THE LOCKER AUGUST 1675
The next morning, Britannia took Flying Dutchman outside.
"The cycle of the sun works opposite here than it does back home. Sunrise in your world is sunset in this one." She explained.
Flying Dutchman nodded. "How do I go back and forth between them?" She asked. "If I'm gonna ferry souls I have to have a way to reach them.
Britannia nodded. "There are methods." She said. "None of them particularly pleasing but likely your powers will compensate for that."
Flying Dutchman nodded and rested low on the water, her side aching again.
Britannia nudged her gently. "Hey, you alright?" She asked.
Flying Dutchman nodded. "Just, it hurts is all." She replied.
"Well if you feel like you need to rest just let me know. I can't have you capsizing on me." Britannia said.
"Will do." Flying Dutchman grunted.
Britannia led the way farther out and as she did Flying Dutchman began to notice strange formations in the water.
They shimmered and glistened, sparkling like rainbows on the surface and just under it.
They had no substance, no solidity and moved with the water as though they were part of the ocean itself.
"What are they?" Flying Dutchman asked.
"Spirits." Britannia replied, her voice tight. "Souls beyond the care or help of you and me. They must find their own way to the next life and most never make it."
Flying Dutchman looked at her mentor and saw the fearful, haunted look in Britannia's eyes. If she didn't know any better, she'd say that the older ship was scared.
Britannia bit her lip, her eyes scanning the water in front of her warily.
Several times, spirits made close passes to her, taking advantage of the wake she produced, almost like dolphins.
They got closer and closer on each pass and eventually, one actually touched her.
The point of contact was on her port side, just forward of the shoulder.
A shudder wracked the sailing ship from bow to stern and her eyes slipped closed.
A quiet groan escaped her.
It was Flying Dutchman's turn to be concerned.
"Are you alright Britannia?" She asked.
Britannia seemed distracted, she kept staring at the souls traveling beside her, her blue eyes darker than ever.
"Britannia, hey!!" Flying Dutchman growled.
She dropped back and nudged her mentor firmly in the side.
Britannia started and blinked before looking over at her apprentice.
"Are you alright?" Flying Dutchman repeated. "Should we head back?"
"I'm alright Dutchman." She said. "But I think it's best if we do head back."
Flying Dutchman nodded and nudged Britannia gently around in a 180, taking the lead on the return journey.
The pair reached home around sunset or sunrise if you were still alive technically.
Flying Dutchman helped Britannia into her berth, docking beside her.
YOU ARE READING
The Damned: Part 1~ Innocence
Ficción históricaIn the late 1600s, a new ship is commissioned into the Dutch Navy and is mysteriously lost on her maiden voyage. Only, she wasn't lost, merely taken and re-purposed to ferry the dead. The story of the Flying Dutchman, as told by the ship herself.
