned to help each other, tend to each other's wounds, and fight side by side. Neither children nor men, they chose to survive together. They began to take bigger parts in the attacks. They are referred to by names in the navy reports for the first time after the capture of the Dutch fluyt De Blauwe Tulp.
According to some sources, but not totally confirmed, they eventually engaged in some kind of intimacy. Either by inclination or by convenience, for the warmth and the security of sharing a bed in these harsh conditions.
They fuck, they can’t help it. A glimpse of red hair will drive Mickey crazy. Red would catch him any moment, to touch him, to fuck him, covered in salted water or blood, after victories or defeats. They would steal oil from the cook or spit in their hand. The whole ship knows what they are up to, but nobody wants to risk their anger, for a comment or an allusion. Red is strong, and Mickey is vicious. Life is rough, and they cling on to each other. Mickey is already missing several teeth, and half a finger. Red's hip bone's never healed properly after the fracture. It hurts to fuck. They fuck anyway. Sometimes, they even kiss.
Under Keetes’ command, their legends kept growing. Dozens of ships, coins, clothes, spices and slaves. Their thirst of richness was inextinguishable, as was their taste for blood. Among Keetes’s ruthless crew, they were feared just as demons.
In 1684, it is noted that Red and Mickey engaged in a matelotage. The commitment, common among pirates at that time, provided some material security. They would share their plunder, and could inherit from each other. They would also pledge mutual protection. If their matelotage was of romantic nature, no one can say.
Above the ship’s rail, the moon is full behind passing clouds, casting shadows on the sea. They can hear the music and the songs, and the rum being poured. Today’s prey was fat, and the crew stuffed themselves.
Ian looks at his ring, then at the one on Mickey’s finger. They had been made from the same gold tumbler, removed from a cargo meant for Tortuga’s governor, melted and forged on the boat itself.
They have given up on treasures and glory. In a hushed voice, they dream about a ship for themselves, a small house, or a brothel in a port, on an island of outlaws. If they live, and if they don’t get too ground sick. Mickey coughs a little more blood.
It’s too dark to see the colors, but Mickey glances at Ian’s hair, now chin-length to hide his scars. He whispers.
-”I’ll tell you, mate. Most precious metal ain't gold. It’s copper.”
On the 13 of July 1684, the HMS Royal Oak, a 74-gun third-rate warship, encountered Keetes’s Devil’s heart off the coast of Barbuda Island, after a five day halt to hide a shipment of Brazilian gold. There was no naval fight. The frigate was bigger, meaner, less agile but deadly. On board, that was different. The British Captain met the mythical demons of Keetes. Lots of the mariners died, trying to subdue the pirate crew. Eventually, Keetes and his second in command were taken as prisoners. The governor sentenced them to death by hanging, on the port pier, for everyone to see. The Devil’s heart sank at the bottom of the Caribbean sea.
Nobody knows what happened to the rest of the crew. The legend says that, sometimes, when the moon shines, you can still meet Keetes’ men sailing near the Leeward Islands.
Mickey climbs back the steps unsteadily, hands full and dripping, two heavy bags hanging from his shoulders.
- “Hey, Red! Have to try that!”
Ian looks up from his work, pushing the net and the needle further, to prevent getting juice on them.
- “What is it?”
- “No idea but that's amazing! Got it on the market, almost for nothin’!”
Blood red juice is running on Mickey's fingers, staining his fingernails. Ian takes a full bite from the fruits.
- “Not bad! We should keep the seeds and try to grow them.”
Mickey smiles, and nods, and starts to put the food away.
Ian resumes his work. His leg is hurting, it will rain before dusk.