* * *
The storm gave way to a clear morning as seagulls once again filled the sky, indicating they neared land. A sailor in the crow's nest scanned the ocean, spotting a vessel in the distance.
“A ship!” he yelled as he pointed off starboard.
Captain Brine asked for his telescope.
Fracas, Sinew, and Parry walked up on deck, hearing the alarm and squinted in the daylight.
“Is it a merchantman or a warship?” Fracas questioned as he stroked his pointed red beard.
“A warship by what I can tell,” Brine answered the Archer. “She’s flying one of the Kingdom’s flags.”
“Which one?” Sinew asked, feeling tension sweep over the crew as he wiped sweat from his shaven head.
“I can’t make out. Wait...” Brine said as he strained to see. “I see a Roaring Black Lion.”
The three High Guards felt relieved as Han came on deck with a few of his men.
“I heard we spotted a ship?”
“Yes,” Sinew answered, twisting his long mustache. “She’s flying Morgog’s flag.”
“So they’ve sent a ship to escort us to port,” Han stated as he scratched his gray beard. “I wonder if there’s been an attempt to abduct Princess Virago.”
“If not, there’s sure to be one,” Fracas spoke as he adjusted the quiver on his shoulder. “We should warn them.”
“Yes...” Ardor said as he joined them on deck. “We should meet with the princess’ advisor and commander of her guards as soon as possible.”
The ship named Dark Monarch turned and followed the Fletchings toward port. The High Guards on Breakneck stood along the starboard, swapping glares with the Sentinels who were Morgog’s royal army.
“This shall be an unstable alliance,” Fracas stated as he leaned on his long bow. “Even with the marriage there shall be strife. There’s too much blood between us.”
“Aye,” an old sailor agreed. “They sank the Sea Wind in the battle of Coral Point, during the last rush to crown an Emperor. My brother went down with her.” He spat on the deck as he cursed, “Foul scalawags, I’ll never trust ‘em.”
Parry cracked his massive knuckles as he added, “I’m up to giving the scamps a good thrashing.”
“There shall be no trouble from our side,” Han warned, eyeing each of them especially the Blond Ox. “Am I understood?”
“Yes, commander,” the High Guards replied.
As Han walked off Parry whispered, “We shall not start it, but we shall end it.”
Beauty of the Beast #1 The Mystic Rose- Part A- The Flower, The Sword, And The Kiss Page 15