The Maiden in the Mirror

by Scott Hamerton

  She even bought them towels.

  Lord Arach greeted the Stormraker as it sailed down to his docks, and he came running from the palace with his guard in tow. He embraced her with the same vigor as Thimbler, for which she scolded his very un-lordly behavior, and he immediately invited the whole of her crew to the palace for an evening of gourmet food and refined dance.

  While sitting at the table where he once entertained her, many months before, he asked her about her travels and her trials, listening intently for as long as she spoke.

  "How are the clothes I gave you?" he asked. "Do they fit well?"

  "They do, My Lord, but I now find that many of them are not to my liking."

  "Have you outgrown them?"

  "Regretfully not, My Lord, they still fit excellently. The trouble is that they are not very ladylike."

  Lord Arach beamed at her. He had given her almost exclusively work attire, despite his own opinion that such clothes did not belong on a lady. "I will have them replaced for you as soon as possible, My Lady."

  Captain Black arrived in Reshampur a week later, and Minerva promptly paid him the worth of her ship. Rather than be impressed or startled, as she expected, he grew sullen and gruff. He accepted the payment with no noteworthy show of appreciation.

  At the urging of Captain Sparks, Captain Black offered to make her a full partner. In that way, Sky and Sparks elevated the count of ships in the fleet from twelve to fourteen, cleverly avoiding an unlucky arrangement.

  When the day came to depart, Minerva danced one last dance with Lord Arach before heading to the docks, and nothing in the world seemed quite so comfortable. Then she went to her ship, prepared to begin her new life.

  Luff and Leech landed on the deck beside Minerva, falling from the sails as she crossed towards the helm. "Is that – a corset?" they balked, looking her over.

  Lord Arach had woven Minerva a collection of sturdy and worthy dresses, many with corsets that could withstand the rigors of a pirate life while leaving her movements free and unrestrained. They made her look very elegant with Velvet in a scabbard on her hip and Nezzen's hat on her head.

  "Yes, it is," she replied. "It enhances my womanly features."

  "And boots? On a ship?" they pressured, looking down.

  "Captain Glass wore boots."

  "Is that – a scarf?"

  "Is there a problem, sailors?"

  "Nope," they replied, stepping away.

  Minerva took a deep breath, waiting for them to finish what they wanted to say.

  "Well – I mean – it's just – that – you – look – like—"

  "A captain!" Olbus barked, startling the twins with his presence. They responded by scurrying up the shrouds and into the sails. "We are ready to depart, Captain," Olbus announced.

  "Have you seen my uncle?" Minerva asked, wondering if he would come and see her off.

  "The Phoenix departed from Reshampur last night, Captain."

  "Oh," Minerva replied, crestfallen. "I was hoping to celebrate my birthday with him."

  "It's your birthday?" a voice asked, from behind Minerva, and she spun to see Gunner standing with his hands on his hips, shirtless and glistening as usual. He flipped his hair and grinned, forcing her to blush.

  "It will be soon," she replied.

  "Happy birthday," he said. "Mine is a few weeks from now."

  "Oh! How old will you be?"

  "Seventeen."

  Minerva tried to contain her shock. Gunner looked young, yes, but not that young.

  "Hey, how about we celebrate together?" he asked. "We could share a dinner the next time we're in port. Just the two of us. I'll cook."

  Minerva smiled and rocked on her heels, cursing her corset for trapping her body heat against her skin as she began to sweat. "That would be nice."

  "Then we can watch the stars or something," he said, flashing his perfect smile as he swept his hair back.

  A call from the twins overhead indicated that the riggers were waiting, and Minerva noticed that most of the sailors on deck were watching her. "I need to go to the helm," she squeaked, furious about her new duty.

  Gunner nodded. "I'll ready the guns, Captain," he said, before wandering off below deck.

  At the helm of the ship, Olbus stood ready to carry her command to the rest of the crew. "Inform the crew that we will be leaving, please," she ordered.

  Olbus held his position. "You don't need to do this," he urged. "Your debt is paid. Your name is unsullied. This could be a merchant vessel or a charter ship. This isn't the life for you."

  Minerva respected his concern, but disagreed. "Nezzen said the same thing about you."

  Olbus frowned. "You prefer piracy? It is a life of violence, hardship, and uncertainty."

  "Across my heart, to die with a smile."

  Olbus briefly reciprocated her smile, and then moved off down the stairs, leaving her alone to overlook the crew and the deck and the whole of the Stormraker. Her fingers fidgeted with her golden owl cuff links while she waited. When it was time, Minerva put her hands to the wheel, embracing the caress of a gentle power willing her to fly far and free. After two months of being a captain and an agent of her uncle, only now did she feel truly ready.

  "Lintumen," she said to the brass cone.

  "Yes, Captain?" replied the echo.

  "Set a course."

  "Destination, Captain?"

  Minerva looked out at the trees and up at the brightness of the sun as it pierced the blanket of the forest canopy. "I would like to visit my home. I want to say goodbye to my parents."

  "And after that, Captain?"

  Minerva took a deep breath and held it long. "Wherever my imagination takes me."

  The crew looked back at her, expectant of her orders.

  "Boatswain! Hoist anchor!"

  Olbus cranked the capstan, hauling in the massive iron hook.

  Minerva felt the weight of the ship list beneath her, and she corrected it slowly, drifting away from the dock where Thimbler and Lord Arach were waving at her. As the Stormraker pulled out into the air, its gleaming white sails lowered into place, ready to work their magic and lift the ship to freedom. At the top of the mainmast, a tumultuous wind tussled a black and red flag.

  "Riggers! Take us up!"

  Together as one, Minerva, the Stormraker, and her crew shot up through the trees. As they rose, Minerva set her hair free, allowing it to streak long and wild behind her. When they broke above the greenery and into the stunning light of a vibrant day, she felt as if she had just unwrapped the perfect birthday gift. She couldn't have asked for a more beautiful sky to sail into.