Chapter 2

Robert boarded a ship that took him to Saltmarsh Haven, the place where the princess was supposedly last seen. Saltmarsh Haven was the most important trading point. If he had any chance of finding her, it would be there. The ship he was on was already busy, since it had just been to an island south of the kingdom. Robert took a minute to lay down and rest his eyes, before he would reach his destination.

“Hey!” Robert turned around and saw the princess approaching him. “Your Highness,” he said and bowed. She just rolled her eyes. “I told you, you do not have to do that once we are alone. Where are you headed?”

“To the barracks, your Highness,” he answered. “Would you mind if I tagged along?” A gentle smile found its way on his lips. “Not at all.” Robert offered her his arm, and together they walked down to the barracks. Their unlikely friendship had always fascinated him. He could not remember what they were talking about, just the shine in her eyes when she talked about the things she loved, the flow of her dark hair and the soft skin of her hand on his arm. He wondered if –

Shouting and cannons going off jolted him awake. “Pirates!” The whole deck went havoc. The other men practically fell out of their bunks, as they scurried up. Robert ran up to the deck and watched the chaos unfold. The captain was barking orders, the crew were running around and firing cannons. “Get to work Thorne, we need everyone we have.”

“Yes, sir.” He ran off to gather some cannon balls, but it was too late. Grappling hooks caught the railing, pulling the ships closer together, and the pirates rushed aboard the ship. Robert dropped the cannon ball and hid behind one of the cannons, just in time before anyone could spot him. The pirates captured the crew of the navy and tied their hands and feet. Then their captain trotted aboard. The boots were heavy on the deck, the steps silenced the entire ship. The navy Captain gulped. “Captain Noa, bringer of death around the seven seas.”

“Silence!,” the pirate captain barked out and walked over to take a look at the crew. The navy captain caught a glimpse of the pirate captain’s face and let out a laugh. “You are a woman! Thank the lord, she is not going to harm us, for she is a woman!” She stepped closer and held the barrel of the gun to the Captain’s head. “Just because I’m a woman, Captain, doesn’t mean I’m less qualified to man my crew.” She disabled the safety of the gun with a click. “In fact, I’m ten times better than any man I’ve met.” The captain’s words died in his throat and he began to shake in panic. The pirate captain turned to one of her men, still aiming her gun against the man’s head. “How many kids are aboard?”

“Ten, ma’am.” She nodded. “Collect the kids and bring them aboard the Nemo. Throw the crew in their own cells and blow a hole into this damned ship.” She put the safety pack on and slid the gun back into its holster.Robert panicked. What was he supposed to do? Go down with the navy? He took a deep breath and slowly came out behind his hiding spot and quickly scurried aboard the pirate ship. He hid below deck behind some large barrels. He was safe here. But not for long. He heard the man before he saw him. “What do we have here?”