Pirates vs. RL

This is a reply to a couple of drabble challenges at Black Pearl Sails, though at almost a thousand words it's hardly a drabble. There will be at least one more part to this, perhaps several, and it may turn spoilery for AWE -- not that we need to warn for that any more, really. Many thanks to hereswith for editing!

( Themes: 'Thief' and 'Red' )