The Captain & The Sea

The Captain and The Sea


I was held captive aboard a pirate ship, it was not a terrible experience but it was a day in my life that brought out the best in me; I realized I was driven and motivated by my zeal for vengeance; that I indeed lost a valuable treasure which I had to let go
My name is Edmond
At a very tender age, when I had my father; my family was happy together
My father was a fisherman at the coast of Gibril, he made a few Silver coins each day but that wasn’t enough to take care of his family of three sons and a wife. He was neither a good man nor a bad man and he drinks to stupor, each night he gets drunk he would argue with mother and sometimes beat her up. One night he did not return; my elder brothers who were in school couldn’t complete their education because we had no money. we where sent out of our home, for we had a lot of debt to pay; life was horrible. One day I learnt that father left to marry the widow of a rich captain who died due to ill-health. So he had acquired the wealth of this captain including the captain’s ship; a pirate ship.
At the age of six, I joined The Golden Spire, a military ship and her Captain Alexander . I was the youngest lad aboard, so the captain loved working with me. He had a daughter who was a year younger than I am, Casandra by name; the captain took me as his own son and I was with him on every battle with pirates which he never lost. Each time we arrived back to shore we would visit my family; my mother and my brothers who worked in the fields to sustain the family.
At sea Alexander thought me how to be a good captain
Edmond: “Captain! What should I do?”
Captain Alexander: “Oh my boy!... I can’t ask you to sail my ship, for now all you have to do is learn”
Edmond: “So what would I be learning about today captain”
Captain Alexander: “Today I would teach you on what actually makes you a captain”
Edmond: “Okay”
Captain Alexander: “So tell me what do you think make a captain”
Edmond: “Well… First I’ll Say a captain needs a ship…”
Captain Alexander: “That’s a good one for a start”
Edmond: “He would have a crew And must be well knowledgeable and ready for battle”
Captain Alexander: “You’re right but let me tell you a secret”
Edmond: “Okay captain”
Captain Alexander: “Listen my boy a good captain is made of his family”
Edmond: “But you are a good captain and your family aren’t here”
Captain Alexander: “Look around Edmond! What do you see”
Edmond: “Well… I see a captain sailing his ship in the open sea with his crew”
Captain Alexander: “But I see a man sailing a ship with his family”
It Was a bit confusing to me so I wanted to understand what the captain meant.
Edmond: “What do you mean captain”
Captain Alexander: “the men you call crew, I see as family; I would do anything to make them happy & safe , just like you would do for yours, I would fight and defend them in times of trouble, side by side we overcome every battle and every storm; so my son; you now know what it means to be a captain, follow your heart, your love of family and friends”
Edmond: “Yes captain”
Captain Alexander was a father to me, as years passed so the great Captain Alexander. His dying wish was that I took care of his family; his wife and daughter and that I be the Captain of his ship, I was only sixteen! Right before my very eyes he gave up the ghost, his hand which I held grew cold and pale and I had to let go. On the day he was buried, his crew, wife and daughter stood and watched as he was lowered into the ground, the sound of gun shots could be heard, the trumpet sounded, the drums rolled and the day filled with sorrows.
A week later I embarked on my first voyage as Captain Edmond the youngest captain. Our twelve months at sea was full of struggles and battles but we Conquered; capturing two pirate ships that I added to my fleet and we returned to see our families.
It was the best day ever, the happiness we felt! the joy of reuniting with our families; my mom, brothers, Captain Alexander’s widow and daughter. In all my journey this was an interesting one, I turned the captured pirates to the government . I fixed the ships to standard, rebuilding them to look like the Golden Spire, though they were bigger; it was the best fleet one could set their eyes upon, equipped and ready for battles; I hired more crew for both of the ships and got them ready to sail.
I made presentations and reports to the government; Captain Alexander became a captain in his early twenties, it was his personal struggles that brought him to the point he was before his death; he started with a small boat and a crew of five men, they would carry cargos to make a living, building his reputation in every town he found himself. When he had his first ship he continued the good work and many loved him.
