by J. Avarez
"Look, I get that your upset," said Cookie softly, her hand gently held the side of Charlotte's face. "But I promise, she's a really great person once you get to know her. Sure she can be a hothead, but aren't you one too?" Charlotte considered this for a moment and smiled. The change in her mood put a look of relief upon Cookie's face. "I know you wanted to be a captain, but I think what you want more is to be in a caravan. They never let women sail, but we can be the first to do this. Everyone is doubting us, you can help us prove them wrong."
Cookie hopped at the feeling of something against her leg. Rocky jumped onto Charlotte and licked her chin. She was shocked by the wolf's affection.
"We need you to prove them wrong," said Sarah, as she stepped off the boarding ramp and stood in front of Charlotte. "I know it sounds crazy, but I think we were meant to sail together. So, what do you say, will you be my vice-captain?"
"Vice-captain," Charlotte repeated, with a chuckle. "Is that even a title?"
"It is now," said Cookie. She grabbed both of them and pressed their heads against the bottom of her breasts. "So be happy, girls. We’re about to be a true caravan."
"Slow it down, big red," said Gizmo. He climbed on Rocky's back and slapped the wolf's side. "We need the Chancellor's blessing first, come on."
They reached the town hall minutes before their scheduled hearing. The laborers were hard at work fixing the front steps. Holes in the streets showed the damage from Blackbeard's cannon fire. They walked down the long hallway and reached the arched door at the end of the hall. Sarah could here hundreds of voices beyond the door, the anticipation had forced her knees to shake. It's going to be fine, she thought to herself. She took a deep breath and swung the door open.
Their eyes snapped wide as soon as they stepped into the grand courtroom. The benches were full of citizens, Royals and commoners alike. The crowd fell silent as the ladies walked down the aisle. Several people whispered to each other with their fingers pointed at them. Julius and the other judges waited with folded hands, and eyed the ladies till they stood before their table.
"Sarah Dreamstead," said Greymore. His hand appeared out of his oversized sleeve, he then rested a finger on an open book and scanned the page. "I see you were an occupant of a pirate ship for many months. Curious indeed, you care to explain this before we continue on?"
"I was kidnapped by their captain and forced to clean the decks," replied Sarah. "That's all. I have no loyalty to him or any other pirate crew."
"I understand that you were present during Blackbeard's attack." Said Julius, over his folded hands.
She could see the bags under the Chancellor's eyes. His frown was firm, as if it were carved upon his face. Sarah looked at the man with pity, she could tell he was sick with worry for his daughter.
"That's right, sir." Replied Sarah, her back straightened for the Chancellor.
"And did you happen to hear anything else," said Blusef, his eager face leaned forward. "Anything you forgot to tell the Imperials yesterday?"
Sarah hesitated for a moment. She didn't want to be associated with Blackbeard in anyway, but she couldn't take the risk of being caught in a lie.
"The captain who took me," replied Sarah. "He was the one who took your daughter, Chancellor."
"Jayden," said Julius softly, he then turned to the other judges. "He was a pirate all along?"
"That's not possible," said Greymore. "I have records of all the pirates that sail the Red Sea. If Jayden was a pirate captain, my Greys would have gotten wind of it."
"Wait," Sarah blinked wildly. "You command the Greys?"
"Of course, I thought my name made that obvious," said Greymore. "They were given to me to carry surveillance across the Red Sea," he turned toward the others and scoffed. "Are the islands really this blocked off from the mainland?"
"Your Greys attacked my captain on Crescent Island," said Cookie. "They were trying to kill her."
"You're mistaken," Greymore's voice was stern. "I've come to understand that my spies have assassins posing as them. It looks like you were merely attacked by imposters, nothing more."
"Still, perhaps we should bring your Greys in," said Blusef, looking concerned. "They could know more about Mia's captors."
"Tyserra's tits, you can't be serious," Greymore barked. "Do you understand how idiotic that sounds, Blusef? The Greys are the sons of Royals, they wouldn't be caught dead helping a pirate."
Charlotte and Cookie both turned toward Sarah. Their captain was caught in an intense glare with the Chancellor. Julius sighed, his purple eyes lowered to a squint as he raised his hand.
"There's only one way to know for sure." said Julius, his eyes were as bright as purple flames. "My Secreto can see into the hearts of others...let us see what's in yours."
Sarah's green eyes glowed as a vortex spun around her body. The courtroom disappeared, only the people and the furniture remained. A bright light flashed, and the walls became a raging whirlpool. The citizens all gawked at Julius' show of power, mesmerized by the representation of Sarah's heart. She looked around with widened eyes, and saw the shadows of water dragons flying beyond the blue water.
Sarah then turned to the judges, all of them stared around the whirlpool in awe.
"What is this?" Asked Greymore, his expression between anger and shock.
"I don't know," said Julius softly, his hand still raised toward Sarah. "I've never seen a heart like hers before."
