Kayla Silvercat- Yuppo, same pirates. Eh, maybe it was a little early but
Milkeye had motives. . . Glad you liked the lightning, I guess that was
really popular element, cus almost everyone commented on it. Hm.
Arwen-Galadriel- Well you sound a little hyper. Don't touch lightning, it is bad for your health, which you no doubt discovered. Thanks as always for reviewing, and uh, don't wave scimitars either (also bad for health of you and others)
A1- Hmm, I guess I'll have to explain it a little better as to what the Queen does. She's really out for revenge, just kind of lost. Yeah, men. Too many fics have helpless ladies, that's really what sparked this one. Cool, neh? Glad you like my fic because I've fell in love with yours. Can I advertise?
GO READ A1'S ORIG. FIC. IT ROCKS MY SOCKS!
Songbreeze Swifyeye- (ooooh I luv that name) Eh, poet I am not, musician I may be. Glad that you play piano, cool instrument =D. I also play clarinet- it'd be really weird if you did too. AH twelve inches!? Where do you live (Alaska?!) so I can move there! I'm glad someone noticed the rhyming titles, they're getting kinda annoying though. =P Nope, Nanda's gonna be just fine, just unconscious.
***
Of Mishap and Kidnap
By: Catty Engles
Jyda and Ren were on the mainmast, the tallest mast on a ship. Unfortunately, this is exactly what lightning looks for. A shaft of it ripped through the air, slamming into the mast. The wood took most of the shock, but Jyda still tensed as a probing feeling shuddered through her punished body. The timbers groaned. They had cracked!
As the sail fell, Jyda hooked her arm under Ren's back and leapt away. She heard from over the gale, a stentorian voice hailing the crew of the Bloodrut, "RETREAT! BACK TO THE SHIP!"
Friga looked up too late. She was still defending Nanda when the topgallant sail that was connected to the mainmast rammed into her head, blacking out her world. The sail fluttered gently over her body. Kessy had witnessed it all. So had someone else.
The ferret did not bother with Friga. The mousemaid would probably die. However, the smaller one had no obvious wounds on her. He hauled her over his shoulders and cleared the gunwales of one ship and landed on the deck of the other. Nanda was captured!
Kessy was blocked in, vermin separating her from running to Nanda. Frantically, she scanned the decks. Twyler the otter was but mere pawsteps away from the ferret, but was consumed in maneuvering her whip. It hissed in and out of the vermin, breaking necks and cracking bones. She hadn't noticed the ferret hauling Nanda over his broad back.
Desperately, Kessy tried to hail Twyler from above the melee, "Twyler, Nanda! Get Nanda!" Once again, Kessy's loud voice managed to do the trick. Twyler didn't wait a heartbeat. She cleared the gap in-between the two boats in a twinkling and was on the ferret even faster.
Punching, kicking, and biting, Twyler fought like a madbeast. The ferret scrabbled vainly with her, trying to pry away the ferocious otter.
Milkeye was at the wheel. His voice rang out harsh and grating, "Get that otter! Somebeast get a rope!" The snaggletoothed fox quickly made a noose at the end of a long lunge line. He lassoed the frenzied otter around the neck and pulled.
Twyler fell onto the deck, away from the ferret. She clawed at the rope around her neck. The noose tightened cruelly as the fox tugged on it. Twyler gasped and clutched at the suffocating tethers. She hauled herself into a crouching position and sprang at the fox. He went down with a muffled yelp, slashing wildly with a tiny dagger. Twyler batted it away and deftly winded the fox with a quick jab to the ribs. She raised her whip for the kill when another rope snaked around her neck.
Again Twyler was thrown down on the deck. She wriggled, gasping for air. Willing paws helped a rat with one end of the rope and the fox with the other. Twyler's eyes slipped in and out of focus. The lack of oxygen was finally wearing her thin. Her wriggling became weaker.
"Stop! That'n's a good galley slave!" Milkeye rapped out the command just as Twyler lost consciousness.
The retreating vermin scrambled from one ship to the other. Those that took an unintentional swim were quickly hauled back into Bloodrut. Milkeye forced the prow away from the storm. Gusts of wind caught the sails, tossing them crazily. In the belly of the ship, the galley slaves were rowing for their lives, Splitear brandishing a buck hide whip over their unprotected backs. Gradually, the ship made progress, away from the storm.
