The Sea King’s Pride

The Sea King’s Pride

Gosen, Svenja. “Pirate Queen.” Digital Work, 2018, svenjaliv.com/pirate-queen/.

Blazing golden light surrounded her as she descended from the final trial site atop the mountain at the center of the Sea King’s Island. As the light faded, Lila marveled at the sight she beheld, miles and miles of her beloved sea. From her place at the mountain's peak, the ship she belonged to looked like a tiny dot among the waves. Squinting her eyes, she realized there were more dots surrounding her ship, meaning only one thing. “The Terra-Angelus Navy!” she gasped hand flying to her mouth. Fearing the worst, she sped down the mountain. Using her new power bestowed by the Sea King, she rushed to the cove where the ship was docked. She sprinted up the gangplank, inquiring about the situation.

A pirate spun to face her upon hearing her voice, “Lila! Oh, thank the Sea King you’re alive! You were up there for so long. We were getting worried.”

“Well I’m here now, but why’s the Terra-Angelus Navy here?”

“It’s a mystery to us, too. They arrived after the seventh flash of light, but they haven’t moved yet.”

Suddenly an amplified voice rang out, rippling across the calm waters of the cove. “Blood-Stained Blade, Captain of the Blood-Spilling Pirates. If you value your life, hand over the Sea King’s Pride! Give us the girl or die.”

Instantly the pirates replied, “Over our dead bodies, you scallywag!”

The response made the navy’s admiral chuckle, “Of course. Typical pirates,” he scoffed, “Mage. Bring us the girl.” The mage nodded as he sunk into the shadows.

“Sorry missy, you're coming with us,” the masked figure whispered into Lila’s ear, drawing her into the shadows and out onto the other ship’s deck. “Mission accomplished, Boss,” he said to the man. And with that, the navy left with the shaken girl, leaving the pirates behind.

“Where are you taking me?” Lila cowered with fear, “Are you going to kill me?”

“You’ll see Miss,” the admiral replied, “Don’t worry, I can’t give that order.”

Once the ships docked, Lila was taken to the dias, where she witnessed a mass of people… bowing… to her? She could hear cries of happiness and “Your Majesty!”.

“Why are you bowing? Please stand up,” she called out, clearly flustered by the sudden action.

“Lila, you are the completer of the ten trials of the Sea King. Thus, the rightful ruler of this kingdom.

“Pardon me, but you are..?”

“My name is Leonard, the chief advisor. But there’s no time to talk, let's get you cleaned up.” Leonard was a wiry middle-aged man, with a dangerous glint in his eyes. But before she could closely examine them, she was whisked away into a room full of maids. Immediately, they sprang into action, pulling out dresses and weird makeup tools. The maids tugged and pulled at her clothes, dismissing her meek desire to dress by herself.

The lengthy tour with Leonard drained her, and she found herself relieved as they reached a balcony overlooking the sea. A nasty drop. Lila basked in the scent of the sea breeze, but the picturesque moment was ruined by the sound of rattling chains.

“Best not to go to close, Your Highness.” Lila ignored him.

“Was that the sound of chains?” she asked quietly.

“Nonsense, Your Majesty, that was just the hinges.” Lila noticed he wouldn’t meet her eyes.

“I’ve been a pirate long enough to know what chains sound like, and that was clearly sound from chains Leonard,” she snapped.

“I’m sure it was nothing. Besides, now you’re a queen, not a pirate.”

“I will always be a pirate, Leonard,” she said quietly before rushing out onto the balcony and climbing onto the railing.

“Your Majesty, please wait!” Leonard shouted. Lila turned around from atop the railing.

“I’m sorry Leonard, but the sea is my home,” she said as she closed her eyes.

He rushed towards her shouting, “NO!!!” But it was too late, she jumped.

Leonard slumped to his knees and cried out clutching his head, “ Damnit! … We lost our sacrifice to the Earthen King. What can we do now? She was the only possible candidate.” He rose from his place on the floor and walked inside muttering, “I guess we’ll have to go back to sacrificing the pure and innocent. Oh well. It has worked for over three hundred years.”

Lila watched him leave and then waited another minute submerged under the waves. Once she counted to sixty in her head, she swam to the surface and climbed up onto the outcropping jutting from the cliffside. She pulled a dagger from the hidden sheath at her thigh and started to cut away her dress to reveal her waterproof, insulated pirate’s gear. She stuffed the ripped garment into a crevice in the rock and proceeded to take out a flask and lighter from the small pouch at her waist. She then dumped the flask’s contents onto the shredded dress and set it ablaze. Once confident all traces of her possessions from the palace were burnt, she replaced her equipment and dove back into the water. Once she reached a suitable depth, she set out towards the rendezvous point the ship’s navigator set. Due to her many years as a pirate out on the open seas, she was an excellent swimmer and an experienced diver. Lila only surfaced three times before the ship came into view. She resurfaced for the last time and started to wave at the ship, trying to get the attention of her crewmates. Once they spotted her, they unfurled a ladder which she used to climb aboard. As soon as she stepped foot on the deck, the entire crew dropped to their knees as she passed. The first mate came up to her, took her coat and handed her a towel, which she took gratefully.

“Lila, how was your stay at the palace?” he asked with a smirk.

“Amazing Jonathan, absolutely amazing. Amazingly horrendous,” she replied with her smile fading to a sneer.

“Just like we thought … Cap’n.”