The Mistress of the Sea: It was Never a Ship

Chapter 4

Delia was puzzled as she took a sip of her champagne. There is no way she had ever met the king before tonight, but it looked as if he recognized her.

Maybe he is mistaking me for someone else. Or maybe Charles might have already talked to him about me.

That didn’t seem to convince her. The feeling Delia got from him was as if she was familiar to him, like he recognized her.

Doesn’t matter. I need to stay focused and hold out until the time was right to go forward with the plan. Speaking of the plan. Where is Alec?

Delia skimmed the room looking for Alec. The biggest part of the plan was for him to convince Charles to sweep her away to the artifact room then get Charles out of the room long enough for her to switch out the knife.

Where is he?

“Looking for someone?” Asked Charles as he took a drink of his ale.

Delia replied with, “I thought I saw someone I knew when we walked in, but I must been mistaken. There’s no way I would know anyone here.”

Or at least I better not.

“So where are your partners in crime at?” Delia asked in a casual way.

“Are you mean Alec and Dex? They should be here any moment. I had them finish something up for me.” Charles answered. Just then Dex and Alec came walking up on the outside of the table. They made there way to a table in front where Delia and Charles could see them from the head table. Both of them were getting situated at their table when Alec looked up at Delia. He abruptly got up from his chair and made his way towards the head table. “What is it?” Charles asked a little puzzled by Alec’s behavior. Alec poked his head in between Charle’s and Delia’s chair. “I just wanted to let you know we are back from that little task you asked us to do.” Said Alec.

“I know, your in the front row. I can see you from here.” Charles said a little annoyed.

“Right.. Well while I’m here just letting you know I want to talk to you later, okay?”

Well that wasn’t smooth at all.

“Just come find me later. Right now really isn’t a good time.” Charles replied

“Your right. I will come find you later.” Alec then turned his attention towards Delia.

“I hope you have wonderful time tonight, Cordelia. If you need anything I’m here.” Alec said in a gentle voice. Something about him was different. His eyes were glassy and he wasn’t being as flirtatious. Instead Delia felt an overwhelming desire and a need to please come off of him. She stuttered the words “Thank you.” unsure of what was going on. Alec went back to the his table with Dex, who also was wondering what the heck was going on.

Did I do that to him?

“I wonder what has gotten into him?” Charles asked.

“Has he had too much to drink already?” Delia said hoping to give a reason that would make sense to her as well.

“I couldn’t smell any alcohol on him but he sure is acting strange.” Charles then changed the subject to the appetizers that was being served. Dinner went well. There was a lot of small talk. Sometimes James and Charles would try to talk around Catherine while she tried to have a conversation with Delia. Sometimes Charles would point out people in the crowd to Delia and tell her stories about them. Who they were, where they were from, and maybe throw in what little gossip he knew. Every now and then Catherine would chime in with what ever little tidbit she knew. James and the king were back and forth in conversation most of the time. Then came the meal.

The main course was a choice of pork or fish. Delia had the fish even though it was something ate on a regular basis but she was curious on how a royal chief might prepare it differently then the cook did in the galley. It ended up blasting incredible like everything else they were serving. Delia had to really think about her table manners instead of letting herself go. She had to act like a lady in front of this ballroom full of people with proper etiquette.

Over all the dinner was nice but every now and then Delia would look up to see Alec sneaking some glances and smiling weirdly. Sometimes Dex would raise an eyebrow at Alec after he would say something.

Did I pick a loose cannon? I have done this hundreds of times but something is different this time.

The servants were coming around, picking dessert plates, and refilling peoples drinks. The music selection changed as guest were getting up to converse. Charles slid his chair out said to Delia, “Come on, let’s go walk around a bit to let our food settle.” Delia agreed. He got up from his chair then like a gentleman pulled out Delia’s chair for her. Delia stood up with her glass of champagne and took his arm again. “Am I going to have to be attached to you all night like this?” Delia whispered into Charles ears. “Not all night. But would that be such a bad thing?” He replied with a smile as they walked to the other side of the head table.

