Curse of the Sea

by Joni Parker

  Alex waved at him as she ran to the ship. She noticed his curly brown locks appeared grayer and his mustache needed trimming.

  Ecstasy greeted the crowd with a flamboyant bow, but when he saw Alex, he held out his arms to embrace her. “Alex, my darling! You’re here. I came by to see what all this fog was about. Look at all the men here.” He laughed. “I see some handsome Elf sailors out here. Good for you.” He swung her around, dancing to the music.

  “Ecstasy, did you see the ships out there?”

  “The wooden ones? They were just sitting out there in the fog. I sailed by without a problem.”

  “No, the gray ones.”

  “You need to watch out for them.”

  Lord Odin and Captain Jonas came up from behind.

  “I’d like to introduce the Wizard Ecstasy.” Alex waved her hand at him. “Ecstasy, do you remember my grandfather, Lord Odin?”

  “Yes, of course.” He took off his hat and bowed. “You’re looking particularly handsome this morning, my lord.” He smiled coyly and batted his eyelashes.

  “Thank you, Ecstasy.” Lord Odin blushed slightly and bowed. “So, do you.”

  Alex continued with the introductions. “This is Captain Jonas. He’s the captain of one of those gray ships, the HMS Camelot. This is Ecstasy. He’s the wizard who came from the mortal world in this ship.”

  Captain Jonas stared at him suspiciously. “How is that possible? How did you come here on this ship? It’s made of wood.”

  “Yes, she’s my pride and joy—isn’t she lovely?” Ecstasy clutched his hands together. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re wearing the uniform of the British Royal Navy, am I correct, Captain, sir?” He snapped to attention and saluted like a Brit.

  “Yes, do I detect a London accent?” The Captain returned his salute.

  “Yes, Captain, sir, I’ve lived in London for many years. I still have a flat in Piccadilly.”

  “How did you get here? What route did you take?”

  “I flew up to the moon and took a left. There’s this round thingie in the sky and my ship flew through it.” Ecstasy made a circle with his hands.

  “Thingie?”

  “It’s like a ring of white light.”

  “A portal?”

  “Yes, that’s it.”

  “How many passengers can you take?”

  “Ten. More than that, she doesn’t fly right. I once had a party with fifteen--”

  “We have over seven hundred. It’ll take forever, but it’s a start. You can take us back to London. How long does it take?”

  “About twenty-four hours. But I haven’t said I’d do it.”

  “You will do it by order of His Majesty’s Royal Navy, Wizard or I’ll cut you down myself!” Captain Jonas glared at him. “Do I make myself perfectly clear?”

  “Aye, aye, sir!” Ecstasy saluted again and stomped his right foot.

  Captain Jonas nodded. “Very well. That settles that.” The Captain turned to Lord Odin. “Once our men have been returned, Ecstasy can continue to shuttle others back to Earth.”

  “May I recommend the use of a shrinking potion so more people can be taken on each trip?” Lord Odin raised his eyebrows.

  “How many people can we get on this ship if we used this shrinking potion?”

  Lord Odin pursed his lips. “I’d estimate a hundred passengers could safely travel in that manner. I can send Alex to administer the counter-potion. It’s very safe, but we don’t have any here. I can have some delivered in a few days.”

  “Can someone else give it to us?” Captain Jonas glared at her.

  “I only trust Alex with it. It’s quite powerful.”

  “Very well, then.” The Captain nodded. “Alex, it is.” His lips pressed together firmly.

  “Grandfather, I don’t think--” Alex stopped mid-sentence when her grandfather held up his hand.

  “Thank you for your assistance, Ecstasy.” Captain Jonas nodded.

  “It’s my honor to serve.”

  “I’ll check with the Commandant to see if he’d like to send someone,” Lord Odin said.

  “Of course,” Jonas replied.

  Ecstasy smiled and waved his arms to explode fireworks from his ship. “Let’s celebrate!” Loud music blared from the ship and Ecstasy pulled Alex into an impromptu dance.

  Later, Alex took her grandfather aside to speak privately. “Grandfather, the Captain’s right. I shouldn’t do this. Remember the last time I went to the mortal world? I got arrested and thrown in prison.”

