Vampirates: Tide of Terror

by Justin Somper

  But neither combatant moved — each too stunned by events.

  “Come on, pirates!” Commodore Kuo called, with more force.

  Connor looked at him with disdain. They could just defy the headmaster and remain out on the practice deck. But actually he needed to confront him. Connor strode off along the pier, leaving his opponent behind.

  “Well fought,” said Kuo to Connor as they met.

  Connor glared at him in disbelief. “Don’t patronize me,” he said.

  “I’m sorry?” Commodore Kuo looked puzzled.

  “You set me up. You and Cheng Li. You set me up against my best friend.”

  Kuo shook his head, beaming at the roaring crowd. “I wanted to see what you were really made of, Connor. Exhibition fights are all well and good, but I needed to see what you could pull out of the bag in a real conflict scenario. And you passed. You passed with flying colors. Your place in the Pirate Federation is now assured.”

  “You know what you can do with your Federation?” Connor said, angrily extending both swords in the direction of the headmaster. A new roar from the crowd drowned out his words. The headmaster jumped onto the pier. Connor kept the twin blades trained on him. The headmaster looked at Connor down the length of the blades.

  “Connor, I think you had better look behind you.”

  Connor paused. Was that the best Kuo could come up with? It was little better than a pantomime trick.

  “Connor, behind you.”

  Connor shook his head. His days of doing Commodore Kuo’s bidding were over.

  “Connor, look behind you!”

  This time, it wasn’t the headmaster who spoke. It was an altogether more welcome voice.

  “Molucco!”

  Connor turned, never happier to see his old ally, who stood before him in all his finery.

  “That’s Captain Wrathe, to you!”

  “Captain Wrathe!” Connor stepped forward. He was so pleased to see Molucco, he could have thrown his arms around him — were it not for the two blades he held in his hands.

  “Is that . . . it can’t be! Is that my old rapier?” Molucco said.

  “Yes.” Connor extended the hilt toward him. The captain took it and weighed it in his hand. He looked sad for a moment.

  “What are you doing here?” Connor asked. “You aren’t due until tomorrow.” He smiled, adding hastily, “Not that I’m not glad to see you.”

  “Something terrible has happened,” said Molucco. He removed his hat and Scrimshaw slipped into view, extending himself toward Connor in greeting.

  “What is it?” Connor said. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s my brother,” Molucco said. “My dear brother . . . Captain Porfirio Wrathe.” He broke off as a large diamond of a tear rolled down his cheek.

  “What of Porfirio?” Commodore Kuo spoke, drawing close to Connor’s side.

  “Murdered most savagely,” said Molucco. “And with him, his crew . . . all but a handful.”

  Connor shuddered. “What happened?”

  Captain Wrathe shook his head. “There’s a time for telling tales and there’s a time for action, my boy. Now go and fetch your things. I need you back on The Diablo. It’s every pirate to his mettle. I will not wait for this deed to cool before I take my revenge.”

  Connor nodded. “I’ll be quick,” he said.

  “I think you’re forgetting something,” Commodore Kuo said. “I think we should all go into my study and talk things through in private.”

  Connor shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. There’s nothing for us to discuss.”

  “But Connor ...,” Commodore Kuo began.

  Shaking his head, Connor brushed past the man who had once inspired such respect in him.

  Cheng Li stood up and moved out into the walkway. “Connor, compose yourself.”

  “Don’t you talk to me,” he said. Her betrayal hurt even more deeply.

  “Listen to me,” she said. “You may not like me very much at the moment but there are things you don’t understand.”

  “You always tell me there are things I don’t under-stand,” he said. “But the fact is, there are plenty of things that are perfectly clear to me.”

  He moved past her, up to the flame-lit walkway. He was determined to get to his room and collect his stuff. The Academy students — blind to the truth of the fight — patted Connor on the back, praising his swordplay.

  “You can’t go,” Cheng Li said. Her words brought him to a standstill. He turned.

