by Alex H Singh
“New prisoners? Why wasn’t I told?” Peggy asked.
Michelle laughed as she rubbed her pets back. “You were asleep Peggy. In fact, I was just on my way to tell you now, but once again, your keen observation beat me to it.”
“Hmm captain, flattery will get you everywhere!” Peggy replied, honored by the captain’s praise.
“Yeah, that’s a good parrot. I’m on my way to see them now. Care to tag along?” She asked, and the bird eagerly nodded.
Below deck, Prince Phillip was just returning to their prison cell. He wriggled out of his binds and quickly moved to assist the queen. Once they were free, he proceeded to take fairy form and left the area to search the entire ship for the Lamp of Light, including the captain’s personal quarters and various vaults he had located along the way. After a little while, Phillip returned and took human form once more and Esther Anna couldn’t help but notice how confused he appeared.
“What’s wrong?” She asked, as she eagerly rushed over to him, “Did you find it?”
He shook his head, a gravely look in his eye. It was supposed to be on this ship, or that’s what they’d been told, since the captain was the last known person in possession of the lamp.
“I scoured the entire ship, Esther. The lamp is not here…” Phillip said with a heavy sigh. After all the planning and efforts, and getting captured, it felt unfair that they didn’t find the item in question. The plan had fallen through.
“She was supposed to have the lamp, right?” Esther Anna asked, to which the prince nodded. “Well, doesn’t that mean she might know where it is? She’s obviously intelligent, I doubt she would let something as precious as the Lamp of Light slip away without keeping track of it, somehow…”
Prince Phillip perked up. Esther Anna had a point, and he thought that the only way to get the knife was to get Michelle to reveal the whereabouts of the lamp. It was ambitious and wasn’t going to be an easy task. They heard footsteps approaching and assumed captive position. They placed their hands behind their backs and the ropes placed loosely over them to provide the illusion of still being tied. The cell door locks slipped open, and the captain herself slipped inside. She looked at them with slight amusement, with her pet owl on her shoulder. She walked slowly and took a seat on a barrel in front of them.
“Okay, I can’t take it anymore. Tell me.” She pointed between the two of them. “How did this happen?”
Phillip and Esther Anna each looked at her with matching confusion.
Michelle sighed, “How did the prince of the fairy kingdom, one of the most impossible to find places in the entire world and the fugitive queen of Tibethia who killed her husband, end up together? Oh, and please, don’t spare the details.”
Phillip noted something she said: “Fugitive queen who is said to have killed…” He defended Esther Anna with conviction. Does she believe that Esther is guilty?
“First things first.” Esther Anna cleared her throat, before fully explaining the details that the captain had requested. “I didn’t kill my husband; I was framed by the Princess Noelle. She’s a dark sorceress, corrupted by magic and vanity. She is the one killed her father and framed me for it. I don’t know why, other than a plan to take over the kingdoms herself. When I escaped Tibethia, I fell into an open entryway into the fairy kingdom and that’s how I met him. He read my memories and saw that I was telling the truth. He volunteered to help me stop the princess and told me about the Lamp of Light, a magical artifact that can verify my innocence and prove irrefutably, that the princess is evil.”
There was an unmistakable flash in the captain’s eyes at the mention of the Lamp of Light. She was one of the few who knew the lamp’s whereabouts, and now this unlikely pair who had gone in search of it, were on her boat. Michelle sensed something strange was afoot. She wasn’t sure of what exactly, but she didn’t believe in coincidences. “So, what you mean to tell me is that, the young, sweet, and innocent Princess Noelle intends to take over the kingdoms?”
Esther rolled her eyes. “Of course, she seems that way, but that’s a cover. I’m sure you’ve heard of the way she massacred families in front of members of the kingdom. She’s not as innocent as she seems, captain. Think about it.”
