Endless Adventure

The Pirate's Heart - Jaylie Wright (part 2)

As we reach the Macabre Islands, I float the Christa Bleue to one of the narrow crevices between two of the islands and drop anchor. I grab my whistle and blow. Moments later, my full crew is before me and King Kenric stands with them.

“We will hold anchor here tonight. I know you are aware how important this trip is, so expect to sail hard and fast tomorrow. Graven will be circling the islands until dark, then he will likely head southeast as we had been heading ourselves. We will rest until daybreak, then head east to the Dragon Straights to float them south. With that strong of a current, we will make up any time lost here tonight and may in fact arrive at our destination earlier than we had predicted. Any concerns?”

No one says a word, each standing firm before me. I nod at the crew. “Prepare dinner. We’ll eat as a family tonight in the dining quarters! Miguel!”

“Aye!”

“You’ll be running chanty!” I command. The crew all cheer, some elbowing Miguel as they pass by him to do as needed in preparation for dinner.

“I hate to seem needy, but is there a place for me to clean myself up a bit? Where will I be sleeping?” King Kenric inquires.

“I was not dishonest when I told you that my ship does not have a spare bed,” I say, raising one eyebrow and tilting my chin up.

“Then I guess I will do so right here,” he says with a one-sided smile, lifting his shirt and pulling it free from his body.

“Wait,” I sigh, “you may use my quarters. There is no need to scare away innocent sea creatures. I will remain on deck.”

I watch as he furrows his eyebrows, then glances at the door to my quarters. Reluctantly, he grabs his bag and heads toward the door, pausing for a moment before opening it. I busy myself on deck as a way to keep him from speaking to me again.

After a while, I hear some of my crew singing a chanty, and their feet pounding the wooden planks of the floor of the deck below. Soon, the door behind me swings open and the King emerges, wearing a clean shirt.

“Dinner should be ready soon. The singing only gets louder the closer we are to eating time,” I say, standing at the helm with my back to him and looking out over the water.

“You seem to love this life,” he says softly, walking up behind me.

“I do. It is a life I was born into. My father loved my mother so wholly, so completely, that when she died of the pox when I was a baby, he never looked at another woman, and therefore, only had me. I went with him on every journey, was tutored by him in the captain’s quarters, and learned every position on the ship. I could never tire of the endless adventure it provides! The ocean itself is ever changing, giving me a new adventure each day. A woman cannot find that in society.”

“May I ask you something?”

“Is that not why you came along? To finish my interview?”

He clears his throat, “Yes, it was…is!” He moves around me so he can see my face. “Earlier, when you spoke of Graven Harless, there was a hatred so tangible in your eyes that I simply cannot believe that you view him as just a common thief. Who is he to you?”

My face betrays me as I look at the king. I feel my eyes cut into him, my teeth grit, and my nostrils flare. “Nearly five years ago, I attended the Belle Ball at the castle as my father’s guest. Graven took a liking to me, though the sentiment was anything but mutual. I spent the better part of that night avoiding him. As the evening progressed, my father was called into an impromptu meeting, and I was left to mingle. I sipped my juice as I spoke with a few other merchants. I was careful to not touch any of the spirits so that I would have my wits intact, but somehow, I awoke in a guest room of the palace the next morning. I dressed, left and found my way home. A little over a month later, I found out that I was expecting my daughter. The news broke my father, and he suffered a heart attack as I knelt before him, broken as well. Who is Graven Harless? He is a thief of everything he sets his sick wishes upon, and I suspect he is the father of my daughter, who will never know him.”

The king looks incensed. “He was there, the night of the ball?”

“He was.”

“He was not on our guest registry! Why do you believe him to be the one who took…” he cannot finish the sentence, fury cutting his words short. He glances at my stomach, then back to my eyes.

“The only thing left in the room with me was his Jack. It is a pirate’s calling card. I know many a pirate, most of whom are not the evil creatures people believe them to be; but Graven Harless is. He is the darkness that poison’s one’s mind against the pirate life!”

“His jack. What does it look like?” The king’s hands are on his hips, shaking. I don’t know why I do it as I have sworn off any affections toward men, but I reach my own hand forward and rest it gently over the king’s. He glances at my hand, then my eyes.

