by R. V. Bowman
Pan's Secret: A Pirate Princess's Quest for Answers
The Pirate Princess Chronicles, Volume 2
R.V. Bowman
Published by R.V. Bowman, 2019.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
PAN'S SECRET: A PIRATE PRINCESS'S QUEST FOR ANSWERS
First edition. May 10, 2019.
Copyright © 2019 R.V. Bowman.
ISBN: 978-1393755593
Written by R.V. Bowman.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter 1: | Everything is Wonderful...Or Not
Chapter 2: | Tiger Lily’s Plan
Chapter 3: | Everything Goes Wrong
Chapter 4: | Papa Disappoints
Chapter 5: | Now What?
Chapter 6: | Papa’s Confession
Chapter 7: | Musings in the Riggings
Chapter 8: | Dinner with Papa
Chapter 9: | Rommy’s Decision
Chapter 10: | Finn Has a Plan
Chapter 11: | So, We Meet Again
Chapter 12: | Midnight Rescue
Chapter 13: | Alice Spills the Beans
Chapter 14: | A New Quest
Chapter 16: | Papa’s Anger
Chapter 17: | Papa’s Threat
Chapter 18: | It’s Hopeless
Chapter 19: | Good-bye, Papa
Chapter 20: | Little Owl’s Help
Chapter 21: | Preparing for a Journey
Chapter 22: | Best-Laid Plans and All That
Chapter 23: | Into the Jungle
Chapter 24: | Wolf Pack
Chapter 25: | Traveling Jungle-Style
Chapter 26: | Beware the Nixies
Chapter 27: | Almost There
Chapter 28: | Deadly Flora
Chapter 29: | To Save Your Enemy
Chapter 30: | Meeting Unilisi
Chapter 31: | Not Another Quest
Chapter 32: | Out of the Jungle, | Into the Frying Pan
Chapter 33: | Leader of the Pack
Afterward
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Further Reading: Neverland's Key: A Pirate Princess's Last Chance
About the Author
In Dedication to my Mother,
Mary Ann McColm
Thanks for always being willing to read
just one more story.
Chapter 1:
Everything is Wonderful...Or Not
The sun was barely a glow on the horizon when the boat hit the water, and Smee began rowing toward the shore. Andromeda Cavendish looked across at her father in the dim pre-morning light. She still couldn’t quite believe that she was here. That after years of wishing and dreaming about it, she would actually be spending the entire summer with him. Of course, that wish hadn’t come true exactly the way she imagined it would. Until a few days ago, she had no idea James Cavendish led a secret life, that he was a pirate named Captain Hook on a magical island. Rommy had thought her father headed up a prosperous shipping company, spending his time traveling the seas, and that was why he visited her so rarely. The truth took a bit of getting used to.
She let out a little sigh.
Hearing her, Hook caught her eye and smiled. “Are you rethinking our early start, Rommy?” he asked. “I’m afraid showing up this early, we might catch Chief Hawk Eye and his people still in their beds,” he said.
“Oh no, Papa,” she said, leaning toward him. “I really don’t think we can wait. After yesterday, there’s no telling what Pan will try.”
Before Hook could answer, Smee gave his own sigh as he pulled on the oars. “I don’t know what you were thinking, leaving this early,” he said and sniffed. “Hardly ate your breakfast, either of you, and Rommy, poor lamb, injured, and you as well, Captain. If you ask me, neither of you is in any shape to be going anywhere.”
Her father glowered at Smee. “I don’t recall asking you anything, Smee,” he said. He gestured with his hook toward the shore that wasn’t far off now. “If you know what’s good for you, I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself and row.”
The small man’s face turned red. He tried to salute but almost hit himself in the head with the oar he was holding. He swallowed and bobbed his head up and down instead. “Just as you say, Captain, just as you say.”
Turning to Rommy, Hook patted her knee and winced. He had refused the sling Smee had made for him, but he kept the arm Peter Pan had slashed against his body. Rommy didn’t know how he had managed to put on his red leather coat. For that matter, she wasn’t sure how Smee had found time to repair the tear from Pan’s dirk. He had even managed to find her another set of clean clothes and hot water to take a bath last night.
