Calypso opened her mouth to speak her mind to Sir Wayne, but it ended up being Estelle who would hear her words. “I didn’t mean- I just thought- I didn’t realize…” She couldn’t seem to properly phrase her apology. She shot Sir Reginald a pleading look, an expression neither he nor Wayne probably ever saw on Winona’s face when she had this form. She then turned away, whispering in Elvish to avoid any passerby asking questions. “I am a fool. I thought he was just trying to comfort me. I didn’t realize that he actually wanted to kiss me.” With an angry growl at herself, she turned sharply to follow Estelle, catching up with the maiden easily. “Estelle, wait. I know I must have offended him, but I swear to you on my- on… on something I can give you should you not believe me that I don’t already owe Sir Wayne, I did not mean to push him away. He was welcome to kiss me again should he have wished, but that was exactly why I seemignly ‘rejected’ him… I didn’t realized that he was kissing me because he wanted to. Unless I am a fool and he didn’t want to and now I’m making an even bigger mess of the only true friendships I’ve had in a long time?” Her eyes were pleading as she stood at the opening of the tent, unaware of anyone else that might be there. “Oh, I am just fortune’s fool!” Had she not still been clutching the bag for dear life, the Ranger would have burried her head in her hands.
*Smack*
The blow had struck. She was shocked at the fact she’d just slapped the man who by the looks of it, owned the ship. “Oh great, I’ve gone and slapped the Captain and invoked parley.” She thought to herself while staring at the ground.
As quick as a swatter to fly the Captain had rounded on her before then grinning oddly and pulling her from her waist over his broad shoulders. A yelp left her lips as she took in the actions he’d done. “Wait a minute… You can’t do this to me…” She yelled and screamed while pounding against his back with all the strength she could muster. “Now…about that tour.” She’d completely forgotten about it and his hospitality in the moment he’d stared at her breasts. Wait, was he really talking about a tour of the ship whilst carrying her the way he was. And no sooner had her thoughts come, they’d left as the open air swept across her face almost making her regurgitate that instant.
The Lady Bass/Main Deck
The men of his crew laughed with such pride and enjoyment at the sight of her. And not long after the Captain himself spoke out in a somewhat laughing manner, kindly introducing his crew and the top deck. “Here we have the top deck of the fabulous Lady Bass. This…mighty mob of scoundrels and villains to ever stain the sea with the blood of the lily livered men, is my crew.”
He’d spin her around and the crew cheered in excitement probably their willies going bonkers at the sight of the wind picking up her skirts. The cold air whizzed all through her body and instantly she cringed and grasped the back of the Captain’s clothes and clung tighter to him, almost as if he was her lifeline, but more so to stay warm from the chilly night air. “Please, stop… I insist.” Her voice broke out in the millisecond of silence.
The Lady Bass/ The Plank
“See? What a great bunch of lads. Now…off we go to the plank.” Her cry had been ignored. Celeste sighed and instantly her eyes widened as she then registered what the Captain had said. “Wait… the what?” She couldn’t go out on the deck’s plank. It wasn’t safe. The sea, the oncoming storm forming over head. Was this man mad?
Her eyes looked towards the Captain as he set her down on the plank, his voice becoming stern, yet playful as he spoke again.“Care to go swimming, dear?”
“She must have rejected the Captain.” The first mate Joel had said, while pointing at the red welt on the Captain’s face. Celeste cringed, she’d only struck the dazzling Captain for looking at her knockers. Which she thought she was in the right when it happened but as she began to make way away from the front connection of plank to ship her voice caught in her throat and her head whirled to the right, her hair falling over her shoulder in a now damp cascade of waves. The sword he’d pulled on her was sharp and pointed directly in between her chest, not far from her heart. Which by now was beating 5x’s the normal rate as her anxiety built up. His words sounding slow as he spoke the last of them.“Do say hello to Davy Jones for me.” She’d lost it then but knew from her own self teachings to not show fear in these situations, so she gulped hard and instantly caught herself from crying then before turning from looking down below which seemed like a mighty drop, to turning to looking at the Captain. God he was a gorgeous sight, and if he’d weren’t such a prick she’d fallen for him right then and there. But instead she swallowed what courage she had left and stared at him a small fake but subtle smile crossing her pouted lips.