Captain Michelle seemed thrown by this for a second, but she drifted into thought as she pondered the events that led them all here. It was easy to take the prince and the queen, both supposedly on the run. Did they surrender to her to leverage the size of her ship and her reach? Michelle played right into their trick. She looked at the prince, who was watching her, as if he seemed to know what she was thinking. Esther Anna mentioned he could read memories… She shifted in her seat and placed a hand on her sword.
The prince’s weapon had been confiscated, along with the pack, which had contained fairy gold and a few dresses, when he was brought on board. He was unharmed, though Michelle couldn’t doubt for a second that he was extremely dangerous, as she’d heard of how he dispatched the men at the harbor.
“Why should I believe you?” Michelle was fixated on the prince.
Prince Phillip shrugged. “Honestly, you don’t have any reason to—I’m a fugitive and would say anything to be set free, right? I’m not only asking for my freedom, but also for the Lamp of Light. We know you know where it is, it’s why we’re on this ship in the first place.”
Captain Michelle’s eyes twitched a bit at his confession. She knew it. They had been captured on purpose.
Esther continued: “Captain, Noelle is evil. On top of everything I told you, I know for a fact that she intends to remain young forever. She uses a blood spell, performed with a special knife with a ruby hilt and strange symbols on it, too. She kills young, beautiful girls and bathes in their blood to maintain her youth and beauty. She intends to transfer her soul into the body of another victim before her marriage to Prince Hardy. If her plans are successful, we’re all doomed!”
Captain Michelle was quiet. Something Esther Anna said had struck her. Special knife with ruby hilt. Could it be? She was no stranger to retrieval missions, as she’d fetched plenty of artifacts for those willing to pay a hefty price. Most of these items were ancient, with dark undertones and histories, but she carried out the task and rarely bothered with the details. The knife that Esther Anna described fit that criteria for a job she’d done before, and it seemed highly unlikely there would be two knives with those specifications. Coincidence…
“Well, I believe her!” Peggy spoke up for the first time since they arrived.
Esther Anna and Phillip jumped in surprise but managed to keep up the illusion of being tied.
“She has my friend trapped in a mirror, and the girl she killed? Her spirit is trapped in here.” Esther Anna carefully lifted her hands to pull on the necklace that was tucked into her dress. “If you care at all about the fate of the kingdoms or the very seas you sail upon, you will believe me.”
Captain Michelle instantly recognized the necklace and narrowed her eyes as she heard Esther Anna mention a mirror, another artifact that was fetched for the same mystery contractor.
“This, too…” Prince Phillip said, as he revealed that his hands were no longer tied.
Captain Michelle was on her feet instantly and her sword was drawn at the sight and when she looked over, she noticed Esther Anna wasn’t bound either.
“We know the lamp is not here, but we know you know where it is. Please, tell us so that we can stop the evil princess!”
Captain Michelle didn’t say anything. She eyed them warily as she backed out of the cell, making sure to lock the door behind her before she left.
“We blew it.” Prince Phillip said for what must have been the millionth time. Phillip sighed deeply as he paced the small cell. Hours had passed since their confrontation with the captain and their dinners lay cold on the floor, since neither of them had an appetite. They both knew coming clean about their plan was a huge risk, as it was a long shot that the captain would decide to join them based on what they’d revealed.
Their mission relied heavily on the captain turning over the location of the lamp, but now it seemed to be an impossible endeavour.
Esther Anna sat quietly in a corner as she thought back over the conversation they’d had with the captain. She didn’t miss the look the captain gave her necklace when she showed it off it could have been an assumption, but was it recognition? Then, the knife seemed to strike a chord with her too. What does this mean?
“I’m sorry…” Phillip said as he sat down beside her with a sigh. “I swore I’d get the lamp and clear your name, but I have failed you.”
Esther Anna turned and pulled him into her arms. She wasn’t about to let him take the blame for everything. “Phillip…It’s not your fault. You did your best. We did our best. Furthermore…”
The door to the cell opened suddenly and cut off Esther Anna in the middle of her speech. Captain Michelle walked in with Peggy standing proudly on her shoulder. She waved over to them. “Well, I would untie you, but you seem to have handled that yourselves. Come on. Let’s go.”