As the shore got closer, Rommy chewed her bottom lip. Her father wasn’t well liked in Neverland. “Papa,” she began, choosing her words carefully, “when we get there, maybe I should talk to Chief Hawk Eye about Alice. He seems very honorable, and I know he’ll let her go with me, but I’m not sure...” she trailed off.
Hook raised an eyebrow. “Are you worried that Chief Hawk Eye won’t want to entrust Alice to someone like me, Rommy?”
Rommy’s face flushed, and she stared down at her hands. “Well, Papa, he does think you were going to let Tiger Lily drown just to find out where Pan’s hideout was.” She raised her eyes and, to her surprise, saw a twinkle in her father’s.
“My dear, have a little faith in your old Papa,” he said. The side of his mouth kicked up. “After all, Chief Hawk Eye sent you off with Pan and you almost drowned, too. I’d say the Chief is a fair enough man to call us even, don’t you?”
Rommy shrugged, but a smile tugged at her mouth. The teasing, smiling man in front of her was more like the Papa she remembered from what she now thought of as pre-Neverland. Since arriving on the magical island, she’d seen a side of her father that had surprised her, and if she was very honest, rather horrified her, too.
The boat bumped into the shore, but before she could clamber out, her father had swung her onto the rock-strewn sand. Rommy wished she could fly, but since Hook couldn’t, she fell into step with him. She had to take three steps for every one of his as he strode forward.
By the time they drew within sight of the Indian encampment, the sun had risen in the sky. Rommy could see smoke rising from the fire pit in the center of the circle of tents. She recognized Little Owl who was tending something in a pot. She gripped her father’s arm, and he stopped just outside a cluster of large rocks.
Seeing her chewing her lip, he patted her hand. “Don’t worry, my dear. Chief Hawk Eye is an honorable man,” he said. “We’ll have Alice and be headed back before you know it.”
He smiled at her, and despite her worries, she smiled back. She turned back toward the encampment, ready to get Alice. A scuffle behind one tent caught her attention, and Rommy squinted to get a better view. When she realized who it was, her blood chilled.
Chapter 2:
Tiger Lily’s Plan
Rommy had almost missed Tiger Lily and her small hostage as they slipped out the back of one of the tall, conical dwellings. Even trussed up like a Christmas goose, though, Alice was not making it easy on her captor. It was Alice’s struggle that had caught her eye. The six-year-old girl, despite her tiny size, was fighting the older girl every step of the way. For each foot of progress Tiger Lily made, Alice retreated half the distance.
Rommy grabbed at her father’s arm and pointed at the two girls. Tiger Lily struggled to pull the resisting Alice away from the other dwellings before anyone heard them.
Even from here, Rommy cou
ld see the anger in the older girl’s posture. Tiger Lily leaned close to Alice, and the early morning light glinted off an object Tiger Lily held in her hand. She waved the knife in Alice’s face.
“Papa,” Rommy said, her voice low, “we have to stop her. She’s probably taking Alice to Pan. We can’t let him have her. There’s no telling what he’ll do, especially after yesterday.”
Scenes from her sword fight with Peter Pan flashed through her mind. She shuddered as she recalled the look in his cold, brown eyes when he promised she’d pay. Fear formed a lead ball in her stomach when she realized the person who might end up paying was Alice. They had to stop Tiger Lily.
Rommy moved forward to sound the alarm, but Hook stopped her. “Wait a moment, my dear,” he said.
She looked at him in surprise. Hook's eyes narrowed as he stared at Tiger Lily and Alice. Rommy felt a dart of unease.
“We can’t wait, Papa,” said Rommy. “We have to stop her before she gets too far from the encampment. Chief Hawk Eye doesn’t know about this. I know he’ll be more likely to give Alice over to us if he sees she isn’t safe with him and Little Owl.”
