The Captain
Standing on the forecastle of my ship The Amaranth I watched as the bow cleaved the waves, sending spray over the deck. This is what I love. Being out on the open sea. Feeling the wind fill the sails and drive the ship through the often rough and tumultuous seas.
I’m Cassandra Hendry, born into a seafaring family of merchants and traders. I spent most of my life at sea, I guess you could say there was more brine in my veins than blood. Sailing since the age of eight I took over the family business when my father died twelve years later becoming one of the youngest captains and a woman no less.
A lot of my peers laughed when they heard the news. Regardless of my skill and experience they laughed for nothing other than my age and being a woman. I showed them, though. Another ten years and I’m still here. Business is thriving, the trade is plentiful, and Hendry Merchants has never been busier. So much so I’ve commissioned another five ships to meet demand. Not surprisingly, many of my detractors have joined the fold, for who could compete with the pirate queen of Murida Island?
There were some close calls over the years, when you’re at the top of your game there will always be others who seek to take everything you’ve built. But with a loyal crew and a formidable reputation I prevailed.
Even on a straightforward run like today, from the port of Evedor across the western ocean towards the Murida Islands, I relish the journey.
“Sails sighted to the east,” someone called from the top of the main mast, pulling me out of my reverie.
I turned around as if I could see through the deck and rigging. With a sigh I made my way to the quarterdeck. Passing through the main deck I spotted the two stowaways I was currently transporting. With a nod to them I continued on to meet the sailing master, Beckett Wilbur and my second in command, Quartermaster Gianni Durante. Gianni was an old friend of my father’s and subsequently closer to his age than mine. Not that it mattered, when I assumed control of the merchants Gianni quickly became my trusted advisor and closest friend.
He stood at the back rail, telescope firmly fixed on the horizon beyond. Hearing my footsteps Gianni passed his spyglass to me and sure enough there they were. The tops of four sails just peeking over the horizon. “Can’t make out the flags,” I said, passing the telescope back to Gianni. “Any ideas?”
Lifting the glass once more Gianni was silent for a moment, studying the masts. I looked with my own eyes at the horizon and could barely see the sails at all.
“Damn eyesight,” Gianni muttered as he lowered the glass once more.
“I think it’s the navy,” Wilbur said with a dangerous growl. “Four big galleons I’d say but could be more of them below the horizon.”
“What’s the navy doing all the way out here?”
Gianni glanced over his shoulder towards the main deck. Confused I followed his gaze, then it suddenly clicked. “The stowaways?” I lowered my voice, learning a long time ago voices carried far and wide on a ship at sea. He only shrugged in response.
Stowaways were nothing out of the ordinary, most days my voyages included civilian passengers seeking passage to the safe haven of the Murida Islands also known as the Republic of Pirates. For a fee I provide them with transport and ask no questions. The main hold is perfectly poised for smuggling contraband, a few extra bodies would make no difference down there.
Looking through the telescope once more I focused on the top of the central mainmast. Although it was still quite far away I could now make out the green flag with golden horse fluttering steadily in the breeze.
“Definitely the navy,” I confirmed.
“What do you want to do?” Gianni asked
There wasn’t much we could do, I thought, “How far away are they?”
“About six hours behind us I’d say,” Wilbur said, his scope still trained on the sails.
“Keep an eye on them let me know if they start gaining, or if there’s more of them,”
“Aye captain,” he replied.
Turning to leave the sailing master to his post Gianni and I moved from the rail and walked across the quarterdeck, Gianni intermittingly calling orders to the rest of the crew.
“What are you gonna do?” he said as I approached the stairs.
With a glance over my shoulder I said, “I’m going to have a little chat with our two refugees,”
If the Navy were after my stowaways I should at least know what they’re running from and why. But I had to be smart about it. Keep it casual, I said to myself, the last thing I’d want to do is spook them, but if the navy was after them, they must have done something very serious.
As nonchalant as I could I strolled over to the starboard rail, close to the two strangers. Leaning on the rail I gazed out over the churning sea.
“Fine day for sailing,” I said, not making eye contact with the two passengers.
“Not sure I’m cut out for the sea,” one of them said, a big man, a fighter I assumed judging by his height and breadth.
“It’s normal for landlubbers, don’t worry we should arrive at the port of Murida by evening,” not wanting to press the issue I turned back to the vista in front of me, “Any plans once we reach port?”
“I’m looking for an old friend,” was all the big guy said. I didn’t want to appear overly keen so instead turned around and watched as his companion, a girl who must have been fifteen at least, strode across the deck, being careful not to get in the crews’ way.