“With pleasure.”
The men of the ship made a noise before then staring to their Captain as if to ask what he was to do with her. But before the Captain could respond Celeste held tight to her gown as all through the night the only thing heard was a massive scream and the sound of thunder in the distance. Everything else in the night stood still, as if t’was a movie on pause. Nothing was heard thereafter but the sound of a small yet audible splash coming from down below.
The crew all gasped, and ran to the edge of the ship. Looking down all they could see was the ripple of where the girl must have fallen in. There were no bubbles, no sign of her beneath the sea of blue. Even the Captain was a bit flabbergasted that she actually jumped. All the crew took their hats off and placed them to their chests in a mark of respect. She was such a brave soul, to walk the plank, and even promise to say hello to Davy Jones. The Captain was leaning over the sides, and looking left and right, all around to see a sign of her…something.
“She jumped?”
“Aye…she did, Captain.” The first mate said, coming up along side him and taking a peek over board. “Gone to a watery grave. Bless her.” The Captain face palmed hard. He was only kidding. In all honesty, if she had begged for her life, he would have let her back on deck. The crew said a silent prayer, and then one by one began to place their hats back on, and go back to their work. The Captain grimaced, and sighed, pulling his hat on tighter with a tug, and headed back towards his cabin.
Beneath the Lady Bass
Little did the crew know that the Lady Bass was moored not far from Rock Island, where it is said the mermaids of the deep are known to frolic…and kill. As Celeste slowly sank well below the ship, dozens of dark shapes were swimming towards the vessel at speed. Some were swimming around the body of Celeste, as she went deeper into the blue.
Other sea creatures were also approaching, but the mermaids kept the sharks at bay. One fair mermaid took the hand of the sinking girl, and with the powerful movement of her tail, she spirtied the girl up towards the surface, not far from where she had fallen.
Breaching the surface, another mermaid helped bring the girl’s head above waters, while the fair blonde one, began to sing as her sisters all started to bring their heads above water. The siren like songs of the mermaid could be heard by the crew. One by one, they walked as though hypnotized to the edge of the ship, only to see the bevy of aquatic beauties staring up at them. The lead…continued to sing, and her voice finally reached that of the Captain. He stopped dead in his tracks, having heard the chorus before.
“No…it can’t be.” he thought to himself, as he ran back to the side of the boat, where he saw …HER.
“Amber…never thought I would see you again.” The Captain recognized Lady Amber Rinks. A mermaid that fell in love with the Prince when he was but a teen. Now a grown man, he had sailed the seas, and Amber had searched for him….the whole time. She had a grip on Celeste as she looked at the unconscious girl, then back up at the Captain.
“Got tired of this one too, Captain?” She hissed, knowing the Captain’s record with women.
“She walked the plank, I didn’t force her.” Derek protested, much to Amber’s amusement.
“Very well. Then I guess she can drown.” Amber went to let the girl go and Derek yelled out.
“Wait…don’t”
The mermaids all started to giggle and laugh as the Captain now seemed to want to save the girl. Amber narrowed her eyes and then said.
“It’s going to cost you.”
What on earth would a mermaid like Amber want, you may dare ask. The Captain ordered a small boat be lowered and some of the crew go down and retrieve Celeste as the mermaids all giggled and started to sing. Amber held onto Celeste…and waited.
<3>
The lady had fallen, slipped off the plank in a horrified scare from the rushing waves that churned in the watery depths below. The watery graves of the thousands of souls lost at sea could be heard from beyond the bottom of the boat and far off through not only the north, but the south as well. They must have cried for help as well. Celeste’s eyes closed and opened the minute she’d began to drown. Her arms waving about the ocean’s waters as if something were going to see her and help her up. And little did she know; something did soon as she fell unconscious. Mermaids of all sorts came in a surrounding circle, one by one just as she’d finally had enough of the murky waters and yet once again gone faint.
A song, the sweetest of melodies played in her head. Someone, no; something had grabbed ahold of her be it man or mermaid she knew not, but if there was one thing she knew, t’was this song of songs was one of the sea, and surely one of death.
