Fog crept over the water of River Valley, the glow of the morning light softened by the heavy mist as you tried to scan for your missing ship; the Morrigan. Ever since you heard of the capture of Fort Arsenal and the commandeering of your vessel, you had been hunting her, seeking the bastard who was brave or stupid enough to take her from under your nose, making sure he would pay the price. You had to, needing to preserve the last memento of your dear friend and ally; Shay Cormac.
Though Shay was brash, quick tempered, and confrontational, he was as much of a delight to be around as he was a pain in the ass, whether in the heat of battle or with a celebratory drink at the local tavern. He always knew how to make you laugh, regarding the situation, and how to keep spirits high even in the roughest of times. But then Lisbon happened. It had changed him, Shay seeing the power that the Assassins were trying to seek and the destruction it brought to the innocent and trying to rectify it. You knew Shay didn’t understand the Creed like you or his peers did, but now he was fully opposed and was desperate to explain the harm they caused if they continued to seek out the Precursor sites and in turn, he paid the ultimate price.
At the news of Shay’s death, you presented a brave face, knowing and even expecting death as a part of your trade, but it crushed you. He may not have agreed with or got along with everyone, but he was your friend and maybe sometimes a little more. There had always been playful banter between both of you and Shay was a bit of a flirt, but it seemed the prospect of anything more plunged into the Atlantic with him.
To hold up his memory and perhaps sate your own grief and feelings, you took the Morrigan under your care, maintaining her upkeep and traversing the rivers and oceans. Even if Shay couldn’t be with you, you could still embrace his independence and energy, letting a piece of him live on.
But it seemed any luck Shay had left behind disappeared; you having returned from a mission to not only find that not only for fort was captured but the Morrigan was gone too. Worst of all, you had heard the Morrigan was stolen by the Templars, your sworn enemies. To have her name sullied by those dogs, it was almost too much to bear and so you went to seek her out. Unfortunately for her, the Morrigan would need to be reclaimed by you or find her watery grave, never wanting her to fall into the wrong hands again. And so here you were, following a rumor about a ship who bore her colors traveling up towards the North Atlantic and hoping to cut her off before she reached the icy seas.
A ship a few knots ahead caught your eye as she weaved through the tight canals of the river, her grace and speed all too familiar to you. There she was; her crimson sails emerging from the mist as she proudly displayed the head of a wolf upon them, foretelling of the death she would bring per her namesake. And now you would bring her death if need be, one predator going after another until one came out victorious.
“We found her!” You called out to the crew, now working frantically to prepare for the fight ahead as you steered towards your prey. Despite the narrow passages and morning fog providing some coverage, your aggressive pursuit put the Morrigan on high alert, hearing clanging and shouting in the distance. Trying to silence them, you told your crew to fire, a bitterness welling in your throat as you rather not hurt the last remnant of your friend but needed to end her suffering, come hell or high water.
—-
“Enemy ship firin’, captain!” a young man called out as cannonballs were spotted in the distance, aimed towards the Morrigan. Crew scurried to brace for impact, Shay attempting to maneuver the small channel to lessen the damage taken. His efforts were partial rewarded, some cannonballs heading straight towards the cliffside while others made direct contact, causing a spray of shrapnel along the deck.
Evading for the time being, Shay snuck a glance back to see who their pursuers were, this attack being more than just simple enemy fire from the French. Though the ship itself was unfamiliar, she bore yellow sails, common among the uniforms of his previous associates. Surely, they didn’t expect that he was alive, right? Perhaps they were just trying to take what they thought was rightfully theirs, having taken not only his ship back but their fort as well. No matter the reason, they were coming after him and he had no choice but to fight back.
“Seems we’ve picked up an old friend of yours,” Gist attempted to make light of the situation, the Templar also noting the banner of their foe, holding to the banister to keep balance as men started to load cannons, readied the burning oil, and prepare the mortar.
“We’ve ready for action, sir!” A voice called out, Shay knowing that around the bend, they could reach open water and turn the tide of this fight.
“Not for long,” Shay mused, signaling to release the burning oil, the narrow strait providing little wiggle room to follow lest your ship be damaged by the trail of slick and flames, “Let’s see them get through that first.”
