Let's Play Pirates: Chapter 5

Chapter 5
(Dear Kay,
It was a few weeks before any great news reached us and we were somewhere in the ocean between New Canaar and the ruined island of Tortuga. Tortuga… do you remember? Father always said he wished to travel there; it was his life’s dream. He wanted to be the one who found out why the Five Nations were separated… he wanted to correct the mistakes of the past and bring peace back to Asheia…
That was before…
-Lulu-)
-
‘Hey! Everyone! Wake up! Everyone!’
‘Hero-chan, what manner of hour is this?’ asked Lulu tiredly, stumbling off her bunk and almost tripping over Bessie who was wearily doing the same.
‘The prince’s ship!’ cried Hero, ‘it’s coming this way!’
‘Which prince?’ asked Bessie, tripping over her own feet and pulling Lulu down with her.
Too tired to care, Lulu helped Bessie up and the two blindly followed Hero up to the deck, where the others were waiting. Masou came over to stand by Lulu and silently wrapped an arm around her shoulders as the shivering fairy looked out the sea, whispering in her ear, ‘it is the royal ship of Prince Ashitaka Hiroshi, of Thrace- rumour has it, he is carrying valuable artefacts from the desecrated island of Tortuga.’
‘You’re kidding,’ Lulu murmured.
‘Tortuga?’ said Bessie. ‘But it has been in ruins for more than a thousand years already- if there was anything of value there, would it not have already been salvaged?’
‘Apparently not,’ said Kurissyma, lowering her bronze, jewelled spyglass and shaking her head, ‘will you look at that guard?’
‘You aren’t thinking to attack a prince, are you?’ gasped Bessie.
‘How can you not be?’ asked Kurissyma, ‘think of the treasures such a place might hold! We might finally learn why it is that the peace of the five nations was broken! What killed the ambassadors and left us to such a fate! Just think of the possibilities!’
‘Disguised as a boy,’ Fern quietly explained to Bessie, ‘my cousin spent four years studying mythology at a university in New Canaar.’
‘It took them that long to realise I had never arrived at finishing school,’ said Kurissyma, sounding quite bittersweet, ‘and then they found me and brought me back- they gave me Lulu as a maid to keep an eye on me… and I met Cori at the school. I guess it’s a good thing, huh?’
‘She had issues with her family,’ said Fern.
‘Like you didn’t,’ Kuris snapped, turning her gaze back to the sea.
Fern merely shook his head, ‘it’s suicide going against the Prince of Thrace.’
‘Perhaps,’ said Kurissyma, lifting the spyglass again. ‘Those who wish it may leave now in the longboat, but I- I seek something more…’
‘Fame, glory, honour… it means more to you than material possessions, doesn’t it?’ said Fern.
‘So much harder to possess…’ said Kurissyma softly, ‘…but I will prove to them that I am no ordinary girl.’
‘No,’ said Fern.
‘I am Captain Kurissyma san Tybalt, the Black Lady of Thrace.’
‘Did you come up with that just then, cous’?’ asked Fern, grinning.
‘Mark my words,’ said Kuris, still with that dreamy, yet determined, look on her face, ‘I will be the one to find out what happened to the nation we once were… you will see. I will save Asheia from it’s ignorance and draw it from this terrible string of wars!’
‘First you turn to piracy,’ said Fern, shaking his head in something akin amusement, ‘now you want to save the world?’
‘Are you with me or not?!’
‘I am with you,’ said Mina immediately.
‘Never doubt it for a moment,’ said Lulu, bowing her head slightly.
‘Me too!’ Masou burst out, raising a fist in the air triumphantly.
‘Friends for life.’
‘And friends for real.’
‘You’re gonna get yourself killed, cous’,’ said Fern jovially.
‘Thanks a lot, ye of little faith,’ said Kurissyma.
‘Hey, don’t worry,’ said Fern, ‘I’m in- I’ll protect you.’
‘And you?’
‘Are you kidding?!’ exclaimed Hero, ‘this is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to us! You couldn’t leave me behind if you wanted to!’
Morro-Chai, little almost-seven-year-old Morro-Chai, smiled up at Kurissyma bravely, ‘I’m coming too.’
‘Yea,’ said Cori, ‘always.’
‘And that only leaves…?’
‘Well, there’s no way I can row a longboat on my own!’ said Bessie carefully, ‘I’d die of hunger if I left you now!’
‘You’re coming?’ asked Kurissyma, eyes bright.
‘What have I got to lose?’
‘Your life?’ said Fern.
‘Feh!’ said Bessie, shaking her head, ‘what kind of life could I have back home- perhaps before, but now? I can’t ever go back, not now that I know what it’s like,’ she smiled nervously, ‘this is where I belong.’