“Don’t fear, Daughter,” said Hook, a smile curving his lips. “We won’t let Alice slip through our fingers, but we might just catch a bigger prize along with her.” He gestured with his hook. “Be as silent as you can.”
“What are you talking about? We need to raise the alarm, not be silent,” Rommy said.
“Andromeda...Rommy, has it not occurred to you that young Tiger Lily can lead us straight to Pan? He certainly won’t be expecting me this morning when he meets up with his young, lovelorn friend here.”
“But Papa, what about Alice? Won’t that put her in terrible danger?” Rommy frowned. She wanted to trust Papa, but the sinking feeling in her stomach told her differently.
“Nonsense, my dear,” said Hook. “We’ll have the upper hand if we can follow the girl without her realizing it. Pan will never know what hit him, and we’ll have Alice back on the ship before you know it.”
Rommy bit her lip, but she knew they needed to do something soon or risk Tiger Lily slipping away with Alice. Papa was right. If they did follow Tiger Lily, they needed the element of surprise on their side.
Observing her indecision, Hook pressed his advantage. “If I can get Pan, I don’t have to stay here. Don’t you see? We can go back to England. Together.”
Rommy's heart gave a pang. If she was honest, she didn’t just want the summer with Papa. She wanted a real life with him. In England.
Hook held out more incentive. “With Pan out of the way, there’s no reason you can’t return to Chattingham’s. I’m sure you miss Francie and your other little friends.”
The minutes slipped by, but still Rommy hesitated. Her unease didn't lessen, but if Papa could get Pan...Finally, she nodded. “Okay, but Alice needs to be our first priority—even if that means Pan gets away.”
“Of course,” said Hook. He gripped her shoulder and then winced. Another stab of doubt rippled through Rommy.
“Are you sure you can fight, Papa? You’re injured, and my arm is still sore. Maybe we shouldn’t chance it.”
Hook frowned, but he kept his voice even. “I told you, we’ll have the element of surprise. He won’t get away this time.” His eyes narrowed again and zeroed in on Tiger Lily. His jaw clenched so tightly, Rommy could hear his teeth grinding.
“Papa?” Rommy touched his arm, and he startled, as if he had forgotten she was there. “Shouldn’t we follow them, before Tiger Lily gets too far away?”
“Patience, my dear,” said Hook, his smile returning. “Learn from your papa. We’ll just give her a bit more room. There isn’t a lot of cover here where we can stay hidden. We'll have to rely on silence and the long grasses by the river to help us. It won’t do us any good if the Chief or one of his people sees us, either.”
“But what about...” Rommy started, but Hook cut her off.
“Let’s go. Remember, silently.” He glided out from behind the rocks and motioned her to follow him.
Rommy could see Tiger Lily moving through the swaying grasses that covered this part of the island, her progress uneven and choppy. Behind her, a small, dark head bobbed up and down. She smiled. Alice was still fighting Tiger Lily every step of the way.
Her smile fell away as she looked at the gently waving sea of vegetation that stretched out, the grass getting thicker the closer it got to the riverbank. She hoped those swaying fronds hid nothing else. Rommy shuddered as she remembered the red flower she had seen when she had first arrived in the magical island. It had looked so beautiful—right until it had lunged up and eaten a bird flying amongst its blooms.
Hook made an impatient sound and gestured toward her again. Rommy slipped from behind the rock and followed him. For a big man, he moved silently, crouched low, so he blended into the grasses.
She followed in his wake. Worry churned in her stomach. This was a bad idea. She knew it. They should have just stopped Tiger Lily before she had even left the encampment. It would have been so easy. Rommy sighed. It was too late now.
Her father’s crouched frame moved forward in front of her and the endless sea of grasses swayed on either side of her. She strained her eyes into the blades, hoping to see any dangers lurking there.
After a seeming eternity, her father came to a sudden halt, flattening himself even further into the grass. Rommy stared at him. It was amazing how small he could make himself, she thought, before he grabbed her arm and pulled her down, too.
