The Seven Cities

Light from a swinging lantern fixed to the wall from a hook was the only source of light in the Captain's quarters. The Captain himself was snoring loudly in his bed on the opposite side of the room. His great frame rose and fell with each snore, his hands crossed and beneath his head. The room was still full of Hook's old things; decorated with all sorts of fantastic odds and ends. A tapestry of red and bright blue was draped on the far wall behind the bed, a long snake skin was nailed above it; dry scales nearly translucent in the half light. On the table that took up the majority of the space in the room several maps were unfolded and four candles that had been burned nearly to their ends. The wax had spilled over some of the older maps. A small map on dull yellowed vellum sat half curled atop the others. Jim craned his neck over the table and leaned forward a bit. His mind raced as his eyes scanned the map from top to bottom, dedicating every detail to memory. That map led to Eilon and it stated they were only two days away from their destination.

Jim slowly crept around the table, wary of a collection of strange gadgets that were piled there; curved telescopes, silver astrolabes, clocks with more than two hands, and several small, spider like machines that glittered bright red. The pile shifted and fell with each movement of the boat and looked as if one well placed jerk would cause the whole thing to topple. His foot caught the edge of one of the spider-esque machines and it rolled forward. Jim froze, eyes darting between the gadget and the Captain. After a moments pause he dared to reach down and pocket the machine before continuing to creep forward. The carpet underfoot softened his footsteps so he moved with no more than a whisper onwards. Hands slick with sweat he reached out to the table beside the bed. A ring of keys sat there beside the perch that Hook's old parrot used to sit upon. Without another thought Jim reached forward and snatched the ring. The keys sang out like a sad wind chime in his grip. With his other hand Jim quickly silenced the cry of the keys and turned to look at the Captain again. The Captain snored in reply. Jim stepped back and looked down at the odd assortment of keys; the one he was looking for had a bronze talon for a ring. After another moment he found the key and with shaking hands he extracted it from the ring while holding the rest of them. Quick as he could manage with the fear that was running through him he replaced the other keys and began to back out of the room. He knocked into the table on his way out and the map that led to Eilon fluttered down onto the pile of Hook's gadgets. Jim reached out to grab it when the room went quiet. Jim did not wait for the snoring to resume, he dove beneath the table and rolled to a stop hoping with all of his might that the carpet had absorbed the sound of his fall.

The bed creaked and protested as the Captain moved about. Jim had to remind himself to breath. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest; he was sure that the Captain could hear it. Thump. The Captain was out of bed. His peg leg hit the floor and once he had stepped onto the carpet the sound was muffled. The Captain gave a loud yawn and Jim heard the rustle of clothing as the Captain came closer and closer to the table he was hiding beneath. Jim pressed himself against the table leg farthest from the direction the Captain was coming from. The Captain grunted and slammed his hands down onto the table. Jim cringed, his breathing hitched.

"Where's that damn map?" Silver mumbled. He walked away from the table, only to spot it on the pile next to it. Silver grumbled something Jim did not catch and reached out for the map.

"Captain? You awake?" The door to the Captain's quarters swung open and Smee's voice followed.

"Am now!" Silver yelled back, snatching the map from the pile of gizmos. He placed it upon the table, leaning heavily against it. Jim watched Smee's legs get closer as he came in and looked over again to see the grooves and knots in Silver's wooden leg. Smee and Silver began talking as Jim shivered between them, hidden. They talked about their destination and the weather, nothing that would have interested Jim had he not been caught beneath the table they were talking over. Something sharp poked him in the chest. His arm jerked upwards and he quickly brought it back to his chest, shaking. Slowly he reached into his jacket and pulled out the spider device he had picked up only moments before. An idea flashed in his mind and an uneasy smile slipped onto his face. Hook had once showed him what those devices were good for; they were no good at what they were supposed to be used for-killing rats on board the ship-but Hook had found they were useful for something else. Jim turned the spider over and dug his fingers beneath the false gem that was embedded in its belly. Below the jewel a sort of turnkey existed. Gently Jim poked and prodded until the key revolved four times around the gear that held it in place. The spider began to shake in his hand but Jim held it tight. Smee was telling some sort of joke to the Captain and the Captain was not laughing. Jim slowly, ever so slowly, crawled beneath the table to the pile of gadgets on the other side. Silver stamped his real foot and Jim froze. The two pirates continued to talk so Jim continued to move, sweat dripping off the end of his nose. The pile was just within reach; if he dared reach out from beneath the table. He did.

With a crash that was dulled by the sound of the carpet and intensified by Silver and Smee's shouts the pile of gadgets fell. Jim snatched back his hand and with the other threw the spider he had wound up towards Silver. Luck seemed to be with the young pirate as the spider device reached its target and clung to the pant leg of Silver's real leg. Silver had jumped forward towards the pile of fallen gadgets and now jumped back as the spider device began to crawl upwards, slicing through his pants as it did so with each movement of its long metal legs.

"Smee!" Silver shouted, shaking his good leg. The action threw him off balance and he fell into the fallen gadgets-which ignited two more spiders. As soon as Smee had crossed around the table to help the Captain, Jim shot out from the table. He threw himself at the door and rolled out of it and to the side. He heaved his body upwards and stood, panting and sweating against the staircase that led to the top deck. Inside the quarters Silver's shouts continued and Smee's small consolations as he tried to help. Jim's chest rose up and down with short, laboured breaths. The key was biting into the palm of his hand where he clutched it. The shouts from the captain's quarters were sure to wake the other pirates soon enough and Jim knew it. Little more time was wasted as Jim sprinted across the deck and towards the latch door that would lead him back down to the mermaid.

He slammed the latch door behind him, tripping over the first stair and rolling down the rest. The breath knocked right out of him he rolled onto his back and struggled to regain control of his body. He shivered and shook as he tried to calm his nerves and take slow, steady breaths.

Tap tap tap. Jim's head turned slightly to look over at the mermaid in her tank. She was pressed against the glass and a large grin was painted on her face.

Short chapter, sorry. Reviews are very much appreciated!

Enjoy.