A booming chuckle surrounded them. Sarah looked to her right and saw the shadow of a man behind the water. A massive pirate stepped out of the whirlpool, and onto the white tiled floor. His green eyes found Sarah's, a smile stretched over his iconic black beard.
"It's good to see you again, Sarah Dreamstead."
Sarah stood still, she watched Blackbeard slowly approach her and was unsure of what to do.
"Blackbeard!" Julius shouted. "What have you done with my daughter?"
"Your young rose is safe, Chancellor," replied Blackbeard.
"You needn't worry for her. She's fed and well rested. A more pressing issue is the one we have in front of us." He stopped in front of Sarah, and looked down at her frightened face. "You’re as special as I thought, little one. How about you be a good girl, and tell me what you did with the map?"
She swallowed nothing in her dry mouth, her eyes darted about as she thought of what to say.
"How are you here right now?” She asked, with her hand on the grip of her pistol.
"I don’t know," Blackbeard smiled and kneeled down toward Sarah, his massive height still forced her to look up at his face. He reached with his hand and grabbed her by the chin. "Perhaps you should ask yourself that question."
Sarah's ears rang at the sound of a pistol, her eyes then widened at the sight in front of her. The left side of Blackbeard's face was missing, black smoke slowly began to consume the rest.
"Hey, fur chin!" Charlotte shouted. Blackbeard glared at her with his one remaining eye, his gold and silver teeth clenched tightly together. She stood firmly next to Cookie, with her smoking pistol still pointed toward his head. "Don't touch my captain."
Blackbeard let out a low growl and turned his cyclops gaze on Sarah. She watched with bated breath, as the smoke consumed the other half of Blackbeard's body.
"Ms. Rose is alive for now because I will it," said Blackbeard. "I know you have the map, Ms. Dreamstead. If you don't deliver it to me in three days’ time, I'll return the young rose in a box," Blackbeard chuckled as the last bit of him dissolved into black smoke, his booming voice still echoed around her. "Hurry brave captain, I'll be waiting for you on Skull Island."
A bright flashed blinded everyone in the room. The whirlpool was gone and they had returned to the courtroom. Julius lowered his hand until his knuckles pressed against the table. The threat on his daughter's life left the Chancellor numb.
"Julius?" Said Blusef, staring at him worryingly. "Julius?!"
His shouting snappe
d the Chancellor from his thoughts, he turned to Greymore, unfazed by the frustration on his face.
"Why did Blackbeard appear inside the girl's heart?" Greymore demanded.
"I’m as lost as you." Replied Julius, with a blank face.
Greymore fumed and glared at Sarah.
"It's time you came clean, girl," Greymore snarled. "What is there between you and Blackbeard that you haven't told us?"
"I've told you everything already." Sarah snapped back.
"Then explain, my lady, why did he appear inside of your heart?" Asked Blusef, in a kind voice.
Sarah said nothing, instead her gaze shifted to the white tiled floor. Why was he in my heart? Sarah asked herself. The water dragons too, what does it all mean?
"She's clearly working with him," Greymore told Julius. "This map of theirs, it clearly leads to something dangerous. We should deny their admission, Julius. Confiscate this map from her, and use it as leverage to bring Mia home."
"Don't listen to him," said Cookie angrily. "Sarah is a good person, she would never work with Blackbeard for anything."
"And is this court to take the word of a lover?" Asked Greymore. "Do us all a favor and keep your mouth shut."
"What does that matter," Cookie retorted. "Don't act all mighty now. You've even proposed to me before...or did you forget?"
The citizens gasped and whispered in their seats, the commotion prompted Greymore's face to turn pink. A low growl caught Sarah's attention. Rocky approached her side and glared at Greymore, his fangs moist and sharp. Gizmo gave Sarah a smile from the back of her wolf, the support of her crew made her heart flutter. Her green eyes turned to Julius, with a triumphant smile stretched across her face.
"Give me three days, Chancellor," said Sarah. Her confidence brought new hope on Julius' distraught face. "I'll bring your daughter back to you...I swear to the gods, I will."
Chapter 9
A Man's World Mia found herself lost in her thoughts for Calow. She continued to play back the memory of him over again. Each time his features would become clearer, each time the longing to see him became stronger. Even their arguments seemed romantic to her, full of passion and rage. His strong muscles, his sharp red eyes, and his charming smile.
Everything reminded her of the Dragoon's fire, the fire that Abigail had so passionately described. A flame so long, that women have sworn to feel it in their chest. Something about his danger felt exciting to her, like firing a pistol for the first time. She wanted to control a power that Royals feared, a man that was dangerous to the world...but loving to her.
She left Blackbeard's cabin and stepped onto the main deck. The captain had kept her locked away less often, something Mia was grateful for. The hot air in the war balloon swirled above her, the sound was like a constant muffled gust. Though the main deck was dark from the shade of the balloon, she managed to spot Jayden by the front of the ship. She almost began to feel tightness in her chest, the result of the anger she still held for him. The anger quickly subsided and gave way to shock, the young man had changed.
