A Pirate's Life
Summary: Chrysta recruits Sofia and Cedric to go undercover as new members of a notorious magical pirate crew run by the wicked Captain Caegan. While aboard the ship The Barracuda, the friends must determine the captain's plans and figure out how to stop them; meanwhile, Cedric notices an interesting change in his partner while on their mission. (Sofia is 17. Artwork by MarionetteJ2X!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Sofia the First. The cover photo was created by the amazing artist MarionetteJ2X! 😊 I do, however, own the OCs, including but not limited to Captain Caegan, Muscles, Marty, Wiggles, Garnette, and Duchess.
A/N: Sofia gets some alone time in this chapter…sort of. Lol. But then you'll see a bit of a change occur, which will drive the rest of the plot forward. 😉 While this chapter is short, the next one is filled with all sorts of drama and surprises. lol
Chapter 5: Starry Night
The pirates (and Cedric and Sofia) all made it into their hammocks around 5:00 AM. While the pirates had practically passed out, likely due to their overexertion with dancing and eating, Cedric and Sofia lay awake, still chatting as those around them were slumbering.
"That was actually fun," Sofia mumbled as her hammock swung gently back and forth. She heard Cedric chuckle below her, and she smiled. "Admit it: you had fun too."
"Of course," he acknowledged. "You always manage to make things interesting, Sofia." He yawned. "Granted, while I'm usually used to staying up late many nights, it's usually due to work and not parties. I can't say that's a lifestyle I could ever get used to."
She grinned and leaned over the side, teasing, "You're such an introvert."
"Says the extrovert," he replied, smiling tiredly. "I think I'm going to try to rest now. Perhaps if I fall into a deep enough sleep, the horrendous snoring won't affect me."
"Hmm… I can't really sleep right now." She sighed, moving to the ladder and descending to the floor. "I think I'm going to get some fresh air." She looked toward Cedric. "Want to come?"
He shook his head. "I appreciate it, my dear, but I'm rather tired." He chuckled softly as she nodded. "I'd likely fall overboard from exhaustion or something."
"Oh, Mr. Cedric…" She laughed and reached down, playfully tucking him into his hammock. "Get some sleep."
The sorcerer eyed his friend curiously, pouting. "What, no bedtime story?"
She scoffed, patting his hand and grinning. "Just wait till we get home. I have a whole Secret Library full of stories I could share with you."
"Yes, but those would certainly not constitute as bedtime stories…" He grinned as she rolled her eyes. "Good night, Sofia."
"Good night, Mr. Cedric." She decided to leave her boots off as she hurried up the steps and onto the deck. She inhaled quietly as the darkened skies above her still showed off their twinkling stars. Sunrise wouldn't be for another hour or two, and she wanted to drink in as much of the 'night' as she could.
She'd sat staring out at the gentle movement of the ocean and the twinkling stars for a long while—likely half an hour or so—before finally feeling a bit tired. She turned to head back to her hammock when she suddenly found herself face to face with the captain. "Captain Caegan," she said, startled. "I… I didn't know you were here."
The man smiled disarmingly and folded his arms. "I came up for a fresh round of air myself. I didn't think anyone else would be here." He gazed at the teenager curiously. "Have you enjoyed yourself on The Barracuda, lass?"
Sofia had to smile a bit at the question. "I have, actually…"
"What was your name again?"
"Raelyn."
The captain chuckled, leaning against the side of the ship. "And tell me, Raelyn, what is it that drew you to my crew?"
"I love adventure," she responded simply, "and from my experience, pirates always have the best adventures." She decided to quickly amend her statement, realizing that she sounded like she was excluding herself from the 'pirate' grouping. "I should know, being one myself. I've just longed to find a crew where I could really belong."
Captain Caegan appeared to be extremely satisfied with this response. "I'd like to offer you a unique position. It's something I've not even offered to any of my long-time members, because no one quite met the qualifications." Seeing her inquiring stare, he continued, "Become my first mate."
Sofia, stunned at the man's words, blinked. "I—I… Well, I appreciate it, Captain Caegan, but… I'll have to think about it."
He chuckled, approaching the princess as she stepped back a bit. "It's not a request, lass. You will become my first mate." He picked up her amulet, stared at it momentarily with a pondering expression, and then released it, smirking as his stormy blue eyes peered into her widened ones. "Savvy?" With those final words, he turned and hobbled back to his bedchambers, shutting the doors behind him.
The princess stood there momentarily, taking in the captain's words, and frowned in concern as she grasped her amulet. Conflicted, she returned below deck to her sleeping quarters, climbing up the ladder to once again lie on her hammock. She'd just pulled the covers over herself when she heard Cedric's tired voice call to her from below.
"Did you get enough fresh air?" he asked softly, trying not to wake up any of the others. Merlin knows, that would be the last thing they would need at that point: cranky pirates. Hearing no response, he frowned. "Sofia?"
She blinked and then sighed. "Yeah, Mr. Cedric… I got some fresh air." She waited until she heard him mumble something before apparently going back to sleep. She glanced over the edge, peering down at her friend and frowning contemplatively as she watched him sleep. "…And I also got a bit more than I bargained for…" Her mind racing with thoughts and concerns, she finally lay back against her pillow and pulled the covers over herself, forcing her eyes shut and willing the world of sleep and dreams to overtake her. Eventually, she succeeded.
To be continued…
Next Chapter: First Mate