The Mistress of the Sea: It was Never a Ship

Chapter 1

There will soon be a new King of Gavaria. Tradition for a Gavaria coronation involves the future king and his wife, along with other royals and noblemen, to go on a voyage to all the islands in the nation. The main purpose of this voyage is to allow the people to meet their soon to be new king but it also brings a lot of business to all the islands. This is also a chance for the Royal Navy to show off the current naval strength to the neighboring kingdoms that join the voyage. There certainty is a lot of opportunities during this event.

The voyage’s last stop is Baltonia, the capital, where the current king will pass his crown to his oldest son. Gavarian ships dock in the harbor closets to the castle to let the guest off. Once all the guest have left, the future kings procession to the castle can begin. Then Gavarian ships will move to the naval harbor to make room for ships to pick up guest after tomorrow’s coronation. Now the future king and queen are loaded into a carriage to be paraded through the streets of Baltonia and to the Castle.

The market is full tourist enjoying the festivities. They are browsing the shops for jewels and outfits to make a statement at the coronation. Musicians are on every corner playing music for others to dance to. Children road on their parents shoulders waving the Gavarian flag waiting for the chance to catch a glimpse of their king.

On the edge of the marketplace, right up the hill from the harbor, is a small cartographer’s shop with a sign that reads “rare and accurate ocean maps”. A young lady with curly, blond hair pulled back into a bun tucked underneath a beige hat. She put few things away into her bag as the shop door rang as it closed. The king’s procession had just started, so she hugged the shop walls making her way to the side of the building. She leaned up against the building in a light blue dress watching as everyone cheered for the future king and queen. Their subjects cheered as they waved them nodded towards members of the crowd.

The girl seemed indifferent to the festivities as she watched the carriage pass by the shop. She noticed the queen seemed to be looking in her direction with a smile and waved with a graceful nod. The girl wasn’t filling enough believe that the queen was personally waving at her. But she waved back anyways, just like the crowd was. As the carriage passed and the crowd began to disperse, her focus changed to the three of the high ranking navy officers mounding their horses to follow behind the procession.

There was less people in the streets now. They either went back to the festivities or followed the carriage, making a path for the naval officers on horse back to follow the carriage. The blond girl stood up from leaning against the shop and waited for them to pass so she could be on her way. Before the three men got to the shop, a man in hooded cloak bursted from the alley way behind the girl trying to snatch her bag. She clenched on to the bag as the man continued to run out into the street. The struggle caused her to lose her footing and was dragged through the dirt. The thief snatched the bag out from her hands causing her to fall into the road, right in front of the navy men’s horses. “Hold it” yelled the man in the center for the three.

“After him!” He commanded as he jumped down from his horse. The other two, took off after the hooded man. “Here, let me help you!” he reached out his hand to the girl to slowly lift her up. When she took his hand she felt oddly energized. “Thank you.” She replied.

The gentleman bent over to pick up her hat.

“Are you alright? That was a pretty nasty fall”

“I’ll be okay. It’s only a little dirt. I am more concerned about getting my bag back.” she answered as she did her best to clean up her self up. Some of her curls had come out of her bun and was now loose around her face. The bottom of her dress was torn up and stained brown. After her failed attempt wipe off what she could, she looked up to see the young man who came to her aid. His bright blue eyes met hers with a little bit of amusement and mild concern. It was hard not to notice how attractive he was. He was tall and well built with a tight hair cut that was well groomed.

“I’m pretty sure what’s ever in that bag can be replaced, but I don’t think you can be.” He handed her hat back with a gentle smile that was complimented by his striking jawline. She accepted her hat back with a half smile still seeming concerned.

“My travel papers were in there, along with my lodging arrangements for tonight and supplies that I needed for before I leave tomorrow.”

“Well I’m sure my companions will retrieve your bag and we will get you taken care of.”

I highly doubt that..

She let out a sigh looking in the direction the men took off. Trying not to roll her eyes. The young man just looked at her curiously

“I’m Charles by the way.” he said politely then offered his hand.

“Cordelia. Delia for short” she reached out to shake his hand but instead he kissed the back of her hand. “What a beautiful name.”

“Are you always this charming with distressed women in the street?”

“Are you distressed? Some women would be in tears after something like this but you just seem annoyed at the inconvenience. Plus it seemed like you were fighting him off pretty well until you lost your footing”

Delia smiled and shook her head “I will take that as complement. Is your high level of flattery is what got you that uniform?” Charles chuckled then raised eyebrow looking at her puzzled.

“Something like that.” There was small pause as he studied her composure. “So are you leaving after the coronation tomorrow?”

“First thing in the morning I am afraid. My client wants to leave before the after coronation rush. I was picking up supplies for the trip and the documents for the job just before I got mugged.” She nodded her head towards the cartography shop.

“What exactly is your profession?”