When piracy became a problem at sea, the government called him to partnership and would pay him to help the government rid the sea of pirates. Captain Alexander was not the only captain who worked with the government but was one of the most successful and faithful. As his successor, I had to carry on with the job; we would carry cargo and journey across the sea, taking out any pirate ship that comes our way and sometimes we would escort some ships to keep them safe.
Two Years later, I’ve captured more ships and pirates, the open sea was more safer and my fleet grew in numbers still I chose to journey with just six ships with the formation of one two three. They were led by the Golden Spire, which I was aboard then two ships larger than it followed and three large ships behind the two. All were designed to look the same. It was a magnificent sight to behold.
Mrs. Alexander sent words, so I paid her a visit. She had prepared a dinner for me.
The table was filled with variety of food and drinks, the candle lights illuminated the room, the flowers adorable, the food so delicious.
Captain Edmond: “This is so delicious…! I’ve not tested something as sweet as this in years”
Casandra: “Well I cooked it; I knew you’ll love it”
Mrs. Alexander: “That’s what he used to say whenever he returns home” She said in a cold voice “But now he’s gone life still continues, so tell me when did you intend to call us all to your engagement ceremony with Casandra”
Casandra: “Mom you don’t have to be hard on him”
At that moment I was a bit confused;
Captain Edmond: “I don’t understand what you mean”
Mrs. Alexander: “if you want to keep my husbands business then you have to marry my daughter”
Captain Edmond: “what if I don’t want to marry her but still want to keep the business”
Mrs. Alexander: “You don’t have a choice”
Casandra: “Mom why not give him time to think about it”
Mrs. Alexander: “Am giving him no time; he makes the decision now or never”
Captain Edmond: “You know, all this time I’ve been with you Casandra, I’ve loved you, you are beautiful and nice but you are the sister l never had and your mother I’ve taken as mine”
Mrs. Alexander: “this can all change as soon as you wed”
Captain Edmond: “No! I will leave the business, but I’ll take my ships with me”
Mrs. Alexander: “You must be joking”
Captain Edmond: “By law I am entitled to take my ships as I leave my father’s business” I never wanted it to happen this way but life at sea changed me “And with that I will be on my way” it hurts to break a promise I made to care for them but I had to, so I stood up and made my way out, but deep down my heart I knew it’s not Casandra’s will to marry me but her mother’s.
As I made my way to shore; it was then I saw her, I could not believe my eyes, rumors has it that she was the fastest pirate ship with no sail, others say it’s no pirate ship but the Royal Phoenix
From what I could see it looks unique, the upper deck was covered from the front to back, more like another ship with a flat base was turned upside down and fixed to it, with a walk-around configuration on the upper deck with a wider space at the front and a continuous glass window runs from the back to a large glass panel at the front of the upper deck of the ship. At the top was a pole that has a white flag fixed to it with the drawing of a phoenix in black and a round pipe pole more like a chimney.
The ship had dropped two anchor from both sides but still had six extra anchor on deck at the space in front of the ship and three long logs stacked at the edge on each other at both sides which runs from the middle of the ship all the way to the back, the Royal Phoenix looks harmless with no weapon on deck, no cannon; then how does it survive the dangerous sea I thought to myself.
I sailed off shore leaving the Golden Spire behind, Casandra had begged me not to earlier that day but I did; she sent a letter addressed to me the next day;

My Dearest Captain
I know you are mad at me but I write to tell you that am sorry, I shouldn’t have acted the way I did.
You know that I love Desmond but I’ll choose you over Lord Gabriel
My mom had disapproved my relationship with Desmond, that he is not the kind of man she wanted for me and that she is afraid that if I don’t Marry you and you keep my fathers business you may forget about the promise you made to him and keep the business all to yourself
I know you may be wondering about Lord Gabriel; he is too old for me but mother wants me to marry him because he’s rich and that’s all she ever wanted
But I’ve come to ponder and I realized that I truly care about you
I don’t mind sailing my last days at sea with you, just like the family we are.