Esther Anna and Phillip looked at each other in disbelief before they heeded the command of the captain and walked out of their cell to follow her. They were led to her quarters, and once they arrived, she offered the two of them a seat at her dining table, where there were drinks and hot meals already waiting.
Captain Michelle leaned forward in her seat and folded her hands in front of her. As they ate, she spoke. “So, say I believe you. Perhaps that’s why you’re sitting in here dining like royals instead of in that cell. Tell me, what’s the plan? Where do we go from here?”
The queen looked up in between mouthfuls, as it seemed that her appetite had returned with a vengeance. “First, to find the Lamp of Light. It’s a key component to prove my innocence. Then, we can stop the princess once we have the backing of the people. I know I’ll have help from my father’s army.”
The captain arched an eyebrow, intrigued at the pan as she smiled and poured herself a drink. “Well, you were right earlier. The lamp isn’t in my possession, but I do know where it is”
“Shaanti Bay, Shaanti Bay.” Peggy squawked, and Phillip smiled, swallowing his food.
“Quite the owl you’ve got there, captain.” Phillip mused.
Peggy erupted in a loud squawk as Captain Michelle struggled to calm her down. After a moment, she settled, but kept an angry stare fixed on the fairy prince who returned his focus on his food.
“Ahem. As my parrot rightly said, the lamp is at Shaanti Bay, and it’s guarded by a sea creature and don’t worry… I already told the lads to set a course for the bay.” Michelle nodded at them before she stood up from her seat. “Eat up, and in a moment, someone will come to show you to your quarters.”
“Why did you believe me?” Esther Anna looked up from her plate.
The captain stopped mid-stride and looked at the queen for a moment. Her thoughts might have drifted briefly before she spoke. “The artifacts. The knife, the necklace. That…mirror. I’m the one who retrieved them for her. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was helping a would-be tyrant and that’s just something I won’t stand behind. I’m a part of this now, and I swear to you, she will be stopped.” With that, she exited the room.
Shaanti Bay loomed off in the distance, with an ominous mist hovering over it.
As Esther Anna looked at the bay, she felt a small sense of foreboding. They were finally close to their goal; the lamp was within their reach and they would soon be able to confront the princess. She looked at Phillip, who smiled at her reassuringly. She took solace in his confidence. We’re going to be fine.
As they moved, the captain’s eyes stared out over the water. She was on alert and searched for any signs of the sea creature she’d warned them about before. They landed ashore unharmed and unhindered, and made their way towards the cave that housed the Lamp of Light. Captain Michelle led the way. Phillip and Esther Anna followed close behind her, and they were followed by four of her best men. The rest stayed on the ship to keep watch, anxiously waiting for their return.
They carefully walked through the damp and dingy cave, to make as little noise as possible, since at any moment, they could come face-to-face with the guardian. Peggy flew beside them, and her eyes shone in the darkness of the cave as she scanned the area. They made their way into a large opening in the cave and arrived at a large platform and stretched in front of them was a long, sturdy bridge, with water flowing in underneath.
“Lamp. Lamp.” Peggy squawked excitedly.
Everyone turned to her location and gasped. The Lamp of Light was there, indeed. It shone brightly, seated perfectly centered on its pedestal.
“Perfect. I’ll go across. The rest of you, stay here.” Captain Michelle offered. She was already moving towards the bridge, when Phillip stopped her.
“No. Let me go. I’m much faster.” He insisted.
The captain was about to respond when they were interrupted by a large swoosh.
Suddenly, a large creature emerged out of the water below and landed with a heavy thud on the bridge, and it shook everything inside the cave. Luckily for them, there wasn’t damage to the bridge. The beautiful sea creature stared at them with an expressionless gaze. It appeared to be female and stood at an impressive height of eight feet. It had scales for skin, with flowing hair that was at a length that reached her backside. “No one is going anywhere!” Her melodic voice resonated through the cave. “I am Tishana, the guardian of this lamp. As long as I am alive, no one shall get near the Lamp of Light!”
