by J. Avarez
After Sarah was briefed by Emily Sue, she separated from her crew and left alone to a quiet cliff by the edge of Town Square. On her way through the cobblestone streets, Sarah paused near a crowd gathered by a small fruit market. On the ground was a mature man who looked to have caught the curse of men. The nine foot tall man had fallen on his back, surrounded by a few dusty apples. His wife was by his side and wept as she knelt over to rattle his enormous body. A few witnesses informed Sarah that the man died in his wife's arms, his heart too frail to support such an abnormal transformation.
Knowing there was nothing she could do, Sarah moved on and reached an area of trees by the edge of the island. Past the trees and yellow colored grass, she stood on one knee to face three tombstones near a jagged cliff. Zahweh Stretcher was etched onto one of the tombstones, and Jaime Williker was engraved on the other. Sarah had stopped at Crescent Island on her way back to Port Ruby and retrieved Jaime’s body, but unfortunately there was nothing left of Zahweh, and so she settled with burying a few of his belongings.
“I did it,” said Sarah softly, resting blue daisies on their graves. Her pink and moist eyes rested on the third tombstone, the grave of Anne Bonny. “Timid Sarah became a captain,” Sarah wiped a tear before it could leave her eyes and stood up over her fallen friends. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you, but you have my word. I’ll be the greatest captain in the world…I promise.”
“Talking to the dead, Captain Dreamstead?” Asked Merla. Sarah turned her head and saw the lounge owner standing behind her smoking a cigarette. “Not the best example to prove your sanity.”
“I couldn’t have gotten off that island without them,” replied Sarah. “They deserve to be remembered.”
“True, good people are a rarity these days,” said Merla. “Even in a broken world like this, I can appreciate someone who stands for what's right, but you shouldn’t dwell on those that have passed. Life is too short, sweetheart, better to focus on the next horizon.”
Sarah briefly thought of what the next horizon might be. Traveling the sea with her new friends, and gaining wealth beyond their wildest dreams. However, riches weren't all that awaited her, there was also the threat that seemed to grow with each day.
“I saw a man die in the middle of the street today,” said Sarah. “He grew like a giant, the same thing that happened to Jayden.”
“The curse of men,” Merla shook her head and let out smoke through her nose. “It may be spreading slowly, but it’s killing the majority that get it. Hearts bursting inside their chests, it’s not a good way to go. I don't believe even those that survived have much of a chance.”
“I can’t let that happen to Jayden,” Said Sarah, realizing that the same fate could fall upon him. “I can't abandon him, not after what he did for me.”
“Then you should keep your ears open,” said Merla, flicking her cigarette over the cliff. “If there’s a cure for the curse than I can’t think of anyone more fit to find it. But enough of that. I didn't come to give you an earful. I’ve got a gift for you, captain.”
Merla reached for a red leather bag she had set aside, and pulled from it a shining black cape. Sarah took the magical cloth and watched it move as if it were alive in her hands.
“What is it?” Asked Sarah.
“The Devil’s Cape,” replied Merla. “It’s one of the Thousand Treasures. Keep it close, girl. That cloth can reflect damn near anything, especially the bullets those pirates will aim at your back. Jones actually left it to me before he vanished.”
“Davy Jones owned this?” Sarah's eyes widened as she observed the cape more closely.
“He told me to give it to an honorable captain,” Merla looked at Sarah proudly and shook her shoulder. “I think he'd be happy that I'm giving it to you, it'll protect you while you're out at sea,” Merla watched Sarah tie the cape and let it fall over her back. The look of sadness on her face, however, confused the proud lounge owner. “You could look a bit happier! Tyserra’s tits, Sarah, you're the first woman in the world to become a captain.”
“I know,” said Sarah softly, turning her gaze toward the horizon out at sea. “It's just…when I was fighting Drake, he sort of mentioned something about my mother. Maybe he was trying to get in my head, but he told me that she's still alive,” She looked toward Merla, who looked away, with her tongue against her cheek. “You knew?”
They stood silent for a brief moment, and heard only the whistle of the wind blow into their ears. Finally Merla let out a heavy sigh and faced Sarah again.
“Your parents are…well…let's say it makes sense you're their daughter,” replied Merla, holding Sarah's shoulders gently. “They're both enemies of the emperor, you're new boss, if that hasn't sunk in yet. Trust me, chasing after them will only put your own life in danger. They did a good thing to save you from their mistakes. Running and looking over your back, that's no proper way to live. You're a captain. Those girls that chose to follow you…they're your family now.”
Merla then wished Sarah luck and left her alone. After a tearful goodbye to Bonny and the others, Sarah reunited with Charlotte and Cookie near One Blue. The three of them walked eagerly through the maze of houses, ready to reach Kyla and sail off together as an official caravan. Throughout the walk they were being praised by the citizens of Port Ruby. Whether it be from the open window of a house, motorcar, or even from the street. People of all kinds shouted their names and thanked them for their service.
“We love you, Cookie!” Shouted a pair of young ladies, from the inside of a coffee shop.
“I love you too!” Cookie shouted back, blowing them a kiss. The freckled beauty then turned to Charlotte so quickly that her long braid whipped Sarah in the face. “Oh, Charlotte, this is great isn't it? They really love us, we're like, like, a band of heroes or something!”
“I'm glad you're enjoying yourself,” said Charlotte, chuckling at the annoyed look on Sarah's face. “Just remember we nearly died to get all of this praise.”
They arrived shortly after upon the busy boardwalk, and found Kyla docked just a few merchant stands away. As they approached, they could hear Poppy and Holly pestering their little sister. Each of the sisters were hard at work, loading the last wooden crates filled with supplies.