Her head reached above the surface and her body lay limp in the arms of someone. Who it was she’d know clue, but the air around her gathered at a rather fast rate and rushed over her body making her shiver and the hairs all over stand. She groaned and instantly opened her eyes as if she’d just woken up for the first time in centuries. Heavy and slow did her body feel in the arms of the woman she now saw before her; holding her.
The song played in a beautiful chorus of melodies and instantly Celeste cringed and then closed her eyes once more before falling faint, but not before catching sight of the Captain’s godly silhouette. And hearing a small bit of the conversation between the two; her captor and said Captain.
“Very well. Then I guess she can drown.” Amber, the mysterious mermaid Celeste knew nothing of, went to let the girl go and Derek yelled out.
“Wait…don’t”
The mermaids all started to giggle and laugh as the Captain now seemed to want to save the girl. Amber narrowed her eyes and then said.
“It’s going to cost you.”
Although not having caught sight of the beautiful maiden who’d held Celeste in her arms she’d figured she’d be beautiful. After all from waking up she memorized the song she’d heard. T’was that of a siren; as predicted, one of the sea, and more surely one of alluring and mesmerizing death. But above all, it was one of a siren, or mermaid for lack of a better term. But yes, a siren nonetheless. She’d heard they were beauties and even came as a close second to goddesses who’d been known to be the most beautiful on Olympus. But still, this was one game, that was dangerous for not only Celeste but for her Captain as well.
Mithrildanne didn’t notice Derek leave, nor did she notice Giselle’s pained screams as the crew dragged her along with them. All she saw was nothingness, a dark nothingness, blacker than anything she’d seen before. She was supposed to be seeing the Gates. They had to be there. They were giant, they couldn’t just up and damned disappear! Suddenly, her view changed. She’d not looked elsewhere. If she hadn’t been frozen before, she was frozen now. Her sight gazed upon the White City, calm as still waters.
A billowing pillar of smoke flew at the rock face that jutted from the top level – the palace of the Dark One and the Necromancer. It landed on the edge of the great rock, moving through an open place in the stone railing made specifically for doing so. The black smoke burst into the form of Orothe, walking with purpose toward the great white doors. She shed her dress and accessories piece by piece as she walked, her black hair billowing behind her. By the time she reached the two guards at the door, she was completely nude, which resulted in their eyes being glued to her. She clucked her tongue and the two immediately began undressing. She nodded curtly and the guards attacked her body. They drove their shafts into her with loud moans and groans no doubt heard by those on the lower levels. Neither went anywhere near her face, and not once did she moan. As the guards continued to pound into her, she reached around the one at her front and dragged her nails down his back. His blood ran in rivulets from the large gashes she made, staining her hands, but he continued thrusting into her. She brought her hands to his throat, choking down his next moan before pulling with the shriek of a harpy and the strength of a wildcat. The front of his throat came loose in her hands as blood poured from the wound. She cast the bloodied flesh away as he fell limp on her bloodied breasts. The other guard had stopped thrusting and pulled out of her behind, but continued to pleasure himself while she dismounted his dead comrade. She turned to face him, eyeing his length before moving toward him again. Her hands mingled with his and another loud moan erupted from his (still intact) throat. She began to lower herself, coming to her knees before him. His eyes were closed in ecstasy, so he didn’t notice her teeth become a row of black points. She shrieked again and ripped at his testicles with her teeth, catching one in her hand as he screamed and fell back. Her teeth returned to normal pearly whites as she stood, tossing the testicle into the guard’s open mouth. Still nude and covered in blood, Orothe turned as if Mithrildanne stood before her, smiling wickedly before turning and disappearing behind the doors.
Mithrildanne didn’t gasp. She didn’t fall to her knees. She simply turned and exited the Donkey’s Dick, disappearing in a crowd of angels.
The small boat was being lowered as fast at the pirates were able. Captain Derek leaned over as Amber made her rash statement that if they wanted the damsel, that it was going to cost him. One thing you never do, is make such a deal. Mermaids were not just pretty faces or sirens that can lull you to sleep. They were predators, more dangerous than man eating sharks….if you got too close.