-
(Dear Kay,
Me again… This morning Hero spotted Prince Ashitaka’s ship on the horizon and guess who wants to go after it? She’s calling herself “The Black Lady of Thrace” now- a little overdramatic if you ask me, but it’s a good title. Kurissyma san Tybalt, the Black Lady of Thrace… I’ve heard of making a name for yourself but it seems that Kuris has a new one with every year that passes.
You know what Bessie said, though? “This is where I belong?” That’s a lot to say about someplace you’ve only been for a month or so… but then again… if I’ve learnt anything from my troubled past, it’s that home isn’t about the place- it’s more about the people. Like… well, no place is home without Masou. It sounds silly, and it’s embarrassing for me to write, but it’s true. After all we’ve been through, it would seem that Masou is a larger part of me than I would like to admit…
I feel strangely better now- writing that- even though you may never read it. Perhaps someday… it doesn’t matter.
Kuris is rounding everyone up on deck and Bessie has been tapping on the side of my bunk with that ridiculous wooden flute of hers for almost ten full minutes now. I think she’s really getting the hang of being a pirate. Everyone likes her well enough too- it seems as though she’s been with us much longer than the month she truly has. The Kiteling has become home for her, I suppose, like it has for all of us. She’s made great friends with the rest of the crew, even earned my respect in some ways. And she truly is determined to learn- actually making progress playing that flute of hers.
We have shied from battle lately, and I can’t help but think Kuris was secretly looking for Prince Ashitaka’s ship- it would explain how she’s been acting recently. I suppose even people like her seek peace…
I am determined to help, Kay, even at the cost of my own life- though I trust Kuris will see us through. I think I’m doing this more for him than Kuris. More for our father, I mean. Wherever he is- I want him to be proud of me. I want him to watch us bring peace back to Asheia- to stop this ridiculous string of wars, as Kuris put it.
For father, and for you.
I’ll make a promise now, I think. If we do succeed… then, and only then, will I take my feelings for Masou into deeper consideration. I think if I could feel sure of a good life for any children the future might bring… I think that then, I could allow myself to be in love.
Yes, that’s what I’ll do. Wait for now. Just wait.
Ever your loving sister,
Lulu)
-
‘Have you thought of how we’re going to board a royal ship yet?’ asked Fern, climbing up the rigging, bored as he, Kuris, Bessie and Lulu waited for the rest of the crew to appear.
Bessie grinned up at him, ‘how can you draw any actual enjoyment from climbing that thing?’
‘Oh, it’s great fun once you get used to it,’ said Fern jovially.
‘Besides,’ agreed Masou, coming up onto the deck, ‘he likes looking brave for all you ladies.’
‘Right, I see. Well, anyway, I’ve had a good month to get used to it,’ said Bessie, ‘and I still get the shivers just thinking about it.’
Fern didn’t reply, still waiting for Kuris’ answer, ‘you do know they’ll fire at us as soon as we’re in range- I mean, we’ve got black sails- not all that inconspicuous. They’re sure to know we’re pirates.’
‘So have the girls up on deck,’ said Kuris, shrugging, ‘we can manage without you guys for a while and who’s ever heard of a pirate ship worked by women?’
‘Just one,’ said Lulu, ‘I asked around at Tumbler’s Cove, and it would seem that news has spread about the Kiteling.’
‘We’re famous!’ laughed Kuris giddily, ‘who’d have thought?’
Fern rolled his eyes, ‘so what’s the plan, cous’?’
‘We wave white handkerchiefs,’ said Kuris decidedly.
‘What?’ said Fern flatly.
‘We’ll dress up like ladies and pretend we need help,’ Kuris put on a squeaky high voice, ‘save us! Oh! Save us, kind sirs! The great skypirate Kurissyma san Tybalt, Black Lady of Thrace-’
‘Yeah, enough of the title, cous’,’ said Fern, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards in amusement.
‘Oh, all right!’ sighed Kuris, and she put on the high voice again before going on, ‘pirates boarded our ship, the… the…’
‘Lady Belle,’ said Bessie immediately.
‘The Lady Belle,’ Kuris agreed, ‘and were going to kill us! But then brave Master Fernando,’ she climbed the rigging easily and sidled up to her cousin, ‘saved us and helped us make off in their boat! But we don’t know which way to go!’
‘Might we possibly see a map?’ Bessie giggled.
‘You actually think they’re going to let us close enough to speak?’ asked Masou, shaking his head.
‘It’d still be fun,’ said Kuris.
‘We could always just drop out of the sky,’ Bessie suggested, secretly eager to be in the air again.
