To Strange Horizons

Chapter Eleven.

Mariana opted to spend most of the day in the bedroom, reading and drawing and looking at maps.

Pearl had been meowing beside the bed, to which Mariana finally gave in.

The little black cat sat on the wooden planks, tail curled politely around her paws, licking her lips. In front of her sat the gruesome remains of a mouse.

"Oh, ew!" She exclaimed. Pearl jumped into Mari's lap, purring and rubbing against her cheek.

Mariana scooped the kitten into her arms, scolding her lightheartedly over making such a mess.

The two made their way onto the deck, Mari calling to Jake as she rounded the corner.

"Jake! You'll never guess! Pearl caught us a mouse!"

"That's sweet baby, please go back to bed." Jake's response sounded tight and frantic.

"What's going on?" Mariana's steps became slow and eventually stopped when she noticed.

A full crew, maybe even a few more than on their own ship, of royal soldiers stood on deck.

"You've never seen the Princess, is that what you were saying?" Hiram, the royal guard, sarcastically questioned the Captain.

"Listen, I uh... She..." Jake grappled for a response that wouldn't cause issues, but the issue was already here. "She's safe! Happy! Look at her! She's got a cat!"

The royal crew all placed their hands on the hilt of their swords.

"You kidnapped her." Hiram said.

"No! No sir, I would never!" Jake's eyes went wide, reaching for his own sword with shakey hands.

"Hiram, please." Mariana started to speak, letting Pearl jump to the floor. The kitten was smart as she found her way downstairs.

"Speak when spoken to, Mariana." The guard spat. Jake's eyes turned dark. "I've heard of you, Kiszka. I thought we had taken care of your little 'reign'."

"I don't want to fight." Jake started, his teeth clenched tight with the implication of what happened to his father.

"Great! So we'll take the Princess and be on our way!" A fake jolly tone poured from the guard's mouth. "Unfortunately, we'll be taking you and your crew along with. King's orders, you'll all be hanged by the morning." He faked a pout.

"I'm not going! I'm happy here!" Mariana had gained the courage to approach the guard, standing beside the Captain and intertwining their hands.

Hiram only laughed, harshly grabbing Mariana's other arm and pulling her his way.

Reflexively, Jake threw a nasty right hook straight into the guards jaw. A sickening crack was heard, and blood poured from the guard mouth as well as the gashes the Captain's rings had left.

Immediately, a fight began. Men were yelling, swords were swinging, punches were thrown.

"Please go. Lock the door. Find something that'll hurt, okay? Just in case." Jake's brown eyes were pleading with her own.

Suddenly, she wasn't sure if she'd see him again. The tears began to spill. She was embarrassed, blubbering in front of him.

"I love you." He stated firmly, planting a kiss on her forehead. He then shoved her out of the way and joined the fight.

Frightened, the Princess ran.