Amber found humor in the Pirate’s antics, cursing and flailing as they lowered the boat. Many other mermaids had now arrived on the scene, with their heads breaching the surface, while Amber cooed at the Captain.
“Oh I see how it is. You would care for a woman now that has such pretty little feet, but nay to the girl with fins.” Amber had been rejected by Derek before, when long ago, she fell in love with him and he went off with some Lady from the North. Amber was heart broken, and made it her mission to be a constant reminder of love gone wrong. Her laughter bubbled up as the sodden girl was rousing from unconsciousness. Amber took a stronger hold on the girl, and then realized this girl was worth more than she first thought.
The small boat pushed away from the Lady Bass, oars in the water as it tried to reach the mermaid and her hostage.
“Just let the girl go…Amber.” The Captain called out from the deck of the ship. Amber mocked a pout. “Letting your men do your dirty work, Captain? I am not amused. I think I might…keep this girl, yes.” With that she dived, and pulled the hapless Celeste with her at speed, while her sister mermaids encircled the small boat filled with Pirates. All suddenly became very afraid, as they bared their razor sharp teeth, their large fins slapping the underside of the boat, as Amber made her escape. The mermaid headed for Rock Island, that was filled with underwater caverns; a virtual mermaid palace. A place where men dare not tread.
<3>
“Oh I see how it is. You would care for a woman now that has such pretty little feet, but nay to the girl with fins.” Amber had been rejected by Derek before, when long ago, she fell in love with him and he went off with some Lady from the North. Amber was heartbroken, and made it her mission to be a constant reminder of love gone wrong. Her laughter bubbled up as the sodden girl was rousing from unconsciousness. Amber took a stronger hold on the girl, and then realized this girl was worth more than she first thought.
As the constricting of the mermaids arms tightened around her Celeste awakened and yelped in pain, although courageous and brave she could feel the might of the feisty woman. Instantly her eyes turned to look into the eyes of her captor.“You…” Celeste’s eyes widened as the mermaid looked back into her eyes and smirked mischievously, playfully even. Enjoying the moment of having her in her arms ever more sacred, holding Celeste in her arms as if she was a treasure lost at sea.
“Just let the girl go…Amber.”The Captain called out from the deck of the ship. Amber mocked a pout. “Letting your men do your dirty work, Captain? I am not amused. I think I might…keep this girl, yes.” With that she dived, and pulled the hapless Celeste with her at speed, while her sister mermaids encircled the small boat filled with Pirates. Celeste had listened to the conversation as the storm brewed overhead and averted her gaze from the mermaid she’d recognized, to the Captain; the Captain who’d just now suddenly shown a slight form of affection and care for her. Her eyes glimmered as they’d looked into his, and instantly she felt it. Even at the most dangerous of times and unlucky of situations, there was a spark between them, his face softened as he eyed her and then turned to Amber who now dove off into the distance.
Everything became clear to her as they’d swim farther from The Lady Bass. This woman; had at one point fallen in love with the Captain. Celeste swam with the mermaid instead of rather fighting her, for she knew if she were to beat this mystical beauty, she’d need her alone, and deep in the trenches of the water nearing the mouth of Rock Island was where it’d happen. The distance closed in proximity as she, Amber and the rest of the mermaid coven she’d had behind her followed near the landing, a place of land where they’d taken their prisoners and those who fell to the charms, wit and cunning smart moves of the Siren and her motley, clever crew of beautiful maidens.
“Why do you care so much about him?” Celeste asked Amber as she adjusted herself in the woman’s grip. “You have to come to terms, you and him, will never work.” She sighed and closed her eyes as thunder roared in the distance. “It’s inevitable to fight it… You have fins, and he doesn’t.”
Amber turned to glare at Celeste before dunking her head deep within the trenches of the water, dragging her under so as to teach her a lesson. But thinking better after a small passing half minute she brought her to the surface, possibly to plot something much bigger. What it was? Celeste had no idea, but she was sure she was going to find out, sooner or later.