  “Why not?”

  “Because you can’t leave Grace here,” Cheng Li said, smiling at him, sure in the knowledge she was one step ahead of him.

  But not this time. “Grace isn’t here,” Connor said. “She left already.”

  Seeing the dumbstruck expression on Cheng Li’s face was intensely satisfying. He wasted no more time and began running up to the top of the amphitheater and onto the hill beyond.

  Connor quickly packed up his things and headed down the Academy hill for the last time. His head was hot and aching from everything he had been through and the wound on his ear could do with some attention — but certainly not from the likes of Nurse Carmichael. He wanted no more of this place or the people within it.

  A barbecue had been set up on the terrace and the students were busy piling up their plates and tucking in. It wasn’t easy to slip past them unnoticed, but thankfully most were too preoccupied with the food to bother him.

  He sincerely hoped that Commodore Kuo and Cheng Li would stay out of his way. The last thing he needed was another confrontation with them. They had hurt him badly and nothing good would come from hearing their excuses and rationalizations. His eyes scanned the terrace. A table had been set for the teachers at one end. Of course! He was supposed to join them for dinner. Well, forget it — there would be one empty place tonight.

  He headed down the path toward the dock. A figure stepped forward from the trees at the side of the path. Connor stepped back. It was Captain Lisabeth Quivers. What did she want?

  “Connor, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry.”

  He paused, looking at her carefully. There was genuine regret in her voice.

  “I’m sorry that your visit to the Academy has ended like this. Sometimes the headmaster takes things a step too far.”

  This was the understatement of the year. “He almost had me killed,” Connor said.

  “I can’t excuse his actions and that isn’t my intention,” said Captain Quivers. “I don’t want to delay you — I know you have urgent business with Molucco. All I wanted to say is that we’re not all the same — at the Academy, or at the Federation. If you ever change your mind about things, I’d be honored if you felt you could contact me.”

  It was an honest request from a decent woman. He appreciated the gesture.

  “Thank you,” he said, shaking her hand. “I have to go now.” She nodded and smiled. Then they set off in their different directions.

  The Diablo was waiting in the harbor and it was a sight for sore eyes. Connor couldn’t wait to get on board and sail away from the Academy. But before he made it, another person crossed his path. Jacoby.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t think we’re talking,” Connor said, carrying on walking.

  “I deserve that,” Jacoby said, following him. “And you don’t have to say anything. But I’m really sorry, Connor, I really am. I’m your friend . . .”

  Connor stopped and turned. “Your definition of ‘friend’ is a little warped.” “They made me do it,” Jacoby said, “but I should have said no.”

  “Yes,” Connor said. “Yes, you should have.”

  He continued walking. He was right at the harbor-side now.

  “I’m not going to beg for forgiveness,” Jacoby said. “That would be crass and you’d only say no, the way you feel right now. But I am your friend, Connor — at least, I want to be. I did wrong but I’ll find a way to make this up to you. It may take a while, but I’ll do it.”

  “Go
od-bye,” Connor said, reaching for the ladder which hung over the side of the ship.

  Without turning back, he glanced up the rope ladder. At the top was Bart, waving and smiling down at him. “Hey buddy,” he called, “welcome back!”

  Connor smiled and began climbing up the ladder toward his real friend.

  38

  THE RETURN

  Grace stood under the sails of the Vampirate ship. Her heart was pounding. Was she really back? She could feel the deckboards under the soles of her feet. There was no invisible barrier keeping her at one remove. She reached forward and her hand touched the mast itself. As she did so, a vein of lightning rose from the base of the sails, illuminating them so that for a moment they seemed like vast bronze wings.

  She heard a door creak open. Glancing along the deck, she saw that it was the door to the captain’s cabin. She stood, frozen to the spot. She thought how fearless she had been that first time she had sought out the Vampirate captain. Now, she was filled with fear as well as other emotions. Now, she knew so much more than she had then, felt so much more.