Jyda was breathing heavily, dragging Ren. She found most of the crew grouped around the fallen mast. Kessy was crying hysterically. Friga lay on an exposed piece of deck, her eyes closed. Jyda laid Ren down and fell to her knees beside the small mousemaid.
"They took Nanda! And Twyler!" Kessy gasped out in-between sobs. Jyda reeled at this statement. Emotions raged through her body, ranging from anger to desolation. Twyler gone? Her best friend for seasons upon seasons, gone? Mangy currs, I'll get them! But Twyler gone? Jyda's stomach disappeared only to reappear within moments, but in its absence, it seemed to have been filled with lead. Jyda clenched her teeth and regrouped her temper. It would not be wise to curse at this serious moment.
A trio approached the sad scene. Chorls, Ashlyn, and Freya were breathing heavily, their eyes bright, and their swords bloodied. Chorls leaned smugly on his sword, "I think that's the lot of the jolly ole blighters. We re-" Ashlyn and Freya both noticed the limp Friga at the same time and clapped their paws over Chorls' mouth. He struggled for a moment before also catching sight of the mousemaid. His ears drooped mournfully.
Friga was deathly cold. Her breathing was weak and labored. She was barely clinging to life. "Where's Auntie Enn?" Jyda croaked.
The old hare stepped, grim-faced, from the crowd. "Here, cap'n."
"Is there anything you can do?" Her voice broke as she said it and her eyes began to water threateningly.
Auntie Enn knelt next to Jyda and gently fingered Friga's throat, chest, and head, examining her injuries. The storm still lashed the ship with gale-like force, the rain mingling with each creature's tears. "She's bleeding from the inside." Kessy wailed into the storm. Ashlyn went to her. "It looks hopeless but I'll try." Auntie Enn finished pathetically.
Jyda clenched her teeth. She stood resolutely. "Freya, help Auntie Enn with Friga. Try to get a bandage around her head." Kessy snuffled and whimpered as she helped to lift Friga off the deck. "Chorls, Ashlyn, can you take Ren?"
"Aye, cap'n"
A wave pummeled the side of the ship. It listed dangerously to one side. Jyda spun around, her eyes flicking from the destroyed mast to the suspiciously spinning wheel. She rushed to it, only to find that it spun too freely on its axle.
"The yellow-bellied scum knocked out the rudder!" Jyda screamed her fury. With no way to steer and the mainmast destroyed, the crew was completely at the mercy of the storm.
Chorls, Ashlyn, and Kessy, who were helping to haul their fallen companions to their bunks, had stopped on the rain lashed decks. Jyda's temper was fraying, but she knew that each creature was as mad and uncertain as she was. Yelling would not help and iota.
"Ren will take my bunk, and Friga can keep her own" Jyda reasoned over the storm.
Ashlyn, always the clever one, waved a mottled sandy paw at Jyda, "Bad egg, Enn'll have some grief tryin' to lug 'erself up to your top bunk. I say, she should take Twyler's." Jyda saw the logic in this statement although it was hard to accept Twyler's capture.
"Fine." Jyda tried to bite back the bitterness in her voice. Ashlyn led the small party into the for'c'sle cabin.
Jyda surveyed the crew's position. Kessy, Brini, Lyn, and Wyn stood before her. "Brini, secure any loose objects on deck. Twins, I want all workable sails furled. Kessy, do a quick lookout. I want to know if there's any land 'ereabouts that we c'n nose fer. Double-quick, now, all of you!" As the crew scattered to do her bidding, Jyda dashed to the stern. The rudder was completely askew, loose on its hinges.
Jyda cursed under her breath. The corsair galley had gotten away clean while Jyda and her crew battled an immense storm at sea. The winds pummeled the sails drawing the lines taught and hard with brine. Jyda racked her mind for any plausible solution.
Chorls and Ashlyn emerged from the for'c'sle cabin. Ashlyn reported to Jyda, "Enn and Freya are doin' up our Friga. Ren's already comin' around, all'n hunkey dorey, but in no bally position to battle this flamin' storm." Jyda nodded at the mottled sandy hare, acknowledging her information.
"Land off the starboard bow!" Kessy's shrill voice rent the raging storm. Jyda and Ashlyn looked right, Chorls left.
Freya ducked out of the for'c'sle cabin, "Right, starboard's right, me chestnut."