“Your daughter seems more accustomed to the sea,” I said, motioning to the girl. “Has she been on a ship before?”
The man hesitated, there was something there, as if he wanted to say something but thought better of it. Instead he looked at her, “She’s very resilient,”
“Six sails spotted now,” came the bellow from Wilbur.
“Trouble?” the man said.
“Not sure yet,” I said as I moved back towards the quarterdeck. “Hopefully you’ll feel better soon,”
As calmly as I could I ascended the steps towards a worried looking sailing master, “A fleet of six naval vessels in a battle line, they mean to attack,”
I silently cursed, “Gaining?”
Wilbur nodded, “Aye, at their current rate they’ll be on us in five hours or less,”
“And we’re still seven hours out of port,” Gianni added.
“Signal them, find out what they want,” I knew we wouldn’t be able to outrun them. Seven hours from Murida, if anything we could maybe delay their arrival by an hour, but one thing was becoming increasingly clear they would get the jump on us before we entered the harbour.
Wilbur called an order up the mainmast to signal the approaching vessels. After tense minutes a sailor, no older than seventeen, slid down the ratlines and saluted, “Captain, message from The Bethsea, ‘hand over the girl, or we will attack’,”
Gianni cursed. Frantically I thought of our best options. We didn’t know this girl, didn’t know what they wanted with her, and I was sure The Bethsea wouldn’t elaborate if we asked.
“Maintain our present heading, maintain speed,” I said to Wilbur. Turning to the sailor I said, “Return to your post, acknowledge message received, that’s all.”
“Captain?” Gianni asked.
“Durante, bring the passengers to my cabin,” I said as I moved off down the ladders and through the upper deck, coming to my spacious cabin just under the quarterdeck. Taking a few minutes to clean myself up I splashed cold water on my face and looked at myself in the mirror, “Not as young as you used to be, Cass,” I said to my reflection. I could see the lines appearing around my eyes and forehead, a sign of age and not helped by the extreme weather faced on board a ship in all seasons. Using a soft towel on my face I patted it dry just as the knock came.
“Enter,” I said as I walked to the large table bolted to the floor. “Please have a seat,” I said to the two passengers, directing them to seats either side of the table.
I could see the girl was nervous, the man was aloof and unreadable. I waited until Gianni closed the door and took a seat at the opposite end of the table before beginning, “We’ve just received a message from the naval ship Bethsea,” I took a small pause to read their expressions, the girl looked to her father in a panic, her father however remained impassive.
“The jigs up,” Gianni cut in.
Holding my hand up to quiet him I continued, “They’ve asked us to hand over a girl, a girl who I can only assume is your daughter here, I’m the only other female on board and I’m certainly no girl,” before the man could argue I barrelled on. “Now before I decide the best course of action I need to know what we’ve gotten ourselves into,” I looked to both of them with sympathy, I could tell the father was reluctant to trust us, “we’re no stranger to… skirting the law on occasion, but if this fight is with the Queen’s Navy we need all the cards on the table,”
There was a standoff. The father sat resolute in his silence, the girl looked from him to me, pleading with her eyes. Then in a blast of frustration she stood up, “Oh to hell with it,”
“Daughter,” the man said in a warning.
“I’m not his daughter,” the girl said first.
“Alright,” I said as calmly as I could.
“I’m a princess, Princess Adriana,” she said quickly, as if the faster she said it the more we’d believe her. “King Leonard’s daughter, and the Queen Regent’s step-daughter. This is Sir Brant Geraint a member of the King’s Circle and my protector,”
I looked from Gianni, to Brant, looking for someone to confirm or deny what this child had just said. Then Brant sagged, “It’s true,” he said as he rummaged in his bag of supplies. He pulled out a sword with the familiar emblem of the royal seal on its pommel.
Satisfied the insignia real I shrugged, undeterred, “OK, so you’re a knight, or you stole a knight’s sword, still doesn’t prove who she is,”
Brant, with a look of reluctance, dove once more into his bag eventually pulling out a locket, “My necklace,” Adriana said in surprise as she moved to grab it. Naturally being a pirate, my reactions to a flash of anything gold or silver were quicker than most.
I turned it over in my hand and appreciated the weight, it was real, heavy, and expensive. With the intricate carvings on each side of the locket I could tell the craftsmanship was superb, not something any old peasant could afford, and it was new enough that it couldn’t be a family heirloom passed down through the generations. I opened the locket with care and looked upon the two portraits, one of King Leonard and one of who I assumed was the girl’s mother. Closing the locket I handed it to Adriana who snatched it from me with relief.