“I’m a cartographer that makes custom maps for merchant and adventure capitalists.”

“How does a young lady like yourself manage a career in something like that? Especially with that pesky superstition about women on boats.”

Delia smiled at his seemingly disbelief of the superstition.

“It can be challenging at times, but my clients put superstition aside when they see my work and find out who I mentored under.”

“Who might that be?’

“My grand father, Antonio Sterling.”

“THE Antonio Sterling who charted maps for kings? The father of famous pirate captain Sterling! Does that make you his daughter?”

“No. Antonio adopted me after my parents died during a plague. I call him grandfather just because it makes more sense. Julian and I never got the chance to meet. They didn’t have a good relationship after he turned to piracy.”

Charles was impressed by her story. He couldn’t tell weather or not it was true. However, he would like to find out. Even if it wasn’t true, her story may be just what he needed.

The sound of trotting horses filled the background as the two other men came back. The young man with shaggy blond hair, olive skin, and a boyish smile had Delia’s bag.

“Alec! You retrieved the lady’s bag?” Charles called out.

“Yes, but..”

“Unfortunately, the thief made a way with contents of the bag. We never saw his face. Just a tattoo that wrapped around his arm” The dark skinned gentleman interrupted. He seems more proper then Alec, almost stoic. His posture was perfect with soft facial expressions to match.

“Thanks Dex! I would’ve hated to break the bad news to the pretty lady” Alec sided eyed Delia and winked. “But where are my manners! My name is Alec Pierce. May I ask what is yours?” He said as he dismounted from his horse with the bag making his way towards Delia. Before he could get to close, Charles stepped in front of him. Charles held out his had gesturing for the bag. Alec reluctantly gave Charles the bag.

“This is Miss Cordelia Sterling” Charles turned to give the bag to Delia. “Actually it’s Pratt. I never took Antonio’s name.” Delia replied as she took the bag back from Charles. Looking desperate to find something in the bag.

“Wait, as in Antonio Sterling? The treasure map maker?” Alec asked not noticing the disappointment on Delia’s face as she looked inside of her empty bag.

“Hey are you going to be alright?” Charles placed a hand on her shoulder trying to get her attention.

There it was a again. Delia felt a small amount of energy tingling in her. She looked up at Charles wondering if he felt it too.

Stay on task. You got a job to do.

“I will be okay. Just need to get going so I can find out where I’m staying to night. If I can’t I need to find a place to stay.”

Dex announces “We really need to get going as well, your…”

“Your welcome to come with us to the castle with us! What a great idea Dexter!” Delia, Alec, and Dexter looked surprised at Charles sudden abruption.

“I would hate to impose..”

“Nonsense! There’s plenty of rooms still available at court. I could use my connections to get you a room to stay in for the night.”

“Connections?” Alec asked wondering what game he was playing.

“Plus you could accompany me to this party I have to attend to tonight. Please, let me make it up to you for our failure to retrieve your belongings?”

Somethings up but this is exactly what I need.

Delia relied hesitantly “Would I have my own room?”

“Yes of course, and I promise to be a complete gentleman! I will even throw in a royal tour if you’d like.” Charles promised form on top of his horse offering his hand to help her up.

Delia didn’t feel like he was a threat but did feel like something about this was too easy. “Okay, but I am gonna hold you to that complete gentleman promise.”

“ I’d expect nothing less.” Charles smiled helping her up on to the horse. Delia sat behind him on the horse with her arms wrapped around him for support.

The four of them made there way towards the castle. This time Alec and Dexter road ahead of Charles and now Delia. Delia looked to her side and saw the man in the hooded cloak. He blended in the back behind the crowd between the buildings. She kept quiet and slightly nodded towards him. He nodded back then disappeared behind the buildings.

Everything is going according to the plan.

It took the group a short amount of time to catch up to the royal carriage, but when they did the carriage was just about to enter the castle walls. The future king turned back when he noticed them come up behind the carriage. His facial expression was in phased but Delia sensed he was annoyed.

“I hope I didn’t get you in trouble with your boss.” Delia said quietly to Charles. He grinned and said “Oh he’s going to be very angry. It’s quiet possible he may replace me with Alec after he makes me Dex’s cabin boy, if I’m lucky. But it will have to wait until after tomorrow’s coronation.” She could tell he was joking, it just seemed like an odd thing to joke about.

The gait opened for the procession to enter the courtyard. Dex, Alec, and Charles rod their horses over to the side where servants were waiting to take their horses. Dex was first to dismounted and handed his horse to a stable boy. He then made his way to help Delia down from Charles horse. “Thank you Dexter.” Delia said as he helped her down.

“It is my pleasure. Please call me Dex.”

“Okay, Dex. Thank you again” Dex and Delia exchanged friendly smiles. Charles dismounted and handed his horse to a stable boy as well when someone shouted “Charles!”

