Inheritance: Threads of Fate

Chapter Twelve - Captain

"I'm glad King Caspian is feeling better, but you had to get help from PIRATES?!? How exciting! Also you learned how to sword fight! That is so amazing. You're really a true sailor now. Will you show me when you get back?
The tutor arrived from Narnia this week, he's a funny little man with a white beard and glasses, Mr. Cornelius. He says he taught the King when he was our age...but I don't think that other kids believe him. Can you ask King Caspian who his tutor was so I can tell them? So far we are learning about different countries, and how far we all are from each other. I had no idea there were so many other islands. I'd like to visit them some day.  Can you bring me something back from Calormen? I want to show Mr. Cornelius. He says Calormen is a "fascinating but dangerous place." I hope not too dangerous. You're being careful right?
Everyone says Hi. I miss you soooo much!
Love, Sis"

Reading the letter you could hear her voice, and it brought some comfort to you. It also reminded you of why you had to stay. She needs to know her parents. She needs to have a mother and father to care for her. You need to bring them home.
A quiet knock at your door distracted you.
"It's me." Caspian's voice came from the other side of the door. "Drinian and Lalin are ready to set off."
"Coming." You responded, tucking Sis' letter away in a drawer.
You opened the doors, and he was standing in the study waiting for you.
"What did she say?" He asked.
"It seems like your old tutor came to the islands to teach the next generation." You smiled.
"Cornelius?" He responded surprised.
You nodded. "From what you told me about him, the kids are going to be in great hands."
"Oh they will be, and he's going to make them work very hard." He laughed. "I can't wait to get back and see him. Come on." He offered you his arm. "Let's go say our goodbyes, Raxe is already down there."

You let Caspian lead you back down to the docks, where you saw everyone standing at the end of the pier by a longboat. You looked off to the distance where the Midnight Lust sat in the deeper water as she was too large to bring in. A huge brigantine decorated in royal blue and gold details. You could make out at least a hundred crewmen still on board, not counting the fifteen or so on the dock with you. Sis is going to pee herself when she sees Drinian come in on a ship like this...
Lalin was talking with Raxe as you approached. "...if you ever consider jumping ship... please let me be the first to know." He ran his finger just under Raxe's chin. But he stood up straight as you approached. Raxe was beet red.
"I'm...gonna...wagon...tavern..." Raxe stammered at you both, and tripped over his own feet as he backed away down the docks.
You chuckled and shook your head.
"Please take care of him." You motioned to Drinian. "He means a lot to us."
"I'll give him the same care as if he were my own father." He put his hand over his heart and gave you a small bow.
"You and your men are welcome to stay at the inn on the island free of charge, if you'd like. Drinian knows it well, and knows the keeper." You offered.
"Oh? I will be sure to take that offer. Thank you." He smiled. "You wouldn't happen to know anyone who I should...look up...while I'm there?" He asked suggestively.
"No." You chuckled. "But I'm sure that won't stop you from finding a victim."
"Ah, victim is such a strong word... I prefer the term 'willing accomplice.'" He laughed.
"Thank you again Lalin. We will see you soon." You grabbed his arm.
"Count on it." He smiled.
You turned to Drinian who was already speaking with Caspian.
"Lass." He greeted with a smile.
"Be safe?" You requested.
"I a'ways try don' I?"
"You give my love to Tavros and the men." Caspian commanded gently.
"Aye Sire."
"We'll be back as soon as we can." You promised.
"Oy. Listen, both o' ye." He lowered his voice.
You both gave him your full attention.
"I know. I'd hav' ta be blind not ter know. Lass, yer the bes' thing ter ever happen ter this man." He clapped Caspian on the shoulder. "An' we all know it. The crew wan's nothin' more then ter see ye happy Sire. Those who love ye don' care where ye find love, just tha' she treats ye as well as ye treat us."
You and Caspian turned red and looked away.
"Rememb'r that aye? Ye make yer own decisions, but don' let 'er go fer the wrong reasons." He looked directly at Caspian.
Caspian nodded, and hugged Drinian. "So long dear friend."
Drinian nodded to both of you, and boarded the longship. You watched until everyone was boarded, and the Midnight Lust was just a speck on the horizon.