“It is orange, with a small Jolly Roger in each corner, and an H made of daggers in the middle.”

He turns away from me and strikes the mizzen with full force. I flinch as the wood cracks superficially in response to the blow.

“It was him,” he says in a whisper so thick with anger that it sounds almost like a growl.

“What…who do you believe him to be?” I ask, curious as to what would cause such a feral reaction.

“My parents and my cousin Robear, as you know, were poisoned that night. We interviewed everyone on the guest list who were supposed to be in guest rooms. We interviewed everyone who had direct contact with my parents. We knew that the murderer was linked to piracy, because he had left his flag - er Jack - hanging above their beds. I was out of the country, so Robear had been staying in my room as we were family and the same age. We believe that the pirate had believed it was me.” His eyes are cast down to his feet as he draws a deep breath.

“I am so sorry. If I had known, I would have brought forth this information,” I say earnestly.

“You’re sorry? Goddess of Night, you have nothing to be sorry for! You are as much a victim of his, if not even more than I. We both lost our families to him, but you have a daily living reminder of what he stole from you,” he says passionately.

“Let me get one thing straight, King Kenric. My daughter is a gift, a blessing! She is the beauty I was given for having endured such ugliness. She is the light born of darkness. A reminder? Maybe. But she is so much more! She is my only living family, and she is for whom I work so hard. She is the reason I am on this journey - so I can save her life!” I damn the tears traveling my cheeks!

The king raises both of his hands and cups my jaw, drying my tears just as my father had done when I first found out that I was pregnant. The mirrored action causes me to choke out a sob. The king then pulls me into an embrace, resting his cheek on the top of my head.

“I am so sorry. That is not what I had meant at all,” he says quietly. “I meant that you have suffered more than I have, and that you are so much stronger than I had originally believed you to be. To raise a daughter on your own and be as successful as you are all while recovering from trauma that no one should endure, it would take a strength that few have ever possessed. I am humbled to know you, Captain Clemente.”

I look up at him and see nothing but admiration in his eyes. I hear the music below increasing in volume, as well as laughter mixing into its jolly melody.

Doing my best to swallow my feelings, I break the moment by inviting the king downstairs. “Come! Dinner is ready. You need to experience one of the best parts of sea life - camaraderie with the crew!”

King Kenric seemed to enjoy his evening as much as I did. Dinner was an absolute feast! As commanded, Miguel led the men in the chanties of the evening. The men danced, joked, and partook of small challenges with one another. The king also joined in, arm wrestling crewman after crewman, only to be crowned victor once it was time for everyone to turn in for the night. I set up my bed for King Kenric, then brought a blanket out to the deck and took my seat in my captain’s chair behind the helm. Dante curled up on my lap, his warmth soothing me. With Viktor in the crow’s nest as lookout, it doesn’t take me long to fall asleep under the stars.

***

The spray of the ocean’s waves breaking against the port side of the ship wakes me. The sun has yet to rise, but its rays are beginning to lighten the sky. I reach both arms out to stretch, then both legs before cracking my eyelids open. I am greeted by a broad smile on the king's face as he holds out a steaming mug. I reach out for it and nod to him in thanks.

“How long until we leave for Grenaldon?” He asks.

I take a big sip of the tea before steeling myself to reply. “About that…we are not going to Grenaldon. I had considered dropping you off yesterday and picking you up tomorrow, but Graven’s tail of my ship has changed both my schedule and my course. The best I can do for you is to drop you off tomorrow, and you can hire another ship to bring you back.”

“So your destination was a lie?” His words are weighted with disappointment..

“Not entirely. Grenaldon is the closest inhabited land to my destination. If I had given you the latitude and longitude of my destination and it only looked like ocean on your maps, what would you have asked then?”

“I’d have asked what in the world was in the middle of the sea?”

“And that is why I answered you with Grenaldon,” I say as I stand. “The cook is serving breakfast by now. You should probably eat. Your stomach will be less queasy if it is not empty.”

“Lady Clemente, last night…you said you had to save your daughter’s life on this trip. Will you explain that to me?” I look into his eyes as I consider my answer. He seems genuinely concerned, and he knows so much already, so I decide to include him in this mission.