She sucked in a breath as her injured arm protested. Hook made an apologetic face and pointed ahead. Peeking around him, Rommy saw the willow tree where she and Alice had stopped to rest, only to find themselves captured a few days ago.
Had it only been a few days? She felt a pang when she remembered her best friend Francie and her school. When she had sneaked away from the Chattingham School for Modern Girls looking for her father, she had thought it would only be for a day. Things had taken a decidedly surprising turn since then.
An angry screech brought her back to the present. Tiger Lily stood under the tree, rubbing her shin. Next to her was the smaller form of Alice. Rommy smirked. If they just distracted Tiger Lily long enough, Alice could surely get away.
Although she was only six, Alice had been living on the streets of London when Rommy had met her. She would help in her own rescue if given half a chance. Rommy glanced at her father, wondering what he would think of the little girl. Alice’s habit of speaking her mind and her father’s formidable temper might make things rather interesting.
Rommy felt her father’s body stiffen next to her as a crowing laugh carried on the breeze. Pan was here.
Chapter 3:
Everything Goes Wrong
Rommy’s shoulders stiffened, and a knot of cold dread formed in her belly. All her doubts about this ambush swept over her in a rush. Her father hardly had the use of his arm, and she was still hurting where Pan had sliced her in their sword fight. The last thing she wanted was another confrontation.
She gripped her father’s arm. “What now?” she mouthed.
He leaned in closer, his voice barely audible in her ear. “I’ll wait until Pan is closer. Then I’ll ambush him.” A cold smile curved Hook’s lips. “By the time he realizes I’m there, it will be too late.”
“But what about Alice? We have to make sure she’s safe,” Rommy said. “Do you want me to distract Tiger Lily?”
Hook shook his head. “Absolutely not. You will stay here, out of harm’s way. Once I take care of Pan, Tiger Lily won’t be an issue.”
“But Papa...” Rommy protested, but Hook cut her off.
“That’s final, Andromeda,” he said. “You will wait here.” His gaze didn’t leave her face.
Rommy pressed her lips together and looked back at him. Hook’s brows came together in a frown. “Don’t make me regret bringing you, Andromeda,” he said. “Promise me you will stay here.”
After another momen
t, she reluctantly nodded. Now wasn’t the time to get in a fight with her father. Hook turned back to watch his prey, and Rommy's hand drifted to the small sheath at her waist that concealed a dagger.
Thinking they were going on a peaceful visit to Chief Hawk Eye, Rommy hadn’t brought her sword, but Neverland was full of strange and dangerous things. The dagger had made her feel safer. Now, though, it seemed a meager defense against Pan or even Tiger Lily.
Rommy felt a rustle beside her as her father crept forward. His big frame slid silently through the grass, and she again wondered how he could stay so low and move so silently. He moved several yards toward the tree. She crept behind him, staying close.
Rommy could hear Pan talking, but the wind whipped away his words. She could see Alice leaning away from Pan. Even from this distance, Rommy could see the rigidness in the little girl’s body.
“Hang on, Alice,” she murmured under her breath. “We’re coming.”
At that moment, her father exploded out of the grass. Rommy watched as everything seemed to happen at once.
Her father, catching Pan by surprise, had latched onto his shirt with his hook. Her father held his jeweled dagger to Pan’s throat, but Rommy could see he was having trouble using his arm.
Alice, using the distraction, had knocked Tiger Lily to her knees. Seeing her opportunity, Alice took off, but with her arms tied to her sides, her balance was off. She tripped and fell. The older girl lunged at her, grabbing Alice’s legs. Alice kicked at the older girl and squirmed further out of reach.
Taken up with the scene in front of her, Rommy had floated into the air for a better view without even realizing it. While Hook grappled with Pan, Tiger Lily dragged Alice to her feet. The sun’s rays glinted off the knife in Tiger Lily’s hand.
Before she knew what she was doing, Rommy had shot toward the other girl, who now had the knife pointed at Alice. As she rushed toward the fight, she caught sight of movement out of the corner of her eye and whipped her head around.