Chorls corrected his mistake, "I say, dontcha know I was just testing you nautical chaps. Like an Eidlewhoop wouldn't know flippin' starboard from flamin' bort!"
Freya snorted, "That's port, me chestnut." She was cut short as a huge roller hit the ship.
A drawn out shriek was heard from the crow's nest. A tiny figure hurtled toward the churning depths below.
"Maid overboard!" Brini roared from the bow. Kessy bobbed like a cork, spitting sea water and struggling to stay above water. She was thrown high on one wave's crest and then flung low in the trough of another, her burlap dress weighing her down.
Jyda rushed to the side and prepared to jump over, "Steady on there, Jyda! Don't be daft! We'll lose you too. That jump's only for the flamin' fools!" Ashlyn caught her paw and hauled her back on deck.
Chorls rushed past them, "Eidlewhooo-oof- gurgle!" Chorls sprang over the gunwales, a rope tied around his narrow chest. He hit the sea and struck out for Nanda, wasting no more breath.
"Like I said, only the flamin' fools." Ashlyn muttered.
Jyda laughed out loud into the gale, "Only a flamin' fool would jump into the sea with a rope as 'is only life line and fergit to tie it to ought!" Jyda skillfully knotted the loose end to the gunwales.
Chorls sniffled and sputtered as he paddled out towards Kessy, and she made her best effort to come towards him. The rope around Chorls' chest stretched taught with only inches between the two struggling friends. Kessy gritted her teeth, kicking for all she was worth.
"C'mon, ole gel! One go, and you c'n grab my paw!" Kessy strength was failing but she kicked harder. With a burst of momentum, Kessy caught Chorls' paw. He swiftly pulled her the rest of the way, supporting her with one paw as he tugged on the rope with the other.
Kessy's breath was wheezy and painfully short. Chorls felt himself traveling toward the Queen. The crew was pulling in the long lunge line Kessy and him were attached to. Kessy's teeth chattered and Chorls hugged her close, hoping his body heat would warm her, "Just think of some scoff. That's wot I always do. Tying on the ole nosebag, wot wot? Nothin' like it, I say." Kessy chuckled appreciatively through her shivers.
Dripping, Chorls and Kessy were hauled over the railing. Ashlyn set upon Chorls as Enn set upon Nanda.
"Oh how brave, mistah chestnut!" Ashlyn cooed.
"I'm not a flamin' chestnut. I'm a bally hero!" Chorls whined.
"Yes, of course, mistah chestnut!" Brini, Jyda, and Ashlyn echoed back
"Kessy! I say, dry clothes and a good scrub, 'n you'll be fit as flea 'n right as rain!" Auntie Enn towed a complaining Kessy to her kitchen galley.
"Could we just skip the scrub and get to the grub? Gettin' rescued really takes it out of a gal!"
"Ods bods, you little 'orrer! I'll scrub the seat off yer dress! Into the tub with you!"
"Ah, no, help, I'm being drowned on the ship!"
Jyda chuckled at their antics. She slipped away from the merriment to sit on the prow of her ship. The land loomed in front of the craft like a primal monster, swathed in torrents of rain and lashed by the fury of a gale. The Queen still rocked crazily in the tempestuous weather, tossed wherever the sea willed. A shore was etched in frothy whitecaps. Not much farther inland, cliffs sprang up as if out of nowhere. A fortress of immense size perched on an outcrop, framed in storm-swept skies. It was a sight to behold.
Jyda knew that the Queen would reach the shore, a lucky streak. She ran back to the group of creatures, still regaling each other with Chorls' antics.
"A rope knotted 'round 'is middle and to nowhere else! The bounder, never even thought that ee 'ad to tie it off to the ship!"
"Well what was a chap to do, midst a storm wid a liddle gel, tossed around like duff in a frog's skilly, tain't fair!"
Jyda's voice took on a deep, commanding, captainesque tone, "Haul in that talk, gals, and Chorls. The shore's approaching fast and with nary a sign of life except for one heck of a castle. It might be hostile territory, so I want all of you to be alert when we make berth."
Jyda patted Chorls on the back one last time and made her way to the for'c'sle cabin, intending on checking up on Ren and Friga. Ren was sitting up in bed, holding his shoulder. He gritted his teeth into a smile when Jyda entered the room. With a finger to her lips, Jyda slid to the floor next to Friga's bed.
The bandage around the mousemaid's head was skillfully done. Friga was breathing steadily but still unconscious. Ren was another matter. His bandage was already turning crimson from the cut in his shoulder.
