The Pirate, The Princess and The Assassin

The Ship

Cahira often felt as if she was walking through the city of the dead. Even when it was roaring with people the streets were decaying. But they felt especially eery during the silent hour. The only time when the capital city, Kriegerin, was peaceful. The one hour when the night slept but before the morning headed off to work. Cahira learned of this time very quickly for it is the hour when The Wild Hunt. A hunt where Faeries are the prey. But she had mapped out their route decades ago and silently swept the streets, wrapping her long coat closer to herself. The tough leather kept the salty water from piercing her skin as she approached the docks but didn’t keep the chill from her spine. She could hear the hooves across the stone.

The groan of wood relaxed her as boots stepped onto the wondrous ship just in time to hear the bell tower ring. The captain must have heard the protesting planks as well because the ropes whispered a sweet goodbye to the cobblestone and carried into the night.

Cahira moved silently across the deck. The finely carved railing smooth against her calloused fingertips.

“Cutting it rather fine, Mistress.” The soothing voice rolled with the waves.

“I had business to attend to, Captain.” Cahira didn’t realise how hollow her voice sounded.

“As long as your business does not follow us this time, we should have smooth sailing.”

A smile crossed her tight lips. “My business has already boarded.”

“I know. Why is it your business always involves my poor ship, Hira?” Captain Keisha mocked as she leaned over the wheel.

“Because every time my business and this ship get involved, we always have an adventure,” Cahira threw over her shoulder. She could feel Keisha rolling her eyes and scoffing but the captain held steady as the ship was engulfed by fog.

~

“Rise and Shine Princess.” A grating male voice woke Princess Adelinda from a dreamless sleep. “The captain wants to see you.”

Adelinda rolled over with a groan. The sun was not even out yet. Though she supposed it could be, but she would not see it – not below deck of a ship at least. It felt early though, and The Princess of Land did not do early. It was a miracle if her lady's maid could get her out of bed before midday.

But things were different now. So much had changed in the past few hours it was difficult to wrap her head around it. So, she would not think of it. Instead, she would become presentable enough to meet The Captain.

The clothes laid out did not make this an easy task to accomplish. She would have to substitute her silk gown for wool shirts and pants along with worn leather boots. How revolting to be wearing boots that someone else wore. Where had these boots been? More importantly where had the feet in the boots been? She sniffed the droopy shoes and gagged. Her nose, used to honey and lavender scented clothing, would just have to get used to the awful smells of water stained wool and sour shoes.

Adelinda gave herself a once over in the small looking glass of the shared room. This was the best it would get, she supposed. Her dark blonde hair braided into a substitute crown; a male's blemished shirt; faded female’s trousers and pungent boots. At least she had socks and her own under garments.

With a deep breath she headed into the corridor. A few steady steps and then she found herself face to face with the wooden wall. Again, she tried a few steps but was thwarted by the movement of the lawless vesicle. Again, she tried and failed. Only this time warm flesh broke her fall.

“Oh! Need a hand there, Princess?” A gentle but surprised voice sounded from above her. Adalinda looked up into the smiling face of a sun kissed male.

“I am so sorry.” The princess managed while caught mesmerised by his piercing green eyes.

“No need for an apology. It took me a while to find my sea legs too. You'll get used to it fairly quickly.” The male placed her steadily on her feet. “Until then use the walls and railings for support.”

“Thank you.” Adalinda placed her hand on the damp wood.

The male winked at her before he walked into the bowels of the vessel. She couldn’t help the heat of her cheeks as she made her way onto the main deck.

“Ah! Princess.” A dark-skinned female called out from the quarter deck. She was easily the most beautiful female Adalinda had ever seen in her short life. Her skin looked to have the colour and silkiness of melted chocolate; her dreadlocks were neatly tied at the nape of her neck and her sea green eyes proved that she was born to be on a ship.

“Captain Gurerrier.” The female extended a hand. “But most of the ship call me Keisha.”

“It is lovely to make your acquaintance, Captain.” Adalinda took the captain’s hand and did a small curtsy.

“Hey Hira,” The captain leaned over the rail to shout, “This one curtsies.”

“I know.” A familiar female voice travelled up. “The Landian’s train their Princesses well.”

Adalinda couldn’t quite place the voice, but it reminded her so much of her childhood.

“Well Princess,” the captain’s eyes glistened, “things are about to change for you.”

She gulped.

“Everyone works to sail on this ship. I don’t care if you're a princess and neither will the rest of the crew. You will be put to work or will be kicked off at the next port. Got it?”

Adalinda nodded politely.

“Good. You will also have to get good at combat. Can’t have you dying on us. Choose whoever you like to teach you, but you’ll start training tomorrow morning. That should give you enough time to decide.”

“I beg your pardon?” The princesses normally even toned voice laced with disdain.

“What don't you understand?” The captain started to move across the deck. Adalinda followed at a respectful distance behind her.

“I understood everything, but I will not – no – cannot be trained in combat.” Adalinda grabbed hold of the railing before falling to the ground.

“And why not?” The princess could feel the captain’s irritation.

“Because I am a princess.” Adalinda almost tumbled into the captain as the female stopped abruptly.

“That is no excuse for dying, now, is it?” the captain placed her hands on her hips. Adalinda felt as if she were being scolded by one of her governesses. “We have raids here and I'm not assigning a valuable pair of hands to protect a princess who is well capable of protecting herself but refuses to learn how. If you disagree, I can send you on your way in one of my pinnaces.”

The princess exhaled sharply but said, “Fine. I’ll learn.”

“That's what I thought.” The captain started to descend the stairs. “And who knows, it might even help get those sea legs.”

Adalinda stood in silent outrage on the deck. She was a princess for goodness sakes. Princesses did not learn how to fight with swords. She was taught the finer things in life such as reading and playing the piano.

This day just kept getting worse. First, she was nearly assassinated. Then she had to flee her home on a pirate ship, of all the things, a stupid pirate ship. And now she would have to learn how to fight in case of a ship raid.

“Adalinda.” A gravelly male voice sounded from the steps. Never had she been called so informally. Even her father had called her Princess. Seething, she turned towards him. “Let’s head down to the main deck and I'll show you around.”

Again, she noticed his eyes. It was eery how they all had similar eyes of either green or grey.

She stomped after the male down the stairs. He began speaking but she only half listened as she attempted to keep herself upright. As her feet hit the main deck, the boat hit a wave that sent the princess splayed across the soggy wood.

“Check mate.” Adalinda’s stomach dropped to the ocean floor as she finally recognised the voice. “I win, again.”

The princess was going to be sick as she looked up into the face of The Bana-mhaighstir.