The Maelstrom

Chapter 2: The Whispers

It had been several years since the encounter with the Queen's Alliance. Gabriel and the crew of the Vile Whore had made a name for themselves amongst those at sea. When his ship pursed the fogs and came into sight; their foe's knew they would come to a quick end....

Across the deck came the sound of boot and wood; each echoing out in the eerie silence of the night. The ship appeared void of life besides the hulking red-haired man upon its deck. "You should get some rest Gabriel." A voice said from within the fog. "Without proper rest you might get Scurvy, and lose more than that leg of yours there."

The large man turned toward the fog as his face came into view of the night; it was Captain Raines. "You have not earned the right to call me by name Beatrice; to you I am still captain." He said reaching into the fog with a golden hooked hand; pulling a woman from its depths.

The woman stood tall, but the captain stood taller. Her beauty, that was hidden behind dirt and grime, looked as if she was sculpted by the gods themselves. "I'm sorry my captain." Beatrice said, looking down at her cloths; that of the Queen's Alliance but tattered, torn, and soiled.

"That's your only warning my dear." Raines said, stroking the woman's cheek with the side of his hook. The metallic touch and cold of the night sent chills down Beatrice's spine. "Perhaps you can earn your place amung the crew this eve; that is why I called you here."

Beatrice looked up at the captain with hope in her eyes. "Anything to make my place here Captain."
She said recalling her days since her abduction; filled with the worst of tasks. For the past few years she was used for cleaning, cooking, repairing, and...

....pleasure.

Captain Raines turned toward the fog and stared out into its bleak abyss. "Many have come to fear us; and none dare challenge us. Not even the Queen's Alliance attempts to sink our ship anymore. I grow tired; our riches have grown beyond that of any other man. There's nothing left to conquer; besides one place." He said squeezing his hand into the ships rail.

"No...that would be suicide." Beatrice said; knowing all to well what the Captain was planning.

"Not if we send her long lost daughter in." Captain Raines replied.

"You would let me return?" She replied.

"Not without company, I shall go with you. I wish to meet the Queen myself." He said turning back, a cold chill running through him and freezing him in place.

"That wouldn't be wise, she is far more powerful than you." A darkened voice whispered to the Captain. "She has survived the maelstrom, you will need its power to conquer her."

"It's power? She survived? Come out! Show thy self!" Raines said as he drew his blade. "Who be there!"

"I am but a stranger in the dark. I am the voice of guidance; the voice of power. Ye need not fear me; I will be either your greatest ally..." The voice whispered into Raines ear, causing him to spin and swing his blade. "...or your deadliest enemy." It concluded from the other side; in which the captain spun and swung again.

"Come to the Maelstrom, within are treasures beyond that you have obtained. Seek out the power that is rightfully yours." The voice said trailing off.

"Captain? Captain Raines? Captain are you okay?" Beatrice's voice said; slowly coming in more clearly. "Captain, snap out of it." She said; nervously placing a hand upon his shoulder.

The Captain stood there for several more moments before shaking his head and returning to reality. He looked down at his hand were he held his blade, but it was empty. 'What...what was that?'' He thought to himself as he stared at Beatrice.

"Yes, yes. I am fine; perhaps you were right about needing rest." Gabriel said shaking his head and nodding. "We will discuss this further at dawn."

Beatrice nodded softly and spoke no reply. She guided the captain to his quarters, standing in the doorway as he laid down. Her eyes stared absently at the captain for several long moments.

"It is not the time, he is too powerful. Soon my child; soon you will be free of his shackles." The darken voice whispered to Beatrice.

"Soon." She said simply; turning and walking into the shadows of the foggy night.