  “Who else can I send? Not one of the Elf healers. Alex, you have the experience and you look and talk more like them than we do.”

  “But grandfather--”

  “You’ll be fine, Alex. We must do everything we can to get these men home. It’s the right thing to do.”

  “I know. It’s the law of the sea.” Alex sighed in resignation and her shoulders slumped. “All right.”

  Captain Jonas stopped to speak to the Commandant, then went to the hotel near the harbor. The Seaman’s Inn was run by Beau, an American sailor who’d been shipwrecked on the island over twenty years ago. The Captain had established it as headquarters where he mustered the officers and senior enlisted men in the dining room to explain what was happening.

  “We’ve found a way home,” the Captain announced.

  The men and women cheered and slapped each other on the shoulders.

  “There’s a catch, however—the ship is owned by a wizard. It’s quite small and the only way we can get everyone back quickly is to take a…shrinking potion.” He swallowed hard.

  “What?” Captain Williams, the female American officer, stood up. “A shrinking potion? Like the stuff that shrinks heads?”

  “It’s made by the Elves. If you refuse to take it, only ten of us will be able to return to London at a time. However, if you agree to take the potion, a hundred can fit on board.”

  “We could send twenty sailors from each ship,” Williams said.

  “Good idea. The Commandant here may also send somebody and there’s this girl, Alex, to administer the counter-potion.”

  “Is this the same girl who healed our sailors with that blue light in her hands?”

  “The same.”

  “Is she a nurse or something?”

  “Actually, the Commandant informed me that she’s an elite soldier and a trained assassin.”

  “Why are they sending her and not a nurse?”

  “I’m not sure. Apparently, we have no choice, but I think we need to keep an eye on her. I don’t trust her.” Jonas paused. “However, the Commandant did assure me that the potion is safe. He’s taken it himself.”

  “Can someone else take it first, so we can see what happens?” Williams asked.

  Jonas raised his eyebrows. “Brilliant. I’ll ask. Meanwhile, set up the first group.”

  ***

  On Earth, out in the Atlantic Ocean, a plane flew Vice Admiral Sir Teller off the aircraft carrier to London. The exercise had been terminated early and the ships were heading to Portsmouth Naval Base in southern England for a debriefing. Normally, the Admiral would have remained with the ships until completion, but he was called to London. He expected to face charges of dereliction of duty and whatever other charges the headquarters brass could devise. He was the scapegoat who was going to take the blame, even though he had no control over the weather. It had been his plan to have five ships fall back for a surprise attack on the enemy. It was a clever plan…on paper.

  The Admiral inhaled deeply and prepared for the consequences.

  Chapter 5

  SHRINKING POTION

  Captain Jonas returned to the Commandant’s office where he found Lord Odin. “Forgive my interruption, but I wanted to let you know that I’ve discussed using the shrinking potion with my sailors and they’d like to see a demonstration of it first.”

  “Not a problem. I’ll set one up as soon as we get the potion,” Lord Odin said. “They’re making it today and will ship it out tomor
row.”

  “May I ask what’s in it?” Captain Jonas was mildly curious.

  “It’s quite a long list, but we begin with an elixir of Arethus tree roots, unicorn horn shavings, and dragon scales, which forms the basis for several of our potions. To this, we add the powdered glands of a fish that can shrink in size called the tupa—that’s a very tedious procedure as is getting the horns from a sea horse and--”

  “Eye of newt, and toe of frog, wool of bat, and tongue of dog, adder’s fork, and blindworm’s sting, lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing…” the Captain said.

  Lord Odin raised his eyebrows. “Should I try those? Would it help?”

  The Captain held up his hand and shook his head. “No, I thought I’d add a bit of levity. It’s a line from a play called, MacBeth, written by William Shakespeare. Well, no matter.” He cleared his throat and his face reddened lightly. “We look forward to the demonstration. Good day, Lord Odin and Commandant.” Captain Jonas nodded curtly and left.

  The Commandant paused for a moment. “Who should we test this on? Would Alex do it?”