Looking at Gianni I gave him the slightest of nods, “OK, let’s say we believe this story,” I said turning to Sir Brant. “Why are the navy after you, is this some sort of kidnap or something?”
“Heaven’s no!” Adriana said immediately. “The Queen Regent,” she began though it was as if she was having trouble finding the words.
“The queen wants her dead. In two years she will be entitled to ascend the throne, something the queen doesn’t want,”
“We can’t outrun the navy, they’ll be here in five hours and by then we’ll still be two hours from port, we also can’t outfight them, one frigate against a full fleet,”
“It’s a suicide mission,” Gianni cut in.
I could see the princess wanted to say something more, with a glance towards the knight she leaned in, “There’s something else,”
“Careful now,” the knight cautioned.
She ignored him, “I have magic,” she blurted out in an excited whisper.
That was the last thing I thought she would say. Magic was outlawed in all of Evedor. Anyone caught practising faced execution. Not sure if we were being played for fools I leaned back in my chair as I considered them, “Can you show us?”
“I can try,” Adriana straightened up and searched the room with her eyes. Focusing on the desk at the other end of the room the girl outstretched her hand as if trying to touch the desk. There was a flash of light, in a split second I saw rings of light encase her hand as a shock of lightning ran down her arm. On the other side of the room I watched the loose papers and scrolls fly into the air as if a gust of wind had caught them. They fluttered through the room before settling back in their original position.
I tried to hide my amazement, “Impressive,” I said trying to form a plan in a split second. “You think you can use your magic on those ships back there?”
She nodded without hesitation, “Absolutely,”
Gianni was also mildly surprised by what he’d witnessed, still looking bemused by the whole demonstration.
“OK, that’s all we need for now, rest up, have some food, whatever you need to keep your strength up, I’ll send for you when it’s time,”
Once the princess and the knight had left Gianni stood up, “You sure about this?”
“It’s our only option, if she can do what she did with the paper to those ships, or worse, that’s the advantage we need. Tell Wilbur to mount every stitch of sail he can find, lose as much ballast as we can afford, and prepare the men for battle,”
“And The Bethsea?”
“No further reply, they’ll know soon enough of our intentions,”
“Aye captain,” he said with a salute before he left the room, closing the door tight behind him.
A princess and a knight, with magical powers to boot! I could see why the queen wanted her head. If you were trying to cling to power and your successor had powers like that, you’d very much want her executed forthwith.
I had to take a stand, no sitting on the side-lines with this one. Allowing the princess to use her powers was also a death sentence for me and my crew. We were already wanted by the realm for piracy anyway, I thought as I moved to the window seat on the port side of the room, another crime punishable by death. What was another broken law to add to the list?
While I had no love for the royals it also didn’t feel right condemning this child to death for no real reason at all. I knew plenty of sorcerers and mages, the Republic of Pirates was not just a safe haven for pirates but for all marginalised communities.
With a sigh I looked out the window at the rough seas beyond, the protection the Republic offered wouldn’t last forever, and with a princess fugitive in our midst the queen could order an invasion of the Murida Islands in the coming days. Utter destruction would ensue.
But that was a worry for another day, for now we had to make it to the Republic in one piece.
I made my way back to the quarterdeck. “How are we looking?” I said as I approached Wilbur and Gianni.
“Ship’s under full sail, speed up to eight knots,” Wilbur reported.
“And our pursuers?” I asked, glancing to the horizon behind him. Although they were still dots on the horizon they were definitely closer than earlier.
“I’d estimate they’re matching us, if not a hair faster,”
Gianni nodded his agreement, “It’ll be close,”
I knew we’d need a miracle to comfortably outrun the navy, but I still felt the stinging disappointment, “How long until we reach the Republic?”
“Maintaining present speed we could arrive in a little over six hours,”
Nodding, I turned to Gianni “And the men?”
“Ready for battle should it come to it, ballistae has been inspected, all seems to be in working order,”
I walked past my advisors towards the back rail to look upon our enemy, “So now we wait.”
The remaining time was spent ensuring everything was battle ready. Weapons were checked, armour was inspected, and sailors ran through battle drills. I kept a watch over the princess and the knight, now in full shining armour. Considering it fit his body perfectly I had to believe they really were who they said they were. The girl was quiet and reserved, perhaps she was focusing her concentration on the magic.
“It’s almost time,” I said to her as I walked over to them. “You sure you can do it?”
Though she was silent she nodded confidently as she stood up. I handed her a spare set of armour as I brought them onto the quarterdeck.
