Accidental Pirates

Morgan entertained thoughts on Sha’s maturity as she gripped the stern rail, “Wait, what, so there was no one, no boyfriends, girlfriends, stolen kisses, attractions, dreams of forever lost?” Although she was distinctly aware that Sha’s line of questioning was typical in a new relationship, the interaction was causing her to heat up, and not in a good way. It took a lot to tip Morgan over the edge, she epitomised level-headedness, yet the disbelief in Sha’s voice, left her sitting on the verge of unbalanced. “No, now please don’t keep asking, the answer is not going to change.” she said, amidst a desperate hope that Sha heard the annoyance in her voice. “But surely, someone that looks like you,” he held. Morgan snapped, aware, but not caring, that she wasn’t pretty when she was angry, she spoke loud enough to advertise the fact that she no longer cared if they were overheard, “I WAS ALONE BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF MEN, IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR!” Sha froze, the sharpness in...

Aquila came into view against a backdrop of cobalt and emerald where sea met land, he circled the ship a few times and emitted a high-pitched squawk, before landing at his preferred spot on the topmost spar. Morgan lowered her eyes taking in the broadening scene before her, the welcoming view of Astrom, stealing breath, and as always leaving her in wonderment. Morgan rarely sailed as far as Sirillia; not that it mattered because every time felt like the first. She pondered often on what exactly drew one to such an exotic part of the realm, was it the stark beauty, the carefree lifestyle that people took for granted or was it a view that was simply unobtainable anywhere else. Astrom was full of lush green terraces that ascended from the sea upwards to the deserts edge, the lower levels taken up by a business district of sorts. The bazaar itself was so large it was broken into sections according to wares. The traders who were rich enough had their dwellings at the same level. The next ti...

Having been thrown into his cell, Castain was disgusted to find that his hands were shaking as they held him from the cold ground, he wondered which of his many wounds from the past weeks torture was the cause of the crimson droplets falling to the floor. Waves of searing pain sent his stomach on a ride and what little food he had been given tried to exit, an exercise ending in failure. When the world stopped spinning, he pushed with his hands and knees until he was leaning against the cell wall, knees bent, arms resting upon them. As usual of late he was ravaged by undesirable thoughts, the unfortunate events that led him to his current abode, forefront. Unaware that he had been marked by his captors, Castain had sailed into Astrom and disembarked like it was any other day, his intent to wait for a contact at the bazaar. The lateness of his contact had left him contemplating melding into the crowd, then as if the thought invited such, he found himself surrounded by his captors. He kne...

The gut-wrenching sound of Aiden spewing overboard was once again breaking her concentration—the man had been at it now for a few days and Meena was sure he was timing his bouts to when it was the most annoying, but just to her. If that wasn’t bad enough, the rat had his manservant running around like a dog, “Arlo, where is my water, clean this up, wipe this. Might as well be saying wipe my—” In surprise of the fact that she had been talking out loud, she glanced around to see if anyone had been listening. Lo and behold, Aiden was taking a break from feeding the fishes to stare at her. The look of amusement on his face off-putting, the man didn’t even know that he should avert his gaze when she was exhibiting unfriendly behaviour. Normally, Meena was good at practising active calming techniques—mostly because she was quick to anger. But this man took things to a new level. She scowled to send a clear message and continued, the movement she was practising, involved flicking her swords u...

The ominous firmament threatened misfortune. Morgan sighed, a visit to the Royal Docks would normally be an exciting occasion, but goodbyes were impossible even at the best of times. She gripped Hermes reigns and willed herself to exert control, her outward appearance serene, inside a guilty stomach was churning. When Morgan met Sha’s gaze, everything fell away, the simple interaction almost her undoing. She bowed lowly to hide her features and held out a hand, Sha took it, his lingering kiss delivering a hair-raising tingle, “Morgan, please let me come with you,” he pled. It is far too dangerous for a prince of the realm where I am going,” Morgan replied coolly, almost choking upon the words. She turned, willing herself to move, one foot before the other. Morgan’s next stop was Nia, there was gentle kindness in the sisters all-knowing eyes, “Take this potion; it has redemptive qualities, you will know, when to use it,” Nia signed. Nodding Dumbly, Morgan took the gift into her ha...