Jyda began to untie the linen cloth. Ren grimaced in pain. "Ah watch it!"
Jyda removed a warm cloth that she was using to cleanse the wound, "Aw, you big baby. Just sit tight."
Ren over-dramatized the bandage changing with Jyda shooting back retorts. At last it was over. Jyda sat on the bed next to Ren. He lay comfortably on his back, arms behind his head. An easy pause ensued, as the friends became lost in their own thoughts. Jyda was the first to break the silence.
"We're approaching a spit of land, Ren. There's a big fortress sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking the beach where we plan to put in. Huge thing it is." Jyda commented.
Ren's eyes grew as wide as saucers. He leapt out of bed and clambered over to Jyda, holding her paw very tightly. "Was the fortress big with four turrets and a huge surrounding wall?"
Jyda had caught the urgency in Ren's usually mild, relaxed voice, "Yes, with pointed roofs and set on a flat topped escarpment. Why?"
Ren let out a strangled growl of frustration and started pacing the room. "Jyda, that's Sampetra! Home to Mistress Ira Scinci the fox! She's the one who ordered me into the galley and our clan to be killed! Jyda! She has a perfect view of the whole island! She'll know we're here and send a search party out immediately!"
Jyda wasted no time. She rushed out on deck. There was only yards left before the Queen would collide with the fated shores. Jyda gathered her crew about her hurriedly. Ren had thrown off his bed covers and followed her, helping to group the confused crew. All eyes were trained on their captain as she related what Ren had told her.
Brini couldn't contain her rage, "Those scum will pay for what they did to Riverglen!"
"Yes they will. But not now. As soon as we hit, I want everyone off the boat, looking for some hiding place anywhere! Your lives are the first priority but I won't say goodbye lightly to Queenie, so find her a good berth if you can."
"Aye, aye cap'n" voiced the crew.
A grinding sound of sand against wood met everybeast's ears. The crew cleared the railing with one leap, landing catlike on the shores of Sampetra. Jyda's neckfur bristled.
She whispered to Lyn, the closest to her, "Lyn, I think there's somebeast watching-" Jyda was cut short as three brawny bodies tackled her from behind.
***
Review as always, sorry this was a little long. I'd really appreciate if you comment though!
Arwen-Galadriel- Well you sound a little hyper. Don't touch lightning, it is bad for your health, which you no doubt discovered. Thanks as always for reviewing, and uh, don't wave scimitars either (also bad for health of you and others)
A1- Hmm, I guess I'll have to explain it a little better as to what the Queen does. She's really out for revenge, just kind of lost. Yeah, men. Too many fics have helpless ladies, that's really what sparked this one. Cool, neh? Glad you like my fic because I've fell in love with yours. Can I advertise?
GO READ A1'S ORIG. FIC. IT ROCKS MY SOCKS!
Songbreeze Swifyeye- (ooooh I luv that name) Eh, poet I am not, musician I may be. Glad that you play piano, cool instrument =D. I also play clarinet- it'd be really weird if you did too. AH twelve inches!? Where do you live (Alaska?!) so I can move there! I'm glad someone noticed the rhyming titles, they're getting kinda annoying though. =P Nope, Nanda's gonna be just fine, just unconscious.
***
Of Mishap and Kidnap
By: Catty Engles
Jyda and Ren were on the mainmast, the tallest mast on a ship. Unfortunately, this is exactly what lightning looks for. A shaft of it ripped through the air, slamming into the mast. The wood took most of the shock, but Jyda still tensed as a probing feeling shuddered through her punished body. The timbers groaned. They had cracked!
As the sail fell, Jyda hooked her arm under Ren's back and leapt away. She heard from over the gale, a stentorian voice hailing the crew of the Bloodrut, "RETREAT! BACK TO THE SHIP!"
Friga looked up too late. She was still defending Nanda when the topgallant sail that was connected to the mainmast rammed into her head, blacking out her world. The sail fluttered gently over her body. Kessy had witnessed it all. So had someone else.
The ferret did not bother with Friga. The mousemaid would probably die. However, the smaller one had no obvious wounds on her. He hauled her over his shoulders and cleared the gunwales of one ship and landed on the deck of the other. Nanda was captured!
