The Damned: Part 1~ Innocence

Chapter 4

THE LOCKER SEPTEMBER 1675

The weeks passed and Flying Dutchman's wound slowly but surely healed. The three masted Dutch fluyt was soon ready to take on her new duties as the farrier of the dead.

Britannia had told her much in that time, explaining to her not just her duties as the ferryman, but also to the British Empire as well.

"Now I know you're Dutch." She said. "And you'll hate this but as my apprentice, you have a duty to protect the Empire as well as I."

Flying Dutchman frowned. "As if I'd ever help those lowly Brits!" She snarled.

Britannia shook her head. "Hatred will be your downfall with that kind of attitude, Dutchman." She said sternly.

Flying Dutchman opened her mouth to retort then closed it again. It wouldn't do to snap at her mentor.

A sigh escaped her and reluctantly, she nodded for the old sailing ship to continue. Britannia nodded her thanks and went on.

"I am the Protector of the British Empire. You are its Keeper. Your job is to act as the policeman of its waters and ensure trade runs smoothly. My job is to chase anyone out that doesn't belong." She said.

Flying Dutchman dipped her head. "I understand, Britannia." She replied.

"Good, then we should get going. It's almost sundown after all." Indeed she was right, the sun was beginning to touch the horizon.

"How do we get back?" Flying Dutchman asked. "With your powers." Britannia replied.

"Remember what I taught you. Draw strength from the changing cosmos, as the sun hands the sky to the moon's care. There is a powerful force there, harness it."

Flying Dutchman nodded, closing her eyes and concentrating hard. She could feel the sun's waning strength, and the moon's powerful pull.

There was a power transfer here, between Earth's two most powerful celestial bodies.

Flying Dutchman drew from that transfer, taking the power of the cosmos into her own body.

She could feel it like fire in her blood and it seemed like, suddenly, she knew what to do.

The power reached beyond her body's ability to hold it inside. Britannia came up close alongside as Flying Dutchman released it in the form of a bright green flash.

The next thing both ships knew was they were lying on their sides in an unfamiliar sea.

"Ugh." Flying Dutchman groaned.

"You alright?" Britannia asked.

"Yeah, a bit queezy though." Flying Dutchman replied.

"It'll pass." Britannia assured her. "For a first time that was impressive Dutchman, very impressive." She praised.

Flying Dutchman ducked her head shyly and Britannia laughed.

"Shut up!" She mumbled, blushing furiously.

The old sailing ship just laughed again.

Flying Dutchman growled when suddenly an idea came to her, a very naughty idea.

Eyes sparkling mischievously, she scooped up some water and launched it at her mentor.

"Ack!" Britannia choked as it struck in the face.

"That's for laughing at me." Flying Dutchman growled, crouching down, her stern wagging playfully.

"Oh so it's gonna be like that hmm?" Britannia asked, dropping down as well.