Shards and Feathers

The Pirate & the Princess

Muted song came from beneath the turbulent waves of the ocean, not deadly, but a threat. Lightning flashed through the clouds, the storm bashing the large ship dangerously close to the jagged rocks of the islands cliffs.

"Keep her away from the cliffs!" The captain called to his crew, who have been trying consistently to do this already, but double their efforts at his order.

He spotted a young woman, staring out into the ocean, holding onto the side of the ship, looking for something. "Princess!" He called. She glanced at him as he made his way toward her. "Get down below! It isn't safe!" He said over the roaring sound of the typhoon around them. He grabbed her arm and started to gently pull her below deck, but she broke free of his hold.

"Ruban!" She shouted, running forward as she saw a small boy cowering in the bow. She stumbled as the boat was rocked by a crashing wave. "There you are!" She said sharply, bringing him to his feet as she reached him. "I can't lose you!"

She rushed back to the captain, who was barking orders from the entrance to the stairs that lead down below. "What's happening, Captain?" She yelled over the din, clutching her brother's hand tightly in her own. Her eyes revealed the fear she was trying to hide.

"Princess, just get yourself and Prince Ruban down below. You can't stay up here any longer." He rushed to help a fallen crew member and gave an order to his first mate. The water rolled and churned around the ship, the melody growing stronger. "Don't listen to them!" He yelled to his crew. They worked faster and harder to keep the ship away from the cliffs.

The princess guided Ruban down into the hatch, nudging him down the stairs. "I'll be there in a minute," she said just loud enough for him to hear. He looked at her uneasily, but walked down into the darkness. The princess turned and looked for the captain. She spotted him holding onto the edge of the ship as it was tossed once more upon the waves.

"Captain!" She called. He looked up at her, than shook his head. She ran over to him, falling as the ship rocked. "Captain," she breathed. "You can tell me what's going on. Please," she said, begging him with her eyes along with her words.

The song beneath the surface grew slightly louder, but even sweeter than it first was. What is below, singing that beautiful melody? It is so lulling... The princess thought dreamily. It reminded her of... She shook herself, breaking the momentary enchantment.

The captain sighed. "They..." He looked at her helplessly. "Mermaids," he said. A twinge of fear tugged at the young woman's heart. "You must go below deck immediately, understood?" He said, getting back to business. "And whatever you hear... No. No, don't let yourself hear anything. Stay deep within the ship, and cover your ears. Tell your brother to do the same." He glanced behind him at the torrent of water and the looming cliffs. "You will know when this is over."

Suddenly, the song increaseds in volume, and for a moment, broke through the water entirely. But what was heard was not the same beautiful melody. It instead was cacophony, not unlike the screech of death. Everyone covered their ears, shocked. The ship began to sneak closer to the cliffs again, as if some invisible force was pulling it ever closer.

The captain shook himself from his trance and grabbed the princess's arm, pulling her behind him. "Go down! Now!" He shouted. She dreamily stumbled to the deck below, shutting the hatch behind her...

And everything became still.