Chapter Two: Captain
It had been hours now since I'd been knocked off of our ship. Somehow I had avoided being hit by the stars that flew by me. Yet as floated along I noticed my air supply, though not empty, was looking off to me. I was then horrified to find that it was starting to malfunction!
I looked around hopelessly to see nothing around me. There was no ship. Not a planet. Just endless black and never ending stars with planets in the far distance.
I couldn't even risk crying for fear of losing precious air.
As I was about to close my eyes and give up something caught my attention. Turning my head I noticed something small in the distance among the stars. My heart leapt to my throat, daring to hope, as whatever it was raced towards me.
Then I heard the chilling sound of my air device shutting down. I held my breath to keep whatever air I could in my lungs.
Suddenly I turned my head to see just as a small dingy rushed up to me. In this moment I reached out my hand desperately as I felt a strong pair of hands grasp it and pull me into the small boat. Once inside it's field I gasped for precious air as I was pulled beside my rescuer.
"Easy there sweetheart," he said in a smooth, brooklynn accented voice, "You're alright now."
Before I could say or do anything he pulled on a lever. With this the boat began to turn back around and in the distance I could see a large ship. In what seemed like barely minutes we wre able to reach it and our boat was pulled up from the starry ocean.
"You were right Captain!" One of the young men there exclaimed.
"Captain?" I asked as I finally got a good look at my savior.
Standing before me with a charming smile was a dark feathered drake with a white streak through his hair. Dressed in a white dress shirt with a deep burgundy velvet vest and dark trousers with boots up to his knees. Over his vest a long burgundy coat with black trim and cuffs was worn. On his beak I could see a chip cut into it and over his right eye was an eye patch that showed a red light from beneath it. His remaining eye was a deep, warm brown filled with confidence as he looked at me. There was no doubt in my mind that he was indeed their captain, and he gave a deep polite bow in response. Then he swept up my hand as he spoke, "Duke L'Orange at your service my lady. Welcome aboard our humble ship."
Before I had the chance to pull my hand away he lifted it swiftly while he bowed still and kissed it gently. I could feel my face growing quite warm from the very first kiss I had ever felt. He seemed to notice as he smiled still with a gleam of light in his eye, "A rare treasure indeed, that of a girl that's never been kissed before."
Finally I pulled my hand away, or did he release it? Either way I kept it close to my side now as he looked me over curiously.
"What should we do with her captain?" One of his crew asked.
"Not much we can do Silver but take her with us for now," Duke shrugged, "Next we make port she can do what she wants."
Looking to this one I found a young drake of white feathers dressed in a white tunic with silver lining and black trousers. Around his waist was a silver dusted sash with a cutlass tied to it. His hair matched his name as the long strands pulled back into a loose ponytail that ran down his back. His soft blue eyes seemed to glow with starlight.
Beside him was a young woman also from Puck World. It seemed this ship only had those from their planet as well. This peach feathered lady seemed to be the same age as Mallory, but with flowing shoulder length blonde hair. Her eyes held the shades of a warm sunset. She was dressed similarly to Silver but with gold trim and sash. On her wrists were several golden bangles and rings on her fingers. Strapped to her arms and legs were several throwing knives.
At Silver's other side was another young lady with darker feathers but with midnight shaded hair that was tied up into a high ponytail that still reached down to her knees. She wore a genie esque outfit of a blue galaxy complete with silver starlight. At her feet were tabi boots that her desert styled pants were tucked into at the ends. Around her neck was a silver moon choker necklace. At her waist was a silver sash with a curved scimitar blade attached to it.
"How did you end up like that anyway?" The first woman asked me.
"There was an accident on my ship. A cluster of shooting stars collided with us and knocked me from it.
"That's a rare occurance," another drake commented with some concern as he approached.
This dark feathered drake had short black hair tied back into a very short ponytail at the base of his neck. He wore a long green coat over his black trousers and tunic. In his several pockets were a variety of medical supplies.
He then began checking me over for injuries it seemed.
"You're lucky you weren't killed," he mentioned, "And you don't seem to have taken on any injuries."
"I imagine you'd like to get back to your ship," the other woman mentioned with her hands on her hips.
"My brothers are on that ship," I nodded my head.
"Older?" Silver asked.
"Yes, Wildwing, and my older twin Nosedive. They're both from Puck World as well," I mentioned in hopes that would help somehow.
"In fact our whole crew consisted of those from our planet," I added.
"Our? You're not a duck?" Silver questioned with a chuckle.
I felt myself freeze up a little, before finding my voice, "I...I was adopted by them when I ended up on Puck World somehow. I'm not really sure what happened before that."
"Interesting," Silver pondered with his hand tapping his chin thoughtfully, "What do you think of this Captain?"
They all turned to Duke for an answer. He gave a shrug before repeating, "As I said when we make port next we can leave her there. Her ship is bound ta show up there at some point."