“By the way,” said Charles “I have a surprise for you here in a little bit.” Delia looked at Charles with a smile. “Oh really now?” She replied

Did Alec already speak to Charles?

“Charles!” Said a man’s voice.

“Emerens, how was your meal?” Said Charles.

The man that Charles was speaking to was about Delia’s height but shorter then Charles. His hair formed a widow’s peak and he had a thick mustache. This was also the man that sat at the opposite side of the head table. “It was amazing as usual. The cooks in Baltonia never disappoint.” Emerson said to Charles, “And who might this be?”

Charge replied, “This is Miss Cordelia Pratt. Delia this is Emerson. He is Catherine’s uncle who came here as an ambassador for Staton and is now a naval commander.”

“Pleased to meet you Miss Pratt.” Said Emerson to Delia with a head nod.

“And I you.” She replied. He then immediately turned his attention back to Charles. It was clear he wasn’t at all interested in Delia.

“Well Charles I wanted to congratulate you on the promotion. It’s very impressive for someone your age to receive such an honor.”

And you hate him for it.

Delia could feel the the envy and rage coming off of Emerson. He was putting up a good front though. Charles seemed to had no idea. He just thanked Emerson and let him continue.

“You know Charles you should join me for scuttling a ship after tomorrow’s coronation. One of my ships was badly damage during scuttle with a pirate ship. The ship is unrepairable and needs a good send off. It would be a great way to honor your brother’s reign and also be a great opportunity for you and I to discuss future naval operations.”

“I had heard that you had gotten separated from the coronation voyage when we left Aspen but I wasn’t informed on what happened. I would glad to accompany you. Plus it would be a great reason to get out of the castle for a bit after the coronation. Guess this means there are no hard feelings about my promotion.” Said Charles.

“No not at all. I am honored that if anybody was going to beat me to the job that it was you, Prince Charles. Your skills are greatly admired by all.” Emerson responded.

Lies.

Delia could feel the bitterness coming off of Emerson. Why wouldn’t he be pissed? The young son of the king got a job that he probably had been working towards for years. Even if Charles earned the position fair and square, Emerson’s ego probably would still take a blow from the fact a young navy officer got the job over him. Although Delia wondered about something Emerson said that might pertain to her.

“Which pirate ship attacked your ship?” Delia asked.

Emerson bolstered himself as turned towards her, trying to seem Impressive. He replied with “It was the Mistress of the Sea.”

Another Lie.

“Oh really?! You must tell us this story.” Said Delia. She grabbed Charles arm tight and acted if she was in aw of this revelation. Charles looked at her a little suspiciously. This was a little out of character for the girl he had been spending most of the evening with but he played along. “Go ahead Emerson. Sounds like a fascinating tale.”

“Well,” Emerson began with prideful grin, “My men and I were returning to Baltonia when in the distance we saw a Pirate ship gaining speed towards us. As it got closer the ships cannons began to fire at us.”

“How frightening! When did you realize that it was the Mistress of the Sea.” Delia asked. This was so different from the feisty girl that Charles knew she was playing Emerson. He just didn’t know why yet.

“When they got close enough to start firing at us, I used my telescope to watch when they loaded their cannons and noticed that the captain was using a strange telescope. The same telescope that the captain of the Mistress of the Sea is known to use.”

“What do you mean by strange?” Delia asked she knew exactly what telescope he was talking about.

He’s either stupid or a liar.

“It was gold with what looked like jewels on the outside and a red lense.”

“Interesting. How did you escape?”

“I had to get men to safety. There was no choice but sail straight through to Tamal from Aspen eventually they stopped following us.”