All these thoughts and the only one to kick in was; why? Why had the Captain cared so much to save her life just then? These were questions that plagued her mind, but now wouldn’t be answered due to her being far from him. And now surrounded by mermaids who looked like they wanted to skin Celeste alive, all she could do now was take a deep breath and wait for what’d happen next.
Amber dragged Celeste’s heavy fabric clad form through the entrance of the Rock island caves and into an underground lagoon, that was a haven for mermen and mermaids. Many laughed to see what Amber was dragging through the water and finally the mermaid released the girl near a rocky outcrop, before lazily swimming back to the middle of the lagoon. If Celeste was to clamour up the rocks she would be in full view of all the mermaids.
Amber tipped her head back and forth as she watched the girl rise to standing. Her dress would by now be a shredded ruin, that would cling to her shapely form. It interested Amber to see the girl’s bare feet upon the rocks. Only at certain times, could a mermaid walk on land….thankfully this was not one of them. Celeste had tried to make Amber understand that she and Derek could simply never be.
It’s inevitable to fight it… You have fins, and he doesn’t.”
This had Amber laugh, and she smirked viciously. Now coming to realize that Celeste felt something for the Captain, the wayward Prince. And now Amber was about to capitalize on it.
“You…do realize that he is the Prince of Casterly. An..angel no less, parading as a Pirate. Funny, huh? Such a good and kind man that made you walk the plank.”
Amber swam towards Celeste’s rock and leaned on it with her elbows, arms folded as she asked.
“You are probably wondering how I know this? Well, I was not always confined to the sea. I walked on land, and that is when I found the Prince. So lonely in his garden. He knew me simply as Lady Rinks. And one night, we shared a kiss.” This had her smile at the memory, before a look of darkness came over her face.
“His…Mother. Metia. A witch among women, saw us kiss, and being as she is a right bitch….brought out a bucket of sea water and tipped it all over me. I grew my fins…my tail…and Derek was so shocked, he fled. The Queen’s guards carried me to the nearest water source, which was a river that led to the sea, and that was when I knew…if I ever was to capture his heart it would be on the ocean blue.”
Amber then grinned showing all her terrible shark like teeth.
“I just never counted on you.”
The Lady Bass
The Captain flew into a rage and ordered the small boat be brought back up, so the ship could raise anchor and go after the wicked mermaids. The crew flew into action, with winches being wound, the anchor rising from the deep. Derek was beside himself. He felt the connection as he looked at the roused Celeste, and he wanted to have that feeling again. The Captain was going to have to deal with Amber once and for all. Only question was would they make it in time?
<3>
It had been a long and trying night, the storm that raged on was near a close and all Celeste’s thoughts ran rampant around her head. Amber had released her and pushed her towards a rocky outcrop, where instantly Celeste clambered up onto. With doing this she swiftly turned and her hair followed, smacking her instantly across the face as she finally was able to catch sight of the beauties of the night and sea everyone called mermaids.
Celeste stood up on the rocky ground and caught the eye of Amber staring at her feet, examining her in her full form. Celeste sighed and gathered her breath before then listening to the random laugh from Amber’s lips.
“What’s so funny?”
And not a moment later she responded with ease.
“You…do realize that he is the Prince of Casterly. An..angel no less, parading as a Pirate. Funny, huh? Such a good and kind man that made you walk the plank.” A prince, posing as a prince while all being a mystical and by far more amazing being than that of a mermaid. He was an angel, and she’d been blind to it all. But of course she would have, not many would be able to spot that of an angel so quickly, it was usually if there was another present or if they’d want to be seen as such in the first place. It was already beyond the time for Celeste to have caught some sleep, and just recently her thoughts ran rampant, now her mind began to settle as different things slowly pieced together.
Amber swam towards the rock Celeste stood on and leaned on it with her elbows, arms folded as she asked.
“You are probably wondering how I know this? Well, I was not always confined to the sea. I walked on land, and that is when I found the Prince. So lonely in his garden. He knew me simply as Lady Rinks. And one night, we shared a kiss.” Again, another secret she’d not known. But then again, why would Celeste have known of such secrets and stories, she’d only just met the pirate Captain—No, the prince, just this eve. It wasn’t until Amber continued did Celeste finally sit and perch her knees to her chest to stay warm.
