A Hidden Queen

Chapter 60

Silver eyes concentrate on the sleek first-rate as the small shore boat inched itself closer to the stern. With help from the heavy cloud cover, darkness had enveloped this small region of sea rather quickly. The rains had let up some time prior, swaying to a mere drizzle. This small miracle had made the trip across the small expanse tolerable, but the sea still tossed and rolled with rage. Charlie groans as his muscles strain against the ever-resisting waters.

Pittman had sent them off with a blessing and prayer that Neptune be on their side. What a foolish old man. Charlie scoff, silently cursing the second as his breathing turns laborious. He did not believe in this invisible king of the sea, nor did he attempt to fully understand the working of the great tempest they call an ocean. He merely willed himself to conquer her, to live amongst her glistening waters and above all else be with his beloved.

Charlie's head rapidly fills with images, memories, of Josephine. He could not prevent the wonderings, conjuring her appearance, her laugh, her smile. But neither could he escape the fear of her current condition. His head spun in circles attempting to prepare for all the possibilities that awaited them. He knew Josephine would not be in a good state. And his gut turned with the foresight that she may be far worse than what he expects.

"Austin." Childers calls.

Charlie shakes the troubling thoughts from his head. He turns his attention to Childers sitting in the stern. The stout man stares intently out to sea, his mouth moving with unuttered words.

"Childers?" Charlie inquiries, furrowing down his brow. "Did you see something to cause alarm?"

"The waters. It's. . ." Childers trails off, unable to tear his eyes away from the black mass.

Charlie's blood runs cold with the uncertainty of the outcry and the panic upon his helmsman face. He swiftly follows Childers' gaze, leaning out over the gunwale and squinting against the darkness. His breathing ceases as he stares at the still waters. There was chaos around, the sea unsettled to a degree that was not natural, yet. Yet there was calmness; the boat did not toss nor sway violently.

"This does not make sense." Scotty whispers, staring down at his own reflection beside Charlie. "The water about the boat is calm. It's like looking at glass."

"What does it mean? Is it a good omen or a bad one?" Danny inquires in superstitious wonderment.

Charlie nervously moistens his lips. Pittman's words echo in his head as he leers at his shaggy appearance. He briskly recoils, straightening his back while nabbing the oar with his large hands.

"I do not know Danny, nor am I going to waste energy pondering over it." Charlie answers, hastily pulling against the waters. "Our main priority is rescuing Carter and the others. If the waters wish to be calm around us ensuring our speedy and safe travel than so-be-it. I will not rebuke it for doing such."

"Do not fret, Austin. The great king protects those he calls his own. He will not allow us to perish; not when we are saving his queen." Scotty quietly pronounces.

"It is not perishing I am concerned over Scotty, but the skills of one Mr. Childers. And how he has determined to get us under The Governor's gallery without being smashed upon the hull." Charlie muses, swiftly changing the subject.

Childers sighs heavily from the stern of the small boat. He falls dramatically back upon the transom, feigning hurt as he gives Charlie a pitiful expression.

"Your lack of confidence wounds me Austin. It truly does." Childers whines, bumping his chest with his closed fist. "Despite this set back in our relationship my skills are at your disposal."