“So you drove straight through the giant corral reef?” Said Delia sounding less amused. Her knowledge and change of tone startled Emerson. The Gian Corral Reef separated Tamal from Aspen and Lement. If a ship wanted to sail Tamal to either of those two island you had to take an extra day to go around the corral reef because not only was the corral massive but it had large rock fixtures that would cause a lot of damage. So Delia knew that most of the damage that was done to Emersons ship was mostly from the corral reef tearing up the bottom of the boat. Not only did he tear up his own boat but he probably destroyed a good portion of the corral reef with this judgement call.

This dam i***t. No wonder he didn’t get the job.

“There was no other choice. I had to get my men to safety and lead the pirates away from the future king.” Emerson said making himself sound so noble. It seemed like he was waiting for Delia to acknowledge his heroics. However, he would be waiting a long time. She had a straight face on now and was done stroking his ego. Charles luckily broke the silence. “That sounds like it was tough choice to make.”

“It truly was, we almost didn’t make it.’

Okay now he is just milking this bullshit.

He had told her all that she needed to know and Delia would some how make him pay for it later. Her gaze turned towards the crowd parting for four servants carrying a table making their way to the middle of the room, towards them.

“Ah here’s that surprise I was telling you about earlier.” Charles said to Delia. The Servants placed the table down in front of them. Everyone in the ball room was now looking in the direction of the table wondering why such an odd thing was brought out at the ballroom floor. Then James, Catherine, the king, and the woman who Delia assumed was the queen came over to see what was going on. On the table was several maps spread out across the top of table. Delia walked up to the table to examine the maps. They were different maps of different islands and oceans made by different map makers. Delia heard James from behind her ask, “Charles, What is this?”

“Well since Miss Pratts attendance was last minute. She didn’t have time to get you a gift, so we thought that she could put a little demonstration on for you?”

We?

Delia turned her head in Charles direction and side eyed him. The smile he gave her told Delia that he was testing her. For some reason he didn’t completely believe her story and decided to test her publicly. Lucky for her, parts of her story she had been telling were true.

“Delia, could you tell us which one of these maps is Antonio Sterlings work?” Asked Charles. Delia looked back at the maps and glanced over them.

“How would this woman be to read these maps, let alone know the work of a famous cartographer?” Emerson asked.

“Well,.” Charles began to explain when Delia interrupted him.

“Emerson,” She had enough of him. Charles had made a spectacle out of her, so there was no need to hold back now. “Do you know why sailors refer to the sea as a woman?”

Emerson rolled his eyes, decided to play along, and asked why.

“Because the ocean is a lot deeper and mysterious then any man could understand. The oceans influence over the world is also a lot greater then man realizes.”

Catherine and the woman next to the king glanced at each other and smiled. They knew exactly what she was talking about. Emerson on the other hand seemed to be having a hard time understanding the analogy.

Delia then looked at Charles determined to make a point and said, “Did your servants bring the tubes to properly store the maps as I sort through these?” Charles nodded and gestured the servants to bring the storage tubes. Delia turned towards the table. Before she began she took off her white gloves and handed them to a servant. None of the maps on top were her grandfathers work. She picked one up, rolled it, and handed it to the servant to put into a storage tube. Then that servant put into a larger bag that another servant was holding. This process went on for a bit. Delia began to think this was a trick because none of the maps she had pulled out so far were the work of Antonio. Then she realized that underneath the pile of maps was a larger map. She asked the servants to help her clear all of the top maps. Charles came up next to the table for a closer look, so did the other members of his royal family and so did Emerson. Dex and Alec were watching from the crowd as well. Once all the maps were cleared off, there was one large map of the Gavarian islands left on the table. There was no signature on the front but Delia recognized the sketch work and the writing used for labeling the islands.

“This is Antonio’s work.” Delia announced. She looked to Charles. “Do you use this map by chance?”

“Sometimes.” Charles answered.

“Do you mind if I make some alterations?”

“Go ahead.” Charles waved a servant holding cartography tools to come forward. Delia grab the ink and quill when Emerson burst out with a question again.