  “She needs to give the counter-potion. Who do you intend to send?” Lord Odin asked.

  “Jeffrey. I’ll have someone get him.”

  A few minutes later, his brother, Colonel Jeffrey, ran up the stairs, straightening his dark green uniform jacket and checked his newly-cropped blond hair in the mirror. He knocked on the door and entered.

  “Did you send for me, Lyle?” Jeffrey smiled and saluted. “Lord Odin, good to see you again. Didn’t Alex come with you? I’ve heard she was up to something at the healing house.”

  “It was nothing. She just healed a few minor injuries. She just left to visit her brother Beren and his family.”

  “That’s right. Lila just gave birth to a girl. I think that’s their third.”

  “Jeffrey,” Lyle said, “I asked you here because you expressed an interest in going to the mortal world if there was room on the ship.”

  “I thought I’d check it out for us. It’s not home, but it’s away from here. Why? Is there a problem?”

  “Captain Jonas wants a demonstration of the shrinking potion, prior to his men using it. I’d like you to take it.”

  “Don’t they trust us?”

  “Apparently not.”

  “What do I have to do?”

  Lord Odin rested his hand on his shoulder. “All you have to do is drink a glass of water. I’ll put one drop of the potion in it. Then we wait for a half-hour before Alex gives you the counter-potion.”

  “Sounds easy. Anything else?”

  “No. Thank you, Jeffrey.” Lyle smiled at his younger brother. “Let Captain Jonas know. He’s over at the Seaman’s Inn.”

  Colonel Jeffrey strolled into the hotel and sat at the bar. “Is Captain Jonas here?” Beau, who was tending bar, turned his head. Jeffrey went over, extending his hand. “My name’s Colonel Jeffrey. I’m the Commandant’s brother and I’m going with you to the mortal world.”

  “A pleasure, Colonel. Would you like a brew?” Jonas held up his glass, filled with amber liquid.

  “Thanks, I would.” He nodded to Beau, who hesitated.

  “I thought you were on the wagon, Colonel,” Beau said.

  “Don’t argue with me! Give me a beer.” Jeffrey scowled. “And don’t tell anyone.” He leaned over to the Captain. “My brother, Lyle, said you wanted a demonstration of the shrinking potion. I’ll take it so you can see how it works.”

  “Have you taken it before?”

  “No, but a lot of people did and I saw it being administered. A few years ago, the Elves gave us some ships to bring us back here. We had five ships and over two thousand people. The only way was to use the potion. I was a crewman and helped with the ship, so I didn’t take it.” Jeffrey sipped his beer. “No one had any bad reactions to it. My brothers took it, as well as their wives and children. The only ones who didn’t take it were pregnant women. Alex gave everyone the counter-potion.”

  “And where does your family come from…on Earth?”

  “We don’t have any family there. We want to find a new home, someplace other than here.”

  “Where do you come from?”

  “Tamron.”

  “I’ve never heard of it. Where is it?”

  “It’s on the planet of Terrasol in the star system Briole. It’s far away from Earth.”

  “I see. Another planet. This place is most unusual.” Captain Jonas sipped his ale. Were they all daft here? “What do you know about this girl who’ll give us the counter-potion? Your brother said she was an assassin.”

  “Alex? Oh, well, I wouldn’t mess with her. She’s damned good—as an assassin, I mean. We don’t call her the Black Elf for nothing.” He chuckled as he sipped his beer. “I was even going to marry her at one time. I’m glad I didn’t.” He shook his head.

  “Why not? She’s not bad looking.”

  “She’s way too dangerous with that sword of hers, a real loner, and surprisingly clever for a girl. I never knew what she was up to.”

  “Not bad qualities for an assassin.”

  “But not for a wife. I don’t want to spend my life looking over my shoulder. I haven’t seen too much of her recently, but I’ve heard she’s done some missions for the Elves.”

  “What kind of missions?”

  “She killed one of the most dangerous Elves of all time and she’s exposed a lot of corruption within the Council of Elders.”

  “She is dangerous, isn’t she?”

  “Yeah, she is. Maybe that’s why they made her Keeper of the Keys.”

