Secrets from the Deep

Chapter 4

"Day two on the Night Wind: Annie and I are still doing well. Annie is currently suffering from a mild case of seasickness. Not surprised because this is her first time out this far on the high seas. However, she feels much better when below deck in the galley, so while I catch fresh fish, she fillets and cooks the seafood to perfection." Meg wrote in her journal the next day.

"Good morning, Meg," Annie said as she entered the sunlight.

"Are you feeling better now that we've been out on the sea a few more days? Getting your sea legs?" Meg asked as she put her journal away.

"I think so. How about fresh fruit and bread for breakfast?" Annie suggested.

"Sounds delicious," a male voice from behind replied. The two cousins turned around to see a man with a long scar across his cheek standing on the Night Wind's deck.

"Intruder on the ship! Get to safety!" Meg exclaimed as she ran to the rope ladder that would lead them to the top of the ship while Annie went back to the hold of the Night Wind and locked the door.

"Get back here, you young lass!" the intruder called out as Meg was about a third of the way up the rope ladder.

"Not under my watch, villain," Meg yelled as she continued to climb.

"You don't understand, my crew was kidnapped by Captain Modi, and they told me to find help."

Meg looked down at the man once again. However, she accidentally let go of the rope and was now hanging on with only one hand for dear life!

"Don't worry; I'll save you!"

"Thank you, but you were technically the one who caused this problem. I can save myself!" Meg said, trying to think of how to get out of this dilemma. Suddenly, she remembered that she was wearing her scabbard that contained a sword. At once, she clenched the sword in her hand and then swung the right side of her body toward the mast. When close enough to the mast, with her right arm, Meg stuck the sharp point of her sword into the mast and, at the same time, grabbed the rope ladder with her left hand, pulling herself to safety.

"Impressive," the man commented as Meg began to climb down.

"Thank you, but who are you?" Meg asked once she was on the main deck again.

"My apologies. My name is Jasper Mondel. I was sailing with a group of men, looking to find the dreaded Captain Modi and rescue our friend Robert. However, the very man we were looking for and his crew came onto our ship and kidnapped everyone except myself. Caden pleaded with me to get into the dingy and find help," the guest explained.

"Wait, was this Caden Glicker? Going out to sea to rescue his friend Robert?" Meg asked.

"Yep, and now he and his other friends are most likely captives on the Air Mando."

"Well, then, I'm Meg Catalani, a friend of Caden's. After he wouldn't allow me to come with him on the adventure, I decided I would go after him on another ship with the help of my cousin Annie," Meg replied while walking to the door that led to the hold of the boat. "It's alright, Annie. The intruder is a crew member from Caden's ship! He escaped while Captain Modi was attacking their vessel."

"Okay, if you say so," Annie said as she unlocked the door and stepped back out into the sunlight.

Jasper then introduced himself to Annie and explained why he was there.

"Oh, my goodness. How long have you been looking for help in that little boat?" Annie asked, fascinated by Jasper's tale.

"I think I escaped the Star Sailor at about four o'clock yesterday and kept on rowing for an entire night and finally came across your ship about fifteen minutes ago. But what time is it?" Jasper calculated.

"Luckily, my Uncle Alan taught us how to use a sundial when we were younger," Annie said while Meg went down below deck to find the sundial they had packed. After a few adjustments to the tool, the girls calculated that it was almost eight o'clock in the morning.

"So, where do we go next?" Annie asked while she gave Jasper a flask filled with fresh water.

"I believe that I came from the northeast, so that shall be the direction we will take," Jasper explained.

"Sounds like a plan to me. Let's go!" Meg declared as she took hold of the wheel and began to sail northeast into a mild breeze.

"So, you aren't going to harm me even though I infiltrated your ship in the first place?" Jasper asked.

"On the soul of my father, Dominic Paat, I promise you will not die before this voyage is over," Meg answered.

"And, don't worry, when Meg makes a promise, she doesn't go back on it," Annie added.