“Why are you letting her alter a map a map done by a professional?” Emerson asked Charles, dismissing Delia again. She put down the ink and held the quill in her hand. Charles was about to tell him the reason but Delia spoke instead. “Before I let Charles explain. Can you tell me what the color the railings were on the pirate ship that attacked you?” Emerson had a blank stare on his face. Delia didn’t wait for answer. She proceeded to measure out distances on the map using the map key and a ruler at the top of the map. The quill was about to mark the map when Emerson finally answered. “The railings were blue like the color Gavarian national colors.” Delia’s focus on the map didn’t break she marked it carefully as she replied, “Then it wasn’t the Mistress of the Sea.” Delia finished the section at the top of the map then moved to another spot a quarter away from the bottom.

“How would you know? The Mistress of the Sea was a Gavarian ship before it was captured by Captain Sterling. As a naval commander I would know what one of my ships would look like.”

Delia stood up examining the map then went back to measuring. “Well it isn’t a Gavarian ship anymore. Once the ship was in Captain Sterlings possession went through a remodel and now the railings are red, along with other alterations. I doubt that it even looks like a Gavarian ship anymore.”

King Simon decided to chime in at that moment, “She’s correct. We had the ship tracked for years and reports stated that the ship went through alterations while Julian was captain.”

“And this girl would know this how?”

Delia just ignored him. Her main focus now was finishing the changes to the map. Charles got the hint that he could finally explain, “She is the adopted granddaughter of Antonio Sterling, the father of Captain Sterling. She apprenticed under him.”

“And she apparently has talent as well.” King Simon commented as he looked at her changes on the map. The only way to tell the difference between the original markings and the ones Delia made was the fresh ink. Emerson was doing a good job keeping his cool but Delia felt the frustration and embarrassment coming off of him. The day the prince was announced to get the job he thought that he deserved, he is also made a full out of by this strange girl who came with that very same prince. But he must of had a need for punishment because he proceeded to make a rebuttal. “But the Captain had the telescope that the captain of the Mistress of the Sea is known to have.”

Delia stood up after finishing the alterations then looked over for any other necessary adjustments. As she did that she replied, “There is said to be a total of six of those telescopes. They are nicknamed the eyes of the sea. Most of them known to be held by pirate captains. My profession you pick up a few things about pirate treasure. Legend has it those telescopes are able to tell the user who has broken the law of the sea.” She looked back up from the map to Charles, “I am finished. My guess is this map was created way before Antonio and I met because about ten years ago there was a hurricane that had created a large sand bank to the west of Gaston.” Delia pointed to the Gavarian island at the top of the map, “I also added the Great Corral Reef to the map between Tamal and Aspen and Lement. It’s a land mark that needs to be taken into consideration when sailing in that area.” In great big letters in the lower part of the map along with markings to indicate the length of the reef. Delia smiled at Emerson hinting that this change was made for him. She then continued, “One other change I would have made is changing the shore line on Tokan. A land survey done about five years ago shows that it has lost some of the land on the east side. Cliffs falling into the ocean. I decided to not make the changes because of the age of the map and ink. If I could erase the lines, it might damage the map.”

James came up to the table and looked over the map. “There is no doubt you studied under Sterling. I can only tell the difference in your penmanship and his by the freshness of the ink. Plus your knowledge and precision is impressive.” He said. Delia thanked him and then he said, “I feel half way obligated to offer you a job here at the palace. We could use your skills.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I am not meant to be in a palace.”

“Well if you change your mind, I am sure we can make accommodations to your life style.”

I HIGHLY doubt that.

James then turned to the crowd to ask for applauds for Delia and then to start the dance. Servants carried away the table with the maps and supplies. Charles grabbed two champagne glasses from the waiter behind him. He gave one to Delia and then they clinked glasses. They both took a drink. Delia finished her glass in an unlady like way.

“I’m going to need something stronger if your going to keep blindsiding me.” She said to Charles trying to play it off like she didn’t know it was a test.

“What would you like?” He asked

“Got any rum?”

“I’m afraid we are out already.”

Why is it always the rum.