by Jamie Davis
Captain Wheldon fixed Cari with his blue-eyed gaze and she found herself fidgeting under that glare.
This man held a great deal of power here. He’d decide her fate. The other captains would follow his lead.
“So, the Dread Raider Cari is here before me. The most wanted woman in these islands is standing here. You've got a price on your head not just here, but also, I’ve heard, in the lands of the Sultanate now. Today you’re here to petition this council for your life. Tell me, Cari Dix. Why should we spare your life?”
“You misunderstand my intention, Captain. I haven’t come to beg for my life. I’ve come to offer you the return of yours.”
The shouting started all over again at this announcement. Every person in the room yelled their angry retort to her statement, every person except Captain Wheldon. He nodded, a strange sort of smile beginning at the corner of his lips.
“Enough! Let the girl have her say. I, for one, am intrigued to find out how she expects to give me back something I already have.”
The voices of outrage petered out until the room was silent once more.
“Thank you, Captain,” Cari said. “I would be happy to explain myself.” She stole a glance back at the entrance to the council chamber where Stefan and Rodrigo stood flanked by four burly raiders. They’d all been disarmed on their arrival. Her two friends both stood staring back at her, expecting her to find a way out of this mess.
“Five long years ago, an Imperial fleet sailed into your harbor and took possession of many of your loved ones while the Imperial nobleman in charge of the vessels issued a set of demands, demands to be enforced over the lives of your wives, husbands, and children.”
“She ain’t telling us anything we don’t already know,” a female captain with raven black hair shouted. “I don’t need a history lesson.”
“Be still, Rayleen,” Captain Wheldon ordered. “I’m sure she will explain herself in due time. Continue, Captain Dix.”
Cari reordered her thoughts after the interruption and then continued.
“The raider clans had long been at peace with the Empire. You all peacefully traded with the communities on the western edge of the continent. Then you were told to return to the ways of your ancestors and begin living up to the name you hold, all at the behest of a man determined to overthrow the Empire and take it for himself. He fitted your ships with new weapons and made it so few ships could stand up to you in these western waters. I took it upon myself to defend the western coast over this last year because it needed defending.”
“Yes, it is true I’ve sunk many raider ships and killed people who were your friends.”
The shouting started up again. Cari raised her voice and pressed on, standing up straight and proud while she continued. “That is the way it is with war. But I discovered there was a way to stop the raiding and the dying. As soon as I found it, I went to investigate it and located your captive families. With them returned to you, you no longer have to honor the orders of the Duke of Charon. You can return to your peaceful ways. It is my hope that we can begin a new alliance where you join me and those loyal to the Imperial royal line and stop the killing here in these waters.”
“What’s to stop the Duke from returning with his pet Imperial fleet and taking our loved ones again?” Captain Rayleen asked.
“The Duke will be busy trying to take the throne for himself. The Empress isn’t well and her last surviving grandson, while not my first choice, is going to rise to the throne. The Duke tried to kill him once, and he will try again, all to take the Crystal Throne for himself. He won’t be able to divert attention to the fact that you’re no longer raiding the coast under his orders.”
Captain Wheldon leaned over the podium and pointed at her. “You don’t act like you care much for the surviving grandson. Won’t he be just as bad as the Duke? I’ve heard he’s likely to bankrupt the Empire.”
“If you have a better option, I’m all ears,” Cari said. “My friends on shore say because he is the only one to survive, he is the only one who can hold the Empire together after the Empress dies. A war of succession would splinter every province from the central government and create dozens of individual principalities. That is why we must defy the Duke’s wishes. This isn’t just good for the Empire. It is also good for the people of these islands, for your people. Peaceful trade would be the first thing to fail in the face of a war that spread across the whole of the Empire.”
Captain Wheldon started to say something but stopped himself, shaking his head. Maybe he forgot what he was going to say.
Cari didn’t wait for him to remember. She continued leaning hard on her charm bonus in an effort to reach every captain in the room.
“Let me leave here in safety, and I will stop attacking raider ships. I will, instead, attack those Imperial Navy vessels working for the Duke and keep them from returning here to retake your families.”
* * *
Charm Bonus Successful
* * *
“Well, captains?” Captain Wheldon said, looking to either side at his fellow council members. “Will we grant this woman the right to leave in peace and cease our raiding of the coast and the Imperial merchant vessels in the Western Sea? Those who are in favor, say Aye.”
A large number of “Aye’s” were shouted out from the group. As far as Cari could tell, it was mostly those who’d had their families returned. The other raider captains either hadn’t lost anyone to the hostages or they were just raiding the coast because it was profitable. She had no idea how they’d vote.
Captain Wheldon banged the butt of his pistol down on the podium and called out again. “All those opposed, say Nay.”
Another round of voices sounded. Cari was unsure whether she’d won the vote or not. She didn’t know the captains well enough to count the voices heard.
Captain Wheldon nodded and rapped the pistol down again until the voices and discussion died down again. “I count nine ‘ayes’ and eight ‘nays.’ The ayes have it. Captain Dix will be granted safe passage to leave, and we will cease our raiding campaign against the mainland.”
