 
       
|
A Seafaring SagaChapter 19: Onboard The Aterops
Through the clouds above the troubled waters of the Westward Current you could see the pale light of the sun nearing the horizon. Dusk was approaching. And in the black clouds themselves you could see flashes of lightning, illuminating the world below them for just a moment and then plunging it back into dark shadow.
Johnson was angry. Not for anything those pirates had done, but he was angry at himself. He had chased that ship for miles, and when he had finally reached his goal he found that it was better then anything he could have hoped for. A kidnapped princess of all things! He could have been promoted -- given command of a larger ship, better pay, but now all those dreams that had rushed to his mind had been shattered. He never had really cared for the royal family, or kings and monarchs in general, but the sight of a young girl being drowned like that angered him.
Now he was bent on hunting the Bombardier down. He did not know the name of the ship -- the closest distance the two had been to each other had bee nearly five miles. That ship had to be an enemy though. Why else would it try to flee before a warship of His Majesty’s navy? Also, the Mantis had been rather close. The idea that the Mantis was actually being chased never crossed Horatio’s mind. They must have been accomplices. Johnson no longer cared about his orders. His honor -- his pride had been hurt, and the only way he knew how to change that was to bring to justice that dratted frigate.
Meanwhile, below the surface of the water, Anastasia was drowning. She hadn’t taken a breath before they went down and now her lungs were bursting for oxygen. Finally her instincts took over and she opened her mouth. It’s a terrible feeling when you drown. Not that I know, but I may try it out someday. The water rushes into your lungs and you still can’t breath. Then you know you’re dead meat. But strangely, Anastasia wasn’t dead meat. At least not yet. For there was another thing to think about. She was still sinking. And as they plummeted downward the water around them grew heavier until she was sure her chest would collapse. But when the anchor hit bottom she was still alive. And the princess wasn’t dead. By that time she was already on the ocean floor. Burtrand had undone the chains from the anchor and wrapped them around his feet.
This is for them. Burtrand said to himself as he marched northward, Aye, this is fer all the pirates that’ll be hunted down if King Robert has his way. By Davey Jones! If I could ever show meself in Denderham again it would be a miracle. At least without her it would be. Wait ‘til the king hears that his daughter is really alive. Then he’ll be forced to give me my crew back, aye and me ship.
Meanwhile, Anastasia was bobbing along behind the pirate like a kite being pulled by little boy. Only no boy ever held his kite with such an iron grip. Burtrand had two treasures attached to that hand and he wasn’t loosing either of them. At least, not until he reached the mainland.
When Rosa awoke she was laying on a cot in a room that she hadn’t seen before. There was a man by her side.
“Ah, I see you’re finally coming ‘round Miss. You got quite a nasty bump on the head there. Now if you don’t need anything I think I’ll be going topside. We’re in for more trouble ere long.”
“What -- what ‘bout the princess?” Rosa groaned, holding her head.
“Oh.” said the Mariner. He removed his hat, “I’m afraid she’s dead.”
“Dead?” Rosa attempted to sit up, but her pounding head forced her back down, “How?”
The mariner looked at the floor.
“That Chodan-tycoed pirate Storm-Rider chained ‘imself and the princess to anchor…an’…went overboard…”
The mariner shuddered, then said, “I’ll be along shortly to bring ye some food. An’ when ye feel well enough…the Captain would like to see you.”
“Captain?” Rosa repeated.
“Aye,” nodded the mariner, “Captain Johnson. You’re on the Aterops.”
“The what?” Rosa asked, befuddled.
But the mariner had already left. Rosa leaned back in her bunk and tried to collect her thoughts. She didn’t know quite how she felt. Emotionally, that is. She knew exactly how she felt physically, and that was awful. But emotionally, she was confused, confused on how she felt about the demise of Anastasia. At first, she simply shrugged off the matter. So she’s dead, so what? The whiny little megablock wasn’t a loss to the world, not at all. However, that contempt seeped away, leaving a feeling of almost sadness for the spoiled Crusader princess. Rosa shoved those feels away as well. Then she fell asleep. She awoke to the voice of the mariner who had spoken to her before.
“Miss? I have food here, if yer hungry…”
Rosa sat up and realized that the pounding in her head had subsided greatly.
“Yeah…I’m hungry…”
The mariner placed the loaf of bread (not stale) and ale on Rosa’s lap and then said, “Might ye be feeling well enough to visit the Captain after ye eat?”
Rosa shrugged. “I s’pose.”
She had to get her bearings and figure out what to do next now that she had escaped the pirates, and this captain could help. So after Rosa had swallowed the last of the ale she rose and followed the mariner to the captain’s cabin. Captain Horatio Johnson was at his desk, apparently plotting a course. He looked up when they entered.
“Captain, sir, this be the lady who we rescued from the Mantis.”
“Ah.”
Johnson nodded and gestured to a chair. “Please, milady, sit.”
Rosa stiffened. “I’ll stand.”
Johnson stiffened slightly as well. “As you wish. Mister Pitt, please leave us.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Pitt exited and shut the door, leaving Rosa and Johnson alone.
Johnson spoke first. “I am Captain Horatio Johnson of the Aterops, a ship of His Majesty King Robert’s fleet.”
“Rosa.”
Johnson nodded.
“How did you come to be on the Mantis?”
“I was kidnapped.”
“How?”
“I was in Port Crowne, and the coronation for the king was going on. Some brute kidnapped the princess. I followed him to the docks. I killed him. Or I thought I did. I cut his throat.”
Johnson appeared not be phased, though inwardly he was making mental notes on Rosa’s character.
“And he survived?” he asked.
“Somehow. He grabbed me by the throat and when I awoke I was on the ship with the princess.”
“I see.”
Johnson waited.
“Is that all?”
“You asked how I got on the Mantis. That’s how.”
“I see.”
“You ‘see’ a lot.” Rosa snapped, “So, where are going? When will we reach the mainland?”
“Not for a while.” replied Johnson coolly, successfully keeping his temper in check, “I am currently chasing an accomplice ship of the Mantis. I think it must be a slaver. Since last night it’s made a beeline toward Anka Dolour, and her course hasn’t deviated since.”
“So I’m stuck on here!?” Rosa demanded.
“Until I get my ship, yes.” replied Johnson.
“Megablocks!”
“Madam,” Johnson rose, fully displaying the aura of a Crusader captain, “While on the Aterops I will ask you not to use foul language on my ship. The Aterops is a clean ship, I will not tolerate disturbances. And--” he continued as Rosa started to protest, “keep in mind that you are in my debt. If it was not for the Aterops, you would still be on the pirate ship Mantis. That will be all.”
Rosa fumed inwardly, and was an inch away from bopping Johnson a good one, but deep down she knew he logic was correct. It would do her no good to blow up, save to land her in another brig. Rosa exited the captains quarters and paced along the deck. No, she wouldn’t take out her anger on the captain for being stuck on the Aterops, but if any sailor simply looked at her the wrong way she’d beat the megablocks out of him.
| Previous Chapter | Next Chapter |
|
|
