The Captain and His Lady (A Fantasy Short Story) √

I told you I would find you.

On the day that Michael and Emma left for boarding school, they had to take a long ride on the train. Michael had brought his travel sized game set. He had been trying to entertain Emma, but she was not much for company. This would be her first time away from home and Michael could tell that she already missed her mum. This would be Michael's second year in boarding school. His parents had convinced Emma's mum to to put Emma into the boarding school.

"Would you like to play cards?" Michael asked, opening the brand new pack of playing cards his dad gave him.

"I don't know," Emma replied, sighing as she leaned against the window and looked out.

"We can play I Spy . . . or mayb-"

"Not right now, Michael."

Michael pinched his mouth shut and turned away. He began to mix the cards around, bending and shuffling them to give them life. Several moments of silence passed before Emma spoke again.

"I'm sorry," she said, turning to look at Michael. "That was not very kind . . . What games do you want to play?"

Michael looked into Emma's eyes and smiled.

***

Captain Michael held tightly to the reins that were attached to his dragon's bridle. Having spent weeks to tame and train his new dragon, Captain Michael could now go in search of his first mate, Lady Emma. He had seen the blue dragon lurking about the island where his ship made port. This made him think that Lady Emma was much closer to him than he thought. He made her a promise that he would find her. And he intended to keep that promise.

Captain Michael flew his dragon high in the sky. He had seen several dragons, but none were the Great Blue. The beast had not been spotted in some days, but Captain Michael was determined to find his first mate. His partner. His best friend. He had to admit, not having Lady Emma around was the worst feeling he ever had. Her absence made him appreciate what he had in her even more.

Lady Emma looked at her surroundings with great caution. The Great Blue could return at any given moment. The beast seemed to have a mind of it's own. Every time Lady Emma made an attempt to escape, the beast was there just in time to stop her. Her mind often went to Captain Michael. To his promise to come for her. She knew he would stop at nothing to find her.

Suddenly, there was a great cry from somewhere beyond the depths of the cave. Lady Emma covered her ears, hoping to block the dreadful sound. Then, she heard a voice and what appeared to be horrid growling. The growling was doubled. It was not just one beast out there. She decided she would try to escape while the Great Blue was distracted.

"My lady!" A voice broke the through the air, causing Lady Emma to halt in her tracks. The roars and growling continued, but the voice sounded much closer.

"Lady Emma!"

"I'm here!" she called out in relief when she recognized the voice of her captain. "I am here!"

The light of a fire torch illuminated the dimly lit cave. At the sight of the captain, Lady cried out and ran to his waiting embrace. He held her tightly, careful to keep the flame away from her matted hair.

"You came," Lady Emma whispered as the tears ran down her cheeks.

"I said that I would find you," Captain Michael whispered back, his arms tightening around her waist. "Are you hurt?"

"No," she choked, unable to speak properly. Then, as though all her strength had evaporated, Lady Emma fell limp in Captain Michael's arms. He tossed the torch aside in time to catch her before she fell to the rock floor.

Captain Michael sighed in relief as he turned and carried his first mate to the exit. His dragon remained fighting of the Great Blue. The crew of the Red Fox waited with the newly rebuilt ship, awaiting the return of their captain. Of the first mate. Most captains would have appointed a new second in command. But Captain Michael was not like other captains. For him, there was only one first mate. Only one person whom he saw fit to be his second. And that was Lady Emma.

Captain Michael brought Lady Emma on board the Red Fox, immediately giving orders to cast off. Lady Emma remained unconscious. Most likely from exhaustion, lack of food and water. She did not appear parched, but Captain Michael could tell that Lady Emma needed a place to sleep. He had seen the rock floor of the cave. That was not a place to have peaceful sleep.

***

Emma rested her head against Michael's shoulder, sleeping soundly as the train continued chugging into the darkened evening. They would be arriving soon, where they would be met by the headmaster of the school. Michael smiled softly and kissed the top of Emma's hair.

"Sweet dreams, my lady," he whispered, slipping his arm around her waist to hold her close and keep her warm.

***

"I don't like my teacher," Emma whispered as she and Michael met for lunch. "He's scary."

"Voldemort kind of scary?" Michael asked with a teasing smile.

"Oh, for goodness sake Michael. We are not in Hogwarts . . . But yes, that kind of scary."

"C'mon, Emma. I don't think he is that bad."

Emma scowled, "That is easy for you to say!' she huffed and crossed her arms, slumping in her chair. "All your teachers adore you, Mr. Popular. And I'm not in your same grade."

"Emma, Emma, Emma," Michael cooed, reaching to place his arm around her shoulders. "You're one of the smartest girls I know. I believe that if you put your heart to it, and work hard, you can pass the grade. You might even go into a grade higher than me."

"I appreciate your confidence in me, but I don't think I would want to pass your grade, Michael," Emma sighed and glanced at him with a tired expression. "You're the only person familiar to me in this new place. I bunk with a group of snobbish girls. I am the new girl and all the boys in my class have not stopped teasing me . . ."

"Who's been teasing you?" Michael asked, suddenly on his feet. "I know I tease you, but you know me. Point them out to me, Emma."

Emma hesitated, but she sat up and looked about the dining hall. She pointed to a table of boys as rowdy as a cluster of hyenas. Michael scowled and marched straight to them.

"Do you have a problem with new girls?" he asked, looking at the boy who looked to be about his age.

"What's it to you?" the other boy retorted, jumping from his chair. "I merely gave her the welcome she deserved. The girl hardly spoke, nor did she answer the teacher's questions."

"That's because she's shy! If she were your sister, would you want her being teased for that?"

Michael was furious, but he maintained his composure, knowing he would be in trouble with the headmaster if this got out of hand.