All six enemy ships had covered the distance between us and now sailed about half a mile away. “They should be in range soon, when they are I need you to take out the flagship, third from the right,” I said, pointing out the target ship. “Once you do that we’re hoping the other five will back off. If not you’ll need to try and destroy all of them, we can probably battle one and survive, but any more than that and we’re all dead,”
It sounded bleak and from the expression on both their faces, they thought the chance of success was slim to none. But they didn’t know my crew, the navy may dwarf us in numbers, but we make up for it in ferocity.
“Battle ensign flying from the mast,” Wilbur bellowed from his position at the stern.
I raised my own telescope to confirm. Gone was the green and gold, in its place the intimidating red and black.
“Raise the black,” I shouted to the men in the tops. While orders flew around the ship to get the crew ready for battle I turned to Adriana, “You ready?”
She looked less confident now, perhaps now the battle was closing in and the stakes were real she’d begun to have second thoughts. Regardless she lifted her chin in defiance, “Ready,”
“How far is the range on your powers?” I asked as we walked to join Wilbur at the stern railing.
“I’m not sure, perhaps three hundred feet?”
I nodded, “Once they’re in range we’ll blast the horn, then it’s over to you,” I turned to Sir Brant, “You good?”
“Aye captain,” he replied.
Spotting my surgeon, Aseem Sharma as he made his way to the quarterdeck, I strode across the planks to meet him, “Everything prepared in sickbay?”
Aseem nodded, “Sickbay’s ready to receive any injured and crew are spreading the deck with sawdust as we speak,” he paused before continuing. “I can stay and fight if you need an extra body,”
I smiled and put a hand on his armoured shoulder, “You’re too valuable, my friend. We need you ready to help the injured, but I’m hoping we won’t need to shed much blood today,” I said looking back towards the princess.
“Ah yes, I’ve heard rumours, she’s a witch?”
“Honestly men are worse than women when it comes to gossip,” I said with a roll of my eyes. “Yes she has powers and will hopefully use them,”
“Any minute now,” Wilbur called from the stern.
Gianni bellowed an order for his men to prepare to engage with ballistae on deck and knock arrows in the fighting tops. I looked across the water to where The Bethsea continued its approach. It was so close I could make out the faces of the soldiers aboard. They were all in light armour, clean and shining. I searched their ranks for the captain who I found standing close to the wheel. His face was calm and impassive, battle hardened and composed he watched me for any signs of weakness.
Then I gave the order, a single blast of the horn signalled the beginning of our attack. In quick succession The Bethsea manoeuvred to port, dodging the majority of our ballistae. Still a few bolts found their targets downing some of the enemy’s soldiers and ripping through the bow-spirit’s sails.
I stepped back to give Adriana room, not sure how much destruction she’d cause to those around her. Like before she outstretched her hand as if trying to grasp the ship herself. She stood stock-still as the concentration took over. Holding my breath I waited as I watched The Bethsea prepare to retaliate just as another barrage of ballistae launched towards the enemy. This time the damage was minimal. The Bethsea was moving to come abeam and it wouldn’t be long before they either fired back or initiated their intent to board.
Adriana followed the ship with her hand, but still nothing happened. Behind the flagship I watched in horror as the remaining five ships closed in.
Closer now the crew loosed their arrows from the fighting tops, downing more soldiers aboard The Bethsea, but still after the ballistae and arrows I counted at least two hundred men. Then I heard the familiar crack and whistle as the enemy launched their own ballistae. My men braced for impact as I dove to the port side of the quarterdeck.
With a pang of sadness I heard the sound as bolts ripped and tore through the sails above. Followed by the screams of my own men who were inevitably hit. The princess desperately needed to harness her powers and soon. If she couldn’t they would all be at the mercy of the navy who didn’t seem to be in a very forgiving mood.
But with a sudden scream of fury the quarterdeck lit up in brilliant white light as I watched what I could only describe as a deluge of white fire emanating from the princess’s fingertips. It sailed over the rail and engulfed the main deck of The Bethsea. Within seconds the ship was an inferno. Soldiers once composed and battle ready screamed and clawed at their helmets, some even jumped overboard to escape the blaze.
Still the fire flooded from the princess’s hand. She turned her attention to the next ship closing in and sent another torrent of flame towards it.
I was mesmerised and terrified. Even a spark of that magic fire could engulf our ship. Part of me wanted it to stop but another part of me wanted to watch every ship burn.