“Crandall Wheldon!” A tall blonde captain called out. “I want a recount. I think you are siding with the lass because she’s a pretty face. We can live like kings if we continue raiding the coast, especially if the Empire is too distracted to come after us.”
“Are you calling me a liar, Day Ivarson? I was raiding this coast before you were even a glint in your father’s eye. I remember those days. We were hated and feared by everyone. There was no port but this one where we were welcome.”
The old captain stared around the room at the other captains. “If we had storm damage, we couldn’t seek help anywhere. We either limped home to refit here, or we were lost at sea. It was the Empress who extended her hand in peace to us and I believe we’ve been deceived and betrayed so we might work against her interests. For that, I’m truly regretful.”
“I say we go back to being peaceful traders and seafarers. I say we mend the rift that has grown between us and the towns and cities of the western coast and unless you want to challenge my right to lead this council, you’ll go along with me, all of you.”
Captain Ivarson grumbled something under his breath but nodded and sat down. As soon as he did, the others who seemed inclined to disagree sat down as well.
Captain Wheldon turned to Cari. “Captain Dix. You have my leave to return to your ship and continue on your journey. Is there anything you need before you return to sea?”
“I have made several repairs to my ship after our crossing through the Maelstrom Shoals. I would like to take a few days and complete repairs here in your harbor.”
“The Maelstrom Shoals? Is this true?”
“It is,” Captain Hitchcock replied. “My wife saw it with her own eyes.”
Captain Wheldon laughed. “I thought I was the only captain crazy enough to attempt that passage. I must hear this story. You and your crew may remain while repairs are completed on the c
ondition that you and your two companions join me for dinner. I would hear more of how you made the passage safely.”
“I would be happy to join you for dinner, Captain,” Cari said. “I’m not sure there’s much to say about the passage, though. We barely made it through with our lives. As I just said, our ship was damaged in the passage. I will tell you what I can, though, in exchange for the tale of how you did it, too.”
Captain Wheldon smiled. “Deal.”
* * *
Quest completed — convince the council to adopt peace
12,000 experience
Level Up!
Chapter 15
Percy showed up at the palatial home of Captain Crandall Wheldon with Cari’s magic bag of holding an hour after the council adjourned. The bag had clean clothes and her personal items inside so she could freshen up for dinner.
“Thank you, Percy. You can go back to the ship. Tell Miss Doolan I’m fine and to begin a full refit here in the harbor. We have permission to remain here in peace.”
“If it’s all the same to you, ma’am, I’ll stay. Miss Doolan already started working on repairs as soon as the word of the council’s decision was received. She told me I was to stick to you like glue and make sure nothing bad happened to you. She said you had a way of finding trouble even though you managed to make peace with the council.”
“Oh, she did, did she? I’ll have to have a few words with her when I get back to the Vengeance.” Cari said as she grinned down at her cabin boy. She wasn’t going to fault her crew for caring about her welfare.
“I still need to get dressed, though, so unless you want to remain here and help me with my corset—”
“No, ma’am. I’ll step outside.”
The deep red blush that filled the boy’s face brought a loud bout of laughter to Cari. When she recovered, she clapped the boy on the back.
“I’ll tell you what. Head over to the rooms across the hall where the two lieutenants are freshening up. Tell them to meet me in the hall in a half hour. We can all go down to dinner together.”
“Aye, ma’am. I guess they’re back in the ship’s company again?”
“Yes, I told them it was either that or I was going to leave them here in the raider stronghold. They were quick to re-enlist in the ship’s crew.”
“It’ll be good to have them back. I don’t think the crew would know what to do without the two of them trying to outdo each other all the time.”
“It does make for an interesting spectacle sometimes, doesn’t it. Now shoo, run along so I can get changed or we’ll all be late to dinner.”
Percy smiled and left her alone in her room to clean up for dinner with their host, Captain Crandall Wheldon. The elderly raider captain intrigued her. Without his leadership, she doubted she’d have carried the day with the council of captains.
While she was grateful for his help, she questioned his motives. She wondered why he stuck his neck out to help her when she was hated by so many of his fellow captains. She’d have to keep her wits about her until she figured out his angle on saving her and her crew.
Cari pondered this while she changed and washed up. It felt good to be in clean clothes. While she prepared for dinner, Cari looked over her stats and her recent increase to level twelve as a duelist.
She had two more attribute points to allot and a skill level to add. Looking over her numbers, Cari decided to add two more points to her Charm attribute. She had found this stat to be very useful lately and figured that continuing to improve upon it was a good idea.
She also increased her new Aimed Cannon Shot skill to level two. She was sure more ship combat awaited her in the future and maybe she could use the increased skill level to improve her gun crews on board the Vengeance, too.
Cari heard voices in the hall outside her door as she finished braiding her hair, tying the end of the braid in a leather thong to keep it together and out of her way.
Pulling the bedroom door open, she met Rodrigo, Stefan, and Percy in the corridor.
“Gentlemen,” Cari said with a nod. “You all look presentable enough. Shall we head downstairs and find out more about our host.”