‘I like the way you think!’ laughed Kuris, ‘imagine their surprise when we just fall from the sky and plop right next to them!’
‘No,’ said Lulu darkly.
‘What, why not?!’ asked Kuris, her face falling.
‘We could- we could hit something!’ Lulu complained.
‘What?’ Kuris sighed and looked at her for a long time, somewhat sadly, before shaking her head, knowing what was really the matter, ‘I can assure you- there are no Witch Hunters on that ship.’
‘Yeah, right,’ said Lulu.
‘No, I mean it,’ said Kuris, ‘Hiroshi-san has spent the past three and a half years studying mythology and magical creatures in a Canen university- we were… acquainted- trust me, he carries no witch hunters with him.’
Lulu crossed her arms over her chest and sighed.
‘Will you help us, Lulu?’
Kurissyma’s voice was soft –understanding- but still Lulu faltered. Witch Hunters killed her father- Witch Hunters were the reason she and Masou had to leave their home so young- Witch Hunters killed their gypsy friend, Aurelia… but Witch Hunters? They were also the reason Lulu had boarded the Kiteling- Witch Hunters had given her a home again, and friends- many of them- they had given her a chance to use her powers…
‘Yes,’ said Lulu quietly, ‘I am with you.’
Kurissyma nodded and looked around her, ‘where is the rest of my crew?’ she walked over to the stairs and yelled down, ‘up here! Now!’ before returning to the wheel and preparing to sail out of the Prince’s sight for lift-off.
Cautiously, Bessie watched the fuss around her grow and decidedly went after Lulu, who had disappeared off on her own.
‘Hey, Lulu?’
‘Yes?’ Lulu looked up, ‘what is it?’
‘Are you okay?’
Lulu laughed weakly, ‘you must think I’m quite odd… Witch Hunters… they killed my father.’
‘You can have mine,’ said Bessie, only half joking, then she softened, ‘what was he like?’
Lulu shook her head, ‘I was six-years-old, I hardly remember.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘But I remember the day like anything,’ said Lulu, locking eyes with Bessie.
‘Will you… will you tell me about it?’ asked Bessie carefully.
Lulu nodded and took a deep breath, ‘Masou and I, we grew up together- I’m sure you know. Masou never had any parents, we don’t know what happened to them… but we had my father, Jerome and my sister, Kaylei, and we never needed anyone more.’
Bessie nodded slightly, not wanting to interrupt but feeling the need to prompt her on.
‘There were many more Witch Hunters back then- more than there are now- but Masou and I were safe in the village, though, and for our own protection, we were not allowed to leave it,’ said Lulu, ‘but one day- our magic teacher was looking for us… we hated magic- it was what set us apart from the rest of the world. We thought that if we ignored it, it might go away... So we ran off… we didn’t realise we were outside the village until we saw them. The Witch Hunters,’ Lulu tugged on one of her wings ruefully, ‘they saw us, too, of course, and came after Masou and me on their big black horses. We were terrified- only small… Then my father came and softly asked us if we could work a spell without speaking…’
‘And…?’ said Bessie, silently praying that her reluctant friend would not end the story on such a note.
‘We weren’t sure but we tried anyway,’ said Lulu, ‘and it worked too- but father, he tugged at Masou and my wings and they broke… it hurt so much… he made it look like they weren’t real, then, while we worked our spell, he muttered some nonsense and pretended he was casting it… the Witch Hunters… they took father away and left us there, our wings broken and bleeding… I never saw him again.’
‘So that’s why you’re so afraid of them,’ said Bessie sadly.
‘I tried to save him... but the Witch Hunters exposed and captured me before I even reached the capital,’ Lulu went on sadly, ‘They decided that I would die soon anyway from my wounds, and so they locked me up, leaving me to die, six-years-old, alone, in a dirty prison… but Masou rescued me somehow…’
‘You’re really close to him, aren’t you?’ said Bessie smiling softly, ‘it’s sweet…’
A small burble of laughter erupted from Lulu’s dry throat, ‘I spill my heart out to you and you tease me?’
‘You’re right, I’m sorry,’ said Bessie, still sounding rather amused, ‘…I just wish I had someone I could depend on that way.’
Lulu gave a nervous smile, does she know…? Does she know that I…?
Bessie shook her head, ‘maybe someday…’ she sighed wistfully, ‘anyway, do you think you’ll be all right? I mean, I’m sure Captain Kuris is right about there being no Witch Hunters on board… but if there are?’
‘I’ll be fine,’ said Lulu, stroking the jagged end of her wing thoughtfully, ‘after all- I’m not six-years-old anymore.’