“I am headed to a vacant island, no bigger than your palace grounds. I have done my research and believe that the Stone of Ravea is there, and I believe it is the only thing that will keep my daughter alive. She was born with a weak heart, and physicians don’t think she has much longer,” I nearly choke on my last words.

“Marisol,” he says softly, his eyes filled with sadness, “scholars believe that the stone is but a myth.”

“I have found many myths over the years, King Kenric,” I say firmly and raise my chin in defiance. “If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Would you risk it all to see if you could find the stone? Or would you just sit by as a little girl suffers?”

He seems to weigh my words, then nods. “Let’s find the Stone of Ravea!”

I reach for my whistle and blow the call to bring my crew. They all tromp their way to the deck and stand steadfast before me.

“The course remains as I called it yesterday. We will take the Dragon Straight! King Kenric is fully aware of this course and its goal. A hidden treasure we will find, me hearties, and Christa’s life shall be saved! Weigh anchor and set sail! The stone awaits us!”

A chorus of cheers follow. Each of my men have been like a family to Christa, her uncles of the sea. There is nothing they wouldn’t do for me or for her, and I am thankful for their loyalty.

We weave our way through the Macabre Islands over the Devil’s Spine until we are back in the open waterways of the Heravian Ocean. The winds are in our favor, bringing us to the Dragon Straight by only mid-morning. The ship is moving swiftly and the morale is high among my crew. We know that today will be a success, and the hidden treasure will be ours by nightfall!

I send Dante into the waters to gather fish for our dinner as we sail. His black body jets to and fro beneath the waves before he bursts forth from the water carrying fish in his claws. With each catch, I toss him leftover chicken from the night before as a reward, which he greedily gobbles up. He seems to enjoy the speed of the ship as though he is racing it as he hunts.

As the heat of the afternoon increases, we exit the straight and head south through the Heravian Ocean to the coordinates I’ve set as our destination. My cook has been good to bring the crew water and fruit to keep us all hydrated in the sun. When I saw the skin of the king’s nose turning pink, I sent him into my quarters to prevent him from getting sun sickness.

“Cap’n!” My lookout shouts from above. “Land ho, straight ahead and Harless’ ship behind!”

“All sails now! Ready a pinnace! We’ll bring the ship as close to shore as possible,” I shout. “They can’t anchor as shallow as we can. All crew will stay with the ship to protect it while I search for the stone!”

The door to my quarters slams open and King Kenric jogs to my side at the helm. “I will accompany you in search of the stone. I feel I am useless on the ship, but I might be of some assistance with you.”

“That is fine. I will be moving fast, so you’ll need to keep up! I have a pistol, a cutlass, and a knife with me. Be sure to bring your weapons with you as well. There is a bag in the trunk in my quarters. Pack two canteens of water in the bag.”

“How will I know which bag you want?” He asks, causing me to roll my eyes.

“The one with the shovel in it.”

“Do you have a map?”

“No. I have the clues I have found over the past few years memorized. That is all I need. Now go get the bag and let me bring the ship to anchor!”

As we near the island, I slow the ship and send my crew to the magazine, setting two men per gunport. The crew left on deck ready hand held weapons and spare pinnaces once they lowered mine into the water.

The king and I row ourselves to the beach as quickly as possible! Dante is latched on the bag strapped on my back. Once on shore, I take off into the jungle with the king hot on my heels. The muggy air assaults us as we trek through vines and thick foliage of plants that have never seen a gardener's sheers. According to the clues I had read, the stone is to be found in the heart of the island, so I assume that if I hold true, I can only come to the center of the island at some point.

“Is there anything I can do to help? Anything I should look for?” King Kenric asks, his voice strained due to his being short of breath.

“Just listen and watch to make sure we’ve not been followed,” I say as I move my feet at as quick a pace as possible.

Then I hear it - one of the clues! The sound of rushing water becomes a beacon to me as I adjust my footing to find my way to it.

“This way!” I command, reaching my hand back to grab the king’s to pull him along with me. Soon, we see a massive pool of water in the ground, its overflow creating rushing creeks. The center of the pool is as black as night, and I know exactly why. I throw my bag off of me, then my boots, my pistol, my powder, and my cutlass.

