Young Scrappy And Hungry

Canon Base: The Even Chance, but in 1702 – 1703
Age: 17-18 ( DOB: 1685 )
Corresponds With: To Free The Sea Of Piracy

Horatio joins the Navy as a midshipman aboard the Justinian. Captain Keene owed a great debt to Horatio’s father, a doctor who was holding mum on a long string of poisonings and murder attempts upon the captain that had yet to provide a culprit who could be justifiably accused, which afforded Horatio a commission despite his lack of seaworthy experiences. Raised primarily by an Irish nurse who spoke often of the magic in the world and the respect due to the spirits and the fae, Horatio has an open mind toward the supernatural as well as an extensive knowledge and familiarity with battle wounds and other illnesses as a result of serving as something of an assistant in his father’s practice.

Neither of these things help him when it comes to facing up against his first true adversary, a senior midshipman by name of Jack Simpson. When exposed long enough to the depths of Simpson’s cruelties, Horatio finds a means to challenge him to a duel. On the day of, Horatio was struck down by another midshipman – one Abraham Clayton – who stood in his stead during the duel and was shot most grievously. Before Horatio had full chance to absorb what had happened, great cries filled the streets – for Queen Anne had declared war upon Spain, and the navy would no longer be idle and escort to the EITC but wholly engaged in the theater of battle.

Captain Keene transferred Horatio from the Justinian in the wake of both his duel and the announcement that war had been declared, knowing that the best hope of furthering the boy’s career lay in getting him far clear of Simpson and aboard a ship where his formidable wit could bring itself to bear. Against the boy’s loyal protestations, Keene had him sent to Captain Pellew of the Indefatigable, and unknowingly set Horatio before the one man who could forge within him something greater than England to fight for. Determined to impress Pellew and to succeed beyond his means, Horatio proves himself to be both adept and clever in high pressure scenarios – and a touch devious, when upon claiming an enemy ship, he keeps her flag flying in order to approach from the rear on the enemy engaging the Indy and blow them out of the water.

Despite this war crime, Horatio is raised from midshipman to acting lieutenant, and the dawn of his career truly begins.