Chapter 2: Chasing The Dream Over The Horizon
1657 Words
Charlie
I rolled up my map just in time as a member of the Admiral’s crew approached me from behind, rather sneakily. I caught his figure from the corner of my eye, ready to attack should anything happen.
Like old Cap'n Turner used to say trust no man nor gentleman of fortune.
I quickly turned around and glared at the scallywag intensely, eyeing him up and down. The carouser staggered towards me until he stood in front of me.
“Explain yerself, lad! What do ye want?!” I demanded, my hand hanging on my belt and my eyes fixed on his.
“The Admiral wants to see ye,” the pirate muttered with a hint of sarcasm.
Of course, he did. But that still doesn't explain the scallywag's behavior.
“What took ye so long to say that there?” I demanded rhetorically, walking towards the pub.
“Scurvy Wench!” I heard the carouser yell to himself just as I was about to push open the batwing doors of the pub.
How dare he call me a disguistin' woman!
I swirled around in wrath and headed straight to him. The minute he turned to face me, I gripped the collar of his shirt and tugged him towards me in a heave.
“What did ye say?!” I snarled.
“A woman 'as no right to be a Cap'n. Ye don't deserve to be Cap'n o' the Old Savvy. Ye belong in the cabin, like a loyal wife!” His lips curled into a pout of disgust.
“Listen 'ere ye son of a biscuit eater, don't ye dare talk about me like that there again or I swearrr I'll make ye walk the plank in the middle of the briny deep!” I warned with a scowl, sparing no mercy.
That there ought to instill the fearrr of God in 'im!
I let the lad go and pushed him away before making my way inside the pub and straight towards the Admiral’s table in fury. But, like always, the minute my eyes meet his, my anger melts and is replaced with a weird mix of emotions, fear, and adoration.
The Admiral truly had a bewitchin' hold on me
~.~
Admiral Vance
I watched as the gorgeous red-head approached my table, her hips, and belt swaying enticingly with each step she took against the wooden floor. She was an absolutely beautiful woman and I made sure to stake my claim on her before anyone else could.
After all, I am the Admiral.
“There ye be Charlie. I thought ye sailed off without sayin' farewell.” I announced sarcastically as soon as Charlie reached my table, slamming her palm down in anger.
She was a truly feisty lass.
“You better get yer crew in line, Admiral Vance. Yer lad there insulted me fer being a woman. Can ye believe that there?!” Charlie lashed out, pointing at my crew member standing by the door.
What did that lad do now?
“I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm. Why get yer braids in a knot fer such a trivial matter?”
“So, you’re going to let him go without punishment?” Charlie argued, bending down to look me in the eye.
“Aye, because we have more important matters to discuss. Sit.” I commanded, signaling towards the chair before me.
“What be it?”
“Where does yer voyage lead to next? Wenricot? Daria? Hybed?”
“Actually, I’m heading to Renevia!” The female pirate captain declared proudly with her head held high.
“What?! Have you lost yer marbles? Ye will not step into Renevia, ye hear! Ye aren’t ready nor are ye experienced enough.”
“Why not? Have you not heard about me enough? I am one of the best captains and was trained by the very best, the great Captain Turner Red!”
“The voyage to Renevia is tricky and it’s not an unprotected land. It’s a kingdom! Sure there will be a lot to loot but it’s risky and no place fer a scallywag like yerself.”
“I am Captain Charlie Red! I am no newbie nor a coward!” The red-haired goddess stood up in a jolt of fury.
“Why won’t ye listen, Charlie?! Ye don’t belong there. It’s no place for a pirate like yerself.”
The stubborn lass refused to listen to me but instead, kept raising her voice in reason against me. I let her continue on but that didn’t mean I would make her pay for questioning me and my authority in front of our crews.
“What’s with ye men thinking so shallow of women? Are we only meant to be imprisoned as yer wives? To not be seen and heard?! And ye, Admiral Vance, do ye think I can’t get Renevia?!” Charlie shouted out to the crew members before shifting her attention back to me, her green eyes burning with ferocity.