The Bethsea, still sailing abeam and still aflame, was ready to burst. I could feel the energy. I knew it was going to blow any second. That much fire and no doubt the amount of gunpowder they carried was a recipe for disaster and they were so close an explosion would destroy us too.
I moved to Wilbur, currently steering at the helm, “Can you get us out of here?” I said under my breath.
The sailing master shook his head, “Not in time,”
“Damage?”
“If it blows we’ll be demolished,”
Running out of options there was only one thing I could think of. I walked back towards Sir Brant who was standing just behind the princess.
“Can she propel our ship with her powers?”
Immediately Sir Brant understood, “I don’t know,” he said. Lowering his voice he continued, “I didn’t even know she could do this,”
“Can’t we talk to her when she’s in this state?”
The knight didn’t reply, instead he took a step towards Adriana and put a hand on her shoulder. At his touch she turned her head and I saw her eyes, glowing as white as the fire she conjured. He spoke to her and with a small nod the fire evaporated from her fingers. She walked right up to the stern and again reached her hand out, this time to the very ocean below us. Like the fire nothing happened for a time. The heat from The Bethsea was terrible, the screams and groans from her soldiers even worse.
“Fire’s getting closer,” came the booming voice of Jónas Gunnarsson, The Amaranth’s bosun. I looked up to the rigging and sure enough The Bethsea had begun to list towards us, her masts was now dangerously close to touching our sails. If we lost them we were done for.
Oh, come on princess, I silently urged. With a yell from Jónas I knew our worse fears were realised. Looking back up to the sky I watched as our main sky sail caught fire, just as The Bethsea’s mast made contact. In seconds the flame had spread to the moonsail and I knew it wouldn’t be long before the whole mast was ablaze.
As if the princess knew we were in serious danger now, The Amaranth lurched beneath my feet, sending me stumbling towards Wilbur who was trying his best to control the ship with the sudden force.
“Whatever she’s doing, it’s working,” he said through gritted teeth. “But steering is shot to hell,”
I grabbed hold of the wheel as well, calling to more able bodied sailors to help. In the end it took five of us to maintain a steady course as we cleared The Bethsea and not a moment too soon for in that instant the ship exploded in a mass of heat, sound and light. The reverberations from the water made keeping the ship straight even more of a challenge.
“Brant!” I yelled behind me. “She can stop now,”
Almost instantly the ship slowed to its usual pace, the tension in the wheel released allowing for more controlled steering. I looked up into the rigging and watched as the main mast continued to blaze, now that we had slowed to a respectable speed I watched as men attempted to put the fire out before it spread even further.
“I’m sorry about that,” Adriana said with a look of guilt.
“We’ll get it repaired when we dock,” I said with a wave of my hand. “I didn’t know you could do all that” I said motioning to the destroyed Bethsea and the second ship still on fire.
Adriana gave me a look, I wasn’t sure if it was guilt for the destruction or fear at the power she wielded.
“Thank you for saving us,” I added, looking to the bow I could see the port coming into view. “We should be in port within the hour, you should both go below, get doctor Sharma to check you over,”
Sir Brant nodded his agreement but Adriana stood her ground. Looking up to the fire she outstretched her hand towards it. Quicker this time, what looked like water sprang from her fingertips and in seconds the flames were extinguished. Without a word Sir Brant put his hands gently on her shoulders steering her across the quarterdeck and down the stairs.
“So that was interesting,” Gianni said, coming to my side.
“Interesting indeed,” I had seen her power in my cabin, but never did I think she would be able to completely destroy a galleon and send another to its watery grave. “Casualties?” I asked, dreading the answer.
“Six in sickbay, injuries ranging from minor to serious, but none life threatening,”
Somewhat of a relief, “Losses?”
Gianni paused, “Three,”
I nodded. Losing anyone was a tragedy and although it could have been worse I felt each and every loss deeply. At the end of the day I was responsible for all life on board and had to be held accountable if I failed to keep everyone safe.
“The other four are backing off.” Gianni said after a moment’s silence. I turned and watched as the four remaining ships slowly came about. “You know what this means?” he asked.
Sadly I did, “One; we really don’t know what we’re dealing with when it comes to the princess and two; this will be viewed as an act of war,”
“The navy will be back, and when they come-“
“It’ll be all-out war, they’ll be out for blood,” I finished for him. Uttering the words out loud sent a chill down my spine.
“Aye captain,” Gianni said. “They won’t care that the Republic is outside their jurisdiction, all they’ll care about is their revenge,”
There was no turning back now. Whatever we’d gotten mixed up in, we were in it until the end. We had to see it through to the end, come what may.
To be continued…