Kessy was blocked in, vermin separating her from running to Nanda. Frantically, she scanned the decks. Twyler the otter was but mere pawsteps away from the ferret, but was consumed in maneuvering her whip. It hissed in and out of the vermin, breaking necks and cracking bones. She hadn't noticed the ferret hauling Nanda over his broad back.
Desperately, Kessy tried to hail Twyler from above the melee, "Twyler, Nanda! Get Nanda!" Once again, Kessy's loud voice managed to do the trick. Twyler didn't wait a heartbeat. She cleared the gap in-between the two boats in a twinkling and was on the ferret even faster.
Punching, kicking, and biting, Twyler fought like a madbeast. The ferret scrabbled vainly with her, trying to pry away the ferocious otter.
Milkeye was at the wheel. His voice rang out harsh and grating, "Get that otter! Somebeast get a rope!" The snaggletoothed fox quickly made a noose at the end of a long lunge line. He lassoed the frenzied otter around the neck and pulled.
Twyler fell onto the deck, away from the ferret. She clawed at the rope around her neck. The noose tightened cruelly as the fox tugged on it. Twyler gasped and clutched at the suffocating tethers. She hauled herself into a crouching position and sprang at the fox. He went down with a muffled yelp, slashing wildly with a tiny dagger. Twyler batted it away and deftly winded the fox with a quick jab to the ribs. She raised her whip for the kill when another rope snaked around her neck.
Again Twyler was thrown down on the deck. She wriggled, gasping for air. Willing paws helped a rat with one end of the rope and the fox with the other. Twyler's eyes slipped in and out of focus. The lack of oxygen was finally wearing her thin. Her wriggling became weaker.
"Stop! That'n's a good galley slave!" Milkeye rapped out the command just as Twyler lost consciousness.
The retreating vermin scrambled from one ship to the other. Those that took an unintentional swim were quickly hauled back into Bloodrut. Milkeye forced the prow away from the storm. Gusts of wind caught the sails, tossing them crazily. In the belly of the ship, the galley slaves were rowing for their lives, Splitear brandishing a buck hide whip over their unprotected backs. Gradually, the ship made progress, away from the storm.
Jyda was breathing heavily, dragging Ren. She found most of the crew grouped around the fallen mast. Kessy was crying hysterically. Friga lay on an exposed piece of deck, her eyes closed. Jyda laid Ren down and fell to her knees beside the small mousemaid.
"They took Nanda! And Twyler!" Kessy gasped out in-between sobs. Jyda reeled at this statement. Emotions raged through her body, ranging from anger to desolation. Twyler gone? Her best friend for seasons upon seasons, gone? Mangy currs, I'll get them! But Twyler gone? Jyda's stomach disappeared only to reappear within moments, but in its absence, it seemed to have been filled with lead. Jyda clenched her teeth and regrouped her temper. It would not be wise to curse at this serious moment.
A trio approached the sad scene. Chorls, Ashlyn, and Freya were breathing heavily, their eyes bright, and their swords bloodied. Chorls leaned smugly on his sword, "I think that's the lot of the jolly ole blighters. We re-" Ashlyn and Freya both noticed the limp Friga at the same time and clapped their paws over Chorls' mouth. He struggled for a moment before also catching sight of the mousemaid. His ears drooped mournfully.
Friga was deathly cold. Her breathing was weak and labored. She was barely clinging to life. "Where's Auntie Enn?" Jyda croaked.
The old hare stepped, grim-faced, from the crowd. "Here, cap'n."
"Is there anything you can do?" Her voice broke as she said it and her eyes began to water threateningly.
Auntie Enn knelt next to Jyda and gently fingered Friga's throat, chest, and head, examining her injuries. The storm still lashed the ship with gale-like force, the rain mingling with each creature's tears. "She's bleeding from the inside." Kessy wailed into the storm. Ashlyn went to her. "It looks hopeless but I'll try." Auntie Enn finished pathetically.
Jyda clenched her teeth. She stood resolutely. "Freya, help Auntie Enn with Friga. Try to get a bandage around her head." Kessy snuffled and whimpered as she helped to lift Friga off the deck. "Chorls, Ashlyn, can you take Ren?"
"Aye, cap'n"
A wave pummeled the side of the ship. It listed dangerously to one side. Jyda spun around, her eyes flicking from the destroyed mast to the suspiciously spinning wheel. She rushed to it, only to find that it spun too freely on its axle.
