Page 51 of Sea's Secret

“Not my ‘lady love,’ but, yes, my dearest friend was stolen by pixies, and I am searching for her. Everyone knows that pixies live beyond the Misted Seas,” Prince Peter said in correction.

“Indeed,” Sands said, nodding at the Prince.

“This is Captain William. It is his first time commanding a ship, but he does a fair job of it,” Prince Peter said when the third man left the small boat and walked over to where we conversed. He had a similar blue coat, while not as fine, and a rather large black hat. I wondered if all captains wore such hats.

What will it be like on a ship? I wondered. Will I like it better than the island? Will I hate it? Will I be able to go into the ocean and swim? There was no way I could go without the sea. As I was thinking those things over, there was a glint in my peripheral vision near Sands and Dominick. I turned to them and saw Dominick holding something in his hand, but I did not see what, as his hand was behind him.

“What an honor, Captain, that you would come personally for this rescue,” Dominick said.

“Sands made a good point, that there might be fruit here. I am a lover of all fruit. We have all kinds of dried fruit on the ship. I feel as if even while sailing, why go without the finer things in life?” the captain said.

“Yes, he has many different fruits,” Prince Peter said. “I am sure you are both going to enjoy the variety,” he added with a smile. I nodded, and then in a split second, everything changed.

Prince Peter was on the ground, Sands standing over him with a dagger, and Dominick was standing over the captain with a longer blade at his throat.

“Now, listen here and listen well, we are taking over your ship,” Dominick growled.

“Over my dead body you are!” Prince Peter called. “I mean, over William’s dead body–as it is his command–William?” Peter questioned.

“Ah–right! Yes, over my dead body will you take command of my vessel–and my fruit!” He shifted stiffly under Dominick’s knife as if trying to see Prince Peter. “I dare say, Peter, if they are left to care for things, it will all be spoiled.”

“Not now. Stop it about your fruit, Will! There are knives at our throats.”

“Yes, indeed. Well–what the Prince said,” the captain finished.

“Over our dead bodies!” Prince Peter said again. Sands bent down lower and moved his blade to the side of Prince Peter's face.

“That could be arranged, Prince,” Sands chuckled.

“I saved you!” Prince Peter shouted.

“Yes, you did, and I thank you for that. Thank you, also for this; we are in desperate need of a ship,” Sands said with a smile.

“You are pirates, aren’t you?” Peter gasped.

“Aye,” Sands answered with a grin.

I was standing there with no idea what to do. Obviously, it was wrong to steal those people's ship, especially when they were trying to help us. But Dominick, he did say he was a pirate, and I did say I was okay with that.

Is this not what pirates do?

What shall I do?

“Meria, grab some rope from the boat for me, will you?” Dominick called. I met his eyes. He looked pleading as if he needed me to trust him.

I do trust him, don't I? He had kept us safe and alive on the island. I guess I listen to Dominick. I nodded and walked over to the small boat and pulled out some rope, walking back up to the men.

“Thank you,” Dominick said to me as I tossed the rope at his feet. As I moved away, he began to address the captain: “You are welcome aboard my ship, or in the depths of the sea; it is your choice.”

“You will pay for this. Walden will see you all hang!” Captain William shouted, but I watched as he wrapped his arms through the rope at Dominick’s direction.

“Meria, can you finish tying this to make sure it is tight,” Dominick asked, still holding his sword to the captain’s neck.

I walked over, trembling. Dominick is kind. This has to be an act. I would play along and feel out how things progressed.

“You do not have to help him–” the captain began, turning to address me fully.

“Do not speak to her!” Dominick shouted, his sword drawing blood from the captain’s neck. “Do not speak to her or even look at her; she is mine,” he bellowed.

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