"Who was the Captain?" The darker feathered woman asked.
"Canard, he's a family friend of ours. That's how I was even on the ship in the first place," I admitted a bit sheepishly.
"Canard huh? I've heard of him," Duke commented thoughtfully, "He's someone ta steer clear of. If he found us he'd bring us ta justice in a heartbeat."
"Wait, what?!" I exclaimed before I noticed the ship itself now.
I had been so distracted by what was happening in front of me that I hadn't seen. Above my head deep burgundy sails were opened. Yet among them were the clear sign of a black flag waving a skull with two swords crossed over behind it on the emblem. My eyes widened as I looked at the crew before me as I backed up against the rail of the ship.
Duke gave a smirk knowing what was going through my head somehow. I bit my lower lip as I regained my composure. Taking a deep breath I looked at them still backing up a little. It felt strange to be a little afraid of my own rescuers. I wasn't even sure if I really was.
Suddenly Duke reached out a hand, grasped my shoulder, and pulled me away from the rail, "Ya want ta end up out in space again?"
I hadn't realized how close I had been to a loose piece of the rail behind me.
"So...pirates then?" I asked.
"At your service," Duke repeated with a bow of his head.
"Will she stay below deck with us?" The dark haired woman asked.
"She'll stay in my quarters Saffire," Duke said as he smiled.
I felt my face turning bright red at the mere mention of this.
"Don't get me wrong, I make sure my crew is well provided for an' have plenty of space with their own quarters, but it's still a bit tight down there adding another person," Duke informed me.
Then he wrapped an arm around my back as he gripped my shoulder. I noticed as his hand remained there and didn't venture further. Though he gave me a charming smile none the less, "Besides, it's been a while since I've had such company."
"You're impossible L'Orange," Saffire rolled her eyes.
Duke gave a laugh as he lead me away, "As you were crew. Diana, would ya mind findin' some warm clothes. Hers are quite chilled from her wanderings through space."
"Of course captain," the blonde haired duck replied before vanishing below deck.
"Thanks for your help Trent," Duke nodded to the medic before opening the door to his quarters.
Duke then gave a polite bow to me as he held the door open, "After you sweetheart."
I found myself unable to turn away and stepped inside. Then he followed after and closed the door behind us.
"Make yourself at home Miss Flashblade was it?"
"Oh, it's Heart," I said as I looked around the room curiously.
Pinned to the wall with daggers were several charts and maps. With them were faded papers with notes written rather quickly in ink. There was a desk of dark mahogany at the back center of the room with more books and maps sprawled out over it. Near that was a rather large bed that was more than enough for the lean captain standing beside me and another. Though the idea of sharing a bed with him made my nerves jump.
"So Heart then?" Duke asked as he strolled over to his desk and looked over the charts a moment.
Then he looked over at me as I stood shaking slightly. I wasn't sure if it was from the cold or from my jumping nerves. Seeing this he walked back to me while removing his coat and throwing it over me in one swift motion.
"Is that better?" He asked me as he leaned forward a little with a sly smirk over his face, closing the colar of the coat gently around my neck.
Was he enjoying this? I tried to keep myself calm as he remained very close to me, leaning over with his hand propping him up against the door behind me. He then placed a gentle velvet feathered hand beneath my chin as he had me look up at him.
"Of course I could help ya feel a bit warmer than that?" He offered as he leaned closer to me.
I barely caught myself as I backed up against the door. I tried to shake my head and he gave a soft chuckle leaning even closer in, "It's nice ta know I can still make an innocent lady like yourself blush like that. An' as the captain of this ship I could probably make ya blush much more?"
I stood as firmly as I could before him, though I was sure he could hear my knees shaking in my boots. Duke smiled still as he stepped back now and looked me over.
"I see I have the rare treat of bein' in the presence of a true lady," he said, "much like our Saffire an' Diana, you'll fit right in while you're here at least. Most women would have fallen inta me by this point, or marched off after slappin' me."
My eyes widened in confusion and even a little anger as he gave a light chuckle, "Forgive me miss, I didn't mean ta toy with that young heart of yours."
I looked away from him to try and take a deep breath and regain my composure. His smile softened now as he watched me. Then he gave another polite bow and said, "Make yourself at home sweetheart. I promise you're in good hands with me."
I raised a brow at this, "Is that so Captain?"
"I give ya my word Miss Flashblade," he assured me with a hand over his heart as he still bowed, "As long as you're on my ship you will be safe an' free ta do as ya wish. You're not a prisoner here. Or my captive, unless you'd like ta be?"
"Honor among thieves?" I asked.
His expression was now firm as he said looking into my eyes, "There's not a deeper honor than that darlin'."
Against my better judgement I found myself believing him.
He then walked back over to his desk and took a seat on the edge of it. From there he looked over his papers and charts quietly until there was a knock at the door behind me.
