Scarlet Queen

Chapter 3- Scarlet's POV

I wipe my mouth with my sleeve and let out a contented sigh. Our cook, Saucyboss, made his breakfast specialty- buttered cinnamon rolls with salted scrambled eggs- in celebration of the meeting. Then a clear ringing rolls across the mess hall, and we all look towards the head of the table. Slinger stands with his glass cup in his hand, tapping it with his metal spoon. He beckons to me, and I stand and move next to him, making sure my hood and scarf are firmly in place. Once I get next to Slinger, he turns towards the crew and begins.

"Now, as you all know, meetings are only called for very important reasons," he said, pausing. We all lean forward a little, waiting for him to continue. "Well, this is an incredibly important event. One that will turn the odds in our favor!" We all lean even closer. I'm itching with the anticipation. He looks one way, then he looks the other, and finally in frustration I say, "Just get on with it!" I realize what I said and lower my head. "My apologies, Captain."

He gives me a sideways smile, then he finally explains. "We all know about the Great Jubilee. Some more than others," he says, giving me another look. I feel my face turn red with pain and anger. "The king, King Arcane, was the one to first create the event. However, he never personally attends." A smile is growing on his face, slowly but surely. "He always cowers in his palace, surrounded by his guards and towering walls, with no way for us to get to him. Well, not this time! According to our sources, he is going! This year, he is attending in person, as is his son, Prince Lucas! We have a clear shot at him!"

The hall erupts into excited shouts and chatter. Some people are simply roaring with delight. I realize that I am one of them. And why wouldn't I be? A clear shot at the king! This is a moment we've been waiting for for a long time!

"Now, now, settle down," Slinger said halfheartedly. It's no use. The news has thrown the ship into happy chaos. He's obviously not happy with the state of the hall, so I bellow, "SHUT IT, NITWITS!!! CAPTAIN STILL HAS STUFF TO SAY!"

That got them quiet real fast. Slider gave me a grateful look, then turned back to the crew. "The mission to assassinate the king has been our endgame for a long time. We've been searching for the right person to kill him, but we haven't found anyone. Until recently."

Slinger turns towards me. I feel like all of the breath has been sucked out of my lungs. I know what he's going to say. I'm ready for it. This is my destiny, finally becoming a reality.

"First Mate Scarlet?" he says to me. "You will be the one to assassinate the king."

I feel like I'm floating. This is it. My dream. My destiny. Everything I've fought tooth and nail for, finally being worth it.

Peg approaches me, carrying a small, slender black leather case. He hands it to Captain Slinger, then turns and walks away, but not before giving me a small wink. Slinger opens the case, and on a case of red velvet lies a dagger. Smiling proudly at me, he declares, "First Mate Scarlet, this is the blade you shall use. It was fashioned a long time ago, back when the Sky Pirates first became a group. We've long awaited the moment that it should be wielded. This blade is yours now!"

I pick up the blade and slide it out of its sheath. It has a silvery glow to it, almost like the metal had moonlight welded into it. It had a thin yet razor sharp edge, and was the perfect weight in my hand. I grasp it, then launch into the air and slash at a bag of potatoes hanging from the ceiling. The blade worked beautifully! There was no resistance as I cut the bag to a million pieces, and I land in a graceful pose as potatoes and strips of fabric fall to the ground around me.

I turn to Captain Slinger and bow. "I will not fail you, sir," I said, meaning every word I said. "This blade will be my number one weapon from now on. I will loyally take down the king. If I die, I will die laughing!" The pirates in the hall all cheer, raising their cups to salute me. I smile behind my scarf, then slide the dagger back into it's sheath.

Captain Slinger shakes my hand and calls out to the crew, "The Jubilee is tomorrow! Let's prepare!" As the crew cheers even louder, Captain turns to me and says, "You have to name your blade."

I weigh the dagger in my hand, thinking, weighing the choices. Then, the perfect name comes into my mind.

"Vengeance," I say, my voice low but somehow echoing through the ship. "My blade's name is Vengeance."