Love
Casandra

It was then I realized that I felt strange about my relationship with Casandra
Captain Edmond: “turn the ship around”
Sailor: “Okay captain”
Crew Member: “But captain, the wind will be against us; It may take us three days to get there if wind still remains that way”
Captain Edmond: “No matter how long, let’s go”
We journeyed back to shore and on the second day we saw the Royal Phoenix heading towards us to the open sea, and by then the wind was in our favor, just like always the Royal Phoenix had no sails but the speed at which it approaches was beyond doubt unbelievable.
It headed straight for us and went through my fleet of five ships; right at the very front of the ship stood a young lady, her hair flowing in the wind and as she passed few feet away from me she turned, glanced at me for a moment and journeyed off; it was like time froze at that moment as I turned around to take a better look as the Royal Phoenix journeyed into the open sea.
The next morning I arrived at shore and made my way to late Captain Alexander’s home to see Casandra, on arrival I saw Mrs. Alexander
Mrs. Alexander: “Have you come to return my ships”
Captain Edmond: “Where is Casandra”
Mrs. Alexander: “Oh Casandra…! I see you’ve returned for her indeed, but am sorry my boy, you arrived too late”
Captain Edmond: “What do you mean”
Mrs. Alexander: “You see, Casandra got married three days ago… And am sure she’s happy where she is now”
It came as a shock to me, it was all my fault; I wish I could turn the hands of time, so I uttered no word as I turned around and walked away and journeyed west by land to meet a friend
Lisa June
***
It was a small house in the town of lack vil
A gentle Knock at the door as it slowly opened
Captain Edmond: “Hello Lisa”
Lisa: “I heard that you are now Captain Edmond”
Captain Edmond: “You heard well my dear…”
Lisa: “Come in and tell me what brings you here, have some tea”
Captain Edmond: “how would you like to journey with me by sea”
Lisa: “Get out of here” She replied with a smile on her face “Just say you need me boy” She said laughing “I really love to”
Captain Edmond: “So shall we be on our way”
Lisa: “Yes we shall, but first let me pack my bags”
We Journeyed back and boarded my ship and made our way back to sea
Lisa: “What magnificent fleet you have Captain!”
Captain Edmond: “You know, you look more beautiful, than before”
Lisa: “There is nothing as beautiful as the youngest Captain with the largest fleet you know” as she sipped her glass of wine “Massive ships, not afraid of anything, just waiting for pirates to strike”
Captain Edmond: “Sometimes it doesn’t Work that way… find me the Royal Phoenix, for now, have some rest sleep tight, we have a journey ahead of us dear”
I first meet Lisa June several years back when I was with Captain Alexander after he took down the Dooms Dela in a battle that ended at the island of matanol, she was held captive by Dooms crew with other children, a hundred and fifty nine of them; Captain Alexander rescued the children with a promise to take them back to their parents but with that number of children to feed and his crew, the food was nothing close to being enough for everyone
Lisa June several times have I seen her give her food to the younger children, so one night I decided to give her mine and that was how we got to know each other and I got to know she was no ordinary girl; she was a sea tracker, a rare gift that could be found once in a decade but it’s believed to run through a bloodline
She could predict the storm and direction of wind but most of all she could find anything on sea.
