Voyage of War

Chapter 3

Resa awoke on a hard wooden floor. There were clicking and scraping sounds to her left and it smelled worse than burning flesh.

Resa lifted her head and saw the thick iron bars between her and a pacing Zack, still in his Wolfman form. A group of sailors she didn't recognise sat huddled in the farthest corner away from Zack. Drakar was crouched down next to his sell door, eyes wide and starring.

"Zack!" Resa sat up with her side against the bars.
Zack stopped his pacing and looked at Resa but stayed a few paces away from the bars.
"Would you come closer?"
Zack stepped closer and crouched beside Resa.
"You need to relax and get out of this form. You'll be at less risk as a human." Resa whispered to Zack.
"I can't."
"Just relax. Breath in deep and then out."
Zack did as he was told.
"It's not working."
"Just keep on going.''
Zack put his forehead between two bars and closes his eyes, breathing steadily. Resa mimicked his actions and put her forehead against his, closing her eyes.

Heavy footsteps sounded on the steps descending towards them.
"Ohh lo' at tha'. The beauty an' de beast." The pirate chuckled.
"Ignore him Zack. He doesn't matter." Resa whispered.

                        *   *   *

''Okay par'y is ove'" Keiden said still chuckling about the scene before him.

Then suddenly the beast started to groan and thrash. Keiden staggered backwards. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that the girl had also stepped away from the beast. A painful cracking sound could be heard.
"Was happenin'?"
The girl just looked at him briefly before turning her eyes back to the beast, who had lost most of the hair on his body. The groans began to sound more human than the groans of the beast.

                        *   *   *

Zack felt his bones break and re-mend in human form. No matter how many times he had to endure the change he could never manage to not scream in pain. It felt like ages before the pain subsided and then disappeared completely. Zack lay on the wooden floor, panting like he had just ran a mile.
"Wha' just happened?" The pirate at the door asked to no one in particular.
"He changed back. Wasn't there a reason you came down here?"

Zack was propped up between Resa and Drakar, with Princess Sybil steadily walking ahead. The brightness blinded them as they stepped onto the main deck. The pirates bundle split to make a passage for them to walk through. At the end of the human passage stood a tall man, wearing a long leather jacket and triangular hat, a sword hanging by his side. By the way he held himself, with his hands on his hips and feet spread apart, the group could tell that he was the Captain and solely in charge of the vessel.

                       *    *    *

They were the oddest group of prisoners to walk upon the Equesrtia's wooden deck. A well manicured girl in a heavy gown walked ahead of the group, with her head held high she looked each pirate in the eye. Captain Ced had to wonder if her attitude derived from her still being in shock, denying the fact that she was a prisoner and acting as she would on one of her vessels or if it was just pure bravery.

There was a pale boy propped up between a dark skinned girl dressed like a man and a man with his hair cut short. Neither looked as well manicured but they couldn't be acknowledged as part of the crew, that was walking behind eyeing the boy nervously. Captain Ced didn't remember seeing the boy during their search of the Clouthea or when they had brought the prisoners aboard the Equesrtia.
"Where's the beast?" Captain Ced whispered to Keiden.
"Tis de boy. Scratched the floorin' pretty good durin' de turn."
"Interesting," Captain Ced mumbled to himself, "who do you consider your leader, since your captain went down with the ship?" He asked although he already knew the answer.
"I am responsible for these people." The girl in the heavy gown stepped forward, looking him straight in the eye, with her brilliant sea blue ones.
"May I enquire as to what your name and title might be?"
"I am Princess Sybil, daughter of Queen Adira of the Kingdom of Aevan. And you are?"
Captain Ced cached a glimpse of the short haired man attempting to protest at her declaration of name and title.
"I'm Captain Ced of the Equesrtia. And given we are in such noble company I would like to offer a decent meal with the Captain." Captain Ced offered, amusement lining his words.
"I accept you offer, but I would ask if we may discuss our return to my Mother's Kingdom. I assure you she will pay appropriately for our safe return."
"I would first like a meal, with a lovely lady like yourself, before we negotiate your return." Captain Ced chuckled. He decided to wait before he declared Princess Sybil too arrogant for her own good. She might be a surprise and exception from the various noble woman Captain Ced had had the privilege of nearing.

                      *    *    *

The table was laid out with the etiquette perfection of a person who grew up with fine dining. The silver forks exactly the right distance from one another. The crystal glasses at exactly the right angle in relation to the knives.

Princess Sybil searched the table for any sign that it had been a pirate who had set it. She could not find a flaw, except for the fact that all the dishes were laid out on the table, due to lack of a waiter to serve them. Soft music played in the background, giving the small, dimly lit cabin a light air. Captain Ced proved to be quiet the gentleman and up to date on how to receive a lady for dinner.
He gave a deep bow and invited Princess Sybil in by taking her hand an leading her to a chair ,which he pulled out for her and waited for her to be seated.

The evening was pleasant with good food but Princess Sybil came to do business.
"I'm sorry if I seem blunt but I would like to start negotiating for my parties return."
"The evening is still young Miss and there is nothing to negotiate.''
"Why do you say there is nothing?"
"People negotiate if both parties have something to offer. You Princess have nothing of worth to offer me."
"How come you invited me to dinner then?"
"It's not everyday I get to have a Princess aboard my ship."
Captain Ced replied, dismissing further conversation by plating a healthy portion of the main.

They ate in silence until Captain Ced spoke up halfway through the dessert.
"Tell me was there any treasure aboard the Clouthea?"
"Yes, but treasure is never only silver and gold?"
"I see, why is it you were aboard the Clouthea?"
"Arranged marriage to Prince Caymen. Son of..."
"I'm well aware of his title and family tree," Captain Ced harshly interrupted, " I suppose this marriage has something to do with the looming war. Queen Adira would pay for your save and healthy return. You and the other female prisoner will be given a cabin, the others will stay with the crew." Captain Ced continued with a lighter tone and excused himself from the table.
He walked to the door, opening it just a crack. Princess Sybil cached a glimpse of the pirate who had escorted them above deck for the first time.

                      *    *    *
Captain Ced walked to the door and opened to see Keiden.
"There are a few arrangements to be done regarding the prisoners. The women will be given the cabin next to mine and the rest will join the crew," Captain Ced instructed hurriedly, "is something the matter Keiden?" Captain Ced asked him worried, only now registering his distressed expression.
"Capin' may wan' te wrap up de dinner an' join us above deck." Keiden whispered, shooting nervous glances at Princess Sybil.
Captain Ced glanced back at Princess Sybil, who was starring at her plate with a frown.
"I always knew bringin' women on a ship was bad luck," Keiden mumbled," we weren't the only ones who heard of the Clouthea, just the first to reach it."
"Stop beating around the Bush and tell me what is happening." Captain Ced demanded frustrated with his first mate.
"De Astria has been spotted on the horizon and is heading towards us."