“His…Mother. Metia. A witch among women, saw us kiss, and being as she is a right bitch….brought out a bucket of sea water and tipped it all over me. I grew my fins…my tail…and Derek was so shocked, he fled. The Queen’s guards carried me to the nearest water source, which was a river that led to the sea, and that was when I knew…if I ever was to capture his heart it would be on the ocean blue.” She’d told her. Celeste brought her hand to her mouth before then standing once more, and moving about the small space of land she was given.
Amber then grinned showing all her terrible shark like teeth.
“I just never counted on you.”
“And that’s it then.” She laughed a bit. “You know, I am sure you knew this, you know, being a mermaid and all. But… Mermaids can spend their entire lives exploring the wonders of the Seas and love being free in the ocean. When a Mermaid gets lonely, their heart will warm up and then they become curious about the world ashore. Kind of like a vice-versa situation with you and the Prince.” Celeste sighed before carrying on with her story.
“But, then when a mermaid/merman is heartbroken their heart will turn cold again if they let it, as they if their feeling betrayed and disappointed so they will naturally feel drawn back to the sea.” She smiled with no emotion behind her features and then crouched down to eye level with Amber and giggled once more. “It’s what happened tonight, didn’t it?” Her eyes narrowed and she sat down. “You sought him out this evening, not caring about the human who’d drown; for you, as most mermaids and mermen do… were only looking out for yourself. You looked upon the prince as your icy heart began to thaw and instantly held me captive then and even now, hoping, almost wanting and pleadingly wishing that he’d look onto you and be drawn back to the moment. And I do say moment, listen closely. “Celeste was getting to Amber, and she knew it. This time the ball was in Celeste’s court, even having been captured she’d figured it out piece by piece. “I mean honestly, whether or not I care for the prince, tis’ no business of yours.” She waved her hands in the mermaids face just then as her courage began building more and more. “But that was just it… it was a moment in time, as I’m sure I’ll be.” Amber grinned wickedly before then moving back from the ledge of the outpost. “But if you think for one moment, you’re right for him…” And by this time, it was Celeste’s turn to feel the pool of fury. Her anger built in the belly of her core as she then glared at the mermaids and zoned in on Amber. “You’re dead wrong.” Celeste arm swung forward and towards the right of her, as a mystical energy of pure invisibility shot out in an attempt to toss the Mermaid towards the nearest wall of the cave with brute force.
“You’re far from being right for him…”
Celeste was more fiesty than the mermaid had imagined. Using her knowledge of mermaids against her, Amber’s fury raged as the waters around her started to bubble. She screeched a high pitch sound, that was designed to attract more merpeople from the deep. Oh if this girl was going to be a handful, she wanted to have an audience for what was to be the girl’s fate.
“You’re dead wrong.” Celeste screamed, hurling a bolt of mystical energy of pure invisibility at the mermaid, which sent Amber flying up and out of the water, and smashing into a rock wall, then tumbling down into the blue waters without so much as a sound. Celeste may have defeated Amber for the moment, but Celeste was not alone.
The waters rippled as there were dark shadows coming in from the deep. It was clear that the danger was ever present, and while she had manged to expel a great deal of energy at Amber, would she be able to fend off the rest of the mermaid coven. Two large mermen appeared, breaking the surface and throwing back their heads as they did so. Foam of white water built as more and more appeared. Menacing hisses and in human growls filled the cavern. It was not a place for the faint hearted.
Finally Amber re emerged from the deep, a large gash to her forehead with a green coloured blood oozing from the wound. You could see the sheer hatred in her eyes, her face contorted from its usual beauty into something truly evil. She started to speak in a high pitch like squeaking, that would have shattered glass, as the very rocks that Celeste stood on looked like they were moving. They weren’t actually moving, but something in a large number was crawling across them towards Celeste.
Things were about to get nippy, for the young Celeste.
Outside the cavern, the long boat from the Lady Bass was being rowed towards the mermaid lagoon, with Captain Derek at the front of the boat holding a lantern. He hoped and prayed he made it there in time.
<3>
