Chapter 3: Journey To The East
1395 Words
Charlie
The wind howled in my ear as I hung on the bow sail at the head of the ship. The endless ocean around us had slowly vanished as islands appeared in the distance.
I looked up to the sunrise on the horizon and realized that back in Rusty Cove, Admiral Vance would have found out that I left against his will. Hopefully, he would believe that I am heading towards Wenricot and not Renevia.
Old Garavito better not screw it up or else it would be a simple waste of me five doubloons!
Either way, I wanted to make a point to the Admiral. I was not his doll for him to beckon when he wishes to and keep me under his dirty thumb.
I am Cap’n Charlie Red and I will steer me ship where I want to!
~.~
Admiral Vance
I dumped out the sand in my black shiny boots on the ground before sliding my feet into them. I buckled up my belt on my waist and adjusted my wavy locks, covering it with my hat.
There’s no way Charlie can deny me.
I stepped out of the inn to see one of my crew members pacing up and down outside my door, kicking the stones around angrily.
“Pete! What be ye doing here? Don’t ye have better work to do?!” I yelled, stepping out just as the skies broke into dawn.
“Admiral, someth-,” he started to explain before I cut him off abruptly.
I have better work to do than listen to this here scallywag.
“Never mind that. I don’t want to hear yer excuses. Did ye see Charlie? Where be that lassie? We have some business to discuss,” I hooked my thumbs in my belt and looked around for any sign of my woman.
“She’s not here,” Pete replied, staring straight at me.
“Well, of course she’s not here. Can ye see her standing here? Go fetch her fer me. Tell her the Admiral beckons her with haste!”
“But, but, but…,” he argued, much to my annoyance.
“I don’t want to hear about yer buts, Pete! Do as ye be told! That’s an order!” I commanded with authority.
This here landlubber Pete is really soiling me day.
Pete looked at me with fear in his eyes before running off in the pub's direction with haste. While waiting, I headed over to the cliffs and observed the familiar open seas. Soon, I heard a couple of hurried footsteps behind me. I turned around to see my right-hand man, Freddy, approaching me with Pete tailing behind him.
“Now why did ye bring Freddy? Does he look like Cap’n Charlie to ye? Or better yet, even like a wench or a lassie?” I sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.
I swearrr I am going to make Pete walk the plank any day now.
“Admiral! Did ye hear about Charlie?” Freddy asked quickly, a worried frown wrinkling his forehead.
“What about her?”
“She and the Old Savvy sailed off last night secretly with no note left behind. Old Garavito by the dock said he heard something about Wenricot,”
Oh Charlie, ye spineless lassie!
“And ye knew about this?!” I questioned Pete, grabbing him by the collar of his faded shirt.
The terrified lad just nodded his big head, his eyes close to tears. I would have never taken the likes of him as part of my crew if not for his old man’s debt with me.
“Then why didn’t ye spit it out already instead of rambling like a chicken?!” I slapped the back of his head.
What a dull-witted lad!
“So, what should we do, Admiral? Shall I send out our lads to bring her back?” Freddy stood upright, ready for my command.
“Let her be fer now. Fearrr not, she will get sense knocked into her pretty little head soon enough. Let’s go pay her a visit in Wenricot and seize a portion of her loot as punishment. Get the ship ready, we sail at noon!” I ordered, stepping my foot on the giant rock beside me strongly as I looked forward at the glowing sunrise.
Well played Charlie. But ye will be mine, one way or another. Then ye will do only what I say, always and forever.
~.~
Charlie
I gently steered the wheel before me, my eyes dead-set on the sea before me. The vast ocean had disappeared a few miles ago as we approached a cluster of islands, the only thing between us and Renevia.
“Cap’n! Which channel should we take?!” Jimmy shouted from the top of the starboard with his telescope, pointing at the crossroads before us.
“We’ll go by Merim but stick to the Mountain of Doom coastline. Remember, always at any cost, avoid Titore! Their army training camp be right by the shore and they would not let us go by that easily, at least not without a fight!” I explained, looking down at my map as my eyebrows scrunched with dread.
Soon enough, the tall mountains towered above us as we sailed by them. The island that housed the mountains of doom was a place that was famous among fellow pirates. There have been occurrences when horrifying weather had caused boulders to fall from the mountains, landing on ships, burying both ship and crew at the bottom of Davy Jones’ Locker.
Shiver me timbers! I hope that doesn’t happen to us!
Nevertheless, I kept on steering my dear old ship towards Renevia. Soon my eyes fell on the cream-bricked castle in the distance with its flag flying high.
There ye are. Soon ye will be mine!
I steered the Old Savvy gently alongside the Renevia, towards the high cliffs and away from the dock. Based on what I’ve heard, I should steer clear of the dock until I am sure that I will not be attacked, or at least until I find a way to establish dominance and instill fear in the kingdom.
As the ship reached the outskirts of the luscious forest shielding the kingdom of Renevia, I ordered for the anchor to be dropped.
“Westy, keep her hidden from prying eyes as long as ye can. Once ye get me command, bring her to the dock. But, if yer spotted, lead her back to the mountains of doom, no matter what!” I advised, placing a spare compass in his hands.
“What about ye and the other lads, Cap’n?” He asked with concern, reminding me much about my father.
“We’ll find a way back or send ye signal to come to get us,” I reassured him.
“Aye-aye Cap’n!” Old Westy responded with a little salute before wrapping his hands around the wheel.
Satisfied, I made my way back to the deck, where a group of my loyal crew was awaiting my command. I took Jimmy, Rudy, Daggett, and Ronny with me since they were experienced and knew how I think like the back of their hands.
“Prepare the grapple hooks! We climb!” I ordered before looking up at the limestone cliff towering above us.
Within minutes, I stood alongside my lads and wound around the rope with the heavy grapple hooks attached to them. With an effortless throw, my hook landed on the peak of the cliff. The four of us climbed up with all our strength until we stood above, looking down at the Old Savvy beneath us.
I nodded at Old Westy below before trotting into the forest, with my lads trailing behind me. As the trees and foliage of the forest became scarce, we hid behind trees when we could to avoid being spotted.
Soon, we laid eyes on the town square where the people of Renevia were frolicking about in laughter with carefreeness.
Not fer long, Renevia. Cap’n Charlie Red has arrived.
An idea popped into my mind, and I signaled for the lads to head back into the deeper end of the forest. As soon as we were hidden away, I huddled them together, my lips curling up in a sinister smile.
“Mateys, time to incite chaos!”
- Writer