"Ready for your big announcement?" Caspian looked down at you.
"No." You responded.
He laughed. "Too bad. Come on."
You reboarded the Shade. Caspian stood at the helm calling for the crew's attention, while you stood just behind him to his side.
"Men! You all know our brave Drinian has left us to bring support to our family on the Lone Islands. As it stands, that leaves the Shade under new leadership. I expect you to give your new Captain the same level of respect as myself or Drinian. I, Caspain X, King of Narnia, appoint The Shade of Hope to her new Captain. The Lord of the Scale of the Seas." He motioned for you to step forward, and you did, more confidently than you felt.
For a second no one moved, but then a roar of cheers erupted among the crew. Caspian stood behind you proudly. You looked around at all the faces. These were your men now. This ship was yours. Yours to care for and protect as much as it was to command. Their families depended on you to return them home safely. What's more you had a responsibility to the other Lords of Scales, regardless if you had met them or not. The Shade of Hope was officially a pirate vessel under the command of a Pirate Lord. The thought made a shiver run up your spine, and you had an odd feeling of peace. As if some unknown, powerful presence was giving you their approval. Like this was meant to be all along.
You and Caspian made your way down to the main deck. All the men were wanting to congratulate you and shake your hand. Every single one of them calling you "Captain" had you fighting the urge to turn around to see who they were talking to.
"You're going to have to pick a first mate before we depart." Caspian said as he closed the study doors behind you.
"Well obviously, you." You responded.
He laughed. "My Starlight, I'm honored, but as your King I cannot also be your first mate." He wrapped his arms around your waist.
"I forget you're my King sometimes." You giggled.
"Oh? Shall I remind you?" He smirked. Then leaned down and kissed you. His tongue had just parted your lips when another knock interrupted.
"Ok. I'm going to instate a set of private time rules immediately." You grumbled.
Caspian laughed. "I second that motion, Captain."
"What is it?" You called out.
"Captain, Sire, you're being requested at the Tavern." One of the men responded.
You looked at each other. "Alright...let's go be slaves again." You sighed.

* * *

"I'm sorry, you want me to wear that?" You gawked at Raxe holding what looked like a burlap sack with holes in it.
"Yep. Slave garb." He pushed it towards you. "Go get dressed My Lady." He bowed sarcastically.
You picked up the rags with two fingers as if it were alive. "You know... I'm getting tired of all these wardrobe changes."
Raxe laughed and walked away, leaving you to head upstairs to the room to change. As you approached the door, Caspian was just exiting. He was wearing a similar type of rag, but only covering from his hips to his upper thigh. You stopped and smiled at him.
"What?" He did not look amused.
"Oh, nothing....I just suddenly now see the appeal of owning a man..."
"Ha. Ha." He rolled his eyes at you. "Let's see yours then."
You held your raggedy garment up.
"Hope I get as much enjoyment from yours..."
You laughed and walked past him into the room.

It took you longer to undress than it did to get into your new rags. The scratchy cloth hung over one shoulder, draping down to just under your butt. If you bent over the world would get a show... There was a large tear in the side so your mid-drift was partially exposed as well. "I might as well be naked..." You thought aloud.
Caspian was waiting on the other side of the door when you opened it. He whistled.
"I am reinstating slavery in Narnia... effective immediately." He bit his lip.
"You can't afford me." You replied airily. "A Captain goes for double." You tried to walk past him haughtily but he grabbed you by the waist from behind and spun you around, pulling your body against his.
"I'd give up my kingdom to own you." He purred down at you.
"What would you have me do? Master?"
His eyes blackened "Wicked, dirty acts that I could never request of a Lady."
Your fingers softly traced up his bare chest. "I can give you a taste...for free..." You whispered.
"You two coming down or what?" Raxe called out from down the stairs.
You smiled at each other, and he slowly released you. You turned away from him to walk down the stairs, when he slapped your ass. You gasped and whispered "Caspian!" as he laughed and went down. Leaving you on the stairs, pink and flustered.