“You don’t trust him either?” Rodrigo said. “I told Stefan there was something suspicious about him.”
“It was I who told you he was not to be trusted, I believe,” Stefan replied.
Cari held up a hand, stopping the pending argument before it started. “I don’t care which of you came up with the notion first. A healthy dose of skepticism is an important survival mechanism when someone goes out of their way to assist you without any reason to do so. I don’t trust people who stick their necks out for me for no apparent gain.”
Both of her lieutenants glared at each other. They ceased their bickering for the time being, though.
“That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy his hospitality in the meantime. I’ve sent word to Helen to begin a full refit here in the harbor and finish the needed repairs before we continue on our way. They’ve got excellent facilities and craftsmen here to help us. We might as well make use of them.”
“Maybe we should do some snooping around later this evening to see what this Captain Wheldon is up to?” Stefan suggested.
“Let’s not do anything to antagonize our host,” Cari said. “We might be able to decipher his intentions during dinner. Let me see if I can charm him with my wit and intelligence first.” She finished with a laugh and a flourish of her cape.
All three of her companions joined her in the joke, laughing together for a minute, then the four of them turned and headed down to the main dining room where Captain Wheldon waited for them with the evening meal.
The elderly raider captain was already seated at the head of the table when they arrived. He smiled and called them over to sit down with him.
“Captain Dix, please, come join me. Forgive me for sitting down. My knees aren’t as sturdy as they used to be and it pains me to stand for any length of time anymore. I spent a long time behind that podium earlier and I’m paying the price for it now.”
“Think nothing of it, Captain, I completely understand,” Cari said as she walked over to the table and took the chair to Captain Wheldon’s right.
“Please, call me Crandall. There is no need for formality here in my home.”
“In that case, please call me Cari.”
“Cari it is. Perhaps you would like to introduce me to your crew members as well. I met them only briefly in the council chambers, and I confess I have forgotten their names.”
“Of course, Crandall. These are two of my ship’s lieutenants, Stefan Claridge from the Duchy of Tandon and Rodrigo Dumont from the steading Dumont on the western coast.”
“Excuse me, ma’am, steading Dumont is no more. Raiders made sure of that a few years ago.” Rodrigo snarled.
“Rodrigo, apologize to our host. We are his guest and you will curb your tongue and prejudices while we’re here.”
“No, Cari, let the lad speak. For the same reason, some of our captains will continue to bear a grudge against you for your actions against our brethren, it is understandable that your lieutenant carries the burden of anger over the destruction of his home. We must be willing to be honest with each other in order to start fresh and build this new alliance.”
Cari fixed Rodrigo with a stare before she turned back to the raider. “That is very understanding of you, Crandall. In light of that, do you mind me asking you a question about why you championed my cause in the council chambers earlier today?”
“You’ll likely consider me an old fool if I tell you, Cari.”
“I doubt that.”
“It is because of your namesake.”
“I beg your pardon?” Cari asked.
“You are named for the Lost Princess. My family has a connection to her family, even if it is a distant one. My uncle, my mother’s brother, Josiah Barnes, was a captain of a merchant trader plying the Western Sea many years ago. He used to tell me tales of his travels when I was y
oung. Those stories included a tale of how he helped Prince Hal Dix on his journey to save the Empire back in his youth.”
“Your uncle knew Hal Dix?” Percy interrupted, awe in his voice.
“That’s what he always said. He said he helped him escape mage hunters in Morton Creek and transported him and his companions to Tandon where he eventually started his way east to begin the final battle against Emperor Kang.”
“And because of that, you took my side in the council chambers today?” Cari asked. “You’ll have to excuse me if I think that is a bit of a stretch. It would only make sense if you really believed I was the Lost Princess returned to Fantasma after all these years.”
“And what if you were?” Crandall asked. “Would that be such a bad thing? We could use someone like that to set things right again. Someone to do exactly what you’ve done here, setting our hostages free and allowing us to get out from under the thrall of a person like the Duke of Charon.”
“We all think she’s the Lost Princess, too!” Percy blurted out.
“Mr. McShea, that will be enough,” Cari ordered.
Percy deflated at the rebuke from his captain.
“Let the boy be, Cari. I’m sure he means no harm. Besides, it’s not a bad thing for a crew to think highly of their captain.”
“Thinking highly is one thing,” Cari replied. “Believing in fairy tales is another. I’m an ordinary woman who wants to do what is right, and that is all.”
“And part of that is to set things right in the Empire and defeat the Duke of Charon, correct? You made a comment earlier that you support Prince Timron, though you didn’t sound as if he would’ve been your first choice.”
“I’m resigned to it, if that’s what you mean. Sometimes you have to work with what you’ve got,” Cari admitted. She glanced at Stefan and Rodrigo. Cari didn’t think they knew everything about why she disliked Timron so much. They were loyal to the Empire and Empress Kareena while she ruled. Cari didn’t want to poison them against Timron if he was to become the future Emperor. It was best they didn’t know of his treachery or the things he did to help Charon eliminate the rest of his family.