Posted by Leif G.S. in Fantasy, Flash Fiction, The Wicked Cat Series, The World of Niris (Manuscript World) | 0 Comments
Pirate Fantasy Flash Fiction: The Wicked Cat (Opportunity)
The 2nd in the Pirate Fantasy Flash Fiction series The Wicked Cat, the high seas adventure involving pirate, cursed birds, princesses and a little magic too. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
“Excuse me? How do you know who I am?” Myrilda cheeks turned a bright red as she tried to hide her face under the aquamarine colored hood, ducking her head down so no one else would be able to see her shame.
“It wasn’t that hard. It isn’t every day you have someone walk into this place with a bright color like yours without having a few piss or bloodstains on it. The whores love bright colors too so you can imagine what stains they have on something like this. It isn’t pretty. Besides, not everyone walks into the Wicked Cat with a Dragon of the Golden Tear. I could only assume you were either going to take advantage of him and leave him for dead in an alley after he drank too much or you were here for business. Good thing I guessed the latter, I would have hated to be wrong.” Brynn commented, motioning to the table for them to sit.
Myrilda nodded, looked through the crowd to see Hafnar standing at the bar, arguing with a patron about the merits of “Hyrilan Fishing” loud enough to attract everyone’s attention to him. She slipped into the alcove and took a seat deep enough in the booth to be disguised by the darkness. Brynn flopped down in a seat on her left, propping her leg up on a nearby stool as three other burly seamen took seats to her right. Her heart pounded as she smacked her lips, her eyes having a difficult time focusing.
“Relax, Princess. We aren’t going to hurt you nor are we going to turn you over to the Hyrilan authorities. You’ll find not everyone on the north side of Lyonhead Bay has love for their new Imperial masters.” One of the men who sat to her right said, a burly man whose skin was a rich tan color from being out on the sea for a long time. His silver beard betrayed his age along with the crows feet on his face and the wrinkles on his brow.
“Harald is right, Your Highness. Our nations might have warred with each other many centuries ago but at least we respected you and your kind. These damned Hyrilans think they will tame us with their steam powered ships and fancy guns made from mysterious metals. They might have the islands fooled but we aren’t going to fall for it, that’s for certain.” Another man to her right said, a studious looking man with thick glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. He had a large book, a quill and an ink bottle before him, recording everything that happened.
“Don’t mind Allata, he’s a special man to us. He records everything we do so we will get the recognition we deserve when the time comes. He also balances our books, he’s smart with numbers. So, tell us why you’re here, Princess Myrilda? I would have expected the Great King’s only daughter would be under lock and key with the recent attacks from Hyril.” Brynn commented.
“I am my own woman, Captain Raedwolv. I do as I wish; my father has no say in the matter.” Myrilda retorted.
“Forgive me, Your Highness. Why are you here?” Brynn asked.
“I want you to-“
A loud squawk interrupted Myrilda as blue feathers drifted down in front of her. The large blue bird she encountered before dropped off two drinks on the table, landed and panted. Bluefeather looked at Myrilda, his black eyes blinking a few times before he bolted for one of the wooden steins. Brynn grabbed the two mugs from the table and held them over her head, glaring at the bird as her face contorted in anger. “Go find your own brew, you blue buzzard! This one here’s for Myrilda!”
“Arr, ye be a cruel mistress! Give ol’ Cap’n Bluefeather his ale or ye be regrettin’ it when I tie ye up on the mizzen for treason!” The bird retorted.
“Please, I’d love to see you flap me up to the riggings and tie me down. I don’t think any of my men would do it for you either and Ol’ Stewie is too insane to remember how to crap, much less how to tie a knot after all these years. You want a drink, get your own!” Brynn said, taking her foot from the stool and kicking out at the bird while trying to balance the steins.
Bluefeather squawked again and flew away before her foot could touch him, fluttering just above her head as he turned his beak up at her. “I’ll be rememberin’ this, ye harlot! We ye be sleepin’, don’t think ye won’t be findin’ no present in ye britches!”
The bird flew back toward the bar, allowing Brynn to place the wooden mug in front of Myrilda with a smile. “Bluefeather’s an idiot. His previous owner was captain of the prize I have now, my original vessel sunk after the last encounter I had with Hyril’s finest. I had to make the damned rodent my co captain just to sail again. No one listens to him but we act as if he makes some important decisions so we can at least be privateers again.”
Myrilda looked in the wooden cup, leaned down and inhales the bouquet from the ale. She blinked back tears as she coughed a few times, pushing the mug away from her. “By the Eight, what is in that?”
“The less you know about Hyril Ale, the better. All we know is that it’s cheap in the occupied areas and does the job to loosen tongues among other things. So, you were telling us what you wanted us to do for you, Princess.”
“I want you to help us find the Lost Hope.” Myrilda said.
Brynn spewed the drink from her mouth, spraying her men with an alcoholic mist. She sputtered a few times as the wooden stein slammed on the table, causing more than a few people to look their way. Myrilda drew the hood over her face and lowered her head to obscure her identity, though she stopped when she realized she was hidden in the shadows. Allata removed the glasses from his face and wiped the spittle from the lenses as the Harald and the other silent sailor spoke to each other in hushes whispers, looking at Myrilda with a slight sneer.
“Is there an issue with my request, captain?” Myrilda asked.
“Only if you want to fulfill a death wish, milady. Too many pirates, privateers, naval vessels and rulers themselves have been lost hunting that ghost ship. As much as I love your father and his ability to make the people of Lyonhead Bay feel respected, I’m afraid I’ll have to turn down your request.”
“But… This is a grand opportunity…” Myrilda stammered.
“My apologies but there isn’t enough gold on this or any other continent that will be enough to change my mind.”
A large bag slammed on the table, the sound of coins and jewels clattering against each other inside made Brynn smile as she looked up at Hafnar towering over her. She nodded once and motioned to the seat nearby. “You should have told me you spoke privateer, Duke Hafnar. I think it’s high time we have a negotiation.”
“How- How did you know Hafnar was my uncle?”
If you enjoyed this piece and are new to the series, please click on the link below to start from the beginning. Thanks for the interest and I hope you enjoyed the piece!