Delia turned to see who it was. To her dismay it was the man who’s carriage they had followed into the courtyard, the future king of Gavaria.

Oh shit..

Delia did not want to draw this much attention to herself. It didn’t seem like Charles was going to help in that matter as he nonchalantly walked up to the prince.

Is this guy insane.

“James! How was your carriage rid through the city?”

“Oh it was great until I happened to look behind me to see that my little brother had disappeared!”

Little brother?

“We got a little held up but we couldn’t just stand by as we saw the law be broken right in front of us.”

“Charles, you may not be the eldest but doesn’t mean you can shirk off your responsibilities. Father will not be pleased.”

What is going on?

A young woman with a tiara in a beautiful white dress laced in blue and gold, similar to prince James’s royal garments, approached the two brothers, as James continued to lecture. “Prince Charles! There you are! We wondered where you went.” She explained as she gave Charles a hug.

Prince! f**k!

“ I’m sorry worry you, Catherine. This beautiful woman over here was mugged right in front of me and I couldn’t carry on with out making sure she was okay.” Charles gesture towards Delia in her tattered dress.

“Oh dear!” Catherine turned her attention to Delia. She grabbed Delia’s hand after examining her dress. “You poor thing. I can’t believe that happened today of all days. Baltonia is one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.” Delia didn’t know what to do. The plan was to find a way into the castle without drawing attention but now she was talking to the royal family!

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to retrieve all of her belongings.” Charles announced.

“We were able to get the ladies bag back but the thief had already taken the contents out of the bag.” Dex added to the conversation.

“Where you able to identify the thief?” James asked Dex.

“We weren’t able to get a look at his face.” Dex replied.

Alec chimed in “I did see that he had a tattoo that around his right arm. Looked like rope wrapped around his arm”

“You must have been so worried waiting for the three of them to come back.” Catherine said to Delia still holding her hand in hers. “Actually, Charles stayed with me while we waited for Alec and Dex tried to stop the thief.” Delia responded still not understanding how she ended up talking with the members of the royal family.

“Wait! You were left unprotected outside of the castle walls?!” James gave a disappointed glare to Charles and then to Alec and Dex. “They we’re just following orders. Plus I was barely recognizable in my uniform. Miss Cordelia didn’t know who I was until just now.”

Everyone turned and looked at Delia. It finally made sense to Dex and Alec why Charles was acting weird in the marketplace. Delia, on the other hand, had no idea what to do. She had a dumbfounded look on her face as everyone was witnessing how blindsided she was. This was not the plan and now all these people are looking at her.

“That explains the perplexed look she face.” James commented.

“Oh my.” Catherine seemed to be very empathetic to the public embracement that Delia was going though. She wrapped one arm around Delia then gave Charles a scowl.

“Charles you still should have had some protection.” James went back to lecturing.

“I’m perfectly fine. I’m not the one becoming king tomorrow. No one barely notices me.”

“You are still the second in line and still important to this country. If something were to happen to me before we have an heir you would be king.”

“Nothing happened brother. I know your stressed about everything going on. I’m sorry I added to that stress but you don’t need to worry about me.”

“I will always worry about you, your my little brother..” Delia could tell that James cared for his brother even after all lecturing. It was only because he cares about Charles safety. “Sometimes I wish I could be as care free as you.” James commented.

“That what I’m here for, to help you lighten up!” Charles replied with a grin. “I promise to behave the rest of the day and help you get ready for tomorrow but first I need to get Miss Cordelia here settled in a room for tonight.”

“She is staying here tonight?” Catherine asked excitedly.

“Yes, the thief took everything she needed for her room and board tonight. So to make up for our failure Cordelia will be staying here tonight and attending tonight’s ball as my date.”

“As your date!” Catherine seemed super happy about this announcement. James gave a look to Charles as if he just knew what Charles was doing. “I’m so happy for you! I thought I was going to have to find someone for you. This is even better!” Now Delia was really confused. She felt like everyone around her new what was going on but her.

What did I just get myself into?

“Listen you two need to go meet with your father to go over preparation for tonight and tomorrow. I will take care of our guest here.” Catherine was taking charge and nobody was going to tell her no.

Charles looked at Delia “Would that be alright with you?” She was overwhelmed at this point but she knew what she had to do. Delia straightened her self up and replied. “That would be fine with me. It’s not at all what I thought to night would be like,”

Ain’t that the truth!

“but I guess the universe had different plans.”

Charles walked up to Delia to take her hand. They were standing very close as he said, “I promise, the second I get the chance, I will come find you and answer any of your questions. I will be that perfect gentleman I promised to be.” He kissed the back of her hand then marched across the courtyard with James.

“Come dear. I have a dress in mind that we can have fitted for you. It also happens that we have a room with a balcony and with a view of the ocean available.” Catherine linked her arms in Delia’s as she lead her inside the castle.