"The yellow-bellied scum knocked out the rudder!" Jyda screamed her fury. With no way to steer and the mainmast destroyed, the crew was completely at the mercy of the storm.
Chorls, Ashlyn, and Kessy, who were helping to haul their fallen companions to their bunks, had stopped on the rain lashed decks. Jyda's temper was fraying, but she knew that each creature was as mad and uncertain as she was. Yelling would not help and iota.
"Ren will take my bunk, and Friga can keep her own" Jyda reasoned over the storm.
Ashlyn, always the clever one, waved a mottled sandy paw at Jyda, "Bad egg, Enn'll have some grief tryin' to lug 'erself up to your top bunk. I say, she should take Twyler's." Jyda saw the logic in this statement although it was hard to accept Twyler's capture.
"Fine." Jyda tried to bite back the bitterness in her voice. Ashlyn led the small party into the for'c'sle cabin.
Jyda surveyed the crew's position. Kessy, Brini, Lyn, and Wyn stood before her. "Brini, secure any loose objects on deck. Twins, I want all workable sails furled. Kessy, do a quick lookout. I want to know if there's any land 'ereabouts that we c'n nose fer. Double-quick, now, all of you!" As the crew scattered to do her bidding, Jyda dashed to the stern. The rudder was completely askew, loose on its hinges.
Jyda cursed under her breath. The corsair galley had gotten away clean while Jyda and her crew battled an immense storm at sea. The winds pummeled the sails drawing the lines taught and hard with brine. Jyda racked her mind for any plausible solution.
Chorls and Ashlyn emerged from the for'c'sle cabin. Ashlyn reported to Jyda, "Enn and Freya are doin' up our Friga. Ren's already comin' around, all'n hunkey dorey, but in no bally position to battle this flamin' storm." Jyda nodded at the mottled sandy hare, acknowledging her information.
"Land off the starboard bow!" Kessy's shrill voice rent the raging storm. Jyda and Ashlyn looked right, Chorls left.
Freya ducked out of the for'c'sle cabin, "Right, starboard's right, me chestnut."
Chorls corrected his mistake, "I say, dontcha know I was just testing you nautical chaps. Like an Eidlewhoop wouldn't know flippin' starboard from flamin' bort!"
Freya snorted, "That's port, me chestnut." She was cut short as a huge roller hit the ship.
A drawn out shriek was heard from the crow's nest. A tiny figure hurtled toward the churning depths below.
"Maid overboard!" Brini roared from the bow. Kessy bobbed like a cork, spitting sea water and struggling to stay above water. She was thrown high on one wave's crest and then flung low in the trough of another, her burlap dress weighing her down.
Jyda rushed to the side and prepared to jump over, "Steady on there, Jyda! Don't be daft! We'll lose you too. That jump's only for the flamin' fools!" Ashlyn caught her paw and hauled her back on deck.
Chorls rushed past them, "Eidlewhooo-oof- gurgle!" Chorls sprang over the gunwales, a rope tied around his narrow chest. He hit the sea and struck out for Nanda, wasting no more breath.
"Like I said, only the flamin' fools." Ashlyn muttered.
Jyda laughed out loud into the gale, "Only a flamin' fool would jump into the sea with a rope as 'is only life line and fergit to tie it to ought!" Jyda skillfully knotted the loose end to the gunwales.
Chorls sniffled and sputtered as he paddled out towards Kessy, and she made her best effort to come towards him. The rope around Chorls' chest stretched taught with only inches between the two struggling friends. Kessy gritted her teeth, kicking for all she was worth.
"C'mon, ole gel! One go, and you c'n grab my paw!" Kessy strength was failing but she kicked harder. With a burst of momentum, Kessy caught Chorls' paw. He swiftly pulled her the rest of the way, supporting her with one paw as he tugged on the rope with the other.
Kessy's breath was wheezy and painfully short. Chorls felt himself traveling toward the Queen. The crew was pulling in the long lunge line Kessy and him were attached to. Kessy's teeth chattered and Chorls hugged her close, hoping his body heat would warm her, "Just think of some scoff. That's wot I always do. Tying on the ole nosebag, wot wot? Nothin' like it, I say." Kessy chuckled appreciatively through her shivers.
Dripping, Chorls and Kessy were hauled over the railing. Ashlyn set upon Chorls as Enn set upon Nanda.
"Oh how brave, mistah chestnut!" Ashlyn cooed.