  “Come, Grace.” His whisper filled her head. As usual, it was devoid of emotion.

  Was he still angry with her? She frowned. Whatever he might feel, she was still angry with him. She strode off across the deck, toward his cabin.

  As she crossed the threshold, her eyes searched for the familiar cloaked and masked figure. There was no sign of him. She stepped further inside. The cabin door swung shut behind her. She kept on walking through the darkness, glimpsing light in the distance. At last, she saw his silhouette through the balcony shutters. He was standing at the ship’s wheel.

  “Am I really back this time? Properly back?”

  The captain turned toward her. She found herself infuriated by his mask. Why was he so scared to reveal any emotion? He just stood there, like a statue, saying nothing for a time. She was filled with anger now.

  “Yes, you’re back.” At last, his whisper filled her head. “And I’m glad.”

  His mask crinkled slightly. She recognised that he was smiling at her. She was pleased but she still had unfinished business with him.

  “You’re glad?” she said. “But you told me to stay away.”

  The captain turned away from the wheel. Once more. Grace watched as the ship’s wheel turned back and forth, free from its master’s touch. The captain walked toward her and extended his gloved hands.

  “I know that I hurt you. Grace. And I am sorry. There were many things on my mind — many challenges I had to address . . .”

  Grace felt tears pricking her eyes. “Nevertheless,” she said, “you don’t just push your friends away. You don’t tell them to leave. You let them stay and help!”

  Again, he said nothing and she wondered if she had overstepped the mark with her outburst. But his hands rested on her shoulders and he bowed his head.

  “I apologize, child. You are right. I lost myself for a time. There were new threats, new dangers that I had to address. But it is no excuse for my ...cruelty to you.”

  Grace was taken aback. She couldn’t believe the Vampirate captain was apologizing to her. But, as gratifying as this was on one level, she was disturbed to hear his words. Suddenly, she felt as if he was coming to her for support. She wanted to help, she’d been willing them to let her help for so long, but now she felt a sudden burden of responsibility.

  The captain led Grace into his inner sanctum and indicated for her to sit down with him at his table. As usual, it was strewn with maps but also, this time, with numerous old books. It reminded Grace of when she had been in the middle of homework, desperately searching for answers, wherever they might lie.

  “Things have — as you know — been difficult here since you left,” continued the captain. I did not want to involve you in such dangerous situations. This ship was not a safe place for you.”

  “Pirate Academy wasn’t so safe, either.”

  “I saw that. That’s why I came to fetch you in the end.”

  “Not before I nearly drowned myself!”

  He shook his head. “That was unnecessary, Grace. And foolish.”

  “I realize that now,” she said, embarrassed. “But I didn’t know what else to do. I was so desperate to come back here. I thought that if I put myself in the same place . . .”

  “I know why you did it,” he whispered. “And I admire your bravery. But you must learn to wait sometimes. Your father had a saying — Trust the Tide.” He paused. Grace wanted to ask how he knew about her father and his sayings, but before she could, the captain went on.

  “The night you threw yourself into the harbor, I was sinking in dark waters of my own. I couldn’t come to you then. But I knew that Connor would. He is brave, your brother. Brave and true.”

  “Yes.” Grace nodded. Suddenly, she felt very stupid and ignorant.

  “I’m sorry, too,” she said, her head hanging low. “Really, I am.”

  “Don’t look so gloomy,” the captain said. “You are courageous and wise, Grace. You have great powers, but you do not yet, I think, quite understand the extent of them. Or how best to use them.”

  “What kind of powers?”

  Her spirits were renewed and she was hungry to hear more. But the captain was not one to be rushed.

  “Look at the way you were able to communicate with your friends aboard this ship. And then you were able to journey here several times . . .”

  Grace was confused. “I thought they were calling me,” she said. “First, Darcy came to see me. Then I had those visions of Lorcan. And then I began making spirit journeys here. I thought you were calling me back.”