Esther Anna stepped forward. She had come too far to give up now.
Tishana peered down at her, and she scowled at the queen.
“My name is Queen Esther Anna LaPointe of Tibethia! I’ve come here to retrieve the Lamp of Light… to clear my name of the wrongful accusations made against it and save the kingdoms from evil.”
The guardian closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. “I am sympathetic to your cause, young queen, but my purpose and existence is to guard this lamp. I’m afraid I cannot let you have it.”
“Fine. Then we’ll take it by force.” Captain Michelle said, as she signaled her men, and they quickly rushed towards the guardian.
Tishana sighed and raised her hands. Spouts of water rose from below, and from those streams, the water hardened, solidifying into ice blades. As the first man reached her, she evaded his attack and impaled him through the chest. The second man struck hard and fast, nearly getting her, but she blocked the attack with her second blade and kicked him down on to some jagged rocks below. Two more men charged and attacked her simultaneously. Tishana threw her blades into the air and caught the men by the neck. They wriggled in her grasp as she lifted them up and smashed them into the bridge before throwing them to the side. As she straightened up, she caught both blades and assumed a combat stance.
“Stay back.” Phillip said to Esther Anna and she took a few steps back the way they’d come. He nodded at Michelle, and in one smooth motion, he unsheathed his sword and readied it in front of him. “Shall we?”
“Fairies first.” She replied smiling and he raced forward towards Tishana.
The sea creature tossed her sword towards the prince and he flipped in the air, evading the attack. As he landed, he rolled towards her, feeling the blade contact her flesh as it nicked her calf. Tishana let out a cry and Michelle slid towards her, to attack the other calf. Both Phillip and the captain were successful in getting past the sea creature and started to run for the lamp. Tishana emitted a loud shriek that shook the entire cave, and it stopped the pair in their tracks. They reached up to clutch at their ears, which were throbbing in pain at the piercing sound. The guardian sprinted towards them and picked them both up in her grasp, and in one heave, she threw them back across the bridge and they hit the cave walls. Tishana summoned the blade that had been embedded in the cave wall and it flew into her hand. She charged at the duo.
The prince and the captain scrambled to their feet and as the guardian ran t
oward them, they nodded to each other. Together, they bolted towards her, and he leapt onto Tishana to tackle her with all his might, causing her to lose her grip on her weapons. Michelle raised her sword high and swiftly brought it down, aiming for the guardian’s chest. The blow was deflected however, as Tishana flung her arm out, sending Michelle over the bridge.
Prince Phillip moved quickly to catch Michelle, and he helped her to her feet as Tishana called her weapons back to her hands again. Michelle scanned the room and saw Peggy perched on some rocks a short distance away, which caused a sigh of relief that her pet was safe. Michelle spotted a length of rope looped and attached to Tishana’s belt, and immediately got an idea.
Without any warning, Phillip charged the sea creature. He let out a battle cry at the top of his lungs, and instead of using his weapon he sheathed it. He feigned left and dodged as Tishana swung in that direction. He was quick on his feet, and at the last second took off towards the right side where he caught her off-hand.
“Peggy! Fetch!” Michelle screamed.
Tishana caught sight of the owl flying towards the lamp and realized her mistake. She turned to reorient herself, but she couldn’t with her legs tied. She cried out in frustration against the bindings, as Captain Michelle pulled tighter on the ropes. The guardian struggled against the force, but Michelle’s pull proved too much for her so eventually she toppled over. At the same time, Phillip wrestled the blade from her hand and successfully disarmed her, and it fell to the ground. By some miracle, her blade fell at just the right angle that the guardian fell onto her own blade. She shrieked as the blade impaled her through the shoulder, and the ear-piercing cry startled everyone present. There was a loud thud as she hit the rocks and she rolled over in pain, subsequently tumbling into the dark waters.
