Chapter 9
Maximus strode down to the docks with Rapunzel, Pascal, and Eugene on his back. The horse was glad to see the Princess was all right and was more than happy to escort her to wherever she wanted to go. Eugene had refused to let her go by herself and naturally Pascal had basically glued himself to her shoulder.
"What do you suppose she wants?" Rapunzel asked as they made the last turn at the dock where the ship in question was.
"Well it would seem foolish to give herself away but if she has nothing to fear, including death, my guess is you," Eugene was honest in his answer and that's what bothered her. What edge could they have against Gothel?
"Don't let on you know who she is. If you can pretend to be in the dark she might reveal her plans to you. Also are you sure I couldn't have dressed up to look like you? I mean your safety is certainly more important than mine," he continued.
"Gothel would know it wasn't me. Besides you wouldn't look so good in a dress," she teased. Eugene only nodded as he helped her off Maximus and quickly followed.
"Princess, I am sorry that you have been put in this position but there is little we can do. The ship contains grain necessary for a quarter of the kingdom and at least sixty men trapped inside," Captain Gustav explained.
"She knew which ship to go after," Rapunzel nodded.
"We think she had help. We found a nearby tavern owner dead on the dock. She'd sliced his throat," Gustav shook his head.
"The poor man probably had no choice. Make sure his family is taken care of," she told him.
"Of course Princess. I shall announce you are here," the Captain bowed his head and motioned for the Private near the ship to call out to the hostage taker while he along with the little group moved closer to the large wooden ship.
"So she graces us with her presence! I want her brought aboard!" Gothel called out.
"Absolutely not! You release the ship and then you can see the Princess!" Captain Gustav replied.
"She comes aboard and I will let the prisoners go or I can sink her where she floats! Up to you!" The reincarnated hag shouted. Gustav was about to object when Rapunzel stopped him.
"All right! I'm coming!" The Princess said. Eugene, who was standing behind her, grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.
"You come back to me, you hear?" He asked.
"I will," she smiled slightly and gave him a quick kiss before handing off Pascal. The Chameleon strongly objected to being removed from her shoulder but it had little say in the matter. She then headed toward the gangplank and boarded the ship.
"You have what you want. Let the crew go," Rapunzel said as she faced the woman she'd once called 'Mother'.
"Oh Rapunzel, you still haven't learned much have you?" Gothel asked from her spot at the helm.
"What do you want?" The Princess ignored the comment as she moved closer.
"You. I have a debt to pay and it starts with you," she said moving toward her former 'daughter'.
"You promised something to someone that you could not give then. I will not be part of your game," Rapunzel stood firm in her spot not wishing to get any closer.
"You don't have much choice," Gothel smirked and using the dagger she'd killed the poor tavern owner with, sliced through a nearby rope. The floor opened up beneath Rapunzel and she fell, letting out a scream on her way down to the bottom of the large ship.
"All right boys! Set sail!" The ship's crew emerged from their hiding places. They'd all been cursed to follow Gothel's orders. Quickly they did as they were told and the ship began to make way.
"Maximus!" Eugene shouted. The horse rushed to his side and the former thief mounted the valiant steed. Then he spurred on Maximus and tried to catch the ship so he could jump aboard.
"We've got company!" Gothel shouted to the possessed crew. Quickly they sprang into action loading one of the cannons kept on board for the ships safety.
"Fire!" The cannon let loose a cannon ball which was aimed directly at the dock. Eugene saw this and tried to correct course but on the six-foot wide pier there was little wiggle room. The cannon ball hit its target and the dock exploded.
To Be Continued…