—-
Heat and smoke blurred your vision at the sudden blaze before you, too close to avoid and too narrow to try and turn around. Sailors called out in a panic for orders, trying to find any options to avoid the inferno on the water. “Orders, (sir/ma’am)!”
“Watch the fire and keep her steady!” you barked out, wiping your eyes as you tried to weave through between the rocks and flames but was licked by both, the hull torn by in the chaos but thankfully, you were still afloat, beaten and burned but still ready for the fight ahead.
Now on the open sea, orders rang out between the two ships, following by cannon fire, shouting, and splinters as the two circled one another until ropes were added to the mix, tying the ships together with men getting ready to board and continue the fight, you included. Climbing onto the rigging, you searched for your target, wanting to strike quickly and reclaim the Morrigan as quickly as possible. Looking towards the quarter deck, you finally spotted the so call captain and-
Time froze when you say Shay, the malice in your heart quickly replaced with relief and joy. He’s alive?! Shay’s alive?!? He looked completely different; sporting a new scar along his brow, hair pulled back, clean shaven, and dressed in red and black attire but those eyes, the ones you saw such joy, rage, and sadness in, remained the same. Questions started to flood your mind, asking how he survived, why he was fighting with the Templars, and why he never reached out. Confliction soon settled in, knowing he was your enemy, that you should kill him… but you couldn’t. You had to know what he had been up to, to know why he was this way now… you needed answers and dead men don’t speak.
“We need to fall back! We’re taking too much damage!” You hollered, motioning them away from the battle. Some looked confused, their hellbent leader now wanting to flee combat.
“But your ship!” one cried out, thinking perhaps you had forgotten your prize that you coveted so dearly.
“We need to focus on the safety of the crew right now,” you yelled back, the man hesitating for a moment before relenting, ordering the crew to retreat and head towards the nearest port for repairs and rest. Your gaze softened, still focused on Shay as you flashed him a smile until he and his ship faded out of view, “Besides, The Morrigan is with her rightful owner.”
—-
“Shall we pursue them, Shay?” Gist asked, the men rearing to go and race after their attacker, especially with the potential of supplies or admitting the ship among their growing fleet.
“Leave them be,” Shay shook his head, watching the floating mess list away, those brown eyes not leaving yours until you turned away, the man watching you scamper down the ropes until retook the wheel, sails full in order to make a quick departure. He didn’t expect the Assassins to try and take back the Morrigan, especially with Chevalier calling her a pile of shite, but seeing you trying to take her back, it made sense. The two of you had been close and from rumors he heard, you had captained her after his death. Seems your loyalty didn’t end with death and maybe it can begin anew, if he could persuade you. Perhaps he could work that luck of his on you but now was not the time.
“They might prove troublesome, especially if they reveal you’re alive,” Gist reminded, the pair watching the black smoke rise in the distance, giving a trail if one desired to follow.
“Not that one, I can guarantee that,” Shay reassured his first mate, a quizzical look on his face at first but relented, starting to call out for damages and the wounded while Shay made course for port, mumbling under his breath, “But I suspect I’ll seem them soon, very soon.”
Whoever ordered a nearly 10k oneshot about Haytham and Shay drinking together on Haytham's birthday from @spinanotherstory and I, come get your food (angsty fanfic) here!
because we finally figured out what to title it lmao
An Occasion for Company
Shay's been searching for the Precursor box for years already. He could be at it for years more before he finds the damn thing, but for Haytham, anything would be worth it—and it helps that, every now and again, a lead takes him close enough to home for Shay to justify a visit.
To say that he wasn't expecting what he would find Haytham doing, one chilly December night, is... an understatement.
Rating: Teen and Up
Chapters: 2/2 (Complete)
Pairing: Shay Cormac x Original Character
Summary: The Homestead gets new visitors from across the pond. Shay Cormac (literally) falls hard for one of them at first sight, leading to a whirlwind romance that's eventually cut short when a mission to Lisbon goes horribly wrong.
For Shay Cormac, it was love at first sight. Or rather, first fall.
Part of the From the Archives of Josephine Cormac series. Read chapters here.
