Pirate Letters

     I’m not sure if you remember me. You used to play with me and Jacques on Krawk Island. Though boys and girls didn’t play together at our age, we were your only friends. Our combined imaginations brought us on many wild adventures.

     There’s a reason I’m writing after such a long time, and it’s to share my good news. Right now, I’m on a pirate ship, a ship that I’m actually the captain of. And Jacques is my first mate, still loyal after all these years. I know that a pirate means that I’ll be stealing for us to get by, but I’m more into it because of the adventure.

     Well, I think it’s time to cut this letter short. There’s a ship approaching, and I need to be on deck so we can pick a course of action. Hope life is treating you well, and I hope your life isn’t too boring.

     Best wishes,

     Garin

     ---

     Dear Garin,

     I did not expect a letter from you when I opened my mailbox, but I’m glad you wrote. You and Jacques were my only friends growing up, so there’s no way I could forget. The others at school seemed to think I was some kind of freak, since I never grew the neck hair of other Usuls (and still don’t).

     I did get a boring job working at the Golden Dubloon. I hear your name pop up from time to time in the gossip that goes around, but I never know if it’s you or someone else with the same name. But since you have your own ship now, the name will probably pop up more often.

     I did find an ancient map that tells me of treasure in some caves, and I plan to go for it. I’ll be able to get a few days off, and if I find enough treasure, I can tell my boss that he can take the crummy job and low pay, and shove it into his blue Lupe ear. However, I have to find some first. Even if it turns out to be a wild Mallard chase, the adventure will be well worth it.

     Well, I have to go. My boss is yelling at me again

     Wish me luck,

     Hannah

     ---

     Hannah,

     I hope you do find the treasure and adventure you seek, as I sail on for my own adventures. But if it’s the caves I’m thinking of, you better watch your tail. I heard that there are traps and spikes in that place like you wouldn’t believe.

     I managed to assemble a great crew, just by asking around and giving them promises I hope I can keep. But I feel that some are with me for the money, and would betray me in an instant if someone offered them more.

     But they’re loyal right now, and I’m going to focus on that. We have raided many places, and we have amassed some great wealth. Though most of it goes towards food, drinks, and ship repair (cannons can really tear a ship apart), we still get to keep a generous portion for ourselves.

     The adventures are great, the fights even more so. There’s nothing like raiding a kingdom and taking all the treasure. There are times when I feel a little guilty, but I try not to let my crew see that. If they did, there may be a mutiny.

     I hope I reach land soon, so I’ll be able to deliver this.

     Best wishes,

     Garin

     ---

     Garin,

     I just got back from the pirate caves, and boy, was it thrilling. There were traps, there were wild petpets everywhere, and treasure like you wouldn’t believe. When I finally found my way out, I was shocked to learn I’d been down there a week. Luckily I was with the Neoscouts, so I knew to always be prepared.

     I walked into the Golden Dubloon, promptly quit, then started singing about my adventures, and basically entertaining guests with stories and songs about my adventures. It’s crazy how much attention I’m getting, but that’s part of being famous, I guess.

     The people are cheering for more, and I can’t let my fans down, can I?

     Happy pirating,

     Hannah

     ---

     Hannah,

     Hearing about your adventures always brings a smile to my face, since the adventures we pretended to have as kids almost mirror the adventures we actually have now. I was always into sailing, you wanted to stay on land and explore. It seems that we’re both doing that now.

     I decided to give myself and the crew a break, so we’re docked on Scurvy Island now. There are rumors floating around about a Lupe named Captain Scarblade, that was asking for information on Maraqua. Since everyone knows Maraqua was destroyed years ago, I have no idea what he’s looking for.

     Well, he better be careful if he ever crosses my ship or my crew. Good luck on whatever adventure comes next.

     Garin

     ---

     Garin,

     I’m writing this letter in the hopes that it may someday reach you, though chances are, it won’t. I’m in a cave on Terror Mountain with a young boy named Armin. He’s a Bori, some species of neopet that I never saw before.

     I was tricked by a Gelert named Kanrik, who is part of a thieves guild. He said that we needed to find a cure for his sister, and wanted me to help him. I agreed, after he offered some jewels.

     We traveled into a tomb that purposively has some kind of demi-god in it. When we got to the inner chamber, I was struck by some kind of ancient curse and stumbled over the edge. Even though I helped Kanrik out of a similar predicament, he just stood there and watched me fall. I landed on a ledge further down, and used a grappling hook I brought to get out.

     The curse is slowly sapping my strength. I can feel my body getting weaker even now. In fact, if it wasn’t for Armin, I would have froze to death. I didn’t want this to be my last adventure, but it seems that we have no choice in those matters.

     If I never see you again, I just want to say one more thing.

     Goodbye, my friend.

     Hannah

     ---

     Through her adventures later, she befriended Kanrik and was able to survive the adventure. The letter was never sent, and was soon thrown away by Hannah when she returned home.

     ---

     Hannah,

     I’m back on Scurvy Island, after Captain Scarblade caught up with me. It seems he was upset about my last raid, so he decided to send his ship against ours. We were quickly overcome, Jacques got captured by the Drenched, and my ship was taken.

     My fears about a lot of my crew were true. They were not loyal to me. I heard from a crewmate that most of my crew chose to join Scarblade rather than walk the plank. But I also found out that the underwater people were building a new Maraqua. I found one of my crewmates that didn’t join Scarblade, and told him about it. I just hope nobody but the two of us heard.

     After I figure out how to get my ship back, I can work on getting my crew back together (and find the ones that stayed loyal to me, despite Scarblade’s offer).

     Garin

     ---

     Garin,

     Oh, my! Are you all right? Tell me you’re all right, or the next pirate I meet in the caves is going to get a beating from me, whether it’s Scarblade or not.

     Also, be careful. I’ve heard of Scarblade, and how dangerous he can be. I also heard that he’s the younger brother of the Kiko pirate that destroyed old Maraqua some years ago. So when you choose to confront him, you better be on guard, and expect just about anything.

     I hope you get your ship back, and I hope the Maraquans will be able to stay hidden.

     Hannah

     ---

     Hannah,

     Thankfully, I’m fine, and I did get my ship back. Scarblade found the place, but with some allies from my crew, we were able to help King Kelpbeard force the pirates back and save new Maraqua. King Kelpbeard thanked us warmly, and we were able to return to our normal lives, and our ship. There was also a cute Maraquan Aisha named Isca that I hope to meet again.

     No matter what adventures life decides to throw at us, the two of us will meet them head on. We both love different kinds of adventure, myself on the high seas, you crawling around in caves.

     Our lives are not the most honest in Neopia, but we are able to have a great time along the way. May your spirit of adventure never fade.

     Garin

The End