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A Seafaring SagaChapter 29: Adventure's End
It was not long before the Crusader marines caught up with Viktor, Rosa and Anastasia. Surrounded and very much outnumbered, Viktor, grumbling, threw down his sword.
“Hand over the princess!” demanded Captain Johnson.
Viktor glanced over.
“Fine, then.”
He grabbed Anastasia and shoved her toward O’Brien, who caught her.
“You two are under arrest,” intoned Captain Johnson with a glint in his eye.
“No, wait!”
All turned to look at the princess.
“Your Highness?” questioned Johnson.
“They helped me!” cried Anastasia, firmly now, “Rosa helped me while we were kidnapped, and that nice man fended off the pirates!”
“Then why’d they run?” snapped O’Brien.
“You bloody well scared the tyco outta us when you charged.” snapped Viktor.
Johnson mulled this over. He turned to Viktor.
“You’re a convicted criminal. No matter what you did to aid the princess, you’re still under arrest.”
“No!” Anastasia commanded regally, “I am Princess Anastasia of the Crusaders, am I not? And as such, I pardon both of these persons of any past crimes!”
Rosa was impressed. Anastasia had certainly matured greatly since she had first met the princess. Johnson didn’t say anything, but bow, even if it was a bit stiff.
“As you command, Your Highness.”
Anastasia nodded and then went forward to Rosa before embracing her briefly.
“Thanks,” the princess said simply, “for saving my life. Is there anything you want? Anything?”
Rosa squirmed slightly, but did not push the princess away.
“Just a ride home. Home to the mainland.”
Anastasia looked at Viktor.
“And you?”
“The same.” said Viktor.
“Very well.”
And so, it was arranged. Of course, things didn’t quite go as planned, and there were several roadblocks still ahead. The most obvious one was the Aterops. Or lack thereof, that is. Burtrand and his scurvy band of pirates had successfully hijacked the Crusader vessel and were now long gone, off to do what pirates do best. Interestingly enough, Johnson was not completely furious, for he still had a large prize: the princess, safe and sound.
So the troupe of Crusader marines, Captain Johnson, his mate O’Brien, the princess Anastasia, Rosa and Viktor returned to Little Chipping to stay the night and to prepare for the voyage home. One interesting thing to note: the Dragon Master Targon was not to be found when they returned. No one knew where he went. H e had vanished into the Western Knight’s Kingdom countryside.
Within a few days, a Western Knight’s Kingdom vessel was hired, and the weary band left Kingdom Isle, their sights set homeward. Three weeks later, the mismatched party returned to Port Crowne to insanely wild celebrations. To much happened during the next few days for me to describe in great detail, so I shall sum it up: Anastasia returned to her family, a little rougher for wear but possessing a maturity level that surprised but also pleased her parents and brother. Captain Horatio Johnson was pardoned for straying from his orders and losing the Aterops. He was promoted to Admiral and was given a brand new vessel fresh from the shipyards. O’Brien was honored with a medal, was promoted to Captain and given his own ship. Rosa was also honored and thanks profusely, but she refused all gold rewards pressed upon her save for a small sum. “Give the rest to the people.” she said, “And clean up your tyco slums.” Shortly after celebrations had begun, she vanished, and no one knew where she went. As for Viktor Okzskcarouldghf, he too was honored and thanked. All charges against him were dropped, and he accepted a modest sum of cash, insisting, like Rosa to spend the rest of the award on improving the Crusader waterfront. When crowds asked about how he felt about his whole experience, he replied, “It was an adventure.”
And thus ends this tale.
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