“So wait, you were crying for us,” said Holly, pinching Daisy’s cheek, as she struggled with a crate of wine. “Like crying, crying? Dang! Why did we have to get turned to stone?”
“Aww, you little squirt,” said Poppy, pinching her sister's other cheek. “You really love us, don't you?”
“Get off!” Daisy shouted. “I'm a part of this caravan, and I demand some respect.”
The tip of Daisy's foot sunk into a small hole in the wooden floor, which caused her to trip and drop her crate. The bottles had shattered inside the crate and leaked red wine over the wooden boards. Their little sister quickly went pink in the face, and started to twiddle her thumbs.
“Sure, Daisy,” said Holly, resisting the urge to burst out laughing as Poppy did. “Respect, we’ll be sure to get right on that.”
Sarah stepped aboard the ship soon after. She was unbothered by the mess of spoiled wine, and kindly handed Daisy a mop.
“I'm glad you all chose to join,” said Sarah, smiling. “This really means a lot to me.”
“The honor is all ours,” said Poppy. “But Charlotte, aren't you going to be homesick? I know your dad was sad to see you leave.”
“No way,” replied Charlotte, she then vanished in a cloud of smoke, and warped herself to a balcony overlooking the main deck. Her amber eyes followed a flock of seagulls flying toward the wall surrounding Port Ruby. “My father's grown, he'll be perfectly fine. Being in a caravan is my dream. I'm ready to see the world, maybe even find myself someone special.”
“Nine worlds,” said Cookie, dreamingly. “That lucky lady has to be on one of them, right?”
“Maybe a few lucky ladiezzz,” said Gizmo. The oracle stepped out of the capta
in’s den, clearly drunk from the bottle rolling out after him. “I can help youzzz with them if youzzz like, a teddy bearzzz a womanzzz best friend.”
“Don't you mean a dog?” Asked Cookie, watching Gizmo fall unconscious on his face.
"Is there really a difference?" Sarah told Cookie, walking happily toward her den. "Heh, alright girls, we've hung around here long enough. Time to go!"
Poppy and Holly untied the ropes that kept Kyla anchored to the boardwalk, the others took a spot at the front of the ship. Sarah opened a fresh bottle of wine and took a refreshing sip, a personal reward for her triumph over Blackbeard. She was grateful to have survived her battle with the pirates. Indeed, the taste of grape and alcohol was much more satisfying than the taste of her own blood.
"Sarah!" Shouted a voice.
Just as they prepared to raise the ramp of their ship, the girls noticed Mia rushing through the crowds gathered by the boardwalk. The Royal's usually neat blonde hair was a bit messy, a few stray strands even matted upon her sweaty face.
"Mia?" said Sarah, stepping off the ship to meet her by the ramp. "Damn, even Kyla looks drier than you! Did you run all the way over here?"
"I wanted to see you...before you left," replied Mia breathlessly. "I needed to thank you...for everything."
"You don't need to thank me," said Sarah. "We all helped put Drake in his place."
The Royal stood up straight and wiped some of the sweat from her face, the cool breeze of the sea dried up the rest. Mia's eyes then softened upon Sarah, so much that the captain thought she might cry.
"I'm serious, Sarah. You made a sacrifice. You chose to die sooner so that we all could live, I won't ever forget that," Mia had unintentionally caused Sarah's smile to fade a bit, the young captain had nearly forgotten what her battle with Drake had cost her. The Royal hesitated for a moment, pondering whether she'd do more harm than good by telling Sarah the truth. "Listen...there's actually something else I wanted to tell you, it's about your father."
Sarah blinked and looked back at her crew. Nearly all of them leaned against the rail of the ship, and waited for what Mia would say next.
"Mia, I don't have a fa..."
"You do, Sarah," Said Mia, sternly. "I read the atlas on Blackbeard's ship, he has a record of who your parents are. I figured since you're going out there you mind as well know the truth."
Sarah was honestly curious to know, eager to hear the name of the man who abandoned her at birth. However, Merla's words curved the curiosity out of her. She was right to have given her such honest advice. Parents who abandoned her were not worth her time, her true family had already boarded her ship.
"Tell you what," said Sarah, extending her hand out. "If we make it back alive in a year, how about you and I share a bottle of wine, and you can tell me all about it."
Mia's eyes widened for a moment, surprised that Sarah wasn't curious to learn more about her parents. Then again, she had learned quite well that Sarah was anything but ordinary. The Royal reached out and the two shook hands.
"Deal." Said Mia, smiling.
"You sure about this, love?" Asked Cookie, looking hopeful. "There's room for more, you know? We're sailing into another world after all, imagine how cute the guys will be!"
"Easy there, buddy." Said Holly, playfully massaging Cookie's shoulders. "Let's keep those tits in your bra, okay?"
Mia and Sarah laughed as they both looked up at the crew. They all waited for Mia's response, even Charlotte leaned intently over the balcony rail.
"Well...I've thought about it a lot...but I can't this time," replied Mia, her hazel eyes then turned toward Sarah. "You’ve started something incredible. All throughout the islands women are starting to speak up against the emperor. I have to do my part here as a judge and protect them, but I promise, next year when you return, I'll resign and join your crew. If you'll still have me, of course."
"Sure we will, Mia," said Sarah. The captain returned to her ship, and the ramp raised closely behind her. She then turned toward the Royal and gave her a wink. "You're a beautiful thief already."
Thank You
I want to thank all of you who've read Tales of the Caravan. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review and let others know what you thought of the book. It really helps! The sequel, A Tale of Betrayal, is scheduled for a September release. For updates please feel free to message, or follow me on twitter @avarezbooks.
Thank you all again for supporting me.
With much love,
J. Avarez