“What are you doing?” King Kenric hesitantly asks.

“Look at the water. Does that not look like the heart of the island to you?”

“It…could…” His eyebrows are furrowed as he squints at the water as though he is trying to read it.

“Stay here and keep guard of my weapons. I will be back before you know it,” I turn and with a whistle for Dante, I dive in.

As I pull myself deeper into the darkness of the water, I release some of my air, allowing me to sink more easily. Dante blows some of his fire to light our way. Just as I am about to burst from having no air, Dante’s light reveals a crevice in the stone siding of the pool - a crevice shaped like a heart. I motion toward it and Dante begins swimming that direction, allowing me to take hold of his tail so that I can get there faster. Once we breach the opening, it opens up into a cave with an air pocket. I break the surface and draw deep breaths before climbing out of the water onto the rocky shelf.

I look at the cave’s wall and see that it is covered in deep holes. In the center of the wall is a carving of the Goddess Ravea. I walk around, looking at each hole, knowing that it is unwise to just stick my hand in them all. I decided that it would be best to kneel in front of the image of Ravea and ask her guidance. Afterall, it is her stone I plan on taking - I might as well have her permission! After saying my piece, I raise my eyes to the statue. There, on the underside of her clasped hands is a small latch. The only way it could be seen is to look upon it from below. I remain kneeling as I reach up and pull the latch. A puff of air is heard and a heart shaped chamber opens in the chest of the goddess. Hurriedly, I stand and reach into the chamber, grasping the object that I feel within.

“I think we found what we need, Dante,” I whisper. He blinks at me and rubs his head on my leg.

Normally, I would tuck the object into my corset or into my belt for the swim up, but this time I am terrified that it would come loose. I whistle to Dante and dive in. I grab ahold of his tail as he swims us back to the surface where the king is waiting.

“Did you find it?” He asks excitedly as he reaches out to pull me up out of the water. I raise my hand and show him the unassuming object, which I am not entirely sure is an actual stone. “It looks kind of like a nut,” King Kenric suggests.

I half laugh, “It does! Let’s head back. I’ve not heard the cannons, so I have no idea what we are going to find.”

We practically run back to the beach, following the trail we had left of crushed foliage on our way into the jungle. Once there, we are met with Graven and a few of his men at the tree line.

“My, my, Marisol. If I knew you looked this fetching when wet, I’d have tossed a glass of water on you when we met!” His eyes roam my body, and I feel rage ignite within me. “A little bird told me you had the king aboard your ship. Glad to know my informant earned his pay.”

“You’ll surrender your weapons to me now, and I will bring you in for trial!” King Kenric demands. If I wasn’t ready to split Graven with my cutlass, I would have rolled my eyes.

“For what, good king? Having a conversation? Last I checked, this wasn’t even your land!” Graven says in a sing-song voice.

“For the murders of my parents and my cousin, as well as for piracy. I’d be willing to bet, many charges could be added once I start an investigation,” he seethes.

Graven laughs. “Well then I guess you’ll be bringing Marisol in as well, for she is as guilty of piracy as I am. Besides, she is my alibi for the murders. I spent the entire night with her, as I am sure she knows.”

“I know no such thing! My last memory of you is me denying your advances,” I practically shout.

“As you know, Marisol, I am a man who takes what he wants, and right now, I want the king’s life and whatever trinket you’ve uncovered. Then, I want a repeat of what I had in the castle guest room all those years ago.” Graven motions for his men to attack the king as he steps toward me.

“Kenric!” I call out before tossing him my knife.

I turn back toward Graven and draw my cutlass. We both swing, spin, swing, drawing closer and closer in our battle. Soon, we begin more of a tussle than a sword fight, as he does his best to restrain me in some way. My vision flashes as I feel the back of his hand connect with my cheekbone.

“I’ve never been bested by a man, Marisol!” His voice is strained as he corners me, his forearm pressed hard against my chest crushing me against a tree.

I draw my knee up hard between his legs as I simultaneously headbutt him, breaking his nose. I raise my cutlass to his throat and grit out, “I guess it’s a good thing I am a woman then!”