But the captain couldn’t keep her for he had promised to take them back to their parents and so he did
***
The next morning I walked into her room and there she was beautiful and magnificent in her dress
Captain Edmond: “Good morning Lisa”
Lisa: “Good morning Captain Edmond…” she said dropping a cube of sugar into her cup of tea “What you seek to find can kill you and your crew…”
Captain Edmond: “The Royal Phoenix looks harmless”
Lisa: “It’s beyond what you see, and do I need to remind you how fast she travels”
Captain Edmond: “And that was why I brought you in, find me the fastest route to the Royal Phoenix”
Lisa: “I will but… promise me I’ll be on the ship far from the Royal Phoenix until she agrees to negotiate”
Captain Edmond: “That’s not a problem,… So are we good to go”
Lisa: “Yes”
We journeyed day after day and night after night with full sail raised For six days and on the next morning
Lisa: “I think it’s time for me to go Captain”
Captain Edmond: “why,… besides where do you want to go”
Lisa: “she’s waiting for you”
Captain Edmond: “who is waiting”
Lisa: “the Royal Phoenix; she slowed down two days back, now she’s waiting. She can see your fleet but you can’t see her, all you have to do is journey straight ahead, but for me am going to the back
We transferred Lisa to one of the ships behind and six hours later a crew member who was at the top high on the sail called out with a loud voice
Man¹: “Captain…! Check this out”
Man²: “ship on the horizon”
Man¹: “Captain! It’s the Royal Phoenix”
Captain Edmond: “full speed ahead!”
We drew close and pulled up next to the Royal Phoenix while other ships followed up
Side by side my ship sailed by the Royal Phoenix and there she stood with a few other crew members, she must be the captain!, I thought to my self; the very lady I saw on board the Royal Phoenix over a week ago. We dropped a ladder across and I crossed over on to the Royal Phoenix, I and four other crew members
Lucy: “I did noticed your fleet have been following me for days now, how may I help you?”
Heavens! She Looks way younger than I am
Captain Edmond: “I am Captain Edmond, I would like you to define your mission out in the open sea”
Lucy: “To save us more time I would be honest with you… Am Captain Lucy Diamond and we are pirates”
Captain Edmond: “Surrender your ship and I will spear you life”
Lucy: “I welcomed you aboard my ship and here you are treating my men and I with disrespect, last I checked the Golden spire was at shore and the fact she’s not here with you, I see no reason I should”
Captain Edmond: “Maybe you would when you find your ship going down to the bottom of the sea”
Lucy: “Mind what you say aboard my ship, any other silly word and you’ll Plead for your life”
Captain Edmond: “Sink this ship” I altered In a low tone
But before I could turn around for my ship, I felt the whole ship shake as though it sails was hit by a heavy wind, by the time I fully recovered my ship was half way to the back of the Royal Phoenix and the distance widen so I and my crew Had to run for it. A huge pirate jumped out from the side door right before me with a sword, I was forced to pull my sword as we fought, my crew members who were with me had been taken down by the pirates who were with the girl but one have dived in the waters below. I managed to overcome the pirate and jumped out of the ship.
While I was mid air a rope got stripped around my neck as though they were thrown by a cowboy
I saw a giant arrow with a long chain attachment hit my ship by its side pulling the ship and turning it side ways, I Was pulled back into the Royal Phoenix and was welcomed back by the pirate with a punch on my face
Lucy: “Tie them up and sink that ship!” She said
Pirate: “Load the cannons…, fire at will” The floor at the back end of the Royal Phoenix opened and up out of it was a cannon and fired the hull of my ship continuously
Lucy: “Race the sail…” That was unusual I thought to myself, and the long logs by the side of the ship lifted and from the back age opened up to the side to reveal a sail that looks like the wings of a bird and with that I could hear my ship cracked like a rabbit been ripped open
My favorite ship slowly sinking into the waters; the Royal Phoenix turned 90 degrees left and dropped it’s sail back on board and speeds off and then a 180 degree turn heading straight for my second favorite striking it from one side turning it on to the other with the Royal Phoenix trying to push its way above my ship
The others couldn’t fire for the lives of my men on board
Captain Edmond: “please, let them go…It was all my fault”
Pirate: “Captain Lucy… At your command, we shall open the sails”
Captain Edmond: “please don’t…!”