Jayden stood on his knees, surveying his empty hands as if he held an open book. His height had grown a few feet taller, his massive frame made him appear like a giant compared to other pirates. Mia gawked at him as she approached. She could even hear the pirates whisper to each other about him as she passed.
"Jayden?" Her eyes scanned his body, her head craned just to get a better look at him. "You're...you're huge!"
His silver gaze rose a bit to look down at her widened eyes, a pitiful smirk curved on his face.
"Blackbeard told me this might happen." Said Jayden, surveying his own body.
"What do you mean?" Her eyes still darted about to scan his tall frame.
"He wasn't always as big as he is now," replied Jayden. "The day the blue moon was taken, he just grew overnight."
She reached up as far as she could and placed a hand on Jayden's chest. Even his heartbeat felt strong, like a fist punching beneath his skin. "That's so strange."
"It has to be the curse," he sighed. "Maybe it affects the captains first, but whatever it is...I don't trust it."
"As you shouldn't," said Blackbeard. The captain stepped onto the main deck, Darlan and Boggy stood at his side. He finished a mug of rum and crushed it in his hand, again Mia saw no blood or any sign the shards of glass had hurt him. "Cursed power is never free, that's why we need to return it all back. Let us go. Grab on to Captain Jayden if you will, Ms. Rose."
Mia gave Blackbeard a confused look, but he paid it no mind. The captain led the others below the main deck, and down a long wooden staircase. At the bottom of the steps, Mia could see a circular room with guns attached along the walls. Jayden and the others grabbed a few weapons, and gathered at the center of the room. Several black ropes were attached to the ceiling and swung slightly together.
Jayden turned to Mia who stood cautiously away from them. His frown curved into a smile. "Take my hand."
He extended a massive hand toward her. Mia hesitated at first, her eyes scanned the room and caught sight of the other pirates. All of them grabbed onto their own rope, and the floor beneath them slid open. The fresh breeze traveled into the room and blew back Mia's blonde hair.
Below she could see they were hovering a few hundred feet over a strange island. The island's most prominent feature was the massive mountain at its center, the shape of it was similar to a human skull. The pirates tugged the rope and were lowered rapidly down toward the shore of the island. Jayden was impatient and pulled Mia into his chest. The frightened Royal clung onto his waist. Her eyes darted down toward the pirates, who looked more like dots below them.
With a tug, the two were sent rapidly down toward the shore. Mia's gaze could not look away from the island. The waves of the sea became clearer as they approached, and the blotches of green became palm trees that blew with the breeze. Their descent slowed down just before hitting the shore. Jayden landed with a slight thud on the ground, and allowed Mia to stumble away.
She took deep breaths till her heart slowed to a regular beat. Her eyes swung left to right and analyzed their new surroundings. They stood on the edge of a beach. There was fine white sand, and curved palm trees as far as Mia could see. In front of them was an incredibly small town, thirty buildings at most, and the skull mountain which towered behind it.
"Where are we?" Asked Mia, she stood staring into the dark caves that made the mountain’s eyes.
"Skull Island," replied Blackbeard. The captain walked the path toward the town, the others followed close behind. "This is one of the forbidden islands under Imperial rule."
"Why is it forbidden?" Her eyes turned up toward Blackbeard's face.
"Many bad things have happened here," replied Boggy. "The island is said to be haunted by wicked spirits."
"This village here for example," said Darlan, his hand extended toward the quiet homes. "It was once a booming merchant spot, then one day everyone vanished. When the Imperial Fleet got word of it, they came with their ships and found the homes were empty."
"They say the soldiers found the pots in the kitchens still simmering," Boggy leaned toward Mia's concerned face. "And the cribs of the infants swaying about, as if they had just been taken away."
"Don't listen to them," said Jayden, who shook his head. "That's just a myth to scare people."
"How do you explain it then?" Boggy retorted. "I can't," replied Jayden, simply. "But, I know for sure it wasn't ghosts. How many people have you killed sailing with Blackbeard? If ghosts existed you'd be the first one to be taken, I'm sure of it."
Boggy said nothing else, knowing Jayden's words to be true. The pirate threw his thumbs inside his pockets and walked with his head hung.
"Calm yourself, you lot," said Blackbeard, with a smirk. "We're here to deal with the living, not the dead."
The group walked through the abandoned town in silence, the creaking of wooden doors rattled Mia as they went. They
stopped near the mouth of the skull. It was a massive cave, with stone teeth that hung from the top like icicles. A harmonious sound echoed from inside the cave. It was a hymn, like the strings of a harp that easily calmed Mia's spirit.
"That music," said Mia in awe. "I've never heard anything like it before, it's so soothing."
"Funny you say that," said Blackbeard. "What you're hearing are the screams of Javana, the weeping widow."
"Tyserra's tits, that's beautiful," said Boggy. "If my wife screamed like this, I'd actually enjoy laying with her."
"Too bad she sounds more like a dying horse." Darlan grabbed Boggy's shoulder and smirked.
"True indeed." Boggy nodded, their laughs echoed throughout the tunnel.