Chapter 1- reunion
Art glanced down at her son, Adam. He looked so like his father, her beloved husband, Felix Phoenix. But Adam's personality, well, he was too young yet to really know his personality; after all he could barely sit up on his own. She glanced down at him again. He slept soundly in her arms bundled up against the chilly air of the dying winter. A mother, Artemisia was still adjusting to the thought.
Her reverie was interrupted at the sound of footsteps – Felix. "Is he asleep?" Felix asked. "Yes." Art replied. "Now maybe we can have a few minutes of peace and quiet for dinner, just us two." He chuckled. Art smiled. Yes, it had been awhile since they had a few minutes alone between Adam and his twin sister, Jessie, Art and Felix were busy parents. Felix slid an arm around Art's waste, "Shall we go to dinner my dear wife?"
"Yes, let's." she replied. The couple followed the path to their massive estate. Art had always been most at home on the deck of ship, but she must learn to adjust; she was a mother now and it was time she settled down and acted like one at least for Felix's sake.
The nanny came to take the sleeping Adam from Art. At the same time a maid walked over. "Excuse me, miss, but you have a visitor." the maid said. "Well, I suppose we better not keep them waiting." Felix sighed. The couple followed the maid into the study where a man stood scanning one of the many bookshelves. He turned as they walked in. "Ebad?!" Felix gasped in astonishment. "Dad." Art smiled. Ebadiah Vooms was Artemisia's adopted father and her mother's true love. He was also the king of Egypt. They had discovered this on their last great adventure during which Art and Felix had gotten in a terrible fight. In fact he had stormed off and they didn't see each other for quite some time. This was when Art learned she was going to have Adam and Jessie, as well as when she was in a terrible shipwreck while on board her ship Unwelcome Stranger. She and her crew (which Ebad had been a part of ) washed ashore on the coast of Africay where they were discovered by natives. The natives recognized Ebad as their pharaoh. So when Art was given a new ship he stayed behind. In return the natives would repair Art's ship and give it back when they were done.
But that was all in the past. "It's good to see you, dad." She said walking over to him. "Yes, Art, it's good to be back in England." Ebad replied, "And Felix, if my guess is correct Art had some news for you when she last left me. You must have your hands full with a little one running around."
"Two as it happens. A boy and a girl both seem to be as free spirited as their mother." Felix said with a hint of irritation. Art just grinned at him. "You always were like your mother Arty; you just don't get sick, so I figured as much. Also explains why you were a bit out of sorts."
"Yes, they're sleeping right now." She said thoughtfully.
"And what brings you home, Ebad?" Felix asked. There was a long paused before Ebad replied in a stage whisper to Art, "She's done Art. It's taken a year to make all the repairs and improvements but she's done and she belongs to you."
"The Unwelcome." Art whispered in disbelief. Felix showed a brief flash of some emotion (was it anger? Annoyance? Fear?) and then became stern. Art didn't need to see his face to know this; she could feel it—feel his stare hit her hard in the back. He disliked the sea but even more, he hated her desire for adventure, her disregard of danger. The maid walked in to announce dinner before anyone could exchange any words.
"You understand? Take the children but do not harm them in any way. If one hair is out of place I'll have your throat slit." A tall man with gooseberry green eyes and jet black hair that curled in long wisps said to a slightly shorter woman with blonde hair. "You have my word, sir; they will be fine. I will meet you at the tavern immediately after and we can be out of town before they realize they're gone." The woman replied.
"I doubt we'll get that far ahead; I don't underestimate Captain Blastside. But we'll have enough of a lead that we won't have to worry about them catching up. You have the note? Good, now hurry."