Lucy: “pull back…”
And at once I could feel the Royal Phoenix, move back, letting my ship go and back upright
The ship was already half way under the water the lowest deck was filled with water that the sails of the ship could move it no faster. I could see the ships disappear in the horizon then I got another punch that made me unconscious.

***

The deep darkness lingered for so long that my soul felt cold
Then I woke up to the splash of water from the open sea, the cold I felt was that of the cold night wind, I was tied to one of six anchor on deck with three of my crew members; the fourth had dived in to the sea during the fight.
Captain Edmond: “For how long have I been unconscious”
Crew¹: “for three days captain”
Lucy: “so Captain Edmond how did you find me”
Captain Edmond: “how I would find any other ship on sea”
Lucy: “So indeed you’re the Crème de la crème pirate hunter” She said with a smile on her face
Captain Edmond: “so you say”
Crew²: “and he has the Crème”
Lucy: “take the rest of the men inside, the captain and I would have a little chat and after that he will spend the night out here and the next” the pirates took my men in still tied up leaving just me and her “you know I never wanted things to happen this way or anyone to get hurt…”
Captain Edmond: “What about my ship you destroyed, my men whom you’ve forced into the cold open sea to drown”
Lucy: “That you made me do!, It was you who followed me for days how was that even possible, no one have ever found the Royal Phoenix from the very first day it was built”
It was then I realized, it was all my fault, That I have been over reacting Over things that do not matter.
Captain Edmond: “Well am sorry, just let my men and I go”
Lucy: “Then I will ask my men to just throw you and your men off-board” she said with a smile on her face; she takes out a key from her pocket and unlocked the chains on my hands “Come in, it’s Cold out here” She added
Captain Edmond: “why have you chosen to be kind to someone who had maltreated you, willing to set him free”
Lucy: “well; I don’t know, maybe it ought to be that way… after you” as she pointed me to the door “my men would make you tea for the main time”
The interior was so nice and large with an amazing all round view of the open sea through the glass windows that run all the way from the back to the front
A long table sits at the middle of the room and far behind I could see the sailor but he was seated before a smaller wheel, unlike the conventional large wheel fitted to sail the ship. There was a stair to the top of the ship and to the lower deck
Lucy: “nothing more surprising than to realize that your fleet is still right behind us; you must have an accurate sailor who must have mastered the sea and the wind simultaneously!”
Captain Edmond: “So you say… You know I kind of hated pirates because of my father, he… abandoned his wife and children and left with his lover, a pirate’s widow…”
Lucy: “And she killed her husband just to be with the one she loves… Every one in the pirate community knows that!” She said with confidence “She was known as the Dark Queen Tessa… if her lover was your father then am sorry to say but he must be dead by now”
Captain Edmond: “What do you mean, what happened to them?”
Lucy: “ they were taken down by your very own Captain, Captain Alexander… The Dooms Dela It made Captain Alexander the most feared pirate hunter” That was the very ship Lisa June was saved from
Captain Edmond: “What is the tendency that he survived the battle?”
Lucy: “It’s A 50 50 chance but if he did, the chances that he is still on the island is high, not unless he tries to leave the island”
Captain Edmond: “Get me back to my crew and my ships, I would have to find him”
Lucy: “Do you mind if I come with you, I would love to see that island myself” She said nonchalantly
Captain Edmond: “Well if you want to”
Lucy: “So before we get back tell me about her”
Captain Edmond: “Who” I asked in a bit of confusion
Lucy: “Your second Captain”
Captain Edmond: “Well I don’t remember having a female second Captain”
Lucy: “Then who is the lady in control of your fleet?”
Captain Edmond: “Oh.. Her you mean, she is my friend from the Dooms Dela; well you get to know each other better” Lucy kind of love the idea of an adventure but I…, desperately still wants to find my father, maybe not because I loved him or I cared about him but possibly because I just want to complete the quest I’ve started.

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The Captain and The Sea²  (E) Second chapter of the captain and the sea #2282046 by Ro el