The North's Galleon

Chapter 12: Navy

Denise was once again stuffed in between Big Man and Paul, just in case the Captain came in.

"So, why aren't Lawrence and Gunther coming down?"

"I dunno." Sebastian grumbled as he set a dish in front of her. "But Cap'n's been in a mood too. Bit odd for him to have Gunther steer when he's capable of it."

"He probably knows something's up." Paul muttered. "I mean, it's not like Lawrence and Gunther were subtle. And you know how he likes to put the pressure on when he knows Gunther's lying to him. It's the only way you can tell that boy's lying."

"That's true." Sebastian sighed. "But he seemed...er...tense, too."

"Did you notice Possum watching behind us all morning too?" Millard asked as he slid up across the table.

"Someone's following us?" Paul raised an eyebrow.

"Must be."

Denise didn't notice Paul glancing at her, quickly followed by Millard raising his eyebrows.

But just then, a blood-curdling screech echoed through the whole ship.

The whole crew shot to their feet.

"All hands!" The Captain's voice bellowed.

"Guess we're finding out." Sebastian slammed a plate down, and the crew made their way up to the deck.

Denise followed, stopping just out of view.

Paul folded his arms as he stepped onto the deck to see a Navy ship pulled alongside their own.

Captain Vormir, the Captain of the Navy ship "Lady Rosegold", was standing proudly facing their Captain.

"What's going on, Cap'n?" Paul asked.

"That's what I'm wondering." The Captain frowned.

Captain Vormir grinned. "You dingbats are aware that you're already wanted for the murder of Prince Edward the Firebrand, correct?"

"And you're aware that if we had killed him, we'd be a bit more proud of it, correct?"

"Well, are you aware that the royal family was visiting the port you just left?"

"No, I was not. Having a holiday?"

"Celebrating the betrothal of Princess Marie, actually." Vormir frowned. "But it's a bit strange...Princess Marie has gone missing."

"Pity. Maybe the royal family should stop betrothing kids to their cousins. It's gross, and this is the second time the kid has disappeared immediately after."

"Tch." Vormir scowled. "Anyway--the last time she was seen, she was seen boarding your ship."

The Captain raised an eyebrow.

Paul glanced over to give Big Man a concerned look.

"If you're as innocent as you claim, I'm sure you wouldn't mind me coming aboard and looking around."

"Captain, I do apologize, but I'm not fond of you 'looking around' my ship."

"Regardless, I must. So either comply, or don't. It's not your choice."

"Fine." The Captain crossed his arms.

Vormir's crew brought up a plank and dropped it, connecting the two ships with a shabby bridge. The Captain set his foot on the end to steady it.

"Then, Captain North, prepare to be boarded."

"On the contrary, Captain Vormir--" The Captain grinned and kicked the plank off the ledge, sending it into the water-- "you prepare to be boarded."

"Yee haw!" Gunther howled as he and Lawrence swung down and across the gap, landing solidly on Lady Rosegold.

"Defend the Galleon!" The Captain bellowed. "No one boards this ship!"

"Aye, Cap'n!" The crew cried.

Steel rang on steel as Gunther led the attack on Lady Rosegold. It wasn't long before his rapier locked against Vormir's.

"Brat!" Vormir spit in Gunther's face.

"Bastard!" Gunther spit back. "But do tell me, what's all this about Princess Marie getting betrothed?"

"That's for me to know, and you to find out. If you don't die first." Vormir kicked Gunther square in the ribs, causing the redhead to stumble backwards and flip over the railing off the ship.

Vormir scoffed. "Hope your brat can swim." He leapt over the gap between the ships.

The Captain grinned. "Of course he can swim. He and Lawrence throw each other in all the time. As for you--" He lunged forward, unsheathing a sabre on his side.

Vormir raised his sword just in time to defend. "I see you're not getting any less agile in old age."

"Old? I'm only 40. It's the stress. It makes your hair gray." He grinned mischievously. "And I see you're still living the easy life."

Vormir frowned deeply. "I'd be more up for banter if you hadn't kidnapped the Princess. I'm taking you in today."

"I did not kidnap any princess, nor did I kill the prince."

"I have reason to doubt your word." Vormir pressed harder against the Captain. "Men! Take the North's Galleon!" He bellowed.

Denise went wide-eyed from her hiding place as the sounds of men boarding the ship echoed across the deck.

"North!" Paul yelled.

"I know, Paul! Get Gunther out of the damn ocean!" The Captain yelled back.

"Already out, Cap'n!" Gunther's voice sounded oddly chipper.

"Gunther, I'm sick of rats on my ship!"

"It's a ship, Cap'n, there's going to be rats. But I'll get the big ones at least." The crack of the whip rang in Denise's ears. "Lawrence! Get your ass over here and stop slacking off!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, some of us have to come back normally instead of getting thrown overboard!"

Denise peered out, trying to get a glimpse of what was going on. Frankly, she wasn't fond of her options. One, she could stay on the most feared pirate ship in the sea, with only the word of the first and second mates to trust for her safety. Or two, she could go back to Captain Vormir.

She caught a glimpse of the ginger Navy captain. Actually, she decided, the pirates would be the better option.

One of the Navy crewmen crashed into a pile of barrels. "Please! Please! Spare me!"

"Get off my ship!" Gunther was grinning from ear to ear, as if he got some twisted pleasure from this.

I hear the first mate of their crew doesn't like torture and has been insisting everyone they kill gets a swift end.

Denise wasn't sure she trusted Lawrence's word anymore.

The crewman scrambled over the edge of the ship, into the water.

Gunther laughed and gave his whip a small flick before turning to crack it loudly again, this time setting the whole thing ablaze. "Vormir, I thought I'd already taught you the legend of the flaming whip. Do I need to show you again?"

Captain Vormir gritted his teeth. It looked like he was about to make a move when a thin wire caught his abdomen.

"I wouldn't move, Captain." Lawrence had appeared just behind Vormir, clutching that odd baton of his. "This can slice through leviathans. I'm sure it wouldn't have a problem with you."

Captain North chuckled and sheathed his sabre as Captain Vormir dropped his rapier and stepped back. "You've been bested, Vormir. Get off my ship. I won't warn you again."

"You've gotten lazy with these two!"

"Why should I put in the effort? I'm old aren't I?" Captain North frowned. "Get. Off. My. Ship."

The wire dropped, and Vormir took off running, his men close behind.

Denise was about to take off running herself before the pirate captain could catch her when a hand snagged the back of her dress and raised her into the air.