The Pirate Princess (The Royal Pirate: Book One)

Chapter 1: Captain Charlie Red & The Old Black Savvy

Charlie’s Point of View

The ship rocked violently in sync with the harsh ocean beneath us as I gripped onto the ship’s wheel tightly until my knuckles turned white.

“Avast ye mateys! Batten down the hatches, we’re going to ride this nasty thing!” I yelled at the top of my voice as I planted my feet firm on the plank boards beneath me.

“Aye-aye Captain!” My crew responded before scattering about from below me, each making themselves busy with their task at hand.

“Jimmy! Get that Jolly Roger down! We can’t risk losing that!” I screamed as I pointed to our black pirate flag, as the white skull and crossbones flapped aggressively at the top starboard yardarm.

“Furl the sails now!” I commanded pointing vigorously to the cloth extended on the back mast, sending another crew member running to it to take it down.

The last thing I needed now was for the sails to catch the wind and make us slide sideways. Once everything and everyone was in position, I accelerated the speed of the ship.  With all my might I steer the Old Black Savvy through the storm, the saltwater drenching me with each rough wave we ride over. Usually, I detest having to sail through a storm, especially when the briny deep is this aggressive and could sink us down to Davy Jones’s Locker at any given time.

Shiver Me Timbers! I can’t even imagine if that were to happen.

However, when he beckons, there is no refusing him. Admiral Vance always gets his way, no matter what. So when he sent a letter calling me to meet him at Rusty Cove as soon as possible, there was no time to spare. Rain or shine, or in this case, violent storm, I had to get there on time.  After all, I was the captain of the ship.

After what felt like ages, we finally hit calm waters, flag, and sails up, straight for Rusty Cove. I stood at the crow’s nest, the highest peak of the ship I could climb, and pulled out the telescope secured firmly to my belt. All that lay ahead was the endless ocean but with a hint of land in the faraway distance as the orange glow of the sunset shined on our wet ship.

“We’ll be in Rusty Cove by midnight,” I declared as soon as my boots touched the main deck, attracting the attention of the crew.

“I have to say, ye ar’ turning to become a true Old Salt day by day, just like yer old man. That reckless briny deep was no challenge to ye Captain Charlie Red. Whatcha say mateys?” Old Westy said, followed by deafening cheers from the other members of my amazing crew.

“Yo Ho Ho! A few hours and we’ll get to swallow down some grog like there’s no tomorrow!” I exclaimed in joy before retreating to my captain’s quarters below deck.

The chantey of the crew fills my ears but soon fades away as I stand in the middle of my lonely quarters. The wooden cabin seemed a little cramped as the sacks full of the booty from Yersia occupied the room.

The pearls and gold coins that overflowed to the floor seemed abundant but yet, none of it was enough for me to buy what I needed. I slumped into the wooden chair and raised my boots to the table with maps rolling around. Dejected, I pull out my compass and flip it open to find the inscription staring back at me.

‘Ye were a gift to us all and a true miracle. Never avast being the best version of yourself, no matter what others say. I love ye me Charlie, forever and always. Love, Mama Renee’

A smile crept on my weary brow at the thought of the day Mama Renee passed me the gold shipman's card, back when I was 19 years old. My old lady, my mother chose the time when we had to abandon the ship to grant it to me, which was such a blur. I remembered thinking that she had lost her marbles for thinking that we might not survive the sinking ship. But, after our next voyage, mama dropped dead sick and I never laid eyes on her ruby cheeks again, so did Captain Turner Red.

Captain Turner is none other than my old man. The very man who had taught me anything I ever needed to know. Who taught me how to pillage, plunder and loot from those who had too much. I was trained to be ruthless, confident, and to spare no man, which is exactly how I befell to be. Now I stood in my ship, as Captain Charlie Red, a famed pirate.

I shut the compass with a heave before shutting my eyes for what felt like a second but soon was awakened by the call of my name.

“Captain! Land-Ho!” My right-hand man, Jimmy yelled out, grabbing my attention.

I dashed out to the deck just in time to see my ship approaching the packed dock with a familiar establishment in the distance. The sounds of chanteys and laughter of fellow pirates filled my ears, which would mean only one thing.

I’m home.

Soon enough, the Old Black Savvy was tied up to the dock and I made my way towards the pub, eager to learn about the reason I was beckoned with such haste. I pushed the wooden door open to a rave of pirates stumbling around inside, each with a mug of grog in hand. Some were grumbling, some were laughing and some were arguing at the top of their voice. But, then someone from the corner of the room caught sight of me.

“Yo Ho Ho! Look which scallywag lassie just walked in! Matey! Grab a grog for Captain Red!” Admiral Vance announced walking towards me, his boots as pitch black as his shoulder-length locks.

Scallywag? Really? I am not inexperienced!

“Ahoy there, Charlie. Took yer own sweet time to arrive, didn’t ye?” The Admiral questioned, standing close in front of me that I could hear his breathing while his piercing blue eyes stared into my soul.

“Sorry, there been a storm,” I apologized as my breath hitched in my throat.

“Don't let it happen again, ye hear?” the tall manly pirate whispered in my ear in a commanding hissing tone, sending shivers up my spine.

But, before I could protest, he snaked his arm around my waist and dipped me down, only to plant a brief yet sloppy kiss on my lips.

Oh, the Admiral and I have a weird kind of relationship.

He returned me to my feet before joining his crew while I returned to mine. A few drinks and hours later passed, we were all singing along, celebrating our latest pillage like we always do. The pub was filled with ear-deafening laughter and voices until a heart-stopping scream rang through our ears. 

My hand immediately reached for my g*n in response, holding it firmly while in my belt in precaution, and so did every other pirate in the bar. 

“Snake! There's a snake on the floor! Someone kill it before it comes for me and kills us all!” Jimmy, a lad from my crew shouted, pointing aggressively to the floor beneath him, his drink still in hand. 

The other lads scattered about in fear for their lives, some resorting to climbing on the tables and carrying each other. 

“Oh, sorry there lads, I dropped me cloth here. Carry on!” Daisy, the waitress said, picking up a piece of green cloth from off the floor. 

Daft Jimmy! But, it been jolly to see all them sturdy lads, shaking like wee lassies, afraid o' a cloth on the floor.

Everyone exchanged weird glances with each other before bursting out into drunken laughter once more. Within seconds, everything was back to the way it was. But, my mind was still fixed on one thing.

I lugged myself away from my crew and stepped out to cliffs. I pulled out the roll of paper from my belt and stepped under a burning lamp to examine it. In my shaky hands was the map leading to the next victims of my pillage, the land of my dreams, and the solution to my lack of booty.

Next stop, Renevia.

~.~

Renevia 

Unknown Point of View

The queen rocked back and forth in her chair in deadening silence that she has been for the past 15 years. Queen Priscilla had never been the same since her daughter and only child disappeared from Renevia, feared for dead. No jester, family member nor her husband, King Charles Edward could cheer her up or coerce her to leave her late daughter’s room.

Some say she was mentally unstable and that there is no cure, while some say she is possessed by evil spirits. Yet, no one knew for sure.

Queen Priscilla looked out of the window with her longing gloomy green eyes as she gripped the remaining half of Princess Charlotte’s bracelet tightly. But then, fear and a hint of surprise flashed across her face, for a split second. The Queen opened her mouth and said the first words she has said in months.

“Something’s coming.”