"I'm not a flamin' chestnut. I'm a bally hero!" Chorls whined.
"Yes, of course, mistah chestnut!" Brini, Jyda, and Ashlyn echoed back
"Kessy! I say, dry clothes and a good scrub, 'n you'll be fit as flea 'n right as rain!" Auntie Enn towed a complaining Kessy to her kitchen galley.
"Could we just skip the scrub and get to the grub? Gettin' rescued really takes it out of a gal!"
"Ods bods, you little 'orrer! I'll scrub the seat off yer dress! Into the tub with you!"
"Ah, no, help, I'm being drowned on the ship!"
Jyda chuckled at their antics. She slipped away from the merriment to sit on the prow of her ship. The land loomed in front of the craft like a primal monster, swathed in torrents of rain and lashed by the fury of a gale. The Queen still rocked crazily in the tempestuous weather, tossed wherever the sea willed. A shore was etched in frothy whitecaps. Not much farther inland, cliffs sprang up as if out of nowhere. A fortress of immense size perched on an outcrop, framed in storm-swept skies. It was a sight to behold.
Jyda knew that the Queen would reach the shore, a lucky streak. She ran back to the group of creatures, still regaling each other with Chorls' antics.
"A rope knotted 'round 'is middle and to nowhere else! The bounder, never even thought that ee 'ad to tie it off to the ship!"
"Well what was a chap to do, midst a storm wid a liddle gel, tossed around like duff in a frog's skilly, tain't fair!"
Jyda's voice took on a deep, commanding, captainesque tone, "Haul in that talk, gals, and Chorls. The shore's approaching fast and with nary a sign of life except for one heck of a castle. It might be hostile territory, so I want all of you to be alert when we make berth."
Jyda patted Chorls on the back one last time and made her way to the for'c'sle cabin, intending on checking up on Ren and Friga. Ren was sitting up in bed, holding his shoulder. He gritted his teeth into a smile when Jyda entered the room. With a finger to her lips, Jyda slid to the floor next to Friga's bed.
The bandage around the mousemaid's head was skillfully done. Friga was breathing steadily but still unconscious. Ren was another matter. His bandage was already turning crimson from the cut in his shoulder.
Jyda began to untie the linen cloth. Ren grimaced in pain. "Ah watch it!"
Jyda removed a warm cloth that she was using to cleanse the wound, "Aw, you big baby. Just sit tight."
Ren over-dramatized the bandage changing with Jyda shooting back retorts. At last it was over. Jyda sat on the bed next to Ren. He lay comfortably on his back, arms behind his head. An easy pause ensued, as the friends became lost in their own thoughts. Jyda was the first to break the silence.
"We're approaching a spit of land, Ren. There's a big fortress sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking the beach where we plan to put in. Huge thing it is." Jyda commented.
Ren's eyes grew as wide as saucers. He leapt out of bed and clambered over to Jyda, holding her paw very tightly. "Was the fortress big with four turrets and a huge surrounding wall?"
Jyda had caught the urgency in Ren's usually mild, relaxed voice, "Yes, with pointed roofs and set on a flat topped escarpment. Why?"
Ren let out a strangled growl of frustration and started pacing the room. "Jyda, that's Sampetra! Home to Mistress Ira Scinci the fox! She's the one who ordered me into the galley and our clan to be killed! Jyda! She has a perfect view of the whole island! She'll know we're here and send a search party out immediately!"
Jyda wasted no time. She rushed out on deck. There was only yards left before the Queen would collide with the fated shores. Jyda gathered her crew about her hurriedly. Ren had thrown off his bed covers and followed her, helping to group the confused crew. All eyes were trained on their captain as she related what Ren had told her.
Brini couldn't contain her rage, "Those scum will pay for what they did to Riverglen!"
"Yes they will. But not now. As soon as we hit, I want everyone off the boat, looking for some hiding place anywhere! Your lives are the first priority but I won't say goodbye lightly to Queenie, so find her a good berth if you can."
"Aye, aye cap'n" voiced the crew.
A grinding sound of sand against wood met everybeast's ears. The crew cleared the railing with one leap, landing catlike on the shores of Sampetra. Jyda's neckfur bristled.
She whispered to Lyn, the closest to her, "Lyn, I think there's somebeast watching-" Jyda was cut short as three brawny bodies tackled her from behind.
***
Review as always, sorry this was a little long. I'd really appreciate if you comment though!