I had to admit, the idea of having Charlie as my obedient little wife was very tempting, and seeing her all riled up like that was making me smile. But, there was no way I was going to let her plunder the motherland of gold and jewels, what was rightfully mine and only mine.
“This discussion is over. Ye will not step foot in Renevia if ye know what’s best fer ye!” I ordered with authority, jumping up straight and slamming my foot on the chair.
The only daughter of Captain Red just glared at me in response, taking it too far by not answering me or agreeing with me. I despised being ignored rudely and Charlie was taking it overboard with her arrogant attitude like she was an experienced pirate, a seadog even.
She needs to be reminded who is boss around these parts.
“I mean it, Charlie. Stay away from Renevia. Ye don’t belong there. Don’t make me stop ye forcefully or else things will turn ugly,” I whispered in her ear, hooking my finger in her belt and pulling her towards me, roughly.
The persistence in her green eyes disappeared in a blink and was replaced with fear. She pushed me away gently before shaking her head as if escaping a haze.
“Fine. I’ll go to Wenricot instead.”
“That’s my good lass. I’m going to hit the hay now, I’ll see you at dawn and we can get more familiar with each other, okay?”
Charlie just nodded her head and turned away from me, walking towards the bar to flip a gold doubloon to the bartender.
“A clap of thunder,” she ordered, leaning on the table.
The captain of Old Savvy knocked back her drink in a snap of a finger before walking out of the pub, without looking back, like she always does.
Fear not for tomorrow you will be mine, Charlie Red.
~.~
Renevia
Unknown’s Point of View
The elegant throne room of Renevia seemed silent, desolate even. In front of me, King Charles Edward sat on his throne somberly, his posture dejected and his mind full of thought.
“Is something troubling your mind, Your Highness?” I voiced out, breaking the silence.
“Oh, no. It’s nothing. I was just thinking about my wife. My Priscilla has been so closed off. I thought probably welcoming another child into the world would help her forget about Charlotte, but alas, fate had other plans. We haven’t been blessed with a child ever since,” King Charles explained with a sigh.
“Well, how about a visit to the town fair? I am sure the people would love to see their King gracing their event”, I pitched carefully.
“Not today. I am just not in the mood,” the old king responded before getting up and walking out of the throne room, leaving me alone.
It wasn’t something new, but rather, it had been the case for the last several years. The royal couple lost their child and in the process, lost themselves as well. King Charles hasn’t made a public appearance for more than five minutes in ages. Not to mention that the loyal subjects of Renevia haven’t seen their queen all these years. Renevia just hasn’t been the same. The reason all matters have been running smoothly is due to Sir Lance and his incredible team that has been doing a good job handling things, but things still didn’t feel quite the same.
I fear that this was what the royal kingdom had come to and there was nothing that was going to change it. Luckily, we were a stronghold and safe land, hence, they didn’t have much to worry about nor did the people feel threatened for their safety.
But, would that peace last?
~.~
Charlie
I stormed out of the old pirate pub and jumped into my ship. I leaned on the railing and looked out to the moonlight reflecting on the nearly-still ocean. No matter what Admiral Vance commanded, there was still about Renevia that riled me up. As if something was pulling me towards the land, to be exact.
Not to mention that it would be the key to me freedom.
“Should we prepare fer the journey to Wenricot, Cap’n?” Old Westy asked, approaching me slowly.
“No. We won’t be going to Wenricot, not this time.”
There was no way I was going to let a man stop me from chasing what I wanted. Not even Admiral Vance.
“Huh? Then where are we going?” Old Westy inquired with a confused look on his wrinkled face.
I climbed up the nearest pole and blew a sharp whistle sound by placing my pinky fingers in my mouth, gaining the attention of my half-dazed crew.
“Mateys! Set sail for the east! Tomorrow we pillage Renevia!”
- Writer