He tries to reach for his blade, so I slice his neck superficially. “I wouldn’t dare move in the least if I were you. You are only living because King Kenric deserves to see you convicted. Otherwise, I’d have your head in hand and would have your ship as well.” I press the blade a little harder into his bleeding wound to insure his cooperation. I hear the king’s battle quieting, but I dare not look to check on him lest Graven take advantage of my distracted state.

I feel a hand rest gently on my hip, and I know it is the king.

Graven laughs. “The king and his pirate b***h. Now isn’t that amusing! Outlaw piracy then bed one, your majesty?”

I whistle for Dante and tap my blade. He crawls down the length of my arm, securing his tail around the back of my neck and opposite shoulder. His belly warms against me before he blows his flame onto my cutlass’ blade, seering the open skin of Graven’s neck. He cries out in pain, and I can’t help but smile. “I’d rather your blood not taint my ship,” I say cockily.

The king comes from behind me with a length of thin rope in hand. He roughly grabs Graven’s arms and pulls them back, tying his wrists together. I assume he took the rope from one of the men he had battled, which actually impresses me a bit for his ability to think ahead. I take a second to survey him, trying to figure out if the blood on his clothing is his or if it was from Graven’s men. He flicks his eyes up and meets mine.

“Nothing serious. Mostly theirs,” he says with a wink as he lifts Graven up by his tied wrists.

I roll my eyes in reply, hoping he takes that as a sign that I was not truly concerned for him. I may have been, but he certainly does not need to know that. No need to feed his ego!

“Be sure to stuff something in his mouth so I don’t have to hear him speak,” I say as I walk toward the pinnace.

“Yes, my lady,” the king says behind me. I am not sure why, but something about having the king of the largest nation in the world obeying my command excites me a bit, and I can’t help but smile, though he cannot see it.

***

After spending the rest of the day and night sailing the ships back to port, I quickly make sure my ship is cared for while I await my carriage. I had offered a few of my men and Graven’s ship to the king to bring him to Grenaldon, but he had declined, insisting he bring Graven to trial immediately.

“You do know that I have outlawed piracy, right?” He whispers in my ear, his chin resting on my shoulder.

“Aye,” I reply. “But do you know what I have actually done as a pirate?”

“I do not.”

“Then I ask that you accompany me to my manor so you can see for yourself,” I say, turning my head to look at him.

“I accept your invitation. My guards will take Graven Harless to the dungeon and begin processing him for trial. I have at least a few hours before I am needed.”

Just then, I see my driver and carriage round the corner. The ride is short, as my manner overlooks the ocean. I lead the king into my home and climb the staircase. I walk the hall and arrive at a lavender door. Turning the knob, I enter the room and take in the view of my sickly girl, her pale skin so soft, her light brown curls spread across her pillow. The sun casts little flower shapes of light on her blanket through the eyelet curtains. I sit on the side of her mattress and take her wee hand in mine.

“Christa?” I whisper.

Her ocean blue eyes open and twinkle as she realizes that I truly am with her.

“I have something for you,” I say, pulling the little heart-shaped stone from beneath my belt and placing it in her hand.

She looks at it, then asks, “Is it a nut, mummy?”

“I believe it is. A nut that will make you strong enough to climb the biggest tree!” King Kenric says from behind me. Christa’s eyes widen as she takes in the large man behind me, then looks at me questioningly.

I put my fingernail into the tight seam and open it, exposing the miniscule nut inside. I look at the king in astonishment, then hand Christa the tiny nut. She eats it quickly, then giggles.

“It tickles everywhere, mummy!” She squeals and sits straight up for the first time in a year.

I swallow a sob. “So I take it the little nut has helped?”

“I feel like I want to play, mummy!”

“Then play you shall!” I scoop her up from her bed and carry her to her doll house. She squats down and begins dressing her dolls excitedly.

I stand behind her and watch her in amazement as I feel two large hands wrap around my waist from behind. This time, I lean back against him and place my own hands upon his.

“I believe my life will not be complete until I have two pirate lasses in it,” he says sweetly.

I turn and kiss his cheek. “Let me know when you find them,” I say, then smile at him cheekily.

“Oh, I have!” He chuckles, then pulls me in for a proper kiss that certainly shivers me timbers!

Pen Name: Jaylie Wright

Book: Zari on Dreame

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