"Come in," Duke called out as Diana stepped in with a fresh tunic and trousers for me.
"These should be the right fit," she said handing them to me, "At least until your own clothes are cleaned and dried."
"Thank you," I replied as I took them from her.
I noticed in the corner of the room was a changing screen to step behind. Diana left us while I stepped over to it. Turning to Duke I made sure he was preoccupied before changing.
"Pirate or not I'm still a gentleman sweetheart," he assured me without looking up from his papers.
Considering what he had been like only moments before I raised a brow in response to this declaration. He noticed as he glanced at me when I didn't move.
"Trust me, I would never do anythin' to a lady without permission," he swore with his hand over his heart, "Or is it that ya want me ta look?"
He laughed as my cheeks grew deep red and I nearly tossed the clothes at him.
"You're not helping your case!" I told him as he still chuckled.
When he'd regained his own composure he looked at me with what I felt was a sincere expression and a hand over his heart once more, "Captain's word I will not treat ya in any way ya don't wish me to. Besides you've got two brothers right? I've got enough ta evade without them tryin' ta find an' defeather me for robbin' ya of your innocence."
Hearing this I finally gave in and stepped behind the changing screen. As I did I heard him take his seat at his desk and began sifting through his papers.
In minutes I changed out of my chilled blouse, vest, and trousers. Replacing them was a deep burgundy tunic with another set of dark trousers. My boots warmed up enough while I changed for me to put them back on at least over a fresh pair of striped stockings. My ribbon I kept in my hair after warming it with my own hands, though my braid had long ago been pulled out into a loose ponytail over my shoulder.
Only now did Duke look up for a moment with a quick smile, "Quite strikin' I'd say."
Again I felt myself blushing a bit before he turned back to his papers.
Then I found myself walking over to the desk as I looked over the charts curiously.
"What are you looking for?" I asked him when I noticed several places crossed out on his maps, "Treasure Planet?"
Duke gave a soft chuckle, "Well yes, but that's not all I'm searchin' for sweetheart."
"What else are you after?" I enquired as I gazed over the papers he had been writing now.
Duke quickly closed his book with his notes tucked inside. I stepped back a bit awkwardly now as he looked up at me with his hand keeping the cover closed tightly. Then he sighed, "It's nothin' ta concern yourself with Miss Flashblade. It's my burden ta bare. Besides, we'll be at port in a few days an' you'll be free ta go from there."
"So you weren't joking about leaving me there?" I asked a bit surprised.
Duke looked away, "Look. In other circumstances I would love ta help ya find your lost brothers. Pirate or not, leavin' a young lady lost in the tide just isn't my style. Unfortunately I don't have all the time I'd like for such an adventure."
"Captain, if I may, why spend the time then bringing me to port?" I asked.
"Either way we need supplies an' a little rest from space. I still need ta take care of my crew that have stayed with me through thick an' thin," he told me as he looked to a portrait hanging on the wall in his quarters.
I looked to see his crew smiling eagerly at the adventures ahead. Though I noticed two of the members shown had not been present earlier. The first a falcon like man that looked to be a close friend of Duke's in the portrait with his arm swung around his shoulders. The other a young woman with long black hair cascading down her back dressed in dark corset overtop a tavern maid's top with a slitted green skirt that matched her eyes.
"I see," I replied softly before looking back to him.
He was again looking over his papers. The book in his hand was opened slightly as he took down further notes.
"Do they know?" I heard myself enquire.
"Know what?" He asked.
"That you're running out of time?" I pushed carefully when I couldn't help but take notice of his writing.
"Heart, why don't ya head out for now? Take a tour of the ship if ya like. Jus' let me worry about this please? If you're tired go ahead an' rest. If you're hungry I'm sure Trent would make ya somethin' ta eat. Jus' don't worry about this okay?"
I was a bit taken aback by this sudden shift in nature. Only minutes ago he seemed so confident and quite forward. Now as I gazed at him I noticed something else as he poured over his charts.
"They don't know," I realized quietly.
"Please stop," he requested as gently as he could as he gripped the pen in his hand rigidly.
"Captain, I..." I wanted to say something more, something to reassure the drake that had just saved my life barely an hour ago.
Unsure of what was running through my head, I walked over to him, standing beside him for a moment longer. Then I leaned over and kissed his cheek briefly before stepping back again.
"Thank you, for using some of that time to save my life," I told him when he looked up at me in surprise.
A slight smile came over him as he assured me, "No need ta mention it sweetheart."
I felt a shy smile of my own curve my lips slightly before stepping over to the bed. Only now did I realize how faigued my body was from it's recent adventure through space. Knowing I was safe I allowed myself to rest on the side of the bed facing the wall in case he needed to rest as well. My tiny frame barely took up much space I realized, but I wanted to be considerate. Then I Hearttened quietly as he wrote until I drifted off to sleep.