  “Darcy made her own spirit journey to you,” the captain said. “I was angry with her at the time — I didn’t want you to be dragged back into danger — but I could not remain angry. You touched Darcy — that’s why you can communicate so strongly with her. You touched Lorcan — and others, too.” He bowed his head once more. “But when you came here, Grace, it was not through our doing. No. It was you who chose to embark upon those journeys.”

  Her? Could it be true?

  That time under the jacaranda tree . . .

  And then on her academy bed . . .

  And, last, on the balcony . . .

  Had she brought these journeys upon herself? It was hard to fathom. And it certainly hadn’t been a conscious decision, as much as she had wanted to help.

  “Yes, Grace. You chose to come to us, just like the first time.”

  Just like the first time? What did he mean?

  “The first time — the very first time — I was just caught in a storm,” Grace said. “I was drowning. Lorcan rescued me then.”

  The captain said nothing for a moment. She knew that his silence was merely a veil over thoughts he was not yet ready to voice.

  “How is Lorcan?“ she asked, anxious to know the latest news.

  “One thing at a time,” said the captain. “You must learn, my child, to be patient.”

  Grace sighed. As much as she liked the captain, he could be tremendously infuriating. She had forgotten this trait during her absence.

  Suddenly, he drew himself up once more and walked toward the fireplace. His long robe trailed behind him. Light sparked along its network of veins.

  “There’s someone I would like you to meet,” he said.

  “Who? Why?“ She hoped he would not scold her again for these new questions.

  “His name is Mosh Zu Kamal. He’s an old friend of mine. My guru, you might say.”

  Guru? Grace knew that the word meant leader or teacher. She was surprised to discover that there was someone senior in rank to the captain. But then she remembered how vulnerable the captain had seemed before. It was reassuring to know that he did have someone to turn to in crisis.

  “He’s the one who came up with the idea of the ship,” the captain continued. “He’s the one who, at the beginning — when I was so very lost — showed me the way.”

  Grace was greatly intrigued
at the thought of such a person — not that the term “person” seemed quite adequate to describe the guru of the Vampirates. “Where is he? Does he travel on the ship? How come I haven’t already met him?”

  The captain smiled. This time, he seemed amused by her torrent of questions. “He does not travel on this ship, though from time to time he does visit us. On this occasion, however, we will visit him. We are journeying there now, as a matter of fact.”

  “Where?” Grace asked.

  “He lives in a place called Sanctuary,” said the captain. “It is at the top of a great mountain.”

  Grace glanced down at the map spread out across the captain’s table.

  The captain shook his head once more. “I’m afraid you won’t find Sanctuary on any map, my child.”

  Grace was puzzled, but excited. If it wasn’t on a map, how could the captain navigate toward it? How would they ever find it? Now, she really knew she had returned to the Vampirate ship! Now, she knew why she had had to come back. This place had so many mysteries — and she was only skimming the surface of all its magic.

  “We’re heading there now?” she said, deciding to focus on more tangible things. Was it far, she wondered? And were they journeying there purely on her account?

  The captain smiled once more. “Actually, there are several things about which I must consult Mosh Zu. Firstly, I believe that he will be able to help Lorcan . . .”

  “You mean to heal his blindness?”

  “I mean only what I say, Grace. Mosh Zu will help Lorcan.”

  Grace frowned. Was the captain saying that Lorcan would remain blind? That this guru of his would only help him to adjust to his new condition? It wasn’t good enough! Lorcan had to regain his sight! She still felt so responsible for what had happened.

  “It isn’t your fault,” the captain said, once more guessing her thoughts. “I was wrong, before, to say that it was...”

  “But it is my fault,” she said, ruefully. “Of course it is. He wouldn’t have gone out into the light if he hadn’t been trying to save me.”

  “That part may be true. But Lorcan is not helping himself to heal.”

  Grace nodded. She remembered all too vividly her last spirit journey to the ship. The night of the Feast. She remembered Darcy telling her that Lorcan would take no more blood from his donor.