  “Keeper of the Keys?” Jonas laughed. “Foolish pranks. I had to wear them on my belt when I was an ensign. What nonsense!”

  “Not to the Elves. It’s a position of some importance.” Jeffrey finished his beer and set the glass down on the bar. “Well, I just stopped by to let you know I’ll be going with you.”

  “Thanks, Colonel. We’ll show you around London when we get there.”

  After Jeffrey left, Jonas finished his ale. Why would the Elves send this girl, a trained assassin, to administer a counter-potion? Surely, it can't be that difficult and someone else could do it. What were they up to? His eyes grew wide as he considered the possibilities. Did the Elves intend to invade Earth? He stared at his empty glass. Perhaps he had too much ale. He should quit, but got another one instead. Then he had a brilliant idea. He could turn the tables on her and have her arrested for destruction of government property—those five ships, not to mention charges of kidnapping seven hundred men. It’d keep the Elves from trying anything underhanded and they could trade her for the rest of the men. He paused. Not just men, but women as well. What was his Navy coming to?

  ***

  On board Ecstasy’s ship in the harbor, a work crew of Elves arrived to reconfigure the little red ship with bins needed to carry the passengers.

  Ecstasy wiped his forehead nervously. “Oh, please be careful. And make sure you keep the ship balanced. Oh dear, my ship will never be the same.”

  By the end of the day, the cradles were installed. Ecstasy checked them and nodded. His ship resembled a library with rows of shelves, but with cradles instead of books. He rocked the ship back and forth and felt its weight. It seemed balanced from side-to-side and front-to-back. He shooed the last of the workmen off his ship and waved his wand to clean up the debris.

  ***

  The next afternoon, the Elf ship, Crustacean, approached Seaward Isle. Its large white sails displayed the Water Elf emblem of three wavy blue lines. Majestically, it sailed into the port of Agana and docked. Prince Darin of the Water Elves strolled off his flagship, followed by the healer Canfis, who carried a basket with six ceramic vials, half were white and the other half blue.

  The Commandant and Lord Odin met them at the harbor. After greetings were exchanged and introductions made, the Commandant took them to see Captain Jonas. Alex and Colonel Jeffrey were already waiting for them in the dining room at the Seaman’s Inn
. The Captain had the officers, senior enlisted personnel, and the select one hundred assembled in the room. More people stood outside, peering through open doors and windows.

  After more greetings and introductions, Lord Odin took a white ceramic bottle from Canfis. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is the shrinking potion. I’ll administer it to Colonel Jeffrey so you can see it’s completely safe.” He took a glass tube from Canfis. “All you need is one drop in a glass of water. This phase will take about five minutes. Colonel Jeffrey?”

  Jeffrey stepped forward and drank the water. Then he lay down on the floor on a blanket. Within seconds, his eyes were closed and he was sleeping soundly.

  One of the sailors stretched out a tape measure. “He’s six-foot-two. That’s one hundred and eighty-eight centimeters for our metric friends.” Then he gasped as Jeffrey’s body shrank and checked the tape measure again. “Twelve inches? No shit! Thirty point five centimeters, folks.” He picked up the little body. “He’s light, around ten pounds, maybe five kilos.”

  Captain Jonas knelt next to Jeffrey and put his head down close to his face. He touched his neck lightly. “He’s breathing and has a heartbeat.”

  The crowd fell silent for a few moments before a nervous buzz arose.

  After thirty minutes, Lord Odin stepped forward. “Alex, it’s time to give the counter-potion.”

  Alex took the blue bottle and a glass tube from Canfis. Kneeling next to Jeffrey, she removed the stopper and slid the glass tube inside. She covered the end with her finger and carefully opened his mouth to place a drop on his teeth. She backed away, waiting and watching, as Colonel Jeffrey returned to full size.

  The crowd gasped and covered their mouths.

  The sailor measured him again. “Six-foot-two, back to normal.” He pushed a button on the case, retracting the metal tape with a snap.

  Captain Jonas came over and extended his hand to Colonel Jeffrey, helping him up. “How do you feel, Colonel?”

  “Fine, like I took a nap. Did I really shrink down?”