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A Seafaring SagaChapter 26: Flicker Of Hope
Anastasia opened her eyes. She blinked once, twice, but the vision in front of her stayed the same. Darkening blue with patches of white. She didn’t know what to make of it. Then another form disturbed her eyes.
“You awake, princess?” It was Burtrand, “Keep quiet now, we have ta get out of here quick.”
The pirate shoved off from the ramshackle dock he’d tied the boat to. He was in a hurry to get out of Palaceville after all. Something he’d seen had startled him. Here he was, just minding his own business, buying some supplies at the general store, and who should he see when he steps out?
“That tyco woman seems to be following me” Burtrand cursed under his breath, “How could she be here now? Aye, and who might she have with her?”
“Where are we going?”
The voice interrupted Burtrand’s thoughts. It was the girl still obviously groggy from the drugs he’d given her. Burtrand didn’t answer directly, but after he’d secured their new provisions and dipped his oar into the sea.
“We’re headed to see a frien’ of mine. Aye, he’ll keep ye safe an’ secure ‘til I can get things set straight in Crusader land.”
But Burtrand wasn’t so sure he would make it. Especially when he saw the ship sailing away, far in front of him. The pirate was about to raise sail when he saw it.
“Mille sabords!” Burtrand cried, falling flat on his belly and fumbling for hid new telescope.
It wasn’t really new, of course. It was covered in rust and had a large crack on the outer lens. Still, what could you expect from a village like Palaceville? The piece of megablocks did work, however and what Burtrand could see through it -- it wasn’t good.
“Thundering son of a sea-gherkin! That bloody woman did bring someone with her!” Burtrand couldn’t read the ships name from his distance, but he’d know the outline of the Bombardier if it was sitting in a mountain of fog.
“Tyco! Scratch that princess, looks like we’re gonna be settin’ quiet fer a spell an’ lettin’ the ol’ Bombardier wander off first.”
“Ugh, great, now you want to get off? You’re squashing me.”
Burtrand looked down to where the voice had come from. Unexpectedly, right under his chin. The pirate had been so intent on the Bombardier, he hadn’t realized who he was laying on. Burtrand rolled off, still keeping low.
“A shame,” he thought, “she won’t be near as docile when those drugs ware off. Aye, I’ll have my work cut out for me then.”
O’Brien stretched out his toes, admiring them before he put them into his boot. That cream the merchant had given him sure worked like a charm. The beer on the other hand…well, O’Brien thought it best not to try it yet. After all, beer brewed from seaweed couldn’t taste very good. So thinking, he stepped to the stairs and emerged on deck.
“Where are we?” he asked Bobart when he found him near the wheel.
“Two miles from our destination, mate. I trust ya’ll be getting off there?”
“Aye, even if I wanted to go back I have nothing left to barter with. By the way, what’s our destination?”
“Port Blagart. We’ll be there a’fore long so I’d suggest getting’ ya’re men ready far landin’. Been a pleasure doin’ business with ya mister O’Brien. I hope ya find who ya’re lookin’ for.”
O’Brien was lost. He was lost in Blagart, this pitiful, desolate, gray town with depressed citizens and cruel, sneering watch-guards. He was lost in his mind, not knowing where to look for Anastasia next. And he was at a loss of hope, for he’d scoured the city with no results. Where could she be? Was she even here? Maybe Burtrand had headed to other parts of Dametreos. Or maybe, just maybe Burtrand and Anastasia were still at the bottom of the ocean, tied to that ship’s anchor. And maybe this whole thing was a wild goose chase.
“What do ya think men?” he said, turning to his two companions.
But before they could answer, they were interrupted by another growling voice, “Heard you guys were polkin’ yer noses aroun’ here abouts. Lookin’ fer someone…we’ll I see ye’ve not found yer quarry, but ye have attracted his attention. An’ now he wants ta see ye.”
For the first time, O’Brien noticed the dozen Black Falcons surrounding him and his men. This was not good.
But these steps were not helping it seemed, for O’Brien had passed over his quarry when Burtrand stopped in Palaceville and had reached Port Blagart before the pirate. Indeed, if that was where he was going. And now O’Brien was in trouble with the Black Falcons…
“Governor Smawling.” The burly Black Falcon announced stepping aside.
O’Brien was inside a gloomy, gray castle with his two companions, staring ahead at the figure approaching. It was a man. A small, wiry man with a pair of sharp eyes and a wry smile.
“Greetings gentlemen.” the man croaked, grinning fiendishly, “I understand you’ve been searching for someone here in my city . A pirate, I hear. May I ask why?”
“Well, we…” O’Brien began, “We have reason to believe that a pirate named Burtrand Storm-Rider has fled to this city with a member of the royal Crusader family. He’s kidnapped the princess it seems and we are here to find her.”
The governor cocked his head, drumming a bony finger on his long, pointed chin.
“Hmm, ‘tis an interesting story you weave, sir. I trust you are telling the truth and if there is anything I or my men can do to help do not hesitate to ask. However, I doubt you will find any pirates here. We are a simple trade colony here and have no reason to attract buccaneers. Still, look about as you would. I will assign a few of my guards to help you and escort you through your search.”
“Thank you sir.” said O’Brien as the guards escorted them out.
But when they were safely out of earshot the governor turned to the captain of his guard.
“Keep an eye on them, my friend. And keep them away from the caves.”
King Robert slouched in his throne at the castle in Port Crowne. He was deep in thought and his mind was troubled. First and foremost on his mind was his daughter Anastasia. Dear little Anna. His little princess. But she wasn’t so little anymore. Just the other day he’d remarked how he wished he could stop her from growing up and keep her his little princess forever.
That was before the kidnapping. And now, the king just wanted her back. The queen had been inconsolable ever since the kidnapping and Roberts son had gone off looking for his sister and swearing revenge on the man who’d taken her. He wasn’t alone in this. Many were enraged by the kidnapping and for a while the seedy seaside towns were harried by the king’s men, looking for answers. But that all ended when the ransom note arrived.
It stated that the girl would be returned eventually but only if the King complied with these demands: First, that the coronation of King Robert be suspended immediately along with the rebuilding of the Crusader navy. And second, that all royal soldiers be removed from various, pirate occupied ports. It was made very clear that failure to comply with these demands would mean the death of the princess.
So the king was defeated. His family was in ruins and so was his kingdom. And those who would compete for his title were just waiting for the right moment to strike.
But in that moment of despair a voice spoke to him. Yill the bartender had reported the news he’d heard in his encounter with O’Brien and a network of invisible messengers had passed it on until it reached the ears of a Man of Valor in Port Crowne. This is what the king heard:
Have a good heart Robert. Your daughter is alive. And even now steps are being taken to bring her back to you.
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